1130 THE BELL SYSTEM TECHNICAL JOURNAL, SEPTEMBER 1953 



to hold the concentration within the established operating range, copper 

 removal equipment was developed. 



The equipment consists of two Koroseal lined tanks installed in a 

 concrete pit and fitted with graphite anodes and sheet copper cathodes. 

 When the copper concentration of this solution exceeds the maximum 

 operating value, the pump associated with the copper removal unit auto- 

 matically cuts into the acid copper plate equalizer line and transfers 

 solution to the removal unit. The excess copper in solution is electro- 

 lytically deposited onto copper cathodes, and the restored solution is 

 returned by gravity to the equalizer line. 



RAW MATERIALS HANDLING 



Except for the anode material (shot), all materials handling is confined 

 to the main floor. In this way the plating deck operators are fully relieved 

 of all materials handling chores, other than the one job of replenishing 

 anodes in the cells, and this job is purposely delegated to them because 

 anode maintenance is a critical part of the plating deck operator's re- 

 sponsibility for product quality. All heavy, bulky units are handled on 

 the main floor so that none of the untidiness and confusion always at- 

 tending the opening of containers, truck movement, and receiving and 

 shipping operations are present on the plating deck to interfere with the 

 prime job done in that area. 



All chemicals to be used in the various cleaning and plating solutions 

 are stored along the north wall of the building, each in the area nearest 

 the preparation and mixing equipment in which it will ultimately be 

 used. Wherever chemicals are stored close to one another, which, if ac- 

 cidentally mixed, might create hazards, solid barrier walls are provided 

 to keep them separate. Chemicals are stored in their shipping containers, 

 all of which are fully identified as to contents and adequately marked 

 with any warning labels which might be required. Chemicals, at the re- 

 ceiving dock at one end of the building, are removed from the motor 

 truck, placed on wood pallets, and transported by electric truck to the 

 storage area. The use of pallets for handling and storing the chemicals 

 reduces the total electric truck haul-time and protects the containers 

 from mechanical abuse while in storage. The wood pallets also permit 

 flushing of the floors without soaking the containers, especially those of 

 paper or wood. Facilities are provided for flushing out the emptied con- 

 tainer as as well as for washing down the floors after accidental spillage 

 or breakage. 



Wire is stored along the south wall of the building physically well 



