MASKING DEVICE FOR GALVANIZED MASKING
A masking device for masking an opening of a workpiece including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a longitudinal axis that extends between the first end and the second end, and a cylindrical body extending between the first end and the second end. The cylindrical body has an outer periphery defining the circumferential outermost extent of the cylindrical body. The masking device further includes an aperture extending through the cylindrical body between the first end and the second end. The aperture has an inner periphery defining the circumferential innermost extent of the cylindrical body. The masking device further includes a tab extending away from the first end of cylindrical body along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.
The present invention relates to the field of masking devices, and more particularly to a masking device for masking counterbore openings and through-holes during galvanizing.
BACKGROUNDIn the machining industry, manufactured parts often include openings that provide access to internal surface portions of the part. In some instances, the manufactured part is required to be galvanized in order to achieve the necessary or preferred characteristics before the part is used. Depending on the specific application for the part, contact between the galvanizing material and the internal surface portions of the part can be undesirable and/or can severely damage the part.
Often the openings are threaded in order to engage with a threaded fastener or other part. The threads of the opening must engage the fastener or other part perfectly and the addition of galvanizing material disrupts the engagement of the threaded components. Therefore, it is undesirable for the galvanizing material to enter the opening as it may hinder the acceptance of fasteners.
Many products, such as silicone plugs, are known in the art for masking internal surface portions and openings of the part during a coating process. In some cases, silicone plugs are used to mask internal surface portions and opening of the part that is to be galvanized in order to inhibit the galvanizing material from contacting such surface portions during the coating process. These conventional silicone plugs begin to disintegrate at 550 degrees Fahrenheit. As such, silicone plugs disintegrate in galvanizing bath as the galvanizing material reaches temperatures of 800 degrees Fahrenheit. These conventional silicone plugs are not desirable because the galvanizing material disintegrates the silicone plug, thereby allowing the galvanizing material to access the internal surface that is meant to be protected.
SUMMARYIn one embodiment, the invention provides a masking device for masking an opening of a workpiece. The masking device includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a longitudinal axis that extends between the first end and the second end, and a cylindrical body extending between the first end and the second end. The cylindrical body has an outer periphery defining the circumferential outermost extent of the cylindrical body. The masking device further includes an aperture extending through the cylindrical body between the first end and the second end. The aperture has an inner periphery defining the circumferential innermost extent of the cylindrical body. The masking device further includes a tab extending away from the first end of cylindrical body along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a masking device for masking an opening of a workpiece. The masking device includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a longitudinal axis that extends between the first end and the second end, and a cylindrical body co-axial with the longitudinal axis. The cylindrical body extends between the first end and the second end. The masking device further includes a tab extending away from the first end of the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body is composed of a glass and resin matrix material that is stiff and heat resistant to at least 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
In the illustrated embodiment, the masking device 10 further includes an aperture 30 extending through the cylindrical body 22 between the first end 14 and the second end 18. Also, the aperture 30 extends co-axially with the longitudinal axis 26. The aperture 30 defines an inner periphery of the masking device 10, while the cylindrical body 22 defines an outer periphery of the masking device 10. The inner periphery is the innermost circumferential extent of the cylindrical body 22. In contrast, the outer periphery is the outermost circumferential extend of the cylindrical body 22.
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Once the galvanizing process is completed, the masking device 10 is removed from the opening 12. To remove the masking device 10, an operator grasps the tab 34 and pulls the masking device 10 along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 26. The masking device 10 is reusable, and does not migrate, melt or harden allowing it to be used to mask openings in subsequent galvanizing processes.
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Once the galvanizing process is completed, the masking device 110 is removed from the opening 112. To remove the masking device 110, an operator grasps the tab 134 and pushes the masking device 110 along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 126, thereby unseating the flange 162 from the counterbore 116. At this point, an operator grasps the flange 162 and pulls the masking device 110 from the opening 112. The masking device 110 is reusable, and does not migrate, melt or harden allowing it to be used to mask openings in subsequent galvanizing processes.
The masking device 10, 110 is manufactured from a glass and resin matrix material. This glass and resin matrix is heat resistant to at least 800 degrees Fahrenheit. This glass and resin matrix material is advantageous over a silicone material because a galvanizing bath can reach up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. As such, the glass and resin matrix can withstand the high temperatures of the galvanizing bath, whereas the silicone material begins to disintegrate at 550 degrees Fahrenheit. However, most ceramic materials having this level of heat resistance are typically rigid materials (i.e., are not elastic). The glass and resin matrix is further advantageous because it has a level of elastisticity to it such that the masking device 10, 110 can flex when a sufficient force is acted upon it.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described. Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A masking device for masking an opening of a workpiece, the masking device comprising:
- a first end;
- a second end opposite the first end;
- a longitudinal axis that extends between the first end and the second end;
- a cylindrical body extending between the first end and the second end, the cylindrical body having an outer periphery defining the circumferential outermost extent of the cylindrical body;
- an aperture extending through the cylindrical body between the first end and the second end, the aperture having an inner periphery defining the circumferential innermost extent of the cylindrical body; and
- a tab extending away from the first end of cylindrical body along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.
2. The masking device of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body defines a first wall thickness measured along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between the inner periphery and the outer periphery.
3. The masking device of claim 2, wherein the tab defines a second wall thickness measured along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between the inner periphery and the outer periphery, wherein the first and second wall thicknesses are the same.
4. The masking device of claim 3, wherein the first and second wall thicknesses are between 0.03125 inches and 0.125 inches.
5. The masking device of claim 3, wherein the first and second wall thicknesses are approximately 0.0625 inches.
6. The masking device of claim 1, wherein the outer periphery of the cylindrical body defines a first outer radius of curvature and the outer periphery of the tab defines a second outer radius of curvature, wherein the first and second outer radius of curvature are the same.
7. The masking device of claim 1, wherein the inner periphery of the cylindrical body defines a first inner radius of curvature and the inner periphery of the tab defines a second inner radius of curvature, wherein the first and second inner radius of curvature are the same.
8. The masking device of claim 1, wherein the aperture and the cylindrical body are co-axially with the longitudinal axis.
9. The masking device of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is composed of a material that is heat resistant to at least 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
10-20. (canceled)
21. The masking device of claim 9, wherein the material is a flexible ceramic.
22. The masking device of claim 21, wherein the flexible ceramic is a glass and resin matrix material.
23. The masking device of claim 22, wherein the glass and resin matrix material is a fiber-reinforced elastomer.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 13, 2017
Publication Date: Jul 19, 2018
Inventor: Andrew W. Oniszczuk (Pleasant Prairie, WI)
Application Number: 15/405,576