Stack Metallurgical Group enters Hot Isostatic Pressing market with Quintus Mega-Hip
January 27, 2019
Stack Metallurgical Group will enter the HIP market with a Quintus Technologies Mega-HIP (Courtesy Quintus Technologies)
Stack Metallurgical Group, Portland, Oregon, USA, is entering the Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) market with the addition of a Quintus Technologies Mega-HIP, manufactured by Quintus Technologies, Västerås, Sweden. The system will be installed in its 25,000 ft2 facility in Albany, Oregon, beginning operation later in 2019.
The Hot Isostatic Press, model QIH 286 M URC®, is equipped with Quintus Technologies’ uniform rapid cooling and features a large-capacity work zone of 1,600 mm (63 in) in diameter and 2,591 mm (102 in) in height, allowing the densification of large batches at 2,000 bar (29,000 psi) and a maximum operating temperature of 1,250°C (2280°F).
Stack provides heat treating and metal processing services to a range of quality-critical industries, including aerospace, medical implants and power generation. The company stated that it completed a comprehensive evaluation of the HIP market before deciding to add the complementary service.
“As a new entrant into the HIP market, it was critical that we continue to have the ability to offer a premium combination of quality and delivery to our clients,” stated Doug Puerta, Stack’s CEO. “Quintus has given us the confidence and ability to do this.”
The QIH 286 Mega-HIP is expected to satisfy Stack’s demanding criteria for output quality, operational performance and cost-effectiveness. The URC design is said to enable all casting areas to cool uniformly, minimising thermal distortion and non-uniform grain growth.
In addition, by heating and cooling the workload only once and in a single cycle, the system enhances efficiency and dramatically reduces per-unit processing costs. It is also said to offer significant savings in space, energy, and infrastructure investment.
Stack’s Mega-HIP order includes full installation and commissioning at its new facility, along with a five-year Quintus Care agreement. Quintus Care service includes rapid remote diagnostics, guaranteed availability of spare and wear parts and support in tool design and forming processes.
“It is a very rigorous support and preventative maintenance program,” added Puerta. “Quintus’ experience in manufacturing industry-leading high-pressure solutions, combined with their ability to provide long-term engineering and applications support, makes them the ideal partner for Stack Metallurgical Group.”
Jan Söderström, CEO of Quintus Technologies, commented, “Stack’s commitments to customers and their business objectives align with our own business approach. We are very pleased to play a role in the expansion of their heat treating and metal processing portfolio.”
