Packaging

Bodycote Responds to Demand Shift to Powder Metal From Large, Long Lead Time Forgings With Avure Hot Isostatic Press Purchase

Wednesday 11. June 2008 - Avure Technologies, Inc. is now constructing an extremely large Hot Isostatic Press (HIP) system, scheduled for installation at the Bodycote facility in Surahammar, Sweden in late 2009.

The Surahammar system will be larger in size than Bodycote’s two HIPs at their processing facility in Camas, Washington, USA. This order is further evidence of a growing demand for powder metal based parts due to long lead times for forgings, requirements for higher quality parts and lower overall acquisition costs.

The unit at Surahammar will be a dedicated “steel HIPper,” producing P/M stainless steel near net shape components and P/M tool steel billets at the rate of up to 10,000 tons per year, operating on a 24/7 basis. The heated work zone measures 1.8 meters (71 inches) in diameter by 3.3 meters (130 inches) in height, and can process very large parts and sub-assemblies as well as large batches of smaller parts. Maximum operating pressure will be 1040 bar (15,084 psi), at temperatures up to 1150 degrees C (2102 degrees F).

“Bodycote has collaborated with Avure for many years to design and build high-efficiency HIP systems,” says Nils-Bertil Gustavsson, president of HIP operations at Surahammar. “As the demand for large forgings continues to outstrip forgemasters’ abilities to supply them, we expect to see continued significant growth in demand for powder metal alternatives. We have worked out the specification for this P/M steel HIPper with Avure’s specialists to give us the best solution for our specific needs. This new press will strengthen our position as the world’s leading contract HIP supplier, and as HIP volumes increase, we intend to make further investments in large systems.”