In normal times, the Stuttgart Surface Technology Award "DIE OBERFLÄCHE " is presented at the international trade fair Surface Technology Germany. However, as this had to be postponed and then canceled in 2020, the jury held the award ceremony today via video conference.
Surface technology plays a key role in the degree of innovation and progress in numerous industries. However, this is hardly recognized by the public. "The Stuttgart Surface Technology Award 'DIE OBERFLÄCHE' therefore aims to recognize this ubiquitous and yet often overlooked cross-sectional and pacemaker technology and to promote new applications in this field," says Martin Metzner. He heads the Electroplating Technology department at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA and established the award in 2012. He is still a member of the interdisciplinary jury that awards the prize every two years.
Metzner, together with the other two jurors, Michael Hilt and Martin Riester, selected the three winners from 23 applications based on the criteria of degree of innovation, sustainability, enabler qualities and industrial feasibility. The award ceremony took place this afternoon via video conference. The trophies were sent to the winners in advance, but they were only allowed to open the packages during the award ceremony to find out which place they had taken.
1st place Daimler Truck AG
Integrated painting process for truck cabs
With "Eco Paint Process Trucks" (EP-T), the engineers led by Thomas Steigleder from Daimler Truck AG have succeeded in developing an environmentally friendly and flexible painting process for truck cabs. The paint materials are applied fully automatically in a box. In addition, an energy-efficient and resource-saving dry separation of the paint overspray was realized. The temperature level of the top coat drying process has been reduced from 140 degrees to 80 degrees. Overall, theCO2 emissions of this integrated painting process are more than 50 percent lower. Because the truck cab does not have to be moved in the paint box, the length of the system is also reduced by over 60 percent.
"This process provides a positive answer to the question of whether it is possible to paint a large object completely on a solvent basis in a highly efficient and environmentally friendly manner using modern and ultra-compact system technology in an automated manner, but similar to a manual painter," praises jury member Michael Hilt, Managing Director of the Research Association for Pigments and Coatings e.V.
2nd place Atlas Copco IAS GmbH and Audi AG
Application process for PVC materials for sealing car bodies
Together, Sten Mittag from Atlas Copco IAS GmbH in Essen and Gido Hoppe from Audi AG have succeeded in using the innovative "IDDA. Seal" application process to minimize the amount of PVC applied per vehicle. This is because only the smallest possible quantity is applied as individual drops. The high-frequency sequencing of the droplets results in a closed, homogeneous PVC application path. In addition, the high-precision and material-saving process increases the degree of automation, improves quality and significantly reduces manual rework. IDDA.Seal is used for flanged seam sealing, seam sealing on the underbody or in the interior of vehicles.
"The IDDA.Seal application process is a clear innovation compared to previous sealant application processes. It enables automated sealing even for complex geometries, such as those found in modern car bodies. Precise and flexible application with a variable application width avoids reworking and saves material," says jury member Martin Riester, Head of the Surface Technology Department at the German Engineering Federation (VDMA).
3rd place Umicore Galvanotechnik GmbH
Corrosion-resistant rhodium-ruthenium alloy
If the stainless steel or gold coatings on the charging socket of smartphones or tablet PCs frequently come into contact with skin sweat or seawater, they corrode very quickly. Uwe Manz, Head of Research and Development at Umicore Galvanotechnik GmbH in Schwäbisch Gmünd, has therefore developed "RHODUNA® Alloy", a corrosion-resistant rhodium-ruthenium alloy. It enables end customers to use a product for longer and saves manufacturers countless complaints.
"Umicore Galvanotechnik GmbH has succeeded in countering the complex and often adverse influences to which the contacts of mobile devices are exposed by further developing an alloy from the jewelry finishing industry. It is a rhodium-ruthenium alloy electrolyte that has not only been developed with regard to coating technology requirements, but is also used in continuous mass production systems," emphasizes Martin Metzner.
