Manufacturer picks up major aerospace contract
Rhodes Interform, part of the manufacturer Group Rhodes based in Wakefield, 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 1,000°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.
Its 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 parent company Group Rhodes has a 200 year metal forming history, and has also been manufacturing presses to form composite materials from as early as the 1930s.
