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7 May 2024 Electroplating
Torque Tension Modifiers
Matt Schario of Columbia Chemical discusses the principles of torque tension and why it is a concern for platers who coat fasteners.

15 May 2024 Electroplating
Innovation in Plating on Plastic
Plating on advanced plastics solution offers improved adhesion, temperature resistance and cost savings.

23 Apr 2024 nasf
Connect, Collaborate and Contribute to the Industry at SUR/FIN 2024
Atlanta, Georgia, is the home to this year’s NASF SUR/FIN conference and trade show.

22 Apr 2024 management
Top Shop’s Journey to Building a Unique Brand
Since this new Ohio plater took over the space and assets of a former plating business, it is intentional about setting itself apart from prior ownership.

22 Apr 2024 Ask The Expert
Trends in Plating on Plastic
As plastics have become more ubiquitous, the demand for metal plating of plastics has increased.

1 May 2024 workforce development
Workforce Education is Never Finished
Educational initiatives in the industry offer training/learning opportunities for professionals who are entering the industry to seasoned employees as well as introductory programs for high school and college students.

14 May 2024
Finishing Activity: March closed at 47.7, Up 1.6 from February’s 46.1
March’s 47.7 marks a full quarter of slowed monthly contraction.

7 May 2024 nasf
The SUR/FIN 2024 Technical Program: Capturing the Flavor
The NASF SUR/FIN 2024 Technical Advisory Committee has organized a program covering the latest in technology in our industry. The program consists of 65 presentations over 12 sessions, covering the latest in the many segments of the surface finishing field. What follows is a sampling of the presentations in each of the 12 sessions, capturing the flavor of the offerings available at SUR/FIN 2024

13 May 2024 nasf
NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #122: Electrochemical Approaches to Treatment of PFAS in Plating Wastewater - 11th Quarterly Report
In our last report, we described the performance and effect of surface fluorinated Ti4O7 anodes on PFAS degradation in a batch reactor operation mode. In this report, we will discuss the effect of surface fluorinated Ti4O7 anodes on PFAS degradation in a reactive electrochemical membrane (REM) operation mode.

16 Apr 2024 Powder Coating
Film Thickness Control
Have a powder coating job that requires precise film thickness control? Products Finishing columnist Rodger Talbert offers advice controlling the variables that can impact your success.
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Webinars See All

23 May 2024
Beyond the Surface: Maximizing Efficiency in Plating Baths Through XRF Analysis
Dive into plating bath optimization. Learn about the importance of chemistry measurement, various analysis methods and real-time monitoring benefits through X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis with insightful case studies highlighting efficiency gains. Join Fisher Technology's Devarsh Shah and Melissa Agneta as they discuss how to improve plating efficiency by exploring essential chemistry techniques, including real-life examples. Discover why measuring plating bath chemistry matters, the different ways to analyze it and the benefits of monitoring it as it happens in real-time. With XRF analysis, you'll gain the knowledge and tools to improve your plating process, thus ensuring top-notch efficiency and quality in surface finishing. Agenda: Importance of measuring plating bath chemistry Methods for analyzing bath chemistry Benefits of monitoring bath chemistry in real-time Case studies

On Demand
Which Throws the Harder Punch in Metal Finishing Wastewater Treatment: Chemical or Biologics?
But is chemical removal or biological removal better for your operation? Or maybe it is a combination of the two for the knockout punch? Chemical removal has a long track record of proven success and is readily available, cost-effective and affords ease of operation. Biological removal is used as a final polish to achieve permit limits and reduce disposal costs. These microorganisms work under aerobic and anaerobic conditions with no caustics or acids as to not cause harm to pipes or wastewater equipment. During this webinar, you will learn about how to implement a total wastewater system that will ultimately have you using less chemistry. Agenda: When would you use chemical vs biologics for wastewater treatment — or can you use both? Who should consider using biologics for wastewater treatment? What do you need to know about maintaining a biologic system?

On Demand
Which Packs the Bigger Pretreatment Punch: Iron Phosphate or Zirconium?
Zirconium conversion coatings provide advanced bonding and anti-corrosion treatment for all metals. They are formulated to replace conventional iron or zinc phosphate products in pretreatment applications with environmental, energy and wastewater treatment advantages. During this lively debate, our experts will help you decide which process will pack the bigger pretreatment punch for you – or will it be a combination of both? Agenda: Advantages and disadvantages of each application type Optimizing your process for reducing chemical consumption and cost Regulatory issues to be aware of

On Demand
Wastewater Recovery: Applications, Treatment and Smart Technology Solutions
Wastewaters from metal finishing, production and cleaning processes may contain a number of contaminants that require removal to either compliantly discharge the wastewater or reuse it within your facility. Treatment for recovery and reuse sounds good — but is it appropriate for your wastewater and your process? If recovery is suitable, how do you accomplish it and what are the benefits? In this webinar, Evoqua Water Technologies will discuss applications, treatment and smart technology solutions for wastewater recovery, including a real-life example that resulted in improved operational efficiency. Agenda: Typical metal processing wastewater contaminants and conditions Points to consider when deciding if wastewater recovery makes sense Technologies — such as ion exchange and reverse osmosis — for wastewater recovery Digitally-enhanced ion exchange wastewater recovery How digitally-enhanced wastewater recovery can benefit your process and facility

On Demand
Correct Use and Implementation of XRF and DFT Calibration Standards
A key component to attaining the most reliable and accurate measurements is the proper use and application of the correct calibration standards, tailored to the measurement task. Achieving accurate and reliable measurements increases quality, improves manufacturing efficiency and saves valuable resources. Taking all of this into account is the goal of coating thickness measurement. Please join Rob Weber and Melissa Agneta in this webinar as they discuss the calibration standard options and best practices for X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and dry film thickness (DFT) measurement instruments. Agenda: Instrument verification vs. calibration Different types of standards available for XRF and DFT guages Benefits of ISO 17025 traceable standards Recertification of standards for ISO compliance

On Demand
Decorative Trivalent Plating: Choosing Between Chloride and Sulfate
After years of speculation and discussion, several factors have recently aligned to jumpstart a rapid industry movement in the switch from decorative hexavalent to trivalent plating. Across the industry, process and color standards are being adapted, RFQs are circulating and OEMs need shops who are equipped and ready. Applicators facing the decision-making process need to be prepared. There are a variety of conversations taking place globally and throughout the automotive industry on the use of sulfate vs. chloride and this webinar will address that discussion head-on, reviewing the pros and cons of each. Columbia Chemical will delve into the extensive field study tests outlining performance, color stability and corrosion results, and will provide an evaluation of new heat treatment data comparing the systems. Finally, it will provide an operational overview and cost comparison to aid in the decision making. Applicators, OEMs and Tier suppliers, design and materials engineers, and quality control will all benefit from this presentation. Agenda: Review of the pros and cons of chloride vs. sulfate Extensive field testing overview Evaluation of new heat treatment data Line adjustments: installation, operational overview and cost comparison

21 May 2024 New & Upcoming
Mastering Wastewater Systems: Essential Insights into Maintenance, Life Span and Chemical Impact Register Now
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23 May 2024
NASF Webinar: PFAS Drinking Water & Superfund Remediation Rules
Please mark your calendars and join us on Thursday, May 23rd from 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET for an overview on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recent major final rulemaking announcements on PFAS. We will provide an overview of the new requirements, their significant nationwide effects, and their connection to the surface finishing industry. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Jeff Hannapel or Christian Richter with ‎NASF at jhannapel@thepolicygroup.com orcichter@thepolicygroup.com. ‎

23 May 2024
Chicago Midwest NASF: Water Treatment and Recycling
May Membership Meeting: New Approaches to Water Treatment and Recycling Cocktails: 6:00 pm until 6:30 pm Dinner: 6:30 pm until 7:30 pm Presentation: 7:30 pm until 9:00 pm Our Presenters: Huw Williams of Serfilco, Ltd Steven Buday of Haviland, USA Graham Torr of American Chemical

4 Jun 2024
NASF Electroplating & Surface Finishing Course
The course consists of 21 lessons. Each one contains a wealth of valuable, practical information. And if you score 70 or above on the optional exam, you’ll receive 1 credit toward certification as a Master Surface Finisher. MSF is the world’s most respected – and most widely recognized – designation for finishing industry professionals. Those passing 6 course exams earn the coveted MSF designation. We strongly recommend that learners take the Plating Essentials Course prior to the start of Electroplating & Surface Finishing (CEF) Course. Who Benefits This training program is beneficial for operators and supervisors of job shops and captive shops applying a broad range of surface finishes on a variety of substrates. The course is also beneficial to sales personnel serving the metal finishing industry. Goal The goal of this course is to present a broad range of information related to the fundamentals of electroplating, and methods of preparing parts for various surface finishing processes. At the conclusion of this course, attendees can expect to: Understand basic chemical and electrical principles as they relate to electroplating, anodizing and conversion coating. Be able to apply Faraday’s law in calculating the time required to obtain a target thickness of plated deposit. Know the cleaning and preparation processes for the electroplating of common base metals. Understand common methods of transporting parts through an electroplating process, including barrel, rack, and continuous strip/reel-to-reel; also vibratory technologies. Identify methods used to fabricate parts that are electroplated and potential problems caused by such fabrication methods. Be aware of the common corrosion mechanisms and how surface finishing helps reduce corrosion. Have a basic understanding of how a Hull and other test cells may be used to monitor and control a plating process. Understand rinsing methods and water conservation techniques. Know what filtration technologies are in electroplating and in the recovery of process solutions. Be able to identify common quality tests used on finished parts. Know the basics of a wide variety of plating processes, including equipment, operational conditions and the role of impurities. Be aware of methods for reducing contamination from plating processes. Be able to identify the causes of common plating related problems and their possible solutions. Be prepared to take the examination which is part of the Foundation MSF certification program.

4 Jun 2024
NASF Zinc and Zinc Alloy Plating Course
The course consists of 10 lessons. Each one contains a wealth of valuable, practical information. And if you score 70 or above on the optional exam, you’ll receive 1 credit toward certification as a Master Surface Finisher. MSF is the world’s most respected – and most widely recognized – designation for finishing industry professionals. Those passing 6 course exams earn the coveted MSF designation. Dates: June 4-7, 2024 Registration Deadline: June 8, 2024 Who Benefits: This training program is beneficial for operators and supervisors of contract and captive shops performing zinc and zinc alloy plating. The course is also beneficial for industry sales personnel. Goal The goal of this course is to provide students with information related to the metallurgy and corrosion behavior of zinc coatings. Students will also learn the differences between the various zinc plating and zinc alloy plating processes, including potential problems and how to prevent and solve them. The lessons in this course prepare students for a certification examination designed to demonstrate knowledge of technologies used in precious metals plating. At the conclusion of this course, attendees can expect to: Understand the basic behavior of zinc and zinc alloys in retarding the onset of corrosion in steel and other base metals. Have knowledge of the metallurgy and basic chemical principles involved in zinc and zinc alloy plating. Understand how barrel plating is different from rack plating. Know the various types of zinc plating solutions and be able to distinguish the features of each. Understand zinc alloy plating processes, including zinc-nickel, zinc-cobalt, tin-zinc, and tin-zinc-copper, their chemical make-up and operational conditions. Be prepared to take the examination, which is part of the Foundation MSF certification program.

4 Jun 2024
NASF Airline & Aerospace Finishing Course
The course consists of 21 lessons. Each one contains a wealth of valuable, practical information. And if you score 70 or above on the optional exam, you’ll receive 1 credit toward certification as a Master Surface Finisher. MSF is the world’s most respected – and most widely recognized – designation for finishing industry professionals. Those passing 6 course exams earn the coveted MSF designation. Dates: June 4-7, 2024 Registration Deadline: May 23, 2024 Who Benefits? This training program is beneficial for employees and supervisors working for Airline/Aerospace OEMs, aircraft rework facilities, Naval, Army, Marine and Air Force rework facilities and suppliers to the airline/ aerospace industry. Goal: The goal of this course is to provide the student with a broad range of information related to metal finishing operations that are common in the Airline/Aerospace industry.

5 Jun 2024
SUR/FIN 2024
SUR/FIN is the primary conference and trade show dedicated specifically to the surface technology industry. It is where leading surface technology companies connect, collaborate and contribute. And because it is the only conference and trade show sponsored by the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF)—representing the $28 billion finishing industry—it attracts noted business leaders and prominent thinkers to a forum where relevant issues are addressed and technologies presented. Join noted business leaders, visionary thinkers and the who’s who of the industry as we delve into the most pressing issues and explore the latest cutting-edge technologies. Immerse yourself in an atmosphere of networking opportunities, enriching education and unbeatable collegiality. 2024 Show Dates: Wednesday, June 5: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Thursday, June 6: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Friday, June 7: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

7 May 2024 New & Upcoming
NASF Industrial & Precious Metals Plating Register Now
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Top shops
Features stories and news on the adaptations of top shops, good habits, beneficial practices and successes that make a finishing shop a "Top Shop."

40 under 40
Young professionals are a vital asset to the finishing industry, and it is important to acknowledge those who are making great strides in shaping the industry's future.

Finishing Hall of Fame
Products Finishing is committed to recognizing historically significant individuals who were instrumental in the development and growth of the surface finishing industry.
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24 Apr 2024 40-under-40
Videos: 40 Under 40 Class of 2024
In these uncertain times, it is refreshing to hear from and learn about young talent in the surface finishing industry who are striving to make a difference within their organizations and the industry as a whole.

8 Apr 2024 Vacuum Vapor
Vacuum Degreaser Cleans Up a Messy Situation
By replacing its immersion parts washer with a vacuum degreasing system, this machine shop is much more efficient, saving the company money, man hours and the health of the operators.

2 Oct 2023 automotive
Precise Paint Flow Reduces Material and Labor Costs
Finding a more accurate paint proportioner for its application enabled this auto parts manufacturer to save significant costs and labor while increasing capacity.

20 Sep 2023
Abrasive Wheels, Discs Provide Fast Metal Removal
The grit wheels and discs are designed to stay sharper longer.

12 Sep 2023
Low-Pressure Spray Gun for Color Changes, No Need for Solvents
The EcoGun Ace features a rapid change system for color changes, making color changes faster and simpler.

11 Sep 2023
Reduced Ion Electroless Nickel to Meet a Sustainable Future
Reduced ion electroless nickel technology operates at lower metal concentrations than conventional EN and has an important role in the future of sustainable EN processes.
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Improve Your Parts Cleaning Processes
10 Point Checklist to Improve Your Parts Cleaning Processes

Automotive Coatings
A collection of four PF features that delve into the technologies, processes and people working to provide protection for the automobiles of today.

The Case for Cleaning
Survey and analysis, with Hubbard-Hall, of Products Finishing Top Shops benchmarking attitudes and practices concerning parts cleaning.
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Michael Guckes

Michael Guckes Former Chief Economist & Director of Analytics

1 Mar 2019

Finishing Index Starts Year With Quickening Expansion

January Finishing Index: 51.8

1 Feb 2019

Finishing Index Sets Two-Year Duration Record

December Finishing Index: 51.0

Liquid Coating 1 Jan 2019

Finishing Index Lower as Finisher Reduce Backlogs

November Finishing Index: 50.8

Liquid Coating 1 Dec 2018

Supply Chain Expansion Powers Industry Growth

The Finishing Index was driven by supplier deliveries, production and new orders in October.

1 Nov 2018

Finishing Industry Returns to High-Speed Expansion

September’s Finishing Index reading exceeds two of the last three peaks.

1 Oct 2018

Finishing Industry Rebounds from Recent Slowing

The index bounced back in August after July’s move lower.

1 Sep 2018

Finishing Industry Holds Gains in July

The Finishing Index takes a pause on expansion after a blistering first half of the year.

1 Aug 2018

Finishing Undergoes Unprecedented Expansion

The Finishing Index closes out the first half of the calendar year with the best performance in its history.

1 Jun 2018

Finishing Sustains Elevated Growth

Sharp expansion in supplier deliveries was the leading driver of the Finishing Index in May.

1 Jun 2018

Finishing Growth Slows Entering 2Q

Most components of the Finishing Index saw slower growth in April, with only one contracting.

1 May 2018

Finishing Index Hits Breakout Territory

Growing production and supplier deliveries can’t slow the backlogs piling up.

economics 1 Apr 2018

Finishing Industry's Rally Extends for Third Month

The Gardner Business Index: Finishing registered an all-time high of 59.6 for February, its third consecutive month of growth.

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