Czech heat treatment company Kalírna Desire is set to establish a new commercial vacuum heat treatment facility with the installation of a SECO/WARWICK Vector single-chamber vacuum furnace equipped with 15 bar absolute high-pressure gas quenching. The investment marks the company’s entry into vacuum heat treatment services while addressing the shortage of local vacuum hardening infrastructure in its region.
The new facility will enable Kalírna Desire to perform vacuum heat treatment in-house, eliminating its long-standing dependence on distant commercial heat treatment providers. Previously, outsourcing resulted in extended lead times, higher logistics costs, and reduced production flexibility. By bringing the process under one roof, the company aims to improve manufacturing efficiency while offering vacuum hardening services to nearby metal processing and mechanical engineering companies.
According to SECO/WARWICK, the project demonstrates how advanced vacuum technology can support the growth of small and medium-sized manufacturers by expanding their production capabilities and creating new revenue opportunities.
“Our collaboration with Kalírna Desire is an excellent example of how vacuum technology can become a growth engine for ambitious small and mid-sized companies,” said Maciej Korecki, Vice President, Vacuum Segment, SECO/WARWICK Group. “A standard Vector furnace, adapted to the partner’s requirements, combines a sensible investment level with broad process capabilities, making it an ideal solution for companies beginning their journey with vacuum heat treatment.”
The selected Vector furnace has been configured specifically for commercial heat treatment applications. Its mid-sized work zone accommodates relatively large components and supports efficient batch processing for a wide range of tool and structural steels. A round heating chamber ensures excellent temperature uniformity, delivering consistent hardening and tempering results.
The system also incorporates convection heating to improve efficiency during low-temperature preheating, directional cooling to minimise distortion in complex components, and an isothermal quenching function that allows precise control of cooling profiles through regulated blower operation. Additionally, the furnace features low-pressure carburising (LPC) capabilities, enabling advanced surface hardening processes within a single integrated vacuum cycle.
“We have extensive experience equipping commercial heat treatment facilities, from large industrial companies to local suppliers,” said Łukasz Chwiałkowski, Sales Manager, SECO/WARWICK. “We always help customers select the right equipment and identify process capabilities that can generate more business opportunities and improve profitability.”
The vacuum system combines a mechanical pump and a Roots pump to provide stable medium-vacuum conditions and high process cleanliness. A partial-pressure system helps prevent the evaporation of alloying elements while reducing contamination of the hot zone, complemented by a high-capacity cooling system for enhanced process performance.
A representative of Kalírna Desire said the investment became essential as market expectations continued to evolve.
“The decision to invest in a vacuum furnace was not easy, but it became a necessity in light of growing market requirements and the limitations of using a distant commercial heat treatment provider,” the company representative said. “The new unit will improve production planning flexibility, shorten lead times for customers, and position us as an important regional partner for nearby metal processing companies.”
Beyond reducing outsourcing costs, the new in-house heat treatment capability is expected to strengthen Kalírna Desire’s manufacturing operations by providing greater control over production schedules, improving product quality and repeatability, reducing transportation risks, and enabling faster processing of prototypes, short production runs, and urgent orders. The investment is also expected to enhance the company’s long-term competitiveness through greater process expertise and expanded commercial service offerings.
