Electrolytic polishing apparatus

A contactless electrolytic polishing apparatus for the electrolytic polishing of a blank for a lead frame, which comprises an electrolytic polishing tank having a first end and an opposite second end, a compartment containing a blank supply roll located adjacent said first end of said electrolytic polishing tank to convey a blank thereto, and a compartment containing a blank discharge roll located adjacent said second end of said electrolytic polishing tank to convey a treated blank away therefrom;

• said electrolytic polishing tank comprising a plurality of partitions which divide said polishing tank into a plurality of vessels having openings therebetween aligned in a horizontal plane, said vessels, in sequence from said first end to said second end of said polishing tank, comprising a first cathode-containing vessel, a first solution-discharge vessel, a first anode-containing vessel, a second solution-discharge vessel, a second anode-containing vessel, a third solution-discharge vessel and a second cathode-containing vessel;
• said first and second cathode-containing vessels and said first and second anode-containing vessels each including an inlet port for electrolytic polishing solution;
• said compartments containing said blank supply roll and said blank discharge roll, and said first, second and third solution-discharge vessels each including an outlet port for said polishing solution;
• said first and second cathode-containing vessels each including electrodes positioned on one side above or below said horizontal plane and immersible in polishing solution therein;
• and said first and second anode-containing vessels each including electrodes positioned above or below said horizontal plane and immersible in polishing solution therein.