Smiths expands processing capability

Champlin, MN—The Laserdyne Systems Division of PRIMA North America, Inc. (www.prima-na.com) delivered two of its BeamDirector systems to Smiths Aerospace (Terre Haute, IN). The systems will be used for laser-processing turbine engine components, to complete a $1.4 million order that included upgrades to an existing system.

Smiths Aerospace, a division of Smiths Group PLC (London), is a global provider of innovative solutions to builders of military and civil aircraft engines. The company has more than 9000 employees in North America and Europe. In Terre Haute, Smiths has operated multiple Laserdyne units for more than 15 years. According to James Donohoe, general manager, "The addition of the new Laserdyne systems represents the latest efforts in our continuous improvement program to provide the most advanced processes for producing aerospace engines and components to our worldwide customers."

Smiths purchased a 790XS system with an extended Z axis, which is designed primarily for maskant scribing. The other system, a 790XL, is a seven-axis unit with two rotary tables that will be used for drilling cooling holes in thermal barrier-coated turbine engine components.