Powder Perspective May-Jun-17

By: Sharon Spielman

PCI/Gema 2017 Scholarships Awarded

The Powder Coating Institute (PCI) and Gema USA Inc., a Graco Inc. Company, awarded two $2,500 scholarships and recently recognized the worthy students at the PCI Powder Coating 2017 Technical Conference in Indianapolis.

The scholarship fund continues to grow and attract bright new talent to the industrial coatings technologies, including polymer science, manufacturing and engineering. PCI received many qualified applicants and is excited to watch the research and development of the projects generated by these talented students. Chairperson of the PCI Future of Technology subcommittee Kevin Biller remarked, “This year we received several applications from some very fine candidates for this scholarship. The two awardees stood head and shoulders above the rest mainly because of their hands-on, practical engagement in powder coatings as well as their excellent academic performance.”

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded the 2017 PCI/Gema scholarships:

• Gabriella Bettegnies, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
• Luke Groninger, Purdue Polytechnic Institute

These scholarships, part of PCI’s Corporate Named Scholarships for companies making a $5,000 or more annual commitment, are awarded with special consideration to deserving students that demonstrate an interest in powder coatings and are pursuing disciplines aligned with a career in manufacturing, mechanical or electrical engineering. The growth of the scholarship program enhances the potential of students in the industry and PCI is proud to be a part of it.

Intech Has Successful Second Annual Fundraiser

After a weather delay from the original February date, Intech Service’s Community Service Team’s annual event was held on April 6 this year. The turnout was great, and fundraising goals were met and far exceeded, with a total of $11,500.

Throughout the night, guests networked with Intech employees, other business owners, and spoke with employees of Exceptional Care for Children (ECC), the designated beneficiary. ECC is a place that improves the lives of technologydependent children and their families through skilled nursing, transitional and palliative care.

Intech’s Community Service team spent months soliciting donations from local businesses to raffle off and were able to give away 27 bundled items including an Apple Watch, Trilogy Salon and Spa basket, and much more. Intech thanks businesses and individuals alike, who came together for a greater good. New this year, Intech offered opportunities for corporate sponsorships for companies that wanted to donate monetarily directly to the ECC. All of the sponsors were honored in a separate display and were a huge part of the collective success.

In Intech’s battle-of-the-sexes guest bartending, Exceptional Care for Children was the overall winner, collecting approximately $1,400 in tips throughout the course of the night. All of the money from tips as well as funds raised during the live auction, raffle, 50/50, and sponsorships goes directly to help fund projects at the ECC.

Intech reports that everyone won that night as they came together, networked, raised money, raised glasses, and toasted to improving lives for those who deserve it most.

Intech Has Successful Second Annual Fundraiser

Plasmatreat, KUKA Team Up for Automated Process Solutions

Plasma systems engineer, Plasmatreat, and KUKA, an industrial robot manufacturer, have teamed up to deliver integrated, automated process solutions.

KUKA has developed the “ready2_activate” application specifically for Plasmatreat technology. This automated, modular platform can be used with all standardized pretreatment processes based on Openair plasma jet technology without the need for time-consuming preparation. Robots from the KR AGILUS range ensure uniform cleaning, activation or nanocoating of the material surface across the entire working range of a plasma cell. The high-precision motion sequence and respective plasma process are controlled by processors in close communication. The standardized and intuitive user interface makes it easy to program the process. The high-performance, flexible interfaces between the plasma cell and an external machine control unit ensure perfect integration into an overall system or line. At the same time, all plasma parameters are recorded and logged.

The system integration platform for KUKA robots enables Plasmatreat to offer an automation solution for integrating plasma surface treatment and industrial application knowhow into production processes in a simple, standardized manner. For more information, visit www.plasmatreat.com.

Matrix Powder Technology Commissions New Plant in Georgia

Matrix Powder Technology, a custom powder coating manufacturer, has opened their new plant in Woodstock, Ga. Matrix has served the powder coating industry since 2013 as a provider of high-tech solutions for the military, appliance, automotive and architectural industries. The new plant features high quality processing equipment from Germany that ensures precise process control and efficiency. Matrix specializes in products that offer a low-temperature cure, including UV-curable powders, as well as those with dead matte finishes and products with chemical and outdoor durability.

Kevin Biller, Matrix’s chief technology officer, says, “Not only does Matrix provide quick turnaround and specialty small batches, but it is also a launchpad for emerging technology through its sister company, PCR Group. Matrix has successfully commercialized a number of proprietary products developed in the PCR Group lab that have expanded powder coating technology into new markets and end uses.”

For more information, email alc@mpowdertech.net or visit www.matrixpowder.net.

PPG Beautifies Alabama Constitution Village in Huntsville

PPG’s Colorful Communities™ project in Huntsville, Ala., helps to renovate and beautify Constitution Hall and the site at Alabama Constitution Village, which is considered to be the birthplace of Alabama. As part of the effort, on Saturday, March 25, about 50 volunteers served as painters, gardeners and landscapers on the Constitution Hall grounds. The volunteers included PPG employees and family members, team members of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, and employees of the EarlyWorks Family of Museums that operates Alabama Constitution Village.

The program provides PPG volunteers and products along with financial contributions to bring color and vitality to communities where the company operates around the world, such as in Huntsville, where PPG operates an aerospace transparencies facility and has two area PPG Paints™ stores.

At the completion of the project in June, PPG employees will volunteer again at the site, serving as docents, activity leaders and community open-house hosts during a special “PPG Week” of events.

“PPG is pleased to support the restoration of Constitution Hall by providing funding, volunteers and products for a project that is important to Huntsville, the state of Alabama and our country,” says Tom Meyer, PPG plant manager at the Huntsville aerospace facility. “Helping ensure that future generations can glimpse an important moment from history at Constitution Hall will be a source of pride for all of us at PPG. We are especially grateful to be joined by team members from Toyota, which is a customer of PPG’s automotive coatings business.”

Toyota is contributing funding for restoration of the replica of Sheriff Stephen Neal’s house at Constitution Village.

“We want to build more than just great cars,” says Kim Ogle, Toyota Alabama corporate communications analyst. “We also want to build great communities where our team members and customers live and work. We are thrilled to partner with PPG on this project to improve Constitution Village and applaud their efforts to organize a partnership opportunity that will benefit our community for generations to come.”

Preparation work and painting of the exterior of Constitution Hall are being done by professionals with Jason Howard Painting of Huntsville.

The Colorful Communities program is PPG’s signature initiative for community engagement efforts, with the aim to enhance, protect and beautify neighborhoods where PPG operates around the world. The program increases PPG’s commitment to invest in communities and supports projects that transform community spaces, providing PPG volunteers and donated PPG products. In 2015 and 2016 combined, PPG completed nearly 60 Colorful Communities projects, and it expects to complete about 75 more this year.

Learn more at www.ppgcommunities.com and follow @ PPG_Communities on Twitter.

In other PPG news, the coatings producer received a John Deere Supplier Innovation Award for 2016. The company was named a recipient of the award, which is presented to select John Deere suppliers who have demonstrated innovation in a product or service they provide.

PPG supplies coatings, chemicals and other solutions to all John Deere equipment divisions globally.

John Deere created the supplier innovation awards in 2009 to promote innovation in the company’s supply base and recognize suppliers who think creatively. Award selections are based on four factors—creativity, feasibility, collaboration and bottom-line impact.

PPG attendees accepted the recognition during formal ceremonies April 18 in the Quad Cities.

For more information, visit www.ppgindustrialcoatings.com or call 1-888-774-2001.

FABTECH Comes to Chicago this Fall

North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event heads to McCormick Place in Chicago. The event, which is slated for November 6-9, is expected to cover more than 750,000 net square feet and anticipates over 50,000 attendees and 1,700 exhibiting companies. FABTECH provides a convenient “one-stop shop” venue where you can meet with suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity, increase profits and discover new solutions to all of your metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing needs. For more information and attendee registration, visit www.fabtechexpo.com.

IHEA 2017 Fall Seminars Set for Greenville, S.C.

The Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA) will hold its popular 2017 Fall Seminars at the Westin Poinsett in Greenville, South Carolina on Tuesday, September 19 and Wednesday, September 20.

IHEA’s 48th Annual Combustion Seminar and their annual Safety Standards and Codes Seminar will take place over both days. IHEA’s Induction Seminar will be a half-day event on Tuesday afternoon, September 19th. Attendees to all events will enjoy access to IHEA’s Tabletop Exhibition & Reception on the afternoon of September 19th as well.

“We are excited to return to Greenville, SC, with our fall seminars and tabletop exhibition,” notes IHEA Executive Vice President, Anne Goyer. “With the Southeast’s strong manufacturing base, we have a very high interest in our seminars. This was evident when the seminars sold out the last time we held them in this area. Past attendees always tell us the information they receive at our seminars is very educational and helpful to their operations.”

Held concurrently, the Combustion Seminar features industry professionals from leading heat processing companies who deliver pertinent information in combustion technologies. The comprehensive Safety Standards and Codes Seminar covers critical safety information for those involved with a wide range of industrial thermprocess applications. IHEA’s Safety Seminar speakers have a firsthand working knowledge in the development of the NFPA 86 standard. IHEA’s newly developed Induction Division has created a concise, half-day seminar that highlights the basics of induction technology, the applications and equipment used, along with the advantages of induction for improving plant operations. These classes offer the perfect mix of technical information and the opportunity to attend the tabletop exhibit to interact with speakers and suppliers of the products and services discussed throughout all three seminars.

IHEA’s Fall Seminars and Tabletop Exhibition are an outstanding way to lead, learn and grow. IHEA member companies provide support for training, students attend to broaden their knowledge and together everyone benefits from the interaction and relationships that are built.

Details are being finalized for these educational seminars and combined tabletop exhibition. Mark your calendars now and watch for registration to open at www.ihea.org.