Stack Metallurgical Group invests in second HIP system from Quintus
December 5, 2019
Stack Metallurgical Group, Portland, Oregon, USA, has expanded its Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) capacity with the addition of a second press system from Quintus Technologies, Västerås, Sweden. The company will install a QIH 122 M URC®, which features a work zone of 660 mm in diameter and 1,750 mm in height.
Stack entered the HIP market earlier this year when it purchased its initial system from Quintus, a high-capacity Mega-HIP, the QIH286 M URC®. The QIH 122 M URC is equipped with Quintus’s proprietary uniform rapid cooling (URC) feature, which combines HIP and heat treatment in a single process. Known as high-pressure heat treatment (HPHT), this approach streamlines the steps involved in material densification and heat treatment.
Stack explained that the new press, which operates at a maximum temperature of 1,400°C and a maximum pressure of 30,000 psi (2,070 bar), will be installed in the company’s recently completed facility in Albany, Oregon, USA. Stack has also enrolled in a five-year Quintus Care agreement.
“We’ve been extremely happy with the market response as we have expanded our service offerings to include HIP,” stated Doug Puerta, CEO, Stack Metallurgical Group. “The massive size of our first unit enables us to process larger castings and/or powder metal components. The new unit now allows us to process all ranges of materials and lot sizes and is ideal for moderately-sized components.”
“The capabilities and capacity offered by these two units further strengthen the value proposition that Stack facilities provide their clients,” he continued. “We see opportunities not only in traditional markets such as castings, but also in emerging markets, with Additive Manufacturing being the most notable.
“HIP is an important contributor toward our objective to be a one-stop shop for our clients, as we can now service a broad range of manufacturing milestones,” commented Dan Ederer, Stack Corporate President. “Quintus has been a great partner since we first began exploring an entrance into HIP. Quintus has provided unique solutions including size, pressure, and cooling rate capability, which has in turn enabled us to partner with our clients in a more comprehensive manner.”
