Rhodes Interform secures major new aerospace contract

Rhodes Interform, part of Group Rhodes, has won a contract to carry out a major refurbishment on a high temperature Superplastic Forming Press (SPF) in the aerospace industry.

The press, one of a pair manufactured by Rhodes Interform for a major customer in the North West of England, is designed to operate continuously at 1000°C, forming highly complex titanium aerostructures.  This is the first major refit of the machine since its installation 10 years ago and is one of the largest projects of its type conducted in the UK in recent years.

The refurbishment by Rhodes Interform will focus on the replacement of all the high temperature components including press platens, platen fixings, supporting insulations and heatshield trims.

Rhodes Interform’s Technical Director Peter Anderton said: “This is a large project which involves careful project management to ensure it can be completed on time, so the customer can return to a full production in a planned, controlled manner.  We have a highly experienced team of service engineers who have expertise in running contracts which reduce plant downtime and maximise operational efficiency through planned maintenance schedules.”

To reduce downtime to a minimum, Rhodes Interform’s team of specialist service engineers will provide a seven day per week service for a period of six weeks.

Rhodes Interform’s machine refurbishments offer customers a cost-effective solution to dramatically improve equipment life and increase productivity. The company provides a complete one-stop refurbishment service, from arranging for the machine to be transported to the company’s maintenance facility in Wakefield, through to retrofitting new components and re-commissioning on site. 

Rhodes Interform’s parent company Group Rhodes, based in West Yorkshire, boasts a 200 year metalforming history and has also been manufacturing presses to form composite materials from as early as the 1930s. The company has won Queen’s Awards for both Innovation and International Trade in recent years, particularly for its work in the aerospace sector.

For more information please visit the website www.grouprhodes.co.uk or contact the Technical Sales department on + (44) 01924 37 11 61.