This Month's Magazine

Re-made in New Zealand

Don’t biff it, …….. repair it”: Air New Zealand repairs
equipment for local industry.

Air New Zealand Gas Turbines has recently used some of its advanced workshop engineering processes and technology to help out the local oil and gas industry.
Kapuni Gas Treatment plant owner, Vector, requested assistance for the complex repair of three Weir pump shafts after hearing of Air New Zealand’s capability at its Gas Turbine overhaul facility in Auckland.

The damaged shafts made from solid high-strength corrosion resistant steel featured bearing surfaces, key ways, labyrinth seals and locating lugs. On examination the condition indicated rotating wear characteristics beyond limits and also cracks, tears and holes caused from a ‘hard life’ in a tough environment.

“Ordinarily, for such damage, these shafts would either have to be shipped back to the OEM in Scotland, or possibly discarded” states Vector Asset/Reliability Technician Greg Werder”.

Essentially a metal dimensional restoration project, the repair procedure involved a myriad of processes including non destructive crack detection, dimensional confirmation, specialised welding, plasma spray and complex machining. Research by the Air New Zealand team determined that one of their specially selected spray coatings (ANZGTA29) would be the most appropriate given the harsh operating conditions. Air New Zealand’s ability to perform all these operations under one roof not only allowed for a turn-key operation, but had significant benefits in quality checking, variations and total turn-time.

In recognition of its core skills, Air New Zealand Gas Turbines is particularly conscious of its ability to repair and refurbish high-value rotating equipment and has made a strategic decision to offer these services to the New Zealand Domestic industrial market.

Says Brent Miller of the newly formed Gas Turbines ‘Industrial Services’ team …. “we have a unique range of absolute top-end processes for repairing rotating equipment. It is a real opportunity to offer these services outside of aviation and at the same time help keep repair dollars in New Zealand. Before industry considers discarding this kind of equipment or sending it overseas for repair, it might pay to give us a call”. Brent indicates that likely players will include Energy, Marine, Mining and large manufacturing/processing plants.

The formation of the Industrial Services team is a new initiative by Air New Zealand Gas Turbines designed to support New Zealand Industry with maintenance processes and technology adapted from their aerospace experience.

For further information: Tel 09 256 3182 or visit www.airnewzealandgasturbines.co.nz.