Method And Device For The Electrophoretic Production Of Sheet-Like Blanks From A Metal Slurry Or Ceramic Slip

Abstract

The invention makes it possible to produce very thin ceramic blanks as a precursor for ceramic discs, for example for use as faces in wrist watches. On the other hand, the production of metal blanks for use in CAD/CAM machines is possible with the invention. Both methods are based on depositing the material from a slurry or slip by electrophoresis. The essence of the invention is the isolation of the peripheral region of the precipitation electrodes that is produced by a non-conducting frame. This allows the precipitated mass to be easily lifted off from the precipitation electrode. The subsequent sintering with a possibly proceeding machining operation allows precision articles to be produced.

1 . A process for the manufacture of a flat blank made of a metal or ceramic slurry  2  by electrophoresis, characterized by covering an edge area of a flat collecting electrode  5  with an insulating frame  6  during the electrophoresis. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the precipitation electrode  5  is coated on one or both sides. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , characterized by using a collecting electrode  5  made of zinc, and an alumina slurry as an electrophoresis suspension  2 . 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized by forming the surface of the collecting electrode  5  with raised or recessed symbols. 
     
     
         5 . A device for carrying out the method according to  claim 1 , with a container  1  filled with conductive electrophoresis suspension  2 , which container is connected to the negative pole of a DC power source, wherein the suspension can be stirred by a stirrer  3  for the prevention of agglomerates, characterized by a positive polarity and vertically movable substrate holder  4  that supports a frame  6  to cover the edge portion of the collecting electrode  5 . 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , characterized by a two-part frame  6 . 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 2 , characterized by forming the surface of the collecting electrode  5  with raised or recessed symbols. 
     
     
         8 . A device for carrying out the method according to  claim 2  with a container  1  filled with conductive electrophoresis suspension  2 , which container is connected to the negative pole of a DC power source, wherein the suspension can be stirred by a stirrer  3  for the prevention of agglomerates, characterized by a positive polarity and vertically movable substrate holder  4  that supports a frame  6  to cover the edge portion of the collecting electrode  5 . 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , characterized by a two-part frame  6 . 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 3 , characterized by forming the surface of the collecting electrode  5  with raised or recessed symbols. 
     
     
         11 . A device for carrying out the method according to  claim 3  with a container  1  filled with conductive electrophoresis suspension  2 , which container is connected to the negative pole of a DC power source, wherein the suspension can be stirred by a stirrer  3  for the prevention of agglomerates, characterized by a positive polarity and vertically movable substrate holder  4  that supports a frame  6  to cover the edge portion of the collecting electrode  5 . 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , characterized by a two-part frame  6 .