Posted by Maybe but.... on June 27, 2003 at 20:21:38:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Weight difference/plating posted by Mr.Know-It-All on June 27, 2003 at 19:44:07:
Dan, yes and no--parts more distant from the anode have a higher resistance path owning to the greater amount of plating solution between the anode and the cathode. Where there's a high-resistance path, less current flows. It isn't the surface resistance of the cathode we're fighting here, it's the resistance of the plating solution, which is a lot higher.
Platers try to equalize the situation by agivating the cathode (the tuba) and the making sure that solution keeps moving.
A good even plating results when the average distance (as measured over time) is the same for every part of the cathode to the anode. Some irregular shapes make that very difficult.