Tracking Trends for Metalcasting

GIFA 2019 has been circled on many calendars as the time and place for announcing new business plans, introducing new process technologies, and unveiling new projects in design and research. But other ideas and issues already also will be on the agenda, and in the minds of metalcasters attending the June 25-29 event, in Düsseldorf, Germany.

GIFA 2019 will be 14th International Foundry Trade Fair with Technical Forum, and set to host more than 900 exhibitors from around the world, including all of the most notable suppliers of melting, molding, coremaking, sand treatment, and vibratory and finishing machinery for foundries and diecasters.

The organizers of GIFA are mindful of the trends shaping metalcasting, and have highlighted five trends that are influencing the business and technologies:

1. Aluminum displacing steel. There are numerous reasons for this: The auto industry, as already in aerospace, requires lighter components. However, the stability of aluminum is also a major factor. In mechanical engineering, this material is also used for demanding tasks. In 2017, approximately 6% more aluminum was produced than in 2016, and the cost of the finished product is decreasing due to advanced manufacturing methods.

2. Automation in place of skilled workers. Fewer and fewer people are working in foundries, and further declines are to be expected. In order to remain competitive, metalcasters rely on semi-automated or completely autonomous systems to maintain (or increase) their output. Employees are able to invest more time designing or testing, and this should increase the interest of younger workers in metalcasting careers.

3. Digitization and Industry 4.0. Sensors, connected machines, and Smart controls are at home in metalcasting: Numerous operations already are connected. And foundry customers and potential customers benefit from the data. Processes can be optimized with Big Data and possible bottlenecks and errors in the system can be detected early. Manual adjustments in the operating procedure are less necessary.

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