THE DIECASTING SOCIETY
On track for more orders
OnTrack WM has launched a website as an online procurement portal for the rail industry helping companies to compete for rail related contracts in the West Midlands . The details of businesses that have the capability to supply the sector have been pre-loaded on to a database and should receive an automatic invitation email to log on to the OnTrack WM system once it goes live . Station refurbishment and linear track replacement work in the region over the next two years is projected to be worth an
Casting research ramps up to industrial scale
Innovative technologies to make automotive components lighter and completely recyclable will be tested under industry conditions at Brunel University as part of its on campus car component research facility - the Advanced Metal Casting Centre ( AMCC ). Diecasting Society members toured the facilities and were privy to the university ’ s plans for future development in April when they were invited to take part in an event organised to celebrate the official opening . The Society also took advantage of the opportunity to hold the Society ’ s AGM at the Centre . The £ 17m , 1500 m2 AMCC building is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council , Innovate UK , global aluminium component producer Constellium and car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover . The facility is equipped with :
• A commercial 1600 tonne locking force high pressure diecaster for aluminium and magnesium alloys estimated £ 2 billion . In addition , main contractors for the first phase of the London to Birmingham High Speed Rail ( HS2 ) have been shortlisted . When appointed HS2 main contractors will need to procure goods and services for a wide range of engineering and construction work packages . So make sure you are on the right track to pitch for the work . HS2 recently held a Supply Chain Roadshow in Coventry detailing how to get involved in the supply chain for this major rail contract . Three simple steps were highlighted for
The Advanced Metal Casting Centre ( AMCC ) at Brunel University welcomes visitors , including Diecasting Society members , in April
• A commercial 240kN closing force low pressure diecaster
• A pilot scale hot-top direct chill caster for 2m long billets up to 204mm in diameter
• A commercial 16MN direct extrusion press with taper controlled billet heating
• A scaled-up twin roll caster incorporating Brunel ’ s novel melt conditioning technology
• High resolution real-time x-ray inspection The primary aim is to scale up from fundamental research carried out in the Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Techniques ( BCAST ) and the Liquid Metal Engineering Centre ( LiME ) under Professor Zhongyun Fan . By validating techniques using industry-standard equipment , the research facility should be able to bridge the so-called “ valley of death ” between labscale success and mainstream factory floor implementation . Professor Fan and his team have demonstrated how it is possible companies keen to be considered : view the supply chain resources at www . gov . uk / hs2 and download the HS2 Supplier Guide ; register to access opportunities on the same site or visit www . contractsfinder . service . gov . uk to see what HS2 is buying directly ; send any relevant questions to scc @ hs2 . org . uk Diecasting Society member company HCM Engineering Ltd is already making use of these facilities and HCM ’ s Simon Hanson - a former DCS president - was keen to share the information with fellow DCS members so they could
to condition molten aluminium alloys to produce castings with a much finer grain structure so car components can be made up to 40 per cent lighter . The same techniques also hold out significant promise in making mixed aluminium alloys scrap a suitable material for high quality castings . Currently such scrap is difficult or impossible to recycle to a high enough quality for re-use in automotive manufacturing . Officially opening the AMCC on Thursday 7th April , Brunel ’ s Vice-Chancellor and President , Professor Julia Buckingham announced work would shortly begin on a second facility the Advanced Metal Processing Centre so that a broader range of components can be produced and tested against current practice . Once operational they will form , along with Constellium ’ s University Technology Center at Brunel , the National Metals Research Park to broaden the end customer base to include aerospace , rail and other engineering industries . Jaguar Land Rover Director of Research and Technology , Dr Wolfgang Epple , said : “ The Advanced Metal Casting Centre ( AMCC ) at Brunel ’ s Uxbridge Campus will provide Jaguar Land Rover ’ s engineers with a facility to create and develop the new lightweight alloys and technologies of the future . “ As well as supporting collaborative research , the findings from the AMCC will develop and test breakthrough advanced lightweight technologies and develop the skills across the automotive industry , academia and the supply chain .” get involved and not miss out on the opportunity to win contracts . During the roadshow HS2 reported on critical factors surrounding supply chain procurement such as : skills , education and employment ; the National College for High Speed Rail ; equality diversity and inclusion ( EDI ), community relations ; health and safety ; and environmental sustainability . Other relevant websites detailing route to market opportunities are : www . railallianceco . uk and www . riagb . org . uk
Join the DIECASTING SOCIETY
Membership is open to both individuals and companies who have an interest in the manufacture of diecast metal products . That interest might be as a foundry or a supplier to a foundry . Each member receives the Diecasting Society Newsletter , and reduced rate attendance at all the Society events , both technical and social . Annual membership is £ 40.00 for an individual member and £ 225.00 for companies ( which includes four reduced rate places for named employees at the company ). The cost for a student or trainee is just £ 8.50 . To start enjoying the benefits of membership contact dcs @ icme . org . uk or visit the website at www . dcsoc . org . uk
THE DIECASTING SOCIETY
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2016
4 October 2016 Visit to Montupet Ltd & Ryobi Northern Ireland
Further details about all events from DCS 0121 601 6979 dcs @ icme . org . uk www . dcsoc . org . uk
Cast Metal & Diecasting Times July / August 2016