RUAG Australia has inaugurated its new paint booth facility at its Wingfield, SA Surface Finishing Centre.
A new capability, the high standard paint booth offers reliable, durable and efficient aerospace component finishing capabilities for the processing of large numbers of varying sized components. Fully accredited by key aerospace partners, it supports the F-35 and other aerospace and defence programs.
Designed in consultation with Lowbake, the new aerospace and defence paint booth expands and upgrades the capabilities available at the Wingfield Surface Finishing Centre. Enhanced processes and integrated capabilities include masking, value-add workshop, a paint booth, a drying facility and non-destructive testing (NDT).
The facility is engineered to ensure faster, high-precision finishing solutions for the application of aerospace paints, including waterborne epoxy and polyurethane, and fuel tank coatings, with improved and defined curing efficiency. The facility also features additional capabilities for curing fuel cell coatings.
“This new surface finishing facility allows us to meet the rapidly increasing demand to support both industry diversification as well as our participation in highly demanding programs, such as the F35,” Terry Miles, General Manager RUAG Australia, said.
“Specifically designed to solidify our strong position within the industry for aerospace surface finishing, the accredited Wingfield Surface Finishing Centre is also a second source service-provider, providing the ADF and aerospace industry with the necessary alternative supply chain solution for surface finishing.”
The fully automated processing line allows the finishing process to operate in all ambient weather conditions. Features of the paint and curing complex include a minimal contamination design, 10-micron minimum inlet filtration, full downdraught configuration and 1200 lux light, a minimum part surface requirement.
The new surface finishing ovens are capable of controlling temperature and humidity to conform with stringent F-35 requirements of operating between 40-64°C at 20 per cent and of maintaining temperature uniformity at plus or minus 5°C for extended periods of up to 36 hours.
“The needs and demands of the aerospace industry are evolving as technology becomes more advanced and we have a strong drive to keep pace with these advancements,” Stephan Jezler, Vice President Aviation International for RUAG, said.