About Accushape®
Our History
Accushape® has a rich history that began in 1987 in Albany, Oregon, when Robert Lee established the company to enhance titanium production for knife handles for Buck Knives. This was achieved through the pressing and sintering (PS) of titanium sponge granules (TSG) to create net shape finished handles.
From 1988 to 1998, Accushape® successfully produced over 500,000 titanium PS parts, including knife handles, golf club inserts, hex nuts, and washers. However, the closure of the Deeside and RMI Na reduction plants in 1992 and 1993 halted the supply of input materials. Despite this setback, Accushape® continued parts production using accumulated inventories until 1998, when the scarcity of raw materials forced the company to cease production of titanium PS parts.
In 1996, a new titanium sponge plant utilizing a high purity Na reduction method was initiated, from which Accushape® sourced all the titanium fines. While new press and sinter applications were developed, they have yet to be moved to production due to the existing applications absorbing the available material.
The sponge plant was closed in 2024, but Accushape® had built up significant inventories that will enable the company to continue supplying titanium powder for critical applications while working on developing its own titanium reduction process. Throughout its history, Accushape® has evaluated and utilized titanium powders and fines from all known processes.
Titanium Manufacturing at Accushape
ACCUSHAPE® is a member of the International Titanium Association (ITA), a vital organization that has played a significant role in the history of titanium production. Robert Lee serves as Co-Chair of the ITA Safety Education Committee, contributing to the association's mission. Established in 1984, the ITA is an international trade association dedicated to the titanium metal industry. Its main goal is to connect the public interested in using titanium with specialists worldwide who can provide sales and technical assistance, including those knowledgeable about titanium sponge granules.
Through our expansive membership resources, we aim to enhance the knowledge base surrounding titanium, offering technical literature and sponsoring seminars and conferences. For nearly three decades, we have educated thousands of professionals on various aspects of titanium usage. Our efforts focus on informing engineers, designers, and business executives about titanium’s superior properties and how these can be leveraged to improve products and services. Additionally, we strive to promote advancements in research, design, metallurgy, and engineering, positioning ourselves as the leading forum to facilitate the exchange of ideas and support a diverse, dynamic global industry. Currently, the ITA boasts over 120 organizations and more than 1,500 individual members worldwide.
