Taking electroplating processes to the next level via Computer Aided Engineering approach
Standard practice applies empirical and “by experience” methods to rule out the non-uniformity issues, taking months for tooling design&manufacturing and wet test runs, and even then, process performance might be still surprising. This can be changed when relying on a Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) approach which allows to assess process risk issues and eliminate them before any actual process will take place:
CAE approach uses a virtual mock-up of the real-life plating line infrastructure in order to provide information on the current density and metal layer thickness distributions over a 3D computer model of the part to-be-plated. Thus, detail overview on the low and high current density areas is obtained upfront and can be quickly addressed by developing a proper mitigation strategy composed of adequate active tooling components and process parameters. The entire guess-work in this case, is replaced with the exact know-how on the process and right-first-time production achieved within days rather than extensive weeks.