Quintus Technologies will deliver a hot isostatic press (HIP) with uniform rapid quenching (URQ) to the FIT Additive Manufacturing Group. Coming online in September 2019 at FIT’s main facility in Lupburg, Germany, the HIP will enable the additive-manufacturing (AM) specialist to boost productivity while meeting the heightened industrial requirements for 3D-printed metal parts. Operating at a temperature of 2552°F (1400°C) and pressure of 30,000 psi (2,070 bar), the press has a capacity of 264 pounds (120 kg) per load in a work zone that measures 10.6 inches (270 mm) in diameter and 19.7 inches (500 mm) in height.

The proprietary URQ feature allows heat treatment and cooling to be combined in a single process, known as high-pressure heat treatment (HPHT). HPHT and HIP are used for the consolidation and densification of metal, ceramic and plastic parts, producing a maximum theoretical density, ductility and fatigue resistance in high-performance materials.