Duncan Aviation has invested in the necessary equipment, tooling and training to bring Honeywell HTF7000 series engine turbine blade changes and balancing capabilities in-house, in order to reduce downtime and control costs.

The company has purchased a new Schenck V2L/CAB925 vertical balancing machine capable of achieving accuracy within 30 millionths of an inch. This precision measurement is critical for engines to be in the best balance condition possible when reassembled, avoiding vibrations.

Duncan has control of all necessary repairs on the HTF7000 series LPT module assembly. If, during a scheduled video borescope inspection, discrepancies are found requiring further engine disassembly and inspection, the company carry out a deblade, reblade and balance of individual LPT discs, and the assembly as a whole to include group balance.

Bringing this inspection in-house is intended to reduce downtime to 21 calendar days, depending on parts availability. “Having this new capability in-house reduces shipping costs, potential damage to the module and miscommunication,” says Shawn Schmitz, engine technical representative. “We have better control of the entire engine event.”