, Manufacturing Technology Blog: June 2008

The Role of Associations & Groups in Metal Casting Industry

One of the most fundamental industries, metal casting continues to play a key role in manufacturing sector. It is one of the most widely used processes in production and process industries. The process is used in a variety of applications, including the critical components for aircraft and automobiles to home appliances and
surgical equipment, and is critical to the modern human life.

The Need for Industry Associations & Groups
Although metal casting is integral to manufacturing industry, it had not undergone any development for a very long period of time. The basic need for the formation of metal casting related associations was to address the needs of the industry and to develop the processes and techniques of casting. Some of the associations and groups formed by the companies are constantly dealing to make such proposed reforms and discuss the various problems and issues faced by the industry. Many of them have also come up with profound technical rectifications and several new proposals.

Aims & Objectives
Over the years, the basic aims and objectives of metal casting industry associations and groups have remain unchanged. Some of the important objectives of associations working for the metal casting industry are -
  • Continuously work for the development of more refined metal casting techniques and processes.
  • Help the member companies to improve their quality standards in this ever demanding industry.
  • Work for the spread of appropriate technology.
  • Work for the development of new innovations and inventions for the technological benefit of member companies.
  • Help the member companies to cut their production costs and improve productivity.
  • Address the different issues and problems, the industry is facing.
Fight Against Pollution
Companies working in the metal casting industry are often pressurized and accused for polluting the environment. Metal casting industry associations and groups are working in this area to help the member companies in proper disposal of pollutants. For instance, some of the associations have persuade the companies with operations close to each other to setup a common facility for the disposal of harmful pollutants. Many of the associations have setup their own norms and practices for member companies in this regard.

Safety of Manpower & Environment
It is also an important duty of associations to keep a tab on the safety of workers. The industry being a dangerous place to work in, the associations have dictated several safety norms to the member companies. These norms are also important from the point of view of avoiding any trouble or intervention from the Government.

Spreading Awareness
It is an important duty of industry associations to make the member companies and people aware of ongoing developments and research in the field of metal casting. The associations arrange international expos and exhibitions for the spread of knowledge. The associations also stand for their member companies in various seminars organized at the international level.

Commercial Aspects
The metal casting associations also function as exchange houses for commercial meetings. Many associations also help the member companies in understanding the market conditions and the ways to improve their profitability and financial stability.

Some of the important associations and groups working in the metal casting industry are -

Increased Competition – Forcing the Foundries to Reduce Running Costs

FoundryDuring the last decade or so, foundries are facing a big challenge to survive and stay in the business. Companies are striving to find an ever cheaper manufacturing base and are trying to buy the consumables products they require to operate their business as economically as possible.

As the customers are looking to buy at ever lower costs, the crucible business is becoming tougher day by day.

Some companies are adopting innovative approaches to tackle this problem. They are working on methods and practices to optimize the life time of their products. Some of the highlights of findings are -
  • Long and stable service life of products
  • Good conductivity of crucible over the use period
  • Protection glaze, which can withstand the longer time in use
  • Isostaically pressed to give an even and consistent material structure

Companies, such as Mammut-Wetro have successfully taken up these challenges to reduce their running costs. Mammut-Wetro has a long experience of foundry industry with a technical team that has an extensive knowledge of ceramics and all this is backed by a highly sophisticated laboratory that has facilitated the testing and proving of ideas to attain the desired results.

Mazak Ltd. of Bloxwich, Walsall has been working with the products for many years now, the biggest zinc alloy plant in the UK, using two ton and one ton capacity crucibles. During this period, the company has achieved highly stable operating conditions. The structural unity of the crucibles is maintained even after the complete service life, ensuring the safe and easy removal of a used crucible. According to Keith Sargeant, the Works Director of Striko, Their main advantage has been the consistent quality of products supplied by Striko UK Ltd.

Improving Energy Efficiency
The most energy-intensive process in metal casting is melting. Companies are working on methods and practices to improve melting efficiency as well as to improve yield, thereby reducing the amount of metal that must be melted and hence the production cost.


Energy Use in Metal Casting
How to measure success?

  • Increased yield and reduced scrap — By improving the yield and reducing scrap, the amount of metal that must be melted decreases and in turn saves energy.
  • Melting efficiency - Melting represents 55% of the cost of process energy. Improvement in melting efficiency helps save energy and reduce production costs.

InterMold Thailand 2008

Intermold Thailand 2008
Recently I visited the 16th edition of InterMold Thailand 2008, which is the ASEAN's largest trade exposition for mold and die manufacturing industry. The event was held from June 19-22, 2008 in Bangkok - the beautiful capital of Thailand.

I must say that, I was truly mesmerized by the seeing the interest and enthusiasm of exhibitors and visitors that come from different parts of the world to participate in the event. The event has been proved to be a a huge success and has marked its bold status as a meeting platform for the entire automotive and electronics parts communities from across ASEAN.

The event has emerged as a highly specialized show that offers opportunities for all the global exhibitors and visitors from plastic, rubber and metal working industries to meet and exchange ideas and trade connections.


Intermold Thailand 2008 - Fast Facts

Exhibitor Profile

Exhibitors from the different segments of mold and die manufacturing industry participated in the event, including -

  • Dies, Molds, and Standard Parts
  • Mold & Die Processing Machines
  • Surface Treatment
  • Tools & Measuring
  • Materials for Dies and Molds
  • CAD / CAM / CAE Systems, Design Engineering and Rapid Prototyping
  • Foundry
Visitor Profile
By Job Title: Managing Director, Owners, Design Engineers, Mold Makers/Manufacturers, R&D, Engineers, Subcontractors, Technical Supervisor, Purchasing, Production and Parts Makers.

By Industry: Automotive, Auto Parts, Aerospace Parts, Electronics / Electrical Appliances, Tlecommunications, ICT Industry, Watches & Clock, Plastic Furniture, Medical, Toy, Fabricated Metals, Plastic and Rubber.

Venue Venue - Intermold Thailand
Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC)

8 Bangna-Trad Road (Km.1), Bangna
Bangkok 10260
Thailand
Phone - +66 (02) 749 3939
Fax - +66 (02) 749 3949
Web Site -
http://www.intermoldthailand.com/
E-mail -
rtdx@reedtradex.co.th


Organizers

Next Event – InterMold Thailand is held ones a year and will be held next time during June 25-28, 2009.

About Us

Manufacturing Technology Blog in non-profit website which is run by people who share common interests in product design, manufacturing techniques and metal casting.

A core member and think-tank behind Manufacturing Technology Blog is a graduate in mechanical and materials engineering with almost 15 years of experience in manufacturing industry.  Our other team members are highly experienced in tooling design, casting methods, cast product design, machining initialization, and manufacturing techniques. Our team has expertise in metal casting, including centrifugal casting, die casting, permanent mold casting, sand casting, and investment casting.

One of our members has an interest in antique CARS and engines and has also build a small foundry to design and manufacture replacement parts J

We've designed this blog to let our readers know what's going on in the industry, to communicate the status of recent developments, and for the purposes of sharing the experiences of different people about this amazing art and science of metal casting.

Any suggestions or feedback from our readers are most welcome. It helps us in improving the blog further.