Heavy-Duty Compressor Base Fabrication
Industrial compressors, turbines, and their heavy drive motors generate massive dynamic loads and torsional vibrational forces. The base frame (or skid) they rest on must be engineered with absolute structural rigidity and machined to perfectly flat tolerances to ensure precise shaft alignment and prevent premature bearing failure.
At Openex, we specialize in the custom fabrication of massive compressor bases, pump bases, and industrial process skids. Utilizing our 180-acre facility, we combine heavy structural welding, massive thermal stress-relief furnaces, and large-scale gantry CNC milling to deliver base frames that are dimensionally flawless and ready for heavy machinery installation.
Compressor Base Manufacturing Specifications
We custom manufacture structural bases and skids to your exact blueprints. Below are our general facility capacities for base frame production:
| Maximum Length | Up to 25,000 mm (25 Meters) |
|---|---|
| Maximum Weight | Up to 150 Tons per Skid |
| Materials Processed | Carbon Steel (A36, Q345, S355), High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA), Stainless Steel. |
| Machining Tolerances | High-precision coplanarity and flatness across all motor and compressor mounting pads. |
| Quality & NDT Testing | 100% MT/UT on critical lifting lugs; strict AWS D1.1 structural welding compliance. |
Our Work: Heavy Bases Fabrication
The Manufacturing Process
To guarantee that a compressor base will not warp or twist under operating loads, strict manufacturing sequencing must be followed:
We cut and fit heavy I-beams, H-beams, and thick steel plates. Our AWS-certified welders utilize strict weld sequencing (FCAW/SAW) to minimize heat input and structural distortion during assembly.
This is a critical step. Before any machining occurs, the entire welded skid is placed into our massive on-site heat treatment furnaces to relieve residual welding stresses. This ensures the frame will never warp or lose tolerance during operation.
The stress-relieved base is moved to our large gantry milling centers. We face-mill the compressor, gearbox, and motor mounting pads in a single setup to guarantee absolute coplanarity across the entire skid.
The final base is steel-grit blasted and coated with high-performance industrial epoxies or polyurethanes to withstand harsh oil & gas or offshore environments.