The Metal Casting Conference provided a platform for industry members to share the latest technological developments and opportunities to drive a com- petitive advantage in the foundry industry. The conference was held in the North West from March 13 to 16.

According to American Foundry Society director of communications, marketing and public relations Alfred Spada, the opportunities in the metal casting industry worldwide include industry growth, the development of new technology and the scope of new customers and cast products that were increasing.

It is key for South African foundries to implement the latest technology develop- ments to their advantage to ensure that they can meet growing market demands.

Such technologies include simulation model- ling that optimises the casting design, vacuum and pressure-assisted casting processes, automated pouring designed for job shops, ablation processes for sand casting, rapid manufacturing (the machining of sand moulds), systems for toolingless sand and investment casting, affordable automated grinding systems, self-healing alloys and nanoparticle casting, such as additive manufacturing.

Further, the worldwide bid for a greener economies provides the metal casting industry with new markets, such as the infrastructure for renewable-energy plants (solar power plants, hydroelectric power plants and wind turbines), metal implants used in the medical profession and components for innovative products coming to market.

“Foundries must reach out to fellow metal casters to improve business, processes and technologies to move forward, and adopt new technologies and take advantage of new markets,” he added.

It is also important to allow new and younger leadership to assist not only in keeping up to date with developing technology but also in implementing and marketing it by using resources such as the Internet and social media to garner potential customers and achieve success in keeping abreast of the latest developments in the industry.

In 2011, 98.5-million tons of metal casting was shipped worldwide and this is expected to increase to 115-million tons in 2015. South Africa produced 424 000 t in 2011.

“Foundries worldwide were forced to reduce their capacities during the 2008 recession, owing to reduced market demands. The resultant downsizing caused postrecession capacity shortages and companies must ensure they use current opportunities to reap the rewards of the re-established metal casting markets,” Spada said.