Product Code: ICA10_1104

Laser Reconditioning of Crankshafts: from Lab to Application
Authors:
Henry Koehler, Bias - Bremer Institut Fuer Angewandte Strahltechnik Gmbh; Bremen Germany
Knut Partes, Bias - Bremer Institut Fuer Angewandte Strahltechnik Gmbh; Bremen Germany
Thomas Seefeld, Bias - Bremer Institut Fuer Angewandte Strahltechnik Gmbh; Bremen Germany
Frank Vollertsen, Bias - Bremer Institut Fuer Angewandte Strahltechnik Gmbh; Bremen Germany
Presented at ICALEO 2010

In marine diesel engines, damaged crankshafts are common and expensive problems. Worn surfaces of main bearings and connection rod bearings often require a complete replacement of these components. This paper presents the development of a repair procedure on its way to application. As an alternative to the reluctantly applied method of grinding the accordant surfaces and using matched bearing shells, a rebuild to the original diameter and surface is the goal of this investigation.
This paper describes the development of a camera controlled diode laser cladding process in the lab, and the characterisation of flat specimens particularly by fatigue testing.
In preparation of industrial application, previously ground bearings of crankshafts could successfully be cladded with identical parameters as found on flat specimens in the lab. The fatigue strength of cladded and uncladded crankshaft segments are being tested.