A year after its formation, the New Foundry Generation Forum (NFGF) has reported significant productivity improvements, and has witnessed the invention of simulation software and three-dimensional (3D) printing technology for the foundry industry.

The NFGF was launched in 2013 to boost young leaders in the foundry industry. To support this initiative, NFGF members participated in front-end technologies and functional design training, which was hosted by the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park, in Sebokeng.

The science and technology park has been formed in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology’s Technology Localisation Implementation Unit (TLIU).

On October 21, members who were part of the training course reported during the forum’s gathering in Sebokeng on three workshop modules learnt during the training and provided information on how they were able to apply the information gained in their own workplaces.

Impressed by 3D printing for the foundry industry, National Foundry Technology Network project leader Steve Jardine said during the forum that the availability of 3D printing was a major boost to the competitiveness of local foundries and related sectors.

“Through the NFGF, we aim to equip and develop the next generation of foundry leaders by exposing participants to front-end technologies and the logic around functional design,” he pointed out.

With simulation being at the forefront of technological advancement, VUT acts as a hub for the National Simulation Network, which makes it possible for South African foundries to enjoy the benefits of simulation software at lower costs through links with institutions countrywide, which will serve as regional satellite facilities.

“The software can accurately describe the quality of a cast component upfront, before production starts, allowing for the casting method to be efficiently designed at this stage. This benefit not only reduces preproduction sampling costs, but also leads to energy, material and tooling savings, as some of the NFGF members told us today,” explained TLIU programme manager Richard Beän.

He also pointed out that foundries should, for this reason, take advantage of access to this technology.

Agreeing with Beän, VUT director of innovation spokesperson Jan Jooste said that this would benefit the foundry sector immensely as most companies in the sector were small and medium-sized enterprises.

“For small businesses, the costs of simulation software are prohibitive. But the benefits offered by simulation software are impressive, given the complex nature of production processes and the importance of integrated design,” he noted.