Implementation of a software tool for a gold electroplating bath operation

To increase the efficiency of a commercial gold electroplating operation, researchers analyzed historical data for the electroplating baths and developed bath management tools and strategies using statistics and systems design methods. The past process was operating outside of established process specification limits; therefore management desired easy-to-use tools for tracking bath chemical levels and determining chemical adjustments to keep the baths within specifications. After consultation with personnel, the project team accomplished this goal by creating a software tool that was integrated into the initial system. The software tool combines lab data storage, specification chart generation, and stoichiometry in a robust Visual Basic package running inside of Microsoft Excel. Upon the conclusion of this project, the company expects to see improvements in interdepartmental communication, value-added laboratory utilization, and overall part quality. Potential quantitative benefits include a reduction in the annual cost of poor quality, currently estimated at $400,000 for the electroplating process.