New RadTech board members take office
Susan Bailey, of Michelman, has been elected to serve as RadTech president. Michael Gould, Rahn USA, is nominated as president-elect and will assume office in 2023. In addition, new members elected to serve two-year terms include: Neil Cramer, Sartomer; Jonathan Graunke, INX International; Jennifer Heathcote, GEW; Helen Rallis, Sun Chemical; Jake Staples, Wausau Coated Products, Inc.; and Dan Theiss, Procter & Gamble.
RadTech thanks board members who rotated off after fulfilling a two-term limit: David Biro, Sun Chemical; Mike Bonner, Saint Clair Systems; Christopher Seubert, Ford Motor Company; Hui Yang, Procter & Gamble; and Sunny Ye, Facebook. In addition, Eileen Weber, of allnex, now moves to the board position of immediate past president.
Magazine names new editorial board members
The editorial board of UV+EB Technology has named new co-chairs and three new members. Beginning their term as co-chairs are Gary Sigel, senior principal scientist with Armstrong Flooring, and Amelia Davenport, senior scientist with Colorado Photopolymer Solutions. New board members are:
David Biro, North American director, paste ink, screen and industrial, for Sun Chemical. He holds a doctorate in chemistry from Concordia University and was previously associated with CSE-XMS and Lonza. His experience extends from graphic arts, coatings, UV/EB inks and coatings, hygiene and preservation solutions (biocides), including formulations for the paint, coatings and protection markets.
Tony Franklin, senior business development manager at Nagase America. He received an MBA at the University of Alabama at Birmingham – Collat School of Business and was previously a key account sales manager with IGM Resins and business development manager for Axson Technologies.
Laura Kramer, materials research and development people and program manager for 3D Systems. She received a doctorate in materials science and engineering from Cornell University and managed projects associated with ink and supplies for specialty printing systems for Hewlett Packard Company.
New committee supports applications, suppliers
As more manufacturers embrace Industry 4.0 and new vendors enter the UV/EB supply chain, RadTech has created a committee to address their needs. The RadTech Applications Support Committee works to identify and help promote suppliers outside of the UV/EB mainstream core to create a knowledge base for technological advancement. Mike Bonner, vice president of engineering and technology at Saint Clair Systems, is the committee’s founder and chair. Bonner said the committee “was created to help open a dialog between the UV/EB industry, supporting suppliers, systems integrators and – most notably – end users, to raise awareness of the various systems available, and the possible variations necessary to support a successful line implementation or conversion.”
Important operations to be represented in this group include, but are not limited to the following areas.
- Before fluid application: conveying parts, surface preparation, cleaning parts
- Surface treatment: chemical, mechanical, ionization, abrasion
- Locating parts
- Applying fluids: booth structures and booth make-up (air filtration, temperature control, humidity control, exhaust control/treatment)
- Robotics: reciprocators, roller systems, articulated robots, SCARA robots, Delta robots, Cartesian robots
- Applicators: rollers, guns, bells, tips, nozzles
- Post apply/pre-cure: wet film measurement, vision inspection systems
- Cure: conveying, part location, robotic mounted lamps
- Post cure: conveying, handling/racking, inspection/rework, dry film measurement, finish quality measurement, vision inspection systems
Those interested in working to develop the knowledge base, participating in webinars, writing articles or reaching out to suppliers are encouraged to contact RadTech at info@radtech.org, or contact Mike Bonner directly at mbonner@stclairsystems.com.
Final Report Published from Photopolymer Additive Manufacturing (PAM) Workshop
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced the publication of the final report from the Photopolymer Additive Manufacturing Workshop. To view the workshop summary and complete workshop report, visit https://www.nist.gov/news-events/events/2019/10/photopolymer-additive-manufacturing-workshop-roadmapping-future.
Jo Ann Arceneaux Retires from Curing Industry
Jo Ann Arceneaux, longtime RadTech contributor and curing industry leader, has retired. Recognizing her tremendous contributions to RadTech and UV/EB technology, RadTech’s members selected JoAnn Arceneaux from allnex to lead the organization as president. However, health concerns interfered with her ability to serve, and she has retired. All those who worked with and know her wish her well in retirement and will truly miss her leadership and friendship. Two RadTech board members offered these words of recognition and appreciation:
JoAnn has meant so much to the UV/EB and RadTech community. Whether as a colleague, friend, mentor – or even competitor – she has positively influenced so many people and helped to further the entire industry. We will not only miss her contributions of knowledge and volunteerism, but also her warmth and energy. She certainly has set the bar high for those of us who follow. We wish her all the best!
– Eileen Weber, allnex, Immediate Past President, RadTech
The entire RadTech community is indebted to JoAnn for her years of service and leadership. Her extensive knowledge of photopolymer chemistry and its use in applications has facilitated the successful adoption and expansion of UV curing in numerous markets. Her talents and mere presence within the industry will be notably and deeply missed. On behalf of the entire community, we wish JoAnn an enjoyable and well-deserved retirement. She can enter this new phase of life knowing the legacy of her career contributions will remain with all of us for many years to come.
– Jennifer Heathcote, GEW Inc., RadTech Board Member
Arceneaux most recently served as manager of Technical service and business development at allnex, where she primarily was responsible for providing technical service and support to the Radcure business unit of allnex, including both customers and the sales organization, and for offering technical leadership to the new business development market segment for Radcure, according to the company. She has been a RadTech board member since 2015, and a co-chair of the UV LED committee since 2012.
RadTech YP Committee Highlights Member
Dr. Kangmin Kim is a research scientist at Living Ink Technologies with an NSF IPERF Fellowship. He received his Ph.D. in materials chemistry from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2020. He currently is investigating the unique surface morphology and chemistry of algae-based pigments and developing new printing ink formulations, including UV ink with high bio-renewable carbon content.
When did you learn about UV/EB as an industry and technology?
I first learned about UV/EB in graduate school. Before that, I was unaware of how extensively photochemistry is used in all aspects of life, and I thought photochemistry only was used in academia as an alternative to thermal chemistry. My Ph.D. adviser shared his copy of UV+EB Technology magazine, which opened my eyes to this fascinating industry that is full of very exciting chemistry.
What was your RadLaunch project?
My RadLaunch project was based on a radical photoinitiator that continues its polymerization behavior after stopping light exposure without needing any thermal assistance, so it is a radical-based dark curing photoinitiator. This technology can reduce the amount of light exposure needed while guaranteeing high conversions, even in non-ideal photocuring circumstances. I see this technology as an excellent addition to the environmentally friendly UV field.
Have you run into any challenges as a young professional?
As an ink formulation chemist, not knowing what’s actually in the formulation components is frustrating. If I know the chemical structures of active ingredients, I will likely know the chemistry behind them and can accelerate the formulation process. However, SDSs tend to say “proprietary mixture” without giving me much information. So far, my work has involved a lot of educated guesses.
How do you think we could encourage more young professionals to get involved in UV/EB technology?
More industry-academic collaboration could potentially encourage more young professionals to get involved. My exposure through the Industry-University Collaborative Research Center (IUCRC) for photopolymerization is what got me interested in pursuing a career in the industry. Especially, many IUCRC members are part of RadTech, and it was a smooth transition from university to industry. More initiatives like the IUCRC could reach more graduate students and young professionals.
The RadTech YP Committee aims to stimulate young professionals’ (YPs) growth in the use and development of UV and EB technology by enhancing interactions among YPs and senior experts within RadTech. YPs are students and professionals early in their careers who utilize UV or EB technology in industry, government or academia. For questions or get involved, contact yp@radtech.org.
