Lighter, Cost-Effective Solutions

Our HFQ® Technology for aluminium hot forming enables cost-effective & sustainable light-weighting in ultra high strength aluminium for electric vehicles, aircraft & other structural components

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HFQ® Technology

Impression Technologies has unparalleled expertise in aluminium hot forming, having scaled and commercialised HFQ Technology, the original and most proven technology for high-speed forming of complex deep drawn aluminium sheet components used in critical lightweight structures. HFQ reduces weight, cost and part complexity, without the complications of spring-back and loss of ductility.

HFQ Technology, is a patented package of manufacturing process know-how, advanced forming simulation tools that can be applied to any available aluminium alloy, and design guides for creating optimised lightweight structures.

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Impression Technologies HFQ® process

Impression Technologies is proud to be a world leader in light-weighting solutions. The quality and efficiency of our manufacturing process combined with our knowledgeable experts keep us at the top of the international light-weighting market. From our Global Technology Centre in Coventry, UK, we offer a full service through our full-scale HFQ® aluminium hot forming press line, and materials characterisation laboratory.

Our HFQ® process shows how our specialist technology produces ultra-high strength aluminium alloy sheet structures for customers all around the world. For a close-up look at how we carry out our HFQ® process, watch the video below.

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What is HFQ?

HFQ stands for Hot Form Quench and is the light-weighting technology standard for cost-effective, complex geometries for high-strength aluminium pressings by reducing weight for simpler, stronger structures.

The patented HFQ® Technology brings together know-how acquired over 17 years of research and industrialisation supported by over $30m of investment.

DISCOVER HFQ
"HFQ is a really good fit for the light-weighting needs of an automotive OEM."
Professor Mark White
Automotive Aluminium Light-weighting Expert
"HFQ is the future, and Impression Technologies is a fantastic company to work with!"
Andreas Steinmassl
Ebner
“The Impression Technologies team is very knowledgeable, it’s only a matter of time before HFQ becomes the industry standard – it truly is the future!”
Pawel Rutecki
Gränges
“Without the solutions that HFQ provides, we can’t move forward.”
Stefan Geissler
Fischer Group
“We hope to see HFQ used in many industries as soon as possible, including electric vehicles, castings and extrusions.”
Christian Kurten
FEV
OUR SERVICES

We are a full-service provider for sustainable lightweighting

Design

Conduct design feasibility studies and will be on hand to assist you in maximising cost-effective lightweighting opportunities
We conduct design feasibility studies and will be on hand to assist you in maximising cost-effective lightweighting opportunities.
HOW WE DO IT

Development

Impression Technologies is able to design tools based on part geometry and run forming simulations for the HFQ process
During the Development process, Impression Technologies is able to design tools based on part geometry and run forming simulations for the HFQ process. These simulations feed back to the design to optimise the geometry of the part for manufacture.
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Prototyping

Our UK-based facility includes a fully equipped HFQ production cell for in-house prototyping and production
Our UK-based facility includes a fully equipped HFQ production cell for in-house prototyping and production runs to support customer programmes.
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Production

We produce parts either as a niche volume supplier or for initial runs leading to medium/high volume production
We produce parts either as a niche volume supplier or for initial runs leading to medium/high volume production, which we transfer to our global network of tier 1 HFQ partners.
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Technology Transfer

Impression Technologies transfers HFQ® technology to tier 1 suppliers on a global basis to offer choice and consistency
Impression Technologies transfers HFQ® technology to tier 1 suppliers on a global basis to offer choice and consistency of quality supply, wherever HFQ parts are purchased from.
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Sustainable Lightweighting

ITL has recently demonstrated the ability to form 100% recycled aluminium grades using HFQ hot forming technology.
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HFQ Partner Network

As a HFQ manufacturing partner you gain access to new market opportunities and a full package of services.

Impression Technologies will support you along the whole project cycle starting with an initial meeting to determine firstly whether the technology is suitable for your application and then to discuss how HFQ can benefit and improve your end product.

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