Editorial

SUR/FIN ‘95

vv hat do Baltimore, Charlotte, Columbus, Houston, Kansas City, Ottawa, Phoenix, Portland, Seattle, and Tampa have in common? The answer is that none of these fine cities has ever hosted the annual

conference of the American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society now known as SUR/FIN. This year, one of them-Baltimore-has its chance.

SUR/FIN ‘95 is scheduled to be held June 26-29 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The theme selected for this year’s conference and exhibition is “Applying Common Sense” in reference to the Common Sense Initiative being implemented by the U.S. EPA in nearby Washington. Metal finishing has been chosen as one of six industry groups to participate in this new EPA program.

Over 100 papers will be presented over the course of the four-day conference in 25 sessions, including two sessions on the Common Sense Initiative, three on environmental matters, four on electronics finishing, two on light metals finishing, two on OSHA and IS0 standards, and individual sessions on such topics as brush plating, vacuum coating, electroless plating, and alloy deposition. In addition, two management sessions sponsored by the National Association of Metal Finishers have been scheduled. One of these will feature the results of the second survey conducted by the Surface Finishing Market Research Board.

The exhibition will provide the opportunity to visit with representatives of nearly 200 organizations displaying the latest in equipment, supplies, and services for metal finishers. Items on display run the gamut, literally from A to 2, including Anodes, Barrels, Clarifiers, Disposal services, Electrolytic coloring, Filters, Gratings, Heat exchangers, Ion exchange systems, Jewelry finishes, Koroseal liners, Level controls, Mixers, Nickel salts, ORP sensors, Pumps, Quartz heaters, Racks, Strippers, Thickness testers, Ultrasonic cleaners, Valves, Wet scrubbers, X-ray analyzers, Yellow chromates, and Zinc alloy plating processes.

Add to all this the ambiance and amenities of the city of Baltimore, such as the Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Pimlico Race Track, the Maritime Museum, the Peabody Conservatory, and nearby Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key penned the National Anthem, and what excuse can you offer for not attending?

Metal Finishing will have a booth in the exhibition hall, so do stop by and say hello. And did I forget to mention the crabcakes?

Editor