Led by
Marco Villarreal
Chief Operating Officer
Leading operating integration, execution and performance across our platforms and regions.
Roles as supplied in October 2026, to be confirmed before launch.
Engineers who improve mining components and develop new ones
We find out why a component keeps failing and change its design, make parts from a sample when there are no drawings, and develop new components with partners.
What our engineers do
Hardness testing in the quality lab at Ariya Quanzhou Failure analysis and redesign
Find out why a component keeps failing, then change its design or material.
Measuring a component, Akaliko Burkina Faso Reverse engineering from a sample
No drawings? We measure a sample or a worn part, draw it and make the replacement.
Machining a cylinder component, Akaliko Mongolia Custom components
Components made from a drawing, a sample or the conditions they work in, including parts that are hard to find.
A wheel-motor load test bench at CRRC Changzhou Ruitai (photo: CRRC) Product development with partners
Manufacturers and product owners can develop new components with our engineers for the markets we serve.
Customer work at Oyu Tolgoi, Mongolia
Re-engineering a CAT 6060 cylinder
Oyu Tolgoi’s CAT 6060 cylinders kept failing. Step through what Akaliko changed, and how the cylinders have run since.
A CAT 6060 loading a haul truck at Oyu Tolgoi, February 2025 01
The cylinders
On a CAT 6060 face shovel, hydraulic cylinders move the stick, the bucket and the bucket’s clam. At Oyu Tolgoi they kept failing.
Cylinders and hoses on the CAT 6060 at Oyu Tolgoi, February 2025 02
Where they failed
On the stick and bucket cylinders, maintenance records showed the bolts that hold the rod eye loosening or breaking, and damage linked to loose bolts.
The records describe this for the stick and bucket cylinders only.
Akaliko’s CAD model of the stick cylinder’s rod-eye connection 03
A tighter rod‑eye joint
For the stick and bucket cylinders, Akaliko changed the bolted connection at the rod eye so the threaded joint tightens better and stays tight.
Akaliko’s CAD model of the forged rod for the clam cylinder 04
A forged rod for the clam
The clam cylinder needed a different change: a forged rod, with its threaded connection moved from the eye side to the cylinder side.
05
Back in service
Supplied in 2025, the modified stick and bucket cylinders had run 10,000 hours by the September 2026 update, and the clam cylinders 3,000. All were still operating.
Reported OEM hours to failure: 3,000–4,000 for stick and bucket, 1,000–2,000 for clam. Hours so far, not completed service lives.
A generic hydraulic cylinder drawn in 3D. Each step moves it and colours the part the step describes: the rod eye, the joint inside it, and the rod with its thread at the piston end.
Loading the model
Illustrative model, not CAT’s or Akaliko’s drawings. Not to scale.
Illustrative model, not CAT’s or Akaliko’s drawings. Not to scale.
01 of 05
The cylinders
On a CAT 6060 face shovel, hydraulic cylinders move the stick, the bucket and the bucket’s clam. At Oyu Tolgoi they kept failing.
- Barrel
- Rod
- Rod eye
CAT and 6060 identify the equipment only. Akaliko case record, operating update of September 2026.
Read the Oyu Tolgoi storyAsk our engineers
For a technical question, an assessment before a change, or advice on storing cylinders.
- Ask an engineer
A technical question
Specifications, storage, installation or a failure: tell us the component and what you have seen.
- Ask about an assessment
An assessment before a change
A material and structural assessment of a high-risk cylinder, such as a front suspension or steering cylinder: material analysis, hardness testing and a weld integrity review.
Also called management of change.
- Read the guidance
Storing cylinders out of service
How to keep cylinders clean, dry, supported and protected while they wait to be fitted.
Where the work happens
Locations whose own pages record reverse engineering and custom components.
A CNC machining centre, Akaliko THS 
Lathes and machining stations, Akaliko Mongolia 
A machinist at a lathe, Akaliko Burkina Faso Akaliko Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Its page lists no custom fabrication.
A CNC lathe, Akaliko Zambia 
Modelling a component in CAD, PT United Hydraulic Technology PT United Hydraulic Technology
Balikpapan, Indonesia
Relationship with Akaliko to be confirmed.
Photos: from each location’s page.
Start with a conversation
Have a component that keeps failing?
Tell us the machine, the component and what you have seen.
Want to develop a product with us?
Manufacturers and product owners can develop components with our engineers. Every partnership starts with a discussion.
Scope is agreed project by project. Our components are aftermarket parts, not made or endorsed by the original equipment manufacturers; their names and model numbers identify the equipment only.
Or email info@akaliko.global.