We have been discussing the factors that will shape the Future of castings in the previous Blog. There are several other factors, apart from the growing use of aluminum and automation, that fuel how the castings industry is going to impact the manufacturing industry post-pandemic period.

Digitisation & Industry 4.0:
The myriad of applications of sensors, smart controls and linked machines will impact the foundry industry. Many production sites all over the world are increasingly connected to the production sites. It is not just the foundries, but also potential clients and customers that are going to the biggest beneficiaries of data. Big data can optimize processes, and identify potential bottlenecks and errors in the system at an early stage. Industry transformation processes may require manual adjustments in the operational procedure as well.

Environment protection and eco metals:
Numerous studies conducted worldwide point that foundries consume a lot of energy from renewable energy sources, which, of course, is concerning.  Though scouting for alternate sources of energy is necessary, energy storage devices can meet the challenges of enormous power demands. Foundries need to use fewer raw material and more energy-efficient casting moulds. Reduction of transportation and other energy-reduction methods, including efficient furnaces, can turn the entire production process to be even more environmentally friendly.

Additive Manufacturing:
This is great for smaller cast products, as we continue to witness more and more 3D printers built to deal with metals. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is the application of metal layer by layer so as to create small components quickly, cost-effectively and more accurately than with traditional processes. Based on the individual application, additive manufacturing provides different sizes that ranges from half a cubic metre to entirely convertible warehouse.

The 3D innovative technology is already being deployed in projects requiring only a prototype of the final product or a limited quantity of the final product. Structures, normally not possible in regular casting, is achievable in additive manufacturing, though not quite the thing for large quantities and parts having larger dimensions.