Electroplating anode assembly

Abstract

An electroplating anode assembly and method for electroplating the plating area of a work-piece. The assembly includes a conductive element and a helical insulating coil. The conductive element can either be a straight conductive wire or a helically coiled conductive wire. The insulating coil is substantially equal in length to the conductive element and positioned around the conductive element for preventing the conductive element from contacting the plating area of the work-piece. The insulating coil extends continuously along the length of the entire electroplating portion of the conductive element. The anode assembly can be used to achieve uniform and adequate electroplating surfaces within recessed and enclosed plating areas of work-pieces that are conventionally difficult to electroplate due to its ability to be readily manipulated into various shapes. Further, anode assembly can be readily repositioned during the course of electroplating to further reduce the instance of localized areas of thick/thin deposition.

1 . An electroplating anode assembly for use in association with the plating area of a work-piece comprising: 
 (a) a conductive element having an electroplating portion and an outer diameter; and    (b) a helical insulating coil substantially equal in coiled length to the conductive element and having an inner diameter, said helical insulating coil being positioned around the conductive element for preventing said conductive element from contacting the plating area of the work-piece, said insulating coil extending continuously along the length of the entire electroplating portion of the conductive element.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said outer insulating coil comprises an inner element and an insulating coating deposited on said inner element.  
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said conductive element is a straight wire.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said conductive element is formed as a helical coil having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the helical insulating coil.  
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said conductive element is made from a material selected from the group consisting of: platinum, titanium, gold, silver, copper, and stainless steel.  
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said conductive element is made from a conductive material that has a percent elongation greater than 30% and a modulus of elasticity less than 200 Gpa.  
     
     
         7 . A method of electroplating the plating area of a work-piece comprising the steps of: 
 (a) forming a conductive element;    (b) forming an insulating coil in the shape of a helical coil having a coiled length that is substantially equal to the length of the conductive element;    (c) inserting the conductive element within the insulating coil to form an electroplating anode assembly;    (d) positioning the electroplating anode assembly in close proximity to the plating area of the work-piece such that the outer insulating element prevents said conductive element from contacting the plating area of said work-piece; and    (e) utilizing the electroplating anode assembly to electroplate the plating area of the work-piece.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of repositioning the electroplating anode assembly at different positions within the plating area of work-piece during the plating process.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of forming the insulating coil by depositing an insulating coating on a coiled element.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of forming the conductive element as a straight wire.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of forming the conductive element as a helical coil having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the insulating coil.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said conductive element is made from a material selected from the group consisting of: platinum, titanium, gold, silver, copper, and stainless steel  
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said conductive element is made from a conductive material that has a percent elongation greater than 30% and a modulus of elasticity less than 200 Gpa.