The Conference and Catalogue Show on Aluminium Casting Technology, ALUCAST 2015, concluded on 11 & 12 Dec 2015 at Hotel Le Meridien, Pune. This was the eighteenth Conference in an unbroken series of Annual events. The event was organized by the Pune Center of the Aluminium

Casters' Association of India (Alucast). The Theme for the event was

“INNOVATION : KEY TO THE FUTURE”.

After the traditional ceremony of lighting the lamp, Mr. Suhas Palekar, Chairman, Pune Center, welcomed the gathering for the Inagural function. Mr. Parabrahman, Trustee, speaking in place of Mr. Prasan Firodia, President of the Association, (who could not be present as he had to extend his visit to Europe by a day due to business exigency), spoke briefly about the Association and its activities. He also introduced the Chief Guest Mr. Manoj Solanki.Mr.Solanki, Head IPO Cummins India, released the Technical Volume / Souvenir of ALUCAST 2015 and the December issue of the bi-monthly Alucast Journal, inaugurating the Technical Conference and the Catalogue Show. Mr. Solanki went on to deliver the Key-Note Address. His presentation was crisp and precise, and gave a clear message that there are challenges to be overcome if one has to survive and prosper in the business of die casting. (Highlights of the address appears at end of report).Mr. R.A.R. Prasad, Secretary, proposed a Vote of thanks and wished everyone a fruitful time at the Conference and the Catalogue Show.

TECHNICAL CONFERENCE

The Technical Conference, spread over six sessions in two days featured thirteen Papers and two Product presentations and was conducted jointly by Mr.Rajesh Aggarwal (GM, Casting Product Development Centre & Tool Room, Endurance Technologies) and Mr.Vivek Joshi ( Sr.GM, Quality & Systems, Jaya Hind Ind. Ltd.), Both were members of the Technical Committee, charged with the task of identifying and co-ordinating with Authors for preparation and submission of Technical Papers. Their diligent approach was evident in each and every author and presentation being right on the dot as per scheduled program timings, the contents were informative and of overall high quality. This was reflected in a sustained high number of persons in the audience through out the two days. The Question and Answer sessions were made lively by the astute handling by the Session Chairmen. Mr. Santosh Thakor , who made a Product Presentation on behalf of Nambu Cylinders, was the first person from Thailand to participate in Alucast. Despite a hiccup when his laptop malfunctioned halfway thro' his presentation, Thakor maintained his composure and made a favourable impression.A total of 75 persons registered themselves as paid delegates.

Conference and Catalogue ShowConference and Catalogue ShowReport by R.A.R.Prasad

Alucast 2015Alucast 2015

Mr. Dilip Panjikar, Consultant, Mr. Arvind Sharma, Asst.Vice President of MCX and Mr. Raghavachar of Bangalore in their role as the Panelists deftly fielded questions fired by the anchor, Mr. Vishwas Kale, during the Panel Discussion, which was by and large on the Theme of the Conference, namely, INNOVATION : KEY TO THE FUTURE.Authors, Presentors, Session Chairmen, Panelists were each presented with a small memento and a certificate of appreciation for their contribution towards success of the Conference.

CATALOGUE SHOW

26 tables out of a total 30 nos. provided were booked by exhibitors, which included four firms which took part in Alucast event for the first time., namely, Hindalco Industries Ltd., Mumbai, Capital Refractories, Chennai, Siddarth Auto Engineers Pvt. Ltd., Pune and MCX Metal & Energy, Mumbai. Principal Sponsor M/S Buhler AG and Lead Sponsor Schmolz + Bickenbach also utilized a table each, allotted as complementary. The tables were arranged in rooms Royale I , Royale II and Sovereign. In spite of the impressive arrangements, footfall at the Catalogue Show was disappointing : there were a mere 58 serious visitors over two days.To encourage greater participation during the conference, each exhibitor who had booked for the table in the catalogue show was allowed two of their representatives as free delegates.

SPONSORSThe Organisers are thankful for support received from sponsors, without which it would have not been possible to organize such an event. These were: Buhler AGPrincipal Sponsor Jaya Hind Industries Ltd.Lead Sponsors Schmoltz + Bickenbach India Pvt. Ltd. Forace Polymers Pvt. Ltd., HaridwarOther Sponsors Century Metal Recycling Pvt. Ltd., Palwal ASM Castings Pvt. Ltd., Faridabad Lubrikote Specialities Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai

thThe Networking Dinner and Cocktail on the evening of 11 December was sponsored by the Principal Sponsor, Buhler AG. The Buhler Team was present in full strength. All the participants mixed freely and enjoyed the evening.

VALEDICTORYAt the conclusion of two days of technical conference and catalogue show, Mr. R.A.R.Prasad , Secretary, Aluminium Casters Association of India, thanked all the participants & sponsors .He also thanked all the Trustees for allotting to Pune Center the task of organizing Alucast 2015. He made a special mention of the members of the Organizing Committee who put in a lot of efforts leading to the success of the event, Alucast 2015. He invited participation in large numbers at Alucast 2016 at BIEC, Bangalore.

( L-R ) - Mr.Parabrahman, Mr. Solanki, Mr. Prasad, Mr. Palekar, Mr. Sadhu Technical Volume-Souvenir Release

Alucast Journal Release Keynote address by Chief Guest Mr. Manoj Solanki

Vote of Thanks By Mr.Prasad J. M. Rathodof Godrej Tooling

Dr. Shamsundarof Prosim R & D

Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal and Dr. M. J. Rathod Mr. Rudolf Beck of Buhler

Mr.Rahat Bhatia of Raga Group with Senior Trustees Mr.Nath and Mr.Sadhu

There was no dearth of questions.!!

Catalogue Show

Visitors at Catalogue show

Swati Kulkarni of Zircar Crucibles

Mr. Ganesan (Trustee) with Mr. Godbole of Schmolz+Bickenbach

Mr. Solanki listed the essential steps towards weight reduction as follows” :

To achieve this goal, (Die Casting) Industry has to take on and overcome the following challenges:

Mr. Solanki concluded his speech , summing up as follows:

Thinner walls in castingsImproved mechanical strength by heat treatment of PDC castingsBetter surface finish for sand cores in GDC castingsStringent cleanliness requirements for clean fuel.

Technology Leadership, to maintain the pressure on unit weightsSuccession Planning, to retain qualified personnel,Increased need for global footprintInvestment requirements, in the form of multi location facilities, and,Margin pressures due to growing competition.

The credo of Cummins is to be classified as “A GREAT COMPANY”. Towards this goal, Cummins has adopted “Zero Defect” as being central to its Values, Perception and Performance.Cummins values Integrity as Delivering superior results, Brand Promise as DependabilityExcellence as moving from the “Good” to the realm of “GREAT”The Quality Goal being one with Continuous Improvement towards defect-free processes that satisfy Customer needs and achieve business results, The ultimate goal being SIX SIGMA.

The year 2016 looks to be flat to 5% growthSafety and IR issues will be in focusBring down rejection levels below 50 ppm by in-depth APQP and PPAPIncrease Capacity UtilisationManage Tier II Suppliers.Invest in softer areas like Casting Simulation, Tool design & ManufactureAutomationUpgrade Technology & work on skill development

HIGHLIGHTS OF KEY NOTE ADDRESS BY MR. MANOJ SOLANKICummins - the world's largest manufacturer of Engines, ranging from 49 to 4200 HP, uses a number ofcomponents made from aluminium die cast parts, total value in excess of USD 275 million per annum. Of these 32% are HPDC castings and 68 % are non HPDC castings.(India's share in this is a mere USD 3 million). It manages a supply chain loaded with Supplier Risks in the form of Financial, Capacity and Operational Risks. It is committed to surpass CAFÉ Norms and undertakes light weighting exercise seriously. Over the 3-year period 2012-2015, Cummins has achieved a net gain of 48.2 lbs / vehicle (approx. 22 kg) (weight reduction)