OWL adds second HIP to expand production capacity
OWL GmbH, based in Aachen, Germany, reports it has invested in a second Hot Isostatic Press (HIP) from Engineered Pressure Systems International NV (EPSI), Temse, Belgium, to expand capacity and support continued business growth.
The new HIP will have a working diameter of 500 mm and a working height of 1,500 mm. The maximum temperature will be 1,350°C with a maximum pressure of 140 MPa.
“Hot Isostatic Pressing is a manufacturing process that eliminates the porosity in metals and increases the density of many materials,” explained Daniel Guizard, OWL Managing Director. “This improves the material’s mechanical properties (fatigue strength, ductility, impact resistance) and machinability – in other words, the component’s reliability is significantly enhanced by the HIP process.”
When components are treated with the HIP process, internal cavities and micro-porosities are eliminated through a combination of plastic deformation, flow, and diffusion bonding of the material by simultaneously applying heat and pressure.
“The HIP process is used to significantly improve the technical properties of, for example, cast products, additively manufactured products, tools, motorsport components, and aerospace components,” added Guizard.
The second HIP system is expected to reduce turnaround times and support OWL’s ambitions to achieve NADCAP qualification for aerospace applications. Currently, the company is ISO 9001 and EN/AS 9100 certified.
The new HIP system is scheduled to reach the start of production by the end of 2027.
