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Rotopress readies new press concept
Rotopress readies n e w press c o n c e p t Since 1990, Rotopress International Inc has been engaged in development and commercialization of rotary cold forming of ring-shaped powder metallurgy (PM) parts. Densification by rotary cold repressing (Rotopressing) is claimed to be an economical method for the production of high performance PM parts. Rotopress International is now ready to offer RCR presses to the PM industry and expects the process to be commercialized in North America by the end of 1994.
R
otopress International Inc of St Laurent, Quebec (a suburb of Mont r e a l ) , was f o r m e d in 1990 to commercialize the process of rotary cold forming of PM components, brought to
FIGURE 1: Axially symmetrical PM parts suitable for rotary forming.
FIGURE 2: Using interaction of moving die and concentrated non-symmetric loads, up to 10 times lower loads are
needed to densify sintered preforms to high density (95-98%).
24 MPR April 1994
North America from Poland by its founder and President, Dr George Pregowski. Since t h a t time, Rotopress has been busily engaged in developing the technology and e x p l o r i n g a variety of a p p r o a c h e s to its commercial exploitation. Rotary cold repressing (Rotopressing) is an attractive and economical method for the a c h i e v e m e n t of high density and hence superior mechanical properties in PM parts, p a r t i c u l a r l y of larger dimensions. It is ideally suited to axially sym-
FIGURE 3: Concept diagram for Rotopress International's new 200 tonne PM rotary cold forming press.
metrical components such as rings, gears, and cylindrical pieces (Figure 1). Magnetic properties of ferrous components may also be improved by the process. In rotary forming of PM parts, the u p p e r rotating die is used to press-form the sintered blank as it is hydraulically raised by the lower ram (Figure 2). By using an orbiting u p p e r die, densification can be achieved with much reduced loads, hence drastically reducing the size and cost of the press required. Rotopress International is developing its business by supplying press equipment and technology to the PM industry for the production of ring-shaped PM parts using rotopressing. Considerable progress has been made, numerous promising applications have been identified, and development has been started during 1993 with several potential PM manufacturing partners. The first North American applications of Rotopressing are expected to a p p e a r on the market before the end of 1994. Contacts made throughout the North American and European PM industries have identified the e q u i p m e n t and services required by potential users of Rotopressing, and as a result Rotopress International Inc has developed a 200 t o n n e p r e s s (Figure 3) incorporating the m o s t advanced hydraulic and computer controlled systems, together with a simpler version in a 160 tonne press. Market introduction of these presses is planned for this month (April), and it is expected that a press will be on show at the 1994 Conference and Exhibition on Powder Metallurgy in Toronto. •
Joseph M. Capus
0026-0657194157.00 © 1994, Elsevier Science Ltd.
R
otopress International Inc of St Laurent, Quebec (a suburb of Mont r e a l ) , was f o r m e d in 1990 to commercialize the process of rotary cold forming of PM components, brought to
FIGURE 1: Axially symmetrical PM parts suitable for rotary forming.
FIGURE 2: Using interaction of moving die and concentrated non-symmetric loads, up to 10 times lower loads are
needed to densify sintered preforms to high density (95-98%).
24 MPR April 1994
North America from Poland by its founder and President, Dr George Pregowski. Since t h a t time, Rotopress has been busily engaged in developing the technology and e x p l o r i n g a variety of a p p r o a c h e s to its commercial exploitation. Rotary cold repressing (Rotopressing) is an attractive and economical method for the a c h i e v e m e n t of high density and hence superior mechanical properties in PM parts, p a r t i c u l a r l y of larger dimensions. It is ideally suited to axially sym-
FIGURE 3: Concept diagram for Rotopress International's new 200 tonne PM rotary cold forming press.
metrical components such as rings, gears, and cylindrical pieces (Figure 1). Magnetic properties of ferrous components may also be improved by the process. In rotary forming of PM parts, the u p p e r rotating die is used to press-form the sintered blank as it is hydraulically raised by the lower ram (Figure 2). By using an orbiting u p p e r die, densification can be achieved with much reduced loads, hence drastically reducing the size and cost of the press required. Rotopress International is developing its business by supplying press equipment and technology to the PM industry for the production of ring-shaped PM parts using rotopressing. Considerable progress has been made, numerous promising applications have been identified, and development has been started during 1993 with several potential PM manufacturing partners. The first North American applications of Rotopressing are expected to a p p e a r on the market before the end of 1994. Contacts made throughout the North American and European PM industries have identified the e q u i p m e n t and services required by potential users of Rotopressing, and as a result Rotopress International Inc has developed a 200 t o n n e p r e s s (Figure 3) incorporating the m o s t advanced hydraulic and computer controlled systems, together with a simpler version in a 160 tonne press. Market introduction of these presses is planned for this month (April), and it is expected that a press will be on show at the 1994 Conference and Exhibition on Powder Metallurgy in Toronto. •
Joseph M. Capus
0026-0657194157.00 © 1994, Elsevier Science Ltd.