Wednesday, August 22, 2018
All News
NASF's Midwest Sustainability Summit to Focus on Technology
September 26, 2017
The Chicago Midwest Chapter of the National Association for Surface Finishing is partnering with chapters in Rockford and Milwaukee to host the Midwest Sustainability Summit on October 12-13, at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Attendees at the 2016 Sustainability Summit listen to speakers. The Chicago Midwest Chapter of
Remembering a Finisher’s Son
September 26, 2017
Fred Warmbier is a metal finisher in Cincinnati. At least that is what he was known as before January 2016, when his son, Otto Warmbier, was taken by the North Korean government during a visit as a student tourist and charged with a dubious crime and sentenced to hard labor. As you may have read, Otto—who worked in his father’s shop
Evaluation of Hexavalent Chromium Free Bond Primers for Aerospace and Defense Applications
September 26, 2017
Three hex chrome free bond primers demonstrated that they can surpass the 960 hour threshold before exhibiting panel corrosion away from the scribe. Figure 1: Image of WCET specimens with wedge inserted in rack. Figure 2: Corrosion test results after 1,008 hrs for the all primers on 7075-T6 with PAA surface treatment. Specimens outlined in red
Michigan Anodizer Hopes to Build New Facility, Add 90+ Jobs
September 26, 2017
The plant would be comprised of a 68,850-square-foot building on 27 acres in the Fort Custer Industrial Park and employ 50 workers in the initial two years, then 44 workers in the third year. The existing Bowers Manufacturing Co. facility. Michigan media outlets report that aluminum metals finisher Bowers Manufacturing
Automated Selective Plating Takes Off With Safran Project
September 26, 2017
Sifco ASC has partnered with Safran on various surface finishing projects for more than 20 years, including recent work to increase wear resistance on an aircraft’s axles. Safran Landing Systems, a leading manufacturer of landing gear systems, is focused on providing solutions that are not only reliable and robust, but
DS Manufacturing Changes Name to Lincoln Industries
September 26, 2017
This name change marks a continued strengthening of Lincoln Industries' position as the nation’s leading supplier of exhaust tubes in the United States, the company says. DS Manufacturing has announced it will operate under the name Lincoln Industries DS Manufacturing, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lincoln Industries located at Pine Island,
Gardner Business Index: June 2017 — 55.0
September 26, 2017
Finishing Business Index holds near its five-year high. Columns Post: 8/1/2017 Michael Guckes Senior Economist, Gardner Intelligence In the current month, the Finishing Business Index was supported by strength in new orders, supplier deliveries and production, while pulled down by exports and backlogs. Michael Guckes, Chief Economist, Gardner
Horizontal Vortex Pump Provides Unrestricted Flow
September 26, 2017
Vertiflo Pump Co. offers its Series 1600 industrial horizontal vortex sump pump for industrial and municipal applications. New Product Post: 7/31/2017 Edited by Hannah Coombs Assistant Editor, Products Finishing The Series 1600 is designed for long life in severe services with heads up to 170 ft., temperatures to 250°F with flows to 1,600 GPM.
Former Products Finishing Columnist Carl Izzo Passes
September 26, 2017
Izzo was a paint consultant when he joined the magazine after spending a career as a scientist researching paints and coatings for Westinghouse and PPG. Carl Izzo, an expert in the field of liquid coatings and a Products Finishing columnist for several decades, passed away in July in Murraysville, Pennsylvania. Izzo was a paint consultant when he
Pocket Tester Measures Water Quality
September 26, 2017
EcoTestr pocket testers, available from Gardco, feature updates designed to quickly and easily measure water quality. New Product Post: 8/15/2017 Edited by Hannah Coombs Assistant Editor, Products Finishing The EcoTestr pocket tester, available from Gardco, features automatic temperature compensation designed for accurate
PPG to Acquire Coatings Application Services Provider The Crown Group
September 26, 2017
Headquartered in Warren, Michigan, Crown has 950 employees and is one of the leading component and product finishers in North America. PPG says it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire The Crown Group, a U.S.-based coatings application services business, from High Road Capital Partners and Charter Oak Capital Partners. The transaction
Author: Time for EPA to Lead in 'Real World' Safety Standards
September 26, 2017
"I implore our new administration in Washington to take the lead and bring good sense and reason back into the regulatory process." Steve Marcus is chairman of Markee International Corp. and a former columnist for Products Finishing. Contact him at steve@markee.com I have just attended a very well-presented seminar at the Parts
Top Sales Trait Might Not Be What You Think
September 26, 2017
What is the most important success trait for a sales person to possess? Some would argue that ambition is most important; in order to win business, they must desire to further their lot in life. Others might claim that competitiveness and a desire to defeat the opponent should top the list, since these fuel a drive to secure new business. Many
How to Increase Line Density
September 26, 2017
Q. Our finishing shop applies both liquid and powder applications, as well as some plating, too. How can we increase our racking line density by adding more parts per foot? Racking expert Scott Rempala has the answer.  Q. Our finishing shop applies both liquid and powder applications, as well as some plating, too. How can we increase our
Multipurpose Coating Line Can Be Configured for Multiple Finishing Processes
September 26, 2017
American Industrial Sales (AIS) will present its Linear Indexing Line (LIL), a multipurpose coating line that can be provided as an e-coating, powder coating, liquid coating or custom pretreatment system, or a combination of multiple finishing processes. New Product Post: 9/8/2017 American Industrial Sales (AIS) will present its Linear Indexing
George Koch Sons Acquires Engineered Finishing Solutions
September 26, 2017
Koch says the purchase adds porcelain enamel expertise to they company's portfolio of automated finishing systems, which include liquid and powder coatings, electrocoat, anodizing and plating. Systems integrator George Koch Sons has purchased of assets of Engineered Finishing Systems (EFS). Koch, which was established in
Paint Booths Combine Standard Designs, Custom Solutions
September 26, 2017
Global Finishing Solutions’ General Purpose paint booths combine standard, pre-engineered solutions with custom and auxiliary options. New Product Post: 9/14/2017 Global Finishing Solutions’ General Purpose paint booths combine standard, pre-engineered solutions with custom and auxiliary options. They are designed to accommodate
PCI/Axalta Scholarship Recipient Announced
September 26, 2017
Axalta Coating Systems and the Powder Coating Institute (PCI), named Theodore Hammer as the winner of the 2017 PCI/Axalta Scholarship. Axalta Coating Systems and the Powder Coating Institute (PCI), named Theodore Hammer as the winner of the 2017 PCI/Axalta Scholarship. Offered to college students pursuing degrees related to powder coating
Silver Metallic Shade Added to Architectural Powder Line
September 26, 2017
Axalta Coating Systems has added RAL 9006, an architectural powder coating with a smooth, silver metallic finish, to its Alesta AR500 line. New Product Post: 9/12/2017 Axalta Coating Systems has added RAL 9006, an architectural powder coating with a smooth, silver metallic finish, to its Alesta AR500 line. The coating is formulated to deliver a
Disposable Arrestors Collect Paint Overspray
September 26, 2017
Col-Met Engineered Finishing Solutions acquired RP Paint Arrestors and now offers its complete line of disposable paint overspray collectors, which include the 3000-3700 series, series S and Spra-Cube products. New Product Post: 9/11/2017 Col-Met Engineered Finishing Solutions acquired RP Paint Arrestors and now offers its complete line of
Configurable Powder System Integrates Processes and Handling
September 26, 2017
At Fabtech 2017, Parker Ionics will introduce its Configurable Compact Shuttle System (CCSS) for powder coating, which integrates pretreatment, drying and curing, and powder coating with an effective handling system. New Product Post: 9/20/2017 Parker Ionics will introduce its Configurable Compact Shuttle System (CCSS) for powder coating, which
Virtual Tour Demonstrates Automated Powder Coating System
September 26, 2017
IntelliFinishing will offer visitors to its booth at Fabtech 2017 a 360-degree virtual tour of an automated powder coating system. New Product Post: 9/18/2017 IntelliFinishing will offer visitors to its booth a 360-degree virtual tour of an automated powder coating system. The company builds custom finishing systems designed to increase paint
Paint Robot Features High-Speed Rotating Atomizer
September 26, 2017
Well-suited for electrostatic and other industrial paint applications, Dürr Systems’ EcoRP 10 R1100 is compact six-axis paint robot with a maximum reach of 1,100 mm and a total payload ranging to 10 kg. New Product Post: 9/21/2017 Well-suited for electrostatic and other industrial paint applications, Dürr Systems, Inc.’ EcoRP
NASF Michigan Seminar Draws Technical Experts, Inspiration
September 26, 2017
Event draws finishers from across the state to hear technical experts and inspirational speakers, including highly decorated retired Navy Seal Robert J. O'Neill. Robert O’Neill, right, talks with guests at the Michigan NASF Seminar. The Michigan Chapter of the National Association for Surface Finishing held its Midwest Seminar
Electronic Plating: OutREACH or OverREACH?
September 26, 2017
U.S. chemical companies can benefit from compliance with the European regulation. European manufacturers and importers, including those of plated electronics, are required to provide information on properties of the  chemicals they use. The European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals regulation,
What’s Suddenly Causing a Cleaner’s Short Bath Life?
September 26, 2017
Q. My cleaner is suddenly experiencing a short bath life. Did something change? Plating expert Jake Fisher from Asterion tackles this question. Q. My cleaner is suddenly experiencing a short bath life. Did something change? A. The very short answer is, “yes.” However, exactly what those changes could be is a much more nuanced answer
Making Contact with Your Plating Line
September 26, 2017
Picking the right electrical contact system is important for proper plating line optimization. Article Post: 9/1/2017 A.J. Schenk, Intercon Enterprises Flight bar cleaning saddles at the rinse tank allow greater contact and current flow for the flight bar when it engages the contact saddle during the next plating cycles. Hand
How Scanning Jet Engine Thermal Coatings Can Increase Engine Lifetime
September 26, 2017
Jet engine cutaway. Turbine blades shown in gold. (Image Credit: Wikimedia commons) A story by Engineering.com talks about a collaboration between Rolls-Royce and researchers at Heriot-Watt University to test jet engine turbine blades that are protected from intense heat and wear by ceramic thermal barrier coatings. The
Read the Interview: Uyemura's Tony Revier
September 26, 2017
Revier, who was attending IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries gathering in Washington, D.C. for IMPACT Washington, D.C. 2017 to advocate for a pro-growth, pro-advanced-manufacturing policy agenda. The IPC Peter Sarmanian Corporate Recognition Award honors an IPC member company for significant contributions to
System Removes Carbonates from Alkaline Zinc Alloy Plating
September 26, 2017
Asterion’s Carbo-Dry unit is designed to remove carbonates, sulfates and other impurities from alkaline zinc alloy plating solutions. New Product Post: 9/11/2017 Asterion’s Carbo-Dry unit is designed to remove carbonates, sulfates and other impurities from alkaline zinc alloy plating solutions. The self-contained system is said to
New England Surface Finishing Regional Conference is Nov. 3
September 26, 2017
The New England Surface Finishing Regional will be held on November 3 in Salem, Mass. at the Hawthorne Hotel. The New England Surface Finishing Regional will be held on November 3 in Salem, Mass. at the Hawthorne Hotel. Download a registration form HERE. Information from the New England Chapter of the NASF: It is that time of
Combining 3D Printing and Electroplating for Replicable Experimentation
September 26, 2017
Andreas Osterwalder calls his office a museum: what looks like a collection of small machines are 3D printed and partially electroplated parts that the scientist has been creating for his experiments. A great story about the latest on plating and 3D printing from formlabs.com, which tells the story of Andreas
Compact DC Power Supplies Offer Range of of High Outputs
September 26, 2017
The DTX 2400 Series of DC power supplies from Dynatronix includes five models with outputs of 0-24 V at 0-100 amps and 0-100 V at 0-24 amps. New Product Post: 9/15/2017 The DTX 2400 Series of DC power supplies from Dynatronix, Inc. includes five models with outputs of 0-24 V at 0-100 amps and 0-100 V at 0-24 amps. Output is limited to a maximum of
Phosphate-Free Conversion Coatings Simultaneously Clean, Coat
September 26, 2017
Bulk Chemicals Inc. will showcase its Zirca-Sil SW-1 and Zirca-Sil HD-1 phosphate-free, zirconium-based conversion coatings, which are designed to simultaneously clean and coat metals. New Product Post: 9/12/2017 Bulk Chemicals, Inc. - BCI Surface Technologies will showcase its Zirca-Sil SW-1 and Zirca-Sil HD-1 phosphate-free, zirconium-based
Liquid Paint Maker Developing Graphene-based Coatings
September 26, 2017
The company says it is primed to revolutionize the materials industries in the commercial vehicle and construction equipment markets. A European-based liquid paint maker is developing graphene-containing coatings for a variety of industries for corrosion protection. HMG Paints in Manchester, England is working with Applied Graphene
Multipurpose Coating Line Can Be Configured for Multiple Finishing Processes
September 26, 2017
American Industrial Sales (AIS) will present its Linear Indexing Line (LIL), a multipurpose coating line that can be provided as an e-coating, powder coating, liquid coating or custom pretreatment system, or a combination of multiple finishing processes. New Product Post: 9/8/2017 American Industrial Sales (AIS) will present its Linear Indexing
X-Ray Fluorescence Instrument Measures Large Parts, Complex Geometries
September 26, 2017
Well-suited for use in quality assurance, incoming inspection and process control, Fischer Technology’s Fischerscope X-ray XAN 500 is a mobile and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence instrument designed for nondestructive coating thickness measurement and material analysis. New Product Post: 9/22/2017 Well-suited for use in quality
Paint Robot Features High-Speed Rotating Atomizer
September 26, 2017
Well-suited for electrostatic and other industrial paint applications, Dürr Systems’ EcoRP 10 R1100 is compact six-axis paint robot with a maximum reach of 1,100 mm and a total payload ranging to 10 kg. New Product Post: 9/21/2017 Well-suited for electrostatic and other industrial paint applications, Dürr Systems, Inc.’ EcoRP
PPG Foundation Donates $40,000 to Coatings Department at North Dakota State University
September 26, 2017
New program will complement the university's long-standing coatings and polymeric materials program. The PPG Foundation donated $40,000 to the NDSU Foundation and Alumni Association to benefit the Coatings and Polymeric Materials Department at North Dakota State University to help establish and provide scholarship funding for a professional Master
Porcelain Enamel Added to Finishing System Offerings
September 26, 2017
George Koch Sons supplies automated finishing systems for coating technologies including liquid, powder, electrocoat, anodizing and plating, and recently added porcelain enamel systems with its purchase of the assets of Engineered Finishing Systems. New Product Post: 9/13/2017 George Koch Sons, LLC supplies automated finishing systems for coating
Water-based, Solvent-based Corrosion Inhibitors Protect Metal
September 26, 2017
Birchwood Technologies offers a variety of water-based and solvent-based inhibitors and sealants to prevent rust and corrosion on virtually all metal surfaces, selectable based on the user’s needs for lubricity, dryness and decorative appeal. New Product Post: 9/13/2017 Birchwood Technologies offers a variety of water-based and solvent-based
Data Logger Profiles Oven Cure of Coated Products
September 26, 2017
The Datapaq EasyTrack3 data logger, available from Fluke Process Instruments, is designed to simplify oven-cure profiling of painted and powder-coated products. New Product Post: 9/25/2017 The Datapaq EasyTrack3 data logger, available from Fluke Process Instruments, is designed to simplify oven-cure profiling of painted and powder-coated products.
Gages Available with Different Probe Configurations
September 26, 2017
At Fabtech 2017, ElektroPhysik will display the three models in its MiniTest 700 Series gage platform, which are available with different probe configurations. New Product Post: 9/22/2017 Elektro-Physik, USA, Inc. will display the three models in its MiniTest 700 Series gage platform, which are available with different probe configurations.
The Plater and Pollution - The 18th William Blum Lecture
September 26, 2017
This article is a re-publication of the 18th William Blum Lecture, by Dr. Joseph B. Kushner, presented at the 64th AES Annual Convention in Los Angeles, California, on June 27, 1977.  by Joseph B. Kushner Kushner Electroplating School Anaheim, California, USA Recipient of the 1976 William Blum AES Scientific Achievement Award Editor’s
The Nature, Cause and Effect of Porosity in Electrodeposits: A Microscopic Examination of
September 26, 2017
This paper is one of seven reports constituting AES Research Project #13, dealing with the nature, cause and effect of porosity in electrodeposits, performed at the then-National Bureau of Standards, in Gaithersburg, Maryland. It was one of several seminal articles produced through AES Research during the height of the automotive/decorative segment
Crack Formation during Electrodeposition and Post-deposition Aging of Thin Film Coatings - 4th
September 26, 2017
Fourth Quarterly Report - AESF Research Project #R-118. This NASF-AESF Foundation research project report covers the fourth quarter of project work (October-December 2016).by Prof. Stanko R. Brankovic* University of Houston Houston, Texas, USA Editor’s Note: This NASF-AESF Foundation research project report covers the fourth quarter of
Electrodeposition of Ni-Fe-Mo-W Alloys - 16th Quarterly Report
September 26, 2017
16th Quarterly Report - AESF Research Project #R-117. This NASF-AESF Foundation research project report covers the 16th and final quarter of this project work (October-December 2016).by Prof. E.J. Podlaha-Murphy*and Yujia Zhang Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts, USA Editor’s Note: This NASF-AESF Foundation research project report
Technical Communication - The 20th William Blum Lecture
September 26, 2017
This article is a re-publication of the 20th William Blum Lecture, presented at the 66th AES Annual Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 25, 1979.by Frederick B. Lowenheim Recipient of the 1978 William Blum AES Scientific Achievement Award Editor's Note: Originally published as Plating & Surface Finishing, 66 (8), 13 (1979), this article is
Research and Decorative Coatings - The 19th William Blum Lecture
September 26, 2017
This article is a re-publication of the 19th William Blum Lecture, presented at the 65th AES Annual Convention in Washington, DC, on June 26, 1978.by Burton B. Knapp Recipient of the 1977 William Blum AES Scientific Achievement Award Editor's Note: Originally published as Plating & Surface Finishing, 65 (8), 24-30 (1978), this article is a
Iron Tungsten Alloy Plating with Low Friction and Wear Resistance
September 26, 2017
The modern automotive industry has been striving to reduce energy loss caused by friction. An alloy plating film developed by finely crystallizing iron and tungsten demonstrates both a high level of hardness and excellent ductility. In addition, low friction can be achieved by its application under a layer of lubricant. It also has the merit of