Abstract: A portable electroplating system with components integrated into a complete system, rather than separated and disjointed. A single electroplating system can be self-contained to include all necessary rectifiers, tanks, cleaning functionalities, and other helpful or necessary items. By using smaller components than conventional electroplating systems, the system can allow for more economical use of chemicals, solutions, and energy and can be utilized more efficiently towards a unique shape or size of object to be plated. The system can also include wheels to make the system portable. A rack management system can be employed to move objects from one location to another within the system.

Abstract: A portable electroplating system with components integrated into a complete system, rather than separated and disjointed. A single electroplating system can be self-contained to include all necessary rectifiers, tanks, cleaning functionalities, and other helpful or necessary items. By using smaller components than conventional electroplating systems, the system can allow for more economical use of chemicals, solutions, and energy and can be utilized more efficiently towards a unique shape or size of object to be plated. The system can also include wheels to make the system portable. A rack management system can be employed to move objects from one location to another within the system.

Abstract: A portable electroplating system with components integrated into a complete system, rather than separated and disjointed. A single electroplating system can be self-contained to include all necessary rectifiers, tanks, cleaning functionalities, and other helpful or necessary items. By using smaller components than conventional electroplating systems, the system can allow for more economical use of chemicals, solutions, and energy and can be utilized more efficiently towards a unique shape or size of object to be plated. The system can also include wheels to make the system portable. A rack management system can be employed to move objects from one location to another within the system.

Abstract: A portable electroplating system with components integrated into a complete system, rather than separated and disjointed. A single electroplating system can be self-contained to include all necessary rectifiers, tanks, cleaning functionalities, and other helpful or necessary items. By using smaller components than conventional electroplating systems, the system can allow for more economical use of chemicals, solutions, and energy and can be utilized more efficiently towards a unique shape or size of object to be plated. The system can also include wheels to make the system portable. A rack management system can be employed to move objects from one location to another within the system.

Abstract: A connector includes a body having a first portion and a second portion integrally formed with the first portion. The first portion has a first hardness and the second portion has a second different hardness. In an embodiment, the first portion has a first hardness of at least 40 Rockwell C and the second portion has a second hardness that is less than the first hardness. In another embodiment, the second portion has a hardness of 30 Rockwell C or less and the first portion has a greater hardness than the hardness of the second portion. The connector is made using a method including the steps of forming a body having first and second portions, and induction hardening the first portion to a hardness of at least 40 Rockwell C or the second portion to a hardness of 30 Rockwell C or less.

Abstract: A connector includes a body having a first portion and a second portion integrally formed with the first portion. The first portion has a first hardness and the second portion has a second different hardness. In an embodiment, the first portion has a first hardness of at least 40 Rockwell C and the second portion has a second hardness that is less than the first hardness. In another embodiment, the second portion has a hardness of 30 Rockwell C or less and the first portion has a greater hardness than the hardness of the second portion. The connector is made using a method including the steps of forming a body having first and second portions, and induction hardening the first portion to a hardness of at least 40 Rockwell C or the second portion to a hardness of 30 Rockwell C or less.

Abstract: A ferrous forging billet is treated before heating for forging by grit blasting it with aluminum oxide grit having a pre-blasting particle size in the range of from about 100 microns to about 180 microns, at a pneumatic pressure in the range of from about 60 psi to about 160 psi, and for a time period in the range of from about 30 seconds to about 60 seconds, so as to remove pre-existing scale from the surface of the billet stock, to roughen the cleaned billet surface and to embed particles of aluminum oxide in the cleaned and roughened billet surface, thereby to form a tightly adhering deposit of aluminum oxide particles which are dispersed over the billet surface and cover at least 10% thereof. This substantially inhibits the formation of oxides on the surface of the billet during heating for forging.