MTC Powder Solutions continues investment to support demand in HIP business
July 21, 2021
MTC Powder Solutions (MTC PS), Surahammar, Sweden, part of Metal Technology Co Ltd., has added a new press brake unit in its sheet metal workshop to support the company’s Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) business. The outlay is part of a series of investments the company is taking to increase on-site capacity at the Swedish facility, where additions in workforce, equipment, and capability are said to play an important role in meeting the high demand for Near-Net Shape HIP components used in critical industries, such as nuclear and chemical processing.
“We see a clear tendency that lead-times for conventional forgings are escalating due to the recent increase in market activity – lead-times which many customers’ fast-track projects cannot accept,” stated Jimmy Bovin, Global Product Manager at MTC PS. “In reaction to this, we see a drive to utilise PM HIP as a replacement to many conventional forgings due to NNS HIP offering advantages with less fabrication which ultimately reduces project lead times.”
While replacing many conventional forgings in materials such as Duplex, Super Duplex and Alloy 625, the old designs can often be upgraded via HIP, which can offer more freedom in design than conventional techniques. MTC PS reports that the new press brake unit plays an important role in enabling it to develop and create these designs, with onsite and critical manufacturing collaboration throughout the process within the factory.
Peter Falk, Technical Sales Engineer, added, “As a result of several customers adopting an AM design mentality, the geometries of the components we produce are evolving. We felt that having the capability to bend sheet metal specifically into unique shapes onsite enables us to connect and meet the customer’s desires. We will be able to produce quicker and can also rapidly implement design changes and improvements in align with our customers.”
