FABTECH 2021 to Bring the Industry Together
FABTECH returns to McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill., September 13-16.
FABTECH offers opportunities for those involved in the finishing industry to meet suppliers, explore the latest technologies and connect with industry experts and peers.
Photo Credit: CCAI
In the wake of a year without tradeshows due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the finishing industry and the manufacturing community are eager to get back together and get back to business. FABTECH, North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event, is scheduled to return September 13-16 in Chicago, Ill. at McCormick Place. The event offers opportunities to meet suppliers, discover the latest technologies, learn from industry experts and network with peers in a safe environment. The FABTECH team is working closely with McComick Place, the City of Chicago and vendor partners to ensure the health and safety of all attendees and exhibitors. Up to date protocols and safety information is available at fabtechexpo.com/safetyfirst.
The Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI, Lakewood Ranch, Fla.) joined with FABTECH more than a decade ago to offer attendees the Finishing Pavilion and Conference, providing critical information on aspects of industrial surface finishing to the manufacturing industry. Since then, the conference has become one of the finishing industry’s most anticipated events each year. CCAI’s Finishing Conference track features 21 sessions, encompassing a wide range of technical presentations, from basic to advanced, addressing topics of interest for everyone involved in finishing technologies. This year, CCAI has added two additional workshops to the Finishing Conference program:
- The CCAI Industrial Finishing Safety Workshop features critical information to safely operate an industrial finishing line, with special focus on the NFPA 33 standard for spray application.
- The Powder Coating 101 Workshop in Spanish, produced in conjunction with the Powder Coating Institute, provides Spanish-speaking attendees intensive instruction on the basics of powder coating technology and the processes involved.
In addition, FABTECH 2021 will feature the fourth installment of CCAI’s Fab to Finish Production Experience, a program that offers show attendees the opportunity to see a part produced from fabrication to finishing first-hand.
Information about conference sessions and registration information is available at fabtechexpo.com.
CCAI’s FAB to FINISH Production Experience allows attendees to follow a part through the entire production process on the show floor.
Photo Credit: CCAI
Inside Fab to Finish
CCAI’s Fab to Finish program debuted in 2017 and is designed to give FABTECH attendees the opportunity to witness a part undergo each stage of fabrication and finishing.
Participants will start at the Mazak Optonics (A4402) booth where a souvenir part is laser cut and bent. From there, a production route card allows them to follow the part to participating CCAI Corporate Member exhibitor booths in the Finishing Pavilion where the part is cleaned, powder coated and cured.
“It really gives attendees the opportunity to go through the whole production process,” Sheila LaMothe, vice president of strategic initiatives for CCAI, says. Attendees even get a chance to try their hand at powder coating their part.
“The participants really enjoy doing the coating process themselves — and then they get to take the part home!” she adds.
LaMothe says the program continues to grow. This year’s program will feature a new process, selective plating, performed in the Quaker Houghton booth by SIFCO.
This year’s FAB to FINISH Production Experience is the program’s biggest yet with 10 finishing exhibitors currently signed on to participate including ChemQuest, Gema USA, Heraeus Noblelight, Quaker Houghton/SIFCO, DuBois Chemicals, Nordson Corp., GAT Finishing Systems, Sames Kremlin, Trimac Industrial Systems and Henkel Corp.
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