Review: an event with enthusiastic participants

Exciting presentations by J. Villareal (Mexico) on the development of a complete market-ready process chain under his own management, by G. Peng (China), H. von der Weiden (NL) and K. Cermak (GER) on the status of the Lost Foam casting production in China – particularly impressive XXL castings of up to 500 kg – and by Dr. J. Wiesenmüller (GER) and R. Kljinsma (NL) on quality casting from Europe revealed impressive facts and trends. New research topics were also brought into focus. M. Wallum (USA) introduced a new EPS, which enables particularly thin wall thicknesses and smooth casting surfaces. From the currently intensive development work of the Fraunhofer IFAM in Bremen, J. Clausen presented the pattern production from wood foam. The vision: A „green foundry“ that is particularly environmentally friendly due to the use of renewable raw materials. All technical aspects of the process chain were presented as part of a guided tour in the rooms of the Fraunhofer IFAM with real plant technology.

The aim of the expert meeting was an international exchange on the lost foam procedure with insights into the activities of the respective countries. As a result, it became clear that Russia, Ukraine, Iran, the USA and China are no longer lagging behind, but have overtaken Europe as the leadership force. The participants from all over the world were enthusiastic about the possibility of networking with the international specialists. The trend-setting contributions, such as that by M. Miller (USA) on the subject of pattern production, met with particularly high interest. Miller presented components created by 3D printing and showed their casting results.