Rhodes Interform scoops deal

Rhodes Interform scoops Chinese CATIC deal

Rhodes Interform Limited, one of Europe's leading manufacturers of special purpose metalforming machinery, has beaten off stiff international competition to win an order from CATIC (China National Aero-Technology International Supply Corporation) for a 250 tonne Hot Forming Press.

CATIC has purchased the Hot Forming Press to cater for increased demand, and will use the press to manufacture titanium helicopter fuselage components. The Hot Forming Press, which operates at up to 1000 Deg C, incorporates a series of Cushion Pins situated in the lower hot platen, offering a deep forming / blank-holding facility. The dies are manufactured from a nickel-chrome alloy to ensure dimensional stability and strength at the elevated forming temperatures.

The Hot Forming Press will offer CATIC a method of accurately forming single sheet components into extremely complex, accurate, deep drawn shapes. The process involves heating the component sheet to a specific and accurately controlled temperature prior to forming.  The process offers excellent forming definition and eliminates 'spring back' which can occur when cold forming.

As one of only a few companies in the world capable of manufacturing Hot forming Presses to the required specification, Rhodes Interform, which includes the international names of 'John Shaw' and 'Chester Hydraulics' was chosen after it successfully demonstrated the necessary technical skills and manufacturing capacity to complete the order within the given time scale.

Rhodes Interform Sales and Marketing Director Barry Richardson says: "We are delighted to have received this order from CATIC after a tough tender process. Our industry expertise, tradition for innovation and our ability to provide highly technical, accurate manufacturing capacity.

Based in Beijing, China, CATIC is a state-owned conglomerate specialising in aviation, operating seven specialised companies and ten regional subsidiaries in China and an additional 56 overseas branches worldwide.  CATIC has developed a number of high-performance aircraft such as the K-8 trainer, JF-17 fighter and EC-120 helicopter. It also manufactures (under subcontract) a large number of parts and components for aircraft, engines and airborne equipment for the likes of Boeing, Airbus, GE, Rolls Royce, Pratt & Whitney, SNECMA, Honeywell and Rockwell Collins.

Barry, who recently returned from a week's business trip to the Far East, adds: There are exciting opportunities coming out of this region next year and I'm convinced our expertise in composite and extrusion press manufacturing and installation will lead to a full order book in 2006."