Monday, December 30, 2013

Dr. Arthur Brace Receives AAC Lifetime Contribution Award



Dr. Jude Runge presents Dr Arthur Brace with the AAC Lifetime Contribution Award.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dr. Arthur Brace, considered "The Father of Anodizing" was the keynote speaker at the Annual Anodizing Conference & Exposition sponsored by the Aluminum Anodizers Council Wednesday, October 2, Seattle, WA.
 
Dr. Brace is the author of "The Technology of Anodizing Aluminium," considered the standard of the industry.  His presentation, "60 Years in the Development of a New Model of Anodic Coating Formulation" provided his personal historic overview of the aluminum anodizing process.
Following his presentation, Dr. Brace received the Lifetime Contribution Award from the Association, which was presented by Dr. Jude Runge, CompCote International.
 
 
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This post was provided by:  Products Finishing Magazine

 



 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  


Thursday, December 12, 2013

AAC Announces Level 1 Anodizing Essentials Workshop for January, 2014


Learn Essential Techniques for Producing a Quality Anodized Product
Anodizing Essentials, an all-day intensive technical workshop developed by anodizing
industry professionals for anodizing industry professionals, focuses on the basics of quality
anodizing.

This Workshop will take place on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Airport – Westshore in Tampa, Florida.  The first session begins at 8:30 a.m. and the Workshop ends
at 5:00 p.m. 

What is Anodizing Essentials?
Anodizing Essentials is a “school for anodizers” that teaches more than the fundamentals.
Experienced industry practitioners and troubleshooters provide details on the foundation of
quality anodizing. This workshop is designed to increase the knowledge and ability of anyone involved in operating an anodizing line. With an emphasis on quality, the program takes the anodizer through the entire process—beginning with the metallurgical properties of aluminum alloys commonly anodized, and going right through to the final rinse and sealing processes.

Click here for more information on the Anodizing Essentials Workshop Level 1.

Click here to register for the Workshop.

Click here to make hotel room reservations for the Workshop.

This post was submitted by the Aluminum Anodizers Council.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

AAC Members Take Off on Private Boeing Plant Tour

Every year, the AAC attempts to offer plant tours as part of its program of events at the annual AAC Conference and Exposition. At this year’s conference, the AAC arranged for Boeing to host tours of two of their facilities with anodizing capability. One tour was of Boeing’s plant in Frederickson, WA and the other tour went to their facility in Auburn, WA. These tours were limited in size so interested participants had to sign up early. I was one of the lucky ones who signed up early and got in on the tour to the Frederickson plant, the newer and more modern of the two facilities.

The Skin & Spar Operation in Frederickson features anodize lines that are used to produce Class 5 anodic coatings per BAC5632 "Boric Acid – Sulfuric Acid Anodizing". The 110ft long tank lines are large enough to process wing skins and the tank holds approximately 50,500 gallons. The size of the 2000 and 7000 series plate that is processed here is incredible. Intense machining and metalworking are all done on site prior to anodizing.

If you had your chance to sign up for this tour but decided to do something else, you really missed out. This was a once in a lifetime chance to see how massive aluminum plate is transformed into airplane wings, with anodizing as a crucial operation after fabrication. Many thanks go out to Boeing and the AAC for arranging such an interesting tour for its membership. I cannot wait until next year’s tours in Pittsburgh at the 2014 AAC Conference. Mark your calendars now!!!
This post was written by AAC Board of Directors Member Todd Hamilton of Southern Aluminum Finishing Company.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Nice "Finish"


Welcome … AAC is proud to announce the launching of our first blog!  This blog will feature information relevant to the Anodizing Industry written by guest authors who are respected leaders in the industry, as well as staff.  Topics will range from technical information to the Council’s educational events  and everything in between. 

AAC welcomes comments and supports discussions on each entry.  Be sure to share this blog with your colleagues as well as end users!

 To start us off on the right foot, Jack Tetrault, President of Sanford Process Corporation shares information from our recent Annual Anodizing Conference held in Seattle, Washington. 

              Nice “Finish”
The Aluminum Anodizing Council, headed by newly elected President Rand Baldwin, ended its 2013 conference & Exposition with a strong close. The council, dedicated to the advancement of Aluminum and Aluminum anodizing and support of its members showed why being a member of this organization pays big dividends.

The conference had a tremendous start due to the much demanded Anodize Quality Workshop, spear-headed by Dr. Jude Runge. This session not only drew the accolades from those who attended, but also forced later conversation for the need to accommodate more attendees, due to its success and much sought after seats. The Council also set up a two facility tours of Boeing. These tours included a private viewing of the 100+ foot anodize tanks and looks at the incredible capacities needed to process these critical parts.

On day two, the conference began with a very special general session speaker, Dr. Arthur Brace. “The Father of Anodizing” presented “60 Years in the Development of a New Model of Anodic Coating Formation”. Dr. Brace has dedicated his life to serving the anodizing industry and his presence alone speaks volumes to the importance of the AAC in the anodize industry. Next, following Dr. Brace was John Weritz, who showed us why recycling of aluminum is a world-wide responsibility in his presentation of “Aluminum Recycling”.                 

John was followed by Andy Joswiak, who presented “Finishing Strategies for High Post-Consumer-Content Recycled Aluminum Extrusion”. Andy pointed us towards the reality and necessity of finishing parts made from these recycled products. The afternoon focus sessions included some very informative and educational material presented on many topics, by diversely skilled individuals, leaving the attendees with a yearning for more.  

However, those who thought the high point had been reached and departed early or decided not to attend Thursday’s speeches, missed a fabulous close. Dr. Jude Runge began the final half day general session with a presentation on “Anodizing for Design and Function” which was not only well presented but touched on many areas near and dear to an anodizer’s heart. Next, Patrick Curtin, illuminated the audience with his speech on “Aluminum and Aluminum Finishing Needed for the Lighting Industry. Patrick’s talk explained the future of LED and OLED lighting and its impact on the anodizing and aluminum industry while enlightening us to what we can expect as individual consumers. Whew! Right?  It was far from over. Professor Mathieu Brochu of McGill University then lectured on the world’s energy crisis and the need for reusable energy sources. His work brought attention to the use of aluminum as a conduit for using the sun’s energy to power our planet. I am now a believer. Lastly, but certainly not least, Ricky L. Martin of Boeing presented “Forecasting the use of Aluminum in the Future of Aircraft”. Mr. Martin explained the demand for more aircraft due to the publics’ demand and need for air travel and the role aluminum is expected to play in it. If you left early, I feel bad. If you didn’t come at all, take my advice, don’t miss the next one. 

This year’s conference showed an industry that they should get on board and be a part of this organization or be left wondering what happened.         

This post was written by AAC Board of Directors Member Jack Tetrault of Sanford Process Corporation.