News – One Day Thermal Spray Coatings Technology

January 9, 2014

Metal Improvement Company, part of the Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies (CWST) group, have been a crucial part of the supply chain for Aerospace and Oil and Gas manufacturing within the Derby area for many years providing Controlled Shot Peening, Superfinishing and other critical surface treatments. The addition of Thermal Spray processing within our Ascot Drive, Derby facility provides a real “One stop shop” solution for customers seeking reduced logistics and a more efficient supply chain management for surface finishing of critical parts.

After the recent acquisition of the U.S. based BASF and Gartner Thermal Spray capabilities our Derby Division are proud to be the first CWST facility outside of the United States to offer this service.

The Seminar

The two stage event was held to launch the official opening of the new Thermal Spray Coatings cell and laboratory at our Derby facility. The morning session took place at the Derby Conference Centre with overview presentations from Metal Improvement’s Ben Hayes the Regional Sales Manager for UK & Ireland and Neil Sheward, Technical Service Manager for Derby Division.

These presentations were followed by key note lectures from Dr Richard Johnston from Swansea University on “Free Standing Abradable Coatings Manufacture and Tensile Test Development” and Professor Graham McCartney from Nottingham University on “Thermally Sprayed Coatings: Strategies for Improved Performance and Reliability” which were very well received.

Downloads:

Dr Richard Johnston Presentation
Professor Graham McCartney Presentation

After lunch delegates were invited to attend technical demonstrations at the nearby Ascot Drive facility. A presentation and demonstration of the new Thermal spray booth in action was given by the Thermal Spray Operations Manager Rob Dicks.

An additional demonstration showing the capabilities and benefits of Robotic Shot Peening was delivered by the Derby facility Supply Chain Manager, Mark Payne.

Robotic Shot Peening and Thermal Spray Demonstrations

Bloodhound SSC Project

Metal Improvement Company are also proud to be processing a variety of critical components on the Bloodhound Land Speed Record car (http://www.bloodhoundssc.com) and the seminar afforded us the opportunity to display a scaled down model of the car in the reception area. Accompanying the model were representatives from the official Bloodhound team who were more than willing to answer questions from the seminars delegates and one lucky delegate even walked away with a small replica for them to keep.

Regional Sales Manager, Ben Hayes said

“Not only was the event a fantastic opportunity for Metal Improvement Company to demonstrate some of our new high technology material treatment capabilities but it also proved to be a great networking and social opportunity for all involved on the day.

We are very proud of our operating facilities and it was a wonderful opportunity to introduce many key people from local industry to the range of our operations.”