Bringing forward plans by two years, Wallwork Group has signed for a second hot isostatic press from Quintus Technologies.
This follows hot on the heels of opening its £10m Wallwork HIP Centre with Quintus, completing the commissioning of the first hot isostatic press (HIP) in the third quarter of 2023.
“Demand from customers for processing components in our first hot isostatic press has been astonishing. It is prudent to bring forward planned investment for the next HIP, knowing it will take most of 2024 to build and install. We hope to have it up and running by early 2025. Deciding to prepare pits for expansion during the first installation has proved right,” explained group director, Simeon Collins.
“We expected strong demand from UK castings, 3D printing, powder fabrication, and near-net-shape manufacturers – especially as the UK is currently under-served with hot isostatic pressing capacity,” added Wallwork HIP Centre business manager David Loughlin. “More surprising is the amount of international interest we are seeing not only from Europe but also as far away as India.”
Adding a second HIP sooner has many advantages for the business as it will provide greater flexibility in processing customer components. It will also allow better contingency during planned maintenance schedules. Improving continuity during unexpected business interruptions is an added benefit.
The second HIP will be identical to the first. Operating at pressures from 40 to 207 MPa (5,800 to 30,000 psi) and temperatures up to 1,250°C. It will also have the latest rapid cooling technology. The capability to offer increased cycle pressures at elevated temperatures, complements engineering advances in metal 3D printing and other technologies.
Signing for the new hot isostatic press took place at Quintus Technologies’ HQ in Sweden in January 2024. Wallwork directors Simeon Collins and Ian Griffin were met by Jan Soderstrom CEO and Peter Henning marketing and sales director of Quintus.
“A hot isostatic press is a major piece of equipment and Quintus Technologies are world leaders in this technology,” Mr Collins concluded. “We are pleased to be cementing our relationship with them by bringing forward this investment. Quintus are a key part of the success of the Wallwork HIP Centre, now and into the future.”
