Documentation Of Electroplating And Polishing Processes

1. Low-Quality Electroplating Process

The core workflow of low-quality electroplating consists of "single sanding + electroplating".

During the process, only the basic procedural requirements are met, with no emphasis on quality control. The primary goal is merely to complete the workflow, and key indicators such as the product surface condition and electroplating effect are not strictly monitored.

2. High-Quality Electroplating Process

High-quality electroplating adopts a core workflow of "triple sanding + fine processing + electroplating + quality inspection", with each step adhering to rigorous standards. The details are as follows:

2.1 Pre-Electroplating Polishing Treatment

The initial product blanks must undergo three rounds of sanding. The sequence of sanding grits is 320-mesh, 260-mesh, and 180-mesh in turn. A smaller mesh number indicates finer abrasive particles and a smoother polishing finish.

After the triple sanding, concentric patterns are created on the product surface to further enhance the texture, laying a solid foundation for subsequent electroplating.

Upon completion of polishing, each product's surface must be inspected one by one to ensure there are no scratches and the patterns are clear and consistent before proceeding to the next step.

2.2 Intermediate Protection and Electroplating

Products that pass the polishing inspection must be tightly wrapped to prevent scratches or damage during transportation or subsequent processing, which could compromise the final quality.

After proper wrapping, the products are sent to the electroplating workshop to undergo the electroplating process in accordance with standard operating procedures.

2.3 Post-Electroplating Quality Inspection and Rework

After electroplating, the products are transported back to the company for comprehensive quality inspection. This includes checking for defects on the electroplated layer, verifying the adhesion of the plating, and ensuring compliance with other quality standards.

If any quality issues are identified, the products are immediately sent back to the relevant process for rework, ensuring that all delivered products meet high-quality requirements.

2.4 Cost Description of the Process

In the high-quality electroplating process, product loss (e.g., parts falling off during processing) may occur, with an overall loss rate of approximately 10%-20%. Additionally, strict process control increases time costs and management costs, ultimately leading to a relatively higher total cost for high-quality electroplating compared to low-quality alternatives.