Nov 29 2009
Hot Isostatic Pressing of metal powders is a dynamic industry sector with many of its leading companies based in Europe. As a result of discussions between members of the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA) who are active across the PM HIP supply chain, it has been formally agreed that the EPMA will launch a new sectoral group with immediate effect.
To be called the European PM HIP Group (EPHG) its objectives will be fourfold:
- To increase the awareness of the PM HIP technology, with a special (but non exclusive) focus on semi finished, Near Net Shape, as- HIPed and compound powder material products.
- To enable the benefits of joint action, for example through research programmes, workshops, benchmarking and exchange of knowledge.
- To improve the understanding of the benefits of PM HIP technology by end users, designers, mechanical engineers, metallurgists and students.
- To assist in the development of International standards for the PM HIP Sector.
There will be two co-chairmen of the group and in the first instance these will be Adeline Riou of Erasteel SA, France and Sture Olsson from Avure Technologies AB, Sweden. They will coordinate activities in four main areas being Conferences & Workshops, PM HIP Promotion Activities, Technical Research Programs & Training plus Standardisation work.
Jonathan Wroe Executive Director of the EPMA said "We are delighted to announce the formation of this new sectoral group which will help to promote and develop the European PM HIP industry. PM HIP technologies which are based on the high temperature and pressure sintering of a variety of metallic and alloy powders are continually and rapidly evolving and so are of interest to a wide range of industrial sectors. They are particularly suited to designs with a requirement of near-net shape production of complex parts."
It is anticipated that the EPHG will hold meetings at least twice per year and it will be open to companies and organisations across the supply chain who become members of the EPMA.