Apprenticeship as a Surface Coater (m/f/d) 2027

Stainless steel is largely corrosion-resistant and, at addi, is given a high-gloss finish using various mechanical polishing processes.

• The fine polishing of metal surfaces is a process step in the field of electroplating and forms part of the qualification for the role of addi surface coater.

Brass is coated with white bronze.

• Brass is an alloy (a mixture of metals) consisting mainly of copper and zinc. Due to its physical properties, this material is well-suited to the manufacture of knitting needles, as it offers good formability for shaping into knitting needles.
• Unfortunately, the surface quality of brass does not meet our requirements. We therefore polish the finished knitting needles before subjecting them to a coating process involving various cleaning stages.
• The brass needles are first coated with a layer of pure copper to compensate for and smooth out any inhomogeneities and imperfections in the raw material.
• The now-perfect copper surface of the needle is then enhanced with a silver-coloured, mirror-like layer of Weißbonze, which is deposited onto the previously formed copper layer.
• White bronze is also an alloy (mixture of metals) and consists mainly of copper and tin. This material offers a high degree of hardness and ensures that the wool being knitted flows over the needle as lightly as a feather and with minimal friction. As white bronze has antibacterial properties and is suitable for people with allergies, it is the perfect type of coating for our products.

Surface finishers ensure that all the metal needles in addi products have a striking look.

• These are currently manufactured in our production facility from aluminium, brass and stainless steel. To this end, we use tubular or bar stock, which is then processed in such a way as to provide our fans with the full range of our metal products.
  • As well as looking stunning, the work carried out by our surface coating specialists ensures the sustainability of our product range, as the professional coating applied to our needles actually alters the physical properties of the metal surfaces. The service life of our products is extended by improving their abrasion resistance and hardness.
  • The surface coater also alters the feel of the needles. To ensure the wool glides smoothly over our needles, we smooth and polish the metal needles so that we can begin the coating process with a perfect surface. The surface coater then applies the desired protective layer, which goes on to become the key to the success of our knitting needles and crochet hooks.
• In addition to a wide range of cleaning processes, we also offer washing, pickling and coating processes to drive forward the continuous optimisation of surface quality through innovation.
  addi has been very successful in optimising its processes, which is reflected not only in product quality but also in the efficient use of process chemicals.
• The field in question is electroplating. At its core, this is the chemistry of salts and salt solutions, which are referred to as electrolytes. The world of electroplating is concerned with electrochemistry.
  • Our aim is therefore always to enhance the quality of our metal needles whilst using as little energy and as few chemicals as possible, whilst also conserving water resources.
  • Addi therefore uses different water qualities in its production processes, depending on the quality requirements. Care is always taken to ensure that water which has passed through our processes is treated again on our premises so that it is returned to the natural environment in an excellent state of purity. Responsibility for the water cycle lies with the surface coater.

• The surface coating specialist ensures the process capability of the electroplating processes. This is achieved through the high level of expertise of the staff.
• Regular visual inspections of the finished products and close communication between workers ensure consistent product quality.
• The surface coater carries out cyclical analyses and beaker tests in the chemical laboratory, not only as a reactive measure but also as a preventative one; these enable process deviations to be corrected at a very early stage and ensure that the chemical processes remain within a narrow quality window.
• However, the surface coater is not solely concerned with product quality. Above all, the integrity of our mother earth and the environment must always be protected.
  • That is why the surface coater is constantly exploring ways to make a positive contribution to the environment, such as
  • the use of environmentally friendly chemicals
  • savings in energy and chemicals
  • cleaning and keeping water clean, sorting and preventing waste, and much more.

• The correct handling of hazardous substances and the development of safety plans and measures to protect people and the environment form part of the training programme for surface coaters at addi.
• Understanding the risks that hazardous substances can pose, how they act, and how surface coating specialists utilise the properties of such substances is a fascinating field of knowledge that surface coating specialists with an interest in chemistry and mathematics can explore. Reading and understanding legal texts, and implementing them, provide the framework for creativity in process and plant design, with the aim of meeting the highest quality standards.