US2300015A - Method for treating electrotype matrices - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 27, 1942. A. H. scHoMAKER METHOD FOR TREATING ELECTROTYPE MATRICES Filed May 24, 1959 INVENT OR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 27, 1942 METHOD FOR TREATING' ELECTEOTYPE MATRICES Albert H. Schomaker,

The Rapid Electrot Ohio, a corporation Bellevue, Ky., assignor to ype Company, Cincinnati, `of Ohio Applicationl May 24, 1939, Serial No. 275,569

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a process and apparatusfor metalizing,` or oxidizing the surface of lead or graphite coated forms or wax electrotype matrices for increasing the conductivity, and as preliminary to the electro deposition of metal thereon to produce an electrotype shell.

It is a common practice to subject a graphited form or the surface` of a graphite coated wax electrotype` matrix to a preliminary copper coating or oxidizing treatment. The surface generally is treated with a dilute slightly acid solution of copper sulphate and line iron filings are sprinkleidl over it, and the surface is gently brushed until it is coveredwith copper. In this operation numerous cells or couples are produced in which each iron particle acts as an anode, i. e. goes into solution and displaces the copper which deposits upon the graphite iilm that serves as a cathode. Thisheretofore has always been a manual. operation, and for large size or face dimension electrotype matrices an operator usually treats a small portion of the surface of a matrix plate at aV time, and. therefore does not produce a uniform and continuous film so that the full advantage and benefit of preliminari-ly coating or oxidizing to impart an electrically conducting film to the graphited surface of the matrix is not obtained.

It is therefore an object of the invention to providev a simple, cheap andi effective means and` methodforY uniformly and completely coating the graphite surface of anV electrotype form or matrix to: render the same immediately conductive for the electro deposition of metal thereon to produce an electrotypeshell.

Another object of the invention is to provide an eicientr andi speedy method for preliminarily oxidizing or metalizing the surface of an electrotype form or matrix, a treatment performed while a matrix iscontinuously advanced to receive one of the several different constituents or ingredients applied at successive stages and the application thereofA automatically controlled by the advancing matrix stationed upon a conveyor, the method permitting of a plurality of plates in a successive order to be simultaneously treated and supplied upon a conveyor at one endthereof and removed from the' opposite end in a condition ready for making a face electrical conductor connection and electro deposition to produce shell.

Another object of the invention is to control the time4 or period of successive treatments by the rate of continuous advance or travel ofthe matrix an electrotype stationed upon a conveyor to obtain uniformity 55 in the treatment of a plurality of plates and in degree of surface metalizing or oxidizing.

Other advantages and features of the invention will be more fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a centra-l vertical diagrammatic sec-k tion of the apparatus for practicing the improved method of the present invention.

Figures 2 to 5 inclusive arel corresponding sections of an electrotype matrix, each illustrating a stage in the application of one of the several different constituents upon the surface of an electrotype matrix.

With the present method, the well known ingredients of a diluted slightly acid solution of copper sulphate and iine iron filings for metalizing or oxidizing the graphited wax surface of an electrotype matrix are employed. Therefore, the description will be confined to the use of these ingredients or materials, although the element or elements which specifically enter into the constitution of anyy mixture or compound or the kind and number of materials employed doesy not form a part of the present invention so that the ref- Y erence to any specific material is merely given to aid in the understanding and practice of the method and the operation of the apparatus.

As highly efficient and economical results by the preferred method are obtained in the use of' diluted slightly acid solution of copper sulphate and iine iron filings for preliminarily coating the graphited surface of an electrotype matrix as a means for increasing its conductivity, no change in material has been necessary.

Briefly, the method consists in continuously conveying a wax electrotype matrix during the period of treatment, and in a horizontal plane, with the graphited surface uppermost, by stationing the same upon the forward run of an endless conveyor. The treatments starting, first by spraying or administering from a nozzle for the full width of the matrix plate, a crosswisc stream` or drippings of acid solution upon the graphited surface of the matrix, the administration or application commencing at the forward end of the plate and correspondingly continuing to its opposite end. The amount or velocity of the fluid is regulated and controlled according to the needs required to produce the most favorable and eicient results, and this also applies to the rate of plate travel and is readily determinedr in practice so that specifically described rates of flow of liquid or solid ingredientsv employed in the treatment and rate of travel of the plate need not be given herein, and which also deponds upon the net results desired. This also applies to the relative time or administering points of one material or ingredient from another, and these also can be readily adjusted and altered as conditions may require.

1n applying the liquid ingredients by means of a nozzle disposed and extending transverse to the direction of plate travel and reaching the full width thereof, a determined and uniform application of acid solution is applied. This also follows for the successive applications arranged at points or stages in the progress of the plate with the time of starting and stopping thereof controlled by the moving plate which actuates electric circuit controlling switch means for operating appropriate devices to start and stop the feed of the material applied upon the plate. The switches are disposed in the path of the plate travel so that the time of control is governed by the lengthof the plate. At a determined interval from commencing administering or treating the plate with lthe acid solution, a lateral stream or drippings of iine iron filings are delivered upon the acid solution covered surface of the plate commencing at its forward end and uniformly continuing to the opposite end of the plate. The iron filings, after deposit upon the plate, act in conjunction with the acid solution to deposit a copper coating upon the graphited surface of the plate. The action continues and is segmented when the plate reaches a point at which its forward end actuates control means for opening a valve to jet water or blow air upon the surface of the plate, delivered from a nozzle extending transversely of the plate direction of travel. This action agitates the material, acid solution and iron filings delivered upon the plate, and also serves as a cooling agent to prevent breaking down or injury to the wax of the matrix as the electro-chemical action of the acid and iron n1- ings create heat.

The plate then continues in its travel for a repeat operation supplying thereon as previously described acid solution, iron filings, and a sufficient supply of fresh water or air, and finally flushing the surface progressively to a high pressure and volume degree of fresh water from a nozzle extending transverse and in parallelism to the nozzles, previously referred to, to fully and completely wash and rinse off the entire surface of the plate. The plate is then manually removed from the conveyor and is in a condition to receive a face conductor connection or ready for a further processing by electro deposition to produce an electrotype shell.

Referring to the drawing, l indicates a tank or container within which the electrotype matrix plates 2 are consecutively conveyed for treatment. The matrix plates are conveyed upon an endless or belt conveyor for translating the same beneath a plurality or series of sprayer nozzles and feed spouts arranged in a sequential order for first supplying the top lead coated surface of a matrix plate with a liquid acid solution, then a fine dry granular product of iron filings following with a spray of clear water or air. Then repeating the operations and finishing with a heavy clear water flushing spray to wash off all of the treatment material that remains free from the preceding operations.

A tank is preferably employed for housing the plates during their period of treatment, as conveyed for the successive steps of the treatment for collecting all discharge from the` plates and salvaging some of the materials used in the treatment of the plates. The bottom 3 of the tank is inclined longitudinally for draining the liquid therefrom to and through an outlet pipe ii installed in the deep end or" the tank; and the metallic particles, as for instance iron filings, which are used in connection with an acid solution for treating the top surfaces of the plates, are collected and deposited upon the bottom of the tank to be conserved and removed for reconditioning and reirse.

The conveyor preferably constitutes a pair of belts 5 suitably spaced apart, each at one end engaging respectively over a driving wheel 6 fixed upon a driving shaft i', and at an opposite end over an idler wheel 5a fixed upon a shaft 1a. The shafts are suitably journalled in bearings mounted upon the opposite side walls of the tank. The belts are preferably of a V-type engaging over grooved pulleys or wheels and of a material, resistant to the acid solution used in the treatment of the matrices, for increased endurance. The conveyor drive shaft 'l extends through one of the side walls of the tank for making an exterior power transmission connection as by means of a sprocket wheel and driving chain in connection with an electric motor or other mode of power transmission,

The forward run of the belt or conveyor for the space required between the driving and idler pulleys, to accommodate for the number of plates that can be operated upon for simultaneous and continuous treatment, and for loading and removal and for a maximum size of plate, can be maintained at sufficient tautness to sustain the plates in a substantially horizontal plane without the provision of guiding instrumentalities. If necessary however, guide rollers or supporting rails may be employed to sustain the upper run of the conveyor or belts against sag. The plates however are suiiiciently rigid so that any slight sag in the belts under the weight of the plates which may have a tendency to incline the plates is immaterial, although it is preferred to not too rapidly drain the constituents employed for plate treatment, and therefore for the most efcient results it i5 preferable to have the plates on as true a horizontal plane as possible.

To insure a treatment of the plates for their full surface width and for convenience in applying or depositing the plates upon the belts or conveyor, and to move the same in a width alignment for registration with nozzles and discharge spouts employed for delivery of the treatment material upon the top surface of the plates, it is preferred to either have the tank of a width sufficient to freely receive a definite size of the plate or to track the same at one or both sides longitudinally by stationary guide rails or bars fixed to the side walls of the tank. The rails provide a spacing or way for tracking the plates. This adds convenience to the operator in loading the plates upon the conveyor as it eliminates any plate adjustment after deposited upon the conveyor, and insures a uniform treatment for the full area or surface of the plates thereof.

A matrix plate, as it is conveyed by the conveyor, at a proper point in its travel has its forward end engage and depress a control electric switch lever as the first of a series, which, when depressed, establishes an electric circuit to a magnetically operated valve Q, opening its valve Hi for a discharge of liquid acid solution from a supply tank or reservoir Il shown as mounted upon the top of the main tank I, although tlie reservoir location could be remote from the main tank. The valve Ill controls the inlet end or porty of a pipefitting I2 connectedv to the bottom of the solution reservoir I'I, andI with a horizontally disposed nozzle tube I3 for delivering the supply ofv acid solution upon the top surface of the matrix.

The nozzle is disposed crosswise of and for the width of the plate, andfits jet apertures are of a determined gaugey and spacingV apart for delivery of an adequateV supply of liquid acid solution uniformlyacross the fullr widthV of the plate,.continuously with the-advance of the vplate and progressively until its entire surface has been supplied. Thesupply is automatically out off as soon as the plateadvances beyondv and releases the control lever 8f at an appropriately timed interval from the time of initiating the liquid solution supply.- The surface of the matrix is supplied with metallic or iron filings discharged, in a longitudinalstream, crosswise of the plate, from a reservoir Idr shown as mounted upon the top of the maintank I. lIlhe ironfilings as a dry ne granular product are distributedv from the funnel shaped'bottomof the reservoir III` by a4 pairl of coactingrelatively reversely rotatedj feed rollersv I5, I5.. T-he feed rollers are power driven, the driving mechanism therefor is clutch controlled, preferably by a magnetically operated clutch and in transmission connection with the'conveyor shaft Ther clutch is. operated at and for an appropriateftimed interval and period by a switch lever I6 corresponding to the switch lever 8, actuated by an advancing matrix plate-2, for establishing andbreaking anelectric circuit to the magnetic clutch diagrammatically illustrated and indicated'at Il. upon the black lead coated surface ofL the matrix plates with the diluted acid solution results in an electro-chemical reaction producing almetalized surface thereover for developing` a metallic flash deposit thereon;

The plate'in its advance and at an appropriate point from the point of depositing metallic'lings depresses a third switch lever I8, which thereupon establishes an electric circuit to-a'n electromagnetically operated valve IQ for opening a fresh water or air pressure supply line or pipe 20 to a nozzle 2l. The nozzle 2I connects with the end of the pipe 20 at an appropriate height from the plate carrying plane of the conveyor and extends crosswise of the tank for discharging r spraying water or air upon the plate 2. The spray continues for the full length of the plate, and is cut off as soon as the rear end of the plate releases the switch lever I8. The spray agitates the material previously delivered upon the plate, and also serves as a cooling agent.

The surface of the plate preferably is subjected to a second treatment, corresponding to the rst as a repeat. The plate in its advance and at a proper point or interval after having passed the nozzle 2| actuates a switch lever 22 for establishing an electric circuit to an electromagnetically operated valve 23 as a control for the nozzle 24 in pipe or conduit connection with the reservoir 25, for a second delivery of said solution. Thence the plate actuates a switch lever 26 for the control of an electro-magnetically operated clutch 21 for the transmission of the coacting rotating feed rollers 28, 29, at the base of the reservoir 3D for administering or applying a granular material or iron filings upon the top surface of the plate. Continuing, the plate then actuates a switch lever 3|, establish- The deposit of the metallic filingsy rate of speedfnecessary t0 obtain a proper allowance for the success-ive plate treatmentscally operated valve 32 inthe water line or pipe 34. The pipe 34 carries a sprayer nozzle'35-for administering or applying an air or water supply upon the moving plate. The pipes Zit` and 34 are represented as bran-ch lines linking witha water main or service'linel.

Finally the plate act-uates a switch lever 3l' which establishes an electric circuit with an'electro-magnetically operated valve 38in the water line or pipe 39'as'a branchv in connection with themain water service pipe 36. The branch line 39 at its lower end-is provided? with a nozzle l0- for the delivery of a heavy or forceful flushing volume of water or liquid upon the plate to thor-` oughly wash and cleanse the plate surface of all loose metallic particles depositedy thereon in the treatment, and to efliciently cleanse it from the acid or liquid-solution administered 0r developed in the course of treatment.

The nozzle 4l! preferably directs the spray or stream forwardly, and isV shielded by an'inverted V-form of covering 4l so` as t0 avoid delivery of any quenching quantity or spray of water in an advancedstage which may be interfering to the full degree ofmetalizing action desired.

The several-switch levers, 8, I6, I8', etc., are all of springy actuated or counterweighted type to open automatically asthe plate retreats therefrom; Each has a conductor l2 connecting with. an electric supply line 43 to the movablecontact carried by the'switch, and` a conductor dit connectinglthestationary contact of the switch and magnet of the in series with the coil of the device operated thereby and withca service line 45. As the switch-7s magnetically operated valves and clutches are of commercial cr'conventional` type, a detailed disclosure thereof is not made herein as it is-believed that the construction and operation is well known, andthat the-inventionherein and the methodand mode of operation will` be fullyr understood'by the diagrammatic illustration of these parts or devices.

The conveyor is operated. at an appropriate time This, however, provides ample time for an operator to deposit manually the plate on one endof the conveyor and remove a treated plate from the opposite or delivery end of the conveyor, and to constantly have a plurality of plates simultaneously undergoing treatment. Aside from the more eflicient manner in which the surface of the plates are metalized, the material saving in time is effected over the present hand methods now practiced, thus materially reducing the cost in the production of electrotypes.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. The method of treating a graphite coated surface of an electrotype matrix with a liquid acid solution and fine metallic granules to produce a metallic lm thereon, which consists in transporting the matrix in a horizontal plane continuously at a determined rate for the period of treatment, with the graphite coated side upward, administering thereon from dispensers stationed thereabove, separately and in a consecutive order the liquid solution, ne metallic granules, and a spray for agitating and cooling the solution and granules on the surface of the matrix, delivering said several products and spray from the dispensers onto the surface of the moving matrix crosswise for the full width thereof, effecting thereby together with the travel of the matrix a progressive uniform application and treatment,

ing an electric circuit for an electro-magnetiand finally administering a liquid under pressure crosswise for the full Width of the matrix to progressively with the travel of the matrix cleanse the surface of the solution and loose particles thereon.

2. The method of treating a graphite coated surface of an electrotype matrix with a liquid acid solution andI fine metallic granules to produce a metallic film thereon, which consists in .f transporting the matrix in a horizontal plane continuously at a determined rate for the period of treatment With the graphite coated side up- Ward, administering thereon from dispensers stationed thereabove separately and in a consecutive order the liquid solution, fine metallic granules, and a spray for agitating and cooling the solution and granules on the surface of the matrix, delivering said several products and spray from the dispensers onto the surface of the moving matrix crossvvise for the full width thereof, effecting thereby together with and the travel of the matrix a progressive uniform application and treatment, repeating the performance in the continued travel of the matrix, and finally administering a liquid under pressure orosswise for the full Width of the matrix to progressively with the travel of the matrix cleanse the surface of the solution and loose particles thereon.

3. The method of treating a graphite coated surface of an electrotype matrix with a liquid acid solution and ne metallic granules to produce a metallic film thereon, which consists in transporting the matrix in a horizontal plane continuously at a determined rate for the period of treatment with the graphite coated side upward, administering thereon from dispensers stationed thereabove separately and in a consecutive order the liquid solution and fine metallic granules, delivering said several products from the dispensers onto the surface of the moving matrix crosswise for the full Width thereof, effecting thereby and together With the travel of the matrix a progressive uniform application and treatment, and nally administering a liquid under pressure crossvvise for the full width of the matrix to progressively With the travel of the matrix cleanse the surface of the solution and loose particles thereon.

4. The method of treating a graphite coated surface of an electrotype matrix with a liquid acid solution and ne metallic granules to produce a metallic film thereon, which consists in transporting the matrix in a horizontal plane continuously at a determined rate for the period of treatment with the graphite coated side up- Ward, administering thereon from dispensers stationed thereabove separately and in a consecutive order the liquid solution and ine metallic granules, delivering said several products fromV the dispensers onto the surface of the moving matrix crosswise for the full Width thereof, effecting thereby and together With the travel of the matrix a progressive uniform application and treatment, repeating the performance in the continued travel of the matrix, and finally administering a liquid under pressure crossvvise for the full width of the matrix to progressively With the travel of the matrix cleanse the surface of the solution and loose particles thereon.

5. The method of treating a graphite coated surface of an electrotype matrix With a liquid acid solution and ne metallic granules to produce a metallic film thereon, which consists in transporting the matrix in a horizontal plane continuously at a determined rate for the period of treatment, with the graphite coated side upward, administering thereon from dispensers stationed thereabove, separately and in a consecutive order the liquid solution, fine metallic granules, and a spray for agitating and cooling the solution and granules on the surface of the matrix, delivering said several products and spray from the dispensers onto the surface of the moving matrix crosswise for the full width thereof, effecting thereby and together with the travel of the matrix a progressive uniform application and treatment, finally administering a liquid under pressure crossvvise for the full width of the matrix to progressively with the travel of the matrix cleanse the surface of the solution and loose particles thereon, and automatically individually controlling the delivery of each dispenser by the moving matrix and the period of delivery by the length and rate of travel of the moving matrix.

ALBERT H. SCHOMAKER.

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