Accuracy and quality will continue to be key for aluminium foundries this year, says Adam Bennett, sales director at John Winter.
“The foundry industry as a whole is focusing on improving the quality of its materials, with regulations and competition continuing to impact the sector.” He said.
“However, we’ve noticed that aluminium foundries are particularly keen to invest in this area, purchasing equipment which will enable them to measure and control the process of developing aluminium melts.”
In 2016 John Winter was named the exclusive UK partner of German-based MK Industrievertretungen GmbH, distributing the firm’s MK Density Index and Thermal Analysis equipment to foundries across the UK. So far, more than 30 units of both products are in use at aluminium foundries across the UK.
“We’re noticing a rise in aluminium foundries requesting our measurement equipment to help them ensure accuracy and quality when producing aluminium melts, and this is likely to continue throughout this year and beyond,” Adam Bennett added.
The Density Index equipment, 3VT, allows foundries to measure the density of aluminium melt to define, control and optimise the cleaning process, significantly reducing metallic and non-metallic impurities, hydrogen and oxides.
Compared to traditional vacuum test methods this equipment removes the need to assess the sample visually, giving an actual figure which can be related to a specific melt or cast.
The thermal analysis equipment, TA110, measures the effectiveness of grain refinement and modification in the structure of the metal, giving a shop floor “yes/no” result that it is in specification rather than waiting for the laboratory chemical results.
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