Our Patented Technology

The patented COLDfire process is truly unique relative to other cryogenic based treatments. Most of our current customers have tried shallow and/or deep cryogenics at some point in the past and experienced either minimal performance improvement or inconsistent performance improvement (e.g., great results on one product and no results on a similar product).

We have spent over ten years honing the art of profile development in order to maximize the performance improvement for each product. To accomplish this, we begin with a vast data base (which includes all treatment profiles we have developed, application test output, microstructural test output, etc.). To these trade secrets, we add engineering know-how and primary testing to focus in on the optimum treatment profile. This is a detailed process that often involves the customer as we also work hard to identify where in the manufacturing cycle our process has the maximum impact.

Our Patented Technology Delivers the Following Benefits

• Significant, documented, performance improvement. This performance improvement is most often seen through the following metrics:
  - Improved life (e.g., 50% more cuts prior to death)
  - Improved speed (e.g., 40% improvement in median speed of cut)
  - Reduced product variability (e.g., 40% reduction in standard deviation of performance)
• Significant cost improvement. Example metrics include:
  - Decreased cost of tooling (e.g., 200% life improvement in cutting die life)
  - Decreased raw material costs (e.g., 50% COGS improvement by using a cheaper input material than once COLDfire treated, has the performance characteristics of a much more expensive material)

COLDfire Apparatus & Process Details

• The COLDfire process takes ~24 hours vs. ~72 hours for some competing technologies, which minimizes disruption to manufacturing flow and the amount of dollars tied up in inventory.
• Each COLDfire machine is custom manufactured to accommodate a customer’s unique manufacturing system. We can present a commercially viable option for batch and line oriented manufacturing processes.
• Each unique treatment profile is based on COLDfire’s patented treatment process, but customized based on the treated item’s unique material make-up, manufacturing process, size, etc
• Our treatment optimizes the uniformity of treatment from the item’s outer edge to its inner core utilizing a patented and proprietary apparatus that gives the treated item a true “through treatment” that will last the life of the item (i.e., even after a sharpening or re-grind) vs. a coating that will wear off over time with use.
• No MSDS is required with our process and there are no hazmat concerns

The ability to customize a profile for a given product leads to a significantly higher performance improvement than a standard cryogenic process can offer. Our technology complements, and can sometimes replace other wear-enhancement technologies, such as thermal sprays and PVD coatings.