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.
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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.
