The Turkish Foundry Association, TÜDÖKSAD, and its partners are developing a new simulation computer game with the EU.
DigiFoundry aims to reduce widespread training and skilled labor deficiencies in the foundry industry.
Although Turkey has invested half a billion euros in its foundry sector since Covid-19, there are still huge gaps in its foundry education system, including a decreasing number of casting high school departments.
Turkey plans to install an additional foundry capacity of 500,000 tonnes, yet its nearly 1000 foundries desperately need a larger workforce, says Tunçağ Şen, Secretary General of TÜDÖKSAD.
Playfully learning the secrets of foundry engineering
With DigiFoundry, the association hopes to create an interactive and user-friendly digital platform. The novel approach aims to enhance the sector's appeal by using a gamified strategy, rather than a scientific one.
The target group is vocational high school students or candidates who are about to work in the foundry industry but have no knowledge of metal casting.
The educational material will include virtual training modules and multimedia resources. The training content will guide users through quality analysis tests, from raw material to pouring processes. Practical simulations will allow users to experience real-world foundry processes in a safe digital environment. DigiFoundry will also provide insights into green and digital transformation, ensuring the new workforce will be prepared for industry advancements.
DigiFoundry is set to make its debut at the World Foundry Congress 2026 in Istanbul.
Once the simulation game is finished, it will be opened to the public via a free website. Users across the globe will be able to engage in virtual foundry training and receive certificates upon completion.
DigiFoundry received an initial investment of 260,000 euros from the EU and its Erasmus+ Program. Its budget is strategically distributed across various work packages, with the largest allocation dedicated to the development and promotion of the interactive digital training platform.
The game currently has project partners from Turkey, Spain, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
DigiFoundry is currently organized by:
-
Coordinator:
-
Istanbul Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Association (IDDMIB) (TR)
-
-
Partner Organizations:
-
Turkish Foundry Association (TÜDÖKSAD) (TR)
-
Amazoi Software (TR)
-
Odlewnicza Izba Gospodarcza – Polish Foundry Chamber of Commerce (PL)
-
FEAF – Foundry Association of the Basque Country and Navarra (ES)
-
Brno University of Technology (VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V BRNE) (CZ)
-
-
Associated Partner:
-
AGH University of Krakow (PL)
-
Tunçağ Şen, says DigiFoundry hopes it will inspire a renewed perception of the foundry industry, to break prejudices and make the sector more attractive to young professionals.
The new project is one of many to soon bloom in the Turkish foundry space.
