hardsteel

[SkidSteerSteve]

Some would consider this a shameless plug...well, ok it is, but I thought some folks would at least enjoy looking at this.

http://hardsteel.net/

A friend of mine in Tuscaloosa, AL stated this place and it is really cool to see it in operation. They have an automated 4 or 5 gun flux core plating process (I'm pretty sure it is built on Miller power sources). The guns are stationary and the the plate moves under them. After the plate has cooled, it is run through a very large set of a slip rolls to flatten it back out (or put a finish curve on it). SSS

[Stick rod]

SSS,
The company I work full time for uses material just like that by the ton.I`m gonna have to check to see if it comes from your buddies place.

[JonnyTIG]

In the past I've had to weld abrasion plates ( covered like 'Hardsteel' ) to impellar blades for an air induction system in a powerplant. Lately I've seen these kinds of hard-faced plates used on some of the buckets that come through our shop.
--Cat equipment doesn't come with A/R plates attached.. Some assembly required..

The multiple gun setup that does the surface treatment is interesting and I would like to see the machine in motion some day.

Jonathan

[SkidSteerSteve]

Well, Larry told me one time that they build some of the dozer insert kits for Cat, so maybe it's their's. never know....it is a small world. I know they build a lot of plate for rock handling/sorting equipment and mining applications. Next time I'm down there, I'll take some pics and post. I'm not sure if/how much is proprietary so I may not be able to post all of them. SSS

[Stick rod]

SSS,
we manufacture underground mining machinery.