Titomic D523 CSAM system deployed by Hydraulex for MRO

Cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) has certainly been finding its niche in industries like defense, maritime, aerospace and energy. This niche is in the repair and maintenance of metal parts and large-scale systems. It therefore comes as little surprise to learn that Hydraulex, a company that specializes in remanufacturing and maintaining hydraulic components, has expanded its portfolio of tools to include Titomic’s cold spray technology.

Specifically, Hydraulex has acquired the D523 system from Australian company Titomic, a portable machine that uses low pressure cold spray technology and is designed for onsite repairs. Hydraulex, a Michigan-based subsidiary of BBB Industries, which itself specializes in the manufacturing of automotive systems like electric and hydraulic power steering products, will use the Titomic hardware in its maintenance and repair operations. In particular, the company says it will be able to restore critical parts like cylinders, gear pumps, orbital motors and servo valves.

The cold spray process is especially well suited for the repair of parts since it can selectively apply metal layers to an existing substrate. Instead of heat, like most AM technologies, CSAM relies on kinetic energy to fuse metal powder particles together. Because the fused metal particles never reach their melting point, the resulting AM structures are not affected by heat-related issues, like risk of distortion, and the metal materials maintain their original properties.

Notably, CSAM can be used to fuse dissimilar metals, such as applying a nickel coating to a cast iron component, or applying titanium or aluminum to a steel substrate to better protect against corrosion. Hydraulex has recognized this potential and will be using Titomic’s technology to repair hydraulic components and extend their lifecycles in a cost efficient way.

“Hydraulex’s adoption of the D523 represents a significant step in an industry-wide shift towards emerging technologies that provide new capabilities unmatched by traditional repair or manufacturing methods,” stated Titomic. “As cold spray technology becomes more widely adopted, it is empowering companies to achieve greater competitiveness by enabling advanced repairs, extending component lifespans, and reducing costs and waste.”