Casting Solutions
Perfect meeting place for the foundry industry
AFS Metalcasting Congress in Milwaukee (USA)
The AFS Metalcasting Congress provides the foundry industry with trend-setting impetus every year. Kurtz Casting Solutions used the 2024 AFS Congress as one of the most important networking events for the North American region to raise awareness of Kurtz as a provider of highly-efficient casting solutions.
From April 23 to 25, the North American foundry industry gathered at the Metalcasting Congress of the American Foundry Society (AFS) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. More than 2,000 participants and 200 exhibitors responded to the call of the AFS to exchange information on foundry trends and efficient technologies. The congress offered an extensive program of events, including AFS workshops, varied presentations, and information on the current state of technical research. There were also panel discussions on improving casting processes, increasing the efficiency of casting processes and improving the quality of cast parts. All important processes and alloys were covered.
Casting with lost forms is very popular
One of the main topics at the joint booth of Kurtz and its partner VERSEVO, Inc. was casting with lost forms, which are only used once because they have to be destroyed after the casting process to remove the cast parts. The advantage: the use of sand casting is cost-effective and can be implemented relatively easily. A big plus: even complicated geometric shapes can be produced using sand casting in conjunction with the low pressure casting process. Sand cores can now also be printed by 3D printers – the offer from partner VERSEVO provides particular advantages in the development of prototypes for GIGA castings which are used in the automotive sector, as well as for the production of small series for the security and defense industry.
Casting with “lost foam” was also of great interest to one trade visitor. The application here is a product that is manufactured for an outboard motor. The lost form is made from expanded polystyrene and serves as a positive model. The production of such a lost form can be carried out using a molding machine from Kurtz Protective Solutions. A perfect example of Kurtz Ersa´s cross-divisional optimum production solutions for its customers.
Strong partnerships - even more important in challenging times
In addition to participating in the trade congress with valuable discussions at the booth, Kurtz Casting Solutions also presented itself at the in-house event of partner VERSEVO at the Hartland site in Wisconsin, where it was possible to talk to interested parties in a relaxed atmosphere. At the in-house event, VERSEVO presented a 3D sand printer, while Kurtz took the opportunity to showcase a casting machine, a pre-expander, the Alpha 140, and a trimming press. This gave the in-house event participants a good impression of the Kurtz equipment portfolio. Not least thanks to the Kurtz Ersa Alpha 140, which demonstrated its capabilities in live operation.
“The combination of a specialist congress and an in-house event was ideal for engaging in individual discussions with all interested parties, from technically-experienced to sales-oriented customers. Together with VERSEVO, we offer to the North American market efficient solutions for sand casting, which is currently on trend. Many thanks to VERSEVO for their hospitality and invitation to the in-house event,” summarized Michael Müller, Sales Manager Casting Solutions & Product Manager Low Pressure Casting.