Abstract: The present invention relates to a anodizing barrel with pump attached and, more particularly to such a barrel that can be adjusted to change the desired volume subject to the processing flow when having small aluminum parts to receive an anodization treatment, enabling the anodization treatment to be performed in the same electroplating drum. When receiving pre-treatment or post-treatment, regular aluminum parts require a relatively larger space, at this time the full space of the drum is used. However, during anodization, the parts must be closely attached together. At this time, the volume of the inside space of the drum can be compressed to squeeze the aluminum workpieces against one another. Further, the motive of the drum is used to drive the pump head connected thereto, keeping electroplating solution to be well circulated through the drum.

Abstract: A metal finishing barrel side opening has a cover secured by a series of cover and barrel tabs, the cover slid into a secured position with the cover tabs partially overlain by the barrel tabs. A locking handle assembly includes a graspable portion supported on a deflectable spring blade attached to the cover at one end which allows the handle assembly to move away from an aligned locator feature on the barrel as the cover is pushed into position. When the cover is shifted lengthwise, the handle assembly moves past the locking feature, and the locking blade pushes the handle assembly back down alongside the locking feature which then prevents reverse sliding of the cover back from under the barrel tabs. When the handle is pulled to initiate removal of the cover, the handle assembly is then moved out above the locking feature to enable the cover to be slid to the released position. An automation apparatus interacts with one form of the locking assembly to automatically install and remove the cover.

Abstract: The drum of the drum unit has a plurality of jacket walls. One jacket wall is designed as a freely pivotable lid. A cam disk is located in the drum. In certain positions the lid rests at its free end on the cam disk such that it is controlled by same. When the drum rotates in one direction, the cam disk blocks the lid in its open position such that an automatic discharging of the drum takes place. At a rotating in the opposite direction the lid remains closed due to its force of gravity, so that neither a manual manipulation nor operating apparatuses for a moving of the lid are needed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electroplating device including an anode inserted through and disposed in a hole provided in a work and communicating with the outside, and a member for rotating the work about its center axis and supplying a plating electric current to the work. Thus, a uniform plated film can be formed on both of the outer and inner surfaces of the work having the hole communicating with the outside such as a ring-shaped work, of which a ring-shaped bonded magnet is representative, by using the electroplating device.

Abstract: An electrodeposition cell for electrodepositing metal onto a surface of a rotating drum that is partially immersed in an electrolytic solution. The cell includes an anode comprised of a main anode body portion and an anode extension portion. The main anode body portion has an arcuate main anode body surface having a radius of curvature slightly larger than the radius of curvature of the drum. The main anode body portion is totally immersed in the electrolytic solution adjacent the drum wherein a generally uniform gap is formed therebetween. The anode extension portion has an anode extension surface facing the drum and at least one opening extending therethrough. The anode extension portion is disposed within the electrolytic solution wherein a portion thereof extends above the electrolytic solution and the electrolytic solution can flow through the opening.

Abstract: An electrolytic composite electrode provided with a cathode formed from a drum to be rotated and an anode having a circular-arc inner surface facing the cathode at a certain interval and capable of keeping an electrolytic solution between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A titanium electrodeposition drum "a" n which a titanium plate 2 is positioned over an outer circumferetial surface 1a of an outer circumferential plate 1 of an inner drum b, with a circumferential copper system plate 3a such as a copper plate or a copper alloy plate, interposed between and intimately contacting the outer circumferential surface 1a of the outer circumferential plate 1 of the inner drum b and an inner circumferential surface 2a of the titanium plate 2.

Abstract: An electric depositing drum is provided for a copper foil producing machine for producing copper foil. In the electrically depositing drum 3 provided with a top skin 2 on an outer circumferential surface of an outer circumferential plate 1a of an inner drum 1, nickel plating or brass plating is effected onto an inner circumferential surface of the top skin 2 to form a plated layer 2m.

Abstract: A small parts plating apparatus which includes a frame on which is mounted a rotatable barrel, a motor and a battery. Operation of the motor is to cause rotation of the barrel. The motor can be operated optionally either by the battery or by being connected to the electroplating circuit of an electroplating tank.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus comprises a rotating cage with a shaft therethrough and connecting seats, each of the connecting seats being tangent to the shaft, and a plurality of containers which are respectively received in each of the connecting seats. Each of the containers comprises a thin box and a screen provided thereon as a cap, and each box includes a plurality of spaced apart baffle plates sub-dividing the box into a plurality of compartments. Each of the compartments has two side walls which are respectively provided with a plurality of thorns, so as to form two thorny walls. All electronic parts are disposed in parallel between the thorny walls to avoid entanglements and damage of parts being electroplated. Also, the thorns provide extended area electrode contacts for the parts, resulting in more uniform parts plating.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and process for electroplating that has plating drums whereby the plating drums are filled, and emptied of parts at each individual plating cell and the parts are cleansed by spraying, wiping and/or drying and whereby only cleansed parts are transported from plating cell to plating cell. This results in less contamination and higher efficiencies in plating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for coating particles in a rotating container. A cathode forms an electrically conductive inner surface of a side wall of the container. An anode is positioned relative to the cathode so as to permit both the cathode and the anode to be immersed together in an electrically conductive fluid. A motor is connected to the container and arranged to cause the container to rotate so as to generate a centrifugal force. Particles are placed in the container, the container is filled with the electrically conductive fluid, and electrical current is caused to pass from the cathode to the anode through the electrically conductive fluid while the container is rotated. The particles rest against the electrically conductive inner surface of the side wall of the container while the electrical current passes from the cathode to the anode, so as to result in deposition of a coating material from the electrically conductive fluid onto the particles.

Abstract: A barrel for chemically treating parts having a panel system for retaining said parts within said barrel while permitting passage of a bath solution into said barrel. The panel system comprises a plurality of side panels formed from a continuous sheet of material with integral hinges connecting said panels. The hinges comprises a notch having a center, and first and second sides with thickness greater than said center and a material fused to and filling in the notch. The side panels comprise a base and a plurality of perforated sections on the base, with each perforated section containing a plurality of openings in the base for passage of the solution. A plurality of ribs extends outwardly from one surface of the base, wherein the ribs separate each of the perforated sections from an adjacent perforated section. The ribs are comprised of individual rib segments, with each rib segment separating one perforated section from an adjacent perforated section.

Abstract: A barrel for chemically treating parts having a perforated side panel for retaining the parts within the barrel while permitting passage of a bath solution into the barrel. The panel comprises a base and a plurality of perforated sections on the base, with each perforated section containing a plurality of openings in the base for passage of the solution. A plurality of ribs extends outwardly from one surface of the base, wherein the ribs separate each of the perforated sections from an adjacent perforated section. The ribs are comprised of individual rib segments, with each rib segment separating one perforated section from an adjacent perforated section. Each of the rib segments intersect at a point with at least one other rib segment between adjacent perforated sections.

Abstract: A device for the electrolytic separation of metals in a metal recovery cell has a rotating cathode system. The rotating cathode includes a supporting cylinder with at least one slit, at least one sheathed cathode, contact elements, and a drive shaft provided with a current supply. The device allows simple manipulation of the supporting cylinder with the sheathed cathode and allows the user to choose the choice of material for the sheathed cathode, since this material can be matched as closely as possible to the particular process in question. The process may be used for extracting metals from electrically conductive, metal-containing solutions for recycling purposes.

Abstract: An automated cathodic electrodeposition line has a barrel carriage assembly that is electrically energized only when in contact with a treatment tank or an overhead programmed hoist. A parts transfer shuttle moves phosphated parts from one treatment barrel to another barrel and between separate sections of the coating line to reduce cross contamination. An automatic parts loader rotates a bin filled with parts into a parts discharge position for loading parts onto a vibrating tray that in turn moves parts into a treatment barrel. Cathodically coated parts are cured by infra-red parts in a curing oven.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for electroplating that has an electrolyte continually circulating through a rotating plating barrel along with its parts to be plated by having a nozzle spray means with perforation on an elongated perforated tube that is positioned above the center of a barrel, whereby the spray means barrel is provided with recirculated electrolyte by means of a pump recirculating electrolyte from a plating tank to the elongated perforations while the barrel is rotating, so that the parts are agitated and greater speed and efficiency of the plating process can be achieved.

Abstract: A process for producing metals, Me, selected from zinc, nickel, cadmium and cobalt, in which the corresponding water-soluble ammino complex Me(NH.sub.3).sub.n Cl.sub.m is formed, and such a complex, in an aqueous solution, is submitted to electrolysis in a cell which is free of there being a separator structure between the anodic and the cathodic compartments.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrolytically coating small parts, e.g. by electrophoretic deposition from a liquid coating agent, has a screw-type conveyor which can have a tube open at opposite ends to form an inlet and outlet for the parts which are advanced through the tube by screw conveyor means like a helical ribbon. The inlet side of the tube is immersed in a basin of the liquid coating agent whose side walls and front wall form weirs determining the level of the liquid coating agent in the tube while the liquid passes from the tube into a catch basin beyond the rear wall through perforations in the tube. The contacts traversing the tube wall are electrically-conductively coupled to the parts and are tied to one terminal of the DC power source whose other terminal is connected to a plate immersed in the dipping basin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for electroplating that has an electrolyte continually circulating through a rotating plating barrel along with its parts to be plated by having a elongated perforated tube that is positioned above the center of a barrel, whereby the barrel is provided with recirculated electrolyte by means of a pump recirculating electrolyte from a plating tank to the elongated perforations while the barrel is rotating, so that the parts are agitated and greater speed and efficiency of the plating process can be achieved.

Abstract: An electro-plating barrel, which includes a speed increaser driven by the barrel to turn a impeller vane pump causing it to constantly pump plating solution through the barrel so as to equalize the concentration of the plating solution internally as well as externally.

Abstract: A barrel polishing machine includes an electrically conductive inner container for containing workpieces, the inner container having a number of holes formed in a circumferential wall thereof so that an electrolyte supplied to the workpieces passes through the holes, an electrically conductive outer container disposed to surround the inner container with a predetermined gap between them, a pair of electrode terminals connected to the inner and outer containers respectively so that the containers serve as electrodes with polarity opposite each other, respectively, an insulator interposed between the inner and outer containers with a predetermined gap between the same and each container, and a drive source supplying a rotational or vibratory force to the inner container. The gap between the inner and outer containers is 10 millimeters long or below. The barrel polishing machine may be diverted to an electroplating machine when the polarity is inverted.

Abstract: A clothing drying apparatus using electrolysis to remove moisture from the clothing where there are cathode and anode electrodes mounted in a rotating drum. Air is circulated through the drum to remove moisture and hydrogen and oxygen gases produced by the electrolysis.

Abstract: An automatically opened and closed barrel is disclosed for use in plating treatments, chemical conversion coating treatments, etc. This barrel is provided with an opening and closing cam having a groove at a top part thereof and a slidable supplementary plate which covers the groove of the cam. A lid is pivoted relative to the barrel for covering an opening therein. A lever is fixed for pivotal movement with the lid, and only when the lid is required to be opened, the supplementary plate is slid so as to expose the groove in the cam. When this occurs, a free end of the lever is dropped into the groove of the cam such that the lid uncovers the barrel opening. The lever is prevented from dropping into the groove of the cam at every rotation of the barrel because the supplementary plate covers the groove at the cam which it is unnecessary to have the barrel opening uncovered, with the result of a longer usable life of the barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering metals from waste metallic solutions includes a treatment tank and a hollow perforated cathode element rotatably mounted in the treatment tank for holding associated work pieces which are to be coated with the recovered waste metal. A fixed anode element extends in the treatment tank in spaced relation to the rotatable cathode element. A first solution inlet conduit extends into the rotatable cathode element. A second solution inlet conduit extends into the treatment tank in a spaced manner from the rotatably cathode element. A drain conduit leads away from the treatment tank.

Abstract: An improved, doorless, horizontal, perforated electroplating barrel which holds objects to be electroplated with cathode danglers when the barrel is rotated in one direction and upon reversal of the rotation of the electroplating barrel, the barrel empties itself. The improvement resides in the method of plating and design of the barrel that brings about an improved deposition of the electrolyte on parts so that when the parts are initially at a distance further removed from the cathode points, the electrical deposition is improved since the parts are caused to move to different zones in the barrel to be more proximately located for electrical contact with one of the cathode points during the plating operation.

Abstract: An electrochemical process and apparatus for the recovery of uranium and plutonium from spent metal clad fuel pins is disclosed. The process uses secondary reactions between U.sup.+4 cations and elemental uranium at the anode to increase reaction rates and improve anodic efficiency compared to prior art processes. In another embodiment of the process, secondary reactions between Cd.sup.+2 cations and elemental uranium to form uranium cations and elemental cadmium also assists in oxidizing the uranium at the anode.

Abstract: A wastewater metal-reclaimation device which includes a containment vessel, a fixed frame and a rotor assembly. The fixed rotatably supports the rotor assembly and has a rotor shaft on it which is driven indirectly by an electric water. The rotor assembly includes two large rotor gears, a number of cathode rods and inner and outer hexagonal mixing surfaces which are perforated. The rotor assembly is rotatable about a perforated cylindrical anode and driven to rotate by the rotor shaft. Wastewater enters the containment vessel via a wastewater inlet which feeds the cylindrical anode and then is mixed via the inner and outer mixing surfaces.

Abstract: A pump attach dipole electro-plating barrel, which includes a flexible impeller vane pump driven by the barrel to constantly pump outside plating solution into the barrel so as to equalize the concentration of the plating solution internally as well as externally. Several electrodes are positioned in the barrel to alternatively connect with the anode and cathode through an electric polarity changing device, so that the metal films which is deposited onto the electrodes during the rotation of temporary cathode can be automatically electrolyzed from the electrodes through the change of electric polarity connection to minimize the consumption of anode metal and metal ion in bath.

Abstract: An apparatus assembly for use in an electroplating cell having an electrolyte and one or more sacrificial anodes, comprising: an electrically conductive magazine (elongated steel ribs) defining a sliding supportive track for electrically conductive articles to be coated, said magazine being supported for turning about an axis generally perpendicular to said track, said magazine providing freedom for sliding movement of such articles along said track to either side of said axis during each half-revolution of the magazine about the axis; means for establishing a current throw through said electrolyte between said anode and articles along planes generally parallel to said axis; and means for rotatably driving said magazine about said axis so that each of said articles will experience electrolyte flow reversal and a generally equal length path of movement through said electrolyte for each revolution of the magazine about said axis.

Abstract: A rotatable barrel has end faces, support bars connecting the end faces parallel to a central longitudinal axis, and barrel coat sections in each case provided between two neighboring support bars. The barrel coat sections are provided with openings for the passage of a treatment bath solution for the treatment of a charge of small pieces in the inner room of the barrel. The barrel coat sections are each formed by two partial sections, which are roof-shaped forming a vertex. They enclose a vertex angle of between 90.degree. and 180.degree., preferably between 110.degree. and 130.degree., towards the inner room. The support bars may project into the inner room as conveying bars.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for manufacturing electrocatalytic electrodes. The process comprises the steps of immersing a substrate in a plating bath containing metal ions and electrocatalytic material in particles form, such as Ni, NiAl, and CoAl, among others. Electric current is established in the bath inducing a deposition of metal on the substrate by reduction of metal ions and, simultaneously, the cell containing the plating bath is inverted periodically to cause a recurrent migration of the particles of electrocatalytic material, under the effect of gravity, toward the substrate, in order to build-up a layer of electrocatalytic material on the substrate, the particles of the electrocatalytic material being fixed on the substrate by the reduction of metal ions.

Abstract: A barrel plating apparatus for forming, by electroplating or electroless plating, a layer on surfaces of articles formed of ceramics such as zirconia for use as resistors, condensors or other electrical parts or elements mounted on printed circuit boards, for example. The apparatus comprises a hollow barrel rotatably supported by a pair of vertical plates spaced apart from each other, and unrotatable agitators housed in the barrel and including a plurality of agitating balls for agitating the articles under plating treatment. The barrel in rotation and the agitating balls produce a combined effect for agitating the articles to the full. The articles are thus plated with coatings of uniform thickness and reliable adhesion.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a perforated paddle wheel electroplating barrel divided into a number of spaced apart longitudinal chambers, each chamber having a flexible chain type cathodic contacts in electrical contact with a tubular conductor tube which rotates with the barrel, said conductor tube rotatably and electrically contacts a pair of conductor arms that are connected to an appropriate source of current.

Abstract: An electroplating barrel comprises a rotatable, perforated barrel for holding objects to be electroplated. The barrel defines at least one access aperture for access to its interior, plus means for imposing an electrical potential across electrolyte solution within the barrel. In accordance with this invention the access aperture has aperture-defining edges, the edges occupying planes which are at an acute angle of about 10.degree. to 80.degree. to the plane of the aperture they define. Accordingly, door members shaped to fit each access aperture and defining correspondingly angled edges may close the access aperture without forming significant spaces between the door members and the aperture-defining edges.

Abstract: An apparatus for the mass electroplating of bulk goods comprising a plating tank for the acceptance of an electrolyte, a goods carrying dish immersed in the electrolyte and rotatable around an inclined axis, a disk-shaped electrode immersed in electrolyte and extending mainly parallel to the floor of the carrying dish characterized by the floor of the carrying dish having a helically extending track which will spread the goods throughout the floor during a plating operation. The helical track preferably has a saw-toothed cross section and the dish preferably has one sliding door in a peripheral wall to enable discharge of the goods from the dish after the plating operation. The plating tank is preferably gas tight and is provided with admission and discharge locks so that it is particularly useful for mass aluminum-plating utilizing an aprotic, oxygen-free and water-free, aluminum-organic electrolyte.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus includes a perforate work barrel adapted to be placed in a tank containing a plating electrolyte requiring high current levels to effectuate plating. At least four danglers of high-current capacity, insulated copper wire have one end thereof extending through a side wall of the work barrel, at an axis about which the barrel may rotate. The danglers are uniformly placed along the interior of the work barrel and at a uniform distance from a longitudinal wall interconnecting the side walls. An electric motor slowly rotates the barrel with metallic objects to be electroplated placed therein. The objects are thereby placed in uniform electrical connection to an exposed end of the danglers.

Abstract: An apparatus for the mass electroplating of bulk goods includes a plating tank for the acceptance of the electrolyte, a goods carrying dish being mounted in the tank for rotation around an inclined axis with the dish being immersed in the electrolyte and at least one anode immersed in the electrolyte with the dish having at least one dog for spreading the goods on the floor of the dish and having at least one sliding door provided on the periphery of the dish to enable discharge of the goods therefrom. The dog can be in the form of ribs which can subdivide the dish into various compartments such as radially extending segments with each of the segments having a discharge door or the dog can be formed as a helical track. Preferably, the plating tank is a closable gas tight tank, which is provided with admission and discharge locks so that the mass aluminization utilizing an aprotic, oxygen-free and water-free, aluminum-organic electrolyte can occur.

Abstract: In an electrolytic silver refining process, crude silver is anodically dissolved while refined silver is cathodically deposited and at the accompanying (impurity) metals are selectively extracted from the used (spent) electrolyte and transferred to an aqueous phase. The used electrolyte is enriched in silver and accompanying metals are cathodically deposited and thus removed from the electrolyte. For this purpose, a specific electrolysis cell is provided. The cell being preferably a diaphragm cell with an anionic diaphragm. The extraction of the accompanying metals is achieved by liquid membrane permeation, preferably combined with solvent extraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to the protection of the environment.The invention may be most efficiently used for removing from aqueous media ions of heavy, non-ferrous and noble metals, organic substances, flotation reagents and petroleum products.The process comprises dissolving a metal anode in the presence of a non-soluble cathode and precipitating organic and inorganic impurities on the resultant compounds. The precipitation is conducted using a cathode made of a material having a potential which is higher than the potential of the anode, the electrodes being alternately brought in contact with the air oxygen and the liquor being treated.An apparatus for carrying out the process comprises a drum having openings for charging a metal scrap and the liquor being treated and for discharging the resultant precipitate. Wings are concentrically arranged on the inner surface of the drum. A perforated partition wall is provided adjacent to the outlet opening for preventing the loss of scrap from the drum.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method for the electrodeposition of aluminum and its alloys using aprotic, oxygen and water-free organoaluminum electrolytes, utilizing a rotatable, triple-chambered treatment barrel which provides a greater ratio of anode to cathode surface area and also decreased spacing between anode and cathode, and further applying centrifugal force to the treatment barrel to assist the draining and removal of electroplating and rinse solvents.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning, plating and/or coating articles comprising a container adapted to contain a liquid cleaning, plating or coating material. A barrel is at least partially submerged in the container and supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis. A novel support for the barrel comprises a pair of rings concentric with the barrel and suspended by a plurality of rollers. Laterally spaced stationary end walls are mounted in fixed positions covering the ends of the barrel. The barrel has end openings and the stationary end walls fit within the end openings. A novel discharge chute extends from inside the barrel to the exterior thereof.

Abstract: An electroforming apparatus for producing metal foil having a rotating drum cathode and an improved anode construction and a process for using the apparatus are described. The improved anode construction comprises an arcuate anode having a perforated zone. The perforated zone is placed over a manifold for distributing electrolyte into a gap between the cathode and anode for providing a more uniform current distribution and a more uniform foil deposition in the plating region over the manifold as well as other advantages.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning, plating and/or coating articles comprising a container adapted to contain a liquid cleaning, plating or coating material. A barrel is at least partially submerged in the container and supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis. Laterally spaced stationary end walls are mounted in fixed position covering the ends of the barrel. A novel cathode structure is mounted on each end wall. The cathode structure comprises a cathode carried by a mounting block fixedly secured on the inner side of at least one of the end walls. One or more cable connectors on the outside of the end wall are provided, each having a contact portion extending through the end wall and abutting a contact plate which in turn is held in contact with the cathode.

Abstract: A plating barrel is constructed of a perforated cylindrical side section clamped between a pair of end plates. The end plates are provided with positioning grooves that receive edge portions of the side section. Each end plate includes a plurality of concentric grooves so that the same end plates may be used with side sections of different diameters. The barrel is rotatably mounted on a support disposed within a seamless tank containing a plating bath. The support has adjustable upstanding arms which rotatably support the barrel and permit the height thereof to be adjusted for controlling the extent to which the barrel is immersed in the plating bath, with such adjustment being dictated in part by the extent of the areas to be plated and the number of work pieces in the barrel.

Abstract: An electropolishing system includes a plurality of basket-like containers, supported on a stepping rotatable shaft, and are immersible in an electrolyte filled tub. At each shaft position parts to be electropolished are piled up on the containers' bottom sides. Each container has a door-forming side which, for parts' loading purposes is positioned to be the container's top side, and for parts' unloading is positioned as the bottom side, when the shaft with its containers are in a raised position above the electrolyte containing tub. Power is applied only when the shaft is at one of its stationary positions.

Abstract: Cleaning of objects from adhering liquid surface treating medium after galvanic and/or chemical surface treatment and recovery of the liquid medium is performed by lifting objects treated in a working container by a drum aggregate, bringing two half shells over the drum aggregate to embrace the latter so that at only a lower region of the drum aggregate a gap remains, and blowing a gas stream through the half shells to the drum aggregate so that an adhered treating medium is removed from the objects and flows directly back to the working container through the gap.

Abstract: In known devices for galvanic deposition of metal from electrolyte onto goods, wherein a galvanic drum contains electrolyte within a tank, the removal of metal undesirably deposited on the cathode contact or the replacement of used up cathode contacts from the drum has been very time-consuming and presented a contamination problem since these operations required opening of the galvanizing tank. The invention concerns a contact replacement or cleaning arrangement which can be done simply and does not necessitate undue exposure to ambient of the tank, since the used contact is removed within the tank and replaced by opening only a narrow passage through a galvanic drum axle.

Abstract: A single, thin walled corrugated electroplating barrel provided with laser formed extremely small perforations, designed and arranged so as to be suitable for handling bulk quantities of minute parts, with perforations performing a pumping action for constant agitation of the plating solution during plating operations.

Abstract: A barrel loading and unloading station that includes a barrel support stand 10 for supporting a plating barrel 18 in predetermined positions and a door handling apparatus 14 for releasing and separating a barrel access door 16 from the plating barrel. The door handling apparatus 14 includes a door assembly 40 mounted for reciprocating motion towards and away from the plating barrel by a pair of trackways 42 that are mounted to an elevator mechanism 44 that is operative to raise and lower the trackways to increase accessibility to the barrel after the access door has been removed. One embodiment of the door handling assembly 40 includes a pair of rotatable spindles 56 operative to engage and rotate locking knobs 220 on the barrel access door 16 and a slide mechanism 120 for unlatching the door from the barrel. Another embodiment of the door handling assembly 40' includes a plurality of clamp engaging spreader arms 366 operative to spread and release resilient clamps 352 from the plating barrel.