Method and apparatus for treating metal

Abstract

An apparatus for treating metal which is capable of selectively monitoring and controlling various aspects of a multi-staged metal treatment process to more accurately and reliably administer treatment. The apparatus comprises a first stage for cleaning a metal workpiece with a alkaline solution, a second stage for applying an ionic conditioner to the workpiece, a third stage for applying a phosphate solution to the workpiece, a fourth stage for applying a finishing overcoat in an ionic aqueous sealing agent to the workpiece, a plurality of sensors for monitoring temperature and conductivity of the alkaline solution in the first stage, conductivity and pH of the conditioner in the second stage, temperature, conductivity and pH of the third stage, and conductivity and pH of the fourth stage, a controller for selectively monitoring the sensors and controlling output actuators to maintain desired parameters of the metal treatment process, and capable of controlling the metal treatment process in a first and second mode of control, wherein the first mode comprises automatic controlling of the treatment process, and the second mode comprises timed controlling of the treatment process, and a plurality of output actuators for responding to the controller to maintain the desired parameters of the treatment process.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.