Chapter 11: Turbine Component Group

Steel Improvement realized that if they wished to continue in the jet engine blade business, they needed the capability to finish machine both compressor and turbine blades. Therefore, in 1957, the company acquired Custom Tool and Manufacturing in Minneapolis, which is now SIFCO Custom Machining Company. Custom had the ability to shape and precision machine complex contours, high temperature alloys and many other types of materials, plus the highly specialized skills necessary to repair and remanufacture both compressor and turbine blades.

	This, when combined with Steel Improvement's metallurgical skills, enabled the company to move into a number of fascinating new programs such as molybdenum rocket nozzles (1960), steering mechanisms for the submarine launched Polaris missile (1985) and alloyed aluminum chassis and cover plates to house
electronic engine control boards for the U. S. space shuttles. In 1958, Custom produced small vanes, buckets and blades for the T56 and J83 engines and buckets and blades for the Navy J34 and J57 programs. At the same time, Custom main airfoil production grew. During the Vietnam War, the one millionth gas turbine blade was produced for the T-53 helicopter engine manufactured by Avco/Lycoming.