'Big green machine' arrives at Precision

Workers use a crane to lift a 90,000 pound autoclave from its transport trailer Wednesday afternoon at Precision Aero. The arrival of the machine is one more step in the growth of the company, which repairs aircraft components. Ralph Pokorny/ Herald

By Ralph Pokorny

Ken Loomer, his son Mark and most of the Precision Aero Services personnel, as well as Sam Foursha, Nevada economic development director, stood in the warm March sunshine Wednesday afternoon watching as the operators of a 200-ton capacity crane from Joplin fastened one-inch diameter steel cables around the 90,000 pound green autoclave, lifted it off its transport trailer and gently deposited it on the asphalt parking lot behind their plant.

This was the last major piece of equipment that Loomer was waiting for.

"They don't make 'em like this anymore," Ken Loomer, said looking the autoclave over.

Loomer has been waiting for this to arrive from the company he purchased it from in Oravane, Ohio, since the company's open house in January.

He said that they had to wait until the weather improved in Ohio so part of the building the autoclave was installed in could be torn down for its removal.

This autoclave, which is 9 feet deep, 12 feet wide and 30 feet long, will be use to bond materials used to make and repair aircraft parts, under 250 degree temperature at 35 to 40 pounds per square inch pressure. The device can operate at temperatures up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit and a pressure of 220 pounds per square inch.

Mark Loomer said that they currently are using a large oven and bonding products in a vacuum bag, which is satisfactory, however, bonds done under high pressure are more uniform.

Before they can install the autoclave, Ken Loomer said that they will have to tear out a section of the wall of the building, replace some of the existing four-inch concrete floor with thicker concrete that can support the weight of the equipment and pour a concrete pad outside of the building to support the portion of the autoclave that extends outside the building.

After the autoclave is installed he said they then need to build a containment pit and install six or seven stainless steel vats to etch metal parts to before they are bonded and the accompanying air vent system to the fumes from the etching process.

Mark Loomer said that they currently have 10 employees and when the works picks up they will be ready to hire more people.