Through a special jig, holes are drilled perpendicular to the crack. The depth of the drill out is limited by casting thickness and the amount of strength required in the fractured area. The webbing between these parallel holes will accommodate the key locks on an interference fit basis.
The locks are now inserted and stacked one on top of the other until they are flush with the casting surface. Each individual lock is peened to increase it’s tensile strength and insure a proper metal to metal bond.
After the locks are installed, holes are drilled, tapped and threaded metal pins or studs of the same alloys are inserted into the crack, overlapping each other and ultimately filling the crack with new material and provide a pressure seal.
The entire repair area is ground flush and finished following the original contour or shape of the machine.
