In cases where dismantling and transportation of the crankshaft is not difficult or uneconomical, KIMI offers the laser cladding solution. Laser cladding’s advantage over in-situ machining is the journals’ restoration to their original diameter. Journals’ repair with laser cladding can be a one-way solution in cases where undersized bearings or crankshafts are not available in the market or crankshaft replacement is too expensive.
When it comes to journals welding, the most common doubts involve the heat input in the process and the stresses being introduced in the journal during welding. Unlike other existing welding methods, laser cladding beam thermal input can be precisely controlled. Therefore, laser cladding is the most proper technique for the repair of components in which minimum heat input and distortion is required. Another question raised could be regarding bonding strength as crankshafts experience a large number of load cycles during their service life. With laser cladding low dilution and strong metallurgical bonds are achieved between the powdered and the base material, the only bond that can successfully withstand dynamic loads in long term.
KIMI developed crankshaft repair with laser cladding in association with NTUA (National Technical University of Athens) and other European Institutes. The welding process has been approved by Bureau Veritas for building up to 20mm diametrically which is certainly a rather uncommon case. In addition to laser cladding, KIMI offers the following supplementary services to ensure excellence:
- Inspection and full reporting before and after repair
- NDT Inspection- NDT services and certificates are issued by certified personnel (Level II EN473)
- Hardness Testing – Hardness certificate per ISO 17025
- Heat Treatment