SurfaceTechnology GERMANY 2020

Actually, now would have been time for the trade show, but SurfaceTechnology GERMANY was postponed – like all trade fairs in spring and summer 2020 – due to the corona virus pandemic. The new date for the international trade fair for surface technology is 27–29 October in Stuttgart – parallel to parts2clean. Preparations for a successful event are in full swing.

Although the situation is currently far from “normal”, it is clearly perceptible that the world wants to turn again. “Corona was and is a severe blow to industry and business,” says Olaf Daebler, Global Director SurfaceTechnology on the Deutsche Messe AG team. “But it's important for all of us that we now actively exit the crisis. Trade fairs are indispensable marketplaces and growth drivers. That is why we are very much looking forward to when the events get underway again in the fall.”

Distance and hygiene rules are now part of everyday life. In coordination with the health authorities, the organizers will decide at the appropriate time which, if any, safety precautions are necessary for SurfaceTechnology GERMANY in October.

Current participation figures demonstrate that companies want to start doing business again: approximately 220 exhibiting companies have booked roughly 7,000 square meters, which already accounts for three quarters of the target size. The German Surface Technology Association (ZVO) group exhibit, the VDMA Surface Technology Association's presentation, and the WoTech exhibit “Innovation Platform for Surface Technology” remain important features of the show.

Due to the new scheduling situation this year, SurfaceTechnology GERMANY will run parallel to parts2clean, the leading international trade fair for industrial parts and surface cleaning. The two trade shows are related not only thematically but are also located side by side at the Stuttgart Exhibition Center in Halls 7 and 9.

Current and future topics in the SurfaceTechnology forum

One highlight at SurfaceTechnology is always the expert forum, where specialists from science and industry discuss current issues and present new trends. Under the heading of Cleaning and Pretreatment, topics include industrial cleaning with pulsed laser systems, activation of plastics prior to electroplating, and gas phase activation with SO3. Another topic is lightweight construction viewed from the perspective of surface technology. The multi-material mix as a challenge for corrosion protection plays just as much a role here as innovative surface technology in the context of new lightweight construction scenarios or, more practically, the treatment of magnesium surfaces. The forum also covers new processes in electroplating technology, including cyanide-free electroplating of bronze coatings as a potential nickel replacement layer, decorative and functional surface protection, friction-enhancing and friction-reducing coatings, and RT-hardening zinc lamella coating. In addition to energy and material efficiency and processes for physical surface treatment, the speakers also look into the future: High-speed deposition welding, cross-technology hybrid coatings, smart surface control or job planning with artificial intelligence – the expert forum shows how surface technology is changing. Another subject of great interest will be Industrie 4.0, which covers quality assurance and process optimization in surface technology, interface standardization with OPC UA, intelligent service systems, and augmented reality for the electroplating technology of tomorrow. Finally, REACh cannot be left off of the list of topics.

Fraunhofer IPA presents Stuttgart Surface Technology Prize

One reason to celebrate at SurfaceTechnology GERMANY is the regular awarding of the Stuttgart Surface Technology Prize “Die Oberfläche” (The Surface), which the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA is presenting for the seventh time. The award ceremony was postponed with SurfaceTechnology GERMANY, so the application phase was extended to August 14. The award ceremony takes place on Tuesday, 27 October. The competition recognizes applications and technologies from all disciplines of surface technology that enable certain products or technologies. The jury also considers the criteria of innovation leap, sustainability, and industrial feasibility.

Source and photo: Deutsche Messe AG