In early December 2006 New Zealand Steel approached AIE to fabricate a new induced draught fan casing and impeller to replace the East ID Fan casing and impeller that had been damaged in an explosion. Time was of the essence as part of their slabmaking plant was down, and NZ Steel looked to AIE to manufacture a replacement casing and impeller as fast as possible. Within two days manufacturing drawings were produced and materials were ordered. The first components for the fan casing were on site ready for assembly within five days of the order being placed.
Once the fan casing was underway, the focus of the AIE design team shifted to the impeller to see if we could come up with a design that would offer better performance and with an extended life. The new design was drawn and independently assessed using an FEA package before working drawings were completed and issued to the workshop.
Manufacture of the new casing and impeller was completed within four weeks with extended hours being worked including Christmas Day and Boxing Day to achieve the delivery deadline.
Ray Burden, NZ Steel’s Project Manager said "We were very impressed by the professionalism and commitment shown by the AIE team over the Christmas and New Year period to build a new Fan Impellor and casing. Their commitment enabled us to bring a critical piece of plant back on stream in the shortest possible time"
Since completion of the East Fan, AIE were also commissioned to manufacture a replacement West Fan, and other components including fan shafts and hub assemblies.
