TLD is the world leader in GSE (Ground Support Equipment for airports), they design, build and market all kinds of Equipment to service aircraft while on the tarmac. Always looking to offer better products and better value to their clients they evaluated hot-dip galvanizing for their many GSE products. In particular was the Conditioned Air Units that provide air conditioning for aircraft cabin cooling while on the tarmac. General airport environmental conditions and specific issues with Conditioned Air Units made corrosion a problem. Hot-dip galvanizing with its long-proven success in many other applications seemed a good option.

The Conditioned Air Unit is used to supply cooled and dehumidified air to aircraft cabins while the plane is on the tarmac or at the gate. This aggressive outdoor environment replete with jet exhaust, rain, snow, anti-slip abrasives and ice melting chemicals all conspire against the lifespan of the Unit. The air conditioning function of the Unit further creates corrosion with constant condensate runoff. Proper design of technical components is critical but the trailer frame structure itself was too large and heavy to economically justify the use of corrosion proof base materials. The amazingly low cost of steel to provide the structural support and impact protection for the mechanical equipment was compelling and the addition of hot-dip galvanizing addressed the only weakness of steel; corrosion.

This combination of steel and zinc provided an exceptional value equation of low cost, high strength and maintenance free long service life. The designers, fabricators and galvanizers worked together to insure an optimum end result through collaborative engineering. Prototypes highlighted areas for improvement and the end result is a very effective final design that provides maximum value at minimum cost to the end users.

Once designed the key to success for HDG in such demanding markets is strong quality and process controls that can deliver an exceptionally consistent high-quality coating every single time. Automated processes in the galvanizing plant combined with robust shop floor computer systems insure seamless flow of information to and from plant personnel. This in turn assures process compliance on every dip as well as complete trace-ability of every process step. 

This success is leading to an expansion of Hot-dip galvanized steel throughout other product lines. The wide variety of GSE’s seen in every airport (Conditioned Air Units, Air Starters, Aircraft Tractors, Loaders etc) represent very substantial investments and long-life dependability is key to good return on these investments. Hot-dip galvanized steel is proud to play a growing and successful role in this important market.