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[August 2002]
More HIP from Phi
Phi Technologies NV (Temse, Belgium) has recently installed a large hot isostatic press (HIP) at Bodycote IMT Haag Germany. Bodycote International PLC provides a range of metallurgical processing services from more than 200 locations world-wide and is the largest group of its kind in the world.This HIP unit has useful dimensions of 2500mm length and 520mm inside diameter. The working pressure reaches 100 MPa at the maximum operating temperature of 1450°C. The press was an existing unit acquired by Bodycote IMT a few years ago.
A number of components were obsolete and had to be completely replaced or reconditioned. The existing high pressure parts were repaired or replaced, including a redesigned valve panel that fits the new layout of the HIP system and makes the maintenance easier. The project also includes the upgrading of the heat shield and the furnace.
An important part of this installation is the new control system for a fully automatic operation of the HIP unit that offers to the user easy and friendly communication possibilities during the cycle times, explains Phi. All process parameters are displayed on a PC monitor. The workload temperatures and the vessel pressure are recorded on a multi-point recorder.
The process parameters and data can also be accessed through the operator panel that communicates directly with the PLC. All cycle parameters are continuously archived on the PC's hard disk.
For evident safety reasons, the HIP is equipped with an 'over-temperature' and an 'over-pressure' watch system.
ENDS