Electroplating system and method

Abstract

The present invention includes a method of electroplating an object, where the objects are stacked in at least one sleeve and the objects have an interior surface, that upon stacking, form a stack conduit. The sleeves are then racked to provide fluid communication between a plating solution reservoir and the stack conduit. Plating of the inner surfaces of the objects occurs by flowing an electroplating solution from the reservoir through the stack conduit in the presence of a current. The present invention also includes systems for carrying out the above method.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . A system for electroplating an object, comprising: 
 at least one sleeve, each adapted to receive a stack of objects, wherein each stack of objects provides a stack conduit, each sleeve comprising: 
 a sleeve inlet and a sleeve outlet,  
 a cathode located on the interior of the sleeve and outside the stack conduit, and  
 an anode centrally located in the stack conduit; and  
   a rack comprising: 
 at least one inlet for fluidly receiving an electroplating solution from a reservoir,  
 an outlet fluidly communicating with the sleeve inlet to provide the electroplating solution from the rack to the stack conduit,  
 a passage fluidly connecting the at least one inlet and each outlet,  
 a cathode bar comprising a master connection point and a connection point for the cathode associated with each sleeve, and  
 an anode bar comprising a master connection point and a connection point for the anode associated with each sleeve.  
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one spacer provided above or below the stacked objects, wherein the at least spacer comprises a center hole adapted to receive a centering device attached to the anode.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the anode comprises a centering device adapted to cooperate with the sleeve to center the anode within the interior of the sleeve.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one guide rod in addition to the cathode.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising at least two sleeves.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising at least 16 sleeves.