SANFORD LOW VOLTAGE DC + AC HARD ANODIZING SYSTEM
 

The Air-Cooled, Low-Voltage DC + AC Power Supply for operating the SANFORD+PLUS and SANFORD-QUANTUM
Aluminum Hardcoating Processes
 
 
The Sanford Process™ Corporation, ten years ago, determined to expand the functional efficiency of its Hard Anodizing systems as well as the range of coatings they would make available. The most extensive research and development effort in Sanford's history was to follow. Now those lofty goals have been met. From their reduced refrigeration requirements to their computer-aided construction and sophisticated controls our Sanford + Plus and Quantum systems have spectacularly fulfilled their promise.
 
 

THE SANFORD + PLUS aluminum hardcoat process gives the metal finishing industry the opportunity to obtain hard-anodized surfaces that are more uniform, thicker, and with higher abrasion resistance and higher dielectric qualities than is possible with conventional hard-coating processes.

The combination of the Low Voltage power-supply (0-18 volts compared to 50-80 volts in high voltage systems) with the proprietary additive "SANFRAN" now makes it possible to hardcoat aluminum alloys while maintaining exacting quality control during the process.

The unique Sanford + Plus power-supply delivers D.C. current with a superimposed A.C. current of variable potential for different coating requirements. Controlled by the amount of coulombs passed through the system, the process is easy to operate.

 
Description
 

CIRCUITRY
The Low-Voltage Power Supplies employ unique circuitry covered by U.S. Patent #4,170,739 and several foreign patents to provide DC current with a super-imposed AC component for the SANFORD+PLUS and SANFORD-QUANTUM Processes.

CONTROL
Manual controls and provisions for automatic control are located in a Remote Control Cabinet. All push-buttons, dials, and gauges are located on the face of the cabinet door, accessible to the operator. Metering includes an Amp-hour meter, a digital Volt meter and an analog Ampere meter. The door seals the fiberglass cabinet hermetically, to protect the enclosure from marring and most chemicals, inside and out.

ELECTRICAL PROTECTION
Circuit breakers, magnetic contactors, relays, protective electronic circuitry and fuses are utilized throughout to protect the power circuit.

VOLTAGE CONTROL
Control of the output power is accomplished by means of Controlled Magnetic Devices with nearly infinite life and high efficiency. The Controlled Magnetic Devices are simple in design and virtually maintenance free.

COOLING
Cooling is provided by forced air in heat sensitive areas. There is an automatic disconnect in case of failure of the cooling system.

DIAGNOSTIC UNIT
The Diagnostic Unit provides indicators for approximately 30 possible process, equipment, and power malfunctions. It can be separate or incorporated into the Remote Control cabinet.

SOFT START
Output voltage is controlled at the start-up by a device that absorbs the initial surge of current.

TRANSFORMERS & CONTROLLED MAGNETIC DEVICES
Transformers are built to exacting standards using highest quality core material: grade M-6 non-aging, grain oriented silicon steel. Aluminum coil windings are used for the best heat dissipation and reliability. The Controlled Magnetic Devices use still thinner M-5 grain-oriented steel. Movex Class H insulation, which allows for a maximum working temperature of 180 degrees C, is also used.

DESIGN
All components are rated for continuous duty. The power supply is designed and constructed to ensure maximum reliability and performance.

MAINTENANCE
We stand behind our equipment and, thanks to our Tomalogic documentation, we provide tele-maintenance by FAX to ensure prompt service of the system.

 

Chiller Requirements are Reduced

 
Depending on the alloy, the Sanford + Plus process bath operates in the 40 degree F to 50 degree F (5 degree C to 10 degree C) temperature range, as compared to the freezing (32 degree F, 0 degree C) temperature required for conventional hard-anodizing. Combined with the low voltage output of the power-supply, savings of 15% to 25% in energy are not uncommon.
 
Improved Hardness
 
Sanford + Plus hardcoatings have wearing qualities that are superior to case hardened steel and chrome plate. While Sanford + Plus hardcoat is too hard for conventional machining, it may be ground, honed, or lapped, utilizing recommended finishing techniques. Sanford + Plus also exceeds MIL SPEC A-8625C, Type III; i.e., allowed weight loss for copper alloy 2024 is 40 mgs. Sanford + Plus loses only 6.5 mgs.
 
Increased Thickness and Dimensional Accuracy
 
Aluminum hardcoating by the Sanford + Plus process can produce uniform thicknesses of up to .008" on many alloys, compared to .003" with a standard hardcoat. Unlike plating processes, Sanford + Plus has excellent "throwing power", even in deep bores...leaving a uniform coating over the entire configuration. The hardcoating is more ductile and less susceptible to cracking, ensuring a clean edge at thicknesses where conventional processes will cause considerable edge-defect.
 
High Dielectric
 
Sanford + Plus Hardcoat is an excellent electric insulator. Breakdown voltages are as high as 1500 volts D.C. on a flat surface with a coating of 2 to 3 mils, and up to 5000 volts D.C. on a flat surface with a coating of 7 to 8 mils. A somewhat lower voltage breakdown can be expected at sharp corners or edges.
 
Corrosion Resistance
 
Aluminum alloys having a sealed Sanford + Plus coating have withstood a continuous saltwater atmosphere without evidence of corrosion for periods in excess of 5 years.
 
 
THE SANFORD QUANTUM
 
Aluminum hardcoat process makes available hard-anodized surfaces in those colors previously possible only with conventional decorative anodizing. Imagine the design opportunities in combining blue, red, green or yellow components with black. Or use color as a ready identifier in assembling similar-but-different hardcoated pieces. Consider a clear .001" coating that is sapphire hard. Could it be matched with a natural bronze, equally hard, at .002" thick? Architects and building hardware designers suddenly have new uses for aluminum to conjure. A variation of our patented Sanford + Plus power-supply makes these choices possible but with even greater economy.
 
Higher Temperature Range
 
The Sanford Quantum process bath operates in the 45 degree F to 70 degree F range. Obviously, lower initial chiller costs will combine with lower operating costs to yield these versatile finishes economically.
 
Quantum Features
 

In addition to the emancipation it means from limits of gray shades, Quantum continues the Sanford tradition of exceeding MIL SPEC hardness parameters. And, because of its Plus heritage, finishers can count on uniformity of coating, lessened edge defect characteristics and outstanding corrosion resistance.

Sanford's staff stands ready to help determine the size of unit necessary to do your job. The built-in reliability of our rectifiers and their versatility (we offer one model capable of the coating thickness of Sanford + Plus or, in an another mode, of the color ranges of Sanford Quantum) provide our licensees with real advantages whatever their markets.

Whichever Sanford Equipment you choose, you can be sure that your operator will be able to give you uninterrupted production - and do it with ease. The Sanford Process Corporation's concern for its licensees goes to that licensee's satisfaction with the results he obtains from the use of this remarkable equipment.

The Sanford Process Corporation's concern for its licensees goes to that licensee's satisfaction with the results he obtains from the use of this remarkable equipment.

 
 

Available Through Authorized Sanford Licensees

 

SANFORD PROCESS™ CORPORATION
65 North Avenue, Natick, Mass. 01760
Tel: (508) 653-7860 Fax: (508) 653-7832
Owners of Patents of the World's Finest Hard Anodized Process
 
 
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