Hydro – Areas of application

The ‘Hydro’ division was created through the acquisition of Franci S.r.l. in 2024, which specialised in the supply and overhauling of mechanical components for hydroelectric power plants and special mechanical processing through the previous integration of Fravit S.r.l.

Fravit was particularly active in researching and developing the technology for manufacturing Pelton runners from a single forged casting block. In fact, the first fully forged example was produced in the early 1990s, which led to a significant improvement in the basic quality of the runners

Thanks to the experience gained over the years, specialised personnel and state-of-the-art equipment, FIMIGroup is a leading supplier of components such as:

• Pelton runners
• Francis runners
• Kaplan buckets
• Pumps
• Nozzles
• Needle pins
• Various components (diffusers, guide vanes, outer shells, shields etc.)

In addition, thanks to the FIMI Service department and partnerships with highly specialised companies in the sector, FIMIGroup is able to offer a complete revamping service for systems and machines.

Over the years, many overhauls and repairs have been carried out on machine assemblies, such as

• Overhaul of Pelton runners with restoration of the hydraulic profiles by welding
• Overhaul of Francis runners
• Overhaul of Kaplan blades with interventions on hub and blades
• Overhaul of turbine shafts
• Overhaul of steering blades and distribution groups
• Overhaul of diffusers
• Overhaul of turbine shells and casings

FIMIGroup is also able to carry out the overhaul of valves and components. In this field, numerous disassembly, overhaul, repair and/or replacement of new components and final reassembly services have been carried out on:

• Ball valves
• Butterfly valves
• Gate valves
• Bearings (also with metal lining)

Our departments also carried out assembly work on sub-assemblies, such as:

• Shaft-mounted runners
• Runners, casing and injector tube
• Replacement of blades on Kaplan units

The special machinery allows FIMIGroup to machine large mechanical parts

• Precision machining
• Assembly
• Interventions on site
• Mechanical processing on site with specialised equipment and machines
• Dimensional measurements and digitisation of components at the power plant

The supply of a large number of forged runners (with diameters of up to 3,500 mm) and the by now current use in the Pelton runners’ sector have proven the excellence of this technology.