The traditional education of an electrical engineer or a production engineer for electronic manufacturing still is oriented on the use of soldering technologies. Design tools, and most of the manufacturing equipment as well is made for the use of soldering processes in production.
This situation is a major hindrance for adhesives joining technology to become a real technology option. Most of the applications consider adhesives technology only, if the use of soldering technologies fails for some reasons. There still is no clear design for adhesives joining-concept, which can be applied by the industry.
Even though, singular courses on the use of adhesives technology throughout Europe are being held in irregular periods, the knowledge level on the use of adhesives in join-ing technology, the chances, perspectives, and the problems as well, is very poor. Met-allurgy knowledge is much more common than chemistry knowledge, being a basis for the application of adhesives.
This situation was found even worse than expected at the begin of the project. As a consequence, a working group on educational issues was initiated, which has evaluated the situation, has developed a course program, and has executed this program during three courses in three different countries. It was found, that theoretical and practical training has to be carried out, in order to aware the participants for the specific aspects of using adhesives joining technology.
Naturally, the Thematic Network could not improve the knowledge level on the use of adhesives in general, here a broad re-thinking process throughout all education levels for engineers, designers, production personnel, and quality assessment personnel is required. Hopefully, some of the results of the project will be considered by universities for restructuring their curricula, which would improve the situation on middle to long term.