Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does Pulse do that DC Plating cannot do?
2. What is a Pulse Power Supply?
3. Can a Pulse Power Supply have a DC Output?
4. What does your Model Number indicate?
5. How can I try Pulse?
6. Will Pulse Plating Take Longer?
7. What size Power Supply do I need?
8. How do I figure out what Pulse Parameters to use?
9. How do I figure out Duty Cycles and Frequencies?
10. Do you have any technical information on pulse plating?
11. Can I add an On/Off Switch to my DC supply and get a pulse power supply?
12. Can Pulse Plating break down additives in the bath?
13. How does Pulse work?

1. What does PULSE do that DC PLATING cannot do?

Pulse plating offers the user more parameters to control the deposit. DC supplies offer a variable controlled DC level with specifications of accuracy and ripple. Pulse supplies offer frequency and duty cycles along with specifications of accuracy and ripple. Please refer to the listed pulse attributes.

2. What is a PULSE POWER SUPPLY?

While a DC supply has a steady output at a set level, the pulse supply output is turned on and off in a repetitive pattern. This pattern has an adjustable duty cycle (ratio of on/off periods), and an adjustable frequency (ratio of the on/off timing increments).

3. Can a Pulse Power Supply have a DC Output?

Yes, all Dynatronix pulse supplies can be set for DC output. The maximum DC output current is the average current of the supply - NOT the peak pulse current. The peak pulse current reference applies only for the pulse output.

4. What does your MODEL NUMBER INDICATE?

The model number lists the capability of the pulse supply. 

For Example: DP20-30-100

DP is our model designator

20 is the maximum peak or average voltage available

30 is the maximum average (or DC) current output
100 is the maximum peak pulse current output when pulsing

5. How can I try Pulse?

Dynatronix has a Demo Program that provides the use of one of our demo supplies for two weeks to a qualified user. This demo period is offered free of charge when the user agrees to pay shipping charges to and from our facility. If a longer user evaluation period is required, a rental program can be established.

6. Will Pulse Plating Take Longer?

Pulse plating will deposit metal at the same rate as DC plating providing the average pulse current equals the DC current. The average current is computed from the duty cycle set on the pulse supply. It is the ratio of the ON time divided by the sum of the ON time and OFF time ON/(ON+OFF). Typically plating times can be reduced with pulse plating because the current density can be operated at a higher level than it is in DC plating.  See Pulse Math for more details.

7. What SIZE Power Supply do I need?

The selection mainly involves two parameters. (1) How much DC current do you require now and (2) the metal or process you are using. The average current rating of the pulse supply should equal the DC current (amps) value you are using now. The ratio of the average current to the peak current needs to be large enough for the required process. If the duty cycle selected is 10%, the peak must be 10 times the average, if the duty cycle selected is 50%, it must be two times the average; and so on. Follow this link for examples.

8. How do I figure out What PULSE PARAMETERS to use?

Pulse plating parameters are established greatly by the metal being plated plus the required results and the geometry of the product. Dynatronix has experience in many areas and can assist in establishing a test pattern to determine the optimum settings for a specific application.

9. How do I figure out DUTY CYCLES and FREQUENCIES?

- Dynatronix offers an information sheet on pulse math. 
- Dynatronix offers a table on pulse timing vs frequency.

10. Do you have any technical information on pulse plating?

Dynatronix has compiled a collection of articles covering different metals and applications for pulse plating. These articles have appeared in a variety of publications.

11. Can I add an ON/OFF Switch to my DC supply and get a pulse power supply?

Yes, it may be possible. Some factors that effect the results are the type and ratings of the DC supply plus the pulse output requirements needed.

12. Can Pulse Plating break down additives in the bath?

Yes, it is possible but it is not a common problem. If the bath is operated within its specifications, especially maximum voltages, pulse rarely harms the bath. Many chemical companies now make baths designed for pulse plating. Generally these baths have a reduced additive system offering the user the advantage of a pulse with less additives to control.

13. How does Pulse work?

Pulse plating has many articles published on the theory of its operations. Two of the most important concepts are explained here:

A. In electroplating, a negatively charged layer is formed around the part as the process continues. When using a direct current supply, this layer charges to a defined thickness and stays constant. This obstructs the ions from reaching the part. In pulse plating, the output is periodically turned off to cause this layer to discharge somewhat. This allows easier passage of the ions through the layer and onto the part.

B. During the electroplating process, high current density areas in the bath become more depleted of ions than low current density areas. During the off period, ions have a chance to migrate to the depleted areas in the bath. When the on time for the pulse occurs, more evenly distributed ions are available for deposition onto the part. There are also many types of agitation that can help replenish ions in the bath along with the on/off pulsing.