GTS (Association of Thermal Sprayers) at the ITSC 2002:

GTS as a dynamic motor

In March 2002, the ITSC (International Thermal Spray Conference & Exposition) took place in Essen, Germany. The three-day colloquium was organized by DVS (German Welding Society), ASM-TSS (the Thermal Spray Society of the American Society for Materials Engineers and Scientists), and IIW (International Institute of Welding). Once again, GTS (Association of Thermal Sprayers) proved to be a “dynamic motor” at the event, attended by 1,000 experts from all over the world. Peter Heinrich, the association's highly active and committed executive manager, is one of the founding members of GTS, which will be celebrating its 10th jubilee in October 2002. Peter Heinrich knows how to put his 27 years of experience as Head of Thermal Spraying at the Linde Gas Division of Linde AG to good use for his association. “The ITSC is an indicator for future research and development activities which are later applied in practice”, explains the executive manager of GTS.

Hall of Fame
The ITSC commenced with speeches in honour of personalities in the field of thermal spraying. Due to their exceptional contribution and achievements, René Wasserman (posthumously), Hans-Dieter Steffens from the University of Dortmund and Robert C. Tucker Jr. (The Tucker Group, USA) were admitted to the “Hall of Fame” of the Thermal Spray Society of ASM International in Ohio.

Albert Kay (left), ASB Industries, USA, congratulating Hans-Dieter Steffens, a new member of the ASM “Hall of Fame”

Albert Kay, Mrs Wasserman, Peter Heinrich and Christopher Wasserman (from left) during the admission to the ASM “Hall of Fame”

René Wasserman Prize for SLV Munich
The René Wasserman Prize, introduced in 1999, was awarded in Essen for the second time. This year, the prize for innovation, endowed with 5,000 euros, went to SLV, the German Welding Institute Munich, a subsidiary of GSI, for its contribution to training and standardization in the field of thermal spraying. Prof. Dieter G. F. Böhme, the director of SLV Munich, was presented the award by Christopher Wasserman, president of TLS Terolab Services, and by Prof. Lugscheider, the program chairman. The award, donated by Terolab Services Management SA with its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, not only takes into account technological aspects, but also criteria such as environmental compatibility and the readiness to innovate. The enterprise introduced the prize in memory of the scientist, entrepreneur and pioneer of welding, René Wasserman, who died in 1993.

Prof. Dieter Böhme receiving the René Wasserman Prize for SLV Munich from Prof. Erich Lugscheider and Christopher Wasserman (from left)

Presentation of the GTS “Ring of Honour” in the Year of its 10th Jubilee
For the fourth time since its foundation ten years ago, the GTS “ring of honour” was conferred by the Association of Thermal Sprayers. It is awarded to personalities who have rendered outstanding services to the thermal spray technology in Europe. Peter Heinrich presented the ring to Frithjof Zentner from the German Institute for Standardization (DIN). In his commendation, Dr. Hartwig Reimann, the GTS president, gave special thanks to Mr Zentner's contribution and commitment for more than 35 years.

Dr. Hartwig Reimann (centre) and Peter Heinrich (left) presenting Frithjof Zentner with the GTS “Ring of Honour”

GTS – successful throughout Europe
Originally restricted to Germany only, GTS now has 125 members and sponsors of thermal spraying in Europe and beyond. In addition to boosting the knowledge and application of this extremely versatile process, this group of specialists is also committed to guaranteed quality. In this respect, GTS has taken a leading role worldwide. It has developed its own certificate which qualifies personnel, process and product, and thus exceeds the requirements of DIN EN ISO 9000 ff.

The plenary lecture by F. J. Rademacher on the subject “Germany and globalization – which challenges do we face?” rounded off the opening of the conference.

Company Exposition with News and Trends Presentations by international experts offered a varied selection from the broad spectrum of processes and applications. A further item on the program was also organized with the help of GTS, namely the company exposition. It provided visitors with information on the particular strengths and innovations of the 35 exhibitors from ten different countries. The GTS and Linde booths enjoyed the avid interest of the public. With posters and exhibits, the GTS booth displayed the diversity of thermal spraying. Linde AG presented its 25 years of expert know-how as well as two new subjects – “cold spraying" and "online diagnostic”.

Views of the GTS booth

That thermal spraying is not solely restricted to the treatment and improvement of materials and surfaces in the industrial and consumer goods sectors, is demonstrated by the spraying of golf clubs. Professional players and specialist journalists have confirmed that coated club faces give the ball more spin. At the Linde booth, visitors could convince themselves by personally testing the coated clubs.

Golf contest “Chipping” at the Linde booth

Exhibitors' Evening and Exchange of Experience
On the first day, the conference participants had the opportunity to discuss specialist subjects in a relaxed and casual atmosphere at the Exhibitors' Evening in the exhibition hall. The get-together lasted until midnight, accompanied by entertaining show interludes superbly organized by the exhibitors.

Large numbers at the Exhibitors’ Evening in the exhibition hall

“An absolute success” was the verdict passed on the three-day conference. GTS succeeded in presenting thermal spraying as an up-and-coming and innovative technology. To quote Peter Heinrich: “Exhibitions and conferences of this kind are imperative for a technology – especially if this technology lays claim to a leading role. We cannot expect new research results every year. After three years, however, interesting developments will again be on offer to form the basis for a stimulating conference.”

For further information please contact:

GTS Gemeinschaft Thermisches Spritzen e.V.
Mr. Peter Heinrich
Fax: +49-(0)89-31001-5364
E-Mail: info@gts-ev.de
Internet: www.gts-ev.de  

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