SECO/WARWICK has secured an order to deliver an advanced Vector vacuum furnace to a manufacturing facility in the United States, strengthening aerospace heat treatment capabilities and supporting the growing demand for high-precision bearing components used in aviation applications.
The furnace, equipped with 15 bar abs high-pressure gas quenching and an optional Low Pressure Carburizing (LPC) system, will enable the customer to increase production capacity, improve process quality, and achieve greater operational flexibility. This marks the first order for the Partner’s U.S. facility.
Designed for demanding aerospace production environments, the production-proven Vector furnace has been customized with LPC technology to allow efficient processing of larger batches while maintaining excellent cleanliness standards and parameter repeatability. The system features a spacious 900 × 900 × 1200 mm working zone, enabling the heat treatment of large loads and components with critical dimensions.
The furnace incorporates a cylindrical heating chamber that ensures temperature uniformity of ±5°C, while its graphite hot zone has been engineered for durability, simplified maintenance, and long-term reliability. Additional features include convection heating for improved low-temperature heat transfer, directional gas quenching for complex geometries, and isothermal quenching for precise cooling profile control.
“This unit is not a prototype but a proven standard that has matured through successive implementations. We have delivered hundreds of similar furnaces, refining every detail to ensure long-term, reliable performance in industrial environments,” said Piotr Zawistowski.
A key advantage of the system is its medium-vacuum configuration using two mechanical pumps and a Roots pump, helping reduce sublimation of alloying elements during vacuum heat treatment. The high-performance gas quenching system delivers pressures up to 15 bar abs, while the integrated LPC option enables precise surface hardening within a single technological cycle.
“In this project, the customer was looking for a solution that would combine a large working area, a short delivery time and an excellent price-to-performance ratio,” stated Maciej Korecki.
The investment comes at a time when the aerospace industry continues to witness strong growth and increasing demand for critical components such as bearings used in engines, gearboxes, and control systems. These applications require exceptional reliability under high loads, extreme temperatures, and high rotational speeds, making precise heat treatment and atmosphere control essential.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global commercial aerospace market is expected to surpass USD 230 billion in 2025, with continued annual growth projected in the coming years. The market environment is driving manufacturers to expand production capabilities, shorten lead times, and invest in advanced technologies that enhance process stability and component quality.
SECO/WARWICK noted that the project further demonstrates how refined, standard vacuum furnace solutions can successfully meet the stringent requirements of the aerospace sector while supporting cleaner processes, higher efficiency, and future market growth.
