Daiwa Excel primarily performs zinc plating.
The main purpose of surface treatment with zinc plating is rust prevention.
Nickel plating is also used for rust prevention, but these two have different characteristics.
“Zinc is a metal that rusts more easily than iron, while nickel is less prone to rusting than iron.”
It is said that zinc, which rusts easily, offers higher rust prevention effectiveness. /p>　

Nickel itself is resistant to rust. Therefore, the iron part of the main body can rust first from small scratches. The interior can progressively deteriorate, and the plating may lift due to rust.
In the case of zinc plating, because the material rusts more easily than the iron of the main body, when deterioration begins due to scratches, the zinc part rusts before the main body. This protects the main body.
“This is called sacrificial corrosion protection. This is where zinc plating excels.”

Zinc plating and electroless nickel plating also differ in their plating methods.
Zinc plating is performed using a method called electrolytic plating, which involves passing electricity.
Since electricity flows to the path of least resistance, for example, a pipe-shaped object can only be plated on its surface.

On the other hand, electroless plating, which does not use electricity, involves immersing the object in a plating solution. Therefore, even pipe shapes can be plated not only on the surface but also internally.
Electroless nickel plating is suitable for complex shapes, but the cost is higher because the plating solution cannot be reused many times.
Zinc plating can reduce costs and offers high rust prevention effectiveness through sacrificial corrosion protection, but it is unsuitable for plating complex shapes such as the inside of cylindrical objects.

Thus, both zinc plating and nickel plating have their respective advantages and disadvantages.
However, Daiwa Excel possesses technology that overcomes the shortcomings of zinc plating.

Approximately 50% of the zinc plating performed by Daiwa Excel involves the processing of pipes connecting from a car’s fuel filler neck to the tank.
Generally, electrolytic zinc plating cannot be applied to the inside of pipes. However, Daiwa Excel has made this possible.
“My grandfather devised and created electrical jig equipment to enable plating inside pipes.”
In conventional electrolytic plating, a positive electrode is placed in the tank and a negative electrode on the part to be plated, and plating occurs as electricity flows from positive to negative.
Daiwa Excel achieves internal plating by inserting a positive electrode inside the pipe as well.

Theoretically, internal plating is possible by properly arranging positive and negative electrodes. However, it is not that simple.
If the electrodes touch the part, the electricity for plating will not flow properly.
Insulators are used for this purpose, but if an insulator touches the main body, the plating will not adhere. Since pipes vary in thickness and shape, it is difficult to install electrodes without them touching the main body.

Making this possible is Daiwa Excel’s significant strength, unmatched by other companies.
Recognized for this technical capability, they are certified as an “Aichi Brand Company.”
“Even companies that were looking for other plating suppliers due to BCP considerations eventually return to us.”

Daiwa Excel excels at plating complex shapes, not limited to pipes.
For example, plating is possible even inside threaded screw receiver parts.　
Shapes like these have high surface tension.　
When performing plating, several pre-treatments are required, such as degreasing with an alkaline solution and cleaning the surface with acid. High surface tension makes it time-consuming and labor-intensive to drain the liquids used in pre-treatment. When processing thousands of parts with automatic machines, this step significantly impacts costs.

Therefore, they have implemented unique innovations to enable smooth processing.
About seven years ago, Daiwa Excel established a subsidiary dedicated to the design and development of jigs.
Before that, they outsourced to long-standing jig manufacturers, but jigs represent valuable know-how.
To minimize the outflow of this know-how, they decided to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary.

“I don’t think all automobiles will suddenly become electric vehicles, but I believe rust-preventive plating on iron will decrease.”
Indeed, there has been a trend for about 10 years for component materials to shift from iron to resin and plastic.

Three years ago, Daiwa Excel established a development department and has been engaged in research and development of new plating technologies.
“We are currently studying by contracting with companies that possess different technologies in the same plating field and receiving technical support.”
It is said that this technology will enable plating on materials such as resin, plastic, and glass.

In addition, they have started receiving requests for copper plating for electronic component circuits and other applications.”
Daiwa Excel possesses unique technology. However, without clinging to it, they are striving to challenge themselves for a new era, leveraging the know-how and technology they have cultivated so far.

It is said that the plating industry has a foundation for cooperation with competitors.
“For example, even among companies specializing in zinc plating, each has its strengths and weaknesses. So, if we can’t handle something ourselves, we introduce it to a company that excels in that area.”
Therefore, they believe that if they can establish a network within the plating industry by gaining a more detailed understanding of each company’s strengths and weaknesses, an organization capable of handling requests as a one-stop solution could be formed.

“If we can connect customers to the right place, like ‘for zinc plating, come to us; for gold plating, go there,’ I think it would be easier for them. Relationships have already been built among some young professionals in the plating industry, so it would be interesting if we could create a system.”
If a new form of network emerges in the plating industry, it could not only streamline operations but also foster new technologies, collaborations, and other innovations unlike anything seen before.