Lab Incharge - Artek Surfin Chemicals Limited - Andheri, Mumbai
(2023-09)
- Led the Pilot Plant and Technical Service Laboratory, ensuring smooth execution of plating trials and process development.
- Install and commission automatic electroplating plants at customer sites.
- Develop and optimize electroplating processes based on customer requirements.
- Prepare technical process sequences, operating procedures, and technical data sheets for plating products.
- Provide technical support and troubleshoot plating process issues at customer facilities, delivering effective root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Monitor and maintain plating bath chemistry through volumetric analysis, bath replenishment, bath treatment schedules, pH control, temperature monitoring, current density, additive dosing, and anode management.
- Handle and optimize plating processes including: Bright Nickel, Semi-Bright Nickel, Acid Zinc, Alkaline Zinc, Cyanide Zinc, Acid Tin, Silver Plating, Cyanide Copper, Hard Chrome, Decorative Chrome, Alkaline Zinc-Nickel, Acid Zinc-Nickel, Black Nickel, Phosphating
- Perform laboratory testing including Hull Cell tests, tape adhesion tests, scratch tests, bend tests, thickness measurement, and salt spray testing as per ASTM B117.
- Conduct R&D activities to achieve required coating thickness through optimization of current density, plating time, and bath temperature.
- Prepare standard laboratory solutions and reagents while maintaining laboratory documentation as per SOPs.
- Validate new plating processes and components through process validation and revalidation studies.
- Operate and calibrate laboratory instruments including XRF Thickness Tester, pH Meter, Hydrometer, Refractometer, TDS Meter, Electronic Thickness Gauge, Hull Cell Rectifier, Centrifuge, and Thermometer.
- Maintain chemical inventory, anode stock, and pilot plant consumables.
- Ensure laboratory and pilot plant safety in compliance with MSDS and standard operating procedures.
- Operate and maintain the DM Water Plant.
- Apply quality tools including PPM, SPC, OEE, PFMEA, Control Plan, and Process Flow Diagram to improve process performance and product quality.
Plating Plant Head (R&D, Quality Control & Production Planning) - Fibre Bond Industries - Mahape & Vasai Units
(2022-01 - 2023-08)
- Led the overall operations of the electroplating plant, including Production, R&D, Quality Control, and Production Planning.
- Developed and optimized plating processes to achieve the required coating thickness by controlling current density, plating time, and bath temperature.
- Conducted R&D to achieve customer-specific colour shades in Black Nickel Plating, Polyurethane Lacquer, and Polyurethane Dye Lacquer.
- Successfully reduced rejection in laser design operations from 30% to 2% by improving black nickel plating adhesion and optimizing process parameters.
- Monitored polyurethane lacquer solid content using a refractometer to maintain product quality.
- Controlled plating bath chemistry through volumetric analysis, bath replenishment schedules, bath treatment, pH control, temperature monitoring, current density, additive dosing, and anode maintenance.
- Performed in-process quality inspections and laboratory testing, including Hull Cell tests, tape adhesion tests, scratch tests, bend tests, and coating thickness measurements.
- Maintained process documentation, including SOP records, bath analysis reports, pH logs, temperature records, and validation documentation.
- Conducted process validation and revalidation studies and approved new product trials by recording critical process parameters.
- Managed inventory of plating chemicals, anodes, and laboratory consumables while monitoring daily chemical consumption.
- Prepared laboratory standard solutions and reagents and ensured compliance with MSDS requirements and workplace safety standards.
- Operated and maintained laboratory equipment, including pH Meter, Hydrometer, Refractometer, TDS Meter, Electronic Thickness Gauge, Hull Cell Rectifier, Centrifuge, and Thermometer.
- Planned daily production schedules, supervised manpower, and ensured timely achievement of production targets.
- Investigated plating defects, carried out root cause analysis, and implemented effective corrective actions to improve process performance.
- Operated and maintained the DM Water Plant and implemented the Hydrogen De-embrittlement process where required.
Production Executive & Laboratory Chemist - Ultra Shine Enterprises - Wada, Palghar
(2016-06 - 2021-12)
Manufacturer specializing in decorative chrome plating on ABS plastic components for automotive, household, and electronic applications.
- Controlled and monitored decorative chrome plating processes for ABS plastic components.
- Managed the chemical laboratory and ensured all plating bath parameters were maintained according to SOPs.
- Performed chemical analysis, volumetric analysis, bath replenishment, bath treatment, pH monitoring, Hull Cell testing, coating thickness measurement, temperature monitoring, current monitoring, and scheduled addition of additives and brighteners.
- Monitored anode condition and maintained optimum plating bath performance.
- Worked with plating chemicals including Bright Chrome, Nickel, Acid Copper, Electroless Nickel, Activator, Accelerator, and Etching solutions.
- Operated laboratory instruments such as pH Meter, Hydrometer, TDS Meter, Electronic Thickness Meter, Hull Cell Rectifier, and Centrifugal Machine.
- Maintained laboratory documentation including analysis records, pH logs, temperature records, and process monitoring reports.
- Conducted process validation, revalidation studies, and validation of new product components.
- Managed monthly inventory of chemicals and anodes and monitored daily chemical consumption.
- Ensured compliance with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and chemical handling procedures.
- Coordinated customer audits and effectively closed Non-Conformance (NC) observations.
- Monitored scrubber pH and water levels to ensure environmental compliance.
- Implemented and maintained safety practices in both production and laboratory operations.
- Guided operators in conducting physical quality tests, including Scratch Test, Acetic Acid Test, and Bend Test on ABS plated components.
- Prepared laboratory standard solutions, reagents, and testing chemicals.
- Planned and supervised daily production activities according to production schedules.
- Managed manpower allocation to achieve production targets efficiently.
- Troubleshot plating process issues to minimize defects and improve productivity.
- Operated and maintained the DM Water Plant, including charging and routine monitoring.
- Ensured products met CASS (Copper Accelerated Acetic Acid Salt Spray) test requirements for chrome-plated ABS components.
Technical Officer (Nashik Branch) - Grauer & Weil (India) Ltd. - Kandivli, Mumbai
(2014-07 - 2015-05)
Leading manufacturer of electroplating and phosphating chemicals, providing technical solutions to automotive, engineering, and metal finishing industries.
- Conducted laboratory analysis of electroplating and phosphating solutions, including Bright Nickel, Semi-Bright Nickel, Acid Zinc, Alkaline Zinc, Cyanide Zinc, Acid Tin, Silver, Hard Chrome, Bright Chrome, Cyanide Copper, Zinc-Nickel, and Phosphating baths.
- Set up, optimized, and monitored electroplating and phosphating processes at customer sites to ensure consistent coating quality.
- Performed chemical analysis of plating baths, including pH, density, concentration, and bath performance evaluation.
- Operated laboratory instruments such as pH Meter, Hull Cell, Thickness Meter, and Centrifugal Machine.
- Evaluated plating bath performance using Hull Cell testing and recommended corrective actions.
- Tested and analyzed customer bath samples and provided technical recommendations to improve plating quality and process efficiency.
- Monitored passivation solutions by checking pH, density, and chemical concentration as per standard procedures.
- Inspected and evaluated metal cleaning solutions to ensure effective surface preparation before plating.
- Investigated customer complaints, identified root causes, and implemented corrective actions to improve customer satisfaction.
- Provided technical support and troubleshooting for electroplating and phosphating process-related issues.
- Possessed working knowledge of Hydrogen De-embrittlement treatment and its application in plated components.
- Maintained daily customer service reports and technical documentation.
- Prepared technical reports and product performance records to support the Sales and Marketing team.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) operations related to electroplating industries.
Quality Control & Production Chemist - Asahi International Pvt. Ltd. - Wada, Palghar
(2004-07 - 2014-06)
An ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 9001:2008 certified company engaged in manufacturing various types of automotive wipers.
- Control of surface treatment process (Alkaline zinc plating)
- Control of powder coating process.
- Testing zinc plating chemical (zinc content, caustic content).
- Monitoring Plating & powder coating process records as per requirement of ISO/TS 16949 and ISO 14001
- Handling daily production activities as per production plan.
- Inspection of Plated and powder coated parts.
- Handling manpower as per daily production plan.
- Handling & charging of DM water plant.
- Monitoring & Recording of Effluent treatment process report.
- Knowledge of PPM, OEE, SPC, control plan, PFMEA & process flow diagram.
- Monitoring & maintaining records of salt spray test samples as per ASTM B-117 standard.
- Knowledge of Hydrogen de-embrittlement process.
- Proficient in trouble shooting of alkaline zinc plating.
