KLM Opens State-of-the-Art Engine Shop

KLM Opens State-of-the-Art Engine Shop

KLM Engineering and Maintenance (KLM E&M) opened a new turbine engine shop at Schiphol-East in December 2004. This is a division called Engine Services, which maintains engines and engine components, provides a combination of maintenance and availability of engines, and offers ad-hoc engine maintenance and individual repairs. With the new shop, KLM hopes to shorten turn times by offering more capacity and more capabilities.

KLM E&M expects to be able to have 350 shop visits per year up from the current 225. KLM E&M has already worked on one of General Electric's most prolific engines, the CF6 series. The new engine overhaul center will include the CFM56-7 and it is being prepared to accommodate the CF6-80E1.

The engine shop has a clear, process- oriented layout and design, according to KLM, with a clearly visible route for engines being worked on. This workflow should increase efficiency and shorten turnaround times. Potential growth was also factored into the design of the facility.

All workplaces comply with health and safety legislation in the region. Energysaving measures such as light regulation linked to available daylight, high- and lowtemperature storage deep underground, cabin re-circulation, diminished air usage, and reduced heat emission have all been incorporated in the design.

Engine Services has expanded its repair capabilities, enabling the organization to carry out more repairs in-house and provide better control over the total maintenance process.

Construction of the facility cost 75 million euros and covers a surface area of 400,000 square feet. There are three buildings, the engine shop, the office block, and a building dedicated to the galvanic plating process.

KLM E&M has worked with GE to combine OEM and operator expertise and is participating in the Six Sigma quality program. - By Thierry Dubois