This unique, highly automated system is designed for application of chrome replacement coatings on hydraulic cylinder rods. The system is sized for rods up to 120 inches long and up to 2,000 lbs. A shuttle system moves a lathe fixture between the grit blast booth for surface prep and the plasma booth for coating. The carbide coating is built up by over 20 passes by the Progressive Surface 100HE® plasma spray torch. The plasma operation offers a significant cost advantages to the more prominent HVOF process for hard chrome replacement.