Summary
The FLEXICAST project presents knowledge-based technologies that aim to follow the way to transform the conventional (batch-by-batch) foundry process into a flexible (mold-by-mold) process. The proposal technologies will be applicable not only to new cast iron foundry lines, but also is readily available to be retro-fitted to existing plants.
The specific objectives are:
a) A cast iron production cell. Together with melting, treatment and pouring sub processes in a cast iron production cell is essential and imperative. We propose to install the melting shop closer to the pouring system kept closed on the mould carrousel, while the transfer and treatment ladle is removed. The widespread adoption of new melting shop as an operating process is in itself fostering the creation of even more powerful induction-plasma power supplies, versatile melt control technology, high-power density furnaces, temperature control systems, nodularization systems(magnesium vapour), inoculation systems, and automated pouring systems.
b) Integration of Artificial Intelligence-based Control System. The objective is to develop a software platform. This can help us to the prediction of local structures, phases and ultimately the local mechanical properties, to asses casting quality in the foundry. In this point, also, three specific methodologies will be studied and improved: DTA analysis and on-line microstructural analysis and X-ray for on-line inspection.
c) A robot cell for automated metal finishing processes.
d) Demo pilot plant in real industrial settings in order to demonstrate a clear breakthrough using project development in comparison with the state-of-art solutions.
Some results are:
a) Cast iron manufacturing cell represents, at least, 30% energy reduction in comparison with conventional melting systems.
b) Drastic reduction melt temperature scattering during molding process. Reduce metal transport (No transfer and treatment ladles).
c) Overheating reduction.
d) Reduce rejection of casting pieces.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: |
http://flexicast-euproject.com
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/314540 |
| Start date: | 01-11-2012 |
| End date: | 31-10-2016 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 9 249 664,00 Euro - 5 700 000,00 Euro |
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Original description
The FLEXICAST project presents knowledge-based technologies that aim to follow the way to transform the conventional (batch-by-batch) foundry process into a flexible (mold-by-mold) process. The proposal technologies will be applicable not only to new cast iron foundry lines, but also is readily available to be retro-fitted to existing plants. The specific objectives are:a)A cast iron production cell. Together with melting, treatment and pouring sub processes in a cast iron production cell is essential and imperative. We propose to install the melting shop closer to the pouring system kept closed on the mould carrousel, while the transfer and treatment ladle is removed. The widespread adoption of new melting shop as an operating process is in itself fostering the creation of even more powerful induction-plasma power supplies, versatile melt control technology, high-power density furnaces, temperature control systems, nodularization systems(magnesium vapour), inoculation systems, and automated pouring systems.b)Integration of Artificial Intelligence-based Control System. The objective is to develop a software platform. This can help us to the prediction of local structures, phases and ultimately the local mechanical properties, to asses casting quality in the foundry. In this point, also, three specific methodologies will be studied and improved:DTA analysis and on-line microstructural analysis and X-ray for on-line inspection.c)A robot cell for automated metal finishing processes. d)Demo pilot plant in real industrial settings in order to demonstrate a clear breakthrough using project development in comparison with the state-of-art solutions. Some results are:a)Cast iron manufacturing cell represents, at least, 30% energy reduction in comparison with conventional melting systems.b)Drastic reduction melt temperature scattering during molding process. Reduce metal transport (No transfer and treatment ladles).c)Overheating reduction.d)Reduce rejection of casting piecesStatus
ONGCall topic
FoF.NMP.2012-7Update Date
27-10-2022
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FoF and Made in Europe Partnership
Factories of the Future Partnership - Made in Europe Partnership
Project type - instrument
Standards and standardisation
Contribution of R&I projects to standardisation
Comment: D7.2 Pre-standard and safety rules
Cast iron is a material quite difficult to standardize, in the sense of the cast iron properties prediction that we may expect to found in a specific cast iron piece.
Flexicast project aims to propose a more exhaustive document. The main milestone is to introduce and use the concept of probability in the assessment of values.
Manufacturing performance characteristics
Comment: In FLEXICAST project, the deliverable D7.7 Life cycle assessment contains an estimation of waste reduction in a cast iron foundry reference (1500 Ton/year). This value is about 14 %
Comment: In FLEXICAST project, the deliverable D7.7 Life cycle assessment contains an estimation of CO2 emission reduction in a cast iron foundry reference (1500 Ton/year). This value is about 14,7 %
Comment: In FLEXICAST project, the deliverables D8.5 Socio-economic aspects and D8.4 Exploitation Plan contain an estimation of energy reduction in a cast iron foundry reference (1500 Ton/year) and different scenarios. This value oscillates between 4% and 18%, depending on the choosed scenarios.
A combination of steps (achievements) installed in a typical foundry is what called here “scenario”
MiE KPIs
Comment:
In FLEXICAST project, we have considered two types of activities: -Internal Training courses -Seminar and conferences (dissemination) We interprete in this point only the trainings for a higher quality workforce. The number of training courses = 12 courses
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Organisations
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| UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA (Coördinator)
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| ARC SRL
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| CENTRE INTERNACIONAL DE METODES NUMERICS EN ENGINYERIA (CIMNE)
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| COMAU SPA
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| CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE (CNR)
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| FOSECO FRANCE SAS
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| FUNDACIO EURECAT
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| FUNDACIO PRIVADA ASCAMM
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| FUNDACION TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION
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| FUNDICIONES DE RODA S.A.
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| INNOSPEXION APS
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| ONDARLAN S L
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| POZNAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
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| PROSERVICE SRL
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| SERT-METAL SAS