Critical repair work on CFM56-5B engine fan blades

Citation

(2005), "Critical repair work on CFM56-5B engine fan blades", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 77 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2005.12777faf.008

Critical repair work on CFM56-5B engine fan blades

Critical repair work on CFM56-5B engine fan blades

Keywords: Aircraft engines, Aircraft components

GKN Aerospace's strong relationship with Snecma Services, providing repair and overhaul for its entire range of CFM engine fan blades, is now extended with approval for R&O work on the CFM56-5B fan blade.

GKN Aerospace announces receipt of its latest approval from Snecma Services covering restoration of the overall length and midspan shrouds on the fan blades of the CFM56-5B engine. The blade length and midspan shroud dimensions are critical to the effective operation of the fan blade, but over time these items wear. Restoration through welding, machining and subsequent High Velocity Oxy Fuel (HVOF) tungsten carbide protective coating on the midspan shrouds, is vital to maintain engine performance.

Today, apart from Snecma Services, GKN Aerospace is said to be the only approved repair source for this work world-wide, allowing the Company to offer a wider range of repairs on this relatively new blade type than any other R&O provider. The Company is approved to work on the entire range of CFM engines providing a wide – and growing – range of fan blade repair services to airline and engine overhaul shops globally.

Steve Pearl VP Commercial Aftermarket of GKN Aerospace comments: “We have worked closely with Snecma to create a strong, effective relationship and our activity on CFM engines represents the largest and fastest growing segment of our entire engine fan blade repair business.”

He continues: “In common with our targets in our other business areas, we aim to become the leading supplier of engine fan blade repair and overhaul outside the engine primes themselves. We will achieve this is by offering the OEM's, airlines and engine shops the most effective, reliable and comprehensive service available globally”

GKN Aerospace has a wide range of approvals with all commercial jet engine OEM's, including CFMI, GE, Rolls- Royce, Pratt and Whitney, International Aero Engines and Honeywell. The Company has sales in the aftermarket and related businesses in excess of $140m. Primary activities include major composite and metallic off aircraft component repair, radome repair and certification, engine fan blade and component repair and overhaul and transparency repair and support.

The business is supported by GKN Aerospace's global presence, with 15 manufacturing “centres of excellence” around the world, extensive OEM and repair scheme experience and FAA repair station approvals. It is also backed by the Company's acknowledged world-leading engineering capability. GKN Aerospace has an unrivalled track record in its field for successfully applying innovation and for creating highly effective working partnerships with customers.

Details available from: GKN Aerospace, Tel.: +44 (0)1983 283649, Web site: www.aerospace.gknplc.com