Hi-Tec spray and Graco team up to provide surface coatings solutions

Citation

(2005), "Hi-Tec spray and Graco team up to provide surface coatings solutions", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 77 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2005.12777fad.010

Hi-Tec spray and Graco team up to provide surface coatings solutions

Equipment

Hi-Tec spray and Graco team up to provide surface coatings solutions

Keywords: Aircraft components, Coatings

Kent-based surface coatings specialist Hi- Tec spray has achieved considerable success in winning orders from aircraft component manufacturers, to supply and install the latest Graco Reactor equipment to meter, mix and apply the latest two component protective coatings.

Hi-Tec spray supplied the equipment to BHW Hampson Ltd of Wigan, Lancashire, UK. The company is a component supplier to leading aircraft manufacturers throughout the world. Hampson use the Graco Reactor system to meter, mix and apply a maskant material to aluminium sheet metal aircraft components prior to a chemical etching or machining process.

Hi-Tec spray's Phil Mackman said that the Graco Reactor is the first polyurea-dedicated proportioner that is easy to use and totally operator friendly. North American manufacturer Graco introduced the Reactor E-XP systems last year and since then they have set a new industry standard and become the ”proportioner of choice” for customers in a variety of industries.

Phil said: “Easy to use controls, integrated monitoring capabilities, system diagnostics, auto-shut down and reporting facilities combined with a lightweight design gives the user ease of mobility and operation. Digital controls and improved temperature sensing make for consistent material heating – and combined with digital pressure control, the use of electrically driven pumps make the Reactor the ultimate polyurea metering and proportioning system.” The Graco Reactor system also includes an electrically heated hose and new fusion gun. The reactor is available in compressed air and hydraulically driven versions and the reactor is also available as a range of electric, air and hydraulically driven machines for foam-spray applications.

Phil Mackman added: the fusion gun is a low maintenance application tool that simplifies cleaning, improves productivity and reduces operator fatigue when used for extended periods. With extended intervals between cleaning, improved mixing quality, the operator is assured that he will get the perfect results every time.

The fusion gun is designed to withstand use in harsh application situations – durable hardened stainless steel construction are said to give mix chambers and seals 50 per cent longer life than comparable guns. This translates into lower operating costs – Graco has estimated that users can expect a return on the fusion investment in less than 6 months.

Details available from: Hi-Tec Spray, Tel: +44 (0)1622 663444; E-mail: sales@ hitecspray.co.uk; web site: hitecsprav.co.uk