continues to increase. of
automation is
dependent accurate determination of
The nature upon
weight,
dimension, position, temp, humidity, colour, presence, etc, and all of these, and many more are ever-present in the IC process.
continuously developed to incorporate the latest sensor technologies available.
Simultaneous with the
increased availability of sensors is the knowledge base of the process and the future will see more application of real time process correction, to drive yield further up and costs further down.
Q
The smart foundry is now a concept well spread and
adopted by many foundries as its target for a full implementation of the possibilities that the digital transformation brings along. Having been a pioneer in this implementation what are the areas of the investment casting process that you would signal as full of potential improvement as per the implementation of the digital transformation with the technology possibilities of today and the years to come?
A
The list is long, and as engineers, we believe strongly that there is
always opportunity for development and improvement at every stage of the process.
The same can be said
for all of the industry competing net shape foundry processes, which will doubtless also improve, so for the well being of the IC industry, we need to ‘keep on running’ in everything we do. Developing and adopting the most advanced technologies available and applicable, must always be our priority for survival and growth.
It is also the
prerequisite essential to encourage the new generations to seek to join this industry.
In the near term, the area of great
priority is to reduce the amount of total consumption in the overall process. By this I mean reduction in the amount of all direct and indirect materials used, and in total energy consumed, per net unit weight of the finished part. It’s all about using less while achieving more. We already have the technologies
® The machine are
around us to move forward on this. Q A
I understand VA Technology has installed more than 400 Shell Manufacturing Systems with 35 different countries served isn´t it remarkable? I guess that this could also be read as a global technology contributor to the welfare development of society. Have you ever thought it in that way?
I have little doubt that Investment Casting has had significant impact
on society. It’s at the heart of aviation, medical prosthetics, and auto engine technology. The potential that the process
provides to create amazing shapes in complex materials, from micro size to single castings of several tons is truly wonderful.
With the addition
of modern technology in the design, process simulation, and production of the part, the investment casting process can justifiably wear the crown of Smart casting. To the extent that working with our customers we have contributed to this achievement, perhaps we can think of it in the way you describe, and I feel proud of what has been accomplished by the Team.
Q A
Looking to the technology evolution possibilities and the
affordable access to knowledge and information, what would you like to say to the younger generation of engineers joining the industry today?
youth is surrounded by.
I am constantly amazed at the level of technology that our The use of
computer generated graphics that kids are watching provides no limits to the performance and capabilities of the lifelike objects they are watching …. whether it is a Train, Plane or Automobile !
When these kids become adults… if the equipment they are working with or using is not similarly powerful and characterful!… they will be disappointed. So the young engineers joining us
today are joining a great industry, full of technical opportunity and challenge,
February 2021 ❘ 17
and they need to get running to prepare for the young engineers that will be following them!
Q A
An innovator like you surely is digging in new ideas and
challenges. Is there any of those would you like to comment?
Yes, I still enjoy innovation. In my new role, I am engaged in some
projects, away from Investment Casting, and innovation is the core theme. It’s an enjoyable and meaningful
challenge, and who knows where for the next project will lead. Meanwhile, the company continues to advance and is now in the safe hands of the senior management team and headed up by Sean Byrne, Susie Bergin, and Andy Hughes, who have collectively been part of the team for over 25 years!
Q A
Through your engineering contribution to the Aerospace
industry you have a very good understanding of it, but I understand you are also a pilot, an end user of that technology. Can you tell us about how did you develop and practice this hobby?
Yes, I have been a pilot for more than 20 years. I trained as a pilot in
General Aviation. I have a fascination of all things aeronautical, and privileged to still enjoy the sky from above. As an engineer, it ticks all the boxes for me, and it’s most unforgiving if you get it wrong! Best of all, every takeoff brings a wow!
The EICF would like to recognize in association with this conversation the engineering dimension and the
contribution
to the Investment
Casting technology that the person of James Nicholas Byrne represents. It also should be noted the generosity in his continuous contributions to the EICF Conferences and Seminars through which the global IC technical community learn and identify new possibilities of the manufacturing technology.
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