Abstract: A method of plating a metal layer on a work piece includes exposing a surface of the work piece to a plating solution, and supplying a first voltage at a negative end of a power supply source to an edge portion of the work piece. A second voltage is supplied to an inner portion of the work piece, wherein the inner portion is closer to a center of the work piece than the edge portion. A positive end of the power supply source is connected to a metal plate, wherein the metal plate and the work piece are spaced apart from each other by, and are in contact with, the plating solution.

Abstract: A wire electric discharge machine for machining a workpiece by causing a discharge between a wire electrode delivered from a wire bobbin and the workpiece. The wire electric discharge machine includes: a remaining length calculation unit that calculates a remaining length of the wire electrode based on electrode winding coefficients, bobbin draw-out radius correlation information, and a spool diameter of the wire bobbin. The electrode winding coefficients depend on a winding density of the wire electrode, an inner width of the wire bobbin, a wire diameter of the electrode wire, and a winding tension of the wire electrode. The bobbin draw-out radius correlation information is correlated with a bobbin draw-out radius that is a distance between a position at which the wire electrode wound around the wire bobbin is separated from the wire bobbin and a central axis of rotation of the wire bobbin.

Abstract: A surface treatment system includes a surface treatment tank, a first guide rail and a second guide rail that extend at a position offset from a position over the upper opening of the surface treatment tank, and a plurality of transfer jigs that respectively hold a workpiece and are supported by the first guide rail and the second guide rail. The transfer jig includes a horizontal arm section, a first guide target section that is guided by the first guide rail, a second guide target section that is guided by the second guide rail, and a vertical arm section that is suspended from the horizontal arm section at a position between the first guide target section and the second guide target section, and holds the workpiece.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a wire electric discharge machine is configured to monitor the remaining lifetime of a wire electrode and calculates an electric discharge machining time, thereby determining the timing of replacement of the wire electrode, so that it can recognize the timing of interruption of electric discharge machining. Consequently, a program operation can be suspended and the wire electrode can be cut and automatically replaced at that timing. After the replacement of the wire electrode, moreover, the wire electrode can be connected and the program operation can be restarted.

Abstract: A plating method capable of controlling a concentration of an additive within a proper range during plating of a substrate is disclosed. The plating method includes: disposing an anode and a substrate, having a via-hole formed in a surface thereof, so as to face each other in a plating solution containing an additive; applying a voltage between the anode and the substrate for filling the via-hole with metal; measuring the voltage applied to the substrate; calculating an amount of change in the voltage per predetermined time; and adjusting a concentration of the additive in the plating solution to keep the amount of change in the voltage within a predetermined control range.

Abstract: An assembly for a smelting process including a lifting actuator for adjusting a height of an anode with respect to a smelting pot is provided. The lifting actuator includes a body supported adjacent to the smelting pot. A motor is connected to a drive screw located in the body and the motor rotates the drive screw. A floating nut is connected to the drive screw, and a carriage plate rests on the floating nut. At least one linear bearing rail is supported on the body and guides the carriage plate. The anode is mounted on the carriage plate such that the motor drives the floating nut axially within the body to adjust a height of the anode with respect to the smelting pot.

Abstract: A galvanic cell and methods of using the galvanic cell is described for the recovery of uranium from used nuclear fuel according to an electrofluorination process. The galvanic cell requires no input energy and can utilize relatively benign gaseous fluorinating agents. Uranium can be recovered from used nuclear fuel in the form of gaseous uranium compound such as uranium hexafluoride, which can then be converted to metallic uranium or UO2 and processed according to known methodology to form a useful product, e.g., fuel pellets for use in a commercial energy production system.

Abstract: An expansion card includes a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) slot, a PCI expansion controller, a PCIe/serial advanced technology attachment (PCIe/SATA) converter, a hard disk drive (HDD) controller, and a storage chip. An edge connector is arranged on a bottom side of the expansion card and includes power pins, ground pins, and signal pins. The power pins are connected to power pins of the PCIe slot, the PCIe expansion controller, the PCIe/SATA converter, the HDD controller, and the storage chip. The signal pins are connected to the PCIe expansion controller. The PCIe expansion controller expands a PCI signal into PCI signals and provides the PCI signals to the PCIe slot and the PCIe/SATA converter. The PCIe/SATA converter converts the PCI signal to SATA signals and provides the SATA signals to the HDD controller. The HDD controller controls the storage chip to read or write data.

Abstract: The methods, systems, and apparatus disclosed herein employ natural, common salts, that are electrochemically activated (ECA) in an aqueous solution to result in an ECA product solution that is safe and non-toxic. Various implementations include a portable table top design having a portable receptacle that includes electrodes. The receptacle fits on a base which provides power for the electrochemical activation. Continuous flow designs receive input water, mix the water with reactants then pass the solution between electrodes to electrochemically activate the solution. Using a metal halide salt, such as NaCl with citric acid may produce a sanitizer or disinfectant. Using a metal carbonate salt, such as K2CO3, as the reactant may result in a cleaning or degreasing solution. Another implementation is that of an immersion wand that can be placed in a reservoir to produce the ECA product solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for operating and controlling the temperature of inert electrodes during production of molten aluminum by electrolysis of an aluminous ore, preferably alumina, dissolved in molten salts, preferably a fluoride based electrolyte, in an electrolysis cell with vertical or essentially vertical electrode configuration. The invention describes methods of designing and operating inert electrodes in a vertical and/or inclined position for production of aluminum metal, where said electrodes have an operating temperature that may deviate from the electrolyte temperature, thereby controlling the dissolution of electrode materials and preventing solid deposit formation on the electrodes. The present invention is also applicable to aluminum production cells utilizing inert electrodes in a horizontal configuration, and traditional Hall-Hèroult cells retrofitted with inert anodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the processing of fluids and/or their carriers. Carriers may comprise pipes, tubes and the like or reservoirs for the distribution and/or storage of fluids. In one form, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus that is suitable for use in the treatment of various fluids, such as water, by introducing at least one chemically active metal into the water and its carriers for disinfection of the water in a controlled manner. The invention also relates to a biasing means for displacement of an electrode arrangement to allow for the introduction of ions into a fluid at a controlled or easily monitored rate that is commensurate with the amount of fluid flow.

Abstract: An electrochemical machining apparatus includes a support assembly, a machining electrode assembly, a tank configured to hold an electrolyte, a workpiece holder positioned in the tank, a movable feed assembly, and a connecting member. The machining electrode assembly includes a first machining electrode and a second machining electrode. The movable feed assembly includes a first feed subassembly and a second feed subassembly. The connecting member is connected to the first feed subassembly and the second feed subassembly. The first machining electrode is coupled with the connecting member, and the second machining electrode is coupled with the second feed subassembly. The second feed subassembly can move with, and relative to, the first feed subassembly. The second machining electrode can slide in the first machining electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer holder includes first and second holding members between which a semiconductor wafer is held. The second holding member includes a second conductive element placed in contact with a first conductive element of the first holding member and the semiconductor wafer. A ring clamp is used to press the second holding member against the first holding member for holding of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: An electrolytic oxide reduction system according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of anode assemblies, a plurality of cathode assemblies, and a lift system configured to engage the anode and cathode assemblies. The cathode assemblies may be alternately arranged with the anode assemblies such that each cathode assembly is flanked by two anode assemblies. The lift system may be configured to selectively engage the anode and cathode assemblies so as to allow the simultaneous lifting of any combination of the anode and cathode assemblies (whether adjacent or non-adjacent).

Abstract: An electrolytic machining system includes a controller, a feeding device coupled to the controller, a platform coupled to the controller and positioned opposite the feeding device, an electrolysis cell installed on the platform and configured to receive a workpiece, a cathode coupled to the drive member, a power supply module electrically coupled to the controller and the cathode, a processing tank communicating with the electrolysis cell, a pump communicating with the processing tank, and an electro-hydraulic servo valve communicating with the pump and the cathode and coupled to the controller. The controller can control the feeding device to translate in a direction toward and away from the workpiece in a processing gap, simultaneously control the electro-hydraulic servo valve to adjust a flux of the electrolytes passing through the electro-hydraulic servo valve to enable the electrolytes received in a machining area of the workpiece to have a stable hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the electrochemical processing of components, having at least one electrode and at least one electrode holder, with which the electrode is movably mounted. The device comprises at least one optical measurement system for determining the position of the electrode. Also disclosed is a method for the electrochemical processing of a component, in particular with such a device, in which the electrode is moved during the electrochemical processing, the position of the electrode being detected by means of an optical measurement system.

Abstract: A electrolytic process for continuous production of lithium metal from lithium carbonate or other lithium salts by use of an aqueous acid electrolyte and a lithium producing cell structure which includes: a cell body with a cathode within the cell body; an electrolyte aqueous solution within the cell body, the solution containing lithium ion and an anion; and a composite layer intercalated between the cathode and the electrolyte aqueous solution, the composite layer comprising a lithium ion conductive glass ceramic (LI-GC) and a lithium ion conductive barrier film (LI-BF) that isolates cathode-forming lithium from the electrolyte aqueous solution.

Abstract: A system and reactor vessel for electrical treatment of a fluid medium are described. The fluid medium to be treated comprises various industrial or domestic waste waters. The reactor vessel is provided with a housing being closed from one side thereof by a removable closure carrying secured thereon electrodes. The electrodes are electrically connected to the source of electrical power, wherein the closure is adapted for assembling with and disassembling from the housing such that the closure could be conveniently separated from the reactor vessel together with the electrodes to provide easy access to electrodes for inspection, replacement, repair, cleaning or for other type of maintenance.

Abstract: A wire electrode forwarding device is obtained that can slow down or halt rotation of a rotating body to prevent a wire electrode from being wound around the rotating body for transferring the wire electrode to a wire electrode collecting section. A wire electric discharge machine according to the present invention includes: a wire electrode supporting means that holds one end portion of a wire electrode; and a wire electrode forwarding device that has a forwarding means supplying a fluid to forward the wire electrode from a wire electrode guiding section to a wire electrode collecting section, a rotating body positioned on a path between the forwarding means and the wire electrode collecting section and diverting the forwarding direction of the wire electrode, and a rotation restraining means restraining rotation of the rotating body rotated by the fluid supplied from the forwarding means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for electrochemically removing a surface of a component (2), in particular a blade of an integrally bladed rotor, comprising at least one electrode (12), which has an outer contour that corresponds to a surface of the component to be produced, and a hydraulic pressure device (14), which has a pressure piston (16) coupled to the electrode (12) and a hydraulic chamber (18) in operative connection with the pressure piston (16) for receiving the hydraulic medium, wherein the pressure piston can be loaded with an actuating force and moved relative to the hydraulic pressure device (14) by means of the hydraulic medium, wherein the hydraulic chamber (18) is fluidically encapsulated relative to the pressure piston (16). The invention further relates to a method for electrochemically removing a surface of a component (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for the electrolytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen gases is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: (i) a first hemi-enclosure; (ii) a second hemi-enclosure; (iii) a diaphragm electrode array positioned between the first hemi-enclosure and the second hemi-enclosure comprising: (a) a diaphragm, that passes ions and impedes the passage of gases, comprising a first side and a second opposed side; (b) a first plurality of electrodes in a first vicinity of the first side of the diaphragm; and (c) a second plurality of electrodes in a second vicinity of the second opposed side of the diaphragm; (iv) a fastener, for leak-tight fastening of the first hemi-enclosure, the diaphragm electrode array, and the second hemi-enclosure, whereby a leak-tight enclosure is formed; (v) contacts, for electrically powering the first and second pluralities of electrodes, and; (vi) pathways, configured to remove hydrogen and oxygen gases from the enclosure.

Abstract: An Sn alloy plating apparatus includes: a plating bath having a cathode chamber for holding therein an Sn alloy plating solution in which the substrate is to be immersed and an anode chamber for holding therein an anolyte containing Sn ions and an acid; an Sn anode located in the anode chamber; and an electrolytic solution supply line configured to supply an electrolytic solution containing the acid into the anode chamber such that a Sn ion concentration of the anolyte in the anode chamber is kept not less than a predetermined value and a concentration of the acid in the anolyte is kept not less than a predetermined acceptable value. The electrolytic solution supply line supplies the electrolytic solution into the anode chamber to increase an amount of the anolyte in the anode chamber and supply the anolyte into the Sn alloy plating solution by the increased amount.

Abstract: A method of depositing semiconductor nanocrystals on a surface can include applying a voltage to the nanocrystals.

Abstract: Generally stated, provided is a sealed laminated metal structure. This laminated metal structure has a metal layer, where the metal layer has a first surface and an opposite second surface. A material is laminated on each of the first and second surfaces of the metal layer. Typically, the laminated metal structure is removed from a larger laminated sheet of metal. The laminated metal structure is subjected to alternating current electrolytic deburring and cleaning to remove any burrs along the perimeter edge. After deburring and cleaning, a sealer, which is a phosphate compound, is deposited on the perimeter edge of the laminated metal structure where the metal is exposed using alternating current.

Abstract: A method, a system and a kit for removing colloid contaminants from a fluid or suspension by destabilization thereof with addition of kinetic energy thereto are provided, the method to overcome the energetic barrier preventing an efficient fluid-solid separation comprises injecting the colloidal fluid containing contaminants in an electrolytic system including an electrocoagulation module comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode, the anode and the cathode being adapted to be electrically connected to perform electrolysis of the fluid, providing an electric current, between the anode and the cathode, to form electro-coagulated contaminants flocs in the agitated fluid, separating the electro-coagulated flocs from the fluid, and extracting the fluid from the electrolytic system.

Abstract: The method, apparatus and product relate to the electrochemical reduction of a solid feedstock (20) to produce a product. A container (2) is filled with a fused salt (6), and one or more anodes (14) contact the fused salt. A cathode (18) is loaded with feedstock and engages with a transport apparatus (22, 36, 40) which locates and moves the cathode past the anodes(s), while the cathode and the feedstock contact the fused salt. As the cathode moves past the anodes(s), a voltage applied between the cathode and the anode(s) electrochemically reduces the solid feedstock to form the product.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell comprising, a housing having a channel extending there through and an opening formed in the housing for receiving an electrode cartridge, an inlet allowing water to pass into the channel, an outlet allowing water to pass from the channel, and a removable electrode cartridge comprising, a support member, having a outer side an inner side, the support member being adapted to close off the opening in the housing when the electrode cartridge is received in the opening, and a series of separate spaced electrode plates supported by the support member, each electrode plate having a terminal which extends through the support member from the inner side to project from the outer side.

Abstract: A machining system for machining a workpiece is provided. The machining system comprises a machine tool, a plurality of cutting tools, a CNC controller. The plurality of cutting tools comprises an electrode and a conventional cutting tool exchangeably disposed on the machine tool. The machining system further comprises a power supply, a process controller, and an electrolyte supply, wherein the machine tool, the electrode, the CNC controller, the power supply, the process controller and the electrolyte supply are configured to cooperate to function as an electroerosion machining device, wherein the machine tool, the CNC controller, the conventional cutting tool and the electrolyte supply are configured to cooperate to function as a conventional machining device, and wherein the machining system is configured to function alternately as the electroerosion machining device and the conventional machining device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for plating a metal onto a work piece are described. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a plating chamber, a substrate holder, an anode chamber housing an anode, and an ionically resistive ionically permeable element positioned between a substrate and the anode chamber during electroplating. The anode chamber may be movable with respect to the ionically resistive ionically permeable element to vary a distance between the anode chamber and the ionically resistive ionically permeable element during electroplating. The anode chamber may include an insulating shield oriented between the anode and the ionically resistive ionically permeable element, with opening in a central region of the insulating shield.

Abstract: There is provided a carbon dioxide immobilization unit capable of easily immobilizing carbon dioxide in the form of an organic acid or a carbohydrate under a normal environment. An anode and a cathode both having a surface where an oxidoreductase is present are disposed to face each other with a proton conductor in between. Then, when electric power is externally supplied to the carbon dioxide immobilization unit, in the anode, water is decomposed to produce protons, and in the cathode, an organic acid or a carbohydrate is produced from the protons produced in the anode and carbon dioxide. At this time, while a carbon dioxide supply section supplies a high concentration of carbon dioxide to the cathode, oxygen produced in the anode and the organic acid or hydrocarbon produced in the cathode are removed from a reaction system through an oxygen removal section and a product recovery section, respectively.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a template having openings on upper surface, channels for receiving plating solution and connecting from the openings to lower surface of the template, and electrodes in positions corresponding to the channels on the lower surface and extending to the openings through the channels, positioning a substrate having circuits on upper surface of the substrate and through holes penetrating through the substrate and connected to circuit electrodes of the circuits such that the upper surface of the substrate faces downward, coupling the template and substrate such that the holes are positioned to correspond with the openings, supplying plating solution from the channels to the holes, and applying voltage between the circuit electrodes as cathodes and electrodes as anodes such that through-hole electrodes are formed in the holes and that the circuit electrodes are connected to the electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrochemical modification of liquid streams employing an electrolytic cell having an oxidation site defined by an anode, an anode compartment comprising liquid electrolyte anolyte where oxidation is effected, a cathode compartment comprising liquid electrolyte catholyte where reduction is effected, a cathode comprising conducting cathode particulates forming a cathode particulates bed and a current feeder device in at least intermittent contact with said cathode particulates where the cathode particulates are in motion and the particulates motion is substantially independent of bulk electrolyte flow, a separator which confines the cathode particulates to the cathode compartment, constrains electrolyte flow through the cathode particulates bed and permits ionic conduction of current between the anode and cathode, a cathode particulates conveyance system arranged to manipulate cathode particulates motion including a magnetic subsystem having at least one source of magnetic field arranged to

Abstract: Two rotating members placed to face each other and nipping a web such that only an end of the web provided with conductivity is pressed are provided, at least one of the rotating members serves as a feeding electrode, and these rotating members are rotated about the same velocity to a transportation velocity of the web.

Abstract: Provided is an electroplating apparatus including: a copper electrode plate that is disposed with a gap from an upper surface of an insulating substrate on which seed electrodes are formed; a driving unit that makes the copper electrode plate move along a rectilinear line; a power supply that applies electric current between the copper electrode plate and each of the seed electrodes; and spacers that are provided on the lower surface of the copper electrode plate to thereby make an electrolyte stay by surface tension between the copper electrode plate and the insulating substrate, and that maintains the gap between the copper electrode plate and the insulating substrate so that the electrolyte may move together with the copper electrode plate. Accordingly, a uniform copper film can be formed on the surface of a large substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates an electrochemical processing apparatus and a processing method thereof. A reciprocating swing unit is used to drive the processing electrode to process a workpiece, and thus simplifying fabrication of the processing electrode, and shortening processes and reducing costs. In addition, by using a high-frequency reciprocating twist and micro-vibrating unit to drive the processing electrode to perform high-frequency reciprocating twists and micro-vibrations, the processing electrode can perform twist without varying the processing gap. Thereby, the electrolyte in the gap can be perturbed and renewed continuously. Accordingly, bubbles and products produced during electrolysis can be removed sufficiently, enhancing processing precision and surface quality using the processing electrode on processing the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for analyzing characteristics of a particulate, comprising: selecting at least one particulate in a fluid; positioning said selected particulate in the vicinity of a pair of electrodes; applying a programmed voltage signal for generating a spatially inhomogeneous electric field between said pair of electrodes; detecting the movement of the particulate while applying said programmed voltage signal to create a time-series data corresponding to said movement of the particulate; and analyzing the characteristics of said particulate based on said time-series data.

Abstract: A method, a system and a kit for removing colloid contaminants from a fluid by destabilization thereof with addition of kinetic energy thereto is provided, the method to overcome the energetic barrier preventing an efficient fluid-solid separation comprises injecting the colloidal fluid containing contaminants in an electrolytic system including an electrocoagulation module comprising an anode and a cathode, the anode and the cathode being adapted to be electrically connected to perform electrolysis of the fluid, providing an electric current, between the anode and the cathode, to form electro-coagulated contaminants flocs in the agitated fluid, separating the electro-coagulated flocs from the fluid, and extracting the fluid from the electrolytic system.

Abstract: A device which is suitable for electrochemically processing an object comprises at least an electrolyte-containing chamber, means for supporting the object to be processed in the chamber, a counter electrode disposed in the chamber as well as means for applying an electrical potential difference between the object to be processed and the counter electrode. The device furthermore comprises at least one holder and at least one rod-shaped coelectrode supported by the holder, which rod-shaped coelectrode extends towards the object and which in use has a polarity opposite that of the counter electrode.

Abstract: An electrolytic oxide reduction system according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of anode assemblies, a plurality of cathode assemblies, and a lift system configured to engage the anode and cathode assemblies. The cathode assemblies may be alternately arranged with the anode assemblies such that each cathode assembly is flanked by two anode assemblies. The lift system may be configured to selectively engage the anode and cathode assemblies so as to allow the simultaneous lifting of any combination of the anode and cathode assemblies (whether adjacent or non-adjacent).

Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for electrowinning metal from a fluid stream. A representative apparatus comprises at least one spouted bed reactor wherein each said reactor includes an anolyte chamber comprising an anode and configured for containing an anolyte, a catholyte chamber comprising a current collector and configured for containing a particulate cathode bed and a flowing stream of an electrically conductive metal-containing fluid, and a membrane separating said anolyte chamber and said catholyte chamber, an inlet for an electrically conductive metal-containing fluid stream; and a particle bed churning device configured for spouting particle bed particles in the catholyte chamber independently of the flow of said metal-containing fluid stream. In operation, reduced heavy metals or their oxides are recovered from the cathode particles.

Abstract: In order to solve various problems such as a reduction in a paint resin with the progress of electrodeposition coating treatment and remelting of a coating film or the occurrence of pinholes caused by an increased concentration of an electrolyte as a result of the reduction, upsizing of a hollow electrode with a membrane for electrodeposition coating combined with a barrier membrane (e.g., an ion exchange membrane) and an increase in the number of components should be avoided. In order to realize this, a barrier membrane 20 such as an ion exchange membrane is attached to the exterior surface of an electrode main body 10, which is in a hollow state made of a conductive material and configured so as to allow a liquid to pass through freely between the inside and outside of the electrode serving as a support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for electrochemically removing a surface of a component (2), in particular a blade of an integrally bladed rotor, comprising at least one electrode (12), which has an outer contour that corresponds to a surface of the component to be produced, and a hydraulic pressure device (14), which has a pressure piston (16) coupled to the electrode (12) and a hydraulic chamber (18) in operative connection with the pressure piston (16) for receiving the hydraulic medium, wherein the pressure piston can be loaded with an actuating force and moved relative to the hydraulic pressure device (14) by means of the hydraulic medium, wherein the hydraulic chamber (18) is fluidically encapsulated relative to the pressure piston (16). The invention further relates to a method for electrochemically removing a surface of a component (2).

Abstract: An electroplating/etch apparatus including a fluid jet and a dryer present over the tank containing the electrolyte for the electroplating/etch process. The fluid jet and the dryer remove excess liquids, such as electrolyte, from the component being plated or etched, e.g., working electrode. The working electrode is present on a holder that traverses from a first position within the tank during a plating or etch operation to a second position that is outside the containing the plating electrolyte. The fluid jet rinses the working electrode when the holder is in the second position, and the forced air dryer blows any remaining fluid from the fluid jet and the electrolyte from the working electrode into the tank.

Abstract: A system electroplates the interior or exterior cylindrical surfaces of an elongated workpiece, such as a pipe or shaft. The workpiece is continuously electroplated with metallic solutions via a traveling anode that gradually plates along the axial length of the workpiece instead of plating the entire part or large portions of the part at one time.

Abstract: A metal-containing material is introduced in the container with an anode inserted therein, the container is introduced in a tank filled with an electrolyte, with a cathode opposed to it, and direct current is passed through ((+) anode and (?) cathode) to recover the desired metal.

Abstract: A method and device for the production of components having a three-dimensionally formed surface by a lowering operation with an electrochemical ablation process, namely a Precise Electro Chemical Machining (PECM) process, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a specially pre-formed workpiece featuring a specific dimensional allowance; b) providing at least one working electrode, in which case the contour of the working electrode, or of each working electrode, is adapted to the contour of the three-dimensionally formed surface to be produced; and c) lowering the three-dimensionally formed surface by placing the pre-formed workpiece and the working electrode, or each working electrode, in an electrolyte and by applying an electrical voltage or an electrical current, in which case the working electrode, or each working electrode, is moved in the sense of a circular advance motion in the direction toward the workpiece.

Abstract: A plating method, employing a face-down manner of plating and using a resistor body between a substrate and an anode, can securely bring an entire surface to be plated of the substrate into contact with a plating solution without permitting intrusion of air bubbles to the surface to be plated. A resistor body is disposed above the anode and immersed in the plating solution, allowing the plating solution to flow along an upper surface of the resistor body from the periphery toward the center of the resistor body. Thus, a raised portion of the plating solution is created in the center of the upper surface of the resistor body. The substrate is then lowered with the surface facing downwardly so as to fill the space between the surface to be plated of the substrate and the upper surface of the resistor body with the plating solution.

Abstract: The fluid-confining apparatus includes at least a substrate holder, at least a confining fluid supplying tube, at least a confining fluid recovering tube, at least a process fluid supplying tube, and at least a process fluid recovering tube. The process fluid supplying tube supplies at least a process fluid, and makes the process fluid contact with at least a treatment region of a wafer. The confining fluid supplying tube continuity supplies at least a confining fluid. The confining fluid does not dissolve the process fluid. The flowing confining fluid can contact with at least a non-treatment region of the wafer, and confines the process fluid into a predetermined space.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use with an electrodeposition process. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electrode assembly includes an electrode for exchanging electrical current with a solution, a passageway for removing gas that becomes trapped between a workpiece and the solution, and a sleeve for electrically isolating the electrode from the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of electrochemical machining that includes the steps of: positioning a workpiece and a tooling piece in a first position; moving at least one of the workpiece and the tooling piece toward the other such that the workpiece and the tooling piece occupy a second position; moving at least one of the workpiece and the tooling piece away from the other such that the workpiece and the tooling piece occupy a third position; and during at least a portion of the moving of the workpiece and/or the tooling piece from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the third position, using a power supply to apply a voltage across a gap formed between the workpiece and the tooling piece.