Quality assurance and traceability are vital for die casting foundries. Numerous test methods are available in order that companies can control the extent to which their products meet the requirements of the customers. As requirements for die cast parts continue to grow, also the requirements for testing technology are increasing.

Turbotrack is designed to improve robot collaboration and accuracy. The system uses RFID tags to identify and locate objects in a three-dimensional space. The challenges are in the interaction of speed and accuracy.

The supply chains of the automotive industry are complex and therefore vulnerable. The software company Llamasoft wants to minimize risks by simulating all components in its supply chain management software.

Handtmann has developed a three-module system for high-voltage battery housings that can be easily adapted to the architecture of electric vehicles: Profile composite, profile-cast composite and die cast composite.

While orders appear to have recovered slightly recently, the international climate is still problematic. All of this has led to a change in the production forecast for 2019.

Whether pedelecs, e-scooters or drones - all these forms of mobility use an electric motor to drive them. In order to make the motors more efficient, researchers at Fraunhofer IFAM have developed a casting process that can be used to produce lightweight windings from aluminum and a higher groove filling factor.

After world trade in die casting and low-pressure die casting machinery declined in 2016 and 2017, exports increased by 6.5% in 2018. Due to increasing demands on die casting cells and the need for efficient information exchange, experts are working on a standardised open communication interface.

Obstacles to approval under the WLPT standard, which substantially reduced call-off figures were typical problems, the German die casting industry had to face in 2018. New demands on alloy developments and process technologies promise opportunities for foundries.

From 14^th to 16^th January 2020 the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg will once more become the meeting place for the die casting industry. In 2020 the international trade fair will offer the Die Casting Conference with a top quality lecture programme, special shows, the Additive Manufacturing pavilion and the EUROGUSS Talent Award.

The current economic turbulences prompted us to talk to José Javier Gonzalez of the Executive Secretariat of the World Foundry Organization (WFO) about the current economic situation. The focus was once again on the effects of a possible Brexit on all foundry nations.