Wakefield-based Rhodes Interform, a specialist in bespoke composite and metal-forming machinery — and part of Group Rhodes (www.grouprhodes.co.uk) — has been awarded a contract to refurbish equipment used in the manufacture of composite helicopter rotor blades; this includes six hot platen presses up to 10m long, which were originally built by John Shaw (now part of Group Rhodes).

The hydraulic seals on the platen press cylinders were becoming worn, which was affecting the performance of the equipment.

The machines are used to manufacture tail-rotor and main-rotor blades for emergency air/sea rescue and civil helicopters.

The contract will see Rhodes Interform supply and re-fit all the main hydraulic seals for 30 cylinder assemblies, as well as undertake a complete overhaul of the six Oilgear-Towler hydraulic power units; these had been suffering internal leakage, which reduced press speeds and pressures.

Rhodes Interform’s team of engineers will take one press at a time out of production for a three-week period. Peter Anderton, technical director at Rhodes Interform, said: “The fact that these presses have performed well for 35 years is testament to the quality of their manufacture.

“We will use the skills of our production and technical teams to ensure that all equipment replaced is to the highest standard, and we expect the customer to benefit from major production efficiencies as a result of this.”