Face Seals and Annular Coatings
Above:Greystone executives, Everett Fernald (at left); David Lippy (center), and Steve Durkin, Sales Engineer (right) discuss Greystone's extensive offerings and expertise.
Greystone Solenoid Plating
Above:Greystone executives, Everett Fernald (at left); John Maconi (center), and David Lippy (right) discuss Greystone's experience and understanding of solenoid plating. Further, learn about specific processes that Greystone uses to plate solenoids with few or no nodules.
Medical Chrome Plating: Autoclaving
Above: Greystone executive, David Lippy (right) discusses Greystone's experience and innovation in Medical Chrome Autoclaving, with Rawl Rutter (left), Business Manager for Greystone's plating subsidiary Induplate.
Selective Zinc Plating
Above: Greystone executive, David Lippy (right) discusses Greystone's abilities in Selective Zinc Plating, with Rawl Rutter (left), Business Manager for Greystone's plating subsidiary Induplate.

Case Studies

Preventing Base Material Etching while Chrome Plating Aluminum Parts

Overview:

A major supplier to the aerospace industry was in need of both chrome plating and nickel/chrome plating for turbine engine parts made from aluminum. It was desirable to complete all machining operations prior to plating and Greystone was asked to prevent base material etching and maintain all critical dimensions of the finished part during the plating process.

Challenge:

Many aluminum aircraft parts such as Yokes, Actuator Housings, and large Ball Bearings require chrome or nickel/chrome plating for wear and corrosion protection. Most often these parts require selective plating coverage, which is to say they are not plated all over but in particular areas such as only the ID of a housing or only an OD journal at a bearing location. Since aluminum is chemically attacked by mostly all of the cleaning, activation and plating chemicals, the frequent result is a part which becomes etched in areas that do not receive plating coverage.

Approach:

Greystone engineers developed several methods to protect non-plate surfaces from coming in contact with the process chemicals that etch the aluminum base material and cause stock removal. In many cases specialized hard tooling is designed and manufactured by the Greystone team to have a custom fit for each part number and completely seal the part so that plating solutions contact only the area which requires plating coverage. Additionally, Greystone engineers worked with manufacturers of masking materials and tapes to formulate a special blend of material which can be applied to any aluminum part and completely seal the base material from exposure to the process chemicals which lead to etching.

Result:

Greystone innovations in tooling design and a partnership with masking suppliers resulted in the development of a proprietary process to prevent base material etching and stock removal while plating parts made from aluminum. With Greystone's ability to protect all non-plated surfaces and maintain critical dimensions throughout the plating process, our customers benefit from higher yields and reduced operating costs by finishing all machining operations prior to plate.