World’s fastest fan-driven HIP from Quintus Technologies supports AM post-production at PRES-X
September 15, 2020
Quintus Technologies, Västerås, Sweden, has delivered what is claimed to be the world’s fastest fan-driven Hot Isostatic Press (HIP) to PRES-X, an innovative startup established to meet the post-production needs of metal additively manufactured components, based in Reggio Emilia, in Northern Italy.
Installation of the QIH 60 M URC® press has resulted in PRES-X being the first company in the world to deploy the special fan-driven HIP, specifically designed for the AM industry. The QIH 60’s High Pressure Heat Treatment (HPHT) capability makes it possible to eliminate several operations in the AM production line, creating a more cost-effective process.
With Quintus’s proprietary Uniform Rapid Cooling (URC®) technology, a cooling rate of 1500K/minute can be achieved while minimising thermal distortion and non-uniform grain growth, producing finished AM parts with optimal material properties.
The combination of HIP and in-process heat treatment is said to align with the PRES-X strategy to shorten the AM production cycle and key operations, performing them in a single production site. The setup offers process efficiency with a significant reduction in time and cost, as well as a favourable impact on sustainability.
“Our vision is to become the innovation leader within HIP,” commented Andrea Scanavini, PRES-X CEO and founder. “We need a technical partner that shares our mission to be at the forefront, and Quintus is a perfect match. They have the same approach to introducing disruptive innovations in the field of HIP and HT, in the critical phases of post-processing AM parts.”
The model QIH 60 press features a hot zone of 410 x 1000 mm (16.14 x 39.37 in) and operates at a maximum temperature of 1,400°C (2,552°F) and maximum pressure of 207 MPa (30,000 psi). It has a maximum workload weight of 600 kg (1,322 lbs).
“The QIH 60’s innovative capabilities have already prompted customers to review their parts production methods, even in application areas that have long used more traditional techniques,” added Scanavini. “This is allowing us to see new project starts and growth in orders and revenue despite a very challenging global market situation.”
Jan Söderström, CEO of Quintus Technologies, stated “Quintus Technologies has developed solutions targeted specifically at AM products and projects in these areas. With the QIH 60 HIP, PRES-X is well positioned to satisfy the needs of the market today, where there is exceptional interest in new approaches that improve quality, lower cost, and reduce environmental impacts. We are very pleased to be working as a strategic partner to help PRES-X play a leading role in this innovation.”
