Machine Shop Services with Lock n' Stitch Repairs to Cast Iron
Lock n' stitch repairs to cast iron are an innovative alternative to welding and are preferable to fusion welding or brazing in many cases. If you have a valuable machine fabricated out of cast iron and need to put it back into full working order, there are times when you can’t use a fusion welding method and yet need a robust fix to get the job done. Top notch machine shop services that specialize in lock n' stitch repairs to cast iron have the experience with both methods, and they have the skill and judgment to make the adjustments necessary to put your cast iron back to work.
Here’s how lock n’ stitch works. After the surface is cleaned and inspected, a series of tapped holes are drilled into the cast iron. A series of pins are then placed into the holes and along cracks to seal the fissures and all leaks in the original cast iron. The pins are then ground down to form a sealed, smooth surface with a bond stronger than the original material.
Lock n’ stitch offers several important advantages over welding. For example, in cases where large pieces of cast iron cannot be easily moved, high temperature fusion welding with dangerous equipment is not feasible. The lock n’ stitch method requires almost no dismantling, and can be done safely in hazardous areas without hazardous equipment. Welding also distorts the original material, where lock n’ stitch makes no deformation on the original. In fact, with proper clamping, you can hold to the accurate tolerances. Lock n’ stitch is also much more flexible as it can incorporate dissimilar metals in the process. Finally, there are structural and performance benefits to lock n’ stitch. This method relieves built up stress in the cast iron and distributes it through the material. This prevents future cracking and improves overall performance.
If you need machine shop services with advanced features and equipment like vertical milling machines and lock n' stitch repairs to cast iron, consult with professionals and see whether they can breathe new life into your cracked cast iron machine. They just might get it back to better than ever.