CPT International 01/2019
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NEWS<br />
THE EUROPEAN FOUNDRY ASSOCIATION<br />
Heiko Lickfett elected Secretary General<br />
Heiko Lickfett succeeds Max Schumacher<br />
as Secretary General of CAEF, The<br />
European Foundry Association, as of<br />
<strong>01</strong>.<strong>01</strong>.2<strong>01</strong>9. The CAEF is the umbrella<br />
organization of the national European<br />
foundry associations. The organization,<br />
founded in 1953, has 22 European<br />
member states and works to promote<br />
the economic, technical, legal and social<br />
interests of the European foundry<br />
industry.<br />
Heiko Lickfett and Max Schumacher<br />
are from the German Foundry Association<br />
(BDG) based in Düsseldorf. Lickfett<br />
is also head of the Economics Department<br />
of BDG, while Schumacher is the<br />
association’s Managing Director. Heiko<br />
Lickfett studied economics and political<br />
science, starting his career as an economic<br />
advisor at the German Steel Federation<br />
followed by his position as economist<br />
at the Association of German<br />
Foundries (DGV) in 1991 – which was<br />
later to become BDG. He has also been<br />
active in CAEF in various functions for<br />
more than a decade.<br />
The start of the year was also marked<br />
by the relaunch of the CAEF’s internet<br />
presence. The umbrella organization’s<br />
completely redesigned website at<br />
www.caef.eu offers comprehensive<br />
information in English on the Association<br />
and its organizational structure as<br />
well as on foundry technology and its<br />
applications, statistical data, a dedicated<br />
members’ access page, and a download<br />
area (e. g. for general contractual conditions).<br />
A picture database for media<br />
representatives is also in preparation.<br />
www.caef.eu<br />
Heiko Lickfett (left) succeeds Max Schumacher as Secretary General of CAEF.<br />
Photo: BDG<br />
RHEINMETALL AUTOMOTIVE<br />
New casting process developed<br />
The joint venture between Rheinmetall<br />
Automotive, Düsseldorf, and China‘s<br />
HUAYU Automotive Systems has developed<br />
a production process that is particularly<br />
suitable for highly complex<br />
engine block geometries and electric<br />
motor housings.<br />
The joint venture between Rheinmetall<br />
Automotive and Huayu from<br />
China has developed a process for production<br />
at the new Chinese plant in<br />
Guangde that is particularly suitable<br />
for complex engine block designs and<br />
electric motor housings. At KS Hyayu‘s<br />
test foundry in Neckarsulm, the process<br />
was brought to series production.<br />
According to their own statements, the<br />
specialists are combining the advantages<br />
of different casting processes.<br />
With the new low-pressure sand<br />
casting, weight savings of around 3-5<br />
% could be achieved with less material<br />
input. In addition, casting can be carried<br />
out in comparatively short cycle<br />
times. The new process is initially to be<br />
used for a four-cylinder in-line engine<br />
with an overmolded cast iron liner. The<br />
liners used are cast a few millimeters<br />
over the cylinder head to avoid the<br />
milling cutter having to move through<br />
different materials during subsequent<br />
machining. This design would not be<br />
possible in classic low-pressure gravity<br />
die casting.<br />
For Head of Development, Dr. Christian<br />
Klimesch, the process is no longer<br />
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