Wallwork Heat Treatment says that record customer interest in its expanded thermal processing capabilities has prompted the company to order a second press, the QIH 173L M URC, the same model that inaugurated the HIP Centre when it opened last September.
Much of the interest stems from burgeoning opportunities in additive manufacturing (AM) and encapsulation, according to Wallwork Holdings director Simeon Collins. Hot Isostatic Pressing plays a pivotal role in the production of AM parts made from metal powders.
“Densification is extremely efficient at removing porosity,” explained Collins. It is often the only way to achieve the high material uniformity required of parts designed for mission-critical applications. The QIH 173L can achieve 100% of maximum theoretical material density, producing components with improved fatigue properties, ductility, structural integrity, and fracture toughness.
Located at its headquarters site in Bury, Wallwork’s 2500 m2 HIP Centre was built with expansion in mind. The decision to purchase a second press from Quintus was a logical move given the success of its first system.
