High Pressure Warm Forming method from Quintus streamlines fabrication of titanium parts

Quintus Technologies has developed High Pressure Warm Forming (HPWF), a process that combines high pressure with a moderately elevated temperature for forming titanium parts.

According to the company, the new process paves the way for more widespread adoption of Ti6Al4V, the grade of titanium used in many manufacturing sectors because of its high strength, light weight, formability, and high corrosion resistance. The process removes barriers to fabrication that previously limited the use of Ti6Al4V to specialty applications.

HPWF uses an induction heating system to warm the blank-and-tool package to about 520 degrees F—well below the temperature at which a protective gas is required—just before it enters the Quintus Flexform™ press. The press applies uniform high pressure (20,000 PSI) to a flexible rubber diaphragm in conjunction with a single rigid tool half to form complex sheet metal parts to final shape.

A complete cycle, from heating and loading to forming and unloading, takes less than five minutes. Forming at relatively low temperatures enables quick cooling. According to the manufacturer, the technology increases production throughput on Ti6Al4V parts by a factor of five over traditional hot forming processes.