Pioneering Industry 4.0 in Investment Casting: The EICF and AZTERLAN Advanced Process Control Course
n a long time expected initiative, the European Investment Casters' Federation (EICF), in collaboration with the Metallurgy Research Centre AZTERLAN, recently concluded the first EICF IC Advanced Process Control for Industry 4.0 course. Held from June 10 to 14 at the AZTERLAN facilities, the course marked a significant milestone in advancing knowledge dissemination on process control and Industry 4.0 principles within the investment casting attendees. This article highlights the making of the course, its international attendance, and the remarkable achievements attained.
I
Course Overview and Objectives The
EICF IC growing Advanced need for Process
Control for Industry 4.0 course was meticulously designed to address the
advanced
process control mechanisms in the investment casting industry. Drawing inspiration from a similar initiative by
16 ❘ July 2024 ®
Expert Contributions and Comprehensive Curriculum A notable feature of the course
the Investment Casting Institute (ICI), the course aimed to equip participants with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to implement process control including on Industry 4.0
scenarios organizations.
International Participation and Diverse Profiles The course saw the participation of 10 students from various
in their respective countries,
underscoring its international appeal. The attendees predominantly hailed from EICF member foundries,
with
additional representation from Research and Technology Organizations (RTO) and suppliers. This diverse mix of participants facilitated a rich exchange of ideas and experiences, enhancing the learning environment.
was the involvement of external contributors, who brought specialized expertise to the programme. Esteemed organizations such as ESI Group, Consarc Engineering, MPI, Inc., CMG, and XRis Imaging delivered lectures that complemented the core curriculum. These contributions ensured that the course covered a wide range of topics, including: • Advanced process control techniques
• Simulation and modeling • Thermal and mechanical analysis • Non-destructive testing methods • Industry 4.0 applications in investment casting
The course structure blended theoretical discussions with practical exercises, allowing students to apply what they learned in a hands-on environment. This approach not only reinforced the theoretical concepts but also provided participants with
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