Electroplating apparatus includes an electroplating tank that stores an electrolyte solution in which at least objects to be electroplated and magnetic media sink, and at least one magnetic rotator rotatably arranged under the electroplating tank so as to generate an alternating magnetic field. The magnetic rotator is arranged to section an internal space of the electroplating tank into a first space occupying a space above the magnetic rotator and a second space occupying a remaining space other than the first space. The magnetic rotator is arranged to be movable in a lateral direction intersecting a rotational axis of the magnetic rotator, allowing the objects to be shifted between a condition of being present in the electrolyte solution and in the first space and a condition of being present in the electrolyte solution and in the second space.

An abrasive solution for finishing a metal part is provided. The abrasive solution includes abrasive particles suspended in a solution. The abrasive particles are configured to abrade a surface of the metal part. The abrasive particles are substantially non-responsive to a magnetic field. The abrasive solution also includes magnetic particles suspended in the solution. The magnetic particles are configured to respond to a magnetic field by aggregating together such that a local flow pattern of the solution changes in response to the aggregated magnetic particles.

An abrasive solution for finishing a metal part is provided. The abrasive solution includes abrasive particles suspended in a solution. The abrasive particles are configured to abrade a surface of the metal part. The abrasive particles are substantially non-responsive to a magnetic field. The abrasive solution also includes magnetic particles suspended in the solution. The magnetic particles are configured to respond to a magnetic field by aggregating together such that a local flow pattern of the solution changes in response to the aggregated magnetic particles.

A magnetorheological finishing head comprising magnetic pole pieces, nozzle shape, and wheel shape tailored to maximize volumetric removal rate. The carrier wheel for a ribbon of magnetorheological fluid is aspherical, preferably a toroid having a short radius perpendicular to, and the long radius parallel to, the axis of rotation, although the shape of the wheel may be any aspherical or free form parallel to the wheel's axis of rotation, e.g., toroidal or cylindrical. A magnetic field is generated by shaping the pole pieces to create a substantially uniform magnetic field over a defined gap therebetween such that the field strength in the area of the fluid ribbon is uniform. The nozzle has a non-circular opening to provide a fluid stream having a width that covers the width range of the magnetic field. It is the combination of these three features that allows for a novel MRF removal function.

A magnetorheological finishing head comprising magnetic pole pieces, nozzle shape, and wheel shape tailored to maximize volumetric removal rate. The carrier wheel for a ribbon of magnetorheological fluid is aspherical, preferably a toroid having a short radius perpendicular to, and the long radius parallel to, the axis of rotation, although the shape of the wheel may be any aspherical or free form parallel to the wheel's axis of rotation, e.g., toroidal or cylindrical. A magnetic field is generated by shaping the pole pieces to create a substantially uniform magnetic field over a defined gap therebetween such that the field strength in the area of the fluid ribbon is uniform. The nozzle has a non-circular opening to provide a fluid stream having a width that covers the width range of the magnetic field. It is the combination of these three features that allows for a novel MRF removal function.

A magnetic polishing machine includes a container which accommodates a polishing target and a plurality of polishing pieces, a plurality of rotation plates which are rotatably disposed below the container while a magnet is attached to the rotation plate, and a first rotation mechanism which rotates each rotation plate about a rotation axis of the rotation plate. The adjacent rotation plates are disposed at a position in which rotation areas thereof partially overlap each other.

A magnetic polishing machine includes a container which accommodates a polishing target and a plurality of polishing pieces, a plurality of rotation plates which are rotatably disposed below the container while a magnet is attached to the rotation plate, and a first rotation mechanism which rotates each rotation plate about a rotation axis of the rotation plate. The adjacent rotation plates are disposed at a position in which rotation areas thereof partially overlap each other.

A method for subjecting garment accessories to a surface electrolytic treatment provides various metallic colors to metallic garment accessories in a cost effective manner. The method can provide a first metallic color on one side of outer surface of the garment accessory and provide a second metallic color on the other side of the outer surface, by placing one or more metallic garment accessories in an electrolytic solution in a non-contact state with an anode and a cathode for passing electric current through the electrolytic solution, passing electric current through the electrolytic solution and generating a bipolar phenomenon on the garment accessory.

A system for magnetic abrasive finishing of a workpiece may include a magnetic abrasive brush that may include a plurality of magnetic/abrasive particles and an electromagnet configured to apply a magnetic field on the plurality of magnetic abrasive particles. The system may further include a first actuating mechanism that may be configured to actuate a rotational movement of the workpiece about a longitudinal axis of the workpiece, a second actuating mechanism that may be configured to actuate a linear movement of the magnetic abrasive brush along a first direction relative to the workpiece, the first direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece, a sensor coupled to the magnetic abrasive brush that may be configured to measure a working gap between the magnetic abrasive brush and an outer surface of the workpiece at any given instant. The working gap may be a distance between a center of the magnetic field and the outer surface of the workpiece along a first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece. The system may further include a control unit that may be coupled to the magnetic abrasive brush and may be configured to adjust a magnetic flux density of the magnetic field based on the measured working gap at any given instant.

A system for magnetic abrasive finishing of a workpiece may include a magnetic abrasive brush that may include a plurality of magnetic/abrasive particles and an electromagnet configured to apply a magnetic field on the plurality of magnetic abrasive particles. The system may further include a first actuating mechanism that may be configured to actuate a rotational movement of the workpiece about a longitudinal axis of the workpiece, a second actuating mechanism that may be configured to actuate a linear movement of the magnetic abrasive brush along a first direction relative to the workpiece, the first direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece, a sensor coupled to the magnetic abrasive brush that may be configured to measure a working gap between the magnetic abrasive brush and an outer surface of the workpiece at any given instant. The working gap may be a distance between a center of the magnetic field and the outer surface of the workpiece along a first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece. The system may further include a control unit that may be coupled to the magnetic abrasive brush and may be configured to adjust a magnetic flux density of the magnetic field based on the measured working gap at any given instant.