April 2024 Issue
![April](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/issues/2024/PF-April2024-cover.png;maxWidth=250;quality=70)
April 2024
Digital Edition![Industrial Cleaning Shop Zeros In on Precision](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0424-pf-feature-3-1.jpg;maxWidth=600;quality=70)
Features
Featured articles from the April 2024 issue of Products Finishing
![Championing Free Enterprise](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/PF/2024-PF/Ron Wanek Onalaska Luther.png;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Championing Free Enterprise
"The spirit of free enterprise fuels the economic engine of our nation and allows for the creation of wealth and prosperity.”
Read More![Reducing VOCs](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/PF/2024-PF/0424pfliquidclinic2.png;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Reducing VOCs
Coating materials (paint and solvent) are one of the most significant sources of VOC generation. John Owed of Carlisle Fluid Technologies offers advice for reducing VOC consumption.
Read More![Finishing Activity Made a Repeat Performance in March, Closing at 46.1](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/PF/2024-PF/2024-02- PF - Web Total.png;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Finishing Activity Made a Repeat Performance in March, Closing at 46.1
The slope is softening, but finishing activity has slowed contraction for three months straight. It will take several more months at the rate it is going, but the index is headed toward 50 (flat).
Read More![Cheers to Another National Surface Finishing Day](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0424pffromtheeditor.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Cheers to Another National Surface Finishing Day
Celebrating the contributions of finishing operations across the nation.
Read More![Powder Coating Aluminium Adhesion Failure](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/PF/2024-PF/0324-pf-feature3-powdercoatingopenerlr.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Powder Coating Aluminium Adhesion Failure
PF columnist Rodger Talbert offers advice for mitigating adhesion failure of powder coating on aluminum parts.
Read More![Vacuum Degreaser Cleans Up a Messy Situation](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0424-pf-pc-feature-11.png;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
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.
Read More![Eliminating No-Value-Added Services Adds Value for Customers](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0424-pf-tsi-lonestar-1.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Eliminating No-Value-Added Services Adds Value for Customers
Answering questions about how to best meet customer needs led this Products Finishing Top Shop to stop using trucks to provide value-added services and instead, start offering in-house solutions.
Read More![Videos: 40 Under 40 Class of 2024](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/PF/2024-PF/40-under-40-logo.png;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
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.
Read More![NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #120: Electrochemical Destruction of Perfluorooctanesulfonate in Electroplating Wastewaters – January – December 2023](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/PF/2024-PF/2402_Figure_2.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #120: Electrochemical Destruction of Perfluorooctanesulfonate in Electroplating Wastewaters – January – December 2023
This NASF-AESF Foundation research project report covers quarterly reporting for the year 2023 at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The objective of this work is to utilize a cost-effective reactive electrochemical membrane (REM) for the removal of PFAS from synthetic electroplating wastewater. Discussed here are the oxidation of PFOA with three different catalysts, development of a method for detecting PFAS, as well as work on 6:2-fluorotelomersulfonic acid (6:2 FTS) and electrodeposited bismuth/tin oxide catalysts.
Read More![Alternative to Traditional Alkaline Cleaners Lowers Costs](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0424-pf-pc-clinic-2-web.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Alternative to Traditional Alkaline Cleaners Lowers Costs
To lower cleaning costs, consider switching from your current alkaline cleaner to a true neutral pH cleaner.
Read More![‘Warming Up’ to the Truth about Ovens for Surface Treatment](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0424-pf-feature-trimac-6.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
‘Warming Up’ to the Truth about Ovens for Surface Treatment
Understanding the different types of oven heat technology for surface finishing, including how they work, and their advantages and disadvantages, can help determine the best heating solution for an application.
Read More![Hexavalent to trivalent chromium — the environmental benefits](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0424pfplatingclinicpavcomckinney.png;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Hexavalent to trivalent chromium — the environmental benefits
Regulatory pressures to switch from hexavalent chromium to trivalent alternatives are a growing concern for many finishing operations. In this Products Finishing Ask the Expert clinic, Brittany McKinney of Pavco discusses the environmental considerations driving these regulations.
Read More![NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #121: Development of a Sustainability Metrics System and a Technical Solution Method for Sustainable Metal Finishing - 15th Quarterly Report](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/PF/2024-PF/2403_Figure_6.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #121: Development of a Sustainability Metrics System and a Technical Solution Method for Sustainable Metal Finishing - 15th Quarterly Report
This NASF-AESF Foundation research project report covers the twelfth quarter of project work (October-December 2023) at Wayne State University in Detroit. In this period, our main effort focused on the development of a set of Digital Twins (DTs) using the Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN) technology with application on parts rinsing simulation.
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