Isostatic Toll Services Bilbao receives Nadcap accreditation for heat treating
January 20, 2021
Isostatic Toll Services Bilbao SL (ITS Bilbao), Spain, recently received Nadcap accreditation for its heat treating services. Nadcap provides independent certification for manufacturing processes for the aerospace Industry. ITS Bilbao opened a new Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) facility in January 2020, in Abanto Zierbena, Biscay, Spain.
The company explains that with over fifty subscribers among the most relevant OEMs, the Nadcap accreditation is seen as the reference in developing industry-wide audit criteria for special processes and products, and the cornerstone in quality supply surveillance and risk mitigation activity in the industry.
ITS Bilbao, sister company of Isostatic Toll Services (ITS), Olive Branch, Mississippi, USA, is equipped with an AIP52 HIP unit, with a hot zone diameter of 1100 and depth of 2500 mm at 103 MPa, the AIP52 is capable of processing large components, such as engine blades, vanes and integral rings used in the aviation industry. The investment for a second identical unit in Bilbao is said to have already been confirmed and will be operation by October 2021.
Fernando del Val, Plant Manager in ITS Bilbao, commented, “It is indeed a remarkable achievement to directly meet the stringent requirements of Nadcap accreditation, whose credit is shared among all the people that with passion and competence made this possible; the US sister company, the manufacturer of the HIP unit, the customers, our specialised consultants, and our key people on-site. One word among many: Teamwork.”
In addition to its Nadcap and ISO 9100 achievements, ITS Bilbao has received special approval from Rolls Royce, ITP, Safran, and Pratt & Whitney. Honeywell Aerospace’s approval process is said to be currently ongoing. The AIP 52 unit can currently HIP parts in aluminium, titanium, and nickel alloys up to 1250 °C.
ITS explains that its long-term strategy is to deploy a solid and widespread network of service centres for big-size toll HIPing.
Fernando del Val added, “HIP is our core competence. Through our special relationships with AIP Inc, we master the complete process: from design to operating HIP units. Nobody else on the planet can combine U2/U3 stamp and Nadcap. We are keen to follow ambitions, both in terms of geographical coverage and Hot Zone size. When there is a solid business plan, we are ready to invest.”
