February AMP_Digital

A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 1 9 3 6 iTSSe TSS iTSSe TSS 2 ITSC 2019: NEW WAVES OF THERMAL SPRAY TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH T he International Thermal Spray Conference and Exposition 2019 (ITSC 2019) is scheduled to be held May 26-29 in Yokohama, Japan. This year, we are excited to partner with the Japan Thermal Spray Society and the Japan Thermal Sprayers Association to offer a conference filled with innovative technologies, the latest market trends, and newmarket segments. This annual, can’t-miss event provides an excellent op- portunity for the thermal spray community to meet, exchange information, and conduct business. The 2019 program com- mittee did an excellent job of ensuring that the latest research and development is included for a high level of technical content on a wide variety of important topics. Along with a 2 1/2-day exhibition, attendees can partake in approximately 350 oral and poster presentations during the technical pro- gram. ITSC 2019 will also include an industrial forum featuring presentations from local industry and exhibitors about new hardware and product applications. For those who are new to the technology and wish to gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals, an educational course with be offered, “Intro- duction to Thermal Spray.” The course will be taught by one of the industry’s leading researchers, Prof. Christopher Berndt of Swinburne University of Technology. The annual ITSC event rotates between North America, the Pacific Rim, and Europe on a three-year cycle. This impor- tant rotation provides a platform that helps each region’s ther- mal spray researchers, suppliers, and users to showcase the research taking place in that region. This year, 44% of the oral technical presentations are authored by researchers in Asian countries compared to 19% in 2018 when the event was in NorthAmerica. This rotationalsohelpsexpand theoverall ther- mal spray industry by allowing regional companies and uni- versities in the host area to learn about cutting edge research while minimizing the cost and effort of long distance travel. This year’s local host committee is busy organizing ses- sions and activities that are unique to the region, including a Cool Japan symposium and an industry tour of Nissan, which will feature their powertrain facilities. The Nissan GT-R engine manufacturing lines and arc spray boothswill be shown for the first time. Space is limited, so be sure to register early for this exclusive tour. The conference will take place at the InterContinental Yokohama Grand Hotel and the Pacifico Convention Center. You will want to come early and stay late to enjoy this beauti- ful country. Note that the date pattern for ITSC 2019 has been changed from previous years. The conference will begin on Sundaywith anopening session featuring high-profile keynote speakers and a panel discussion on market trends. ITSC 2019 continues to be the best way to make contact, share information, and collaborate with attendees and exhib- itors from around the world in the global thermal spray indus- try. We look forward to seeing you in Yokohama in May. On a somber note, we are saddened by the passing of o ur dear colleague Mo VandenBergh. A full obituary can be fou nd on page 76. Mowas a great friend tomany in the thermal spr ay community and he will be sorely missed. William Lenling, FASM ASM Thermal Spray Society Vice President ITSC 2019 Technical ProgramChair EDITORIAL Lenling