8:30 – 8:40 am Opening & Welcome

8:40 – 10:30 am Electrocoat Basics Gary Orosz, PPG

What is electrocoating and how does it work? This session introduces the technology, optimal applications of different types of ecoat, and basic system components and process.

10:30 – 10:45 am Refreshment Break       

10:45 – 12:00 pm Pretreatment Chemistry Efficiency Suresh Patel, BASF/Chemetall & David George, Henkel

Critical to an efficient and successful coating operation is the complex stages of pretreatment, which involve cleaning, surface conditioning, conversion coating, rinsing and post-treatment. Water conservation and wastewater handling are particularly important.  

12:00 – 1:00 pm Group Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 pm Thin Film Pretreatment Suresh Patel, BASF/Chemetall & David George, Henkel

New generation pretreatment options are now available. This session will compare the new generation technologies with other widely used technologies while also pointing out the potential cost savings with energy, water and manpower in addition to floor space.

2:00 - 3:00 pm Equipment Considerations Tim Stechschulte, George Koch Sons LLC

A discussion of tank components and systems involved in the coating process including circulation, rectifiers, ultrafiltration, dehydration, curing and cooling equipment.

3:00 – 3:15 pm Refreshment Break

3:15 – 4:45 pm Material Handling Considerations Chad Andreae, Therma-Tron-X Inc.

Conveyor system options and configurations and their effect on floor space requirements are examined, along with maintenance and cost considerations.

5:00 - 6:00 pm Networking / Meet the Speakers Reception 

 

8:00 am                    Depart for Plant tour

8:30 – 10:30 am              Tour of John Deere Turf Care (JDTC)

10:30 – 10:45 am       Opening & Welcome

10:45 am – 12:00 pm Production Efficiency               Chad Andreae, Therma-Tron-X Inc.

Efficient racking to move parts through the stages of an electrocoat system can offer huge economies of scale and cost reductions. Rack design, loading/unloading and maintenance are the focus of this session.

12:00 – 12:45 pm Group Lunch

12:45 pm – 1:30 pm        Process Control       Ed Evans, Axalta Coating Systems

This session discusses the importance of charting results of operating parameter changes to effectively evaluate changes in your process performance over time. Parameters such as voltage, temperature, conductivity, P/B, pH, and UF flux rate are considered along with how deviations from the norm can wreak havoc on your system.

1:30 – 2:15 pm Testing                                 Jon Flikkema, BASF Corporation 

Three main categories of performance criteria are reviewed: appearance, physical properties and durability, including weathering and corrosion resistance. Testing methods for various defects will be presented.

2:15 – 2:30 pm Refreshment Break

2:30 – 3:30 pm Preventive Maintenance                           Jon Flikkema, BASF Corporation

Following a discussion of general preventive actions that can be taken to avoid problems with equipment, we venture into more detail on the circulation system, anolyte system, UF systems and ecoat oven. The discussion will turn to bacteria – how to remove and keep it out of your system.

3:30 – 4:30 pm Advanced Electrocoat Troubleshooting Sarah Sisley, PPG    

This session looks at the troubleshooting process and how you begin to look through your system should you experience a flaw. We will examine some common defects on actual panels/parts and contemplate others that are not as common.

4:30 – 4:45 pm Closing Comments