NEW PLASTIC MEDIA BLASTING FACILITY FOR AIRCRAFT FIGHTERS AND HELICOPTERS ADAPTIVE TO THE MOST

STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WORLDWIDE

P.M.B

(PLASTIC MEDIA BLASTING FACILITY)

• On May 15, 2007 the three party MOA agreement between HAI – Lockheed – Emvatis was signed for the erection of the new depainting facility for fighters and helicopters. The Process equipment were provided by PAULI SYSTEMS

• On June 11, 2007 the contractor Emvatis started at the site

• On Dec. 5, 2007 the entire integrated facility was completed (building, equipment, training).

PROJECT’S MILESTONES IN BRIEF

• The project was completed within a six month period, a record time due to the complexity and specialization of the equipment.

• The facility will be utilized immediately for the depainting of the U.S. F-16 fighters under the CCIP program and in parallel for the Hellenic fighters and other strategic alliances.

FACILITY DESCRIPTION

It consists of:• The enclosure• The suitable compressed air equipment system.• The enclosure’s air ventilation system.• The plastic media blasting system.• The recycling system of the plastic media.

The facility is a model project where the increased productivity and reduction of operational costs coincides with the latest recycling technology and environmental friendliness.

Enclosure

BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE

Detail of the outlet for foam fire extinguishing system in the enclosure

Observation and control room of the process

Areas for electromechanical equipment

Movement of the bi-folding main door

BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE

DRY FILTRATED COMPRESSED AIR SUPPLY SYSTEM UTILIZED FOR THE BLASTING OF PLASTIC MEDIA ON THE

SURFACES FOR DEPAINTING

Air tank Compressor

Dehumidification and filtration unit

VENTILATION SYSTEM OF THE ENCLOSURE

During depainting, the air in the process area moves horizontally with a velocity of 50 fpm while is filtered continuously.

Air intake grills

Air suction

Two separate Dust

Collectors

AIRCRAFT PREPARATION PRIOR TO DEPAINTING

• Aircraft masking

PLASTIC MEDIA BLASTING SYSTEM

OPERATORS’ PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

• There is special protective gear for the four (4) operators

• Suit• Safety helmet• Continuous supply of fresh air

PLASTIC MEDIA BLASTING SYSTEM

• Depainting is performed by blasting the surface of the aircrafts with soft plastic media inside the process area of the enclosure.

• The method is the most sufficient for the substrate surfaces of fighter aircraft metallic and composites.

• The time needed to fully depaint an F-16 aircraft is 3 working days.

DEPAINTING PROCESS USING PLASTIC MEDIA

PLASTIC MEDIA BLASTING SYSTEM

• There are 4 – blasting systems with the suitable corresponding nozzles.

PLASTIC MEDIA BLASTING SYSTEM

• Full capability to adjust both the pressure and flow of the plastic media.

• The facility is fully automated with the capability to collect and reuse the plastic media

• It is mandatory for the process to maintain the reused media at the correct size and weight.

• Capability to recycle the plastic media at least 12 times during depainting.

PLASTIC MEDIA RECYCLING SYSTEM

Particle separator for undersize /

oversize and high density.

Plastic media collection trench

Storage of the plastic media in a hopper for

reuse

Is one of the most modern facilities worldwide focused in the protection of the environment

Advantages :

•Fully developed technology

•USAF approved for most type of aircraft

•Safe system for the operators

•Liquid wastes virtually eliminated.

•There are no VOC’s emitted to the atmosphere.

•The plastic media is recyclable

•Less operational cost compared to the old methods.

Plastic Media Blasting (PMB)