SECO/WARWICK will deliver a vacuum furnace from the Vector line, equipped with 15 bar abs high-pressure gas quenching and an optional Low Pressure Carburizing (LPC) system, to a manufacturing facility in the United States. The solution will support the heat treatment of a wide range of bearing components for the aerospace sector, increasing production capacity, process quality and operational flexibility. This is the first order for this Partner’s U.S. location.
A proven solution for demanding aerospace production
The new order involves a standard, production-proven vacuum furnace from the Vector line, customized to meet the customer’s requirements by integrating the Low Pressure Carburizing (LPC) option. The solution was selected to enable efficient heat treatment of larger batches of bearing components, including parts with critical dimensions, while maintaining high process cleanliness and excellent parameter repeatability.
The furnace features a working zone of 900 × 900 × 1200 mm (36 × 36 × 48 in) allowing efficient processing of large loads. The cylindrical heating chamber ensures excellent temperature uniformity of ±5°C (±10°F). The graphite hot zone has been designed for durability, ease of operation and straightforward maintenance. A convection heating system improves heat transfer at lower temperatures, while directional gas quenching enables better process control for components with more complex geometries. Additionally, the furnace is equipped with isothermal quenching, enabling even more precise control of the cooling profile, load temperature and blower operation via a variable-frequency drive.
“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. As a result, the current design provides process stability, high efficiency and operational safety factors that are fundamental in the aerospace sector,” says Piotr Zawistowski, Managing Director of SECO/WARWICK USA.
A key advantage of the system is its efficient medium-vacuum configuration, based on two mechanical pumps and a Roots pump. The partial pressure system helps limit sublimation of alloying elements from the load surface during vacuum heat treatment processes, while the high-performance gas quenching system provides a maximum quenching pressure of up to 15 bar abs. The solution is complemented by the LPC option, enabling precise surface hardening within a single, integrated 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. Vector meets these expectations, and thanks to the LPC option and advanced quench control, it gives users greater flexibility in processing a wide range of components,” emphasizes Maciej Korecki, Vice President of the Vacuum Segment at the SECO/WARWICK Group.
Higher efficiency, cleaner processes and readiness for market growth
The new furnace responds to the growing demand for aerospace components. The significance of this project goes beyond a single investment. The aerospace sector remains one of the most demanding industrial segments, as components operating in aviation systems must maintain reliability under very high loads, high rotational speeds and extreme temperatures. This applies particularly to bearings used in engines, gearboxes and control mechanisms, where even minor process deviations can directly affect durability and operational safety. For this reason, heat treatment and precise atmosphere control are among the key competencies within the aerospace supply chain.
The market environment is equally important. According to IATA, the global commercial aerospace market was expected to exceed USD 230 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at an average rate of around 5% annually in the coming years. At the same time, the organization notes that demand for air transport remains strong, while supply and production constraints persist. In practice, this translates into pressure to increase production capacity, shorten lead times, and invest in technologies that enhance process stability and the quality of critical components.
SECO/WARWICK’s Partner in this project is part of a global group with roots dating back to the early 20th century. More than 100 years ago , the self-aligning ball bearing was invented in Europe, marking the beginning of modern rolling motion technology. Today, bearings are used in numerous engine, gearbox and control system components. Their role is to carry radial and axial loads, maintain motion precision and ensure the durability of the entire assembly.
For years, SECO/WARWICK has been developing vacuum technologies for industries where process cleanliness, parameter precision, and repeatability are critical. The delivery of a Vector furnace for the U.S. aerospace sector confirms that standard, well-refined solutions can effectively meet even the most demanding requirements of the aviation industry.
