The Electroless Nickel Conference 2023 takes place Sept. 26-29th in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Electroless Nickel Conference in 2022. Photo Credit, all: Products Finishing staff
For all things pertaining to the highly specialized craft of electroless nickel finishing, the Electroless Nickel Conference 2023 is the place to be on Sept. 26-28 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The conference features experts in electroless nickel who aim to educate and enlighten finishers while also driving the next generation of electroless nickel finishers forward. Over 20 speakers are scheduled to speak at the conference, bringing insight on a variety of different topics all involving electroless nickel finishing. The conference also provides a great networking opportunity for the EN community to meet others in the industry.
“For a relatively short 2.5-day conference program, we have a lot to offer attendees,” says Brad Durkin, ENC 2023’s technical director. “Additionally, the format of this conference is designed to offer greater interaction with attendees and the speakers, which is different from earlier EN conferences.”
Speakers at ENC 2022 engaging with attendees.
The conference this year also features ENC University (ENCU), a program providing an educational experience to those new to electroless nickel finishing. However, ENCU is still a learning experience for anyone who attends regardless of their level of experience. ENCU works as a boot camp to help attendees grow their careers in electroless nickel. ENCU takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. There will also be a lunch with the experts during the day. Registration for ENCU is separate from the rest of ENC, so additional registration is necessary to secure a spot.
For more information visit electrolessnickelevent.com
ENC 2023 Agenda
Tuesday, Sept. 26
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7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
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Registration & Breakfast
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N/A
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8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
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Opening Remarks
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Brad Durkin
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8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
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EN The Development Story: From Lab Curiosity to Prime Finish – How EN Has Evolved
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Boules Marcos
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8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
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EN Properties: Help Me Choose the Best EN Deposit for the Application
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Matt Sisti
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9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
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EN Chemistry: Balance and Proper Feeding
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Boules Marcos
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10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
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Refreshment Break
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N/A
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10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
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EN Equipment: Choosing the Right Equipment = Success!
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Charles Johnson
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11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
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EN Bath Control: Important Considerations
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Boules Marcos
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12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
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Lunch With Experts
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N/A
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1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
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Pretreatment Strategies for the Best Activation and Application of EN on Various Substrates
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Brad Durkin
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2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
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Troubleshooting: Strategies for your Process
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Boules Marcos
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3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
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Refreshment Break
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N/A
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3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
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Deposit Defects – Why Do I Have Deposit Corrosion Failures? Myths and Facts
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Brad Durkin
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Wednesday, Sept. 27
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7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
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Registration & Breakfast
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N/A
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8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
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Opening Remarks
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Brad Durkin
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8:15 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.
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Choosing the Right Solution
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Travis Johnson
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8:40 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.
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Complex and Difficult Electroless Nickel Plating Applications — Case Studies
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Daniel Englebert
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9:05 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
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Successful Plating of Aluminum Alloys
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Michael Aleksinas
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9:30 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.
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Historical Applications & Methods of Phosphorus Analysis and Control
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Brad Durkin
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9:55 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
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Best Practices for Electroless Nickel — PTFE Plating
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Michael Feldstein
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10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
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Refreshment Break
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N/A
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10:30 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.
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Electroless Nickel Pitting Types and Mitigation Strategies
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Jordan Beavers
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10:55 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
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Understanding XRF Capabilities to Measure Electroless Nickel Coatings
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Rob Weber
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11:20 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
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From Protection to Performance – Anodic Protection of Stainless Steel Tanks in Electroless Nickel Applications
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Charles Johnson
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11:45 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.
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Phosphorus Removal from Electroless Nickel Wastewaters Through Oxidation
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Steven Buday
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12:10 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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Panel Discussion: Best Practices & Technical Opportunities
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Brad Durkin, Charles Johnson, Jordan Beavers, Michael Feldstein, Rob Weber, Steven Buday, Travis Johnson
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1:00 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.
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Luncheon Presentation: Cybersecurity Requirements for Defense Contractors
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Scott Singer
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1:55 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
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Marketing and Sales: All You Need Is EN
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Kurt Weamer
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2:20 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
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Palm International Inc. Presentation
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N/A
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2:45 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
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How to Future Proof Your Plant
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Dean Halonen
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3:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
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Refreshment Break
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N/A
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3:30 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.
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Improvement of EN Plating Operation Efficiency Through Improved Process Control
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Brad Staples
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3:55 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.
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Tips From a Top Shop
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Michael Feldstein
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4:20 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
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How to Use Existing Job Shop Data to Streamline Production & Boost Profits
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Jeff Halonen
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4:45 p.m. – 5:10 p.m.
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Case Studies & Strategies for Waste Treatment in EN Plating Facilities
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David Calnan
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5:10 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
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Panel Discussion: Business Opportunities
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Brad Durkin, Collin Peters, David Calnan, Dean Halonen, Jeff Halonen, Kurt Weamer, Michael Feldstein, Scott Singer
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5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
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Networking Reception
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N/A
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Thursday, Sept. 28
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7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
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Registration & Breakfast
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N/A
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8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
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Opening Remarks & Recap
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Brad Durkin
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8:15 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.
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Evolution of EN Applications
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Brad Durkin
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8:40 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.
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Pathways for Sustainability in Electroless Nickel Processes
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Douglas Hughes
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9:05 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
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Aspects of High Phosphorus Electroless Nickel Coatings
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Ambrose Schaffer
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9:30 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.
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EN Plating Superabrasive Tooling: Production Advances and Equipment Upgrades
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Jordan Donnelly
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9:55 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
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Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Electroless Nickel Plating
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Collin Peters
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10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
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Refreshment Break
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N/A
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10:30 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.
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Review of Traditional Hybrid EN Applications
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Brad Durkin
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10:55 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
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Utilizing Duplex EN Coatings to Pass Mil-DTL-38999 Testing Requirements
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Joseph Zabielski
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11:20 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
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Evaluation: Thermal Diffusion and Electroless Nickel as a Catalysis
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Richard (Ian) MacMoy
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11:45 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.
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Evaluation: EN Based Rough Colored Coatings on Aluminum Alloys
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Ian Mardon
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12:10 p.m. – 12:35 p.m.
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Hybrid EN Applications: Including Thin Film PVD/CVD “Matrix Coatings” as a Performance Solution
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Daniel Downey
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12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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Panel Discussion: EN Technology and Hybrid Applications
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Ambrose Schaffer, Brad Durkin, Daniel Downey, Douglas Huges, Ian Mardon, Jordan Donnelly, Joseph Zabielski, Richard (Ian) MacMoy
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