Make my spray

BAE Systems unveiled details of two spray technologies designed to aid production and testing on the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter programme.

A paint-spray system for the Typhoon has been commissioned at the BAE facility in Warton, Lancashire, which according to the group will allow the plane to be sprayed in a single application, significantly reducing the time taken using existing technology.

The system comprises four computer-controlled ‘man-mover’ platforms (moveable platforms that replace fixed access staging) that can be programmed with the specific profile of the aircraft. These platforms will be linked to a central processor equipped with the exact parameters of the Typhoon. The platforms will then move to a pre-determined point on the aircraft before they start spraying.

Traditional scaffold

As the Typhoon has stealth fighter characteristics it is essential that its body is sprayed in a continuous layer, according to John Siddall, project manager of facilities engineering at BAE at Warton.