SECO/WARWICK has announced the delivery of an advanced vacuum furnace from its Vector product line to a manufacturing facility in the United States, strengthening aerospace heat treatment capabilities for precision bearing components used in aviation systems. The new furnace system, equipped with 15 bar absolute high-pressure gas quenching and an optional Low Pressure Carburizing (LPC) system, will support the heat treatment of a broad range of aerospace bearing components while improving production efficiency, process quality, and operational flexibility. The order represents the first project supplied by the company to the customer’s U.S.-based facility.
The solution is based on a production-proven furnace platform from the Vector series, customised to meet the customer’s requirements through the integration of LPC technology. According to the company, the furnace was selected to support efficient processing of larger production batches while maintaining high cleanliness standards, excellent repeatability, and precise thermal control.
The system features a working zone measuring 900 × 900 × 1200 mm, enabling the processing of large component loads. The furnace incorporates a cylindrical heating chamber designed to ensure temperature uniformity of ±5°C, which is critical for aerospace-grade heat treatment applications.
SECO/WARWICK stated that the graphite hot zone has been engineered for long-term durability, ease of maintenance, and stable industrial performance. The furnace also includes a convection heating system that improves heat transfer efficiency at lower operating temperatures, while directional gas quenching enables improved process control for complex component geometries.
An additional feature of the system is its isothermal quenching capability, which allows more precise management of cooling profiles, blower operation, and load temperature through a variable-frequency drive system. The advanced process controls are particularly important for aerospace applications where component reliability and dimensional stability are critical.
Piotr Zawistowski, Managing Director of SECO/WARWICK USA, stated that the furnace is not an experimental design but a highly refined industrial solution developed through years of operational experience and multiple global installations. He noted that the platform has evolved through successive implementations to deliver long-term reliability, process stability, efficiency, and operational safety for demanding industrial sectors such as aerospace.
The furnace also features an efficient medium-vacuum configuration based on mechanical pumps and a Roots pump system. The partial pressure configuration helps reduce sublimation of alloying elements during vacuum heat treatment processes, while the high-performance gas quenching system supports quenching pressures of up to 15 bar absolute.
Maciej Korecki, Vice President of the Vacuum Segment at the SECO/WARWICK Group, said the customer required a solution capable of combining a large working area, short delivery timelines, and strong performance efficiency. He added that the LPC integration and advanced quench control capabilities provide users with greater flexibility for processing a wide variety of aerospace components.
The investment comes at a time when global demand for aerospace components continues to rise. Aerospace bearings used in engines, gearboxes, and flight control systems operate under extremely demanding conditions involving high rotational speeds, heavy loads, and elevated temperatures. As a result, precise heat treatment and atmosphere control remain critical within aerospace manufacturing supply chains.
Industry estimates indicate that the global commercial aerospace market is expected to continue expanding steadily over the coming years, increasing pressure on manufacturers to improve production capacity, shorten lead times, and maintain stringent quality standards.
SECO/WARWICK has developed vacuum heat treatment technologies for industries where process cleanliness, thermal precision, and repeatability are essential. The latest delivery further strengthens the company’s position within the aerospace sector by demonstrating the ability of its proven industrial furnace systems to meet demanding aviation manufacturing requirements.
