robot primarily because of the demands of the aerospace industry from a drilling perspective,” said Chris Blanchette, manager, aerospace integration channels, Fanuc Robotics. “It’s a highly rigid robot, and it’s also a high-accuracy robot, which is part of the trend of robots mov- ing into more machining-type process- es, like drilling and riveting.”
Robotic Coating, Sanding Solutions At aerospace supplier St. Louis Metallizing (SLM; St. Louis), robotic thermal spray technologies are used to apply metal and ceramic coatings to a variety of OEM and repair parts to minimize corrosion, erosion and wear to the original substrate and extend part life. SLM currently has 17 robots from ABB Robotics (Auburn Hills, MI) inte- grated into various cells throughout its facility to accommodate large and small confi gurations used in commercial and military aerospace applications. “With thermal spray, you’re putting a coating on a part that serves as a way to provide a good mechanical bond,” said Tom Desloge, SLM director of sales and marketing. “Most of our work is in engine components and landing gear repair. In our process, we’ll remove the coating, then apply thermal spray, and then we do machining as well.” The company’s thermal spray pro- cesses include electric arc, high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF), air plasma, electric wire arc and oxy-fuel fl ame spray in the wire and powder form, notes Bill Bryant, SLM aerospace sales engineer. “It’s a combination of maintenance and repair, and thermal spray is also used a lot on the new OEM side,” Bryant said. “Before an engine is put into service or a landing gear is installed on an aircraft, thermal will be used.”
One of the trends is the elimination of chrome plating for landing gear, Bry-
ant added. “Even though chrome plating has been a popular method for providing corrosion resistance, thermal spray is being used on an increasing basis. Not only does thermal spray eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals found in