Topics surface technology

Using the in-mold decoration (IMD) process, a Swiss plastics processor manufactures, among other things, control panels for premium dishwashers. An automated snow-blasting process can be used to gently and automatically remove paint flakes from high-quality control panels for household appliances.

A supplement or replacement for DLC coatings is offered by a Danish company with its process for surface hardening of stainless steel and titanium. Carbon and nitrogen are incorporated into the component surface for better durability.

A leading paint manufacturer is developing special powder coatings that feature a highly effective camouflage function. The paints have been tested and approved by the Wehrwissenschaftliches Institut für Werk- und Betriebsstoffe.

With a new series, a leading measuring instrument manufacturer introduces robust and precise measuring instruments. The new models are suitable for a wide range of measurement requirements in numerous applications.

A flexible light guide made of highly transparent silicone opens up new possibilities for product designers and developers when designing ambient lighting, adaptive user interfaces and backlit components.

By specifically controlling the abrasive delivery rate, new continuous blast machines reduce energy consumption by only using the amount of energy that is actually needed.

A new rectifier for cathodic dip painting brings 50 per cent more power with the same space requirement. This makes it possible to design the layout of new plants more flexibly and to increase the capacity of existing plants more easily. The increased efficiency also saves operating costs.

Outwards most manufacturers of household appliances present themselves as very sustainable. But what is behind the glossy brochures? We wanted to know what lies behind the companies' declarations in terms of surface technology.

It doesn't always have to be a complete technological renovation involving a huge investment. A job shop that was almost liquidated in 2019 was able to start a new future under new management and with highly motivated employees. The basis for this was a comprehensive optimisation of processes and structures - but also two painting robots.

In the course of the last few years, there have also been new challenges and peculiarities in the damage analysis of coating defects. For example, an increasing number of defect patterns occurred due to the increasing use of disinfectants.