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In the paint finishing plant for MRJs, airframes in the final assembly and completed status can be brought in as they are for processes from painting to drying. For such large-scale paint plants, special technologies and know-how on sophisticated temperature adjustment and air flow control are required to ensure simultaneous achievement of excellent product quality, a comfortable operating space and effective energy saving while taking into account a variety of environmental conditions including changes in weather. By taking advantage of experience in projects requiring a vast open space, such as the painting facilities and air-conditioning equipment for H-II rockets and the new installation of assembly and painting facilities for Boeing 787 aircraft, Taikisha has proven that it can provide air-conditioning equipment for high-quality paint operations for MRJ aircraft through prior simulations of temperature and air flow requirements.

Taikisha will support the mass-production of MRJ jet airliners by leveraging its know-how accumulated for over 60 years since 1952 when Taikisha started the paint finishing plant business.

Contributing to the mass-production of domestically produced small jet airliner using the know-how of automobile paint finishing and large-space air conditioning

*The design and construction of the new paint finishing plant and maintenance hangar was conducted by MHI Plant Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.

Appearance of the paint finishing plantPhoto courtesy of MHI Plant Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.

Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation

©Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation

Business Activity HighlightValue Creation Feature Technology Environment

Leap forward on wings—Expansion into the aircraft paint finishing system business

First Regional Jet Aircraft Produced in Japan “MRJ”The Japanese aircraft industry is taking a great leap forward. The worldwide number of aircraft is forecast to double in the next two decades, and the Japanese government intends to accelerate its support for the industry to nurture the aircraft business as a key industry comparable to the automobile business.

Taking the momentum, Taikisha received an order for the installation and construction of air-conditioning equipment for painting facilities for a paint finishing plant for Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) aircraft, a small jet airliner, from the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group. The MRJ is the first aircraft to be domestically developed in half a century, and the first ever jet airliner to be domestically produced. It is expected to considerably reduce fuel consumption, noise and gas emissions by applying the world’s leading-edge aerodynamic design technique, noise analysis technology and a state-of-the-art jet engine. Taikisha’s air-conditioning technology for painting supports the provision of unprecedented value for regional jet aircraft.

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Customer’s

Voice

This paint finishing plant is large enough to store two manufactured MRJ aircraft. Main paint finishing systems (Booth A and Booth B) for painting manufactured aircraft as well as those for small-parts and components are installed, each furnished with air-conditioning equipment for both painting and drying. Optimum air-conditioning equipment enables excellent sealing performance in a vast space, allowing manufactured aircraft to be brought in as they are.

Taikisha will continue to pursue the world’s leading-edge paint technologies with a focus on energy saving and environmental conservation. At the same time, Taikisha intends to meet the broad range of customer and social needs by reinforcing its capacity to handle diverse painting-related projects including aircraft painting.

The first painting operation was conducted at the paint finishing plant from late October until early December 2017.

[Major equipment]1. Main paint finishing systemThere are two booths which can each store one manufactured aircraft (Booth A, Booth B). Each booth is equipped with air-conditioning equipment for both painting and drying.2. Equipment for small-parts and componentsA small-parts painting chamber and its air-conditioning system are installed.3. Equipment for paint-mixing chamberFully equipped with exclusive air-conditioning equipment and ventilation system.

This is a project attempting to complete the whole process of painting through drying in a building structure that can house a whole MRJ airframe, the first of its kind for us, and started out with studying its feasibility. As the painting and drying facilities were so huge, the construction of the building structure and the facility was conducted at the same time. Being able to complete the construction of a paint finishing plant under a severe time frame for such a rare construction work will become a valuable asset for both companies. I was especially impressed by Taikisha’s excellent engineering capability, which was demonstrated in the air flow simulations.

There will be more opportunities for collaboration in the future not only in Japan but also overseas. I would like to cooperate with Taikisha while leveraging each party’s expertise.

Hiroshige KakeiWorksite Manager

MHI Plant Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.

A technology that enables painting the whole airframe

Inside the paint finishing plant Booth A

Photos courtesy of MHI Plant Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.

Photos courtesy of Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation

Inside the paint finishing plant Booth B

Two aircraft stored in a hangar after painting completed

©Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation ©Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation

©Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation

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