A robotic paint process used by an aviation manufacturing facility to coat airplane wings utilizes TRICOR Coriolis metering technology from AW-LAKE COMPANY to detect the presence of air bubbles in paint supply lines as an early warning of low paint volumes. The automated paint operation includes the application of primer, color coats and topcoat onto the airplane wings.
Compatible with Class 1, Division 1 and EX environments, the TRICOR TCM 0325 Coriolis Mass Flow Meters detect air bubbles by monitoring the paint’s specific gravity. When the paint in pressure vessels begins to empty, air is introduced into the paint stream that results in a downward spike in paint gravity. Low paint specific gravity levels serve as an early warning for over-agitation and out-of-paint conditions. Running out of paint results in extreme expense in downtime to rework the wing.