RMS Acquires Turbine Blade, Parts Manufacturer: Blading Services Unlimited

Rotating Machinery Services (RMS) recently acquired BSU, integrating the company with its own engineering, repair, and maintenance services on critical compression equipment. The collaboration with BSU brings together expert personnel and additional customer relationships, reinforcing RMS’ aftermarket upgrades, repair, maintenance, and rebuilding/overhaul services for turbomachinery.

BSU is an independent aftermarket turbine blade and parts manufacturer focused on producing new blading for all models of gas turbines, steam turbines, and compressors. It offers precision engineering, in-house tooling, quality assurance, and customer service, expanding RMS’ capabilities and providing customers access to high-quality blades.

Blade manufacturing; image credit: RMS

RMS News

In June 2024, engineering and metrology teams at RMS performed a drop-in blower replacement on an AC Compressor-brand D54 centrifugal compressor. The teams scanned the current blower during operation at RMS’ Pearland Works facility, revealing critical geometries such as suction and discharge nozzles and baseplate feet without interfering with the customer’s production schedule.

The digital overlay provided by the real-time scan prepared RMS for the virtual assembly process in the Prevu3D platform. A virtual overlay of the replacement blower was compared to the original scan data, allowing engineers to understand how the component would fit into the system upon installation. The scan comparison established the need for precise baseplate machining for a seamless fit on the new blower—RMS partnered with a field machining company to optimize baseplate geometry for efficient installation and optimal shaft end alignment.

The overlay also showed differences in discharge nozzle heights between the existing blower and the replacement part. Engineers used metrology data to fabricate a transition spool, addressing the height variation.

In January, RMS partnered with a plastics manufacturing customer to upgrade and overhaul an AC compressor DH single-stage centrifugal compressor. The customer enlisted RMS’s services to replace the compressor’s water seals with dry gas seals. RMS conducted the engineering and build of the conversion process, including the control panel for the dry gas seal skid, compressor overhaul, dry gas seal installation, and pre-installation testing at the customer’s site. A spare seal housing and spare rotor were also supplied by RMS.

The upgrade to dry gas seals can lead to improved efficiency and operation. RMS began the conversion with a critical design and implementation of the dry gas seal control panel and dry gas seal skid. The engineering division led the design and manufacture of critical components to support the conversion at the customer’s site. In order to support a smooth transition, RMS cooperated with the customer to overhaul the DH compressor and pull it from operation. Engineers successfully overhauled and upgraded the compressor unit with dry gas seals, as well as manufactured two new rotors for the machine. One rotor will be used for operation and the other will be used as a spare for this unit.