Background

TALAT - Training in Aluminium Application Technologies - is the most comprehensive collection of training material for Engineers and Researchers in Industries and Universities, including 152 lectures corresponding to 3000 pages with over 2300 figures

The 2.0 TALAT version is an updating of the 1.0 TALAT CD-ROM version (1996). This first version was developed during a European project under the Comett II program. The new TALAT CD-ROM edited by the European Aluminium Association contains updated chapters and some new lectures. Furthermore, the new CD-ROM is characterised by higher computer facilities.

TALAT version 1.0 : The European Comett II program (1991-1996)

Despite the fact that aluminium is the most widely used non-ferrous metal most designers, engineers and technologists have received little or no specific training on the metal's characteristics and on recommended and proven application techniques. Such knowledge is essential if the many inherent benefits of aluminium are to be fully exploited. Aluminium is not "like steel but different"; it is a different material.
Under the European Commission's COMETT II programme the aluminium industries in nine EU/EFTA countries co-operated with twenty-five universities in eleven countries across Europe to provide relevant teaching materials. The financial support of the Commission of the European Communities under the COMETT Programme is gratefully acknowledged.

University scientists and industry specialists worked together in groups responsible for the various technology areas. Five major technology areas are covered:

- Aluminium Materials Technology (AMT) 1000 series
- Aluminium Design (AD) 2000 series
- Aluminium Machining & Forming (AMF) 3000 series
- Aluminium Joining Technology (AJT) 4000 series
- Aluminium Surface Technology (AST) 5000 series

The teaching materials were developed, based on best available knowledge and practice, to cover the requirements of "in-house" training in user industry and in university degree courses and their equivalent in other educational institutions.
The resultant matrix of technologies and attainment levels enable material to be selected to suit most courses in technical education. It is for this purpose that the material has been given a modular structure.
As TALAT will almost invariably be used on a pick and mix basis, some duplication of essential basic knowledge has been encouraged.

The Objective:

To provide comprehensive teaching materials suitable for most learning methods, i.e. university teaching, in-house training within aluminium user industries, further education and distance learning.

Target Audiences:

Existing and potential user industries, especially small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
Professional engineers, specifiers and technologists already working in or with industry and who are seeking further professional development.
Engineers, specifiers and technologists still in the educational system but not yet qualified.

General Note to Trainers/Lecturers:

Because of the wide geographical spread of the universities involved, and the diversity of educational customs across Europe, the TALAT "Toolbox" contains a refreshing variety of styles and approaches. Users can pick and mix, introduce their own material and deliver their lectures in the style they prefer. TALAT does not absolve the lecturer from preparatory work altogether.

Editorial:

The TALAT project was guided, counselled and managed by the ATP Executive Group represented by G. W. Budd (for Aluminium Federation Ltd.), T. Cock (SkanAluminium), C. Hebestreit (European Aluminium Association), O. v. Lindequist (formerly Aluminium-Zentrale e.V., COMETT-contractor), F. Ostermann (formerly Aluminium-Zentrale e.V., now Aluminium Technology Service), J. H. Scheuerman (for Stichting Aluminium Centrum), R. Mock† and J. Datta (coordinators, Aluminium-Zentrale e.V.) and A. R. Woodward (technical coordinator, Aluminium Federation Ltd.).
The graphic art-work was contributed by the authors, by M. Peters, COTTAGE IMAGES and by the "TALAT-Team" of the University of Paderborn, which also developed the TALAT CD-ROM Database and the accompanying graphic art homologisation for over 2000 overhead figures.
Grateful acknowledgement is made to the authors, who are individually recognised at the beginning of each lecture, to the COMETT-TAO and to all those, who contributed with spirited advice and patience to the success of the TALAT project.

TALAT version 2.0

In order to ensure the continuity of the TALAT CD-ROM, ATP-group transferred the copyright to the European Aluminium Association who is now responsible for the new developments of the TALAT CD-ROM. Henceforth, TALAT is marketed and improved by the European Aluminium Association (EAA) in close co-operation with National Aluminium Associations.

Within the "Education and Training Committee" of EAA, it was decided to print out the CD-ROM version 2.0 containing updated chapters and some new lectures.

In this new TALAT CD-ROM, Series 2200 to 2700 are completely updated by the results of the European Leonardo TAS project (Training in Aluminium Structural Design, 1996-1999) contracted by SkanAluminium. In these updated lectures, the theoretical and practical approach is largely based on the new Eurocode 9 directive.

10 new lectures on Aluminium Metallurgy (5 basic level and 5 advanced level) complete the 1000 series. Continuous Casting, Aluminium Foam and Friction Stir Welding are also new lectures.

Since the TALAT lectures are now PDF formatted, the new TALAT CD-ROM takes advantages of all the computer facilities of the Adobe Acrobat Reader Software (Navigation, Search tool, printing options, etc.). In particular, full text search is possible in a given lecture and high printing quality is reachable by the CD-user.

For each lecture, 2 PDF files are stored onto the TALAT CD-ROM. One file contains the text and the figures that are inserted in the text. The other file contains the figures only. These figures are enlarged to A4 format so that they can be directly used to print overheads.

Acknowledgements

EAA would like to thank Friedrich Ostermann, project manager of the Comett II project and editor of the TALAT CD-ROM version 1.0. Special thanks also to Roy Woodward for his help and for his continuous interest in the new TALAT developments.