CPT International 01/2018

EDITORIAL
Core and mold production
The state-of-the-art of our main topics – core and mold production – is now
considerably higher than it has ever been. The proven organic binder combinations
for producing molds and cores are still widely in use in foundries
around the world. But inorganic binding agents spread in light construction
and will sooner or later also be suitable for casting processes at higher temperatures
– a breakthrough that will change casting production worldwide. For one
thing is evident: environmental standards are steadily rising, as can be seen in
China, for example. In his article (from Page 12), our author Christian Appelt
from the foundry chemicals company ASK Chemicals explains the necessary
material properties and process requirements for inorganic core production.
In an interview, Amine Serghini from competitor Hüttenes Albertus talks about,
among other things, the inorganic market situation and comments on the direction
of development of his company, which is also exploiting organic binders.
Above all, however, Hüttenes Albertus is relying on its superior knowledge,
as the recent opening of both a Research & Development Center and a Competence
Center in northern Germany show (read more from P. 6).
We have also saved no effort regarding the topic of materials for core and mold
production: in our corporate report on the global player Imerys, that now owns
S&B (and thus its IKO Foundry Division), we examine the supplier of special
mineral-based products for the industry and its range for foundries (from P. 48)
The simulation of casting and solidification processes is widespread throughout
the sector. A group of scientists at the Ansbach University of Applied Sciences
in southern Germany has now been able to use a material flow simulator and
a thermodynamic model of the melting furnace to come up with interesting
conclusions to improve energy efficiency and productivity in die-casting foundries
(from P. 42). The project will continue – as will the reports on it in CP+T!
And, last but not least, two articles on zinc and plastic caster Föhl in Rudersberg
near Stuttgart, Germany (from P. 32) and die-casting machine producer Bühler
in Uzwil, Switzerland (from P. 38), offer interesting insights into highly efficient,
innovative and pioneering companies and processes.
Have a good read !
Robert Piterek
e-mail: robert.piterek@bdguss.de
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