Manufacturing Engineering Magazine
features LAI's manufacturing technology

Advanced machining methods produce precision
components for oil and gas extraction industries

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 9, 2009 — LAI International’s advanced methods for manufacturing components for oil and gas extraction are spotlighted in a major trade magazine for manufacturing and engineering. 
   LAI, a strategic supplier of precision components and subassemblies for original equipment manufacturers, is featured in “Advances in Oil and Gas Extraction,” a technical article written by Bruce Morey in this month’s edition of Manufacturing Engineering Magazine.
   LAI, which has ongoing contracts for manufacturing parts used for oil and gas extraction, provides turnkey manufacturing services for components and sub-assemblies found in down-hole drilling operations.
   “Clearly, organizations with specialized manufacturing technologies and skills may be in more demand, especially if the outsourcing trend continues,” Morey reported in the article. “Another example is LAI International Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz., which uses an advanced waterjet cutting process to manufacture flex couplings. Used to steer downhole drilling operations, the couplings incorporate an interlocking design in 4' (1.2-m) long alloy steel pipe. 
   The customer had an existing design using stiff rubber bolted to metal parts that they wanted to make more robust, according to Thomas Sterner, operations support manager for LAI. 
   ‘Although the flex coupling we make appears to be assembled from separate interlocking pieces, it is actually cut from a single piece of pipe. We offer the part in nickel-plated steel or a precipitation-hardened stainless steel, giving it even greater longevity,’ says Sterner.”
   The complete article is available here: SME.org/cgi-bin/find-articles.pl?&ME09ART9&ME&20090201&&SME&#article. 


About LAI International
   LAI is the premier manufacturer of precision engineered components and assemblies for aerospace, power generation, defense and other advanced technology industries. Its technology, engineering and manufacturing solutions are the lifeblood of airframes, aircraft engines, power generators, defense systems and other mission-critical applications.
   The company is the largest precision contract manufacturer in its class with the fastest growth as ranked by Inc. Magazine. 
   LAI has developed longstanding, strategic relationships with leading global players across multiple areas of their operations, including Boeing, Eaton, GE, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Siemens, and more than 70 percent of Fortune 500 global manufacturers.
   LAI operates five U.S. manufacturing facilities, with locations in Minneapolis, Phoenix, Tucson, Westminster, Md., and Scarborough, Maine — all of which are ISO 9001:2000 and AS9100 certified. The company also offers NADCAP-certified non-conventional machining processes.
   For more information, see www.LAIco.com. 

Quick Facts: LAI International, Inc.
- Founded in 1979
- Five U.S. manufacturing facilities: Phoenix, Tucson, Minneapolis, Westminster, Md., and Scarborough, Maine
- Corporate headquarters located in Scottsdale, Ariz.
- All facilities ISO 9001:2000 | AS9100 certified
- Lockheed Martin Corporate STAR Supplier
- Northrop Grumman Platinum Supplier
- Inc. 5,000 fastest-growing company award winner, 2007 and 2008