Hannover. This year's HANNOVER MESSE will feature a brand-new showcase: the Plasma and Laser Surface Technology Pavilion. The group exhibit aims to raise awareness of the applications and innovative potential of the latest plasma and laser systems. It will be located in the SurfaceTechnology Area which has been moved to the Industrial Supply show (Hall 6) and covers the full spectrum of surface finishing solutions.

Among much else, visitors to the pavilion will find expert advice and plenty of contacts who can assist with just about any issue related to the plasma or laser treatment, modification and coating of surfaces. Whether the subject is pre-treatment, research and development, potential applications or plant and equipment, the pavilion has all the answers.

Among the participating exhibitors is robeko GmbH & Co. KG. robeko is a highly innovative and ISO 9001:2015-certified developer, manufacturer and distributor of components and materials for vacuum pumped plasma coating systems and thin film systems. robeko also operates its own bond shop where it conducts custom coating of bulk materials and contact layers. At the pavilion, robeko will present its latest lightweight construction solutions, including scratch-proof and optical coatings for plastic substrates, as well as its latest plasma nitriding system.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films (Fraunhofer IST) will also be on hand to showcase its R&D expertise. Fraunhofer IST develops coatings and coating processes (including pre-treatment) for industrial clients. Its services span the entire R&D chain, from simulation and analytics, product optimization and prototype coating, right through to system commissioning. Keynote themes at the pavilion include friction and wear reduction of components and tools, thin film sensors for industry 4.0 applications and the latest developments in adaptive manufacturing.

Two German industry networks, INPLAS e.V. and PhotonicNet GmbH, will round out the offering by providing an overview of the diverse applications of plasma and laser surface technologies as well as relevant German business and research contacts. Both networks are active members of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy's »go cluster« excellence program and both have been awarded the Silver Label of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI). Their brief is to organize technical seminars, workshops and conferences for their respective constituencies, to facilitate knowledge sharing and mentoring, and to assist companies in the search of suitable project partners. In other words, they are ideally suited for providing visitors to the Plasma and Laser Surface Technology Pavilion with all the information and contacts they need.