What is ELECTROFORMING?
Electroforming simply means to build up
gold by electro chemical deposition of a relatively thick layer of metal over a conductive
or non-conductive base material. As an example, a WAX FORM or an ORGANIC FORM as the base
material.
Electroforming is used to create
hollow, or light forms that might be impossible to create by other means. It is also used
to create a metallic coating over non-conductive surfaces.
Electroforming involves plating metal
in layers onto conductive or prepared non-conductive (wax or organic) surfaces. This is an
ideal process for making lightweight pieces in large or unusual shapes, in creating
special shapes, or in special textures, or in forming objects that are to large and or to
difficult to cast.
Electroforming is a process that uses a
BATH type operation where the base material is placed in a relatively small beaker using
solutions developed for this purpose.
Electroforming is similar to
electroplating in a tank or beaker, but the time the particular piece spends in the
solution is longer and the low voltage and amperage is kept quite low. You can work with
as low as a 3 amp source of power.
Electroforming is quite common in the
jewelry industry.
Electroforming is different than brush
plating. The two businesses function differently. The different functions has to do with
the difference between 24K and 14K and how the process of the gold plating application
actually works.
Gold Plating in the Automotive industry
is decorative gold plating at 24K.
The typical brush type mobile 24K gold
plating operation is where the 24K Gold plater works with the assorted scripts and emblems
while they are on the vehicle. This type of 24K Gold Plating is relatively quick to do,
easy to learn, and is typically a highly profitable CASH business.
Gold Plating in the Jewelry industry is
gold plating at 14K.
The typical 14K electroforming
operation is done within a suitable structure since the item(s) being electroformed is
placed within glass beakers while the slow electroforming process takes place. This type
of 14K gold plating takes up a quantity of dedicated laboratory or work space.
Virtually every jeweler in every
jewelry store any where in the country is well aware of electroforming, gold plating and
HGE, which is simple Heavy Gold Electroplating. There are assorted "JOB SHOPS"
already in existence throughout the country who service Jewelers that do not choose to do
this work themselves.
Most jewelry items are 14K, although
there are also 10K, 12K, & 18K too. 14 means 14 parts gold and 10 parts of something
else to provide a more durable shape, such as in a ring.
If you have questions on the
differences between 14K and 24K,you can go to our Frequently Asked Questions page where we
explain it in greater detail. CLICK HERE.
If you want to get into Electroforming,
we can provide you the proper equipment and supplies.
The real question about Electroforming
is not can a system do it, the real question is can you make any
money doing the Electroforming.
With electroforming, you can put gold
onto a sea shell. How much can you sell the gold plated sea shell for, is a fair question.
It is fair to say the market is different than automotive gold plating.
With mobile brush type electro plating
is easy to do and it is quite PROFITABLE, where, on average, a person will pay you $200 or
more in CASH to gold plate the scripts and emblems their vehicle.
I expect it is fair to say you have to
gold plate a whole lot of sea shells to make $200 in sales. Then, how long will it take
you to sell the sea shells.
It is a bit like gold plating bathroom
faucets. Virtually all of the brush type systems with at least 25 amps to strip the chrome
can do the work. However, very few people ever get to see the inside of a home at any
time. If you want more information on Gold Plating Bathroom faucets, CLICK HERE.
Many people get to see the 24K
jewelry on a vehicle, every day so Gold Plating on a vehicle has a higher value as a
vanity item.
To go back to the top of the
frequently asked questions page, CLICK HERE.
To go to our GOLD PLATING INFORMATION PAGE,
CLICK HERE.
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