|
Original Date: 07/13/1992
Revision Date: 01/18/2007
Information : Chrome Plate Automated Control and Monitoring System
The problem of chrome loss during proof firing of the 120mm tubes prompted the implementation of a Watervliet Improvement Program. The 120mm gun tube is one application of chrome plating technology at Watervliet Arsenal (WVA). Chrome plating of 0.004-inch to 0.005-inch on the inside bore provides corrosion and erosion protection of the cannon tube. Data collection began in the related process areas to determine the relationship and effect on the chrome plating process. The pre-plating processes such as heat treating and honing, as well as the actual characteristics (geometry, chemistry and mechanical properties) of each tube were documented in an attempt to measure each one's effect. The result of the Improvement Program was a significant decrease in the instance of chrome loss during proof-firing and the development of a very robust chrome plating process.
As an additional improvement to the chrome plating process, an automated control and monitoring system has been installed. The system includes automated recording of temperature, bath level, conductivity, time, date, and tank number. The process rectifiers are also controlled to allow for recipes downloading for each product line. The data will be transferred and stored in the NT Server where the information is stored in a data warehouse and is available for analyses, traceability, and future retrieval using web-based technologies.
For more information see the
Point of Contact for this survey.
|
