CPT International 3/2019

EDITORIAL
Converting big data
to smart data!
With interesting new cooperations and numerous future-oriented
innovations, GIFA has come to a successful conclusion. The fair thus
underscored its role as the world‘s leading trade fair for foundry
technology.
Robert Piterek
e-mail: robert.piterek@bdguss.de
Digitalization in the foundry
industry was one of the main
topics at the GIFA in late June.
We discuss it in our trade fair review
from P. 38, which summarizes the trends
and innovations at this year’s trade fair.
Whether molding plant producers, furnace
constructors or die-casting equipment
specialists – all the important
companies had new developments in
their programs for converting big data
to smart data, i.e. enabling visualization
of plant performance in comprehensible
graphics and exploiting optimization
potentials uncovered by comparisons
with old data or other plants.
There were also virtual and augmented
reality applications for servicing, maintenance,
repair and training – showing
that the sector has finally found its way
into the 21st century.
In addition to our GIFA review, we
also offer two digitalization highlights
in this issue: melting furnace producer
Otto Junker used GIFA to present its
optimized Optical Coil Protection System
(OCP), which monitors the service
life of furnace linings and makes maintenance
intervals predictable (more on
this from P. 9). And machine manufacturer
Gustav Eirich GmbH & Co. KG from
Hardheim meets the need for digitalizing
production processes in its sand
preparation plants with the AT1 inline
inspection tester. The system automatically
measures the compactability and
shearing strength of the sand employed,
and was greeted with great interest
by specialist visitors to GIFA (from
P. 18).
The second main trend at the trade
fair was additive manufacturing, which
is increasingly receiving attention from
casters all over the world. Our interview
with ExOne Managing Directors Hartner
and Bader focused on industrialization
of the process and the company’s collaboration
with Siemens in this field, as
well as the increasing importance of the
new technology worldwide (from P. 6).
The rolls made by Gontermann-Peiper
from Siegen using cylindrical centrifugal
casting and gravity die casting are
also found worldwide. The company
casts the world’s heaviest and longest
rolls, and can look back on about 200
years of history and comprehensive
expertise in the casting of rolls (from
P. 28). Gontermann-Peipers also supplied
the world’s most modern steelworks,
Big River Steel, with more than
100 rolls made in Germany. The ‘learning
steelworks’ and its possibilities
were also proudly presented at the GIFA
by plant constructor SMS.
Please note that from now on you find
our Casting Industry Suppliers Guide in
each issue – book your entry now and...
...have a good read!
CASTING PLANT & TECHNOLOGY 3/2019 3