anodizing

[pyroracing85]

How do you do it? What machine do I have to purchase to do it?

please help

-garrett

[cnc2k]

This might answer you question.

Anodizing/plating supplies

[jkeyser14]

You need a car battery charger, some aluminum or titanium wire, some battery acid, water, some aluminum plate to use as anodes/cathodes, some clothing dye, a pot, and stove to boil the dye solution on.

If you really want to get hardcore, you upgrade to heavy duty adjustable amperage power supplies, different cleansing agents, some sealants, and some more anodizing specific dyes.

The difference in quality? 99% of the finish you get will depend on prep work. You can get virtually the same finish using a car battery charger as an expensive power supply (as long as you aren't annodizing something with a gigantic surface area).

[pyroracing85]

Is there any machines I could buy that does all that for me?

[jkeyser14]

No, there are no real "machines" per say. You can buy power supplies that work better than a car battery charger however. They also sell titanium anodizing racks for doing large quanities of parts at once, but that's probably not what you are after.

[pyroracing85]

Originally Posted by jkeyser14 No, there are no real "machines" per say. You can buy power supplies that work better than a car battery charger however. They also sell titanium anodizing racks for doing large quanities of parts at once, but that's probably not what you are after.

How is there no machines for this? So you are saying everybody does it out of a coleman cooler? I was reading this machining book about production anodizing. there HAS to be a machine

[aghobby]

You should find all the info and the products here:

http://www.focuser.com/atm/anodize/anodize.html#top

or

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/aluminum.htm

Hope this help,

Alex

[buscht]

Pyro, There isn't a "machine" that will automatically do your anodizing. Professional systems are basically the same as the Coleman cooler system, except that the tanks are alot bigger and they have automated conveyor systems to move the product from tank to tank and dip them in the tanks for the proper amount of time.

I'd say that the "machine" that you are talking about is a "factory system". Cost is probably about $5 million dollars.

[BigDaddyG]

All,
I purchased a complted kit from Focuser.com. Prior to purchasing the kit, I bought his manual which is a guide and complete step by step of the process and the equipment needed to set up your own anodizing line. After reading the manual, I purchased the kit from him and it was all done in a very professional mannor. I am still in the process of completing the line, but have done some small sample parts. I ended up buying a "professional" style power supply, I am using a Moeller controller for the heating and timing. And, a aquarium ariator to keep the stuff moving. I am automating my equipment, using slides to dip the racks, control the temp and time thru the controller and then slide the racks back out when the controller tells it to. Anyway, it is working out well, still have some things to do but all in all I am very pleased.

Regards,
Glen

[BigDaddyG]

Oh yeah,
The guide / manual was around $24, and I believe that was taken off my purchase of the kit when I made the purchase.
Glen

[pyroracing85]

Originally Posted by buscht Pyro, There isn't a "machine" that will automatically do your anodizing. Professional systems are basically the same as the Coleman cooler system, except that the tanks are alot bigger and they have automated conveyor systems to move the product from tank to tank and dip them in the tanks for the proper amount of time. I'd say that the "machine" that you are talking about is a "factory system". Cost is probably about $5 million dollars.

really there is that much of a demand to have a 5 million dollar factory? What else do they anodize?

[jkeyser14]

A whole lot of what you buy is anodzied and you probably don't even realize it. Heat sinks on electronics, metal keychains, basically anything that is made from aluminum is almost guaranteed to be anodized.