Richter Precision Inc. Biography
 J.
Hans Richter established Richter Precision, Inc. in the year 1978
in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Initially, the focus
of this company was general problem-solving within the manufacturing
sector. Richter Precision, Inc. stressed the importance of remembering
the basics of tool design: material selection, hardness, surface
finish, geometry, clearances, and surface treatments. However, while
the basics of tool design continue to be stressed even today, it
was surface treatments that were going to define the course of the
company’s future.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) were
being introduced for commercial use in the early 1980’s.
These processes were producing encouraging results in many tooling
applications: tools were working harder and faster, and tool life
was improving dramatically. J. Hans Richter was quick to realize
the potential of these coating processes when used in the correct
applications; therefore, the company’s focus was directed
towards providing CVD and PVD coating services. In 1981, RPI became
an independent CVD coating provider. In 1982, the company expanded
its capabilities to include PVD coating services.
The driving strategy of Richter Precision,
Inc. has always been to be as self-sufficient as possible:
while we are attentive to technology trends within our field, we
do not want to be dependant upon someone else’s technology
for our success. For this reason, we have designed and manufactured
most of our own CVD and PVD coating units. The engineers in our
Research & Development Department continuously work on improving
our processes and our equipment.
Our in-house machine shop is also
a great asset in maintaining our self-sufficiency.
The synergistic relationship that exists between the R&D Department
and the machine shop means that innovations and upgrades flow seamlessly
from engineering to manufacturing to production. In addition, our
machine shop gives enormous flexibility in manufacturing spare machine
parts, specialty fixtures, and custom masking components: therefore,
our ability to maintain operational stability is unparalleled.
However, we realize that advanced
technology means nothing unless you have a group of qualified people
to operate this technology. For this reason, our
coating technicians are the best-trained individuals in the coating
industry. Training of all personnel is an on-going process: as new
technology is introduced into our facilities, immediate and thorough
training follows. We view training as the improvement of our most
important resource: our people.
The teamwork that exists within our
company has contributed a great deal towards our growth over the
last twenty-five years. >>
A
few of the major highlights of RPI’s history are as follows:
|
1978 |
J.
Hans Richter establishes Richter Precision, Inc. |
|
1981
– RPI |
Becomes
an independent CVD coating service provider. We are among
the first to provide high temperature CVD coating on steel
components by utilizing special post-coating vacuum heat-treating
processes. |
| 1983
– RPI |
Introduces
Titankote™ C+ coating (a PVD TiC coating) and Titankote™
C4 coating (a PVD TiCN coating, later improved and changed
to Titankote™ C5). This is the first time either
of these coatings are commercially available in North
America. |
| 1986
– RPI |
Relocates
headquarters to its current location. After two expansions,
this facility is currently at 50,000 square feet of work
space. |
| 1988
– RPI |
Opens
its 20,000 square foot facility in Clinton Twp., Michigan. |
| 1989
– RPI |
Introduces
Titankote™ C3 PVD coating: this is the first CrN/CrC
multi-layer coating produced within this industry. |
| 1994
– RPI |
Presents
Replikote™ C: an ultra-refined TiN coating for highly
polished mold components. |
| 1995
– RPI |
Introduces
Titankote™ C10 DLC coating: an amorphous diamond
thin-film coating. |
| 1996
– RPI |
Unveils
Titankote™ C6: a TiAlN PVD coating designed for
machining tougher materials. |
| 1997
– RPI |
Introduces
Replikote™ C11 DLC coating: a defect-free coating
designed for highly polished mold surfaces. |
| 2000
– RPI |
Becomes
QS 9000/ISO9002 certified. |
| 2001
– RPI |
Purchases
the former Balzers SCI facility in Mississauga, Canada:
the largest in-line decorative coating facility in North
America. |
| 2003
– RPI |
With the installation of a new line of Thermo-Reactive
Diffusion coating furnaces, RPI introduces TDkote Tri
Cplus™, a specially formulated TRD coating. |
| 2004
– RPI |
Dynamic
Compound Deposition (DCD), a new family of tribological
coating processes, is introduced for component coating.
This process is also combined with PVD, CVD, and TD coatings
to improve coating performance. |
| 2006–
RPI |
There
is more to come… |
|
As
we move forward into the 21st Century, Richter Precision, Inc. will
continue in the spirit of innovation that has helped us grow into
the largest privately owned CVD and PVD coating center in North
America. As our customer base strengthens and grows across the United
States and into Canada, Mexico, Asia, and Europe, we will continue
with the formula that has worked so well for us over the last quarter
of a century: we will provide high quality coatings and strong customer/technical
service.
Word
from the President
Welcome to the Richter Precision website. The information within
should provide you with a good overview of our capabilities. I hope
that you will find this site to be a useful resource.
I founded Richter
Precision Inc. with the concept of combining the extensive “hands-on”
experience of a tooling professional with the modern surface enhancement
technologies of PVD and CVD coatings. Shortly after becoming involved
in this field, I realized that maintaining technological superiority
was absolutely essential to the long-term success of the company.
Therefore, I decided to commit all available resources to the development
of innovative coating processes, technologies, and equipment. This
on-going commitment has become a trademark of Richter Precision
Inc.
Richter Precision’s
customers benefit from our leadership in the PVD and CVD coating
fields. Through their association with Richter Precision Inc., our
customers always receive the highest quality coatings produced with
the latest innovations in PVD and CVD technology. Our customers
are always on the cutting edge because we are always on the cutting
edge.
We have consistently
progressed since the company was founded in 1978. As we continue
to expand and prosper, we will maintain the philosophies that have
been central to our success: commitment to our customers, commitment
to quality, and commitment to the pursuit and integration of new
PVD and CVD coating technologies.
Enjoy your visit!
J. Hans Richter
|
