Test- and demonstration foundry for complex castings for the aircraft industry

Important results from the project

Swerea SWECAST disposes of a facility for development of the casting process as well as cast prototypes and products. The aim of the project has been to develop this facility to an internationally competitive test and demonstration facility for complex cast products, giving access to new product and customer segments. During the cause of the project, five distinct offers have been formulated and tested in close dialogue with customers and possible partners.

Expected long term effects

The different activities have to a high extent contributed to the strengthening of the test and demonstration facility towards new markets and product segments. One major task has been to develop offers and routines for prototype development. Another to introduce indirect additive manufacturing as a novel and powerful process within Swedish foundry industry. A demonstrator has been developed in order to show the potential for research and development projects to develop the results towards higher TRL levels, creating support for commercialization and market introduction.

Approach and implementation

Five work packages within the project have focussed on New users, Internationalisation, Communication, Competence development and Experience. Two project members have attended courses and seminars given in connection to the RISE project. A number of traditional and novel communication channels have been investigated and developed and the production process within the facility has been consolidated with respect to lead times and quality assurance. In order to create a hands-on example, a demonstrator for aerospace applications has been developed by means of 3D-printing.