News from the IFO
Apprentice project on workplace health at IFO and QUBUS
The trainees at IFO and QUBUS have organised a fantastic and informative seminar on workplace health promotion as part of their current trainee project. Last Friday, they were given tips, exercises and information on various measures relating to health promotion. All participants were particularly impressed by the recorded interviews on the topic and the informative videos demonstrating the correct exercises to do in the workplace.
Lifelong learning
In view of the increasing intensity of global competition and a wide range of challenges, a productive and skilled workforce is becoming increasingly important for businesses. As a result of product and process innovations, workers must learn new skills and acquire additional knowledge in order to adapt to the demands of their roles.
Further training can significantly boost staff productivity. This saves time and money. Read the full article from *besser lackieren* (published in October 2022) here.
Your contact: Ute Brunner-Bäurle, Tel. +49 7171 10407-22, brunner-baeurle@ifo-gmbh.de
Baking components properly
Anyone who understands their oven and carries out regular measurements can save energy and improve quality. "My oven curve always looks the same," argue some powder coaters who produce a curing curve for their oven as part of their quality control procedures. Yet the parts to be cured can vary considerably.
Read the full article from *besser lackieren* (published in September 2022) here.
Your contact: Oliver Bögler, Tel. +49 7171 10407-34, oliver.boegler@ifo-gmbh.de
ZVO Surface Technology Days 2022
QUBUS Planning and Consultancy for Surface Technology GmbH and the IFO Institute for Surface Technology will be exhibiting at the ZVO Surface Technology Days in Leipzig
This is the ideal opportunity, particularly for companies from central and northern Germany, to find out more about our new QUBUS site in Lippstadt, North Rhine-Westphalia. Andreas Mühle, Managing Director and shareholder of the NRW site, will be happy to answer any questions regarding plant and factory planning, health and safety, environmental protection and approval procedures.
Opening ceremony for the IFO testing laboratory in the Middle East
Last Friday, the IFO team hosted the opening ceremony for the testing laboratory in Dubai. Despite the heat, numerous guests attended the ceremony to view the newly refurbished laboratory facilities.
The customers present were impressed by the testing facilities now available on site. Easily accessible to customers in the Middle East, the new testing centre can provide support not only through a wide range of laboratory testing facilities, but also through expert knowledge. Our engineers assist with damage claims, help with fault-finding and advise on restoration methods.
IFO offers expert knowledge and services in the field of surface technology in Germany, the Netherlands, China and now also in the UAE.
Not all Ritz are the same
During use, products are exposed to a wide variety of environmental influences which can lead to damage to the corrosion protection and, in the worst case, to the base material of a component. Standardised environmental simulations are carried out in the laboratory to test these protective systems, with the aim of replicating as realistically as possible the conditions that will actually cause damage later on.
Find out more in the Post (Published in *Besserlackieren*)
Your contact: Philip Malchow, Tel. +49 7171 10407-52, philip.malchow@ifo-gmbh.de
Surface Technology 21–23 June 2022
Come and visit us at the QUBUS IFO stand at Surface Technology. 21–23 June 2022 in Stuttgart – Hall 1, Stand C33, (7).
For more information about the trade fair, please visit: https://www.surface-technology-germany.de
To receive a free guest card voucher, please send an email to Julia Erhard.
IFO Academy Fire Safety Assistant Training Course
The fire safety assistant training course provides participants with a basic understanding of workplace fire safety. It also covers the safe handling and use of fire-fighting equipment to tackle fires in their early stages. During the course on 8 April, participants were able to practise using fire extinguishers and other equipment at length.
The next training session will take place on 30 September 2022 in our training rooms.
The training takes place on a Friday afternoon or morning (4 hours). In accordance with Section 10 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and ASR A 2.2 (Technical Rules for Workplaces), the law requires that a sufficient number of employees be trained as fire safety assistants. The required ratio is approximately 10% of the workforce.
PaintExpo 26–29 April 2022
Come and visit us at the QUBUS IFO joint stand at PaintExpo, the world’s leading trade fair for coating technology. 26–29 April 2022 in Karlsruhe – Hall 1, Stand 1428.
For more information about the trade fair, please visit: www.paintexpo.de
To receive a free guest card voucher, please click here.
Reconciliation of ratings in visual assessments
Particularly when carrying out visual inspections, those responsible for quality assurance processes must ensure that results are reproducible and independent of the individual inspector. Clear requirements should be defined in consultation with the client – for example, regarding acceptance criteria – in order to avoid disputes at a later stage.
Find out more in the Post (Published in *Besser Lackieren* 21/2021).
Your contact: Arno Sterzinger +49 7171 1040753, arno.sterzinger@ifo-gmbh.de
Always up to date
Trade fair dates, updates on standards and news from the IFO: with our newsletter, you won’t miss a thing. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about an article directly.