As part of its staff training program to meet the requirements of DIN 2304-1, now superseded by DIN EN ISO 21368, and other adhesive technology standards, the Fraunhofer IFAM Adhesive Technology Training Center, in cooperation with Innotech Marketing and Konfektion Rot GmbH, offers the internationally recognized DVS®/EWF European Adhesive Specialist (EAS) training course at Henkel in Düsseldorf.
The target group is primarily employees of adhesive users and manufacturers, as well as testing and quality assurance personnel. The adhesive specialist course is primarily aimed at management positions that plan, delegate, and monitor bonding processes. Adhesive specialists can issue work instructions and instruct their employees. They are also able to identify irregularities and errors and respond accordingly. Successful completion of the exam qualifies participants to assume the duties of the responsible adhesive supervisor (according to DIN 6701-2, now superseded by EN 17460 or DVS® 3310 and 3311 guidelines) within a company.
The course includes the following content, which is taught both theoretically and practically:
Basics
This course aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the adhesive and its properties. The possibilities and limitations of the bonding process are highlighted. First, it is explained why a bond holds and what needs to be considered. It is important to consider the various factors that influence the quality of a bond. Wettability and processing parameters are particularly important here.
Adhesives
Adhesives are very diverse and come in countless forms. Therefore, it is important that participants learn about the different types of adhesives, their properties, and their uses. The practical course will further reinforce the theory of adhesive types.
Joining Materials
When exposed to external environmental influences, it is important not to ignore the behavior of the joining materials. Course participants will learn to plan bonding processes proactively and take various influences into account.
Surface Treatment
To correctly perform or supervise a bonding process, it is important to understand the various surface conditions – which adhesive requires which surface treatment? Proper surface treatment is essential for the durability of a bond. The adhesive specialist course covers several mechanical, physical, and chemical surface treatment processes and teaches the proper use of primers and adhesion promoters.
Adhesive layer properties
Which adhesive is suitable for which degree of deformation? In order to create work instructions, an adhesive specialist must be able to assess, among other things, the adhesive's application area and its deformation behavior. Furthermore, the deformation process allows conclusions to be drawn about which adhesive is most suitable. Many different influencing factors that drive deformation must be considered.
Testing Techniques
To assess the quality of an adhesive bond, it must also be tested for its destructibility, for example. There are various methods for testing the durability of an adhesive bond, which the course participants will be introduced to. This will highlight the limitations of transferring results from standardized tests to the actual component.
Occupational Safety and Environmental Protection
A key aspect of continuing education is compliance with occupational safety and environmental protection. Participants should develop an awareness of how to recognize and avoid potential hazards.
The course lasts three weeks (120 hours). The theoretical content is taught at our training center in Rettigheim. There is also an internship in which participants can apply what they have learned in practice and thus deepen their understanding. With a minimum of 16 participants, the course can also be held conveniently at your premises. During the course week, you will be accommodated in a nearby hotel, and meals will be provided. At the end of the course weeks, there will be a written, practical, and oral examination, which is recognized according to DIN EN ISO 21368, EN 17460, and TL A-0023.
