Kevin Biller

The coatings on military equipment play a crucial role in the safety of soldiers. Providing corrosion resistance in a myriad of extreme environments, these advanced finishes keep equipment functioning for a long tour of duty. Just as important, sophisticated coating technology makes detection by enemy infrared sensors extremely difficult due to proprietary pigmentation techniques. This month we examine some the latest coating technologies used to protect our troops and the equipment they use.

In the past few years there has been a seismic shift in the manner in which we collect and disseminate information. New resources such as digital magazines, electronic buyers’ guides, microsites, product showrooms, webinars, eNewsletters, blogs, RSS sponsorships, e-blasts and conference sponsorships can allow you to remain better informed about your areas of expertise.

Our time in the limelight is temporal. The only way to innovate and advance technology is to pass knowledge to the next generation of eager and inquisitive minds.

Finishing Today realizes that it’s imperative to recognize the technical leaders of our industry. In concert with this goal, we are currently accepting nominations for FT’s 2007 Innovation Awards.

Newt Zucker, the founder of and driving force behind Kalcor Coatings Co. in Willoughby, OH, passed away in April 2007. With his passing, the industrial coatings industry has lost a pioneer and a gentleman.

How can custom coaters maintain a successful niche in an increasingly competitive market? For Miller Products in Grand Rapids, MI, the answer has been to offer a broad array of services to meet virtually any finishing requirement.

One of the most prevailing trends in the coatings industry, and manufacturing in general, is the move toward lower-cost goods emanating mainly from developing nations, particularly China. Discussions about quality in most cases have been set aside as China’s manufacturing practices have improved. But have these issues really gone away?

Powder coating on wood - so what’s it going to be, ultraviolet (UV) curable or thermoset? In my travels over the last couple of months, I’ve encountered this issue more than a few times.

The engineering of interior components for the modern automobile has evolved significantly over the last decade or so. Components that once were metal have been replaced by parts manufactured with lightweight engineered plastics. The development of finishing technology has paralleled these innovations in interior automotive components.

A year has passed since I joined the staff of Finishing Today (formerly Industrial Paint & Powder). It’s been one of my most rewarding career experiences. The Finishing Today team has taken a nearly moribund publication and established it as the literary vanguard for the finishing industry.