In the field of jewelry manufacturing and processing, polishing is a crucial process to ensure that jewelry has an exquisite appearance and a smooth surface. With the development of technology, jewelry-specific polishing machines that adopt plasma polishing technology have gradually become important tools for high-precision polishing in the jewelry industry. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the applicable materials, advantages, and usage methods of this jewelry polishing machine, helping you better understand and apply this advanced equipment.
I. Materials That Can Be Polished by the Jewelry Polishing Machine
The jewelry polishing machine is suitable for a variety of jewelry materials and supports the polishing of gold, silver, karat gold, etc. Plasma polishing can effectively remove surface defects and enhance the gloss, allowing the original shining characteristics of gold to be perfectly presented. Plasma polishing can effectively remove tiny defects, scratches, oxide layers, and other impurities on the surface of gold, achieving material removal at the nanoscale. The surface becomes extremely smooth, and light can be evenly reflected on its surface, emitting a dazzling and pure golden light. After silver jewelry is polished by plasma, the oxide layer can be removed, restoring its bright and white color, and at the same time enhancing the surface’s anti-fouling ability. And karat gold is not easy to deform during the polishing process and can maintain its original design and shape.
II. Advantages of Using a Plasma Polishing Machine to Polish Jewelry
1. Plasma polishing can achieve an extremely high surface finish, perfectly polishing every detail of the jewelry. It has a particularly remarkable polishing effect on tiny holes, deep holes, and complex inner cavities.
2. The plasma polishing machine can polish jewelry of different materials, shapes, and sizes, without being limited by the complexity of the jewelry’s shape or its size. Whether it is a simple geometric shape or a complex, specially shaped jewelry piece, by adjusting the plasma polishing parameters, an ideal polishing effect can be achieved.
3. During the plasma polishing process, it will not cause excessive wear to the jewelry materials, reducing the loss of precious metals.
4. No harmful substances are generated during the plasma polishing process, which is environmentally friendly and meets environmental protection requirements.
5. Plasma polishing is fast. For some small jewelry pieces, using a plasma polishing machine can complete the polishing in just a few minutes, greatly shortening the processing cycle and improving production efficiency.
III. Usage Methods of the Jewelry Plasma Polishing Machine
(1) Preliminary Preparation
1. Equipment Inspection
Before using the plasma polishing machine, a comprehensive inspection of the equipment is required. Check whether the appearance of the equipment is damaged and whether all components are firmly connected. Inspect the polishing tank for any damage or leakage. At the same time, check whether the power line is normal and whether the grounding is reliable to avoid potential safety hazards during operation.
2. Workpiece Preparation
Pre-treat the jewelry to be polished to remove surface impurities such as oil stains and dust. Hang the jewelry reasonably on a special hanging fixture to ensure that all parts can be fully exposed during the polishing process and that there will be no mutual collision or obstruction. The selection of the hanging fixture should be determined according to the shape, size, and weight of the jewelry to ensure that the hanging fixture can bear the weight of the jewelry and remain stable in the plasma field.
3. Preparation of the Polishing Salt
According to the jewelry material and polishing requirements, prepare the polishing salt solution according to the proportion specified in the equipment instruction manual. Jewelry of different materials may require polishing salt solutions with different concentrations and formulas to achieve the best polishing effect.
(2) Equipment Operation
1. Power-on Preheating
Connect the power supply of the equipment, turn on the power switch of the plasma polishing machine, and the equipment will start a self-check. After the self-check is passed, start the preheating program to allow the equipment to reach the appropriate operating temperature. The preheating time varies according to the equipment model and the ambient temperature, generally ranging from a few minutes to more than ten minutes. During the preheating process, the plasma generator of the equipment gradually heats up, preparing for the generation of stable plasma.
2. Parameter Setting
According to the material, shape, size, and expected polishing effect of the jewelry, set the corresponding parameters on the equipment operation panel. The main parameters include plasma power, polishing time, polishing liquid flow rate, etc. For jewelry with a harder texture, such as platinum, it may be necessary to appropriately increase the plasma power and extend the polishing time. For jewelry with a complex shape, to ensure that all parts can be evenly polished, it may be necessary to adjust the polishing liquid flow rate and the distribution mode of the plasma. After setting, carefully check the parameters to ensure they are accurate.
3. Placing the Workpiece
When the equipment is preheated and the parameters are set, open the lid of the polishing tank and carefully place the jewelry hanging on the hanging fixture into the polishing tank. Be careful to avoid the jewelry colliding with the wall of the polishing tank and ensure that the hanging fixture is stably placed in the designated position. Close the lid of the polishing tank to ensure a good seal and prevent the leakage of plasma.
4. Starting the Polishing
Once everything is ready, press the “Start” button on the equipment operation panel, and the plasma polishing machine will start working. At this time, the plasma generator inside the equipment generates high-temperature and high-energy plasma. The plasma interacts with the polishing salt solution to form a plasma field with strong polishing ability. Under the action of the plasma field, the atoms and impurities on the surface of the jewelry are impacted and peeled off at high speed, thus achieving the surface polishing treatment. During the polishing process, the operator can observe the polishing situation through the observation window of the equipment, but do not open the lid to avoid affecting the polishing effect and causing a safety accident.
(3) Post-processing
1. When the polishing time reaches the set value, the plasma polishing machine will automatically stop working. After waiting for the equipment to cool down for a certain period (the specific cooling time is determined according to the equipment requirements), open the lid of the polishing tank and carefully take out the hanging fixture and the jewelry. The surface of the jewelry may be relatively hot at this time, so be careful to prevent scalding.
2. Put the polished jewelry into clean water for rinsing to remove the remaining polishing salt solution and impurities on the surface. After rinsing, you can gently scrub it with a soft brush to ensure thorough cleaning. After cleaning, dry the jewelry with a clean soft cloth and then conduct a careful inspection. Check whether the surface of the jewelry has achieved the expected polishing effect and whether there are problems such as unpolished areas, uneven polishing, or surface damage. For some inlaid jewelry, also check again whether the gemstone inlay is still firm.
3. After completing the jewelry polishing, carry out the necessary maintenance of the plasma polishing machine. Clean the remaining polishing salt solution and impurities in the polishing tank, and you can rinse it with water and wipe it clean. Check whether the key components of the equipment, such as the electrodes and the plasma generator, are damaged or abnormal. If necessary, replace or repair them promptly. At the same time, replenish the polishing salt in the polishing salt storage tank to prepare for the next polishing operation.
Using a jewelry plasma polishing machine requires strict compliance with the operation process. Every link, from preliminary preparation and equipment operation to post-processing, is crucial. Only by correctly using and maintaining the plasma polishing machine can its advantages be fully utilized, endowing jewelry with an ultimate luster and texture, and helping the jewelry industry create more dazzling and outstanding products.
