Aerospace manufacturing has so many components from structural and engine parts to landing gear and interior assemblies. Protective coatings are essential to the quality, long-term performance, and reliability of these components. The right finishing system for each application has to consider the materials being coated, the complex geometries of each piece, coating requirements, production volume, and compliance with industry regulations. Custom-engineered finishing systems allow manufacturers to integrate multiple processes to streamline production and ensure efficiencies.
Liquid Paint Systems for Aerospace Applications
Liquid coatings are a key component of aerospace finishing due to the complex component geometries and versatility of finishes for chemical and corrosion resistance, specialty finishes and high-performance topcoats. A custom liquid paint system can integrate several components:
Paint spray booths: Cross-draft, semi-downdraft, and downdraft configurations are common for controlled airflow and consistent application of coatings
Advanced filtration: Intake and exhaust systems are designed to capture overspray and ensure proper air quality
Environmental controls: Temperature and humidity control for coating application and curing requirements
Flash-off and curing ovens: Heating systems for coating-specific drying and curing
Material handling systems: Overhead conveyors, floor conveyors, cranes, and custom automation to easily move components through each finishing stage
Powder Coating Systems for Aerospace Components
Powder coating provides another finishing solution for aerospace manufacturers who need durable, uniform coatings for a variety of components like metal enclosures, structural hardware, and support assemblies. Custom powder coating systems typically integrate several processes:
Surface preparation: Wash systems, pretreatment processes, and drying ovens to prepare parts before coating
Powder application booths: Manual or automated powder booths designed for your specific part dimensions, production requirements, and application methods
Powder recovery systems: Cartridge filtration and recovery systems that capture overspray and reduce material waste
Electrostatic application equipment: Manual or automated spray guns for consistent powder coverage
Curing ovens: Batch or conveyorized ovens to maintain the correct temperature and curing requirements
Conveyor and material handling: Integrated systems to move components efficiently between preparation, application, and curing operations without manual intervention
Designing a Facility for Both Liquid and Powder Finishing
If you have a wide range of aerospace components that need different coatings, a comprehensive finishing system that includes both liquid and powder applications can streamline your production. There are different application environments and equipment configurations for liquid and powder finishing, but a custom-engineered system allows you to design around your production environment for large or oversized parts, complex geometries, high or low-volume production, and your existing facility footprint. Working with an experienced engineering team can help ensure the configuration of your system works for your coating requirements and facility layout.
Rohner designs and manufactures custom industrial finishing systems for the aerospace manufacturing industry. From liquid and powder booths to integrated finishing systems, we work with you to design a solution that works for your unique manufacturing and finishing process. Talk to our team about your specific finishing challenges so we can engineer a solution that is right for you.
Have questions? Please contact the Rohner team: info@rohner-usa.com