CNH Industrial Reman adds laser cladding system

CNH Industrial Reman, Springfield, Mo., has added a robotic laser cladding system to its remanufacturing facility. The technology adds capabilities to the remanufacturing process, increasing core recovery and utilization. In addition, the technology helps lengthen the life cycle, increase availability and lower the cost of ownership for critical remanufactured components within the CNH Reman portfolio.

“Laser cladding is an additive manufacturing process, so we can apply different or better, materials to the surface of parts without damaging the base material,” said Josh Allen, salvage department supervisor, CNH Industrial Reman. “Not only does the laser cladding system help us fix things that once would have been scrap, but it also provides the capability to improve the wear and corrosion resistance of the component parts by impregnating the surface with different material options.”

While laser cladding technology has been around since the 1980s, the metallurgical and laser technology has improved significantly over the past 10 years. The modern technology is so efficient that it can apply a weld to a component without damaging the base material and make it as hard, or in some cases, even harder than it was previously, often resulting in improved performance and life, the company said.

To fix and improve component parts, the laser cladding system at CNH Reman uses a 3kW Class 4 laser in a micro-welding process where powdered material is melted and introduced to the weld puddle of the substrate. The focal point on this is a 1mm-diameter dot. Through the laser cladding process, CNH Reman can build up very small, damaged areas without disturbing the metallurgy or the previous heat treat. This also allows CNH Reman the ability to fix the part without disturbing the part more than necessary.