Coventry firm targets auto sector with pioneering new pressings technology

Hot Form Quench press at Impression Technologies

A COVENTRY engineering firm is challenging traditional construction methods within the motor industry by pioneering a new cost-effective way of forming high strength aluminium.

The approach has already paid dividends for the company by securing it work with Warwickshire sports car manufacturer Aston Martin.

Impression Technologies is hoping to attract more business after opening its new factory in the traditional heartland of the Midlands’ motor industry.

The firm has developed what it describes as “the world’s first Hot Form Quench™ (HFQ®) press”.

 The firm has grown significantly in the past 18 months, with the new facility at Lyons Park – named after the founder of Jaguar, Sir William Lyons – marking another milestone in the company’s progress.  The new factory will enable it to increase capacity in order to meet demand.

It is also preparing to license HFQ® to manufacturers worldwide.

The HFQ® technology, which is based on research from the University of Birmingham and Imperial College London, is a new and disruptive hot forming process, in which complex aluminium parts are pressed and quenched within a matched die tool.  The result is a high strength, low weight, cost-effective component for structures within car bodies, rolling stock and aircraft assemblies.

Using HFQ® technology enables the replacement of steel with aluminium in critical applications, including those where complex geometries would not otherwise be formable in high strength aluminium grades.  

Parts produced using HFQ® are already receiving industry recognition, with Aston Martin recently announcing that it had used HFQ® parts for its DB11 model.

Jonathan Watkins, Chief Executive of Impression Technologies, said: “Impression Technologies has a unique technology that addresses the economical, technical and environmental needs of the huge automotive, aerospace and rail sectors.

“HFQ® has the potential to be the dominant light-weighting technology for vehicle structures, bringing highly skilled jobs and investment to the region, as well as significant earnings from strategic and rapidly-growing global markets.”

In July 2015, Impression Technologies received a £4m investment from Mercia Technologies and Imperial Innovations, which assisted in the development of the new facilities.

Matt Mead, Chief Investment Officer at Mercia Technologies, said: “We’ve seen a considerable increase in Impression Technologies’ progress in scaling the business as it works to expand its relationships with key customers.

“We would like to congratulate the company on the launch of its new facilities, which we believe perfectly demonstrates the manufacturing potential that still resides in the Midlands.”

Robert Bahns, Director of Technology Ventures at Imperial Innovations, said: “We are delighted to see the progress the company has made and the contribution it is already beginning to make to the automotive industry.  This facility will position the company firmly on the map as a technology provider that can reduce the weight and cost of components across a range of transport sectors.”

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