Kaman UK (Hall 3, U.S. Pavilion D118) announced at the Paris Air Show a £1 million (€1.2 million) investment in its Darwen 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 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 and cleaning of titanium, vac blast, zinc spray, welding, and paint finishing.

It plans to introduce tartaric/sulphuric anodizing (TSA) to further upgrade 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.