Heater and Loader for HPWF
Need
Quintus Technologies approached Sejfo to help develop a customized machine to preheat materials before they are fed into their Flexform™ High Pressure press machine.
Quintus Technologies is a leading player in titanium forming. Their Flexform™ High Pressure Warm Forming process is a groundbreaking technology that can replace or complement existing titanium forming methods, such as warm forming, hot pressing, superplastic forming (SPF), and hot gas forming. The HPWF process operates at a relatively low temperature (below 270°C) and high pressure (up to 1,400 bar). This unique combination makes the process cost-effective for alloys like titanium and magnesium. To succeed in this process, Quintus Technologies needed to develop a high-performance preheating machine.
The preheating machine is critical to the Flexform™ process because it ensures the material reaches the exact temperature required for optimal deformation. Together, we developed a preheating machine tailored to the Flexform™ process.
Solution
In close collaboration with the customer, Sejfo implemented a comprehensive solution that includes several key elements to effectively prepare the materials before they are fed into the Flexform™ High Pressure press machine. Below is a detailed description of the various parts of this solution.
Design and Development of Prototype Machine
First, a prototype machine was developed, which would undergo testing and fine-tuning before entering series production. The prototype was designed with a careful focus on achieving the highest possible precision and reliability in the heating process.
Manufacturing, Assembly, and Commissioning in Series Production
After a successful prototype machine, the machine underwent productification, and a series machine was then manufactured.
The equipment consists of the following:
- Three induction heaters, ENRX, SINAC 18/25 SM: The equipment includes three advanced induction heaters of the model ENRX SINAC 18/25 SM from ENRX. These heaters are used to quickly and accurately heat the material and form a central component for preparing the material to the optimal temperature.
- Product clamping during heating: To secure the material during the heating process, a special product clamping device is used. This mechanism ensures that the material remains stable and in the correct position during heating.
- Transport system, All-elektro Team conveyor: To smoothly transport materials to and from the heating area, a transport system from All-elektro Team is used. This ensures a continuous and efficient handling of material flow.
- Electric servo jacks: The use of electric servo jacks enables precise control of various movements and positions within the machine.
- Sturdy steel machine frame: The machine frame is constructed of steel and designed with a focus on stability and durability. This ensures the machine operates smoothly and requires minimal maintenance over a long period.
- Rockwell control system: To monitor and control all aspects of the machine's function, an advanced control system from Rockwell is used. This allows customization and optimization of the heating process as needed.
- UL-marked for delivery to the USA: The machine is UL-marked, meaning it meets the safety standards required for delivery and use in the USA. This allows export and use of the machine in the American market.
Facts
| Customer | Quintus Technologies |
|---|---|
| Industry | Defense Industry, Manufacturing Industry |
| Production Start | 2019 Prototype Machine, 2023 Series Machine No. 1 |
| Managed Product | Titan sheet metal |
| Product Size | 1800×400 mm |
| Product Weight | 700 kg |
| Cycle Time | Fast |
| Serial Number | A18001, A21023 |
Result
The result of our collaboration to develop an innovative machine that effectively enables the Flexform™ High Pressure Warm Forming process resulted in a machine that successfully moved from the prototype phase to series production and has been delivered to industries including the defense sector. By integrating advanced technology and precision design, we ensured high-quality processing of titanium materials and created opportunities for a more efficient and competitive manufacturing process.
