Coatings Research Institute at EMU announces Spring 2005 coatings short course schedule.

A Spring 2005 Short Course schedule has been announced by The Coatings Research Institute (CRI), which resides within the College of Technology at Eastern Michigan University (EMU), Ypsilanti, MI. The Institute strives to develop relevant scientific knowledge for the understanding and expansion of the science and technology of paint and coatings.

The 2005 short course schedule is as follows:

"Coatings and Paint Technology: Composition and Application Fundamentals"--March 22-24

This introductory course is specifically designed to provide fundamental understanding and working knowledge of today's coatings and paints to industry personnel including those in marketing and technical sales, paint users, customer support staff field representatives, and manufacturing personnel. Two laboratory sessions are included in the three-day course.

Course instructor is Jamil Baghdachi, CRI. The course fee is $1050. Enrollment is limited to 24.

"Mixing for Uniform Batches: Improving Product Quality and Productivity"--June 7-8

The objective of this course is to improve the productivity of one's current mixing equipment, as well as to obtain consistency from batch-to-batch in order to minimize adjustments to application equipment. Key topics covered include why mixing mechanisms are so important and how to obtain maximum effectiveness to each ingredient added to the batch. How to reduce product rework as well as how to reduce the time to do rework will also be discussed.

Course instructor is Peter R. Holman, Holman Engineering Inc. The course fee is $850. Enrollment is limited to 24.

"Fundamentals of Rapid Cure Technologies"--May 2-4

This course is designed to provide the fundamentals of multiple techniques and combinations of curing technologies which provide cure of coatings in less than one minute. Technologies and formulations to be discussed include coil coating, thermal cure, electron beam, UV cure, near infrared, infrared, and induction cure. Presentation topics will include energy usage, pros and cons of the various technologies, volatile organic content considerations, and other related topics which are of concern from an environmental and ecological standpoint.

Course instructor is Ronald Lewarchik, Chemical Dynamics, LLC. The course fee is $1090. Enrollment is limited to 24.

"Color Design and Technology"--March 15-17

The fundamentals of visual color match evaluation and of color measurement for industrial color control will be presented in this course. Teams will work in a fully equipped laboratory on projects that demonstrate the proper use of lighting, testing of observers, proper terminology for color differences, and determination of tolerances. The teams will analyze measurement data of the same industrial samples to study the correlation of visual to measured results as well as analyze laboratory samples for correct pigment content.

Course instructors are Bill Longley, Industry Consultant; Raymond Berch, Ford Motor Co.; Pat Oldenkamp, Eagle-Ottawa Leather; Bob Santine, X-Rite Corp.; Wendy Lorenzen, BASF Corp. The course fee is $925. Enrollment is limited to 24.

"Polymers for Coating Technologists"--April 26-28

This course discusses the synthesis, properties, and applications of a wide variety of polymers specifically used in coatings. Thermoset and thermoplastic resins used in solventborne, waterborne, and powder coatings will be presented. The design of a polymer system, such as emulsions and latex, various recipes, as well as structural property relationships, characterization, and coating formulations, will be discussed. The course will combine lectures with one full day of laboratory activities.

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Course instructors are Jamil Baghdachi; Paul Ziemer, CRI; and industry guest lecturers. The course fee is $1050. Enrollment is limited to 24.

"Additives in Coatings: Chemistry and Application"--May 10-12

The chemistry and application of a variety of additives specifically used in coatings to enhance their properties will be presented. The property of each additive, method, point of addition, and the level of incorporation will be thoroughly covered. Throughout the course, facts and findings as well as formulation guidelines will be discussed. A half-day laboratory session for gaining hands-on experience using additives in relevant coating formulations will be included.

Course instructors are Jamil Baghdachi and industry guest lecturers. The course fee is $1050. Enrollment is limited to 24.

Registration

The fee for each course includes program materials, continental breakfast, lunch, and breaks. Lodging and other meals are not included. A certificate of participation is presented to each registrant upon completion of the course. For additional course and/or registration information, contact Sandra Tanner at 734.487.2203; fax: [phone]; [e-mail]; or www.emich.edu/public/coatings_research.