Casting technology in the limelight at awards
A company that tripled the size of its business in weeks to support the UK Covid-19 effort was named as the ‘Best of British Casting’ at the recent UK Cast Metals Industry Awards 2022. Andover-based MRT Castings secured ‘Company of the Year’, impressing judges with the way it scaled up rapidly to supply cast aluminium components to one of the world’s largest producers of critical care ventilators. Bosses at the firm invested over GBP3.5m in two additional diecasting cells, seven additional CNC machines and recruited 45 staff to meet huge increases in volumes that saw it grow from GBP7.8m to GBP20.8m in a matter of months.
Organised by the Cast Metals Federation, there were also major accolades for Sarginsons Industries’ digital twin activities (Innovation) and Atkinson Vos who, working in partnership with The Boro Foundry, ADI Treatments, Partline and Lancaster University, claimed the ‘Component of the Year’ title. The award-winning part is a 3-point linkage power lift arm for Unimog, which produces a range of multi-purpose tractors, trucks and lorries used in agriculture, forestry and rail sectors. Initially a steel fabrication, consisting of 9 laser-cut parts, the component was inelegant and prone to distortion and failure.
By converting it from a fabrication to a casting in Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI), the new cast design is four times stronger in the critical areas, whilst being lighter due to the inherent stiffness of the ADI compared with the steel equivalent. CMF Chairman and CEO of Castings PLC Adam Vicary said: “We can clearly see a commitment to innovation and problem solving, working with customers and embracing new technology from all our winners, not to mention a willingness to collaborate, develop workforces and push forward with sustainability.” He continued: “The castings and foundry industry can be part of the solution to growth for the UK. And let’s remember, our sector makes all the components a modern economy depends upon, and metals recycle forever.”
Co-presented by Dr Pam Murrell of the Cast Metals Federation (CMF) the evening clearly showcased the successes of the sector and its evolving impact on UK manufacturing. This was typified by the Innovation winner, with Sarginsons Industries recognised for the way it has embraced the latest 4.0 digital platforms. Based in Torrington Avenue in Coventry, the company took the strategic decision to invest in a series of digital twin activities that was fundamental in developing business strategy and improving supply chain management.
Cast Metals Federation