Quintus Technologies is supplying a new hot-isostatic press (HIP) to Flame Spray SpA, a thermal spray-coating specialist now responding to demand for densification and heat-treatment of additive-manufactured parts in aerospace components production.
Installation of the new press at Flame Spray plant in Morra De Sanctis, Italy, is set for September 2020. The plant specializes in vacuum heat treatment and surface coating of aerospace and IGT (industrial gas turbine) components.
“Hot isostatic pressing is identified as one of the most promising technologies for the future,” according to aerospace key accounts manager Alessandro Zanini, for Flame Spray. “Our investment in the Quintus HIP allows us to provide a more complete range of special processes to our customers while satisfying the needs of the aerospace industry for high quality, reliability, and repeatability.”
The Quintus model QIH 122 M URC® will streamline the workflow by integrating stress relieve, HIP, heat treat, and age parts in a single cycle. The combination of high pressure and heat treatment (HPHT) in one system promots efficiency and reduces per-unit processing costs, while saving space, energy, and infrastructure costs.
The Uniform Rapid Cooling (URC®) process minimizes thermal distortion and non-uniform grain growth, for finished parts with optimal material properties.
The QIH 122 press has a hot work zone of 26.0 inches (660 mm) diameter and 68.9 inches (1750 mm) in height. It operates at a maximum pressure of 2,070 bar (30,000 psi) and a maximum temperature of 2,552°F (1,400°C). A cooling rate of 500K/minute can be achieved.
“The press also will be used to fulfill the needs of many other markets in which we operate, for example, energy and turbogas,” Zanini said. “Its size permits us to process not only blades, vanes, and small parts, but also medium-sized items.”
Flame Spray's order includes a long-term Quintus® Care agreement, a preventative maintenance program that optimizes press functionality at a fixed annual cost.
“The need for hot isostatic pressing is steadily increasing, and we’re pleased to help Flame Spray meet this demand,” stated Jan Söderström, CEO of Quintus Technologies.