Metalcasting
In West Virginia, the metalcasting industry is comprised of companies that produce a variety of products from artwork to motors to everything in between. Metalcasting is a highly energy intensive industry. In fact, one statistic shows that 55% of energy costs in the metalcasting industry are for melting. West Virginia companies tend to be small with no R&D staff to help them develop new efficient technologies. Therefore, the role of the IOF-WV team is to help the metalcasting companies develop research projects, conduct energy assessments, and support the companies in new initiatives such as the Reuse of Spent Foundry Sand project. This project, fully funded by industry, resulted in re-permitting spent foundry sand for beneficial uses.
Goals for the IOF-WV metalcasting group are:
- New metalcasting technologies using 3D Printing
- Material cost reduction
- Recover and recycle waste products such as slag, dust, and leaded sands
- Improve casting yields
- Solidification modeling for small foundries
Links to Participating Companies
Projects:
- PREVENTING SOLIDIFICATION DEFECTS IN LARGE SUPERALLOY CASTINGS USED IN ADVANCED ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS
- BENEFICIAL REUSE OF SPENT FOUNDRY SAND
- SPENT FOUNDRY SAND BENEFICIAL USE GUIDELINES
WVU Contact:
- Bob Creese
West Virginia University
Industrial & Management Systems Engineering
(304) 293-4607 ext. 3711
Robert.Creese@mail.wvu.edu
Industry Contact:
- J. D. Schmidt
HK Engine Components
(304) 517-0129
jschmidt@hkec.com
