When critical hydraulic equipment is out of service, every second counts. That is why Berendsen Fluid Power has made a major investment in expanding and upgrading the hard chrome plating and machining capabilities at our Welshpool facility.
The upgrade provides greater capacity to process hydraulic cylinders and components, including larger and more complex repair work. It also allows more of the repair process to be completed within Berendsen, giving our team tighter control over quality, scheduling and turnaround times.
The result is a more streamlined hydraulic cylinder repair process designed to get equipment back into the field faster.
New Hard Chrome Plating Line
At the centre of the upgrade is a new hard chrome plating line featuring three new plating tanks and a dedicated stripping tank.
The increased plating capacity allows more rods and components to be processed internally, helping Berendsen meet growing customer demand across Western Australia’s mining, construction, transport, agriculture and industrial sectors.
Hard chrome plating plays a critical role in restoring worn or damaged hydraulic cylinder rods. By rebuilding the surface and returning components to the required dimensions and finish, the process can extend component life and provide a cost-effective alternative to replacement.
With the expanded line now operating at Welshpool, Berendsen has greater capacity to manage this specialised work as part of a complete cylinder repair solution.
Electronically controlled plating process:
The new hard chrome plating line incorporates an electronically controlled process managed by a custom programmable logic controller.
The system controls important operating conditions including heating, cooling, pumps and extraction. This provides greater control over the plating process, supporting a more consistent and repeatable chrome deposit across every component.
For customers, that means greater confidence in the quality of the finished repair, particularly when components are operating in demanding, high-wear environments.
Bigger / Better CNC Boring & Milling Machinery
Berendsen has also added new CNC horizontal boring and milling capability, allowing complex machining work that previously needed to be subcontracted to remain within the Berendsen network.
The facility’s cylindrical grinding capability has also been expanded to accommodate larger and heavier components.
Keeping more of these specialist processes under Berendsen’s control reduces external hand-offs and unnecessary transport between suppliers. It also gives our team greater visibility over each stage of the repair, helping to improve coordination, quality control and scheduling.
A better workflow from start to finish
The Welshpool workshop layout has been reorganised to create a more efficient flow of work through the repair process.
Hard chrome plating and cylindrical grinding are now located together, while machining operates within a dedicated building. A full-length overhead gantry crane has also been installed in the plating area to improve the safe and efficient handling of large components.
Together, these improvements make it easier to move work through the facility and coordinate the different processes required during a hydraulic cylinder repair.
What the upgrade means for customers
- Greater hard chrome plating capacity
- The ability to process larger and heavier components
- Improved plating consistency and process control
- More complex boring, milling and grinding completed within Berendsen
- Fewer external suppliers and process hand-offs
- Better control over repair quality and scheduling
- A simpler, more efficient cylinder repair process
- Faster return of critical equipment to service
The facility supports Berendsen’s Hydraulic Cylinder SupaCentre and wider repair network, combining strong local capability with the resources and expertise of a national hydraulic service provider.
Investing in the needs of WA industry
The Welshpool upgrade represents a significant investment in Berendsen’s ability to support Western Australian industry.
By increasing capacity, expanding in-house capability and improving the way work moves through the facility, Berendsen is better equipped to manage demanding hydraulic cylinder repairs while maintaining tight control over quality.
It is all part of our commitment to helping customers reduce downtime, extend the life of critical components and keep their equipment moving.
Need support with a hydraulic cylinder repair, hard chrome plating or large-scale machining? Contact the Berendsen Welshpool team to discuss your requirements.
