If you are like most platers, you have a laundry list of things that need to be accomplished around your shop. Realistically, you don’t have enough time to do it yourself. However, if you were to divvy these jobs up, it would substantially assist in ensuring your shop is running at optimum performance.
With this in mind, I offer you the following checklist that will assist in completing the tasks at hand. The list should include those responsible for completing each individual item, as well as the frequency for the task to be completed. Most importantly, posting the list in a common area, allows all team members to understand the timing and essential functions to be performed.
I strongly encourage you to develop a checklist for each plating line and when applicable each plating tank. The checklist should have 3 sections: Daily, Weekly, and Monthly.
What follows is a partial checklist for a typical zinc plating line.
Daily
- Ensure there is no floating oil on any of the plating tanks
- Remove any parts from the bottom of the tanks
- Check that pumps and filters are operational
Weekly
- Confirm anode baskets are full
- Inspect electric contacts
- Clean tops and edges of tanks
Monthly
- Clean bus bars to allow for good current flow
- Remove and clean anodes/anode baskets
- Clean and replace filters as necessary
Please note that this is not an all-inclusive listing. Further modifications are most likely required to reflect your shop’s operating environment. What is important is that you keep and maintain a checklist. Empower everyone in the shop to complete the list and double check that everything is done. With everyone working to help maintain the line, the shop should continue to operate at peak efficiency.