Lord Corp. (Booth No. 563) has come to Heli-Expo on a mission: to announce to the helicopter world that it’s more than just a parts supplier, it’s a systems integrator.
Just ask Bell Helicopter, which recently hired Lord to build and assemble the entire rotorhead for its 407 and 427 models, using Lord’s bonded elastomeric isolators. Lord also supplies elastomeric tail rotor bearings and Frahm dampers along with a number of elastomeric components for pylon isolation.

Before signing its new contract with Lord, Bell bought or manufactured and assembled all its rotorhead components. The contract allows Bell to eliminate a host of procurement steps needed to build a system of more than 100 components. Instead of placing numerous orders with various suppliers, Bell now can place a single order with Lord.

After receiving the yoke from Bell, Lord buys or machines all the other components and assembles the rotorheads at its plant in Erie, Pa. The company has created a dedicated cell to assemble the heads for some six 407s and four 427s each month. Lord also does overhaul and repair services at the same location.

Lord’s new “systems approach” also extends to other aerospace services, including repair and overhaul of helicopter parts and blue-coat repair services for Bell. The company’s remanufacturing program, dubbed Reman, allows customers to choose from an exchange pool, spare replacement parts or complete overhaul.

One of its specialties is a Bell 206 replacement tail rotor trunnion–guaranteed to deliver 2,500 hours between maintenance visits. A self-centering elastomeric bearing eliminates the need for trunnion centering, making installation quicker and easier.
The design also eliminates the need for lubrication at 50 hours or inclement weather, as well as grease from blades or blade feathering bearings. According to Lord, it reduces vibration and out-of-balance conditions and unscheduled maintenance by removing problems associated with loss of preload on the trunnion.