A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

Kaman UK (Hall 3, U.S. Pavilion D118) announced at the Paris Air Show a £1 million (€1.2 million) investment in its Darwen&nbsp;site in the UK for a new chemical treatment line offering enhanced surface treatment techniques for the aerospace industry.

 


The new computer-controlled line has fully automated loading, immersion, and transfer capabilities through the 3-foot, 5-foot, and 8-foot baths, and Kaman expects to have NADCAP accreditation for the line by year-end. It line&nbsp;already has NADCAP-approved penetrant flaw detection and spray/bake paints, as well as primer equipment.

 


“There is a huge demand for treatments capability in the industry and this line will deliver an efficient and cost-effective solution,” said Kaman UK managing director Christopher Morris.

 


Kaman’s range of special processes includes chromic acid anodizing, chemical conversion coating (Alocrom 1200), acid pickling&nbsp;and cleaning of titanium, vac blast, zinc spray, welding, and paint finishing.

 


It plans to introduce tartaric/sulphuric anodizing (TSA) to further upgrade&nbsp;its surface treatments capability. TSA is a replacement technology adopted by the aerospace industry to meet EU mandates for the reduction of hazardous materials in the working environment, while providing comparable levels of coating quality and corrosion protection.&nbsp;

Kaman Adds New Aerospace Surface Treatments

UK company makes £1 million investment for computer-controlled line; expects NADCAP cert by year’s end

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