by Christian Reul, Sebastian Esser, Frank Donsbach 1. GENERAL The channel furnace works to the same principle as a transformer with a channel of liquid metal representing the secondary (short-circuited) winding of the transformer. The short-circuit current causes ohmic losses and heats up the liquid metal, thus transferring heat to the furnace vessel which can have any shape under moderate bath movement.…

Wheelabrator has launched ATLAS Command, a blast wheel wear parts system that reduces shot blast running costs from the inside – without any upgrades to wheels or machine. Designed to simply drop into existing ATLAS (formerly Universal/”U”) blast wheels, the ATLAS Command system tackles one of the biggest cost drivers of foundry shot blast processes: abrasive consumption. The ATLAS Command system is…

A foundation for 125 years—and beyond When DISA celebrated its 125th anniversary in Taastrup at the end of November 2025, the event became a milestone for tradition, innovation, and global cooperation. With participants from more than 30 countries, the celebration underscored DISA's lasting influence on the foundry industry – and the company's clear commitment to actively shaping the future of casting…

Rector Prof. Harald Riegel opened the colloquium and paid tribute to Kallien’s outstanding commitment to the university and to cast metal technology. The program offered several technical highlights: Prof. Wolfram Volk (TU Munich) presented the 3D-printing-based Liquid Shaping process, capable of producing ultra-thin aluminium castings (approx. 0.5 mm) without cold shuts and with excellent mechanical…

MAGIT technology enables the direct production of hollow, functionally integrated structures in aluminum and magnesium die casting without cores or downstream joining processes. After the mold is filled, gas is injected into the still-liquid melt and displaces material into a secondary cavity. This creates stable hollow channels that are supported by gas pressure during solidification. The process…

The session offers valuable insights into the selection and implementation of digital platform systems in metal casting. Participants will learn about the current challenges facing foundries, why digitalisation projects often fail, and how modern systems can significantly improve transparency on the shop floor. Focus of the event • Challenges of existing digital systems in foundries • Common causes of…

“It is encouraging that investors are showing serious interest despite the profound crisis in the automotive industry,” emphasized Joachim Exner, managing partner of the law firm Dr. Beck und Partner . “The interested parties have presented future concepts and, if a contract is concluded, want to make WKW.group competitive again in the long term.” IG Metall is also satisfied with the status of the M&A…

With a power of 1,200 kW and a capacity of 1,700 kg of cast iron, the OTTO JUNKER furnace replaces the cupola used previously and lowers CO₂ emissions during the melting process by approx. 330 tons per year. Apart from a precise process control, the system allows for a stable power control which can be ideally integrated into existing energy structures. A central element is the glycol-free air/water…

The company, which belongs to the Dihag-Holding, a leading foundry group in Europe, has been struggling with a lack of orders and high energy costs, pushing it into the red since 2017. Despite the insolvency, the IG Metall union remains optimistic about the future. Stefan Ely, Managing Director of IG Metall Dresden, emphasizes that insolvency does not necessarily mean the closure of the plant, but rather a…