Trade fairs and exhibitions

Surface Technology GERMANY is an international trade fair for surface technology where trade visitors can find out about current trends and developments and discuss them with scientists and experts from leading companies.

Regarding the increasing challenges for the industry in terms of environmental protection, sustainability as well as energy- and resource savings, the relevance of the trade fair is particularly clear: it provides trade visitors with information on trends in research and development of new materials and applications in surface technology. Since surface technology is relevant in almost all sectors, a wide variety of industries and scientists are represented at the trade fair, so that participants can obtain information across all materials and technologies. The top 10 sectors visitors belong to are the metal and processing industry, automotive engineering, mechanical engineering, plant and apparatus engineering, the electrical industry, medical technology, aerospace, the plastics industry, precision engineering and the jewelry industry.

In addition to the exhibitions, a forum with around 50 presentations by experts from industry and research and development will address the various topics of the event and provide space for information and discussion.

The key topics of Surface Technology GERMANY are:

• Measuring, testing and analysis 
• Pre-treatment 
• Thermal Spraying 
• Environmental engineering and supply systems 
• Nano and microtechnology 
• Industrial Plasma and laser-based surface treatment 
• Surface treatment 
• Coating materials 
• Services 
• Cleaning 
• Abrasive Blasting 
• Electroplatin

The Fraunhofer IST is represented by two presentations given by Rowena Duckstein und Stephan Krinke. 

CO₂ is the currency of the future - the contribution of sustainable surfaces to decarbonization

Prof. Dr. Stephan Krinke, Fraunhofer IST

Abstract: Decarbonization is the most important sustainability issue. Many industries are setting science-based targets to reduce the carbon footprint of their products to a level that corresponds to the 1.5° target. The decarbonization of the supply chain and own production is a central component and requirement in the business-to-business (B2B) business. This presentation introduces the methods that can be used to quantify the carbon footprint of surfaces. The carbon footprint identifies hot spots and life cycle engineering provides suitable measures for reducing the carbon footprint. Other focal points include: external certification for use in B2B business and environmental product labels for customers.

AI-based inline measuring devices for electroplating

M.Sc. Rowena Duckstein, Fraunhofer IST

M.Sc. Marija Rosic, Institute for Machine Tools and Production Engineering, TU Braunschweig

Abstract: Electroplating processes offer great potential for saving energy and resources. The recording of all relevant process parameters is essential for this. However, suitable and sufficiently cost-effective measurement technology for the production environment is not yet available. This speech presents the current results of the BMBF-funded KI-InGatec project, which is pursuing the approach of developing an AI-based metrological system solution for industrial electroplating technology. This allows a large number of process parameters relevant to the digitalization of electroplating production processes to be provided cost-effectively and with sufficient accuracy. The key point is thus the replacement of a large part of the otherwise necessary, very expensive chemical analysis with AI-based data evaluation. The planned system solution should be fully integrable as a cyber-physical production system and have the necessary interfaces.