Some moulding design requirements for plastic electroplating

There are a number of design requirements for the successful moulding of electroplating plastic parts:

• Integral parts should be used to avoid welded or gluded joints
• Gates should be put in non-appearance areas
• Ribs and Bosses should be designed to eliminate sink marks
• Texturing can be used to break up large flat surfaces and hide any defects such as scratches
• Draft angles should be at least 1degree for easy removal from mould
• Parting lines should be put in non-significant areas if possible
• "Close tolerance fits" must include the final plate thickness in the part design
• Wall thickness should be as thick as possible for rigidity
• Plate uniformity- which is a result of high and low current densities must be considereed in the inital design, the design should exclude: V grooves,  90 degree angles,  letters should be kept close to surface; angles should be as large as possible; large flat plances should be crowned
• Consideration should also be given to drainage holes, rack contact areas and rigidity.
• Hot runner systems are best, otherwise runner systems should be fully round, polished, max radii where possible with generous gates.