Porsche, its management and IT consulting subsidiary MHP and the insurance group Munich Re have founded the so-called FlexFactory in order to make small series of all kinds of different products in the manufacturing industry more flexible and cost-effective in the future.

In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, the transformation of the automotive industry is currently causing many foundries problems. Now even a major automotive supplier like Nemak has to lay off numerous employees from its cylinder foundry in Wernigerode, Germany.

European Aluminium’s members have re-elected Emilio Braghi, President Novelis Europe, as Chair of their association at a virtual General Assembly. European Aluminium also welcomed two new members this year, taking the association’s total membership to over 85 membersrepresenting 600 plants in 30 European countries.

An internationally operating maker of premium automobiles has awarded Hasco KSPG Nonferrous Components, a joint venture of Rheinmetall Automotive AG, a major order for electromotor housings. Designed for a water-cooled synchronous motor with four different performance levels, they will be installed in the OEM’s entire fleet of electric vehicles.

One year ago the motto for 2019 was: Sales up, profits down. For two years in a row, growth had slowed down. But compared to the current situation and the findings from the first half of 2020, times were rather rosy.

While German foundries were already struggling with a downturn, the corona crisis has further shaken the industry. The challenge now is to provide assistance and make concrete recommendations for action.

The ongoing corona pandemic is dominating the world and is not stopping at the foundry industry. We have surveyed the industry and identified current and upcoming challenges facing foundrymen, suppliers, manufacturers and service providers.

After years of continuous growth, the global economy has recently begun to shrink. Especially the automotive industry as the most important customer of the foundry industry is affected by this.

The BMW Group is taking the next step in the systematic integration of industrial 3D printing processes. The goal is to industrialize additive manufacturing and integrate it into the various divisions of the company in a sustainable manner with economic benefits. This includes above all vehicle development and production.

The demand for electric cars is constantly increasing. However, there are few welding processes that are suitable for joining the aluminum components used solidly and with low levels of distortion. For these and similar applications, Fronius has opened a new prototyping center.

An innovation across the borders from Hamburg to Turin attracts the attention of automotive enthusiasts: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Manufacturing Technologies IAPT developed together a 3D printed wheel carrier with an integrated brake caliper for an Fiat Chrysler Automobiles sports car.

Voxeljet AG has received a follow-up order for two additional VX1300X high-speed 3D printing systems for a German premium car manufacturer as part of the "Industrialization of Core Printing" (ICP) cooperation project.

The aluminum die casting business Alupress, is piloting a new data-driven solution to improve productivity at its Hildburghausen foundry site in Germany. The solution was developed in cooperation with Striko Westofen.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is focusing on electromobility and with the ID. BUZZ brings its classic, the Bulli, to the road as a fully electric version. KUKA is responsible for the planning, delivery, assembly and commissioning of a fully automated body shop system for the underbody of the all-electric ID. BUZZ.

Today, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has opened the European Conference on Batteries, an event taking place within the framework of Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. The focus of the event is on the two Important Projects of Common European Interest in the field of batteries.

Even in this special COVID-19 year, the international toolmaking industry does not give in and proves to be resilient to the crisis: Harting Applied Technologies GmbH, Germany, won the “Excellence in Production” award this year and is thus awarded the title “Toolmaker of the Year 2020”.