Press Release

CENTORR VACUUM INDUSTRIES EXPANDS ITS MIM FURNACE OFFERING WITH NEW LINE OF LOWER COST METAL HOT ZONE DEBIND AND SINTER FURNACES

August 2002 - Nashua, NH -- Centorr Vacuum Industries announced it has expanded its furnace offering for the Metal Injection Molding market with the introduction of a new line of lower cost MIM-Vac™ custom metal hot zone furnaces, based on industry input concerning features and capabilities.

Based on Centorr Vacuum Industries Workhorse® Metal Hot Zone de-sign, which has been sold worldwide for the sintering of powdered metals, with over 1000 units in the field, the MIM-Vac has a number of design improvements specific for use with MIM Feedstocks. These include Molybdenum hot zones with integrally designed gas-plenum re-torts using our Sweepgas™ technology for consistent gas flow dynamics over the parts, compact furnace layout and construction within a steel framework enclosure for fast installation and aesthetics, a Dry mechanical pumping system for clean and efficient handling of any binder, and the use of advanced Molybdenum alloys in the hot zone and retort offering excellent creep resistance, higher recrystallization temperatures, and longer life.

The new line of MIM-Vac™ furnaces offers a temperature uniformity under ± 5°C, and operates in a partial pressures from 10 torr up to 1 atmosphere in Argon, Nitrogen, or Hydrogen gas using mass flow controllers for completely automated control. It is available with either a programmable controller interface or an easy-to-use HMI software package for computer control. The new MIM-Vac™ is available in sizes from 4.5, 6.75, and 9 cubic foot.

Centorr Vacuum Industries is a high temperature vacuum / controlled atmosphere furnace manufacturer with an installed base of over 6000 units worldwide. Their furnace offering ranges from large commercial and production units with hot zones over 3m x 3m, to smaller Lab and Research & Development furnaces for use at temperatures over 3000°C. They are located in Nashua, NH with a fully staffed Aftermarket Field Service group, and Applied Technology Center offering R&D support and toll production service. For more information please contact Centorr at 603-595-7233.