En Route with Sam Millikin, Global Business Manager, Aerospace Packaging

July 11, 2016

• New technologies specifically designed to improve our customers’ processes

• PPG’s new tools engineered for diverse material removal applications

• Full line of glow-in-the-dark (GID) application and removal tools

• Innovative technology to improve efficiencies in your processes

“Reduce cost. Minimize waste. Get the job done faster while improving quality.” If these goals sound familiar, then you are not alone. Whether your organization is a MRO, airline, or you are directly involved in aircraft manufacturing, lowering overall costs and improving process efficiencies are critical to succeed in today’s highly competitive aerospace industry. Our Aerospace Packaging business has been built around assisting our customers to meet these goals. PPG designs and produces right sized packaging, innovative tools and equipment, and we package critical materials for the aerospace industry. Our products and services enable the aerospace industry to lower overall costs for chemical use by saving time, reducing waste, and minimizing process errors.

Our mission of helping our customers remain competitive has required PPG to remain at the forefront of innovation in aerospace packaging. Over the last 2 years, PPG has introduced a host of new technologies specifically designed to improve our customers’ processes.

These include:

Sealant and Adhesive Application Tools

PPG offers a wide variety of specialty nozzles and application tools designed specifically to improve the efficiency of sealing and adhesive application processes. Industry professionals have been able to demonstrate results that include an average of 54% reduction in process time and labor and 21% reduction in quantity of errors. (Data derived directly from the 2014 MRO Americas Aerospace Maintenance Competition.)

Sealant Removal Tools

PPG conducted an 18-month study on aerospace sealant removal processes. Results from that study led directly to the introduction of eleven new sealant removal tools. PPG’s new tools have been engineered for diverse material removal applications, can be sharpened after initial use, and are available in both Celcon® polyoxymethylene and glass-filled nylon. No attachment is required as an ergonomic handle is designed into the tool. During the 2015 MRO Americas Aerospace Maintenance Competition, professional MRO teams were able to demonstrate labor savings of 33% compared to conventional methods.

Glow-In-The-Dark (GID) Material Technology

Foreign Object Damage (FOD) is estimated to cost the aerospace industry over $4 billion a year* and eliminating FOD is a key initiative across all aerospace manufacturing and service organizations. Concerned about FOD in fuel tanks, our customers challenged PPG to develop a technology to easily identify sealant application and removal tools if they are inadvertently left behind, even in completely dark environments. PPG accepted this challenge, and we have introduced a full line of glow-in-the-dark (GID) application and removal tools that utilize the same plastic materials that are already approved in industry specifications. These tools are available in either green or orange, glow up to 10 hours, and are rechargeable. * Source: Insight SRI

Semkit® Package Mixing Innovations

PPG has introduced a full line of new mixers with specific design characteristics to address industry needs including: • Simplification of the mixing process and reducing operator intervention • Improved durability • Lighter weight • CE Approval • ATEX Certification In the hands of a professional, the right package and right tools will help your organization reduce process costs, improve quality, and minimize waste. PPG is fully committed to driving innovation in aerospace packaging to ensure that you have the latest and best technology to improve efficiencies in your processes.

Contact a PPG Packaging representative or your local ASC to find out how PPG can assist you. We look forward to talking with you about PPG's innovative solutions or problems you need assistance to solve.

Evolution of SEMKIT® Mixing

Chemical Packaging Services