Conferences, symposia and exhibitions

Vacuum Coatings Conference Dr Leslie A Holland, technical director of Edwards High Vacuum International Ltd, a leading authority on high vacuum technology, will make the opening address at the Vacuum Coatings Conference to be held at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel from 9th to 1 I th February 1971. This is the first major conference to be held in Europe on the subject and is sponsored by the specialist journal Surface Coatings. Organizers are Business Conferences & Exhibitions Ltd.

Vacuum coating is the process whereby metals and certain other materials are deposited in a thin film on a base material in a vacuum. There is now hardly a single industry in which this coating technique does not play an important role. Vacuum Coatings are being applied to such diverse items as knobs, lenses, ornaments, automotive hard- ware, electronic apparatus, jewellery and even space module equipment.

Probably one of the major uses of vacuum deposition lies in the coating of plastics and this aspect is expected to predominate at the Conference. Altogether some eighteen papers will be read by equip- ment, lacquer, plastics, metallurgy, vacuum and other technologists as well as users and an evening “workshop session” will provide ample opportunity for delegates to discuss current problems with a panel of experts.

It is not intended that the Conference will be academic. It is aimed at end users and potential users and will be of high interest value to designers, chief chemists, technical directors, metallurgists, plastics users and many others in a variety of industries. Call for Papers Technologists and firms who wish to be considered for the presenta- tion of Papers at the Conference are invited to get in direct touch with the editor of the sponsoring journal:

John Ward, Surface Coatings, Mercury House, Waterloo Road. London SE1 (Tel: 01-928 3388). Potential conference delegates should contact the Organizers, Business Conferences & Exhibitions Ltd at the same address.

Ninth Conference on Vacuum Microbalance Techniques The Ninth Conference on Vacuum Microbalance Technique will be held on 1 lth and 12th June, 1970 in West Berlin.

This conference will be concerned with progress in theoretical or experimental work in any of the following fields: New design and construction of microweighing devices, e.g. balances or oscillators. Modification of commercially available instruments. Atmospheric control in balance chambers. Temperature control of the sample or around the balance chamber. Application of vacuum microweighing techniques in physics and physical chemistry.

Further information can be obtained from: Prof Dr Th Gust Technische Universitiit Berlin 1 Berlin-15 Kurftirstendamm 195, W Germany or E Robens, lttg Battelle-lnstitut e V 6 Frankfurt/ Main-90 Wiesbadenerstr, W Germany

158

Apollo space program technology at IEA The United States Government is sponsoring a display by 45 specially chosen American companies at the forthcoming International Instruments, Electronics & Automation Exhibition at Olympia, London from I I-16 May.

An indication of the care taken in selecting exhibitors at the USA Exhibition at IEA is the fact that products, many making their first appearance in the UK, from 38 of the companies have been utilized in the Apollo Space Programme. The equipment has been used for purposes ranging from research and development lo analysis of moon dust and rocks returned to Earth.

Occupying some 12.000 square feet in the National Hall, the 45 exhibiting companies will show 180 products, all regarded as out- standing examples of the best in US technology, 80 per cent of which are new to IEA. They will cover the fields of: Production Equipment for Electronic Manufacturers (I I exhibitors showing 25 products) Electronic Components & Sub-Assemblies (I I exhibitors showing 38 products) Electronic Measuring & Test Instruments (21 exhibitors showing 77 products) Computing & Computing Oriented Equipment (5 exhibitors showing I I products) Automation Instrumentation (9 exhibitors showing 19 products) Eight companies are showing 8 products outside the categories listed above.

The spin off from the new advanced space technologies and the sophisticated techniques required to put man on the moon will be reflected in the quality of the items on display on the US stand. Further information can be obtained Jkom: The Director US Trade Centre 57 St James’ Street London S WI

London Exhibition of American Electra-optic and Laser Equipment Although still widely regarded as tools of the backroom boffin, electro-optical instruments and lasers are, in fact, making a rapid migration from the laboratory to the workshop.

It is probable that within a few years such equipment will be as common to the production engineer as micrometers and height gauges. With this in mind, the US Department of Commerce is pre- senting an exhibition of electro-optic and laser applications at the US Trade Centre, 57 St James’s Street, London SW1 on May 1 l-15.

Products from 24 American companies will be on display ranging from the smallest fibre optic bundle to what is probably the world’s most powerful laser.

The exhibits will have an essentially practical interest for all engineers, whatever their particular field: aircraft, communications, construction, instruments, electronics, medicine, military and nucleonics, to name but a few.

Although practical applications of the equipment will be the theme of the exhibition, it will also be of great interest and value to the scientist and research worker. Further information and tickets for this exhibition can be obtained from The Director, US Trade Centre, 57 St James’ Street, London SW 1.