Plating Barrels and Danglers
One of the most important components of a plating barrel are the danglers. They exist mainly to carry current from the electrified saddles to the parts inside the cylinder to be plated, although they may provide some parts agitation.
Making a good connection at the horn (typical) on the superstructure is of utmost importance; obviously without a good connection the amperage will be lessened or possibly absent. Broken or frayed danglers need to be replaced as obviously a non-working or damaged dangler plates no parts.
Another consideration is the possible dragout from a vinyl sleeve as opposed to a plastisol dip (preferred dangler). Remember that even though there is an initial higher cost per dangler this needs to be compared with the cost of chemistry carried from one tank to the next (dragout), and the possibility of chromate leakage into the parts at the unload station. Also typical dangler longevity is better with plastisol dipped compared to a vinyl sleeve. However, the vast majority of our customers use a vinyl sleeve in their plating barrels.
Barrel plating line employees need to visually inspect both danglers each time the barrel is unloaded. Sometimes there is sufficient time to replace a dangler without removing the plating barrel from the line. The Dangler Guys have a quick change tool that makes the process easy and speedy. Trying to maintain maximum plating capability of your plating barrels without quality functioning danglers, reminds me of a story I heard once of two farmers talking about high feed costs. One farmer said, I was trying to wean my horses from feed and I almost succeeded, what happened asked his neighbor? He died replied the first farmer. Replace your danglers accordingly.
