December 2020
Fraunhofer Lighthouse Project futureAM gets metallic 3D printing in shape for industrial use
Accelerating the additive production of metal components by at least a factor of 10: With this goal in mind, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft launched the lighthouse project “futureAM – Next Generation Additive Manufacturing” in 2017. As the project ends in November 2020, six Fraunhofer institutes have made technological leaps forward in systems engineering, materials and process control as well as end-to-end digitalisation.
NASA’s Perseverance Rover bringing 3D printed metal parts to Mars
If you want to see science fiction at work, visit a modern machine shop, where 3D printers create materials in just about any shape you can imagine. NASA is exploring the technique, known as additive manufacturing when used by specialised engineers, to build rocket engines as well as potential outposts on the Moon and Mars. Nearer in the future is a different milestone. NASA’s Perseverance Rover, which lands on the Red Planet on 18 February 2021, carries 11 metal parts made with 3D printing.
ExOne to optimise sand 3D printers for use with ITOCHU Ceratech Corporation’s cerabeads
ExOne, a global leader in industrial sand and metal 3D printers using binder jetting technology, has announced an agreement to optimise its sand 3D printers for use with premium Naigai Cerabeads from ITOCHU Ceratech Corporation, a leading Japanese ceramic product manufacturer. Cerabeads are a premium ceramic foundry sand used to create moulds and cores for metal casting high-value products in the automotive, oil and gas, mining and construction industries.
Making a marque: The secrets behind those luxury hood ornaments
This year, the all-new 2020 Bentley Flying Spur came adorned with a large upright “Flying B” mascot on the hood. It’s a notable offering: This will be the first time that this style of B, which will electronically rise to view from underneath a modern Bentley badge, will be featured on a modern-day edition of a four-door Grand Tourer. The last time the B appeared, the year was 1930 and the car was a Bentley Model 8-Litre.
Oscars 2020: The statuette’s Croatian connection
The 92nd Academy Awards, which honoured the best films of 2019, took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California on Sunday 9 February 2020. This year’s winners took home the famous Oscar statuette, which for the fifth year in a row will have a Croatian connection. Polich Tallix Fine Art Foundry in New York, which is owned by the son of Croatian immigrants, has once again manufactured the famous Oscar statuette for the Academy Awards.
General Kinematics celebrates 60-year mark
General Kinematics (GK) celebrated its 60th anniversary in September by thanking its employees for their talent and support and by acknowledging the support of its customers and community. Albert Musschoot founded General Kinematics in a small storefront in Barrington, Illinois, USA in 1960 with a box of letterheads, an electric typewriter and a grapefruit crate to use as a desk. As demand for GK vibratory equipment grew, by 1975 GK built a fabrication facility in Crystal Lake, Illinois, which is the company’s headquarters today.
Chinese government reiterates paper, ferrous scrap barrier
Proclamation reinstates intention to prohibit ferrous scrap and recovered fibre imports. A November 25 announcement posted to the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) website updates and reaffirms that nation’s intention to prohibit the import of recovered fibre, plastic scrap, ferrous scrap and other recyclable materials starting January 1, 2021. Recyclers and traders of every other material face being cut off from their former Chinese customers.
Enable Manufacturing has been granted funding from Innovate UK for a project to prove the concept of its Additive Casting process
Innovate UK, as part of UK Research and Innovation, is investing up to £191 million to fund single and collaborative research and development projects as part of the Sustainable Innovation Fund over the next two years. The aim of these competitions is to help all sectors of the UK rebuild after the effects of COVID-19.
Sri Lanka restricts scrap metal exports
The government of Sri Lanka reportedly has banned the export of ferrous scrap and several types of nonferrous scrap, including copper, brass, aluminum and stainless steel. The online report on the Colombo, Sri Lanka-based EconomyNext website says such exports could still occur following a recommendation of the Industrial Development Board and other related agencies, according to the Sri Lankan government information office.
Wendt, Didion form strategic partnership
The two companies will combine Wendt’s scrap processing solutions with Didion’s rotary drum technology. Wendt Corp., Buffalo, New York, has announced that it is entering into an exclusive partnership with Missouri-based Didion International Inc. The two companies report that they plan to combine Wendt’s scrap processing solutions with Didion’s rotary drum technology. According to a news release from Wendt, the partnership will leverage experience from both companies in their respective specialties in order to expand and improve Wendt’s product portfolio.
ArcelorMittal to idle blast furnace in Poland
The reported move comes on the heels of the steelmaker selling its blast furnaces in the US. Luxembourg-based steelmaker ArcelorMittal reportedly is preparing to permanently idle its blast furnace production in Krakow, Poland. The move comes on the heels of its sale of blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace (BOF) assets in the United States in late September and could be tied to a net-zero carbon emissions pledge made by the steelmaker recently.
Despite all the difficulties and challenges of COVID-19 O.M.LER s.r.l. is optimistic
The end of each year is traditionally the time to evaluate a company or individual’s performance – whether the goals and budgets set were met, to celebrate the achievements in the year and to analyse why and devise a solution, if the year was not as successful as was expected. Despite all the difficulties and challenges that are associated with COVID-19, O.M.LER and Globen Engineering remain optimistic about the future in Europe, as well as in South Africa.
What may be world’s first furnace from 6 500 years ago found in Israel
Over 10 000 years ago, peoples around the Mediterranean basin were hammering unheated rock rich in pretty green copper ore and making objects with it: beads, pendants and other small ornaments. After thousands of years of hammering, people began heating tiny amounts of copper ore in small clay pots called crucibles, producing metal. Now, Israeli archaeologists report on evidence of the next stage: a furnace smelting, dating to about 6 500 years ago in Be’er Sheva.
October 2020
Move aside robots, Tesla bets on aluminium casting
Robots are not efficient enough for Tesla’s new car factory in Germany, which plans to replace hundreds of them with giant aluminium casting machines to build simpler chassis parts, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. The electric carmaker has struggled to raise production volumes through hi-tech automation and was forced to fly in a new production line from Germany to Nevada in 2018 after robots failed to coordinate seamlessly at the US factory.
How a manufacturer brought 3D printing into the foundry
When you think of 3D printing, you probably don’t think of metal casting. But in fact, 3D printing has been a huge help to foundries thanks in large part to one Ohio-based company, Humtown Products. In 2014, the family-owned business decided to try using 3D printers to create castings for engine blocks in cars, trucks, construction equipment and aerospace technology.
Fraunhofer IWS project enables green laser to melt pure copper
Previously, it was not possible to melt copper for complex 3D printed parts using an infrared laser. The Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS in Dresden, Germany, has designed a green laser with wavelength much shorter than the typical infrared laser to melt copper powder during additive manufacturing. It enables new production approaches that previously could not be achieved with pure copper.
Classic car specialist turns to ExOne binder jet AM for vintage Ferrari part
HV3DWorks LLC, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, USA, recently used Binder Jetting (BJT) Additive Manufacturing technology from The ExOne Company, North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, USA, to enable the reproduction of a carburettor for a vintage Ferrari. HV3DWorks specialises in the restoration of collector cars using AM parts. HV3DWorks’ client approached the company for assistance in producing replacement parts.
Renishaw additive manufacturing technology delivers replica of 12th century Gloucester candlestick
Global engineering technologies company Renishaw is working in partnership with Gloucester Cathedral and the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, London, to recreate the Gloucester Candlestick, using metal additive manufacturing (AM). The original candlestick is on show at the V&A Museum, while Renishaw’s AM rendition will be displayed and used at Gloucester Cathedral.
Velo3D develops process for 3D printing aluminium
California-based Velo3D has announced the ‘commercial release’ of a production process for additively manufactured parts in aluminium F357 on its Sapphire metal 3D printing system. The foundry-grade aluminium alloy, which is suitable for the laser powder-bed fusion (LPBF) process, enables the 3D printing of parts that have traditionally been manufactured using casting practices.
Aluminium World Trade Fair postponed
Now to be held from 18 to 20 May 2021. Aluminium, the world’s leading trade fair for the aluminium industry, which was to take place in Düsseldorf from 6 to 8 October 2020, has been postponed to 18 to 20 May 2021 due to the serious consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The accompanying Aluminium Conference will also be postponed into the next year.
German foundry industry expects drastic drop in sales for 2020
Germany’s foundry industry is cutting back on investments and expects drastically falling sales in 2020. Whether the recession will affect employment will probably also depend on the extension of short-time working compensation and the performance of the vehicle manufacturing industry. The June survey focused on employment, sales development and the evaluation of the economic stimulus package.
74th World Foundry Congress delayed until 2022
The 74th World Foundry Congress has been postponed until October 2022. The event was due to be held in October of this year in Busan, South Korea, but the organising committee, the Korea Foundry Society and the World Foundry Organisation (WFO) have decided to postpone due to the current COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The new date for the 74th WFC will be 16 to 20th October 2022, at the same venue of the former programme – Bexco, Busan, Korea.
Ghana’s first modern foundry and machine tooling centre to be constructed
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has cut the sod for the construction of Ghana’s first modern foundry and machine tooling centre, which will produce agro-processing machines and equipment, farming implements, and spare parts for maintenance and repairs. Cutting the sod for the commencement of construction took place on Monday, 31st August 2020.
Australian government may restrict scrap exports
Government claims it is targeting “unprocessed waste” shipments. The Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020, on track to be approved in Australia, has been designed to ban the export of waste glass, plastics, tires and paper. The bill’s authors seek to establish a system to classify some materials as exportable, while trade in others will be banned.
In lieu of scrap, China imports semi-finished aluminium
The volume of unwrought aluminium imported into China surged in June 2020. Citing data from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC, formerly GAC), Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) says imports of unwrought aluminium alloy “totalled 466 500 metric tons in the first half of 2020, soaring 706 per cent from the same period last year.” The nation’s June 2020 figure of 131 000 metric tons was 754.5 per cent higher compared with a year earlier.
O.M.LER appoints PT. Makmur Meta Graha Dinamika to represent the company in Indonesia
O.M.LER s.r.l., the Italian company specialising in the manufacture and marketing of O.M.LER pneumatic decoring hammers for foundries, has achieved the challenging goal of entering the Southeast Asian foundry market, with a distributor agreement with PT. Makmur Meta Graha Dinamika, in Indonesia. Its headquarters are in Jakarta, and they will now be representing O.M.LER in Southeast Asia.
Novel 3D printed device demonstrates enhanced capture of carbon dioxide emissions
The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have designed and additively manufactured a first-of-its-kind aluminium device that enhances the capture of carbon dioxide emitted from fossil fuel plants and other industrial processes. Solutions for reducing global emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases such as CO2 address the continued use of low-cost, domestic fossil fuel resources while mitigating potential climate impacts.
August 2020
New process combines best of 3D printing and metal casting
A British manufacturer says it has combined the best of 3D printing and casting by offering a wide range of materials without the high costs and limitations of tooling. Every manufacturing process has its limitations, whether it is traditional casting or direct 3D metal printing. High tooling cost and long lead-time are challenges of the traditional casting process whilst material compatibility is a restricting factor for direct 3D metal printing.
Brazil’s Asia steel scrap export route blooms amid renewed trade opportunities
Brazilian sellers have ramped up containerised exports of steel scrap into South Asian markets over the past year but this explosion in export sales is unlikely to be a long-term trend, sources have told Fastmarkets. Scrap collectors and processors in the country have traditionally sold the vast majority of their stocks in the domestic market, with only the excess being exported.
Production of high-tech components for the BMW iNEXT starts in Landshut
The light metal casting department provides the housing for the future electric drive motor and also developed the globally unique Injector Casting Process. Preparations to launch the all-new BMW iNEXT are progressing at full swing. The company intends to start production of this new model in 2021 at its Dingolfing plant.
3D printing technology optimises pistons for the powerful Porsche 911 GT2 RS
Porsche starts testing 3D printed pistons that are 10% lighter. Automakers are experimenting extensively with 3D printing for all variety of automotive parts from simple interior trim pieces to parts as complex as brake callipers. Porsche is taking the technology a step further by experimenting with 3D printing engine internals.
Tesla’s single-piece Model Y casting has not been kept a secret
When Elon Musk was interviewed in an episode of the Third Row Podcast earlier this year, he noted that the Model Y crossover’s rear underbody would eventually be built with a single-piece casting. This is quite a bold target, and one that can make the Model Y into one of the most cost-effective vehicles on the market today, electric or otherwise.
What’s the difference between a $20 and $200 cast iron skillet?
A cast iron skillet should retain heat well and put satisfying sears on all sorts of food. So what makes the $200 versions better at that than the $20 ones? New cooks can be intimidated by cast iron cookware’s need for seasoning, the age-old soap or no soap cleaning question and the seemingly infinite crackpot cast iron hacks, writes Will Price of Gear Patrol.
First 3D printed sump cover for F110 engine
General Electric (GE) recently shared the results of their year-long partnership with the US Air Force (USAF) to create additive manufacturing solutions for their aircraft supply chain. GE Additive and GE Aviation proposed the collaboration in 2019 for the Air Force to adopt metal additive technology to address gaps in readiness, sustainment and affordability. The Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO) oversaw the application and scaling of technology.
ExOne launches sand 3D printing network powered by over 40 binder jetting machines
ExOne has announced the launch of an international Sand 3D printing network made up of more than 40 binder jet printing platforms throughout North America. The network has been set up to provide greater access of ExOne’s sand 3D printing technologies to manufacturers working in industries such as aerospace and automotive.
3D Systems opens up 3D printing applications with new materials
3D Systems has added five new materials to its polymer 3D printing portfolio as the company aims to address a broader portfolio of additive applications for its Figure 4 technology. The new resins include Figure 4 Rubber-65A BLK, Accura Fidelity, Accura Bond, Accura Patch and Jewel Master GRY, with each catering to specific uses across industrial and casting applications.
GA-ASI completes first test flight with metal 3D printed part
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI), a US aeronautics company, has completed its first test flight with a metal 3D printed part featured onboard its SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system. GA-ASI’s strategy for scaling metal additive manufacturing across its RPA platforms has been supported by AddWorks, the consultation service of 3D printer OEM GE Additive, since the first half of 2019.
Improve wear characteristics with cryogenic processing
Cryogenic processing, the deep chilling of tool steel so that the molecular makeup of the metal is brought to cryogenic stillness in order to improve wear characteristics, is not a new technology. In the past, tool makers would bury components in snow banks for weeks or even months to improve their wear resistance. Castings were always left outside in the cold for months or years to age and stabilise.
June 2020
Norican launches Monitizer | PRESCRIBE for automatic process optimisation
First product launched since Norican’s industry-exclusive partnership with South African company DataProphet. Norican Global A/S (Norican), a leading metallic parts enhancement company, has launched Monitizer | PRESCRIBE, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) service that rapidly optimises production and reduces scrap in real-life foundry environments.
Mozambique: Stolen rails found in Chinese foundry
Maputo: Earlier this year the Mozambican police on found a large number of stolen rails and other railway material in a Chinese-owned foundry in the Ceramica neighbourhood of the central city of Beira, according to a report in the independent daily O Pais. The police had difficulty accessing the interior of the foundry.
Metso reviewing Vereeniging operations in South Africa
Metso says it is initiating consultations to evaluate the potential closure or other alternatives for its operations in Vereeniging, Gauteng, South Africa. The Vereeniging unit provides pumps, spare parts, consumables, and repair services for the mining industry and has around 200 employees, the company says.
Lack of synergy between Denel and Armscor concerns joint committee on defence
Parliamentary committee concerned at failure of Denel to deliver on key army project. The Joint Standing Committee on Defence has resolved to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans to intervene in the inability of Denel Land Systems to meet its contractual obligations to Armscor with respect to the Hoefyester project, and report back to the committee.
Automotive industry achieves record trade surplus
And expects to improve trade balance further in 2020, subject to the global impact of COVID-19. South Africa’s automotive industry achieved its fifth consecutive trade surplus in 2019 and its highest level on record. Subject to the global impact of COVID-19 and an anticipated weak domestic market, it is expected to improve its trade balance further in 2020, according to the latest Automotive Industry Export Council (AIEC) export manual.
Steel industry in financial distress because of lockdown
The Department of Trade and Industry has warned that the steel industry would exit the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown in severe financial distress with potential plant closures and job losses. The department’s Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (Tips) said the industry could experience a devastating R1 billion negative cash cost on the five-week lockdown unless the government intervened.
World Foundry Organisation elects new president
The World Foundry Organisation (WFO) has elected Umur Denizci of the Turkish Foundry Denizciler Dokumculuk as the organisation’s new president for 2020 and 2021. The honorary role will see Denizci work with the WFO secretariat team, its executive board and the WFO member associations to further develop the organisation in the coming years.
Electra Mining Africa 2020 cancelled
Organisers of Southern Africa’s mining, manufacturing, automation, electrical and power trade exhibition Electra Mining Africa, Specialised Exhibitions, reports that the 2020 edition of the trade fair has been cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s show had been scheduled to take place from September 7 to 11 in Johannesburg. The next edition of the trade fair will now be held from September 5 to 9, 2022.
April 2020
Ford on track to build 700 000th Ranger in South Africa this year
Local production of the Ford Ranger continues to make a significant impact on the South African economy. Overall, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa contributes over one per cent to the country’s GDP and tops the country’s light commercial vehicle exports, with Rangers exported from Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria to more than 100 global markets.
AMSA acquires South Africa’s only producer of heavy sections of long steel
The Competition Tribunal has unconditionally approved steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA’s) acquisition of the manufacturing and production of the structural steel and rail business of Highveld Structural Mill (HSM), a subsidiary of Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium.
Foundry sector in India seeks government help to double exports
The Indian foundry industry has sought government intervention to more than double its exports in the next five years. The domestic foundry sector is the second largest globally in terms of production, and believes it has huge advantages over others, including the market leader China, in terms of labour and manufacturing costs.
ExOne have announced that 15 new metal, ceramic and composite materials have been qualified for 3D printing
The ExOne Company, a global leader in industrial sand and metal 3D printers using binder jetting technology, has announced that 15 new metal, ceramic and composite materials have been qualified by ExOne and its customers for 3D printing on the company’s family of metal 3D printers.
Metso opens new foundry in India
Metso announced in 2018 a greenfield foundry project in Vadodara, India, with a target to increase the casting wear parts capacity for the mining and aggregate industries. The first pour event was celebrated in India in February 2020 when the foundry started production for customer deliveries for local and global markets. “The state-of-the-art foundry will have a strong role in our global foundry network.”
Foseco opens Ramos Arizpe, Mexico plant with an investment of US$20 million
With an investment of 20 million dollars, the British brand Foseco, a company dedicated to the foundry sector, belonging to the Vesuvius Group, has celebrated the official opening of its plant in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico. The industrial building features an area of 10 000m² and started operations in mid-October 2019, generating about 200 direct jobs gradually.
Mechanical engineering industry in Germany experiences a difficult year
The mechanical engineering industry in Germany is experiencing an even more difficult year than expected. The burdens that have already been felt for some time – trade conflicts, global economic weakness, structural change in the automotive industry – are now being compounded by the Coronavirus with its unforeseeable consequences for the economy as a whole.
Jingye Group completes its buyout of British Steel
Jingye Group, the steelmaker, has completed its buyout of British Steel, reviving a business that was placed into compulsory liquidation last May and saving more than 3 000 jobs. In a statement the group said it had completed the acquisition of British Steel’s UK and Dutch assets from the official receiver and confirmed it planned to invest US$1.5 billion in the company.
Eskom staffers caught in cahoots with scrapyard in huge theft operation
Since President Cyril Ramaphosa pinned the return of load shedding on sabotage, Eskom has led an internal investigation into the conduct of its employees. Sure enough two employees who were under surveillance were caught preparing to courier a truckload of conductors to a scrapyard in the east side of Johannesburg.
February 2020
Italpresse Gauss builds die-casting machine with a closing force of 5 700 tons
Italpresse Gauss, an Italian manufacturer of fully automated, digitally enabled die-casting technology, is set to deliver the first toggle-free two-platen die-casting machine with a closing force of 5 700 tons. The TF 5700 was introduced in 2018 and is currently being made for one of the leading car manufacturers in Germany.
Anticipation builds for Machine Tools Africa 2020
Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg will be the venue for metalworking suppliers and manufacturing companies to exhibit their products from 12 to 15 May 2020. Anticipation levels are already building despite there still being five months to go before the doors open for Machine Tools Africa 2020, South Africa’s premier metalworking supplier and manufacturing technologies event.
There could still be hope for Saldanha Steel: Expressions of interest received
Government urges AMSA to take all steps possible to retain jobs but AMSA says offers are not commercially substantive. In an official statement released in December 2019 The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) said it has received expressions of interest by two parties to buy the Saldanha Steel works from ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA).
2019 a record year for Volkswagen Group South Africa
Uitenhage plant sets new record for full-year production – 161 954 vehicles manufactured by VWSA in 2019. The Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) plant in Uitenhage ended 2019 on a high note, achieving an all-time record for production in a single year. This figure surpasses their previous record of 137 758 vehicles produced in 2011.
9th BRICS International Foundry Forum
The 9th BRICS International Foundry Forum took place during the 18th FENAF (Latin American Foundry Fair) exhibition that was held in the Pro Magno Event Center in São Paulo, Brazil in September 2019. At the same time ABIFA, the Brazilian Foundry Association, celebrated their 50th anniversary. However, there were two notable absentees from the forum – India and South Africa.
What does the future hold for Germany’s auto industry?
Germany’s strength for the past half-century has been its automotive industry. The big question now is whether that also will become its biggest vulnerability. Carmakers built just 4.7 million cars in Germany in 2019, industry data showed, squeezing production to its lowest level since 1997. The powerful VDA carmakers’ club said output had tumbled nine per cent year-on-year, blaming weaker international demand for the fall.
International Aluminium Die-Casting Awards 2020
For many years, the Aluminium Die-Casting Award has proven to be a successful platform for demonstrating the high quality standards of aluminium die-castings. The aim of the competition is to boost interest in aluminium. The winners of the International Aluminium Die-Casting Award 2020 have been announced. In all, four castings were awarded prizes at EUROGUSS 2020 in Nuremberg, while two others received special commendations.
December 2019
MHI and Primetals Technologies to acquire ABP Induction
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Primetals Technologies will acquire ABP from CM Acquisitions, a Chicago-based private equity firm. MHI and Primetals Technologies will jointly take ABP’s shares. Future business activities will be conducted in close cooperation with and under the leadership of Primetals Technologies.
Scania invests in Omega Sinto’s mechanical green sand to core sand reclamation system
Didion and Sinto will provide sand processing and reclamation systems for the 90 000 tons per annum iron casting operation, starting up in 2020. Construction is proceeding toward a 2020 start-up for Scania AB’s €129 million greenfield foundry near Södertälje, Sweden.
Steel import duties might be utilised as a weapon in a trade war. However, it is not appropriate for the South African steel industry
At the time of the introduction of duties in 2015, NEASA cautioned government of the consequences of introducing import duties to protect South Africa’s steel monopoly, Arcelor Mittal South Africa (AMSA), calling it a “slow poison” causing the inevitable and painful demise of the steel downstream.
Ramaphosa launches new hub for vehicle industry in Tshwane
President Cyril Ramaphosa has recently launched a new automotive hub outside Pretoria, which will host new factories for vehicle part suppliers. The City of Tshwane has made available 162 hectares of land for the new Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which will be built close to Fords assembly plant in Silverton, Pretoria.
Transformation fund launched by South Africa’s seven vehicle OEMs
It means the participating OEMs – BMW, Ford, Isuzu, Nissan, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen – will, for the first time, be able to meaningfully participate and comply with all five elements of the broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) generic scorecard, specifically the ownership element.
Pfisterer changes name to Vexila
Pfisterer (Pty) Ltd, one of the largest manufacturers of composite insulators and related products on the African continent, has announced the completion of its rebranding initiative. In future the company will trade under the name of Vexila. The Vexila aluminium gravity die-casting foundry has a number of furnaces at its disposal.
2019 WFO Global Foundry Report
The World Foundry Organisation has published the 2019 WFO Global Foundry Report, giving a snapshot indication of the current state of the global foundry sector. The report includes detailed analysis from 26 of the WFO member countries to provide information on output trends, market strengths and relevant issues such as energy costs and skills analysis.
Bankruptcy: Next crisis for the former Neue Halberg Guss
Just over a year after the rescue of Neue Halberg Guss, the automotive supplier Guswerke Saarbrücken has applied for insolvency, according to reports. Apparently the district court of Sulzbach, Germany appointed Franz Abel von Abel and colleagues as the provisional administrator.
October 2019
Imerys promotes Durandal and Kersand moulding sand at GIFA 2019
“The final quality of the metal casting is the result of a tremendous amount of controlled parameters inside the foundry. On a daily basis, parameters such as pouring temperature, sand quality, moulding conditions, etcetera are leveraged by metal casters to balance quality versus the yield of production, which usually have an opposite trend.”
Akhani 3D commercial additive manufacturing service bureau launched by local experts
“Akhani 3D, a newly established venture between Rapid 3D and Kemtek, has been created to meet the rising demand from within the manufacturing sector for a turnkey AM (Additive manufacturing/3D printing) production service that translates ideas into objects as efficiently as possible,” said Akhani 3D Managing Director David Bullock.
Formaldehyde emission limits: HA offers solutions for the cold-box sector
Stricter emission limits for formaldehyde, which will also apply to older plants as from 2020 onwards, present many foundries with an additional challenge. Hüttenes-Albertus (HA) is ready to provide its customers with appropriate solutions, namely specifically developed innovations for cold-box binder systems, additives and coatings.
Tesla files patent to die-cast vehicle frame
Tesla has wisely made arrangements to quieten all the critics crowing about its production capabilities – the company just obtained the patent for a giant machine that will create the entire body frame of a car in a single press. It’s called the Multi-Directional Unibody Casting Machine. Tesla filed a patent for a casting machine that could help streamline production for future vehicle projects.
Loramendi and ASK Chemicals enter alliance with voxeljet to industrialise core tooling production using 3D printing
German 3D printer manufacturer voxeljet has entered into an alliance with Loramendi, a Spanish tooling maker, and ASK Chemicals, a global foundry material-science company, to develop the Industrialisation of Core Printing (ICP) technology, and is also reportedly the world’s first fully automated 3D printed core production solution.
2019 Winners announced for Altair Enlighten Award
Ferrari, FCA, Material Science Corporation, ZF, Alba Tooling & Engineering Automotive Management Consulting GmbH, csi entwicklungstechnik GmbH take top honours. Altair, a global technology company providing solutions in product development, high-performance computing and data intelligence, has announced the winners of the 7th annual Altair Enlighten Award.
Aluminium alloy breaks the critical 500 MPa UTS mark
As part of a recent research project involving aero-engine giant Rolls-Royce and additive manufacturing equipment specialist Renishaw, heat-treated parts produced using A20X™ Powder have achieved an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 511 MPa, a yield strength of 440 MPa and elongation of 13 per cent, putting the powder at the forefront of high-strength aluminium additive manufacturing.
August 2019
Ford’s expansion unleashes new potential for South Africa
Company says it is to add 1 200 jobs from August and is introducing a third shift at the vehicle assembly plant in Silverton to the west of Pretoria. Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) will employ 1 200 new employees from August 2019 to meet the growing international and local demand for the New Ranger, Ranger Raptor and Everest models.
AMSA’S 2 000 job cuts and the ongoing steel industry woes are self-inflicted
The National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA) says the potential loss of 2 000 jobs at Arcelor Mittal South Africa (AMSA) will have a massive effect on the current unemployment rate in the country. Recently AMSA said it was mulling a large-scale restructuring exercise, which might affect more than 2 000 jobs, citing a difficult economic environment.
MHI and Primetals Technologies to acquire ABP Induction Systems
It has been announced that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Primetals Technologies will acquire ABP Induction Systems (ABP), a global manufacturer and servicer of induction furnaces and heating systems from CM Acquisitions, a Chicago, US-based private equity firm. The completion of the acquisition of ABP is subject to the approval of the relevant authorities.
Sinto forms Joint Venture Company in Turkey
The Sinto Group, a world-leading manufacturer of foundry equipment, has announced that they reached an agreement for the establishment of a Joint Venture Company in Turkey with their current Turkish sales representative Expert Mumessillik Tur. ve Tic. Ltd. Sti. (Expert). The new company will be named Sinto Turkey Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi (Sinto Turkey).
MAGMA, Hüttenes-Albertus (HA) and Laempe Mössner Sinto join forces to present digital core production
Three leading technology providers in their fields, MAGMA GmbH, which specialises in the virtual optimisation of foundry processes, Hüttenes-Albertus (HA), a leading supplier of foundry chemicals and Laempe Mössner Sinto GmbH, the core shooting machine manufacturer, have joined forces to establish a long-term partnership.
Amsted Rail announces name change for South African operation – Amsted Foundry Solutions SA
Amsted Rail, the global leader in manufacturing bogie systems for the heavy haul freight market, has established its latest company – Amsted Foundry Solutions SA, with its foundries located in Johannesburg, South Africa. This newly created company is partially owned by both Amsted Rail and South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
June 2019
No retrenchments at Hillside aluminium smelter
In addition to voluntary separation and early retirement packages, a salary freeze for the next three years has also been agreed. Retrenchments at South32’s Hillside smelter will be avoided as an estimated 400, some say 500, employees have opted for voluntary separation and early retirement packages.
Tracking trends for metalcasting
What shapes the future for foundries and diecasters? Follow these five areas of development to know what’s important to the technologies and the businesses. 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.
AMRC Castings enhances 3D sand printing capability
As one of the first foundries to take advantage of large-scale 3D sand printing technology, the AMRC Castings Group has recently enhanced both its capacity and physical envelope. Capable of producing complex moulds and cores for oil, gas, aerospace and automotive without the need for dedicated tooling, the technology has been exploited for R&D, pre-production and full-scale production volumes.
Foundry chemicals group ASK put up for sale – sources
ASK Chemicals, a manufacturer of chemicals used in foundries, has been put up for sale by its private equity owner amid a flurry of dealmaking in the chemicals sector, people close to the matter said, it has been reported by Reuters. Buyout group Rhone Capital is working with Citi on the deal, which may value the Germany-based supplier of binders, additives, feeders, filters and metallurgical products at up to 500 million euros ($559 million), the report indicated.
April 2019
Vesuvius acquires CCPI
Acquisition sees Vesuvius expand in aluminium. Molten metal flow engineering and technology company Vesuvius has announced that it has agreed to acquire CCPI, a speciality refractory producer. CCPI focuses on tundish (steel continuous casting) applications (65% of sales) and aluminium (35% of sales). The company is based in Ohio, USA, and will become part of Vesuvius’ Advanced Refractories division.
German company KS Huayu AluTech introduces new casting process for highly complex engine block geometries and electric motor housings
KS Huayu AluTech GmbH has introduced a new casting process onto the market. This joint venture between Rheinmetall Automotive and China’s Huayu Automotive Systems has developed a production process for the new Chinese plant in Guangde, one that is particularly suitable for highly complex engine block geometries and electric motor housings.
Largest cast bronze sculpture in UK travels to Plymouth by barge
The UK’s largest cast bronze sculpture has been unveiled after two years in the making. The ‘young, powerful’ female figure, entitled Messenger, has been cast at a foundry in a tiny Welsh village, using the ancient technique of lost wax casting. It will stand in front of the Theatre Royal Plymouth, which commissioned Joseph Hillier to create the work. Hillier was inspired by the split-second pose of an actor rehearsing for Othello on the theatre’s stage.
Dongfeng and Maxion Wheels form aluminium wheel joint venture
Maxion Wheels, one of the world’s largest wheel manufacturers, has announced an agreement to form a new passenger car aluminium wheel joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Parts and Components Group, one of China’s largest automotive parts companies. The new legal entity, Dongfeng Maxion Wheels, will build a new two million per year capacity plant in Hubei Province, China, with series production scheduled for the second half of 2020.
February 2019
Understanding 3D sand printers and binder technologies
AM for cores and moulds is gaining popularity because of the flexibility and complexity it offers in production, but productivity is critical to the long-term prospects. Additive manufacturing of sand cores and moulds has attracted the attention of many foundries in recent years due to the process’ unique ability to form core shapes that cannot be manufactured using conventional coremaking techniques.
US casting sales reach $33.1 billion
Following a dip in 2016 to $27.3 million, the US casting industry recovered quickly and strongly in 2017 and 2018. Growth is expected to continue in 2019 with a 1.9% to $33.7 billion in casting sales. In the short-term, through 2021, the US metal casting industry has a forecasted annual growth rate of 2.4%. Through 2027, this report is estimating a 2.4% long-term annual growth rate for the industry.
GE Additive helps Callaway Golf Company break the mould to redesign putter head
As the team from GE Additive readily admits, Callaway knows a thing or two about creating top-level golfing equipment, including the putters and irons with which the brand is globally synonymous. So, it was for a very special purpose that the additive manufacturing experts were invited to rework one of Callaway’s latest putters in its Odyssey range, a favourite among pros and amateurs alike.
GF Casting Solutions divests from iron casting plants
The trend towards lighter vehicles continues to have a substantial impact on the automotive industry. In this context, GF Casting Solutions, a division of GF, will have a stronger focus on light metal casting whilst reducing its presence in iron casting in Europe. As a consequence, the iron casting plants located in Singen and Mettmann (Germany) have been divested to members of the management of GF Casting Solutions, effective retroactively as of 1 December 2018.
Alcoa: Non-heat treat HPDC foundry alloys for car body structures
Environmental and governmental pressures continue to push automakers worldwide to search for new areas of light weighting, and car structural components prove to be the new, fast-growing application for aluminium. This is true for both conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, and electric ones. In addition, electric vehicles extensively use aluminium for other components, such as battery housings.
Bentonite market to hit US$1.85 billion by 2024 with rising demand for smart infrastructure
A key strategy developed by players in the global bentonite market to outshine their rivals is expanding manufacturing capacity. They are seen focusing hard on manufacturing process differentiation and expansion of manufacturing product portfolio to steal a march over competitors. Regulating costs with delivering quality services is a key strategy of most businesses present in the global bentonite market.
Elkem acquires TM Technology Ltd.
Elkem ASA has acquired the UK company TM Technology Ltd, a manufacturer of the foundry alloy Tenbloc, which is used in the mould inoculation of ductile and grey iron, and its production facilities. Elkem ASA is based in Norway, and is one of the world’s leading companies for environmentally responsible production of materials. Elkem manufactures a wide range of inoculants, MgFeSi alloys and pre-conditioners for the production of cast iron.
Indian foundry industry is set to double its growth rate in the next five years
In a statement issued at the conclusion of the 67th Indian Foundry Congress (IFC) at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, IIF President Shashi Jain said the industry, which employs around five million people directly and two million people indirectly, will generate additional employment for three million families in the next five years.
Metso to increase its foundry capacity in India to meet the growing global demand for cast wears for mining and aggregate industries
Metso is investing in the development of its foundry capacity in Vadodara, India. The initial investment includes the acquisition of the property and foundry assets of a privately owned foundry project, Mega Cast. Metso expects to invest a total of approximately EUR 25 million to purchase the assets and to develop the foundry by 2020.
Local foundry equipment supplier loses long court battle with Omega Foundry Machinery
Omega Foundry Machinery began the proceedings against Lauds Foundry Equipment (Pty) Ltd in 2015 when it alleged that the company’s copyright had been infringed by Lauds Foundry Equipment (Pty) Ltd, and before Omega Foundry Machinery had signed a joint venture merger agreement with another South African company.
Lauds Foundry Equipment (Pty) Ltd right of reply statement
“The default judgement states that we are not to infringe on Omega’s copyright and we emphatically state that we have no problem adhering to the default judgement as we have never infringed on Omega’s copyright, and we currently have no product that will infringe on their copyright, nor will we ever have.” – Kevin van Niekerk, CEO of Lauds Foundry Equipment, assisted by Wayne Teich Attorneys.
December 2018
Local Manufacturing Exhibition 2019 to take place 21 to 23 May 2019
Organised by the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC), in association with Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery, and endorsed by the Premier of Gauteng the exhibition is scheduled to take place at the Expo Centre, Nasrec, Gauteng from 21 to 23 May 2019. The exhibition aims to showcase South Africa’s local manufacturing capabilities.
Research by Wits shows buying only South African made vehicles could boost GDP by R37 billion
New research by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) shows that a government policy of buying only locally produced cars, bakkies, buses and trucks at national and provincial government level could, through various multiplier effects, increase South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) by R36.8 billion a year it has been reported after a radio interview. The policy could also have a one-off positive growth impact of 1.18% on GDP.
ArcelorMittal South Africa looks to exports for growth opportunities
With current steel demand in South Africa almost at a 10-year low, steelmaker ArcelorMittal South Africa is looking for export opportunities in the rest of Africa. “In light of weak domestic demand, ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has implemented a strategy to enhance its short-term profitability and cashflow, thereby, ensuring the business’ sustainability and positioning it to exploit growth in the sub-Saharan Africa region,” said CEO Kobus Verster.
Omega Sinto supplies turnkey sand casting cell solution for Advanced Metal Processing Centre research facility in UK
As part of its continued growth strategy, BCAST at Brunel University has installed a complete sand casting cell at The Advanced Metal Processing Centre (AMPC) research facility. The cell encompasses a no-bake (air-set) sand casting line, for moulds up to 1m x 1m in size, comprising hopper, sand mixer, vibratory compaction, rollover, 300kg furnace for melting aluminium, heated ladle and de-coring oven.
Indian foundry sector likely to grow by 13-14 per cent in two years
The foundry sector in the country is expected to witness an annual growth of 13-14 per cent from the present five to seven per cent, captains of industry said in a report in India’s The Economic Times. This would see production of castings increase from 11.5 million tons to 14-15 million tons by 2021 and was set to reach 20 million tons by 2025.
Investigating lightweight 3D printed structures for sand casting
3D printing is often used to produce moulds for casting, and in the case of sand moulds, binder jetting is typically used. However, its high costs, due to expensive materials, need to be lowered, according to the authors of a study entitled “Mechanical Analysis of Ceramic/Polymer Composite with Mesh-Type Lightweight Design Using Binder-Jet 3D Printing.”
Elkem opens ferroalloys plant in Paraguay
Elkem ASA has opened a new plant for foundry products in Limpio, Paraguay. This plant is the first foundry plant for Elkem in Latin America, and it is a new and exciting chapter for the group. Situated in Limpio, 25km from Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, the plant has been built in alignment with Elkem’s strategy for expansion in South America. The start-up of the plant was in March 2018.
SAPSDA joins SASSDA
In 2013 the South African Pump Manufacturers Association (Sapma) was requested by the dti as well as Eskom to form the South African Pump Cluster. In order to comply with the dti requirement to form a cluster, Sapma had to change from being an employer’s association to become a development association and to register as a non-profit company and as a result the Southern African Pump Systems Development Association (SAPSDA) was formed.
October 2018
Iconic artwork welcomes diners after The Bull Run’s multi-million rand revamp
A much-loved Johannesburg landmark returns to business in style, with an iconic new addition to the Sandton street scene, as The Bull Run, the city’s quintessential grill house, reopens after three months of extensive refurbishments. The Maude Street restaurant underwent a R20 million revamp, and its reopening coincides with the launch of the massive The Marc property development on the neighbouring stand.
Project to reproduce landmark Rondebosch fountain almost complete
In a radio interview on CapeTalk Max Teichmann, owner of Heritage Castings, has said the project to reproduce Rondebosch’s historic fountain is nearing completion. The iconic fountain was located at the intersection of Belmont and Main roads in Rondebosch, Cape Town for over a century. The fountain was also the first electric lamp post in South Africa. It was destroyed after a speeding car drove into it during the early hours of the morning three years ago.
Automotive Masterplan close to being finalised
The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) and the motor industry are now close to finalising the South African Automotive Masterplan which will come into effect in January 2021 and run until 2035. This was the message given by Lionel October, the director-general of the dti, addressing delegates at the NAAMSA Automotive Conference, which was held at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and Conference Centre.
HA Group and F. LLI Mazzon S.p.A. join forces
Effective June 2018, the HA group and the Italian company F. LLI Mazzon S.p.A. have joined forces. The names HA Group and Mazzon are well-known throughout the foundry industry, and are synonymous with foundry chemical materials. The companies have decided to join forces in order to pursue their shared goal of providing the best possible customer satisfaction across Europe and around the world.
Foseco continues with its plan to modernise and improve competitiveness
In recent years, the casting industry in Europe has experienced notable changes in the search for a good positioning in order to face present and future challenges. These changes range from the increase in automation and the collection and management of a huge amount of process data (Industry 4.0), additive manufacturing, through to the permanent improvement of costs and competitiveness in order to maintain its leadership over other regions with cheap labour.
US exports of scrap metal to China hit by trade war
With the trade war between Beijing and Washington escalating, US scrap exporters will likely feel the pinch of a 25 per cent duty China has imposed on copper and aluminium waste. Levies on US scrap metal, waste paper, and plastics arriving in China began on August 23 after China announced new tariffs on $16 billion of US goods earlier in August 2018. Aluminium scrap was hit with tariffs in April 2018.
Vietnam to restrict surging scrap imports
Vietnam has tightened control over the imports of scrap such as plastic, paper, and metals. With China banning imports of various types of scrap metal and waste products, imports into Vietnam have increased rapidly since 2017. Going forward, the Vietnamese government will only issue import licences if the importers can prove that their shipments meet the environmental standards and they have a demand and capacity to process the scrap as raw materials for their production activities.
Aluminium scrap is becoming more and more valuable
Aluminium recycling is gaining in importance as a source of raw materials. Today, aluminium scrap is already one of the most economically valuable secondary raw materials. Around 20 per cent of the world’s aluminium requirements are covered by post-consumer scrap. Its significance is increasing in a time of shrinking raw material reserves and scarce, and above all expensive, energy.
Indian foundries must raise castings output
Sector needs $8 billion investment to support Make in India initiative: IIF official. Indian foundries have to produce 25 million tons to 30 million tons of castings a year in the next 10 years to support the Make in India initiative. Last year, the Indian foundry industry produced 11.35 million tons of cast components in ferrous and non-ferrous categories. This year, it expected a 10% growth over the last fiscal.
August 2018
Precious metals recycling innovation reaches Africa Prize finals
An innovation that uses a cheap and sustainable recycling method to recover precious metals has made it into the finals of the 2018 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. Growing demand for platinum, palladium and rhodium made Collins Saguru decide to commercialise a metal recycling process he developed while doing his master’s degree in metallurgy and material engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Lightweight construction will continue to pose the greatest challenge for the automotive industry in future
Aluminium share per automobile to rise to between 160 and 180 kilograms by 2020. Aluminium has transformed the automotive industry, and it will continue to do so in future. It offers a better cost-benefit ratio than any of the substitute materials on offer. By collaborating even more closely in future, aluminium producers, processors and vehicle manufacturers can unlock further potential for the use of aluminium.
Metal 3D printing and classic foundry techniques: Friends or foes?
The question is: What impact will this technology have on traditional foundries? The first question that is often asked when a new technology is introduced is: What of the old way of doing things? Sometimes the answer is that it fades into oblivion. Think fortran and floppy disks. Other times it falls out of use in mainstream society but becomes the domain of a small, especially devoted community, like calligraphy or pedal loom weaving.
Ferrous scrap to increasingly replace natural resources as key steel raw material
Ferrous scrap will increasingly replace natural resources as the main raw material to produce steel, according to the World Steel Association (Worldsteel) head of raw materials, Dr Baris Bekir Çiftçi. This is mainly due to ferrous scrap’s increasing availability globally, as well as structural reforms in major steelmaking countries to increase the usage of electric-arc furnaces in the steel production process.
Whitechapel Bell Foundry may be bought back from developers and reopened by royal charity
The centuries-old Whitechapel Bell Foundry, which was closed in 2016 and sold last year to developers for several million pounds, could be bought back by a royal building-preservation charity and reopened, according to the Church Times. The Whitechapel Bell Foundry, established in 1570, was one of the oldest companies in the UK, and had occupied premises on Whitechapel Road since 1738. It is the birthplace of Big Ben, Bow Bells, and the Liberty Bell in Pennsylvania.
June 2018
TASA changes name to Production Technologies Association of South Africa
The Toolmaking Association of South Africa (TASA) was established in 2004 as a representative body for the South African tool, die and mouldmaking (TDM) industry. TASA was established to address the South African TDM and precision machining industry, which had been losing significant capacity, and with it, its global competitiveness and ability to enhance job creation – all to the detriment of the manufacturing sector and the economy as a whole.
10th Industrial Policy Action Plan launched
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, has launched the 10th iteration of the Industrial Policy Action Plan. IPAP is the dti’s vision for the industrial development of South Africa. Despite a challenging few years for manufacturing, the IPAP 2018 has outlined programmes that have done well, with the automotive sector leading the pack. Other sectors it has supported have also made inroads.
The Department Of Higher Education and Training launches artisan centres of specialisation
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has kicked off the campaign for the launch of 26 Centres of Specialisation (COS) aimed at prioritising 13 occupational trades in high demand to curb trade skills shortages as well as reduce unemployment and poverty in the country. The COS are located at 26 Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges across the country.
NAACAM show to be held in Durban in 2019
The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) has announced that the NAACAM Show 2019 will be hosted by eThekwini Municipality in partnership with the Durban Automotive Cluster (DAC). This second iteration of the show will take place at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) on 12 – 14 March 2019. The inaugural NAACAM Show held in April 2017 was supported and endorsed by the Department of Trade and Industry and others.
VW cancels contracts with Prevent Group after supply problems
What do brake parts, yachts, couches, shoes and Volkswagen have in common? Top marks if you answered the Prevent Group, a little known company of Bosnian origins and many interests that has played a big part in the recent history of the German automotive giant. For many years, the Prevent Group has supplied Volkswagen with various car parts, from gearbox components to seat covers, often via various other supply companies they bought up over the years.
India goes ahead of the US and becomes the world’s second largest castings producer says IIF
India has overtaken the United States to emerge as the second largest producer of castings behind China, a spokesperson of the Indian Institute of Foundrymen (IIF) has said in reports published widely in India. The report comes four days after the news that India had overtaken Japan to become the world’s second largest crude steel manufacturer, which is all good news about the country’s growing production numbers.
Indian foundries in Coimbatore area protest against rising raw material costs
400 foundries shut for two days say reports. If companies manufacturing pumps, wet grinders and engineering components were the driving force behind the thriving manufacturing sector in Coimbatore, 600 odd foundries were the backbone of all these companies. But they are facing a bleak future and the employees there are uncertain about their fate.
April 2018
EU reintroduces anti-dumping duties on iron castings from China
The European Commission has set definitive anti-dumping duties on iron castings imported from China, in a latest trade measure against the country. The duties range from 15.5 per cent to 38.1 per cent on the imports, which are a family of products that include for instance manhole covers and grates used in street drainage, according to the European Union’s official journal.
Picasso bronzes tracked back to Parisian foundry
Elemental analysis enabled researchers to delve into art history. Researchers from Northwestern University in Massachusetts and the Musée National Picasso in Paris have traced five of Pablo Picasso’s sculptures to a second world war foundry in Paris. They revealed their findings at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting in Austin, Texas on 17 February.
Indian foundry industry expects $3 billion of investments
The Indian foundry industry, the third largest globally, expects investment of USD 3 billion while the National Steel Policy has envisaged steel production to reach 110 million tons (mt) by 2019-20 with the assured estimated investment in the next 10 years in order to meet the potential demand of 30 million tons of castings. The Indian foundry industry is expected to double its revenues over the next three years.
Sale of Disa core machine business to Suzhou Mingzhi Technology Co. Ltd
The Norican Group and Suzhou Mingzhi Technology Co Ltd. have announced the signing of a binding agreement whereby Suzhou Mingzhi Technology Co Ltd. has purchased the assets of the Disa Core product business, based in Leipzig, Germany. The sale is the result of close dialogue between the parties, exploring potential cooperation within complementary business areas, to better serve customers.
GF to acquire Swiss precision casting manufacturer
GF Automotive, a division of GF, is to purchase 100% of Precicast Industrial Holding SA, the Swiss-based precision casting specialist. This is in line with the division’s strategy to increase its industrial sectors presence, in particular in the promising aerospace field. Upon closing, the division will be renamed GF Casting Solutions. Precicast Industrial SA (Precicast) is one of the only independent precision casting, also called investment casting, companies in Europe.
The humble post box
The Pillar Box for collecting mail, known as a post box in most countries, made of cast-iron and painted a distinctive red colour, is a feature of virtually every British street. The design has remained basically unchanged for 150 years and is a touchstone of continuity in a changing world. Firmly protected from change by a loving public, these boxes affirm the ritual of communication, even as more and more people stop sending physical mail and rely on virtual communication.
February 2018
Historic Coalbrookdale Aga foundry site up for sale
The Aga foundry shut for the final time in November 2017, with the 42 remaining workers leaving their boots and helmets on the famous Coalbrookdale Co gates as they left. Telford & Wrekin Councillor Nicola Lowery, who represents the Ironbridge Gorge ward, said she had spoken to the site owner and understands the site will be put on the market with the industrial units intact.
Bells of St Paul’s to fall silent for first time since Second World War as they are removed for cleaning and repairs
The bells of St Paul’s are to fall silent for the first time since the Second World War so they can be cleaned and restored. A successful funding campaign raised almost £400 000 to pay for the work amid concerns that the bells could fall from their mounts if they were not repaired.
Scania invests EUR 150 million (SEK 1.5 Billion) in energy-efficient foundry
Scania plans to invest about EUR 150 million in a new foundry in Södertälje, Sweden, in order to triple production capacity and achieve a 50 per cent reduction in energy consumption compared to the technology and methods used in the current foundry. Through more efficient materials handling and recycling, a sharp reduction will also be achieved in the transport need per manufactured unit.
Coca-Cola sets ambitious recycling goals
By 2030, for every bottle or can Coca-Cola sells globally, the company aims to help take one back so it has more than one life. To accomplish this the company states it is investing to support the collection of packaging throughout the industry, including bottles and cans from other companies. The programme includes a multi-year investment designed to make packaging 100 per cent recyclable.
AMRC Castings unveil largest ceramic shell titanium casting created in Europe
The Castings Group of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has unveiled the largest ceramic shell titanium casting ever created from a single pour in Europe. The casting is a milestone test piece and will become a showcase for development of the AMRC’s titanium casting facility, which became operational earlier this year.
December 2017
10 000th SpectroMAXx device delivered
Several months ago, Spectro Analytical Instruments delivered the 10 000th SpectroMAXx metal analyser to Geely Automobile, a Chinese automotive and motorcycle manufacturer based in Hangzhou. As part of its automotive and motorcycle production, Geely has raw materials, components and parts tested to determine whether they meet its quality requirements as well as international standards – and to avoid confusion.
73rd World Foundry Congress to take place in Poland
23-27 September 2018, Krakow, Poland: The next World Foundry Congress, organised by the World Foundry Organization (WFO) will take place from 23rd September to 27th September 2018 at the ICE Krakow Congress Centre in Kraków, Poland. The conference will cover areas like materials, technologies, digitalisation, other foundry practices and management.
Top honours awarded at the Investment Casting Institute’s 64th Technical Conference & Equipment Exposition
The Investment Casting Institute has announced the winning castings for its 16th Casting Design Contest in October, at the 64th Annual ICI Technical Conference & Expo. The Innovator of the Year Award was given to Feinguss Blank GmbH for making an integral scheme for traceability.
Focus on die casting processes
Euroguss 2018 (16-18 January 2018) International trade fair for die casting will show innovative solutions for the production and application of die-cast components. The international die casting industry meets at Europe’s biggest trade fair for die casting for the 12th time. The product range shows innovative solutions for die casting processes like aluminium die casting, magnesium die casting or zinc die casting.
Thinking in terms of magnesium – magnesium pressure die casting is completely in the trend
Many metallic objects are produced by pressure die casting. One of those metals that is ideally suited for this process is magnesium. The demand is growing with the automotive industry and its continuous demand for lightweight construction acting as a driver of innovation. Other industries whose products are in demand for a low weight and a favourable strength weight ratio are also boosting the demand.
Omega Foundry Machinery acquires FTL Foundry Equipment
“It is our intention to incorporate the spares and service for existing FTL customers into Omega, thereby benefitting our revenue stream, whilst at the same time increasing our exposure both in the UK and certain overseas territories where FTL is active,” said Mark Fenyes, Chairman of Omega Foundry Machinery Ltd.
Save the date – Gifa, Metec, Thermprocess and Newcast 2019
In just over 18 months time, the four successful technology trade fairs Gifa, Metec, Thermprocess and Newcast will be held in Düsseldorf again. From 25 to 29 June 2019 everything will revolve around foundry technology, metallurgy, thermo process technology and castings in Halls 3 to 5 and 9 to 17 at the exhibition site in Düsseldorf.
Sinto Group purchases majority shareholding in 3DCeram
3DCeram, a French company specialising in a range of ceramic 3D object printing processes and materials, has signed an agreement to take on board the Sinto Group (www.sinto.com), a heavyweight and world renowned Japanese industrial partner. The aim of this is to turbocharge the growth of the pioneering French company, a world leader in 3D ceramic printing.
Norican completes acquisition of Light Metal Casting Solutions Group
Norican Global A/S (“Norican”), a leading metalic parts enhancement company (by virtue of its ownership of both DISA and Wheelabrator Group) has announced that it has completed the acquisition of the Light Metal Casting Solutions Group (“LMCS”). LMCS comprises three of the leading names in the aluminium parts formation marketplace: StrikoWestofen, ItalPresse and Gauss.
October 2017
Ruling on Eskom tariff hikes a blow for high-energy users
Eskom has been given the green light to pursue up to R60 billion in clawback tariffs. The Constitutional Court has dismissed an application to set aside the power utility’s regulatory clearing account (RCA) adjustments, clearing the way for Eskom to recover a potential R60 billion through tariffs in the next year, revenue lost over the last three financial years.
Afrox evolves low-temperature oxyfuel combustion technology for the aluminium industry
“This technology is designed for the aluminium industry and is based on flameless oxyfuel combustion. The combustion in the process occurs under a diluted oxygen concentration. Basically, the flame is diluted by mixing it with hot furnace gases and this slows down oxyfuel combustion reactions and results in lower flame temperatures, comparable to those of an airfuel system.”
GF acquires high-pressure die casting specialist in Romania
GF Automotive, a division of GF, has announced the acquisition of Eucasting Ro SRL, a high-pressure aluminium die casting specialist with two production sites in Romania. The acquisition follows GF Automotive’s strategy to expand its presence in the growing light metal components business. Eucasting was founded in 1960 in Italy by the Mapelli family. In 2006 the company started the expansion to Romania with a die casting foundry in Pitesti.
A new manufacturing method combines 3D printing with traditional casting to produce damage-tolerant components
A new manufacturing method created by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Rice University combines 3D printing with traditional casting to produce damage-tolerant components composed of multiple materials. Composite components made by pouring an aluminium alloy over a printed steel lattice showed an order of magnitude greater damage tolerance than aluminium alone.
Easy casting sprue removal leads to reduced grinding operations – Hypertherm’s FlushCut
The new flush cutting process is helpful for a number of applications including jobs that require the separation of two metals. Allows users to cut attachments, lugs, pad eyes and other positive features as close to the base as possible without piercing or damaging the workpiece. Hypertherm, a manufacturer of plasma, laser, and waterjet cutting systems, has announced the release of FlushCut™ consumables for select Powermax® air plasma systems.
Sand castings in just a few hours
The work that EnvisionTEC has been doing to advance industry using various 3D printing solutions has not gone unnoticed, and another recent development that the company has made looks set to bolster its considerable reputation still further. In collaboration with Viridis 3D, EnvisionTEC has patented an impressive robotic 3D printing solution, specifically designed for metal casting in foundries.
Vesuvius and thyssenkrupp CSA cooperate
The Vesuvius Robotic Casting Technology (RCT) is offering a solution that automatically carries out all tasks and supervision necessary on the casting platform. It improves safety as the operators can be reassigned to process supervision tasks in a safer, remote working place. Moreover the Vesuvius RCT provides enhanced operations traceability, increased productivity, better reliability and consistency for all casting operations.
August 2017
Hitachi High Technologies Corporation acquires Oxford Instruments Industrial Analysis business
Hitachi High-Technologies Group has recently announced that it has acquired Oxford Instruments’ Industrial Analysis division. The Japanese manufacturer of an extensive range of scientific instrumentation that includes science and medical systems, electronic device systems, industrial systems, and advanced industrial products, has reportedly purchased the division of the UK manufacturer for £80 million.
Omega Foundry Machinery appoints John Winter as agent
“Our partnership with Omega Foundry Machinery is our largest partnership to date and evidences our commitment to the UK foundry industry. We are continuing to expand our sales team, who will be working closely with our new partners to grow their UK sales. This relationship marks the start of a really exciting time for us at John Winter,” said Michael McMahon, UK foundry sales manager at John Winter.
VDMA foundry machinery manufacturers expect moderate growth in sales in 2017
German foundry machinery manufacturers completed 2016 with a slight fall of two per cent in sales. In 2015, the sector had already reported a single-digit decline (minus six per cent). The outlook for 2017 is brighter as the total average value of order books was up by 18 per cent at the end of 2016, compared with 2015. More orders came especially from the non-euro countries (plus 37 per cent).
3D printing and foundries
Metal casting at foundries is one of many tried and true manufacturing processes that have been impacted by 3D printing. Stratasys Direct Manufacturing has for more than 20 years worked to introduce the benefits of 3D printing to numerous foundries. This experience has led the company to develop proprietary build styles and processes for superior 3D printed investment casting patterns and other important production applications.
High pressure key to lighter, stronger metal alloys, Stanford scientists suggest
Subjecting complex metal mixtures called high-entropy alloys to extremely high pressures could lead to finer control over the arrangement of their atoms, which in turn can result in more desirable properties. Humans have been blending metals together to create alloys with unique properties for thousands of years. But traditional alloys typically consist of one or two dominant metals with a pinch of other metals or elements thrown in.
June 2017
New greenhouse gas reporting regulations keep carbon tax on the radar
The National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Reporting Regulations were implemented recently by the environmental affairs minister Edna Molewa. Molewa issued the notice under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, Government Gazette Notice: GN 275 in GG 40762 of 3 April 2017: Commencing Date: 3 April 2017.
Transnet Engineering targeting 40% in third-party orders by 2021
The bulk of Transnet Engineering’s R10-billion in yearly revenue is currently derived from Transnet Freight Rail (TFR). However, newly appointed chief advanced manufacturing officer Thamsanqa Jiyane tells Engineering News that the unit has been restructured to improve its prospects of securing non-TFR work.
Topology optimisation and new manufacturing methods enable lightweight design in agricultural engineering
Amazone develops and produces innovative agricultural technology with a high standard of quality, enabling and supporting modern and economical arable farming methods. With these standards in mind, Amazone leverages advanced development tools, processes, and manufacturing methods to contribute to its customers’ success.
Titanium foundry at AMRC Castings about to fly
A castings facility capable of producing some of the biggest titanium aerospace components in the world is now operational at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). Construction of the furnace for the AMRC Castings Group was completed last year and in the past few weeks the first tests or ‘hot commissioning’ as it is known, have been completed successfully.
Additive manufacturing is both growing and coping with growing pains
“Companies have to find ways to streamline polishing and other finishing processes of 3D printed parts. Such processes need more automation to improve the business case for additive manufacturing. The role of hybrid machines also needs to be sorted out,” said industry consultant Terry Wohlers recently.
Malaysia emerging as major production center for ferroalloys
Samalaju Industrial Park is located an hour’s drive from central Bintulu in the state of Sarawak on Borneo island. Pertama Ferroalloys, a local joint venture involving foreign partners, including Nippon Denko, a major Japanese ferroalloy smelter, has spent some $400 million to build a ferroalloy plant there.
Bumper boost for crash protection in lightweight vehicles
The Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST), a global leader in metallurgical casting research, is working closely with foundry partner Sarginsons Industries and others on the development of high-performance cast aluminium alloys as part of the Lightweight Energy Absorbing Aluminium Structures for Transport (LEAAST) project.
Brunel research helps lighten the load for Jaguar Land Rover
Researchers at Brunel University London are developing a new generation of ultra-light car parts that will reduce fuel costs and carbon emissions. The three-year, £7.5 million project is a partnership driven by Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST), Jaguar Land Rover and others.
April 2017
Naicker takes over from Davies at SAIF
Surprise at appointment of unknown in foundry industry as SAIF Executive Director. In what has been described as a complete surprise by industry, the Board of Directors of the South African Institute of Foundrymen (SAIF) have decided to appoint an unknown to the foundry industry, as the Executive Director of the SAIF.
Mineral-Loy adds mechanical engineering graduate to its technical sales department
“Working with sand to form moulds (and cores) comes with numerous additional requirements these days. The operations have to be compliant with current and evolving regulatory standards, they have to fulfil the prevailing commercial standards for process reliability and productivity, as well as finished product quality,” said Mineral-Loy’s Executive Director Rob Duff.
South Africa in talks with Airbus and Boeing to print 3D titanium parts
South African researchers developing the world’s largest machine for producing aircraft parts using lasers to melt powdered titanium are in talks with Airbus and Boeing, with the first commercial application expected in 2019. Officially launched in 2011 and backed by government, the Aeroswift research project last year produced its first three demonstrator parts.
The 18th annual international RAPDASA Conference
The Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa (RAPDASA) will hold its 18th Annual International Conference in the first week of November 2017. This year the conference will be held in Durban, KwaZulu Natal. No further details were available at the time of going to press.
SASSDA launches competition to promote life cycle costing app
To stand a chance to win a trip to Paris worth R125 000.00 entrants will need to download the LCC app and use it to calculate the significant long-term maintenance savings that could have been achieved had the Eiffel Tower been built from stainless steel. The app uses the standard accountancy principle of discounted cash flow.
Europe’s biggest aerospace castings facility now operational
A castings facility capable of producing some of the biggest titanium aerospace components in the world is now operational at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). Construction of the furnace for the AMRC Castings Group was completed last year and in the past few weeks the first tests or ‘hot commissioning’ as it is known, have been completed successfully.
Caterpillar in partnership to develop 3DP aluminium, titanium parts
Caterpillar Inc. has an agreement in place with FIT AG to design and produce aluminium and titanium parts using additive manufacturing technologies. “Caterpillar has a long history of creating innovative products designed to fit the needs of our customers, and entering into a strategic alliance with a leader in additive manufacturing will help further that tradition,” according to Stacey DelVecchio.
Furan resin for the foundry market research report now available at Research Corridor
Research Corridor has published a new research study titled “Furan Resin for Foundry Market – Growth, Share, Opportunities, Competitive Analysis and Forecast, 2015 – 2022”. The Furan resin for the foundry market report studies current, as well as future aspects of furan resin for the foundry market based upon factors such as market dynamics, key ongoing trends and segmentation analysis.
IMF Group assets up for auction
The woes of the Italian foundry equipment manufacturer have finally come to a head with the company’s assets due to go up for auction towards the end of April 2017. Rumours of the company’s financial troubles that started back in 2014 eventually led to the company applying for business rescue protection at the beginning of 2016.
February 2017
Altair wins Airbus benchmarking competition
Altair has won a benchmarking competition, and as a result Airbus will implement a new pre- and post-processing tool based on Altair’s solutions HyperMesh and HyperView as the new platform worldwide. The benchmarking competition, which was initiated by Airbus in early 2016, has led to this agreement between Altair and Airbus.
Küttner Schwingtechnik and Savelli Technologies complete Küttners global foundry platform in the field of green sand moulding and vibrating equipment
Küttner Group has expanded its global foundry platform by adding two new companies for vibrating and moulding equipment that perfectly complete the key activity of Küttner.
Industry supports Machine Tools Africa 2017 as sales exceed 70%
With a few months still to go and the two allocated exhibition halls largely booked, industry has demonstrated its strong support for Machine Tools Africa 2017, taking place at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg from 9-12 May 2017. Exhibition space sales have exceeded 70% of overall square metres available and many other stands have been provisionally booked.
Whitechapel Foundry to close
The world’s oldest bell foundry, which made Big Ben and Liberty Bell, is closing after 500 years in business. The Whitechapel Bell Foundry, based in London’s Whitechapel area, has long been the international centre for bespoke bells but the family run business has announced it is now set to close due to the “changing realities” of running a niche business.
StrikoWestofen Westomat Plus+ dosing furnace wins award
The dosing furnace “Westomat Plus+” recently won the renowned “Good Design Award” of the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, putting it in line with lifestyle products such as Apple’s “iPhone”. “Demands can be made to improve the working environment in light metal foundries too,” said Rudi Riedel, manager of the StrikoWestofen company that makes the furnaces.
Hüttenes-Albertus’ 20-year success story
Twenty years ago, researchers at Hüttenes-Albertus achieved a decisive break-through in improving the environmental properties of the cold box binder system. By using biodiesel as a solvent, benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) emissions could be significantly reduced – an invention that is continuing its success in foundries to this day.
Allied Mineral buying monolithics, precast shape manufacturer
Refractories manufacturer Allied Mineral Products Inc. has announced it plans to buy Pryor Giggey Co., a manufacturer of monolithic refractory products and precast shapes. No price has been reported for the purchase. Both companies are employee-owned. The buyer indicated that business would continue to be conducted without change for both companies in the near term.
December 2016
UIF commits nearly R12 million to training scheme for Scaw Metals employees
Scaw Metals has received the first payment of R1.99 million from the UIF, which will be used to pay the salaries of 325 workers participating in the training lay-off scheme (TLS). The UIF will pay 75% of an employee’s basic salary up to a maximum amount of R 9 358 a month.
Electra Mining Africa 2016
More than 850 local and international exhibitors from the mining, industrial, electrical and power industries showcased their products and services across a 38 000m² indoor and outdoor exhibition area of Electra Mining Africa 2016 held in September at the Expo Centre, in Johannesburg.
Aluminium in cars up 30%
This surge is mainly from rolled and extruded products, where Auto Body Sheet leads the growth with an expected increase of 110% over the same period. The growth is largely attributed to aluminium’s role in lightweighting cars, thereby contributing to low emission mobility.
Every second aluminium closure in Europe is now recycled
Aluminium closures, mainly used on bottles of wine, spirits, water and olive oil, can be collected either with the mixed packaging fraction or together with the glass collection stream. Thanks to modern processes the aluminium is easily extracted and recycled, from both material streams.
ICI’s 15th Annual Casting Design contest
The annual contest seeks to identify the best work of the preceding year, works that succeed not only by the aesthetic achievement but equally or, more importantly, by the function they serve. The contest also expresses the necessity of investment casting in industry and society.
Robot optimises induction heating process
Ambrell Corporation, a leading manufacturer of innovative induction heating solutions worldwide, unveiled the world’s first induction heating “cobot”. The announcement took place at IMTS 2016 in Chicago, which is America’s largest manufacturing trade show with more than 2 000 exhibitors and attendance estimated to exceed 115 000 visitors.
Grainger & Worrall pioneers engine block innovation together with JLR
High performance casting specialist Grainger & Worrall (GW) is working in conjunction with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) to develop a new type of cylinder block that uses plasma coatings to reduce the weight and size of engines.
New book: Induction Heating – Knowledge for practitioners
Induction heating processes and technologies are used in many industrial sectors. Due to the permanently increasing requirements on the reliable high quality of the products, on the effectiveness of the whole process chain, on the level of flexibility and automation, on the environmental sustainability of the heating processes…
October 2016
New alloy promises to boost rare earth production while improving energy efficiency of engines
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and partners Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Wisconsin-based Eck Industries have developed aluminium alloys that are both easier to work with and more heat tolerant than existing products.
World’s first metal 3D printing technology combining printing, casting and forging developed by Chinese scientists
The technology combines metal casting and forging technology to considerably improve the strength and ductility of metal moulds thereby expanding their service lives and reliability. Combining 3D printing, casting and forging also contributes to stronger parts strength and toughness, improved product lifecycles and better reliability, according to the inventors.
Gold, silver and bronze
Gold, silver and bronze are what Olympic dreams are made of. However, the medals for the Olympic Games Rio 2016 have been made from extra special materials. They’re a source of pride and joy when they’re draped around the neck of an athlete who’s trained for years to achieve their goal – they’re the medals of the Olympic Games.
ArcelorMittal has invented more than 250 grades of steelafter investing US $2.5 billion in R&D
On 1 August 2006, Arcelor and Mittal Steel merged to create the world’s leading steel company. Now the company is marking its 10-year anniversary. ArcelorMittal, the global behemoth that swooped in and took over many of Northwest Indiana’s big steel mills after the domestic steelmaking industry collapsed, marked its 10-year anniversary recently.
Research ‘error’ leads to metal processing breakthrough
While working with the molten semiconductor, antimony sulphide, it found that by adding another layer that is a very good ionic conductor on top of the material, electrolysis began to work very well, separating the metal out of the sulfide compound to form a pool of 99.9% pure antimony at the bottom of their cell. Antimony can’t normally be processed using the electrolytic method, which is used to produce aluminium by applying an electric current.
August 2016
3D printing for innovative mould making combined with simulation driven design inspiration pushes the limits for high performance castings
Blending engineering technologies leads to innovative design and manufacturing process. Altair, Click2Cast, HBM nCode and voxeljet have combined design optimisation, casting simulation, fatigue analysis, and 3D printing to create better performing, lightweight vehicle components.
NAACAM launches automotive component show
The National Association of Automotive Components and Allied Manufacturers of South Africa (NAACAM) has announced that its inaugural NAACAM Show will take place at the ICC Durban, KwaZulu Natal from April 5-7 2017. The overall objectives of the NAACAM Show are to showcase the capability of the South African automotive industry and in particular the component sector.
Does Siemens want to build gas-fired power plants in South Africa?
The South African government wants to reduce its nation’s dependence on coal for power and end an electricity shortage that has curbed economic growth for close to a decade. Enter Siemens and a possible gas-fired plant. Siemens AG is interested in bidding to build gas-fired electricity-generating capacity in South Africa as the German engineering company boosts its presence in the country and the government seeks to end power shortages.
Voxeljet launches 8m² capacity sand casting 3D printer
What is claimed to be the world’s largest 3D printed sand mould system has been commissioned in Canton, Michigan, USA. No other 3D printing system for sand moulds offers larger continuous build volumes, the company states. At 4,000 by 2,000 by 1,000mm (length by width by height), the build space more or less corresponds to the size of a VW Golf automobile.
Refiner master for magnesium alloys
Scientists at Brunel University (London) perfected a patented niobium-based master alloy that filled the missing gap in grain refiners for magnesium alloys and offered significant advantages over titanium in aluminium silicon alloys. Led by Dr Hari Babu Nadendla of the Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Science (BCAST), the team’s discovery of a patented niobium based master alloy has won the Institute of Materials Charles Hatchett Prize and Medal and the Cast Metal Foundation’s 2016 Innovation Award.
John Winter acquires CAT International’s manufacturing facility
UK-based supplier to the foundry industry, John Winter, has acquired CAT International’s manufacturing facility in the single largest investment in the company’s 50-year history. In a progressive move that will see John Winter cement its position as one of the leading UK manufacturers and suppliers to the foundry industry, the independently-owned company will take on CAT’s Warwick manufacturing facility, products and existing employees.
Turning war scrap into steel for construction in Angola
The remnants from a brutal 27-year civil war in the southern African country of Angola are still littered throughout its capital city, Luanda. Under a new project, an abundance of scrap metal from decommissioned tanks and weaponry is being collected and recycled into steel at the country’s first steel mill — and the largest in west and central Africa — which recently started operations at the $300 million Aceria de Angola (ADA) facility, about 25 miles north of Luanda, reports CNN.
June 2016
RAPDASA 17th Annual International Conference
The Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa (RAPDASA) will hold its 17th Annual International Conference from 2 to 4 November 2016 at the Vaal University of Technology, VUT Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa.
Eighth Ipap requires break from the past
There is an “even more pressing need for structural change in the economy”, to break out of commodity dependence and move to a more diversified base, said Minister Davies in launching the latest Industrial Policy Action Plan. Ipap 2016, considered a “higher impact Ipap”, envisages nothing less than a massive, concerted and focused national industrial effort.
Sacrificing the steel industry to save Mittal
This opinion piece is written by Gerhard Papenfus, writing in his personal capacity, as the Chief Executive of the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA). I do not claim to fully understand what’s currently happening in this space and the reasons for it. The Steel Industry is in troubled waters. There are many indicators to this effect, but job losses are an important one.
Oscar returns to bronze
The original Oscar statuette was sculpted in 1928 by Los Angeles artist George Stanley. The first statuettes were cast in bronze by Guido Nelli at the California Bronze Foundry. For the past 33 years the statuettes have been manufactured at a Chicago trophy company where they were cast in britannia metal and gold plated. The statuette’s base was made of black, nickel-plated spun brass.
Endress+Hauser completes takeover of Analytik Jena
Swiss measurement and automation engineering specialist Endress+Hauser has completed the takeover of German analytical instrumentation provider Analytik Jena. The remaining minority shares of Analytik Jena were legally transferred to Endress+Hauser on 30 March 2016 following the entry of the transfer resolution in the commercial registry that was previously adopted at the extraordinary general meeting in February.
High quality cast impellers made using Cti’s advanced technology Replicast® process
Increasing pressure to improve the performance of critical pumping equipment and reduce costly down time is creating opportunities for a novel method for making one of a pump’s key components. Impellers play a crucial part in a pump’s overall efficiency, but ensuring their blades are perfectly balanced and of a suitable surface quality, thickness and geometry to ensure a long service life, delivering maximum flow rates, is difficult to achieve using traditional casting processes.
Caterpillar uses AM to shorten lead times and save costs
Much of additive manufacturing’s appeal comes from the long-term promise of new products, new designs and new ways of thinking about production. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t practical, effective ways to put additive manufacturing to work right now, today. While additive manufacturing for large-scale production is a way off for almost every manufacturer, current 3D printers are well-suited for many shopfloor applications, including creating tools, gauges and other manufacturing aids.
Globe Specialty Metals and Grupo FerroAtlántica clear regulatory process and complete business amalgamation
Globe Specialty Metals has recently announced it has completed its amalgamation with Grupo FerroAtlántica, finalising the creation of the new company Ferroglobe PLC. The business amalgamation, which was first announced on February 23 2015, was completed following receipt of all required regulatory clearances and approvals.
April 2016
ASK Chemicals reaches 50 year milestone
The roots of the present ASK Chemicals GmbH in Hilden, the headquarters of the ASK Chemicals Group, go back to the founding of ADM Giesserei Chemikalien GmbH with participation in Kernfest KG in 1966. Only four years later, the company changed its name to Ashland-Süd-Chemie-Gießerei-Chemikalien GmbH & Co. KG.
MRA oppose ITAC on amendments to PPS policy guidelines
The Metal Recyclers Association (MRA), representing over 100 members making up 80% of the metal recycling industry, have made a formal submission to the International Trade Administrative Commission of South Africa (ITAC) opposing amendments to the Pricing Preference System (PPS) guidelines on the Exportation of Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Waste and Scrap.
Policy over scrap metal requires industry input
In August 2013, amid vociferous protest and unsuccessful legal challenges from the metal recycling industry, the Economic Development Department pushed through a new directive that gave the International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) the power to bar exports of ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal unless it is offered first to domestic purchasers at a 20% discount to the prevailing international price.
Scaw Metals is supporting the proposed amendments to the price preference system (PPS)
Steel manufacturing major Scaw Metals is supporting the proposed amendments to the price preference system (PPS) policy guidelines for local scrap metal it has said in Engineering News. The PPS will govern future exports of ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal from South Africa through one harbour – Port Elizabeth.
Corrosion-resistant magnesium could replace aluminium in decreasing vehicle weight
Magnesium is the lightest construction metal, but also the most reactive. This means that it is very sensitive to corrosion, making it difficult to use in corrosive environments. For more than a hundred years, magnesium producers have strived to improve its corrosion characteristics by developing new, more corrosion-resistant alloys, and developing various coatings.
ACTech invests in innovative 3D cold printing technique ExOne machine
The ExOne Company, a global provider of three-dimensional (“3D”) printing machines and 3D printed and other products to industrial customers has announced the installation of the first machine running with the new binder agent, cold hardening phenol (“CHP”). The printer was installed at the ACTech GmbH premises in Freiberg, Germany.
February 2016
Steel mill construction hinges on feasibility study, says Patel
A final investment decision to establish a new steel mill will depend on the outcome of a prefeasibility study under way and a later feasibility study, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel insists, according to a report in Business Day. China’s Hebei Iron and Steel Group and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) agreed in September 2014 to undertake the prefeasibility study into the creation of a new low-cost steel plant.
New on-line price benchmarking service is radically transforming metals purchasing
Supply Dynamics LLC, a provider of innovative supply chain visibility software solutions, has announced the launch of Price Dynamics™ (www.pricedynamics.com). Price Dynamics harnesses the power of the crowd to help anyone purchasing industrial metals to understand true market price for many common ferrous and non ferrous metals.
Four “Bright World of Metals“ trade fairs are switching to a three-year cycle
GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST are switching to a three-year cycle. The next time that the leading international trade fairs for foundry technology, metallurgy, thermo process equipment and castings will be taking place in Düsseldorf is from Tuesday 26 June to Saturday 30 June 2018.
Chinese foundry orders 41 Westomat dosing furnaces from StrikoWestofen
When a foundry company converts its production to a completely new system, it has to be 100 percent convinced of its benefits. This is true for the Chinese Hongbang Die Casting Company (Nantong City, Jiangsu Province). In addition to the switch, the company used the occasion of the opening of a new production location to order 41 Westomat dosing furnaces from StrikoWestofen Asia (Taicang).
Ankiros / Annofer / Turkcast 2016
The trade shows Ankiros 2016 – 13th International Iron-Steel and Foundry Technology, Machinery and Products Trade Fair, Annofer 2016 – 12th International Non-Ferrous Metals Technology, Machinery and Products Trade Fair, and Turkcast 2016 – 7th Foundry Products Trade Fair will be organised by Hannover-Messe Ankiros Fuarcilik A.S. and take place from 29th September to the 1st October 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Norsk Titanium 3D printed parts for jet structures score high on Aerospace Technology Readiness tests
Norsk Titanium’s 3D-printing technology has been used by an Airbus subsidiary to produce structural components for the jet builder’s A350 XWB wide-body aircraft, in Ti-6Al-4V (the most commonly used titanium alloy in industrial applications, sometimes known as Ti64).
IMF installs giant manipulator capable of handling big flasks and castings up to a weight of 20 tons
Foundry equipment manufacturer IMF Group, with headquarters in Italy, has recently manufactured a tele manipulator capable of handling big flasks and castings up to a weight of 20 tons. The giant Automa K20 manipulator has been installed at the Italian VDP Schio foundry and is believed to be the biggest manipulator ever manufactured worldwide.
