The current critical situation of the world economy pushes the companies to make themselves adaptable and to change their usual rigid behaviour in order to survive globalization of the market, to face the competition of the so called low cost countries (LCCs) and to overcame the current financial crisis. For the western companies, the possible way to face the movement of production to the LCCs, is to invest and increase the technological level of their products by means of effective R&D. This is even more valid for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and is particular valid for the power generation sector. This paper addresses the policies adopted by the Public Administrations in the different countries in order to support the companies. The Public Administrations have the interest to support the companies not only in order to promote their own growth but, above all, in order to support the development of the territory where the company is located with the growth of the job numbers and the increasing of the subsuppliers activities. A review of the financial instruments available for companies in order to obtain financial help for research and innovation is provided, advantages and disadvantages are discussed. The focus is placed to the energy sector. An industrial case study is shown, related to a thermal spray shop dealing with gas turbine components, where the efficient and effective use of research allows the set up and the development of the company and also contributes to the surrounding market.

GTS is now almost 20 years old and has nearly 200 members from all thermal spray sectors. In this time, a great deal has been accomplished and GTS members are already using those tools GTS has made available to them and which are important for them. Here, the original idea of enhancing the quality of our technology and maintaining it at a high level continues to be an essential building block. In addition, many areas have been accessed in which an association can make more effective progress than each company on its own. With respect to issues such as further education and training, safety, environment, REACH and the compilation of guidelines, to name but a few, this idea has been successfully applied. The work of many in our organization has yielded many fruits and continues to make a difference. However, the benefits for each of us only become visible if we all actively work together. What is central to all the advantages which GTS offers is the candid discussion among its members and the opportunity for each member to quickly find his place in the group and to put these benefits to good use. The fundamental idea which GTS represents has therefore not changed in all this time: a high quality standard, cooperation, education and training, public relations all combined within the association’s guidelines and many working papers which are available to its members.

The field of materials processing experiences many applications and developments in multiple industrial sectors where the used materials have to operate in most cases under extreme conditions (of temperature, pressure, reactivity of the environment, etc.). Under such conditions, he implementation of a system dedicated to the knowledge capitalization and ability concerning the use of technologies of the manufacturing processes remains today very important for the promotion of collective progresses in these fields. This is the main objective of this project which aims at promoting distance learning (e-learning) and at developing new knowledge-based systems to undergo scientific and technological skills. Currently, the research and education world is experiencing many urges of change, partly enabled and stimulated by the new possibilities offered by the Web. There is clear evidence that e-learning offers increased opportunities for training assessment leading to real benefits in terms of learner retention and achievement. This paper outlines the steps of the development of thermal spraying training supports using appropriate technologies in the thermal spraying field.

Thermal spraying is a constantly expanding technology within the surface technology sector, established long time in a wide range of hi-tech applications. Whether in jet engines, in power plants or the printing industry, endless coating requirements can be fulfilled with thermal spraying. However in order to master the “special process” – a term used in international standards and rules – calibrated and monitored systems and parameters are needed. Also, experienced, trained and certified personnel plays an important role to rule such a special process, whose results can only be tested by non-destructive methods to a certain restricted extent. Training and examination of spray personnel is aligned with the respective European training and qualification guidelines of the EWF (European Federation of Welding, Joining and Cutting). Passing the examination, especially for the thermal sprayers confirms their technical proficiency and skills. Additionally, it clearly influences the worker´s labour input and his quality awareness in the workplace. Compliance with standards like ISO 9001 or GTS-QM-Guidelines, means for companies to have their staff trained, qualified and further educated. Experiences have shown that - contrary to expectations - the complete EWF training is in high demand. Sectors such as aerospace, railway and power plant engineering are also increasingly demanding the qualifications for ETS – European Thermal Sprayer and ETSS – European Thermal Spraying Specialist.

Thermal spraying is a continuously growing technology in the field of surfacing, already established long time in many high-tech-applications. In air craft turbines, in power generating technology or even in printing and paper industry, numerous requirements of the coatings are solved with the help of thermal spraying. To rule such a special process, how it is called in the language of standardization, because the results of such processes can only be proofed by nondestructive methods in a very restricted way, you need to use calibrated and controlled equipment and parameters as well as adequately experienced, trained and qualified personnel. The GTS – Association of Thermal Sprayers e.V. was founded with the aim to meet these problems successfully. On one hand the association should promote the profile of the thermal spraying technology. On the other hand the GTS wanted to define a quality standard for TS companies concerning to its quality management system, the spraying procedures and the personnel. These requirements were completed by international acknowledged EWF-training guidelines for supervising personnel and workers up to now. EN and ISO standards in the field of quality management, applications and testing were also created.

Gemeinschaft Thermisches Spritzen e.V. (GTS), the Association of Thermal Sprayers, has built up its excellent reputation and success on a sophisticated and, at the same time, transparent quality assurance network with replicable and comprehensible implementation procedures for thermal spraying. For this reason, along with its thermal spray marketing activities, GTS is deemed an important guarantor for this surface technology. This paper provides an overview of the GTS documents and related GTS workflow and procedures compiled for this purpose. Information on quality assurance provided by GTS papers and by the GTS certificate is also provided. The paper also covers activities and member services associated with GTS.

The shear test in accordance with DIN EN 15.340 is a method to test the bond between substrate and coating in thermal spraying. It has been developed in order to avoid the disadvantages of the test mainly in use, the adhesion test (DIN EN 582). In quality management in a thermal spraying job shop often results of coating analyses are necessary within a very limited time frame; very important is a low number of necessary specimens and a fast and reliable test method. It is described how the shear test can be implemented into the practice of a job shop and the experiences of the OBZ innovation GMBH, which has used the shear test for more than four years, are explained.