Interactive VOA Lab Workshop for Coaters
The two-day VOA laboratory workshop for coating specialists, held on June 30 and July 1, 2026, and organized by the association in collaboration with FEM, brought together professionals from production, laboratory, and quality assurance to engage in an in-depth examination of the requirements of modern coating processes.
The laboratory workshops for coaters, organized by the Association for the Surface Finishing of Aluminum (Verband für die Oberflächenveredelung von Aluminium e. V.) (VOA) and the Fem Research Institute in Schwäbisch Gmünd were not only technical presentations on pretreatment, coating, curing, and quality control, but above all hands-on work in small groups. Participants delved deeply into topics such as surface preparation, process parameters, powder coating systems, damage analysis, corrosion testing, and modern measurement methods. They were able to apply the presented methods directly themselves and take away numerous useful tips for their work at their companies, as a key feature of the workshop was the concept of interactive, collaborative learning. The individual process steps were worked through in a practical manner in three laboratory groups. Participants were expressly encouraged to bring their own questions and examples of defects, which were integrated into the exercises with experts from the fem Research Institute and industry colleagues. This fostered an open exchange of experiences that benefited both seasoned professionals and emerging talent. Over the course of the two-day event, participants took the opportunity to compare different approaches, discuss challenges, and work together to find solutions. The engaging discussions impressively demonstrated just how valuable professional exchange is within the coatings industry.
VOA Lab Workshop: Fundamental Knowledge and Current Topics
Back in the conference hall, the workshop combined foundational knowledge with cutting-edge topics. Among other things, the workshop addressed the effects of recycled aluminum on coating quality, current developments regarding the international Qualicoat quality mark, as well as digitalization and artificial intelligence. The VOA’s lab workshop demonstrates that hands-on training, personal exchange, and collaborative work on real-world challenges can make a significant contribution to the professional development not only of employees within the company but also of the entire industry. The event provided the ideal platform for this and gave new impetus to the training of employees throughout the entire coating process chain.
Contact details and information on the companies and institutions presented here can be found in our interactive surface technology industry directory.