Spraytime

It’s almost time to meet again! I am excited that the International Thermal Spray Association (ITSA) has finalized plans for the 2023 ITSA Annual Meeting on August 9 and 10 in Buffalo, N.Y. The meeting will be hosted by EWI and include a visit to Buffalo Manufacturing Works for a tour of the new Cold Spray Center of Excellence.

The Buffalo gathering will be ITSA’s first official annual meeting since 2019, and if our meeting during FABTECH in November 2022 was any indication, everyone is eager to get together again for an all-out event. 

I would like to personally invite all ITSA members to join us the morning of August 9 for the meeting. Later that day, ITSA members will have the opportunity to participate in EWI activities, which will include presentations and a tour of the cold spray facility (transportation will be provided). The AWS C2 Committee on Thermal Spraying is planning to meet on August 8, the day before the ITSA meeting and tour. The committee will continue to carry out its efforts to review, create, and revise standards on thermal spray according to the latest industry developments.

It’s been too long since we’ve gathered as a fully organized body in one location. I cannot wait to see the results of this conference when we spend quality time sharing ideas, learning from each other, and working together to advance the thermal spray industry.

ITSA MISSION STATEMENT

The International Thermal Spray Association (ITSA), a standing committee of the American Welding Society, is a professional industrial organization dedicated to expanding the use of thermal spray technologies for the benefit of industry and society. ITSA invites all interested companies to talk with our officers and company representatives to better understand member benefits.

OFFICERS

Mollie Blasingame, chair, Superior Shot Peening & Coatings

Kirk Fick, vice chair, Cincinnati Thermal Spray Inc. 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (above officers plus the following)

Ana Duminie, North American Höganäs Jim Ryan, TechMet Alloys

David A. Lee, David Lee Consulting LLC Bill Mosier, Polymet Corp.

Peter Ruggiero, Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies

ITSA SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

ITSA offers annual graduate scholarships. Since 1992, the ITSA scholarship program has contributed to the growth of the thermal spray community, especially in the development of new technologists and engineers. ITSA is very proud of this education partnership and encourages all eligible participants to apply. Visit thermalspray.org for criteria information and a printable application form.

ITSA SPRAYTIME

Since 1992, ITSA has been publishing SPRAYTIME for the thermal spray industry. The mission is to be the flagship thermal spray industry publication providing company, event, personnel, product, research, and membership news of interest to the thermal spray community.

JOIN ITSA

Membership is open to companies involved in all facets of the industry — equipment and materials suppliers, job shops, in-house facilities, educational institutions, industry consultants, and others.

Engage with dozens of like-minded industry professionals at the ITSA Annual Meeting, where there’s ample time for business and personal discussions. Learn about industry advancements through the one-day technical program, participate in the half-day business meeting, and enjoy your peers in a relaxed atmosphere complete with fun social events.

Build awareness of your company and its products and services through valuable promotional opportunities: a listing in SPRAYTIME, exposure on the ITSA website, and recognition at industry trade shows.

Plus, ITSA Membership comes with an AWS Supporting Company Membership and up to five AWS Individual Memberships to give to your best employees, colleagues, or customers. Visit aws.org/membership/supportingcompany for a complete listing of additional AWS benefits. For more information, contact Adrian Bustillo at (800) 443-9353, ext. 295, or itsa@thermalspray.org. 

For an ITSA Membership application, visit the membership section at thermalspray.org.