Technology panorama — Independent expertise — Advisory & integration

Capaero
Expertise

Technology panorama — Independent expertise — Advisory & integration

Capaero is a recognised player in its technology field. Kronos Engineering, as an independent special-processes expert, brings a neutral perspective on these solutions — audit, benchmarking, multi-technology integration. With no commercial bias toward any brand, we steer you to the technology that genuinely fits your use case.

Capaero technologies — overview

Qualified alternative

outillage split sleeve cold expansion

Mastered technology

outillage split mandrel cold working

Mastered technology

expanded bushing installation

Mastered technology

drilling and reaming of composite materials

Typical use cases

▸ Cold expansion of aerospace structural bores in production or repair
▸ Second source of cold expansion tooling to secure supply
▸ Expanded bushing installation on fittings and landing gear
▸ Field implementation of a repair specified by SRM or service bulletin

Standards & compliance

BACC 5060AMS 2432

The Kronos difference

Kronos Engineering does not distribute Capaero equipment. Our expertise lies in special processes and their qualification — this neutrality is our guarantee of technical objectivity: we recommend what is genuinely best for your part, your standard, your production volume.

Context and positioning

Capaero is a French company specialising in assembly fatigue-life improvement through hole cold expansion (also referred to as cold working or coldworking). Its offer covers split sleeve and split mandrel tooling, expanded-bushing installation, composite drilling solutions, along with finite-element analysis and validation testing. The company is EN 9100 certified and is the exclusive distributor of West Coast Industries (WCI) products across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India and Russia.

Kronos Engineering operates on the same technical scope as an independent process expert and an official FTI partner (Fatigue Technology), the other global cold-expansion player. We master both tooling families — split sleeve and split mandrel — which lets us advise according to your OEM specification rather than a catalogue, supply original split-sleeve tooling, qualify the process on your parts and train your operators, in workshop or on site across 50+ countries.

Typical operations

Cold-expansion tooling supply

Mandrels, split sleeves, inspection gauges, pullers and per-diameter kits — European and international supply of original FTI tooling, with full traceability.

Split sleeve / split mandrel benchmark

Objective analysis of both processes for your case: applicable OEM specification, hole access, production rate, need for final reaming, cost per hole.

Field deployment of cold expansion

Operation on your parts in workshop or on site: process sheets, expansion control, gauging, documentation — production, repair or SRM-prescribed repair.

Expanded-bushing installation

High-interference bushings on fittings, frames and landing gear — installation, dimensional inspection and traceability file.

Cold-working operator training

Theory (residual stresses, expansion principle, standards) and hands-on practice (tooling selection, operation, inspection) with operator qualification certificate.

Why Kronos on Capaero

Both technologies, one point of contact. Split sleeve and split mandrel are not equivalent on every part. We master both and advise according to your OEM specification, hole access and production rate — not according to what sits in a catalogue.

Official FTI partner. Global cold expansion is a duopoly. Our FTI partnership gives you direct access to original split-sleeve tooling, up-to-date specifications and a second supply source in Europe.

Process, supply and training. Where a tooling supply stops at delivery, we qualify the process on your parts, document the file and train your operators — then deploy on your site across 50+ countries, including as embedded manpower at a prime contractor.

Frequently asked questions

Can Kronos supply cold-expansion tooling in Europe?+

Yes. As an official FTI partner, Kronos supplies mandrels, split sleeves, gauges, pullers and complete Split Sleeve Cold Expansion kits across Europe and internationally, with traceability and compliance to FTI and OEM specifications. Quotation requests answered within 12 working hours.

Should I choose split sleeve or split mandrel?+

It depends first on your OEM specification: some mandate one technology, others accept both. Then come hole access, production rate and the need for final reaming — split mandrel generally requires it, split sleeve rarely does. We review your case and issue a reasoned recommendation.

Does Kronos work on parts already processed with another supplier's tooling?+

Yes. We operate, audit and requalify cold-working installations whatever tooling is in place, according to the applicable specifications. We also carry out second opinions and take over existing process files.

Do you provide cold-expansion operator training?+

Yes: theory (residual stresses, expansion principle, standards) and hands-on practice (tooling selection, operation, inspection gauges, traceability), at your site or in Bordeaux, with an operator qualification certificate.

Audit, operation or
Capaero integration?

Talk to an independent expert

CapaeroExpertise

Capaero technologies — overview

Typical use cases

Standards & compliance

Context and positioning

Typical operations

Why Kronos on Capaero

Frequently asked questions

Capaero
Expertise