Special topics

Within the surface industry, there is a very broad portfolio of technologies and processes. In order to be able to do justice to this range editorially, this section contains numerous topics ranging from laser processes and thick material application to nanotechnology or occupational safety.

Verdreifachung der Auftragsrate

Trotz seiner hohen Materialeffizienz konnte sich das drahtbasierte Laserauftragschweißen bisher nur eingeschränkt gegen das MIG/MAG-Schweißen und das laserbasierte Pulver Cladding durchsetzen. Hauptgrund war die niedrige Auftragsrate. Ein neues Beschichtungs-konzept mit Mehrdrahtdüsen erschließt neue Möglichkeiten.

A new dimension of sustainable, functional surfaces

Revolutionary prospects for the development of functional surfaces: A switch from chemical to physical active principles is becoming conceivable. This could be made possible by the successful integration of fiber laser technologies in “Direct Laser Interference Patterning”, or DLIP for short.

Praxisleitfaden Explosionsschutz: Grundlagen und praktische Hinweise

Explosionsschutz ist ein zentraler Bestandteil der Arbeitssicherheit in der Oberflächenveredelung. Technische Maßnahmen, regelmäßige Prüfungen und klare Dokumentation gewährleisten ein sicheres, effizientes und regelkonformes Arbeiten.

[Translate to English:] Lara De Broeck bei Preisverleihung

Scientist from TU Darmstadt receives Peter Dornier Foundation Award

Scientist Lara De Broeck has been awarded the Peter Dornier Foundation Prize 2023. She received the prize for her work on the influence of the surface structures of aircraft and spacecraft on their noise emissions and surface temperature.

Precision Micro: More flexibility for bipolar plates through etching

Compared to machining processes, the photochemical etching process offers greater design freedom at minimal cost and investment. In addition, higher channel densities can be achieved and thinner bipolar plates can be produced.

ZVO: Strong forum for the surface industry

Rund 90 Vorträge und Diskussionsrunden lieferten einen breit gefächerten Querschnitt über relevante Themen der Branche von Prozessoptimierung über Energieeffizienz bis hin zur Digitalisierung.

Complete elimination of PFAS not in sight

In Europe, a spectre is haunting all industrial sectors: The complete ban of PFAS. Where possible, some companies have reacted with foresight and developed alternatives. In the electronics industry, there are already ways to at least partially dispense with the controversial substances.

Artiminds: Programming robots more easily

Simplified path generation for the mechanical machining of small batches with complex geometries

Lahntechnik: Correct cooling makes you more productive

Workpiece cooling systems are used where fast and precise cooling of workpieces and products is required. Here, productivity can be increased and energy saved through precise temperature control.

[Translate to English:] Strömungssimulation

Hendor: 25 percent more efficiency

The power lies in the sum: many small improvements lead to respectable savings when flow-mechanically improved, durable pumps with more efficient motors are used on coating systems.

VOA: Change in the world of work

More and more companies cannot fill vacancies because of a lack of skilled workers. Young people today are tech-savvy, constantly online, environmentally aware and demanding.

Household appliances and sustainability considered all round

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.

Risks and side effects of disinfectants

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.

Kick-off for training in technical cleanliness

There is no training for the areas of industrial parts cleaning and technical cleanliness, nor is the subject present in technical courses of study. This must change on a broad front. A qualification course in Berlin is now making a start.

QIB Praxisforum Industriebeschichtung 2023

Many practical topics at the Industrial Coating of the QIB

The diverse programme of presentations at this year's QIB Industrial Coating Practical Forum covered important trend topics in the industry. It ranged from retrospectives on inline coating thickness control to practical experience with heat supply via wood chips and superheated steam. 230 participants came together in Wetzlar.

90 percent less energy consumption

Vestre is a Norwegian manufacturer of outdoor furniture and has set a milestone for sustainable production with the PLUS factory. It features highly efficient surface technology including an 800-metre long Power & Free conveyor system.

Less friction and better conductivity

The demand for electronically controlled functions is increasing rapidly and connectors are indispensable here. A special method enables structuring down to the nanometre range and can reduce both contact resistance and friction.

Trust is good, control is better

According to the customer's order, powder-coated aluminium profiles were to be coated with a polyester-based primer and an acrylate-based top coat. As the profiles were of high quality, DFO Service GmbH was commissioned to check the quality of the coating.

Sales compendium: Good sales drives companies forward

Times are difficult and even if the topic of sales per se does not necessarily have anything to do with surface technology, large parts of our industry are highly dependent on good, customer-oriented and smooth sales.

Brennendes E-Auto Adobe Stock / benjaminnolte

More fire safety for batteries

The energy density in the batteries of modern electric vehicles is continuously increasing, and fire protection is becoming more and more important accordingly. A new intumescent layer system specially developed for e-mobility already meets the legal requirements expected in Europe in this regard in the future.

High-precision, flexible PVC coating

A newly developed PVC applicator offers the potential to automate PVC application even in difficult areas and to significantly reduce manual activities and rework during seam sealing by means of individual, timed jets.

Evacuating coloured residual powder

The new powder coating plant was supplemented with a vacuum cleaner adapted to the specific application. The powerful vacuum cleaner, which is based on a standard model, is just as suitable for cleaning the floor as it is for extracting the filters. Big bags ensure a high volume.

SurfaceTechnology 2022

After its cancellation in 2020, SurfaceTechnology Germany experienced a successful new start from 21 to 23 June with around 3,000 visitors. 220 exhibitors, every third of them from abroad, showed the current trends in the surface industry with solutions, products and services.

Druckluftleckagen aufspüren Teledyne Flir

Locating air leaks quickly and easily

How can compressed air leaks be located and, above all, classified in terms of their size with minimal time expenditure? Acoustic imaging cameras offer promising capabilities for this and can help to save compressed air on a large scale.

Fighting off bacteria with Easy-to-clean surfaces

The hydrophilic polymer of a start-up is sprayed onto plastics and painted metals in a dissolved form. It permanently protects them from bacterial and biofilm adhesion. The coating process takes only a few minutes and can be applied to medical devices and furniture as well as to touch screens or light switches.

Efficiency for convenience-food processes

Two customised spray lubrication systems ensure clean release agent application on two baking lines of a large food manufacturer. The customised systems are also low-maintenance and space-saving.

Safekeeping for hazardous substances

The storage of flammable, explosive or harmful substances in a legally compliant manner is not trivial. With certified storage modules, a lot of effort and energy can be saved here.

Matt black for elegant kitchens

The new Matt Black Range from AEG impresses with a modern combination of design and functions. A visual highlight are the decorative matt black glass surfaces of the premium appliances, which are completely recyclable thanks to the absence of chemical coatings.

Reference in animal bone degreasing

Once again, the parts cleaning specialist Hemo has succeeded in establishing its plant technology as a quasi reference in a particular industry. Modified SOLVACS cleaning systems, which are otherwise used in hardening shops or pipe cleaning, work in the Natural History Museum in Bern. They degrease the animal bones, whose fat content would otherwise contribute to them turning yellow or decaying.

Turning old into new

Renewing existing conveyor systems in parts and adapting them to new requirements is an interesting economic alternative that is suitable for various types of conveyor technology, from board conveyor technology to electric monorail systems.

On the pulse of surface technology

In industrial electronics manufacturing, the cleaning and structuring of surfaces is often realised with lasers that do not meet all requirements in terms of beam quality or output power. A new ns-pulsed laser represents an alternative in both fields of application.

Dazzling colours for the bathroom

Bath elements in different shapes and colours - Bette GmbH & Co. KG from Delbrück is a premium manufacturer of bathtubs, shower surfaces, shower trays and washbasins made of glazed titanium steel. The production process is associated with high demands on the required compressed air.

Steadfast at high currents

The current technological development leads to increasing thermal alternating loads, where classic copper sandwich structures are increasingly reaching their limits. The examination of 20 spray powders shows: There are alternatives!

Efficient and quiet extraction of steel grinding dust

KS Gleitlager GmbH from St. Leon-Rot has a new dry extraction system in use for the fettling and inspection sections of its steel/aluminium production. The aim was to replace the old wet separators with a powerful, operator- and maintenance-friendly new system.

Mineral oil has no place in compressed air

Those who generate their compressed air with oil-free compressors from Atlas Copco need have no fear of their products being contaminated with mineral oil. Because the group has the "Class 0" for high-purity compressed air and high-purity vacuum from TÜV in writing.

Controlled cooling in production lines

Workpiece coolers are used where rapid and defined cooling of the process-related heating of workpieces is necessary for testing or further processing.

Studie belegt Schutz vor Ansteckung durch Luftreiniger

A new mobile air purification device removes viruses very effectively from indoor air. This is confirmed by a recent study at the University of Stuttgart. There, the air purifier was tested with real pathogens. The pleasing result: The device filters 99.982 percent of the viruses from the room air.