A Net-Shape, High-Productivity Fabrication Route that Utilises Low-Cost Tools to Produce High-Complexity Parts (NIFTY)

A novel hot-isostatic pressing (HIP) process route will be developed to enable net-shape, high-integrity components to be produced from high-performance materials. An innovative manufacturing route will be developed to produce high-precision, low-cost tools, allowing the HIP process to produce complex-shape parts at lower-cost and higher throughput. An advanced powder-handling system will be developed to ensure minimal contamination to the processed powders. The process is supported by a digital process selection tool to assess the viability of the process for a selected component against competing technologies. Key innovations include a new route to produce complex-shaped components using HIP, a novel powder handling system to ensure high-purity components and a CAD-based process selection tool.