Operator Newsletter

Chromalloy expands Bangkok, Thailand, operation

Chromalloy has doubled capacity at its Bangkok Turbine Services Thailand operation to better serve customers throughout the region. Turbine Services Thailand, which is wholly owned by Chromalloy, features a new building and equipment such as thermal spray coatings, vacuum heat treatment, surface enhancements for components and high temperature braze repairs. The USD $2.8 million expansion brings the number of buildings on Chromalloy's Thailand campus to three, with a total of 64,500 square feet of operational workspace.

The campus serves gas turbine engine operators in both the Industrial Gas Turbine (IGT) and aerospace segments. The IGT operation has become a regional leader in capabilities and quality, and has been ISO 9001 certified since 2004. The entire scope of IGT repairs can be performed at Turbine Services Thailand, including coating removal, advanced Non-Destructive Evaluation and Inspection, advanced welding and high temperature braze with hydrogen fluoride cleaning, high temperature coatings and full metallurgical analysis and material evaluation.

The operation is self-sufficient on all combustion and turbine hot sections component repairs for each major Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) engine, and is a qualified source for V94.2 blade and vane repairs. For aircraft operators, the campus provides a range of turbine engine repairs and services.

"This was an important event for Chromalloy and BELAC," said Armand F. Lauzon, Jr., President. "During the three-day event we met with customers and signed contracts that represent important milestones for the company and our customers."

The largest event in the world for the aviation maintenance industry, MRO Americas included conference sessions on process improvements, information technology and other areas. Keynote presentations were made by airline officials and other industry leaders. The event was co-located with MRO Military, which featured sessions on warfighter sustainment and other topics.

Throughout the events Chromalloy's Arizona facility in Phoenix provided site tours. The facility, one of more than 30 in the company's global network, repairs small turbine engine components for auxiliary power units, business jet engines and industrial gas turbine engines less than 12 MW.

Chromalloy announces 7FA/E repair and exchange program
Chromalloy's global network has announced a new service line - a repair and exchange program for Industrial Gas Turbine (IGT) engine parts. The program provides repairs for Frame 7FA/E vanes and shroud blocks, as well as exchanges to customers for their repairable sets.

"The program allows operators to reduce the engine build time significantly. We anticipate this new program will reduce operators' outage time as it offers savings to the customers over other repair services," said Pete Watson, Vice President, Industrial Gas Turbine. "We have amassed advanced technologies and repairs from across our portfolio, including aviation turbines, and are delivering solutions to IGT operators with a new synergistic approach."

The company initially purchased Frame 7FA/E first and second stage vane segments. Chromalloy's Orangeburg and Oklahoma operations repaired components for the joint repair project. For the first Frame 7FA/E engine, first stage vanes were sent to the Orangeburg facility for disassembly, weld, high temperature braze repair and advanced coatings application. Second stage vanes were sent to Oklahoma for disassembly, weld, braze and aluminide coating application. "We've aligned our internal programs with the needs of our customers, engineering specific solutions that mitigate risk and optimize performance of their engines," Watson said.

The 'New for Used' program allows engine operators and maintenance, repair and overhaul centers to exchange used, as removed, HPT blades for new BELAC blades. Proceeds from the removed blades are used to offset the cost of new Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) replacement blades. "This exchange will reduce or even eliminate the cost to the operator of installing new BELAC blades," said Chong Yi, President.

In turn, BELAC takes the removed trade-in blades into Chromalloy's global service network, repairing the blades that are then offered to other customers as engine-run blades.

Chromalloy Depot showcased during Western Turbine Users event
Chromalloy participated in the Western Turbine Users Inc. (WTUI) 20th anniversary conference last month in San Diego, exhibiting and hosting customer meetings and visits to the company's new LM2500 service depot. During the three-day WTUI conference, John McKirdy, General Manager, said his site hosted 37 customers tours and more than 80 visitors at the new LM2500 depot.

Last fall, Chromalloy began offering LM2500 gas turbine engine operators a complete range of depot maintenance, repair and overhaul services - a proven, cost-effective alternative to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) support. For more than 20 years, the company has delivered high quality service and high performance components for the LM2500 - and expanded it by providing operators a dedicated depot. The facility offers High Pressure Turbine (HPT) module repair and overhaul, gas generator and power turbine overhaul, high performance replacement blades and vanes for the engine and an on-site test cell. The company's LM2500 parts and repairs have accrued approximately 700,000 operational hours.

"Customer feedback has been very positive, from immediate improved engine performance to a great appreciation for Chromalloy's timely and professional service," McKirdy said.