Metal Stitching

Metal Stitching is a cold repair process for broken and cracked castings. Metal stitching can be performed “in-place,” often without the need for major disassembly. The result is a repair that is as strong, and sometimes even stronger, than the original design.

LOCK-N-STITCH is a unique and highly developed mechanical bonding process that is used to repair broken and damaged castings. It allows for replacement of missing or badly damaged sections of machinery. The result is a repair can often be stronger than the original design. The principle has been used successfully with all types of equipment and in many areas of industry. Since heat is not used, stresses are not introduced and post-repair machining is not necessary to correct misalignment and warping. Repairs can be made “in-place” at the customer’s site without the necessity of major disassembly.

Advantages of Metal Stitch Repair

Causes no distortion because heat is not used and the properties of the parent metals are unchanged
Relieves locked-in stress and eliminates high stress areas by redistribution
Repaired areas are restored to original strength
Total penetration of metal to achieve repair
Requires little or no time consuming dismantling of equipment
Can be applied on machine surface with no re-machining necessary
In cases of complete breaks, proper clamping can often hold exact tolerances
No heat or open flame means repair can usually be made even in hazardous areas
Bonds to similar and dissimilar metals alike

Limitation of Fusion Welding or Brazing

Can cause significant warping and/or distortion
Introduces locked-in and concentrated stresses
Limited penetration of weld applied adjacent to already fatigued areas
Equipment needs to be dismantled when preheating or annealing is necessary
Repaired equipment needs to be re-machined
Because heat and/or open flames are used the process cannot be performed in hazardous areas
Impossible to weld dissimilar metals

LOCK-N-STITCH is a Registered Trademark of LOCK-N-STITCH Inc.