Our expertise extends to damaged Crankshaft Recovery, and we are confident that we are the right company for your regrinding needs helping to keep your crankshaft in optimum condition, which helps maintain engine performance and avoids costly repairs and downtime. Keep reading to find out more.
Before re-grinding and After re-grinding
The crankshaft is responsible for converting the linear piston motion into rotational motion, which is used to power the output shaft. Connecting rods connect the crankshaft to the pistons, and it is supported by the main bearings in the engine block.
This means that any crankshaft problems could lead to decreased performance or crankshaft /bearing failure that can result in unplanned downtime and expensive repairs / replacements. This is why maintenance is such an important priority for diesel engine operators. Medium, large and very large diesel engines are used all around the world in almost every industry.
Marine/Offshore: ships, rigs and offshore installations all use large diesel engines as a means of either propulsion or power generation.
Industries such as mining, power generation, landfill gas, petrochemical, construction all use diesels engines to power plant and machinery. They are even used as a source of standby power generation for banks, hospitals and many are used to power our trains and large industrial vehicles.
Why Crankshafts Need Regrinding
So, why exactly do crankshafts need regrinding / superfinishing? This is an incredibly important maintenance task that can prolong the life of the engine and prevent issues arising that could lead to downtime, frustrated customers, and expensive repairs.
Crankshafts can suffer significant wear and tear as they are exposed to high temperatures, pressures, and mechanical stress. Many are also used constantly, which can put great strain on the crankshaft. Wear and tear can lead to scratches and uneven surfaces and “Cam effect”, which can increase friction and reduce the efficiency of the engine and damage the bearing and journals which if ignored can lead to catastrophic engine failure.
Metalock can re-grind the crankshaft smoothing out the surface to reduce friction between the crankshaft and bearings.
Cam Effect
When medium speed four stroke engines have accumulated in the region of 60,000 running hours there is a condition that can develop that is sometimes described as Cam Effect or ridge wear. This condition develops over a period of time and can be identified as a protruding band that goes around the circumference of the crankpin journal diameter that can lead to the failure of crankpin bearing sometimes causing disastrous results.
If no action is taken to rectify this effect, failure may occur. The effect can cause extensive build up of heat which can harden the crankpin diameter causing problems in lubrication and eventual crankpin bearing failure.
Crankshaft Regrinding / Superfinishing from Metalock Engineering
Crankshaft regrinding is a critical maintenance task that can prolong the life of the engine, prevent issues, and save money over the long term. As such an important maintenance task, it is vital that you use a specialist who you can trust to provide crankshaft re-grinding services. Metalock Engineering has extensive experience in re-grinding and superfinishing crankshafts all over the world.
Our service also includes the following as per requirements
- NDT Inspection Pre/Post Machining.
- Hardness Inspection Pre/Post Machining.
- Machining of Crankpin Journal diameter.
- Machining of Fillet Radii & Oil Holes.
- Final Polishing of Crankpin Journal.
- Provide full Pre/Post Machining Dimensional Report.
- Heat treatment to reduce hardness values (if required)
- Crankshaft straightening (if required)
Why Choose Metalock Engineering?
So, why should you choose Metalock Engineering? In addition to our extensive experience and tried and tested crankshaft re-grinding techniques which are approved by Class, we are also on call 24/7, 365 days a year. This means that we can respond swiftly to your needs and perform crankshaft repairs. Our technicians can perform crankshaft regrinding in situ, which minimizes disruption and prevents the need for taking the engine apart and sending away the crankshaft for regrinding in a workshop - this can save you both time and money.
We have our skilled technicians located all around the world, and they are ready to travel at short notice.
Metalock Engineering's in situ crankshaft re-grinding service is a cost-effective solution. In addition to minimising downtime, you can avoid the cost of a premature replacement of the crankshaft and extend the life of the entire engine.
