Finishings and coatings are an essential element in the design and production of furniture. They determine aesthetics, technical characteristics as functional performance. They also require the review of legislative conditions concerning health, safety at work and the environment. The latest innovations in finishing and coating products can reduce the environmental impact of furniture products, achieving greater resistance to scratch and abrasion, and meeting current aesthetic requirements. At the same time, they allow to innovate in the final product and to enter new markets, presenting differentiated furniture or carpentry elements.The project objectives are:- Transfer knowledge about furniture finishings and coatings, aiming to facilitate innovation.- Comparison of systems, finishing products and standards between countries.- Development of contents and tools related to specific training activities in the field of furniture finishes and coatings.The joint development of the project, with the participation of transnational entities, will facilitate a greater scope and results that are more ambitious. Both the variety of finishing and coating products and application methods are different between countries. For instance, while in Estonia waxes and oils are generally applied; in Spain, UK and Italy varnishes and finishes are the most common product.Integrating skills, knowledge and competencies in the field of finishes and coatings requires a dynamic and fluid interaction between the VET system and other actors within the innovation system, at transnational level. FUTUREfacing is based on joint work of VET providers, enterprises, social agents and technological centres with specific and complementary expertise.The strategic partnership will develop:a) Intellectual outputs: a training guidebook, a varnishing virtual simulator and a specific database on finishes and coatings.b) Multiplier Event: an international conference on finishings and coatings.c) Joint training activities for teachers.d) Dissemination activities: web platform, workshops, newsletters...The project target groups are students and teachers of VET, companies in the furniture industry and prescribers. Therefore, these groups will be invited to participate in all initiatives. In the case of joint training activities aimed at teachers, within the five days scheduled, one will be open to the public.Project results will be available to all actors in the value chain of furniture. A positive impact on the sector is expected, as intellectual outputs respond to "what-how-who". The training guidebook will provide updated information on products; the virtual simulator represents a unique opportunity to acquire or develop key skills in the application of finishings; the database will easily locate both products and suppliers.
Finishes and coatings are an essential element in the design and production of furniture. They determine both aesthetics and technical characteristics and functional features. They also require the review of legislative conditions related to health, safety at work and the environment. The latest innovations in finishing and coating products allow to reduce the environmental impact of the furniture, achieve greater resistance to scratching and abrasion, and meet current aesthetic requirements. At the same time, the innovations allow innovating in the final product and accessing new markets by presenting different furniture or carpentry elements. The main objective of the project is the transfer of knowledge of furniture finishes and coatings, to achieve an easier learning and a promotion of the final product innovation. Project Objectives: 1) Transfer of knowledge of furniture finishes and coatings. 2) Comparison of systems, finishing products and regulations between countries. 3) Development of content and specific training tools in the field of furniture finishes and coatings. The joint development of the project with the participation of transnational entities has allowed greater scope and more ambitious results. Both the variety of finishing and coating products and the methods of application differ between countries: while in Estonia natural finishes, such as waxes and oils. are applied, in Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy mainly varnishes and coatings are used. The incorporation of necessary skills, knowledge and competencies on finishes and coatings requires a dynamic and fluid interaction between the FP and other actors within the innovation system at the transnational level. FUTUREfacing is based precisely on the joint work of VET providers, companies, social agents and technology centers with specific and complementary knowledge. The project consortium during its duration has developed: 3.1) Intellectual products: A manual of finishes and coatings, a virtual varnish simulator and a specific database on finishes and coatings. 3.2) Multiplier event: an international conference on finishes and coatings. 3.3) Joint training activities for teachers. 3.4) Dissemination activities: project web platform, conferences, newsletters, etc. The activities of the project have been addressed both to the students and teachers of FP as well as to the companies of the furniture sector and to the prescribers. Therefore, they have been invited to participate in all initiatives. In the case of joint training activities aimed at teachers, of the five scheduled days, one has been open to the general public. The results of the project are at all agents in the furniture's value chain disposal through its website. The manual has provided updated information about the products, the virtual simulator represents a unique opportunity to acquire or develop key skills in the application of finishes (as demonstrated in the different stays at educational centers) and the database allows to easily locate both products and suppliers.