CPT International 01/2018

trian Non-Ferrous Metals Federation of
the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber
and the Swiss Aluminium Association
“alu.ch” also supported the competition.
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,
a versatile material, still further
and to demonstrate further fields of application.
Criteria for evaluating the
castings, submitted to the Aluminum
Die-Casting Competition 2018, were
the die-cast conform and resource efficient
construction.
A jury of experts from research and
practice awarded six submissions:
three cast pieces received prizes, three
more “Special Commendations”.
The winners were:
1st Prize: Connection part CD
» DGS Druckguss Systeme AG, St. Gallen
» Alloy: AISi10MnMgZnZr
» Weight: 3,043 g
» Dimensions: L: 797 mm, W: 437 mm,
H: 304 mm
» Weight upper part: 7 270 g
» Weight lower part: 14,120 g
» Dimensions: L: 1,120 mm,W:
540 mm, H: 260 mm
The prize was awarded to a housing for
high-voltage batteries for a plug-in hybrid
vehicle that needs to satisfy the
highest possible crash requirements.
The geometry is achieved by using a very
slider-intensive tooling concept and
keeping the sealing surfaces free from
ejectors. Particular mention should be
given to the long flow length and the
T7 heat treatment which results in relatively
low distortion for a component
of this size. An added benefit is that the
part can be used without machining.
3rd Prize: Tank housing
» Georg Fischer Druckguss GmbH,
Herzogenburg
» Alloy: EN AC-AISi10MnMg-T7
» Weight: 10,900 g
» Dimensions: L: 980 mm, W: 626 mm,
H: 236 mm
The third prize goes to a crash-relevant
component that opens up a new area
of application for die-castings in hybrid
vehicles. Aluminium die-casting offers
cost savings while reducing weight at
the same time. The award-winning
component incorporates an extremely
wide range of different functions and
replaces a possible fabricated sheet
structure. The component is subjected
to a T7 heat treatment to reduce
the risk of distortion of the intricate
parts. This entry also scored points for
the high depth of value added right
through to CIL coating in the foundry.
www.aluinfo.de
PRODUCTIVITY IN 3D
The first prize is being awarded for the
holistic approach adopted in obtaining
a highly competitive cast structural
component. It is a part that has established
itself thanks to a weight saving
of 19 % compared with a sheet-metal
shell construction, the result of
the part’s complex, load-path-optimized
wall-thickness distribution and
rib configuration. The need for higher
specific strength was achieved by
choosing a high-strength alloy with
very good flow characteristics combined
with a T6 temper. Very efficient
temperature control together with a
runner that is ideal from a flow technology
point of view enables component
wall thicknesses of 1.8-2 mm to
be achieved.
2nd Prize: Housing for high-voltage
batteries, upper and lower part
» Magna BDW technologies GmbH,
Markt Schwaben
» Alloy: EN AC-AISi10MnMg(Fe) - T7
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Casting Plant & Technology 1 / 2018 57