Electrochemicals Blog – EPI – Electrochemical Products Inc.

May 27th, 2009

By Eric Olander

Just a  few weeks away from Sur/Fin as we get ready to load up for the show. Even though the economy is a recession  we  are expecting a decent show of serious metal finishers that are looking for networking, technical sessions, and keynote speaker on the economy and when it is going to comeback. To register on-line go to this website . EPi has been getting interest in alkaline non cyanide copper E-Brite Ultra Cuand alkaline non cyanide silver processes E-Brite 50/50.

The main interest in the non cyanide processes is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) includes cyanide on its list of chemicals to report. Switching to E-Brite Ultra Cu and E-Brite 50/50 eliminates the reporting the cyanide on the DHS reporting system.

We are taking appointments for Sur/Fin please call us at 262-786-9330 or e-mail us at general-mailbox@epi.com . See you in Louisville!

Posted in Copper Plating, Electroplating | No Comments »

May 7th, 2009

By Eric Olander

Last week I attended NASF Washington DC forum in Washington DC. Approximately 70 attendees listened to EU, EPA and OSHA regulatory issues plus the US Commerce and Chrysler representatives made presentations as well. The US Commerce states that we are bottoming out right now from the recession and by the 4th quarter we should be close to 0% grow in GDP. The Chrysler representatives discussed the state of the automotive industry. 2009 sales will be about 9 million  versus 2008 was 17 million for light vehicles.  They also stated the car sales will not return  to 17 million because of the lack of easy credit so batten down the hatches.

The trip to the hill was interesting that we did not see any Congress people or Senators. The aides were very busy meeting many lobbyists and taking on the Obama agenda. We met with Brian ( see picture) Senator Kohl's Legislative Assistant discussed the policy issues. This year was OK going up to the hill, but everyone was preoccupied.

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March 31st, 2009

By Eric Olander

Last Thursday March 26th CMFI meeting at Wellington's in Arlington Heights, Il I participated in a industry expert panel that discussed the existing challenges with the present economy. Rick Delawder was the panel moderator and Alene Magino, Gary Belmonti, Bob Giomi, Sarah Carey, Rick Macary, Bill Whitcher and myself were on the panel. We discussed collections, payables, metrics on measuring business climate and trends that we are seeing. The panel did agree that there is some positive news out there, but challenges do exist in the USA and the world. We are  all watching for bankruptcies and trying to get introduce new products and grow new markets. It was a worthwhile evening to listen to ideas of other companies out there trying to survive these econominc challenges. One good outcome with economy is this with less hours worked means workman compensation will be less for 2009. Hard to see all us in the panel picture sorry!

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March 25th, 2009

By Eric Olander

A few weeks ago I was interviewed for an article for the END OF THE LINE in Products Finishing (PF). In the April 2009 issue of Products Finishing you will find on page 56 the last page the interview.  For those of you that do not have a subscription to PF you can see the article via web by going to  http://www.pfonline.com/latest.html . If you are reading this after April then you will have to go into the archives on PFonline.

A couple of subjects you will find is nickel is it a carcinogen. Another interesting fact is there has been some studies on trivalent chromates turning into hexavalent.

 Need more info on  Sur/Fin? Go to www.nasf.org to register for attending or to get a booth for exhibiting.

Posted in Eric Olander Happenings, Nickel Plating, Trivalent Chromates | No Comments »

March 20th, 2009

By Eric Olander

I usaully save my blog for work related items, but today I am going to venture away and recommend a book for all to read regardless of you faith and your religion. First of all The Shack is a great read fiction read. You want to keep on turning the pages to learn about the next surprise. This book will challenge your faith regardless of your religion because it discusses God's unconditional love.

The main character of the book goes to The Shack to meet the Trinity. The main character faces his past life challenges that have been kept in his memory that has caused a lot of pain. He faces each of his life challenges and finds peace! This book can help you can find some peace.

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March 17th, 2009

By Eric Olander

I just got back from China. I worked with John of EPi who is living in Guangzhuo, China  our Asian Market Manager. During my last visit we went and called on EPI customers and potential new clients. The picture enclosed is me with Ms. Lu left side of picture and Ms Du the President of our Chinese distribution company. Ms Du has had much success selling Ultra Blak 407 black oxide for stainless steel, B/Ox antiquing processes, and E-Teccorrosion inhibitors. Ms. Du business is located in Foshan, China and she is looking forward to moving to a larger facility  by June. I did find business slowing down in China as well. The planes were not as full either as the flight attendant stated that US travel to Asia is down.

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February 10th, 2009

nioscan1.pdf

By Eric Olander

Linden Black of Phoenix Electroform Products challenged us for blackening nickel. We did not have an answer for him so we provided a sample for him to conduct blackening tests on his nickel substrate. Lindy like was he saw visually and now he had to test it with a spectrophotometer to confirm his visual results. He found a value of 0.73-0.75 using the spectrophotometer. Attached is his graph that  he developed and placed into the pdf above. Click on the pdf to view graph! To learn more about Ultra Blak 465 click on the underlined area.  If you review the previous blogs last April we also used Ultra Blak 465 to blacken Kovar!

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February 10th, 2009

By Eric Olander

I became the National Association Surface Finishers (NASF) Sur/Fin Steering Committee Chairman effective January 1st, 2009.  Originally, I was to assume the Chair after Sur/Fin 2009 in Louisville,KY. Barry Cohen resigned when his company dropped their membership in the NASF. The Steering Committee is made of 8-9 volunteers from various backgrounds and companies. This additional responsibility has created  extra work, but we are striving to develop a system for Sur/Fin trade show now and in the future. Right now we are revamping our technical program.  For example,  how we recruit papers  and what categories of papers that will be presented.

Sur/Fin the trade show toke a step backward last year in Indianapolis from Cleveland . This year will be more challenging than last year because of the economic times.  So far we are  seeing tiny fallout from the economy with exhibitors. This years show will be in June 15-17th,2009. To learn more go to www.sur-fin.net. We look forward to seeing you in Louisville! Any questions please contact me in the office!

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December 19th, 2008

By Eric Olander

 Today Ms. Du from China completed here training at EPi. EPi looks forward to having my Ms. Du represent EPi is China. Ms. Du trained on EPi's  latest developments in blackening  magnesium and electroplating magnesium  . Ms. Du's customers are looking for a blackening process for magnesium. EPi hopes to launch it some time first quarter in 2009.

Additional training was completed on EPi's B/Ox  product line including a discussion on the many variables in antiquing processes; substrates, antiquing process, relieving process, and the top-coating process. Another  interesting application was black oxiding polished stainless steel cell phone cover with Ultra blak 407  as a replacement for black nickel. We look forward to growing our business in China with Ms. Du .

Posted in Copper Plating, Eric Olander Happenings, Metal Antiquing | No Comments »

December 2nd, 2008

By Eric Olander\

Last week we launched our second Metal Finishing podcast on www.metalfinishing.com. Out first podcast produced excellent results with a high amount of interest on EPi's trivalent yellow chromates,black oxide processes and our latest developoments in antiquing/oxidizing click here to see link www2.epi.com/electrochemicalsblog .

This latest blog talks about EPI's E-Brite Ultra Cualkaline non-cyanide copper and  E-Brite 50/50 alkaline non-cyanide silver process .  A new reason to switch to non-cyanide processes is the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations on sodium and potassium cyanide. If you switch to these non cyanide processes you do not have to fall under the regulations of the DHS.

Posted in Copper Plating, Electroplating, Eric Olander Happenings | No Comments »