From 11 to 13 November, the VOA held two seminars at the Hotel Jagdschloss Kranichstein in Darmstadt, which were designed to provide targeted support for specialists from coating companies and the aluminum finishing industry in terms of process reliability. The coating and QUALICOAT seminar was aimed at beginners and advanced users who wanted to deepen their knowledge of aluminum coating. QUALICOAT recognizes the seminar as mandatory training. Participants were given insights into the latest findings from science and practice - from coloration and process deviations to bacterial infestation in baths. Experts such as Ralf Heitzelmann, Deputy Head of the Technical Commission of the VOA, provided solutions and discussed problems from everyday production.
Anodizing seminar with a focus on process stability
The anodizing process was the focus of the anodizing seminar on 12 and 13 November. Under the direction of Friedhelm U. Scholten, Chairman of the VOA Executive Board, all work steps - from pre-treatment and anodizing to colouring and sealing - were systematically examined. The participants used typical defect patterns to develop principles for effective defect management and consistently high surface quality. As the German general licensee, the association also presented the specifications of the international QUALANOD quality mark and provided information on the documentation and stabilization of processes.
Importance for quality assurance and competitiveness
The two training courses provided a platform for exchange along the value chain and showed that targeted training remains an important component of quality and process optimization. The positive response confirms the need for compact training formats that are directly transferable to everyday operations. The VOA will continue to offer practice-oriented training courses for the surface finishing industry in the coming year.