Defense Industry Delivers Dividends to Furnace Builders

"One device instead of four. A European manufacturer from the defense sector chooses SECO/WARWICK vacuum technology; 

This Partner has decided on a groundbreaking modernization of its heat treatment processes by placing an order with SECO/WARWICK for a Vector (HPGQ) vacuum furnace equipped with high-pressure gas quenching at 15 bar abs. Importantly, the selected solution will replace four separate technological installations originally planned.

Thanks to consultations and process trials conducted jointly with the SECO/WARWICK team, the Partner became convinced that all required operations can be performed in a single, versatile vacuum furnace. This translates into significant investment cost savings, simplified production and higher process efficiency.

The technology selection process was consultative in nature and included a series of technical meetings and technological trials. Initially, the customer planned to purchase a vacuum furnace with oil quenching, being convinced that only such a solution would meet their technological requirements.

The furnace will be used to heat treat components used in the production of high-precision small arms, intended primarily for the civilian market (sport shooting, hunting), as well as in versions adapted for uniformed services.
According to the original assumptions, the production process would have required four separate devices: an oil quenching furnace, a tempering furnace, a cryogenic unit and a washing system to clean parts after oil quenching.
However, a joint technological analysis conducted by SECO/WARWICK’s sales team and research and development department demonstrated that all these processes can be performed in a single device. Successful trials in a vacuum furnace with gas quenching confirmed that the proposed solution meets the customer’s technological requirements while significantly simplifying the entire production process.
“Projects like this clearly show how important technological consulting and a partnership-based approach to the customer are. Initially, several separate devices were considered, each handling subsequent stages of the process. After analysis and technological testing, it turned out that all these operations can be carried out in a single vacuum furnace with gas quenching. This means not only substantial investment savings but also simplified production, shorter process times and reduced labor requirements. For the Partner, it is also the first step toward modern vacuum processes and moving away from the atmospheric technologies previously used," said Maciej Korecki, Vice President of the Vacuum Segment at SECO/WARWICK."