Inside ICI Vive la Technologie!


by Pam Murrell EICF Company Secretary & UK CMF Managing Director


Paris in April 2016 to attend the World Conference in Investment Casting, WCIC, organized and hosted by the European Investment Casters Federation. An emphasis on technology and


M


innovation was a common theme, not only through the range of technical developments being presented by speakers, but also by the use of electronic tablets for each delegate, sponsored by Cannon Muskegon, containing all the


program information, details of


attendees and speaker biographies, as well as access to the presentations, enabling the event to be paper-free for the fi rst time.


During the welcome address,


delivered by outgoing EICF Chairman, Michael Rünz noted how the number of delegates and exhibitors was a “demonstration of the importance and relevance of the investment casting sector – an ancient industry,” he acknowledged, but one that “constantly adapts to change.” Joseph Fritz, Executive Director of


the Investment Casting Institute agreed, “The investment casting industry combines history with technological innovation and development. This is our strength, with the commitment and knowledge of


with modesty, to innovate.” Steve Irwin, Casting Specialist Rolls


Royce plc, incoming EICF Chairman, also noted that whilst the industry is very old, it has changed and developed constantly over time, citing ceramic cores, complex wax formulations, titanium aluminides, nickel based superalloys and increased automation as just some of the developments. During the conference delegates


who attended from more than 35 countries, were able to hear about the size of the global industry with statistics from Europe presented by the EICF, from


8 ❘ June 2016 ®


A Lifetime of Relentless Dedication The inaugural EICF ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ was presented to Mr.


Franz Bernasconi by EICF Past Chairman, Michael Rünz during the World Conference in Investment Casting.


Rünz declared it a “great pleasure and honor” to present the award to Mr. people, who continue


Bernasconi, a man who has been in the Investment Casting industry for almost 50 years having started immediately after graduation from the Polytechnic University in Zürich. Mr. Postonia from Microfusione invited him to establish a foundry in 1970 which then became well known as Precicast. Under his leadership the company is recognized today as “the most important, relevant and independent castings foundry in Europe.” From simple castings, mainly medical, air-cast equiaxed components, there began relentless development in the company into demanding markets like Aerospace and IGT, taking technology all the way to DS and SX. Starting as a commercial director with administrative and sales responsibilities, Bernasconi quickly became general manager and president and still serves as an advisor to the board today. The creation of Precicast Bilbao was another major milestone in his career


and was a game changer in the European landscape of investment casting foundries. He was also honored with the Swiss Italian Award for Entrepreneurs in 2006 and the Snecma Best Supplier Award. Rünz concluded that it was “not only for your achievements with Precicast that the EICF Board has decided to honor you with this award, but also your relentless dedication to continuing to develop this industry, your support to organizations such as the EICF as President, Treasurer, Chairman - your omni- presence in the industry is clear and sets an example for us all.” Mr. Bernasconi, he said, had always demonstrated an ability for long term


forward thinking, knowing about the best direction to take the business, when to make investments and when to hold off and manage through crisis times, closing with the comment, “I have personally known you for 14 years and I have always looked up to you as a mentor, a Manager, Chairman and President. Thank you and congratulations.”


ore than 500 professionals from the international investment casting industry gathered in


the Americas presented by ICI and from Asia by representatives from the JFS and China.


Developments in wax formulations, shell materials, alloys and also management and training topics were presented by experts in their fi elds and delegates were also given ample time to network in the exhibition areas.


Turbocharged Event


An important part of EICF conferences is the popular Turbocharger seminar, which is rapidly becoming a regular


fi xture, with delegates discussing the future demands on suppliers both in volumes, materials and performance. The social highlight this year was undoubtedly the Gala Cruise along the Seine, where delegates and guests were able to take in the sights of Paris, while enjoying the hospitality of the EICF and sponsors Imerys Refractory Minerals, Wuxi Vane Avignon Ceramic and Cannon Muskegon. The 15th World Investment Casting Congress will take place in Anaheim, at the Disneyland Hotel, CA.


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