PECM Issue 23 2016 | Page 31

Metalock’s steel plant refurbishment reputation spreads worldwide To speed the orbital turning operation and ensure that all seven shafts matched, Metalock fixed a template of the stepped profile to the orbital turning device. The tools followed this profile, as in a copying lathe. Global operation Metalock Engineering’s reputation is growing apace and as well as roughing mill stand refurbishments at Corus, Llanwern; the reversing roughing mill at Corus, Port Talbot and the orbital turning project on the seven beam straightening machine shafts at Corus, Teesside, the company has carried out projects in Spain, at Aviles for Aceralia refurbishing eight screwdown bores; refurbished four mill stands for Sollac in Marseilles and done similar work for Iran Steel in Esfahan. Such is the company’s experience in this type of work that all the contracts were accomplished within the time and budgets allocated by the client to the satisfaction of all concerned. In past years Metalock has carried out works in steel plants in Poland, Turkey, Chile, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, South Africa, India, Romania, China, Canada and the USA. Cast iron repairs In addition to the machining work Metalock Engineering UK is the largest and most successful company in the world specialising in cold repairs to cast iron using the Metalock process. This technique was developed over 70 years ago for the repair of castings in iron, bronze, aluminium and steel that have been cracked or broken. Because it is a cold repair it avoids the normal stress problems associated with welding. The Metalock process is the accepted repair technique for all cracked, broken and damaged castings in a wide range of industries, for a multitude of applications. The repair consists of peening layers of Metalock special nickel alloy multi-dumbbell shaped keys into prepared apertures. These keys are highly ductile and can be peened into a metal-tometal condition to become almost integral with the component’s parent metal. Metalock keys are manufactured in a variety of sizes to suit each individual job. Their high strength ensures the return of a high percentage of the original strength. The essential advantages of the Metalock repair are that no heat stresses are introduced, no distortion occurs and in many instances machining is unnecessary. The process is invaluable in emergency situations and in many cases where the component is accessible, it can be done in-situ to avoid costly dismantling and re-assembly. When it comes to providing specialist services to the world steel industry, Metalock is one of the leaders by offering its skills in In-Situ Machining, Cold Repairs to Cast Iron and Cast Iron Fusion Welding, For those who require it, the company provides alignment services and has a comprehensive in house machining facility at its headquarters in Coventry, England. www.metalock.co.uk Issue 23 PECM 31