Doncasters invests in development of plasma spray facility

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Doncasters invests in development of plasma spray facility
Melbourne, UK: Doncasters Group Ltd., a leading global manufacturerof components for the civil and military aero engine markets, hasannounced a £175,000 investment to develop the plasma sprayfacility at Doncasters Airmotive and Doncasters AerospaceComponents in Shrewsbury.
Plasma spray technology is used to apply various metallic andceramic coatings onto components. During the process, the metallicor ceramic powder is fed into a plasma flame with intense heat thatmelts the powder and sprays it onto the target component.
Doncasters uses the technology to spray coatings on to hot-endcomponents, such as combustors, extending the life of the componentin service.
The investment will see approximately 90% of the site's currentplasma spray facility being either upgraded or replaced, with plansin place for a new six axis robot, tilt turn table, power pack,chiller, management system and powder hoppers as part of theexpansion.
Eric J. Lewis, Chief Executive Officer at Doncasters, commented: "This investment will really benefit both Doncasters and ourclients as it will result in increased machine reliability, qualityof application and capacity.
"On completion of the programme, we will have two machines usingidentical management systems, which will make training moreefficient. We will also employ two more Plasma Operators and aPlasma Technician, allowing us to increase our capacity byimplementing a three-shift pattern, while reducing the need tooutsource to external coating providers should either machine breakdown.
"This increased capacity and reliability, combined with theimproved coating quality and quicker turnaround times, willsignificantly enhance the service we are able to offer to ourcustomers and is part of a wider programme of investments acrossthe Group that are underway to ensure we are geared up to meet thechallenges of increasing demand."
Press release issued by Doncasters Group Ltd on July 14, 2008