Finishing - November-December 2023

November/December 2023 

THE PREMIER UK JOURNAL FOR SURFACE TECHNOLOGY 

www.finishingmagazine.co.uk

www.finishingmagazine.co.uk CONTENTS 3 

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November/December 2023 – Volume 47 Number 6 – ISSN no. 0264 2506 

In this issue... 

Inflation is still high and we seem to be paying more for everything, especially 

cars. The most common way for people to buy new cars in the UK is PCP 

finance and with deals coming to an end and new interest rates on car loans 

higher, will this see a decrease in new car sales. So what will this mean for the 

car and finishing industry in the UK? 

My feeling is that car buying, especially in cities and big towns, will change. 

People will look at alternatives such as renting cars and using apps such as Uber, 

instead of buying a depreciating asset. Technology might be making personal car 

ownership a thing of the past. But I don’t thing this means 

there will be fewer cars on the road, just fewer owners. 

This issue has the winners of the BCF Awards, plus news 

of a win for the BCF itself! 

News 

Newsdesk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Features 

Simplifying the ETS Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 

View from above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 

Pure and simple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 

Automotive cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 

Smart sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 

Not so secret agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 

Transformational process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 

Brighton rocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 

Flash safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 

Regulars 

Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 

Classified listings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 

Finishing (formerly Finishing Industries) was established in 1947 and incorporates Metal 

Finishing journal, Electroplating & Metal Finishing, The Plant Journal, Surface Coatings, and 

Industrial Finishing & Surface Coatings. Finishing is a member of the Metal Finishing 

Association, a sustaining member of the Institute of Metal Finishing and the UK representative 

of the Groupement International des Revues de Traitements de Surfaces. 

Finishing – November/December 2023

4 NEWS www.finishingmagazine.co.uk 

Sweet colour for 2024 

’Sweet embrace’ is the Interpon Colour of the Year 2024, a delicate 

shade of soft grey with a hint of violet, and a subtle metallic effect, a 

colour with a gentle optimism that is both understated yet liberating. 

The colour of the year is launched as part of a complementary 

palette to transform exteriors, interiors, lighting, furniture, and 

furnishings across a wide range of sectors. Within the palette are a 

number of blues, greens and natural browns in metallic, smooth and 

fine texture effects that recall shades of seascapes and woodlands. 

These shades have a natural calming and clarifying effect and will help 

a building be at home in the surrounding landscape allowing even 

modern, high-tech buildings to blend with the natural environment. 

Expert colour scientists, designers and architects from around the 

world and the AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetics Center have accessed 

more than three decades of colour research and analysis to ensure the 

Colour of the Year 2024 and its palette are on-trend. 

Bob Dirks, global segment manager architectural AkzoNobel 

Powder Coatings, says: “People today need simplicity more than ever. 

Wherever they are, they need a safe haven, a place where they 

belong. 

Big paint market 

The global paints and coatings market is estimated to be valued at 

US$ 160,054,3 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR 

of 5.1% during the forecast period of 2023–2033. 

The global paintings and coatings industry is a vital sector of the 

global economy that includes companies that manufacture and 

distribute a wide range of products, including architectural and 

industrial coatings, automotive paints, and wood coatings. This 

industry is driven by technological advancements, consumer trends, 

and government regulations. 

On a global level, the paints and coatings market is undergoing 

tremendous change. The demand for coatings with higher physical 

properties and great durability is driving the industry. Along with 

increased construction projects and rising auto manufacturing, the 

development of infrastructure is another factor in the market's 

expansion. 

Additionally, the adoption of waterborne and powder coatings has 

resulted from the move toward ecologically friendly paints and 

coatings, which is further fuelling market expansion. Additionally, 

businesses are exploring the possibilities of smart coatings and nano 

coatings in a variety of sectors, including consumer electronics, 

healthcare, and aerospace, to create new opportunities in the 

market. 

Double celebration for HMG 

HMG Paints, had two reasons to celebrate at the recent British Coatings 

Federation (BCF) Awards. The family business took home two of the top 

awards on the night; Marketing Campaign of the Year and the Excellence 

in Training Award. 

"As a family-owned business, we take immense pride in receiving these 

awards, particularly when considering the formidable competition among 

the industry's major corporate players," noted Steve Crossman, chief 

operating officer of HMG Paints. "This double honour is a testament to 

the unwavering dedication of our entire team at Riverside Works." 

The first award collected by the team was the Marketing Campaign of 

the Year award for the company’s industry first AI-Generated Colour 

Range. The AI Colour Range was launched back in March and utilised 

ChatGPT to create a range of colours and theme for the range. The 

companies use of Artificial Intelligence didn’t stop there as they used AI 

Image Generators to create a number of the visual assets to support the 

campaign which was then supported by organic traditional marketing 

methods. 

The judges recognised the campaign for showcasing cutting edge 

technologies in a traditional industry, along with a unique selling 

proposition that could potentially revolutionise how paint collections are 

created and marketed in the future. 

The second award of the night came for the companies Training 

Scheme. Named the ‘Company of HMG Training Programme’ the 

initiative utilises the generations of knowledge within the business to 

create tailored programmes. Staff from across the business engage in 

training that is tailored for their role and has been developed by senior 

leaders within the business. 

All change at 60 

The GEMÜ lettering has barely changed in almost 60 years. While the 

logo has been developed during this time, the letters have largely 

remained the same. In October 2023, the Ingelfingen-based 

technology company will introduce its new company logo. 

Since its foundation in 1964, the valves, measurement and control 

systems manufacturer GEMÜ has been continuously growing and 

developing. The company, which has stood for reliability and 

consistency since the very beginning, has also been recognised as a 

driver of change and innovation for almost 60 years. 

GEMÜ has developed considerably in the last ten years alone. The 

company has been steadily expanding its range of solutions and, in 

2022, increased its annual sales to more than 530 million euros. The 

new building of the GEMÜ Group headquarters in the Hohenlohe 

business park in Kupferzell (Baden-Württemberg, Germany) is paving 

the way forward and symbolizes what GEMÜ stands for: Linear, solid 

and clear-cut design, reliability and passion. 

These qualities and its development over the last few years have 

guided GEMÜ in the design of their new logo; GEMÜ has developed 

its logo carefully yet consistently. At first glance, the changes appear 

marginal. However, on closer inspection, it becomes clear that every 

individual letter of the logo has been changed. The letters have been 

completely re-designed and are now standing up straight. They 

symbolize stability and resistance, but, at the same time, they also 

embody the dynamics and movement that GEMÜ stands for. 

"Our new logo gives our customers and employees a sense of 

cohesion and reliability. It is a promise of quality and paves the way 

towards the future", says Gert Müller, managing partner of the 

GEMÜ group. 


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The BCF Award winners have been announced. 

Sky high fundraising 

Two employees from Merseyside Galvanizers have reached extreme 

heights on their mission to raise awareness and funds for mental 

health. 

On 2nd September 2023, Richard Smetham, sales manager, and 

Richie Harland, currently a galvanizing operative at Merseyside 

Galvanizers embarked on a charity tandem skydive, alongside friends 

and family Hayley Westbury, Sam Jones and Kavan Burgess. 

Driven by very personal motivation, it was part of a wider challenge 

to raise awareness of mental health, as well as fundraise for the Mental 

Health Foundation. 

Richard said: “Richie is a very good friend and colleague of mine – 

always easy going, positive-minded, and going above and beyond, at 

work and in life. Following a six-month period of setbacks and dark 

times, he attempted to take his own life in January 2022. Despite 

being able to read the signs due to my own previous struggles and 

doing everything I could to try and help, I couldn’t stop the impact on 

his mental health. 

“Luckily, I was in the right place at the right time, and Richie is still 

with us. Through help and support from family, friends and colleagues 

over the past 18 months – as well as Wedge Group providing him 

adequate time and assistance to help towards his recovery - he is 

returning to his old self. 

“To celebrate our friendship, and Richie’s recovery, we decided to 

complete a charity tandem skydive. We’re incredibly grateful to all 

those who pledged donations, which allowed us to smash our original 

target, and kept us motivated when the realisation of falling 15,000 

feet sunk in… 

“It was a truly exhilarating experience - we were measuring speeds 

of around 153 mph during freefall - but I’d absolutely love to do it 

again.” 

New cooperation 

LANXESS, and Tennants have agreed on a strategic cooperation for 

integrated solutions in the field of industrial plant hygiene. In doing so, 

the partners will combine the specialty chemicals group’s biocide 

portfolio and the company’s adenosine triphosphate (ATP) technology. 

ATP technology can be used to quickly and reliably detect a possible 

contamination with microorganisms. 

Philipp Seidenstuecker, global marketing manager paints & coatings 

in the material protection products (MPP) business unit at LANXESS, 

explains, “Plant hygiene is a key element of a proper preservation, 

especially in our ever tighter regulatory environment. The ATP 

technology from Tennants is an excellent way to monitor the hygiene 

level in the factory and to support a most efficient use of biocides. 

Customers of both companies benefit equally from this cooperation.” 

The winners of the 2023 British 

Coatings Federation (BCF) 

Awards were announced on 

19th October at The Grand 

Hotel in Birmingham. Over 200 

delegates attended the biggestever 

event in the 13 years of 

running the awards. 

The highlight of the evening 

was celebrating the amazing 

young talent coming through in 

the sector, recognised in the 

Apprentice of the Year Award, 

won by Sean Kelly from Anstey 

Wallpaper Company; Young 

Leader of the Year Award, won 

by Molly Kershaw from PPG 

Architectural Coatings and 

Student of the Year Award, 

which saw Courtney Turner 

from Tor Coatings win. 

Recognising investment in 

people, Sherwin-Williams were 

awarded the Diversity and 

Inclusion Award, followed by 

HMG Paints being presented as 

the winner of the Excellence in 

Training Award. 

The Sustainable Innovation 

Multinational Award was won 

by Siegwerk for UniNATURE, 

and the Sustainable Innovation 

SME Award was presented to 

Terrafend for Ambimization®. A 

new category for 2023 was 

launched, Race to Net Zero, 

with its first-ever win being 

awarded to Crown Paints. 

The sustainability theme 

carried on through the evening 

with the Coatings Care Progress 

Award was given to winning site 

Becker Industrial Coatings, and 

Overall Best Performer was 

awarded to Tor Coatings. The 

Corporate Social Responsibility 

Award was taken home by PPG 

Architectural Coatings for their 

Community Engagement 

Programme. 

BCF Award Winners 2023 

Sustainable Innovation 

Multinational Award 2023 

SIEGWERK - UniNATURE 

Sustainable Innovation SME 

Award 2023: Terrafend - 

Ambimization 

Race to Net Zero Award 

2023: Crown Paints 

Corporate Social 

Responsibility Award 2023 

PPG Architectural Coatings - 

Community Engagement 

Programme 

Diversity and Inclusion 

Award 2023: Sherwin-Williams 

Marketing Campaign of the 

Year Award 2023 

HMG Paints – AI-Generated 

Colour Range 

Customer Service Award 

2023: AkzoNobel, Dulux 

Decorator Centre - Customer 

Segmentation 

Excellence in Training Award 

2023: HMG Paints 

Student of the Year Award 

2023: Courtney Turner, Tor 

Coatings 

Apprentice of the Year 

Award 2023: Sean Kelly, Anstey 

Wallpaper Company 

Young Leader of the Year 

Award 2023: Molly Kershaw, 

PPG Architectural Coatings 

Coatings Care Progress 

Award 2023: Becker Industrial 

Coatings 

Coatings Care Overall Best 

Performer Award 2023: Tor 

Coatings 


First for 

Sustainability 

With our new Interpon D1036 Low-E powder coating, 

we’ve created an industry first: a powder coating that can 

cure as low as 150°C while still being Qualicoat class one 

certified. It can also cure up to 25% faster than conventional 

powders, reducing both energy consumption and carbon 

emissions, and significantly improving your coating line 

efficiency. Easy to apply Interpon D1036 Low-E has the same 

application properties as standard formulation, is backed by 

an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and has a global 

warranty of up to 15 years to deliver the quality performance, 

color and style your customers need. It is an innovation 

that supports our collective commitment to sustainability 

throughout the value chain. 

architectural.interpon.com


QUALICOAT UK & Ireland celebrates its 

25 Year Anniversary 

Award winners 

The British Coatings Federation 

(BCF) were awarded the 

prestigious title of Best Trade 

Association of the Year at the 

2023 Memcom Excellence 

Awards ceremony at the Hilton 

Bankside on Tuesday 26th 

September in front of over 500 

delegates. 

The award was judged on 

various performance areas and 

was awarded to BCF based on 

their proven track record of 

outstanding member 

engagement and retention, 

demonstrating their 

commitment to their 

membership. BCF is delivering 

results through supply chain 

leadership in the UK, Europe 

and globally, all underpinned by 

a highly motivated, highperforming 

team that loves 

coming to work and going the 

extra mile for members, and 

stunning in-house marketing 

delivery. 

One of BCF’s other 

contributing winning factors was 

its significant investment and 

ambition in its major innovative 

sustainability project on paint 

recycling, PaintCare, as well as 

record-breaking financial results, 

aided by prudent governance to 

buy out its final salary pension 

scheme deficit in 2022. 

Tom Bowtell, CEO of the BCF, 

commented: ‘It’s five years since 

we were last recognised as the 

best Trade Association in the 

UK, and it’s fantastic to have 

achieved it again. I’m really 

proud of the team here at BCF 

and how they all go above and 

beyond expectations to support 

our industry. In the end, trade 

associations are about people, 

and I think that’s our key 

differentiator.’ 

Invest for success 

Almost half (47%) of those working in the UK metal industry say 

investing in upskilling is a priority for their business in the next 12 

months, according to new research from SAIT Abrasives. 

The survey revealed that over the next year, more than half of 

businesses in the sector will be investing in ongoing training (53%) 

and just less than half will access direct training from suppliers (40%). 

Further to this, half of respondents (52%) said that their organisation 

provides enough training to help those entering the industry gain the 

skills they need to do the job efficiently, with almost two-fifths (37%) 

saying that their company employs apprentices. 

Despite this two in five (43%) did admit that they are concerned 

that the industry as a whole isn’t doing enough to train new people 

entering the workforce and half (51%) said their organisation could be 

doing more to overcome the skills gap. 

Chris Ingman, managing director at SAIT Abrasives, said: “Our 

research shows that there is a real divide between the industry in 

those that will be prioritising training and upskilling, and those who are 

concerned that the industry isn’t doing enough to overcome the skills 

gap.” 

In 1986 several national 

associations, encompassing 

powder coaters of architectural 

profiles, formed the 

QUALICOAT organisation. 

Their goal was to raise and 

standardise the quality of 

powder coating across Europe, 

laying down rules applying to 

their industry. Firms in many 

European countries have since 

directly or indirectly become 

members of QUALICOAT. The 

aluminium industry was 

represented by delegates on the 

committees from the outset. 

This ensured information 

sharing among wrought 

aluminium producers and 

coaters. Today QUALICOAT 

membership extends beyond 

Europe with associations in 

Australia and South Africa and 

producers of coating materials 

in Asia, America and Europe. 

Membership is open to all 

national associations of coaters, 

the European Aluminium 

Association and producers of 

paints, powders, dyes and 

chemical products. 

Following the growth of 

licenced applicators in the UK & 

Ireland the QUALICOAT UK & 

Ireland Association was set up 

in 1998 as a licensing body for 

the region to help further 

expand the QUALICOAT 

Technical Specification. 

QUALICOAT is a quality 

label organisation committed to 

maintaining and promoting the 

quality of lacquering, painting 

and coating on aluminium and 

its alloys for architectural 

applications. To determine 

whether or not a coating meets 

a customer's requirements, the 

results need to be measured 

against the Technical 

Specification. On behalf of 

customers who have products 

coated, QUALICOAT defines 

comprehensive quality 

requirements and monitors their 

compliance by licensed plants 

worldwide. As a result, 

purchasers of coated aluminium 

receive a premium-grade 

product delivering long-term 

value with good quality. Since 

its formation in 1986 

QUALICOAT has made a great 

contribution in assuring the 

quality of aluminium products 

used in architecture. 

Most of the general licensees 

or national associations work 

together with a testing 

laboratory accredited according 

to EN 45001. These laboratories 

are bracketed together in the 

"QUALISURFAL Agreement 

Group" recognised by the 

European Organisation for 

conformity assessment (EOTC). 

In countries without a national 

association, QUALICOAT 

engages experienced inspectors 

to review the licensees' 

performance. Licensees who fail 

to meet the requirements of the 

Technical Specification can lose 

their licence. The latest editions 

of the Technical Specification is 

available from the Association 

website www.qualicoat.net 

In the UK and Ireland the 

Association are proud to 

support 25 licenced 

architectural powder coaters 

who service the majority of 

projects in the UK & Ireland 

through systems companies and 

their installers. In order to 

maintain the highest quality, the 

supply chain continues to be 

vertically integrated with a wide 

range of equipment 

manufacturers, powder suppliers 

and chemical pretreatment 

systems providers are also 

required to be licenced 

members of the Association 

with their products meeting the 

requirements of the Technical 

Specification. 

QUALICOAT UK & Ireland 

members will celebrate their 

achievement in reaching this 

milestone at their next meeting 

in November. 


gemapowdercoating.com 

High-quality solutions 

for powder coating 

Gema Europe Srl | Via Goldoni, 29 

20090 Trezzano s/N | Italy 

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Email: uk.sales@gema.eu.com

10 REGULATIONS 

Simplifying the ETS scheme 

The EU ETS for shipping landed with a 

colossal splash on 16 May this year, 

when it was officially adopted and 

finalized. But it won’t be until 1 January 2024 

that the industry feels the true ripple effects. 

So, is it time for owners and operators to 

batten down the hatches, or will adequate 

foresight and planning ensure these ripples 

don’t turn into tsunamis? 

What is it? 

Firstly, it’s important to recognize that the 

EU ETS isn’t ‘new’. 

The measure, which is seen as a key 

enabler in the body’s drive to become carbon 

neutral by 2050 (with a 50% reduction in 

greenhouse gas emissions by 2030), was 

introduced in 2005 and already covers 

thousands of installations, such as power 

stations and chemical plants, in addition to 

airlines. In this sense it’s tried and tested. 

Essentially it works as a market-driven 

system that creates financial incentives for 

businesses, in this case shipping, to reduce 

emissions and transition to more sustainable 

practices. It does so by requiring a ‘shipping 

company’ – which can be the owner, 

manager or bareboat charterer – to buy 

Emission Allowances, with each allowance 

covering one ton of CO2e emitted from 

2024. In 2026 the scheme will be expanded 

to include CH4 (methane) and N2O (nitrous 

oxide) emissions. 

As such it introduces the concept of carbon 

pricing for maritime operations to and from 

EU ports – obliging companies to pay for their 

emissions, and thus encouraging them to 

reduce carbon footprints. 

How does it work? 

The ETS is based on a cap-and-trade 

principle, limiting the total amount of 

greenhouse gas emissions in the system, 

ensuring companies can’t just ‘buy themselves 

out of trouble’ by paying for ever-increasing 

pollution. Over time the cap will be reduced, 

with the cost of allowances rising. 

The ‘trade’ element refers to the fact that 

allowances can be bought via official auctions 

or through spot, futures and options, with 

trading on exchanges such as ICE, EEX and 

Nasdaq. In this respect, companies have an 

opportunity to optimise their costs by buying 

(and potentially selling) at opportune times. 

The need for allowances is worked out 

according to EU MRV reporting, presented to 

the EU by March (the following year) with the 

correct number of allowances then required to 

be submitted by the end of September. Be 

warned: A failure to do so will incur heavy 

financial penalties. 

In a bid to ease the implementation of what 

many see as a “watershed” regulation (others 

may use less charitable language), the EU will 

only require allowances for 40% of verified 

emissions in 2024, rising to 70% in 2025, 

and 100% in 2026. 

What can you do? 

Firstly, get solid foundations in place. 

An advanced fleet and vessel monitoring 

and management solution will allow you to 

‘know your ships’ inside-out, automating the 

collection of critical data and giving you 

(literally) priceless insights into real-time 

operations. 

This will allow you to constantly monitor, 

trouble-shoot and optimise performance, 

empowering decision making that delivers 

Finishing - November/December 2023 

continues on page 12

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12 REGULATIONS 

both environmental and business benefits. On 

single ships this can potentially slash the need 

for allowances, while across fleets it could be 

transformational. 

Such systems should also cover your 

reporting needs. This delivers efficiencies in 

terms of automating tasks, and reducing 

human error, while ensuring that the data 

delivers an accurate picture of performance to 

regulators. With this in mind, validation is key. 

Here at NAVTOR we’d recommend a dual 

validation process, with your specialist software 

of choice backed up by human validation 

from subject matter experts. 

It pays to be thorough when any deviations 

from compliance come at such a cost. 

How can you minimize risk and 

financial exposure? 

When you have optimal foundations in 

place you can look at building the best 

strategy for your business. 

Establishing an overview of your forecasted 

allowances for the year ahead will allow you to 

understand your potential exposure, from 

which – perhaps in consultation with experts – 

you can define a sourcing strategy that allows 

you to optimise costs (buying and selling at 

the right time, across the right channels). 

Alternative fuels are also a key 

consideration, with the cost of allowances 

potentially making biofuels, which on the face 

of it are more expensive, much better value 

for money (due to lower carbon factors). 

And remember, your monitoring and 

management solution will allow you to 

regularly update your emissions profile, 

potentially helping you reduce your need for 

allowances. 

Finally, it makes sound financial sense for 

owners to maximise the time their vessels 

spend under time charter, allowing them to 

pass the cost of allowances on to the charterer. 

On that note… 

How can owners redeem 

allowance costs from 

charterers? 

It’s not vessel ownership that matters when 

it comes to paying for allowances, but rather 

which party provides and pays for fuel. 

Owners therefore need to ensure they 

deliver reliable, validated vessel emissions data 

to charterers in a timely manner (BIMCO 

proposes a clause whereby owners provide 

this within the first seven days of each month, 

covering the previous month’s allowance 

requirement). 

But, to do that, we come back to the need 

to have a robust, reliable, real-time monitoring 

and management system. 

This will create true transparency, and 

therefore trust, with regards to ongoing 

emissions data, monitoring progress (issuing 

statements under voyages and time charters) 

and ensuring allowances are transferred in 

accordance with requirements. 

There should be no room for argument 

with a system that, although complex at first 

glance, is based on pure, hard data. 

That is, of course, as long as you have high 

quality data in the first place! 

Smooth sailing into 2024, and 

beyond 

Although the introduction of regulations 

that potentially incur significant costs may not 

be universally applauded by the industry, it 

really does pay to see the bigger picture here. 

The most important factor, naturally, is that 

we need to take action to reduce emissions 

and mitigate climate change. In this respect, 

any tool that incentivises businesses to do so is 

a step in the right direction. 

However, we shouldn’t lose sight of the 

commercial opportunity here too. 

With careful monitoring, management and 

informed decision-making compliance can 

come with a benefit rather than at a cost – 

paving the way for reduced fuel expenditure, 

more efficient energy use, and a strong 

business, rather than purely environmental, 

case to transition to more sustainable practices. 

Time will tell how effective the EU ETS 

proves to be. But with the right, informed 

strategy in place, it needn’t be something to 

be feared, but rather welcomed… by shipping 

industry stakeholders, as well as the rest of 

society. 

• Dedicated stand-alone unit is ready to measure right out of the box 

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• Scan Mode continuously takes measurements—ideal for 

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Powder Checker 

Non-contact Uncured Powder Thickness Gauge 

Affordably measures uncured powder coatings using 

non-contact ultrasonic technology to predict 

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• Storage of 999 readings with onscreen averaging. Stored readings 

can be downloaded to PosiSoft Desktop Software 

Powder Inspection Kits 

Complete solutions for measuring 

powder coating before and 

after cure are available 

£1950.00 


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t: 01442 879494 • www.dftinstruments.co.uk • e: sales@dftinstruments.co.uk

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14 MANAGEMENT 

View from above 

AkzoNobel has acquired a minority stake 

in Donecle, the automated inspections 

business whose drone technology is 

central to AkzoNobel’s new Aerofleet Coatings 

Management service that is dramatically 

helping airline operators to optimize their 

aerospace coatings replacement and 

maintenance schedules for individual aircraft 

in their fleet. 

Donecle’s technology was originally 

developed to automate and increase the 

efficiency of aircraft general visual inspections 

(GVIs) including the detection and 

identification of lightning strikes. It has now 

evolved to be able to detect paint flaws, 

scratches, and other coatings’ issues such as 

rivet rash exactly the same way, every time. 

The findings are then analyzed to determine 

the overall ‘health’ of the coating and 

whether/when a new coating may be 

required. 

Patrick Bourguignon, BU Director, 

AkzoNobel Automotive & Specialty Coatings, 

says the investment reflects the company’s 

strategy of partnering with best-in-class 

technologies: “It matches our commitment to 

developing new and ever more innovative 

services and solutions that help our aerospace 

customers to reduce costs, improve efficiency, 

and support a significantly more sustainable 

operation.” 

Matthieu Claybrough, CEO of Donecle, is 

excited to have the backing of such a 

prestigious global brand: “We have already 

been collaborating to develop the new 

Aerofleet Coatings Management service and 

will be working closely with their teams in 

evolving this and other services to help keep 

our aerospace customers one step ahead of 

the competition.” 

As part of the Aerofleet Coatings 

Management solution, drones fly in a set grid 

over the plane's surface, taking up to 1,000 

HD photos. These are then analyzed by 

Donecle’s bespoke machine learning 

algorithm based on a two-stage Deep Neural 

Network to identify issues on the paint 

surface. 

Drones are able to reach parts of an 

aircraft more quickly than a person can, while 

their patented laser positioning technology 

makes the flights fully automated. Navigation 

sensors enable the drone to fly and land 

safely. 

Finishing - November/December 2023

READY MOUNTED. 

READY FOR IMMEDIATE USE. 

2K Smart C 

• Complete, ready-to-spray preparation of multi-component paint 

• All-round carefree package with pre-installed colour supply 

• Individually configurable depending on the application 

• Fast installation and commissioning 

wagner-group.com 

Contact 

Wagner Spraytech (UK) Ltd 

a Member of WAGNER 

Telephone: 01327 368410 

enquiries@wagner-group.com

16 ENVIRONMENT 

Pure and simple 

John Stokes Group is a UK’s leading 

provider of industrial and domestic 

chrome plating services and products. 

Founded in 1973, and recently celebrating 

their 50th Anniversary John Stokes Chrome is 

a respected name within the plating industry, 

producing the highest quality hard chrome 

products possible. The latest addition to the 

John Stokes Group, Chronickel, specialises in 

nickel-chrome plated copper tube for use in 

high-end domestic and commercial plumbing 

installations. In partnership with leading 

suppliers of copper tube they have custom 

built a brand-new state-of-the-art facility. 

Under the guidance of their MD, Tom 

Stokes, the group have invested heavily in 

ongoing refurbishments and improvements at 

their purpose-built hard chrome plating and 

grinding facility in Tipton, West Midlands. 

As part of the drive for continuous 

improvement and sustainability, one of the 

area’s that Tom was keen to review was water 

quality and water use. Based on his 

involvement with the SEA (Surface 

Engineering Association) and his insights into 

REACH and Best Practice. 

With that in mind Tom reviewed several 

processes that could be put in place but after 

hearing about a new product that has 

recently been developed by SERFILCO 

International Ltd, Manchester, he was keen to 

try it in his plant. 

Their latest innovation, SerPure CeraMol, is 

a departure from their typical products as it is 

designed primarily to work on wastewater, 

rather than chemical treatment baths. The 

equipment is installed after the effluent 

treatment plant supplying secondary and 

tertiary purification, or at specific points of use 

on rinses through the plant. 

Using the adsorption method, SERFILCO’s 

SerPure CeraMol media and system is a 

simple, low-cost, multi-targeted and highly 

capable water purification system. The price 

point for installation offers the guarantee of 

compliant water discharge and re-cycling of 

significant amounts of water and puts it within 

the reach of many surface treatment facilities 

who, until now would be cost constrained by 

the high investment and running costs of RO, 

Ion-Exchange and chemical dosing systems. 

SERFILCO’s SerPure would typically have an 

investment cost of 1/5 of the available legacy 

technologies, and running costs that are 80% 

lower – making it perhaps the most costeffective 

way to achieve compliance and 

obtain re-useable water. 

The initial target for Stokes was to have a 

better level of control of the contaminants in 

the water that was leaving the plant, 

safeguarding their content-to-discharge limits. 

Additionally, Tom and his team wanted to 

ensure the water leaving the plant would 

actually be significantly better than the CTD 

limits to future proof the operation, therefore 

guaranteeing the continuation of the 

operation, removing constant CTD reviews 

and avoiding any potential breaches in the 

future. 

With Tom’s team working closely with 

SERFILCO and after review of past water 

analysis it was decided that a three stage 

SerPure system was to be installed for trial, 

positioned on the outgoing water line. The 

main primary targets set by the team were 

the removal of bypass particulate, and 

removal by adsorption of dissolved metals to 

below CTD limits and to further control COD. 

To undertake this task SERFILCO provided 

a SerPure system, that combines particulate 

filtration in stage 1, CeraMol-C media for 

recalcitrant COD and organics in stage 2 and 

CeraMol-M for metals removal in Stage 3.. 

The CeraMol media is housed in specially 

designed canisters that are easy to remove 

and re-fill when the media is exhausted. 

Tom and his team were delighted when 

they received the first analysis results from 

their supplier. The results since the system 

was installed produced a >91% reduction in 

stainless steel, a >98% reduction in Chrome, 

a >96% reduction in Copper, a >25% 

reduction in COD and a reduction in pH 

from 8.3 to 7.4. All items on the analysis 

were well below the site CTD limits. 

The outstanding results that have been 

seen here mean that not only are Stokes now 

comfortable in the knowledge they are 

controlling the quality of their discharged 

waste to below CTD limits, but now they have 

an opportunity to pursue their further aims of 

reducing water use on site. 


AT 

Pull-Off Adhesion Testers 

Measure the adhesion of coatings to 

metal, wood, concrete and more 

Automatic Features 

n Impact and scratch resistant color Touch Screen display with keypad 

n Wirelessly connect the PosiTest AT-A to your smart device using our free app 

n Record the results as pass/fail and the nature of fracture — 

cohesive, adhesive and glue failures 

WiFi 

AT-A 

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AT-M Manual Model 

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t: 01442 879494 f: 01442 879595 

www.dftinstruments.co.uk e: sales@dftinstruments.co.uk 

Proud supplier of DeFelsko Inspection Instruments

18 PROFILE 

Automotive cleaning 

MecWash Systems is helping the 

automotive industry to deliver on 

environmental performance and high 

precision cleaning using the latest in aqueous 

parts washing technology. MecWash has kept 

pace with the evolution of the motor industry 

by embedding advanced technologies in their 

industrial parts washers, providing real-time 

monitoring and feedback to clean high 

volumes of components with ease. 

Automotive manufacturers require 

extremely fine tolerances to ensure engine 

reliability and performance. Consequently, the 

cleanliness specifications are becoming tighter, 

and OEMs are enforcing standards more 

rigorously than ever. The cleaning challenge 

gets tougher and tougher. 

The applications of the motor industry 

require precision cleaning and degreasing. 

The MecWash team conduct detailed 

laboratory tests and machine trials on 

components at its Tewkesbury facility to 

identify the optimum system configuration, 

wash process, chemistry and fixtures. 

MecWash’s expertise covers all the main 

precision manufactured automotive 

components including both ICE and electric 

powertrain, braking systems, steering systems 

and hydraulics for “yellow goods”. 

MecWash’s core washing process combines 

rotating components held securely in baskets, 

fixtures or plastic containers about the 

horizontal axis while subjecting them to a 

high-volume spray and flood process, also 

using ultrasonics where needed. For 

particularly complex components, e.g engine 

blocks, the systems utilise MecWash’s 

dedicated jetting technique with jets that 

rotate with the components, focused on critical 

features and designed for each customer’s 

specific application. This bespoke approach 

helps to target contamination directly, 

providing precise cleanliness and fast cycle 

times. Hot air and vacuum drying finish the 

process to give completely dry components. 

International OEM’s such as JLR, JCB, 

Caterpillar/Perkins, Cummins and Triumph 

Motorcycles all benefit from MecWash parts 

washing systems. This experience has 

provided the MecWash team with a vast 

knowledge of designing, building and 

servicing aqueous cleaning systems for 

automotive applications and the high 

standards that the giants of the industry 

require. 

John Pattison, managing director at 

MecWash, commented: “MecWash has 

established a reputation in the automotive 

industry for creating reliable and powerful 

parts washing machines for customers around 

the world. Customers return to MecWash 

because of the effectiveness of the product 

and the service and support that we provide 

throughout the lifecycle of the system.” 


SMART SOLUTION FOR 

POWDER COATING. 

NOW EVEN MORE POWERFUL. 

E-Line Plus 

• Economical entry into automatic coating 

• Optimised powder recovery with Energy Efficiency Package (EEP) 

• Easy and fast colour change 

• Combination with PXM powder centre: Automatic fresh powder 

supply and integrated system control via 15.6 inch touchscreen 

wagner-group.com 

Contact 

Wagner Spraytech (UK) Ltd 

a Member of WAGNER 

Telephone: 01327 368410 

enquiries@wagner-group.com

20 ROBOTS 

Smart sensors 

In many applications surface coating such as 

electroplating is an important part of the 

manufacturing process and if performed 

manually, will require a considerable amount 

of space and human resources. However, a 

good example of the benefits of advanced 

automation and robotics is the development 

of an innovative robot cell which enables fully 

automated electroplating and has proven to 

be a big benefit to Swiss automation company 

Roth Technik. 

A three-way collaboration between the 

customer, surface coating specialist Collini 

based in Dubendorf, near Zurich, with 

automation company Roth Technik and sensor 

specialist BAUMER, has resulted in the 

development of a fully automatic system for 

plating racks. Minimal space was a key factor 

for the customer which is why they were 

looking for a space-saving solution that would 

enable a fast and reliable way of hanging 

small parts on racks in preparation for transfer 

to the electroplating bath. 

Marco Fuchs, Head of Product Engineering 

at Collini explains, “Boxes containing small 

metal parts were stacked in a narrow niche 

with barely enough space to manoeuvre a 

single pallet between the wall and the liquid 

tanks. Behind this assembly are rows of tightly 

packed electroplating tanks and this lack of 

space was a key factor in why we were 

looking for a space-saving solution that would 

deliver a fast, reliable way of hanging small 

parts on racks for the electroplating bath”. The 

conventional method of loading the racks by 

hand requires lots of space and human 

resources because several racks need to be 

loaded at the same time. Collini confirmed, 

“This is why we wanted to switch to a new 

automated coating system. However, this type 

of system had yet to be created so we 

embarked on a search for pioneering 

companies that we could collaborate with to 

take up the challenge”. The search resulted in 

collaboration between Collini, automation 

specialists Roth Technik, which in turn relies 

on smart sensor solutions from Baumer. 

Working together, the team began the 

development of a fully automatic and compact 

loading line. At the heart of the loading line 

are 4 robots that automatically load parts onto 

the empty hooks on the racks, with the 

biggest challenge being that no two racks are 

the same. The hook positions are not located 

in exactly the same place on the welded racks 

and some hooks may be bent or missing 

entirely. Whilst this isn’t a problem for a 

manual system, it is a big challenge for robots 

that require precise positioning data. 

Furthermore, the huge variety and high 

throughput of parts presented other 

challenges. So how did the ‘team’ solve the 

problem of rack positioning accuracy, enabling 

the robots to ‘learn’ the exact positions of the 

hooks for each rack? 

A simple, yet effective solution from 

Baumer, the ultra-compact OXM200 profile 

sensor proved to be a key component in the 

efficacy of the system. Mounted on the robot 

arm, the sensor detects the exact position of 

each individual hook as it moves down the 

rack and reports this data back to the robot 

control. With the help of a camera, the robot 

then picks up one part after the other from 

the separating carousel and hangs it on a 

hook. The robot uses the position coordinates 

previously collected by the profile sensor to 

finely adjust the position of the part and this 

enables the profile sensor to guide the robot 

precisely and quickly on the electroplating 

rack. 

Markus Roth, CEO of Roth Technik, 

explains, “Whilst the process might sound 

simple it requires the sensor to deliver an 

outstanding performance, we had to install a 

sensor that detects and precisely measures 

very thin hooks, not just in 2-dimensional 

space but in a 3-dimensional one too”. Initially, 

the Roth Technik team tested various camerabased 

systems and other laser-based scanners, 

but eventually decided that the sensor was the 

way to go. Markus confirmed, “In the end, we 

chose the Baumer OXM200 profile sensor 

because it was the best solution for our strict 

requirements regarding accuracy, ultracompact 

design and ability to detect objects”. 

The OXM200 offers another major 

advantage, thanks to powerful, integrated 

measuring tools, the sensor outputs the 

measured values for the X and Z coordinates 

directly in mm, significantly reducing the 

number of calculations in the control. This 

resulted in less integration work on software 

and enabled the project to be up and running 

faster. 

Also, thanks to Power over Ethernet (PoE) a 

single cable is all that was needed to connect 

the sensor to the control and supply it with 

power, an important detail when it comes to 

mounting the sensor on a mobile robot arm. 

Further time savings are achieved by scanning 

the hook positions only once when the rack is 

inserted and as the control stores all the hook 

positions, the racks don’t have to be scanned 

each time. The result…two robot cells enable 

a throughput of 15 million parts per year 

using minimal space whilst eliminating the 

issues associated with a manual system. 


Cyclomix ® Evo, the brand new solution 

for 2&3 components mixing and dosing 

With the 

Cyclomix ® Evo solution, 

you are guaranteed to 

get the best out of your 

production tool with: 

PERFECT DOSING AND MIXING 

with an accuracy of +/- 1%, thanks to a patented injection system 

for all types of products (for waterborne, solvent-based, acid, 

epoxy, polyurethane paints, etc.). 

THE BEST CHOICE OF 

PRODUCTIVITY AND 

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HIGH PRODUCTIVITY 

by the management of 2 independent 

circuits: rinsing and priming is possible 

during production. An intuitive 

interface that requires only 2 minutes 

of training which can evolve according 

to your needs by adding new features 

throughout the life of your Cyclomix ® Evo. 

OPTIMIZED MANAGEMENT OF WASTE 

of mixed paint and used solvents thanks to the «paint optimization» 

function with optional collection of mixed paint, dirty solvents. Reusable 

solvents can be used a second time to dispose of the mixed paint. 

• Real time supervision via a 

Smartphone app with piloting 

control of the machine, 

• Notification in case of alarm, 

• Monitoring of production and 

maintenance data to optimize 

your production. 

Discover our solutions 

www.sames.com 

contact: marketing@sames.com

22 POWDER COATING 

Not so secret agent 

Clariant is committed to bringing 

solutions to market that improve the 

overall health and well-being of society. 

In line with that commitment, Clariant has 

developed Ceridust 8170M; a PTFE-free 

alternative texturing agent for powder 

coatings that delivers performance without the 

negative aspects of PTFE. 

Our innovation journey begins with the 

customer in mind. This sums up the approach 

of the new Coatings Innovation Center in the 

Charlotte metro area. It is about addressing 

the challenges faced by North American 

formulators in the paints and coatings 

industry. Completed in late 2023, this new 

innovation center was designed to enable us 

to work collaboratively with our customers all 

along the value chain. It is equipped with 

state-of-the-art technology including a spray 

booth and accelerated weathering chambers. 

With this, Clariant is able to test every 

performance detail of new formulations from 

scrub, sag and leveling to color acceptance. 

This new lab will also be able to support 

compliance with regulatory and sustainability 

specific requirements. In this way, Clariant is 

supporting our customers with highperforming 

products and solutions that can 

accelerate their success and meet the 

changing needs of the market. 

Powder coating without PTFE 

We all know about the convenience of how 

nothing sticks to coated pans. In fact, this antiadhesive 

material was not, as many assume, 

discovered in space research but is a 

substance called PTFE. PTFE was developed in 

1938 by Dr. Roy Plunkett, an employee of the 

chemical company, DuPont. But still, it did find 

its way into space later - as insulation material 

for cables, such as in the Apollo missions. 

PTFE’s unique properties have enabled its 

growth into many other areas, such as powder 

coatings. Thus, when it comes to decorating 

and protecting a window frame, a fence or a 

bike, a PTFE-containing powder coating was – 

up to now – the go-to-choice. PTFE can 

enhance the scratch resistance and slip 

performance or act as a texturizing additive, 

providing powder coatings with the right 

consistency and stability for many applications. 

However, there are increasing concerns 

about PTFE’s impact on human health & the 

environment, leading to the consequential 

legislative action to potentially restrict its use. 

This has resulted in a call for more ecofriendly 

and PTFE-free alternatives. 

Furthermore, if the restrictive policies of EU 

regulators prevail, PTFE-free solutions will 

soon become a significant business 

imperative. 

Best of both ideas – answering 

to the needs of the market 

To address this challenge, we've innovated a 

PTFE-free texturing agent: Ceridust 8170 M. 

Ceridust 8170 M combines two ideas that 

have, until now, only existed separately: the 

texturing qualities of PTFE and the 

environmental benefits of a PTFE-free 

alternative. Ceridust 8170 M has the added 

benefit of reduced energy consumption as 

part of the powder coating extrusion process. 

Furthermore, Ceridust 8170 M is compliant 

with the EU law REACH (Regulation on the 

registration, evaluation, authorization, and 

restriction of chemicals) and is not only PTFEbut 

also PFAS-free. 

We are looking forward to providing this 

pioneering product to our customers in the 

powder coatings industry, whether for 

industrial coatings or in the building and 

construction area. When it comes to 

innovation, Ceridust 8170 M confirms our 

position as frontrunners for PTFE-free 

products. We understand the urgent need for 

change and are proud to be leading the way 

with PTFE-free solutions. 


Removing Metals and Impurities to Achieve Compliance and 

Minimise Water Discharge. 

SERFILCO SerPure CeraMol Molecular Filters utilise ceramic media for removal of dissolved metals and 

pollutants from industrial waste waters. Special customized media will remove industrial pollutants and 

allow extraction of valuable materials from rinses and waste-water. Serfilco SerPure media is designed so it 

can be regenerated, but low cost enough that it can be replaced at point of exhaustion. 

Applications: 

• Polishing of Waste-Water to enable re-use of valuable water (remove COD, Organics, Cu, Ni, Cr, Zn, Sn, Cd, 

Al, Fe). 

• Filtration of Rinses to enable recovery and/or removal of metals from the waste-water cycle. 

Advantages: 

• Consent to Discharge limits will be met. 

• The total water consumption and discharge costs will be minimized due to the recycling of a portion of the 

final treated effluent from the WWTP that can be re-used in the plant. 

• Recycling of the rinse tanks minimizes the need for fresh water and thus reduces water consumption and 

reduces the final wastewater discharged to the WWTP by the rinse tanks. 

SERFILCO INTERNATIONAL LTD 

SIEMENS ROAD, MANCHESTER 

M44 5AH, UK 

TEL: +44 (0)161 7751910 

MAIL: global@serfilco.com 

WEB: www.serfilco.co.uk 

New 

Product 

GLOBAL PRODUCTS, LOCAL SERVICE & ADVICE YOU CAN RELY ON

24 PROFILE 

Transformational process 

The economy is undergoing a 

transformation that poses challenges for 

many areas of industry. New products 

and various megatrends require adjustments 

to manufacturing technologies as well as to 

the range of products and services. Ecoclean 

GmbH is proactively addressing this change 

through greater diversification of the solution 

portfolio for industrial component cleaning 

and the new business area of hydrogen 

technology. 

Energy transition, sustainability, 

demographic change, mobility, automation 

and digitization, and security - these 

megatrends are resulting in technological and 

social changes. And at an increasingly rapid 

pace. This development demands increasingly 

higher flexibility and agility from companies. 

This is also evident in the field of industrial 

parts cleaning: Whereas yesterday it felt like 

the automotive industry was setting the 

standards in terms of cleanliness requirements, 

today it is completely different industrial 

sectors, each with its own specific 

requirements. Ecoclean, one of the world's 

leading suppliers of equipment and systems 

for industrial component cleaning, surface 

treatment and automation, is responding to 

these changes with a future- and marketoriented 

diversification strategy. The course for 

this was already set several years ago with 

corresponding financial and personnel 

investments. As a result, new solutions for 

high-tech industries can now be offered in 

addition to equipment and systems for tasks 

in the previous industrial sectors, such as the 

automotive and supplier industry, mechanical 

engineering, joining technology, the jewelry 

and watchmaking industry, and the aerospace 

industry. 

High Purity - Cleanliness in the 

third dimension 

This includes, for example, the 

semiconductor industry and its suppliers. To 

be able to manufacture ever smaller and more 

powerful microchips by means of EUV 

lithography, extremely high demands are 

placed on the components for the production 

equipment in terms of purity. In addition to 

ultra-fine particulate residual impurities in the 

nanometer range and extremely strict 

specifications regarding filmic contamination, 

outgassing rates for organic substances and 


continues on page 25

NEW 

PROFILE 25 

residual moisture as well as "prohibited" 

substances/elements play a quality-critical role 

here. Likewise, stringent cleanliness 

requirements must be met for vacuum 

technology components for the UHV, XHV 

and UCV range - for example in high-power 

laser systems, high-tech measuring, and 

analysis equipment. Precision optics, microoptical 

parts, and sensor systems, among 

others for semi-automated and autonomous 

driving as well as digitization applications in 

industry, also require a very high degree of 

cleanliness for lasting fault-free function. For 

these challenging tasks, Ecoclean offers 

industry and application-specific solutions from 

pre-cleaning to intermediate and final cleaning 

connected to or integrated in a clean room. 

For the design of process and plant 

technology, the company has its own High 

Purity Test Center with a validated clean room 

and corresponding measurement technology. 

Turnkey solutions for medical 

technology - MDR and FDA 

compliant 

High cleanliness requirements have always 

been commonplace in medical technology. 

With the introduction of the European Medical 

Device Regulation (MDR), the requirements 

for cleaning medical devices such as implants, 

instruments, and equipment, as well as for 

qualification, documentation, and traceability 

of the processes, have become even stricter. In 

the meantime, the U.S. Food & Drug 

Administration (FDA) is planning to harmonize 

its quality system regulation with the MDR, so 

that uniform regulations will apply regardless 

of market access. To solve the very different 

tasks in medical technology in a requirementoriented, 

efficient and sustainable manner, 

Ecoclean not only offers a complete and 

globally available portfolio of qualified cleaning 

systems. Cooperation with renowned partners 

also enable the realization of turnkey projects 

with corresponding packaging and cleanroom 

solutions. Software specially developed for 

medical technology, RFID technology and 

audit trail ensure that all specifications 

regarding component identification, 

documentation and traceability are completely 

fulfilled. In addition, the company's experts 

provide support with qualification (IQ, QQ 

and PQ) on request. Thanks to the company's 

comprehensive medical technology and 

regulatory know- how, combined with 

extensively equipped technology centers 

including a cleanliness laboratory and 

validated cleanroom, the technically and 

economically optimal solution can be devised 

for every cleaning task. It can be easily 

duplicated for further production sites, which 

accelerates qualification and commissioning. 

Green hydrogen - energy source 

of the future 

By entering into the development, 

manufacture and sale of electrolysers for the 

production of green hydrogen and solutions 

for its use, the company is opening up a new 

business area. To this end, Ecoclean and the 

Zentrum für Sonnenenergie und Wassersoff- 

Forschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) have 

pooled their expertise in the joint project 

"EcoLyzer BW". Based on the robust and welltested 

system technology for alkaline pressure 

electrolysis developed by the ZSW and 

Ecoclean's expertise and decades of 

qualification in process engineering and 

industrial production technology, electrolysers 

are designed as a modular system with 

compact standard modules. With power 

classes initially ranging from one to ten 

megawatts, they enable the simple and costefficient 

construction of electrolysers that can 

be adapted to a wide range of applications, for 

example in industry, mobility, energy supply 

for neighborhoods and storage of 

regeneratively generated, surplus energy from 

wind power and photovoltaic plants. A first 

solution in this area was completed in 

September 2023 with a test rig for alkaline 

pressure electrolysis. It will make it possible to 

test and validate electrolysis stacks with an 

output of up to 500 kW and a diameter of 

1,200 mm. 

Through this diversification strategy, 

Ecoclean is helping to meet the challenges 

associated with disruptive developments as 

well as various megatrends. 

Oven Temperature Logger 

Measures and records oven 

temperature profiles 

• 6 K-type thermocouple ports 

• High temperature stainless steel barrier box for 

long run times 

• Download, view, and analyze data using PosiSoft Desktop Software 

or export to .CSV 

Prices starting at: 

Oven Temperature 

Logger..........£2180 

Temperature 

Probes............£100 

Wide variety of spring clamp and 

magnetic temperature probes available 

Customizable PDF Reports 


t: 01442 879494 • www.dftinstruments.co.uk • e: sales@dftinstruments.co.uk 


26 MEASUREMENT 

Flexible precision 

Quality departments and contract shops 

that test many different plated parts 

need an XRF analyzer with an 

expansive measurement area, selectable spot 

sizes, and high levels of both precision - and 

speed. 

Bowman's K Series benchtop XRF meets all 

of these requirements. It has a 12x 12 

measurable area for parts up to 9 tall. 

Selectable spot sizes accommodate a wide 

range of features; focal distances from .25 to 

3.5. 

A cantilever door design gives operators 

easy access; a servo motor-driven 

programmable stage streamlines sample 

positioning. Table-view functionality images 

the entire measurable area and allows the 

operator to navigate to any location with a 

single click. 

The standard K Series configuration 

includes a 4-position multi-collimator. Variable 

focus simplifies measurements in recessed 

areas. Programs can use pattern matching 

and automatic focus for the most precise 

measurements. 

As with all Bowman XRF systems, the K 

Series features a Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) 

and long-life micro focus X-ray tube. 

Bowman’s K Series is a robust system built 

and backed by the technology leader in XRF 

analysis. It is ideally suited for the analysis of 

metals from aluminum through uranium (13- 

92 on the periodic table) and for the testing 

of printed circuit boards, wafers, connectors, 

electronic components and precious metals 

on jewelry, upscale hardware and other 

decorative objects. 

The K Series is the 9th XRF in the Bowman 

benchtop portfolio. Like the other 8 systems, 

K Series instruments simultaneously measure 

up to 5 layers (base plus 4 plated layers), 10 

elements in each layer. 

To quantify plated thickness from the 

detected photons, K Series systems run 

Bowman’s Archer software. A unique 

Graphical User Interface makes this 

advanced, proven software easy to use, 

highly intuitive, and visually ergonomic. 

Archer generates customizable Excel reports 

with no MS Office required, and unlike 

competitive platforms, there is no need to 

install a software plug-in to export data to 

customer ERP systems. 

Bowman customers are supported by a 

robust local service network that provides 

same-day response for every XRF 

requirement, worldwide. Equipment 

evaluation, selection, commissioning, 

maintenance and modernization is provided 

for users of all major XRF brands. 


Airflow Environmental Ltd are UK leaders in the supply and 

installation of Industrial ovens and Spray Booths. Airflow 

also specialise in Industrial Oven & Spray booth servicing as 

well as testing and certification to ensure that you operate at 

optimum efficiency with minimal downtime and maximisation 

of OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness). 

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F ATEX Industrial Ovens 

F Industrial Fan Servicing 

F Laboratory Ovens 

F Filter Paper 

F Belt Driven Axial Fans 

F Waterwash Pumps 

Call Airflow Environmental Ltd today on: 

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Email: sales@airflow-group.com 

Web: www.airflow-group.com 

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airflow_half page_FNGN-D23.indd 1 27/10/2023 13:51 

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28 CLEANING 

So far, so good 

Vapour degreasing solvents are typically 

chosen for their excellent solvency 

properties. They have the ability to 

dissolve and disperse a wide range of 

contaminants, including dirt, oil, grease, wax, 

and other contaminants. The cleaning action 

of solvents is primarily attributed to their 

unique molecular properties and interactions 

with the materials they contact. Here's why 

solvents are so good at cleaning: 

Low Surface Tension: 

Vapour degreasing solvents can reduce the 

surface tension of liquids, making them more 

effective at penetrating and breaking up dirt 

and stains. This allows the solvent to reach 

areas that might otherwise be hard to clean. 

Polarity: 

The polarity of a solvent plays a significant 

role in its cleaning ability. Polar solvents have 

molecules with positive and negative poles, 

which allows them to interact with polar 

substances like water-based stains. Nonpolar 

solvents, on the other hand, are effective at 

dissolving nonpolar substances like oils and 

grease. Different cleaning tasks may require 

the use of polar or nonpolar solvents 

depending on the nature of the dirt or stain. 

Most vapour degreasing solvents are 

nonpolar in nature, meaning they do not 

have a positive or negative charge. This 

allows them to interact with a variety of 

contaminants, regardless of their charge or 

polarity, making them versatile for different 

types of cleaning applications. 

Heat and Vaporization: 

The vapour degreasing process involves 

heating the solvent to create vapour, which 

rises and condenses on the surfaces to be 

cleaned. This condensation releases latent 

heat, which aids in loosening and lifting 

contaminants from the surfaces. The 

vaporization and condensation cycles help 

dislodge and carry away dirt, oils, and other 

substances effectively. 

No Aqueous Residues: 

Unlike water-based cleaning methods, 

vapour degreasing solvents leave little to no 

aqueous residue behind. This is especially 


CLEANING 29 

important for applications where water could 

cause corrosion or damage, such as cleaning 

sensitive electronics or precision mechanical 

components. 

Minimal Agitation Required: 

Vapour degreasing is a relatively gentle 

cleaning method that doesn't require 

extensive mechanical agitation. This reduces 

the risk of damaging delicate parts while 

ensuring effective cleaning. 

Consistency: 

Vapour degreasing provides consistent and 

uniform cleaning results because the solvent 

vapor can reach all surfaces evenly, including 

intricate and complex geometries. 

Environmental Considerations: 

While some vapour degreasing solvents in 

the past were environmentally concerning, 

modern solvents are designed to be safer 

and more environmentally friendly. They are 

engineered to have lower toxicity, reduced 

volatility, and minimal global warming or 

ozone-depleting potential. 

Dissolving Power: 

Solvents have the ability to dissolve a wide 

range of substances, both organic and 

inorganic. This is due to their molecular 

structure, which allows them to interact with 

different types of molecules. When a solvent 

comes into contact with a substance, its 

molecules surround and separate the 

particles of the substance, breaking down the 

intermolecular forces holding them together. 

This leads to the dissolution of the substance 

into the solvent. 

Evaporation: 

Vapour degreasing solvents typically have 

relatively low boiling points, which means 

they evaporate quickly when exposed to air. 

This evaporation helps in removing the 

dissolved dirt and contaminants from 

surfaces, leaving them clean and dry. It is 

important to ensure evaporating solvent 

doesn’t escape to the atmosphere. This is 

achieved by having cold condensing coils just 

above the components being cleaned. 

Versatility: 

Vapour degreasing solvents come in 

various types and compositions, allowing 

them to target specific types of contaminants. 

For example, alcohol-based solvents are 

effective at cleaning glass surfaces due to 

their ability to dissolve and evaporate quickly 

without leaving streaks. 

Chemical Interactions: 

Vapour degreasing solvents can undergo 

chemical reactions with certain types of 

substances, leading to their removal or 

transformation. This can be especially useful 

for removing tough stains that might not be 

easily removed through simple dissolution. 

Compatibility 

Vapour degreasing solvents are often 

formulated to be compatible with specific 

materials, ensuring that they don't damage 

the surfaces being cleaned. This makes them 

versatile for use on a wide range of surfaces. 

Rinsing Action: 

Vapour degreasing solvents can also act as 

rinsing agents, carrying away dissolved dirt 

and contaminants when they evaporate. This 

helps prevent redeposition of dirt onto 

cleaned surfaces. 

Overall, the combination of excellent 

solvency, low surface tension, nonpolar 

properties, heat assistance, minimal residue, 

and controlled vaporization make vapor 

degreasing solvents highly effective for a 

wide range of cleaning applications. 

It's important to note that while solvents 

are effective cleaning agents, their use should 

be handled with care. Some solvents can be 

toxic, flammable, or harmful to human health 

and the environment, so proper precautions 

and guidelines should be followed when 

using them. Additionally, choosing the right 

solvent for a specific cleaning task is crucial 

to achieve optimal results without causing 

damage to the surfaces being cleaned. 

HodgeClemco 


30 GALVANIZING 

Brighton rocks 

Amajor development at Brighton Marina 

has been protected for the future 

thanks to the use of a durable steel 

finish. 

Wessex Galvanizers was called upon by 

steel fabricators ML (UK) to provide its hot-dip 

galvanizing treatment to 121 tonnes of steel, 

which has been used to support an existing 

structure forming the main sea defence at the 

marina. 

The existing concrete structure was showing 

signs of deterioration and ML (UK)’s 

strengthening work, delivered as part of a 

major development at the marina, will provide 

ongoing stability required to maintain the 

breakwater in what is often a hostile and 

corrosive environment. 

Graham Ferguson, engineering manager at 

ML (UK), explained: “This has been a huge 

reinvestment to ensure the longevity and 

structural integrity at Brighton Marina, the 

UK’s largest marina and one of the most 

popular harbours for yachts and motorboats. 

“We called on the team at Wessex 

Galvanizers to provide their protective 

treatment to over 120 tonnes of steel, which is 

required in an environment like this where the 

sea air and water can corrode steel faster. 

Once the galvanizing was complete, we added 

some paint to add another layer of 

protection.” 

The project to redevelop areas of the 

marina began in early April 2022 and was 

completed at the end of September. 

For over 40 years, ML (UK) has provided 

steel fabrication, welding, and structural 

engineering services from its base in 

Portsmouth Harbour. With full workshop 

facilities, the company is a respected supplier 

for major shipping and construction projects 

across the UK, and has – for over 30 years – 

used Wessex Galvanizers to hot-dip galvanize 

many of its projects. 

Richard Whiddett, sales manager at Wessex 

Galvanizers, added: “We’re pleased to have 

helped the ML (UK) team with such a large 

and significant project, and to know that the 

steelwork now in place at the busy marina will 

be structurally and environmentally protected 

for many decades to come.” 


COMPLETE RANGE OF INDUSTRIAL COATINGS 

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SERVING A RANGE OF MARKETS 

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are brands of 

The Sherwin-Williams Company 

CONTACT 

The Sherwin-Williams Company, Goodlass Road, Speke, 

Liverpool, L24 9HJ, United Kingdom 

T: +44 (0)151 486 0486 | liverpool.sales@sherwin.com 

oem.sherwin-williams.com | www.synthapulvin.com

32 TOOLS 

The complete package 

With the deephone series, Gehring 

Technologies GmbH + Co. KG offers 

horizontal honing machines for a 

wide range of large components. At EMO, the 

Ostfildern-based company will be presenting 

new developments and features in this 

segment. These enable demanding and 

complex machining processes to be carried 

out even more cost-effectively. 

"At this year's EMO, we want to show 

potential customers at our stand that we can 

offer a complete package for honing large 

workpieces from a single source with our 

machines, tools and process know-how," 

emphasises Marcell Wardin, director sales & 

marketing at Gehring. "This package includes a 

wide range of precision tube components. 

These include, for example, cylinder liners for 

the hydraulic industry, aircraft landing legs, ingot 

moulds and even radio masts". Gehring has 

developed the deephone machine series for 

precisely these applications. Stroke lengths 

range from 2,000 to 10,000 mm, internal 

machining up to 1,200 mm and external 

machining up to 300 mm are possible. "An 

important feature of these machines is their 

flexibility," adds Wardin. Indeed, a three-stage 

gearbox makes it possible to machine a wide 

variety of workpieces on one machine. 

Depending on the size of the workpiece or the 

removal rate, the power requirement changes. 

The three-stage gearbox provides the necessary 

adjustment. Without such a component, it may 

be necessary to distribute different workpieces 

among several machines or to reclamp 

demanding work-pieces. With a complete 

package from a single source, investment costs 

can be reduced. Some other details: Double 

infeed (push/pull) allows roughing and finishing 

with a single tool. Gehring also equips the 

machines with a control system for conical 

honing. This allows workpieces such as moulds 

to be machined with greater precision. 

Optionally, a counter-rotating drive can be 

installed to further increase cutting performance 

and improve bore geometry. 

A special feature is already familiar from 

conventional honing machines: compressed 

air measurement. In tube honing, this feature 

is less common due to the smaller quantities 

involved. Air gauging allows the diameter to 

be checked during the process, provided a 

suitable tool is available. Without air gauging, 

the operator must stop machining and 

remove the tool from the deep hole. He may 

also have to clean the hole before measuring. 

An enormous waste of time. With air 

measurement, the ma-chine operator has a 

clear advantage. 

Gehring also offers highlights in the field of 

tools. In principle, all tools can be adapted to 

the deephone machines. A machining 

company with a large tool stock has all the 

options. Nevertheless, the Ostfildern-based 

company has added a new DH tool se-ries to 

its range. The special feature of these tools is 

their internal cooling system, which has long 

been standard in other machining tools. The 

coolant reaches the ma-chining point with 

pinpoint accuracy, which benefits tool 

performance and quality. The internal cooling 

not only supports chip formation, but also 

flushes the chip-oil mixture out of the 

machining area, preventing chips from 

sticking to the honing stones. "We expect our 

new internally cooled tools to reduce 

machining time by 20-30% and re-duce the 

need for coolant," says Wardin. 


Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies, 

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l Coatings for EMI/RFI shielding provide highly 

conductive coatings and platings to control 

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1 Nightingale Place, Pendeford Business Park, Wolverhampton WV9 5HF 

web: www.actongate.co.uk - email: enquiries@actongate.co.uk

34 CASE STUDY 

Red and ready 

Classic Vintage Tractor Restorations, 

known for their exceptional 

craftsmanship in restoring vintage 

agricultural machinery, has proudly unveiled 

their latest masterpiece – a stunning 

restoration of a Red Massey Ferguson 35X 

Multi-Power tractor. This remarkable 

restoration was made possible with the help of 

HMG Paints', Acrythane SC601. 

James Cardus, the skilled artisan behind 

Classic Vintage Tractor Restorations along with 

his painter Peter, revived this classic tractor, 

breathing new life into an iconic piece of 

agricultural history. With a rich history and a 

passionate following, the Massey Ferguson 

35X tractor deserved nothing but the best in 

its restoration journey. 

“We have been using HMG Acrythane 

SC601 for many years now, we are extremely 

happy with the excellent finish it produces as 

standard” commented James. “Even more so 

our customers love the finish and happy 

customers are the most important thing for 

us.” 

Acrythane SC601, a product from HMG 

Paints, played a pivotal role in restoring the 

tractor to its former glory. Acrythane SC601 is 

a high solids 2K Acrylic cured with isocyanate 

hardener, known for its outstanding 

properties, including rapid drying and 

simplicity of use. The tractor's striking finish 

and exceptional durability were made possible 

thanks to this popular paint product which is 

ideal for the ACE (Agricultural and 

Construction Equipment) and Restoration 

market places. 

Not only does Acrythane SC601 provide an 

impeccable finish, but it also offers excellent 

protection against harsh weather conditions 

and atmospheric pollution. Its resilience 

ensures that the Red Massey Ferguson 35X 

will retain its beauty and functionality for years 

to come. 

HMG Paints takes pride in its commitment 

to quality, and Acrythane SC601 is no 

exception. Available in a wide range of sheen 

level and colours, including 2400 in the 

ColourBase Colour Box along with other Fleet, 

RAL & BS and Automotive shades, it 

empowers craftsmen like James Cardus to 

bring their visions to life with precision and 

perfection. 

“It’s wonderful to see our paint being used 

on projects like this and brilliant to see the 

engagement on social media about the 

project” added Paddy Dyson, HMG Paints 

Marketing Manager. “To receive over 7000 

likes on the teaser picture of the painted 

bonnet shows just how amazing this project 

was and passionate the restoration community 

is. The work James and his painter Peter have 

done is testament to their attention to detail 

and we’re delighted he chose Acrythane 

SC601 as his topcoat of choice.” 


36 MEASUREMENT 

Flash safety 

Fluke has developed a range of thermal 

imaging and wireless testing tools 

designed to ensure safety is the top 

priority for engineers working in potentially 

dangerous arc flash zones. 

Every company’s electrical safety strategy 

should be based around limiting workers’ 

exposure to such electrical hazards as arc flash 

and electrocution. Fluke says the best way to 

keep operators out of harm’s way is to give 

them access to the right non-contact tools that 

not only protect them but also reduce 

dramatically (by up to half) the amount of 

time they are required to work on live circuits 

in arc flash zones. 

Arc flash is the light and heat created from 

an arc fault explosion and temperatures can 

reach up to 19,000°C (35,000°F), capable of 

igniting an operator’s clothing and burning 

the skin of anyone within a few feet. Arc flash 

can also melt metal, cause lung and eyesight 

damage and lead to hospitalisation, even 

death. 

Engineers and health & safety teams will be 

familiar with the need to establish arc flash 

boundaries and wear arc-rated clothing and 

rubber insulating gloves. However, using noncontact 

test and measurement tools means 

operators are able to minimise the level of 

personal protective equipment (PPE) required 

as well as the amount of time they need to 

spend inside the boundary. 

One such product is Fluke’s PQ400 

electrical measurement window (EMW), which 

is permanently installed into cabinets with 

voltage and current connections made inside 

the panel. The PQ400 gives workers access to 

critical power quality and energy data while 

decreasing testing time and maintaining a 

high level of safety. Users can plug their 

power quality tools directly into the EMW to 

collect all the data that’s needed. 

As well as the safety aspects, advantages of 

using the PQ400 include lower maintenance 

costs and reduced downtime by being able to 

make critical power quality and energy 

measurements without opening the panel 

door. The EMW also enables logging and 

monitoring to be done at any time, without 

disrupting operations, while measurement 

efficiency is increased. 

A second product – Fluke’s CV400 ClirVu 


MEASUREMENT 37 

4in window – is a permanent infra-red 

window that provides a view of what’s on the 

other side of a panel without workers being 

exposed to live voltage or needing full PPE. 

Offering the most visibility into a panel for a 

thermal camera (simplifying the inspection 

process by allowing measurements to be 

taken without having to open a cabinet), the 

widest Fluke window option available also 

helps to reduce time and costs involved in 

preventive maintenance. 

Likewise, Fluke’s TiS75+ thermal camera 

enables operators to capture and measure 

heat energy emanating from a source without 

having to make physical contact, meaning 

they can see instantly what’s running too hot 

or too cold before anything breaks down. 

Offering one-handed image capture, review 

and save facilities, the camera not only helps 

operators to keep a safe distance from an arc 

flash boundary but also allows them to 

compare thermal scans over time using the 

Fluke Connect app. 

A fourth product – the Fluke 376 FC clamp 

meter – makes it possible to set up 

measurements and transmit the data from 

inside the arc flash boundary, meaning 

someone within 20m of the equipment is able 

to open the Fluke Connect app and read the 

figures from outside the boundary. As well as 

reducing the time technicians spend in the arc 

flash boundary, the clamp meter helps them 

to log, trend and monitor measurements 

remotely so they can pinpoint intermittent 

faults. 

Finally, the Fluke 3000FC digital 

multimeter is a flexible DMM allowing users 

to read results through the Fluke Connect 

app, outside the arc flash boundary. Using 

this equipment cuts the time technicians 

spend inside the boundary and offers them 

an easy-to-read display with large digits and 

bright backlight. 

Says Eric van Riet: “There’s no need for 

engineers to put themselves in an arc blast 

zone if they can avoid being there. Products 

such as wireless and non-contact tools as well 

as remote displays can help place them as far 

away as possible from risk and danger while 

allowing them to take accurate, instant 

readings that can be analysed remotely. Arc 

flash safety is essential, and the latest thermal 

imaging and wireless testing tools are the 

best way to offer operators maximum 

protection.” 

HoldTight 102 ® is a wet blasting 

additive that removes ALL salts, 

acids, abrasives and greases, 

PLUS it prevents flash rust for 

up to 72 hours! 

Suitable for a variety of industries: 

MARINE l 

INDUSTRIAL 

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INFRASTRUCTURE 

With over 90 years in the Corrosion Prevention Industry, 

Winn & Coales (Denso) Ltd. have been long time suppliers of 

the ultimate surface preparation solution. To extend the service 

life of your coating, contact a Denso representative now! 

LEADERS IN CORROSION PREVENTION 

& SEALING TECHNOLOGY 

Sole Distributor in the United Kingdom: 

Winn & Coales (Denso) Ltd 

Tel: 0208 670 7511 l Web: www.denso.net 

A MEMBER OF WINN & COALES INTERNATIONAL 


38 DRYING 

Dry and fly 

Aleading provider of integrated avionics, 

engines, systems and service solutions 

for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, 

business and general aviation, military space 

and airport operations has recently installed a 

new paint finishing line that incorporates infra 

red drying of their painted assemblies 

After so many take-offs/landings aircraft 

wheels are sent back to suppliers for 

refurbishment and stress fracture testing. This 

will often include new tyres and brake 

assemblies along with repainting of the wheel 

and brake assemblies. 

Until recently the painting and drying at 

this supplier was carried out on a relatively old 

paint line with an IR oven that was taking over 

1 hour to dry the Acrylic paint. As part of a 

major investment, it was decided to modernise 

this line so they approached leading specialist 

suppliers of spray application and fluid 

handling equipment Hi Tec Spray who 

designed and proposed a completely new 

paint line utilising an indexing conveyor 

system with 11 stations 

For drying of the PU paint Hi Tec 

contacted IR Specialists Heraeus Noblelight 

who arranged for trials to be carried out with 

the customer at their test and development 

facility in Neston 

The result of the successful trials was a 116 

kW medium wave system comprising of 3 

individual 38.5kW heating stations which were 

supplied through Hi Tec Spray along with the 

conveyor system and spray booth. Assemblies 

to be painted are first shot blasted to remove 

any old paint, it is then put through a none 

destructive testing zone to confirm that there 

are no stress fractures etc. 

They are then loaded on an indexing 

conveyor ready for painting with a two coat 

PU system, with the wheel unit being rotated 

at each station to give even heat distribution 

and assisting the paint application by the 

operator. 

Heat Station 1 is used to preheat the 

wheels or brake assemblies before the primer 

coat is applied. This ensures that the wheel is 

completely dry and allows the primer to flash 

off before the Polyurethane top coat is applied 

in a wet-on-wet process. coated assembly 

then passes to station 2 where the wheel or 

brake assembly are heated to the required 

curing temperature circa 1100C 

After 6 minutes the wheel or brake 

assembly passes into zone 3 where they are 

held at the required temperature for a further 

6 minutes After leaving zone 3 there are a 

further 3 indexing stations which allows wheel 

and brake assemblies to cool down before 

being offloaded 

The IR system from Heraeus has reduced 

the original curing times by over 75%, a high 

quality finish and paint savings have also been 

an outcome of this investment. 


Coating Thickness Gauge for Non-Metal Substrates 

NEW Design and Features 

Non-destructively measures paint thickness 

over wood, concrete, plastic and more using 

proven ultrasound technology. Advanced 

models measure up to 3 individual layers 

with graphics. 

n Ready to measure—no adjustment required for most applications 

n Responsive transducers provide fast, accurate readings 

n Max Thick Mode displays the deepest ultrasonic echo 

eliminating the need to adjust the Lo Range—ideal for 

ignoring unwanted surface echos. 

n Conforms to ISO 2808 and ASTM D6132 

Ideal for measuring 

polyurea and other 

thick protective 

coatings on 

concrete 

DFT Instruments (UK) Limited 

Long Drive, 16A Meadway, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 2PN 

t: 01442 879494 f: 01442 879595 

www.dftinstruments.co.uk e: sales@dftinstruments.co.uk 

Proud supplier of DeFelsko Inspection Instruments

40 ELECTROPLATING 

A selective view 

Electric motors in industrial settings often 

run continuously or for extended 

periods, leading to increased mechanical 

stress and wear on components. The constant 

rotation and friction can cause the 

degradation of internal parts over time. High 

temperatures and excessive heat can lead to 

the deterioration of insulation materials, 

bearing lubricants, and other critical 

components, reducing efficiency and 

increasing wear. 

Selective electroplating primarily sеrvеs thе 

purpose of replenishing mеtal in spеcific worn 

arеas of a componеnt, allowing for the 

complеtе part to bе salvagеd and rеusеd. 

This technique involves thе targеtеd 

dеposition of mеtal onto thе worn sections, 

effectively restoring the part's functionality and 

extending its operational lifespan. By precisely 

applying metal only where it is needed, 

sеlеctivе plating offers a cost-effective and 

sustainable solution for maintaining and 

rеfurbishing various industrial componеnts, 

reducing thе overall environmental impact 

associated with rеplacеmеnt. This protects the 

motor's lifespan, enhances reliability, and 

ensures consistent performance. Additionally, 

selective electroplating reduces downtime 

significantly, еnhancing productivity in 

industrial processes. 

Application with extreme 

precision. 

The process is performed with extreme 

precision. Technicians use specialized 

equipment and techniques to deposit a 

specific layer of metal onto only a 

component's damaged or worn area. This 

precision ensures that only the necessary 

repairs are made, avoiding unnecessary 

alterations to the rest of the part. One of the 

critical advantages of selective electroplating is 

its ability to maintain the original dimensions 

and tolerances of the component. Because 

only the affected area is plated, there is 

minimal alteration to the overall shape or size 

of the part. This is crucial in electric motor 

repair, as deviations from original 

specifications can negatively impact motor 

performance and efficiency. 

Selective electroplating can be applied to 

components with intricate or complex 

geometries that are challenging to reproduce 

through traditional machining or replacement 

methods. It allows for precise metal deposition 

in hard-to-reach areas and is a highly effective 

repair technique in electric motor maintenance 

and other industries. It excels in providing 

localized, precise, and efficient repairs, thereby 

conserving materials, reducing costs, and 

ensuring the repaired components meet or 

exceed their original specifications. This makes 

it a valuable tool for prolonging the life and 

reliability of electric motors in various 

industrial applications. 

Main areas for application. 

The SIFCO Process® focuses on several 

primary application areas, such as bearing 

housing, commutators, and rotor journals. End 

bells, which house the bearings that support 

the motor shaft, experience fretting corrosion 

during operation. The SIFCO Process® is 

used to plate these bores to size with Nickel 

Deposit. Plating a worn bearing housing can 

take less than thirty minutes and is a costeffective 

alternative to machining the bore 

oversized and pressing in a pre-machined 


ELECTRPLATING 41 

sleeve or flame spraying and machining to the 

print dimension. 

DC motor and generator slip rings can 

develop copper oxide films, which reduce 

electrical conductivity and cause arcing and 

pitting, especially during locked motor start-up. 

Corrosive environments can also cause 

excessive damage and shorten life. Worn or 

corroded contact areas can be quickly restored 

to factory-like condition. Copper can be built 

back to dimension, and a silver conductivity 

and protective layer can be added during the 

same plating operation. 

Some operators approach selective plating 

cautiously due to using chemicals labeled as 

'hazardous.' In reality, though, selective plating 

is a safe process that requires only standard 

personal protective equipment (PPE) and a 

common-sense approach to health and safety. 

The particular application of chemicals 

minimizes waste and disposal requirements, 

which makes it the preferred choice. 

There is also the contribution to 

environmental sustainability that selective 

electroplating offers. By targeting specific areas, 

manufacturers can reduce the use of plating 

chemicals and materials, minimizing waste and 

the associated environmental impact. 

Furthermore, selective plating is a permanent 

repair. The ability to restore and prolong the 

life of electric 

motor components through selective 

electroplating reduces the need for frequent 

replacements, leading to reduced waste 

generation and resource consumption. 

Empowering operators with 

specialized training. 

Education and training in selective 

electroplating play a big part in the 

maintenance and longevity of electric motors. 

With years of experience and expertise, SIFCO 

ASC has developed a comprehensive training 

program tailored to the unique needs of 

selective electroplating applications. The 

training course encompasses theoretical 

knowledge and practical hands-on experience, 

ensuring participants understand selective 

electroplating principles, processes, and best 

practices. However, selective electroplating, like 

welding and thermal spray, requires a welltrained 

operator. 

However, this industry is experiencing a 

skills gap as older operators retire, resulting in 

losing plating experts. To address this, SIFCO 

ASC offers a re-education course to train or 

re-train operators on the proper use and 

benefits of selective electroplating at facilities 

that previously used the SIFCO Process® but 

have lost their operators due to retirement or 

employee turnover. 

SIFCO ASC combines application 

knowledge acquired through global research 

and development investment, engineering 

expertise, and practical insights from the 

company's service technicians to provide 

comprehensive training. Whether for those 

who have previously purchased SIFCO ASC 

equipment or newcomers to the technology, 

full training is available to ensure a thorough 

understanding of the process and achieve 

successful repairs. 

Highly skilled instructors lead the training 

sessions with advanced teaching methods and 

state-of-the-art equipment. This enables 

participants to develop the skills necessary for 

precision plating in targeted areas. Whether 

achieving selective plating on complex 

geometries, repairing critical components, or 

enhancing product performance, SIFCO ASC's 

training program equips individuals with the 

proficiency and confidence needed to excel in 

selective electroplating. 

Trusted and recommended 

repair method. 

The world relies on electric motors for 

transportation, infrastructure development, and 

industrial improvements. Therefore, efficiency 

is paramount. Selecting the correct 

maintenance and repair solution can lower 

costs, enhance performance, and minimize 

failures. The SIFCO Process®, a trusted and 

recommended repair method endorsed by the 

EASA and meeting various industry, military, 

AMS, and federal specifications, offers superior 

finishes and many benefits, including quality, 

durability, cost savings, portability, and time 

savings. 


42 SHOT BLASTING 

Big in China 

As part of the China Baowu Steel Group 

Corporation Limited the Taiyuan Iron 

and Steel Group Co., Ltd., in short 

TISCO, is one of the largest and most 

renowned suppliers of steel in the world. For 

a long time the company, located in Taiyuan 

in the Chinese province Shanxi, has 

specialized in, among other industrial goods, 

the development and production of stainless 

steel products such as plates and sheets. 

Since 2020 a huge modernization project is 

underway for this business division with the 

goal to update the production line in the hot 

rolling mill for stainless steel plates with stateof-the-art 

equipment, including a new shot 

blast and pickling system. Once the project is 

completed, the entire line will run fully 

automatically. The technical specifications for 

the shot blast system, processing steel plates 

up to 4,100 mm long, 160 mm thick and with 

a maximum weight of 35 tons, were very 

detailed and strict; particularly with regard to 

the shot blasting results and the work piece 

handling. The challenge for the Rösler 

engineers was to design and build a machine 

that guarantees a high-quality, high-precision 

finish in the micrometer range and high 

throughput. With regard to size and 

production speed the new shot blast system 

dwarfs the equipment that the company has 

ever built in this field. 

High feed rate and low surface 

roughness readings 

Some of the TISCO requirements were 

that the steel plates must pass through the 

shot blast machine at a speed of 7 m/min, 

the surface roughness cannot exceed Ra = 

4.0 μm, and the surface finish must 

correspond to A/B Sa 2,5. To prevent even 

minimal damage on the work piece surface 

by the transport rollers, the customer 

demanded the plates to be transported 

through the shot blast machine and the 

subsequent pickling system in vertical 

position. A challenge was that the plates are 

delivered horizontally and must be changed 

to vertical position before entering the shot 

blast machine. 

Two machines combined into 

one system 

To meet the customer’s surface quality 

demands within the specified time frame the 

Rösler engineers developed an innovative 

equipment concept. It combines two identical 

shot blast machines into one system, where 

the stainless steel plates are passing through 

the two machines sequentially, and each 

machine utilizes a different blast media. The 

individual machines are equipped with twelve 

Gamma 400G turbines with an installed 

power of 37 kW per turbine. On each side of 

the blast chamber six turbines are mounted 

at an angle. This turbine arrangement ensures 

that the plates are evenly covered by the blast 

media across their entire width. The total blast 

media throughput per machine amounts to 

12,000 kg/minute – a huge quantity 

compared to the throughput of between 

2,000 and 3,000 kg in standard shot blast 

machines. The high media throughput posed 

a particular challenge for the wear protection 

of the two machines. This challenge was met 

by fabricating the blast chamber from 

manganese steel and lining it with 10 mm 

thick, easily replaceable, wear plates, also 

made from manganese steel. 

For shot blasting operations, where a 

higher surface roughness is specified, each 

machine can be run separately. In such cases 

the transport speed of the steel plates is 

reduced to 4 m/minute. To prevent media 

spillage, each machine is equipped with a 

high-performance blow-off system. 

Extremely sturdy design 

facilitates maintenance 

The large size of the steel plates and their 

high weight demanded an extremely sturdy 

design of the two shot blast machines. For 

example, the maximum load per running 

meter amounts to four tons. The overall 

machine dimensions are also impressive: The 

entire system is 17 meters long and 14 

meters high. It was placed in a pit with a 

depth of 2.5 meters. The blast media cleaning 

system and media hopper were placed on the 

roof of each shot blast machine. For quick 

and easy maintenance the machines are 

equipped with four inspection platforms on 

different levels that can be easily reached by 

suitable stairways. This enhances the already 

impressive appearance of the shot blast 

system, designed for processing 315,000 tons 

of stainless steel plates. 


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addev_quarter pexa_quarter page.indd page_fng-m-a23.indd 1 1 14/03/2023 05/11/2020 12:41 

11:23

44 ENVIRONMENT 

Fired up 

SECO/WARWICK has signed a final 

agreement with GreenIron H2 AB for 

the delivery of a series of furnaces for 

processing metals from post-production waste 

without the use of fossil fuels. The most 

unique project in the field of green 

technologies related to metal recycling is 

entering a decisive phase of functional tests. 

SECO/WARWICK solutions may change the 

future face of the metal processing industry. 

An ecological boost for postproduction 

metal management 

The final agreement assumes the delivery 

of furnaces manufactured by 

SECO/WARWICK, incorporating the 

technology developed by GreenIron. They will 

be used for emission-free recycling of 

oxidized metals. They will directly contribute 

to the reduction of CO emissions on an 

unprecedented scale – according to data 

obtained as a result of the tests, each furnace 

has the ability to reduce emissions by 56,000 

tons/year, which corresponds to over 80,000 

round-trip flights for one person between 

London and New York. For comparison, the 

annual carbon footprint of an average person 

living in Europe is approximately 8 tons of 

CO2. 

The pursuit of zero emissions is one of the 

main pillars for current policy among Western 

countries. The European Union has been 

supporting programs that motivate companies 

to reduce emissions for several years. Last 

year, the United States has also placed great 

emphasis on supporting environmental 

protection. We are talking about the IRA antiinflation 

program, the value of which is 

estimated at several hundred billion dollars, 

which will provide the support for domestic 

industries to reduce CO2 emissions and 

support sustainable development. 

The technology, whose originator and 

patent rights owner is GreenIron, is a unique 

solution which will help many enterprises 

implement “green” solutions and function in 

harmony with the natural environment. 

"The philosophy of reducing emissions is 

important to us. We try to make our solutions 

as ecological as possible to support our 

customers in the changes taking place in 

heavy industry. We bet on the green color, on 

wise, ecological innovations which not only 

protect the planet but also allow us to achieve 

greater efficiency. Cooperation with GreenIron 

is a natural way for us to develop this idea. 

We hope that the new furnaces line will 

become a new, independent segment in the 

future. The potential of using these solutions 

is huge: reduction furnaces will be available to 

industries that use iron and other metals in 

production processes - including mining, 

metallurgy, foundries, the metal processing 

industry, and incineration plants where 

production processes produce difficult waste 

streams requiring storage. Thanks to 

GreenIron and SECO/WARWICK, this waste 

will be recycled without the use of fossil fuels 

and will return to circulation in the economy 

as green steel or iron,” said Sławomir 

Wosniak SECO/WARWICK Group CEO. 

Valuable resources should not 

end up in landfills 

Currently, much of the primary metal 

supply is not fully recycled. Conventional 

reduction processes in current technology 

usually require a constant oxygen content in a 

single return material, so waste and residues 

often end up in landfills. Moreover, 

conventional iron and steel-making processes 

are designed typically without consideration of 

carbon dioxide emissions. As a result, the iron 

and steel industry is responsible for 

approximately 7% of global carbon dioxide 

emissions, while the ecological transformation 

taking place around the world requires an 

urgent change in technology to one using 

renewable energy sources. 

“Our vision is a closed-loop system where 

metals never reach an end-of-life point. A 

world where metals are recycled endlessly 

without emitting greenhouse gases. The 

proven GreenIron technology enables metal 

production from ores and industrial byproducts 

such as slags, filter dust, oxide scale 

and others. The technology itself is based on 

a reduction process based on hydrogen. The 

technology makes the process modular and 

scalable. The reduction plant can be installed 

near iron or steel processing plants. 

Therefore, the need for transport is reduced, 

which allows for a reduction in energy 

demand throughout the entire production 

chain,” explains Edward Murray, GreenIron 

CEO. 


EXHIBITIONS 45 

Quality on show 

Nearly all of the more than 1200 expert 

visitors arrived at this year’s 

DeburringEXPO in Karlsruhe with 

specific tasks and strong demand for 

information from the 10th through the 12th of 

October. For the majority of the 107 

exhibiting companies from 13 countries, this 

resulted in excellent contacts and new 

projects with good prospects for post-event 

business. With more than 500 participants, 

the bilingual expert forum also lived up to its 

reputation as a coveted source of knowledge. 

Deburring and the production of precision 

surface finishes are just one aspect of surface 

treatment technology. But due to quality and 

cost considerations, manufacturing companies 

are focusing on them to an ever greater 

extent. This is confirmed impressively by the 

current challenges and projects brought along 

to this year’s DeburringEXPO by the 1214 

visitors (roughly 10 % more than in 2021) 

from the 10th through the 12th of October. 

20% of the event’s visitors came from outside 

of Germany and 18 countries were 

represented. The largest percentage of visitors 

came from Germany, followed by 

Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Slovenia. “The 

fact that participation at the trade fair paid off 

for the exhibiting companies is more 

important than the figures themselves,” notes 

Hartmut Herdin, managing director of private 

trade fair promoters fairXperts GmbH & Co. 

KG. 

Significant Contacts Promise 

Good Post-Event Business 

And this appears to be the case, as is 

evident from the following comments from 

Steffen Hedrich, managing director of Kempf 

GmbH: “Practically every visitor at 

DeburringEXPO comes to the trade fair with 

an ongoing problem for which they require a 

solution. As a result, discussions go into great 

depth very quickly. We also presented a 

world’s first for deburring tasks which place 

stringent demands on chamfer quality, and it 

generated significantly better feedback than I 

expected beforehand. For us it’s already clear 

that we’ll exhibit again in 2025.” The fact that 

there was so much tangible action at 

DeburringEXPO was due to the very high 

proportion of expert visitors. The most 

prominently represented sectors include 

machinery and systems manufacturing, 

metalworking and metal processing, medical 

and pharmaceuticals technology, tool and 

mould making, precision engineering and 

optics, the automotive industry, as well as 

aviation and aerospace technology. Roughly 

92% of all visitors are involved in company 

investment decisions. The quality of the 

contacts and RFQs is correspondingly good, 

which were fielded at the event by a majority 

of the 107 exhibitors from 13 countries. “We 

took over the business from another company 

that exhibited at the trade fair on a regular 

basis and were thus also on hand this year. 

We were surprised by the highly specific tasks 

and RFQs, and by the resulting quality of our 

leads. I think we’ll exhibit again at the next 

DeburringEXPO,” reports Shigeru Kajisaki, 

managing director of Yamazen Europe 

GmbH. Dieter Münz, managing director of 

Ultratec Innovation GmbH, is also very 

satisfied with the way things went at the trade 

fair: “DeburringEXPO is our most important 

trade fair. You don’t have as many visitors as 

you do at the big metalworking events, but 

they all come with a specific task in mind. As 

a result, the success rate for good post-event 

business is significantly higher here than at 

other trade fairs. This is why we will definitely 

be back in 2025.” David Bartels, laboratory 

manager responsible for process engineering 

sales at Höckh Metall-Reinigungsanlagen 

GmbH, who exhibited together with SGM 

s.r.l. (manufacturer of thermal deburring 

systems), also drew a positive balance: 

“Deburring is one of the major topics at 

DeburringEXPO, and cleaning is an upstream 

or downstream production step. The joint 

trade fair presentation with SGM has resulted 

in synergies that have enabled us to generate 

more interesting leads than at previous 

events, including numerous new contacts.” 

Patrick Taschek, sales and project engineer at 

Rösler Oberflächentechnik GmbH, recalls very 

detailed discussions and RFQs: “During the 

three days at the trade fair, we were visited by 

existing customers with whom we were able 

to discuss new projects. On the other hand, 

we were also able to establish good new 

contacts. Our meetings frequently focused on 

reducing the number of manual processes, as 

well as simplifying and automating processing 

operations.” 


46 WORKSHOP 

New collection 

Each year, designers for BASF’s Coatings division create a new 

collection of colours to inspire automotive designers around the globe. 

This year, non-human intelligence was a strong driver for the creation 

of the ON VOLUDE collection from Automotive Colour Trends by 

BASF for 2023-2024. 

When BASF’s designers looked at what their trend signals were 

telling them, they realized it’s time for a colour update, as the classic 

automobile colour wheel has had its day. Non-classic automotive hues 

emerged, propelling colours through a series of shifts reflecting a 

positive mood, with a focus on lighter shades and the exploration of 

new, expressive colour spaces. 

ON VOLUDE provides exciting colours that also adopt an increasing 

focus on sustainability and functionality. As customers rely on the BASF 

collection to design automotive colours for their future models, one will 

see the new direction on the road or in the driveway in the next three 

to five model years. 

The palette for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) puts a 

highlight on bright beige colours. Pastels also play an important role, 

introducing interesting non-automotive colour positions into automotive 

design. 

As seen throughout the ON VOLUDE collection, colours in EMEA 

explore features far beyond colour position. They add sustainable, 

recycled raw materials, LiDAR and RADAR compatible concepts, and 

haptic surfaces. 

“Expressive colours reflect our will to communicate and speak up,” 

said Mark Gutjahr, head of Automotive Colour Design for EMEA. 

“When we bring non-automotive colours into the mix, we broaden that 

conversation even further into new and exciting colour spaces.” 

Expanded capabilities 

Resicoat powder coatings from 

AkzoNobel are helping 

Termoresine to further expand its 

capabilities beyond rail and into 

the next generation of EV 

supercars with sustainable 

solutions for protecting the safety 

and performance of batteries and 

associated systems. 

“In our industry, working with 

medium and high voltage 

applications of up to 25kW, every 

componenthas to be carefully 

designed and every part of the 

product has to be coated. Even 

the slightest pinhole can have 

fatal consequences,” says CEO of 

Termoresine, Nicola Ferrario. 

Performance is one half of the 

equation; the other is 

sustainability. This challenge has 

become more acute in recent 

times, with the rising cost of 

energy and uncertainty of supply. 

Working with a Resicoatpowder 

requires less energy in its 

application. 

Lucio Bianchi, chief technical 

officer, says that the challenge is 

in finding solutions that are more 

sustainable, but that don’t 

compromise on Thermal Class 

performance: “The Resicoat 

powder coatings we use 

guarantee 30,000 hrs of safe 

operation at a certain 

temperature,” he explains. “But 

obviously, the higher the 

temperature requirement means 

a higher temperature in 

application which therefore 

consumes more energy.” 

Health concerns paramount 

Rising concerns about the impact of PFAS on human health and the 

environment have led to a growing demand for PTFE alternatives. As 

part of this trend, Clariant has launched Ceridust 8170 M, a 

PFAS/PTFE-free agent with texturing effects for Architectural Powder 

Coatings. 

For use on window frame and fence surfaces to furniture and bicycle 

rims, the new additive delivers excellent performance in dark and light 

colours with no extrudate swelling, and with the ability for gloss and 

texturing levels to be adjusted. 

Ceridust 8170 M complies with the European Union’s REACH 

legislation. It can also help to lower energy consumption during the 

extrusion process. 

Regulations around the world are increasingly targeting PFAS-related 

compounds. Currently under public consultation, the European Union 

has developed legislation to further restrict or ban PFAS products from 

as early as 2026. Japan’s environment agency has approved a ban on 

the manufacture, import and use of 56 PFOA- related compounds 

under the country’s Chemical Substance and Control Law while the 

U.S. EPA wants to designate PFOAs and PFOS as “hazardous 

substances” under the federal Superfund law. 

Taking big strides 

The new products, Valeric Acid 

Pro 100 and 2-Ethylhexanoic 

Acid Pro 100, represent the latest 

stride in Perstorp's mission 

towards becoming Finite Material 

Neutral, heralding a significant 

shift in the industry's 

dependence on virgin fossil raw 

materials while allowing 

downstream industries to reduce 

Scope 3 emissions. 

When considering the 

biogenic CO2 uptake absorbed 

by the renewable raw materials 

used, these products 

demonstrate a negative carbon 

footprint from the cradle to the 

Perstorp gate. Developed based 

on a traceable mass balance 

concept, Valeric Acid Pro 100 

and 2-EHA Pro 100 are designed 

to minimize the carbon 

footprint2 throughout the value 

chain, supporting sustainable 

sourcing of renewable and 

recycled raw materials. 


Products & Services 


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t Servicing, spares & repairs for 

most brands of catalytic heaters 

Unit 1b Brown Lees Road Ind. Est. Forge 

Way, Knypersley, Staffordshire ST8 7DN 

Tel: + 44 (0) 1782 511880 

www.thermocatalytic.com 

thermocatsys@aol.com 

To advertise please email 

Stewart Freshwater at 


lacquers 

T: 01202 661300 jane@hitekproducts.com 

www.hitekproducts.com 

Hi-Tek stocks not only an extensive range of 

masking products including plugs, tapes, caps and 

discs, but also has the distinction of being the 

European distributor for the US based TOLBER 

range of lacquers and 

associated products. Hi-Tek 

imports bulk supplies from 

Tolber and converts or 

decants into commercially 

usable volumes for the UK, 

and European trade. The 

association with Tolber has 

evolved over many years. 

finishing systems 

jigs & baskets 

Masking • Hooks • Jigs 

HangOn Ltd 

Leintwardine, Craven Arms, 

Shropshire, SY7 0NB, UK 

Tel. +44 (0) 1547 540 573 

Fax. +44 (0 1547 540 412 

Email. sales@hangon.co.uk 

Web. www.hangon.co.uk 

• Water wash spraybooths 

• Water treatment chemical additives 

• Paint separation solids removal systems 

• Dry filter spraybooths 

• Fixed or portable spraybooths 

• Sprayroom enclosures 

• Air replacement systems 

• Full installation and commissioning 

• After-sales service and maintenance 

• Spray process engineering 

Product complies fully with current environmental 

protection and health and safety legislation 

Unit 4 Brook Road Industrial Estate, 

Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 2BH 

T: 01202 840900 • F: 01202 889477 

www.dynaclean.co.uk • sales@dynaclean.co.uk 

• Automotive • Aerospace 

• Oil & Gas 

• Petrochemical 

• Defence • Medical 

• Precision Engineering 

Specialist manufacturers in: 

Jigs • Baskets 

Coils • Heaters 

Fasteners • Tanks 

0121 622 3887 

info@saltandsadler.co.uk 

www.saltandsadler.co.uk 

Leading manufacturer of Jigs, 

Racking systems, Baskets, Heaters, 

Coils and many other products for the 

Anodising & Electroplating industry 

www.Supreme-Eng.com 

Tel: 01283 529314 

Fax: 01283 529316 

Sales@Supreme-Eng.com 


for all your classified needs call Stewart Freshwater on: 07746 373 545 

nylon colours_3x2_FNGCLASS 17/5/11 16:29 Page 1 

masking 

nylon coating powders 

rectifier equipment 

49 

Hi-Tek Products Ltd 

2A Dawkins Road Industrial Estate 

Hamworthy, Poole, 

Dorset BH15 4JP 

Tel: 01202 661300 

E-mail: jane@hitekproducts.com 

Web Site: www.hitekproducts.com 

Contact: Jane McMullen 

Masking Caps • Tapes/Discs • Tapered 

Plugs • Tubing • Pull-Through Plugs 

• Custom Design • Stopping-Off 

Lacquers • PTFE Lubricant 

Tel: +44 12 96 43 37 54 

Fax: +44 12 96 39 22 85 

Email: sales@nyloncolours.co.uk 

powder coating 

NYLON 

A TOUGHER COATING 

Nylon Colours Ltd manufactures 

Nylon Coating Powders for 

Electrostatic or Fluid Bed. 

A wide range of colours including 

metallics is available. 

Nylon Colours is also the UK distributor 

for RILSAN range of Nylon Powders. 

Switchmode and SCR DC Power Supplies 

for any metal finishing process. 

Options include: 

Local / Remote control. 

Constant Current / Constant Voltage. 

PLC controllable. Touchscreen control. 

Process timer. Ampere hour / minute meter. 

Digital meters. Outputs fully recordable. 

Outputs from 10 Amp x 6 V to 6000 Amp x 200 V. 

Prices available on request 

To advertise email 



metal finishers 

Specialist in Metal Finishing, Electro 

Coating with Acid Pickle & Zinc 

Phosphate, Powder Coating with 

3 Stages, Cleaning including Iron 

phosphate. We provide high quality, 

fast and cost effective polishing 

operation for a wide cross-section of 

component and parts. 

ISO9001-2015 Certified. 

Tel: 01902 871311 

sales@hitchfinishing.co.uk 

www.hitechfinishing.co.uk 

metal plating and polishing 

gemapowdercoating.com 

High-quality solutions 

for powder coating 

powder coating manufacturers 

The latest and 

greatest from 

the leading 

powder 

coating 

equipment 

provider 

Gema Europe Srl 

– UK Branch 

T: 0044 1202 763 942 

E: uk.sales@gema.eu.com 

precision cleaning & degreasing 

For more information please contact us on: 

Tel: +44 (0) 121 526 6847 

Fax: +44 (0) 121 568 8161 

e-mail: sales@britishelectrical.co.uk 

Website: www.britishelectrical.co.uk 

salt spray salt 

UKAS/NADCAP CERTIFIED SALT 

FOR SALT SPRAY TESTING 

Supplied in 5Kg and 25Kg Packs 

To meet the requirements of: 

ASTM B117 • ISO 9227 • DIN 50 021 

and all other standards. 

Full traceability guaranteed. 

SPECIALIST LAB SALT LTD 

Paytoe Lane . Leintwardine . Craven Arms. 

Shropshire . SY7 0NB 

Telephone: 01547 540573 

Email: sales@specialistlabsalt.com 

Website: www.specialistlabsalt.com 

spray nozzles 

The Sherwin-Williams Company 

pumps & filters 

To advertise email 



ptr treatment 

rdm_4x1_FNGCLASS 15/7/14 14:06 Page 1 

oven stoving & curing 

R.D.M. Engineering Ltd, Est. 1951 

Stakehill Lane, Stakehill, 

Middleton, 

Manchester M24 2RW 

Tel: 0161 643 9333 

Fax: 0161 655 3467 

Web: www.rdmengineering.co.uk 

E-mail: sales@rdmengineering.co.uk 

Contact: Mr R. Horwich 

spraybooths • rooms • ovens • 

conveyors • pretreatment • powder 

plant • air replacement units 

Aqueous Cleaners/Degreasers 

Metal Brightening Solutions 

Alkaline and Acid Etches 

Desmuts/Deoxidisers 

Chrome passivates and treatments 

Qualicoat Approved Non-Chrome 

treatments 

Phosphates and Non-phosphate 

treatments 

Pickling Solutions 

Paint Strippers 

Special Formulations 

and Approved Systems 

Supplied with technical support 

and advice 

Tel: + 44 (0) 1978 660 297 

Fax: + 44 (0) 1978 661 104 

E-mail: info@almetron.com 

Web: www.almetron.co.uk 

To advertise 

please call 


on 

07746 373545 

or email 

s.freshwater 

@turretgroup.com 

November/December 2023 - Finishing

50 for all your classified needs call Stewart Freshwater on: 07746 373 545 

spray booths 

spray nozzles 

thermal fluid 

Thermal Fluid 

Heating 

Technology now 

for the future 

Excellent surfaces 

WAGNER offers a wide range 

of systems and products for 

perfect coating solutions in 

liquid and powder. 

Applying 

Feeding 

surface finishing & effluent 

technologies 

AUTOMATIC & MANUAL 

METAL FINISHING 

PLANT EQUIPMENT 

Fume Extraction 

Effluent Treatment 

DI Water Generation 

TEL: +44 (0) 121 314 1191 

enquiries@plastratum.com 

www.plastratum.com 

Plastratum Ltd 

100 Armoury Road 

Birmingham B11 2RH 

tanks & protective linings 

Polypropylene Tanks 

PVC Tanks 

PVC/GRP Tanks 

Bund Tanks 

Tank Linings 

Rubber Linings 

HDPE Tanks 

Established 1976 

Fume Scrubbers 

Fume extraction 

Pipework 

Ducting 

Repairs & Refurbishment 

Flexible PVC Linings 

Guards in all materials 

Bespoke & Custom built Fabrications 

Tel: 01543 462 802 

Email: plasbrun.plastics@outlook.com 

Web: www.plasbrunplastics.co.uk 

• Up to 50% energy savings 

• Compact size 

• Easy & safe to use 

• Works up to 350°C 

• Low exhaust emissions 

• High efficiency 

• Requires no specialist 

knowledge 

Tel: 020 8953 7111 

info@babcock-wanson.com 

www.babcock-wanson.com 

To advertise 

please call 


on 07746 373545 

or email 

s.freshwater 

@turretgroup.com 

Editorial Calendar 

Mixing 

Each issue of Finishing Magazine includes the following regular columns: 

4 News and views 4 Products 4 A-Z company shorts 

4 Business and technical issues 4 Personnel changes 4 Company focuses 

4 Questions and answers 4 Special reports 4 Company forecasts 4 Industry comment 

4 Plus monthly special features 

Controlling 

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024: 

n Solvent Recovery n Pre-Treatment Chemicals n Conveyors 

n Mechanical Handling and Jigs n European Legislation 

MARCH/APRIL 2024: 

n Pre-Treatment n Test and Measurement Equipment n Laboratory Equipment 

Booths & Systems 

MARCH/APRIL 2024: 

n Powder Coating n Ovens and Curing Equipment n Dust and Fume Extraction 

For Editorial enquiries please contact: John Hatcher, EDITOR • E: j.hatcher@turretgroup.com 

Find Finishing magazine online at finishingmagazine.co.uk 

Wagner Spraytech (UK) Ltd. 

Tel. 01327 368410 

enquiries@wagner-group.com 

www.wagner-group.com 

The most important guide to the UK surface treatment industry, the Finishing Industries 

Yearbook 2024 is now published. Now in its 46th year of publication, the Finishing 

Industries Yearbook has evolved to be the comprehensive reference source to this ever 

changing market. 

For further information on how to obtain your copy, please email 

b.williams@turretgroup.com 


Finishing First! 

Experts in Metal Finishing Chemistry! 

Schloetter Co Ltd provides metal 

finishing solutions and personal 

support to our customers, including: 

• Cleaners and pre-treatment 

• Zinc, Zinc Alloy and Passivates 

• Tin and Tin Alloys 

• Electrolytic and Electroless 

Nickel 

• Bright levelling Copper 

• Precious metal processes: 

o Gold 

o Silver 

o Rhodium 

o Ruthenium 

o and others 

Providers of Printed Circuit Board 

chemistry from start to finish! 

Schloetter have recently expanded 

our PCB supply range, and can 

now offer: 

• Established pulse and DC 

copper plating solutions, 

insensitive to build-up of 

organic constituents 

• Easy-to-use Tin or Tin Alloy 

etch resists 

• ENIG and ENEPIG processes 

• New Direct Metallisation 

process; SLOTOSIT PCB 3500 

Tailored paints made to order! 

In the UK, Schloetter also produce a 

wide range of paint products, made to 

order, for various applications: 

• Glass 

• Ceramics 

• Metal 

• Plastics 

We also offer custom colour-matching, 

and can provide different finishes and 

effects, dependent on user 

specifications. 

Schloetter Co. Ltd. 

Abbey Works 

New Road 

Pershore Tel: +44 (0)1386 552 331 

Worcestershire, WR10 1BY 

info@schloetter.co.uk 

United Kingdom 

www.schloetter.co.uk 

Solutions for every surface

Finishing - November-December 2023

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