VAI Member Spotlight: RotorWeld, New Zealand

August 27, 2024

Top Story

2 Minutes

Driven by innovation, maker of specialty tooling provides support for Airbus helicopters and Safran engines.

Helicopter-maintenance tooling company RotorWeld designs, manufactures, and distributes a comprehensive range of specialty tools chiefly for Airbus helicopters and Safran gas turbine engines.

Tools for Single- and Twin-Engine Helicopters
Henderson knew what tools worked for helicopters, what tools could be better, and what tools were on his wish list when he worked for Airbus. Although he started RotorWeld more than 25 years ago by providing specialized tools for single-engine Airbus helicopters, more recently the company has turned its focus to the twin-engine MBB BK 117/Eurocopter EC145/Airbus H145 helicopter family and is working to expand its offerings for these aircraft.

RotorWeld’s helicopter maintenance tooling is precision crafted with manufacturing techniques aided by computer numerical control (CNC) to increase efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

“I’ve never been far from a lathe or milling machine, so after many years maintaining fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, I started my own venture to manufacture and supply specialist maintenance tooling,” Henderson says.

Welding Services
In addition to helicopter tooling, RotorWeld provides precision welding services. The company focuses on welding of metals used in aircraft and engines, including 4130 chromoly, stainless steel, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and Inconel. The welds meet American National Standards Institute AWS D17.1 aerospace welding specifications.

RotorWeld uses the latest manufacturing techniques and premium surface-protection systems to ensure durability and performance. Additionally, the company designed durable tool and kit packages to minimize damage and streamline storage.

“Our commitment to quality goes beyond materials and manufacturing techniques,” Henderson says. “We’re engineers who actively utilize these tools, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This translates into innovative designs that address real-world challenges and optimize your maintenance process.”

Hydraulic Systems
RotorWeld’s latest tool is the AS350 external hydraulic-pump drive. The drive attaches directly to the side of installed hydraulic pumps on AS350 B4 and EC130 T2 helicopters with pre-modification and post-modification pulleys and brackets, without the need to break into the hydraulic system. This tool applies hydraulic power to enable maintenance technicians to conduct fault diagnoses and systems checks without running the turbine engine.