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Success is growing in Saxony-Anhalt: Numerous industries have been able to impress both national and international customers in recent years with innovative products and process innovation. The casting technology in engine construction is an example that the products are in demand all over the world. Good enough reason for the VDI to invite industry experts from the whole of Germany to the 6th VDI knowledge forum in the state capital Magdeburg.

Die TRIMET ALUMINIUM AG in Harzgerode is one of the most modern aluminium die casting foundries in Europe. The company produces the highest quality aluminium die casting parts which are based on the requirements of customers from the automobile, electrical and engineering industry. The aim is to make aluminium increasingly stronger and tougher in order to gradually replace iron steel components with aluminium parts in vehicle construction. Structural parts, engine blocks and clutch casing as well as gearboxes are manufactured in Harzgerode. Not far from this there is also the Nemak Wernigerode GmbH. The company is a leading manufacturer of aluminium cylinder heads. VW, Audi, Porsche, BMW and Daimler are only some of their customers. Cylinder crankcases and chassis parts made from aluminium die casting are manufactured here.

High quality aluminium cast parts from Saxony-Anhalt are not only found in the engines of leading German car manufacturers but also increasingly in aeroplanes and railed vehicles. In the AL-CAST network and in the Harzgerode creativity and competence centre, researchers and businesses are developing new alloys and production processes for harder and lighter aluminium components. The light alloy cast, in particular aluminium cast is one of the most important areas of expertise.
In order to meet the requirements in the field of casting technology in the future too, close cooperation between research and development is inevitable, including practical testing. The foundry business Nemak, which has three development centres in Monterrey (Mexico), Windsor (Canada) and in Wernigerode shows just how successful such cooperation can be. The Nemak experts have developed a casting procedure for high performance cylinder heads which would not have been possible without the close cooperation with the Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg. The increasing requirements for material as well as the developers and foundry specialists can only be supported by successful cooperation.

A component from Saxony-Anhalt is now incorporated into almost every car on German streets. This is made possible by 250 suppliers who provide the car manufacturers from Germany and more than 50 other countries with innovation. From mechanical engineers to mechatronic engineers - the industry offers work for 18,500 people. Engineers and scientists are together dedicated to intelligent lightweight construction. A lighter vehicle means less fuel consumption and less exhaust gases which pollute the climate. Modern injection-moulded parts or aluminium coachwork are already achieving this today. Drive and control systems from Saxony-Anhalt also help to save more and more energy. New technologies and product innovations are also developed at the Institute for Competence in Automobility IKAM in Magdeburg/Barleben. The key project connects science and economy to develop environmentally-friendly materials and drive systems for economical electric cars, for example. "The topic of aluminium is firmly established in Saxony-Anhalt," states Dr. Jürgen Ude, chairperson of the Sachsen-Anhalt Automotive e.V. Intensive research is being carried out into the possibilities for using aluminium, primarily in the areas of engines and drives in vehicle construction. The declared aim is to send the world's best aluminium casting made in Harz all across the world.

The MAHREG Automotive association unites suppliers and engineering experts. Aluminium manufacturers based in the state which are increasingly requested by famous vehicle manufacturers are firmly integrated into this. Whether it be BMW or VW, they all rely on the know-how of Saxony-Anhalt. Skills in the development of collective research topics, work on high-strength components made from light metal as well as the introduction of new materials for vehicles and moulds are particularly in demand. These include the manufacture of light metal casting for motors, drive trains and undercarriages. In cooperation with the East German Automotive Cluster (ACOD), the companies deal with the topics of "aluminium" and "virtual engineering" and have also seized the international market. Dr. Jürgen Ude spoke about the aims of the cluster management in the coming three years: "We want to make the network of automobile suppliers even tighter, intensify the cooperation between large manufacturers and the generally small local companies as well as  strengthen the innovative capability and work of our member companies. In addition, we will focus on supporting settlements."

In the innovation industry engineering and metal processing with around 33,500 employees in more than 500 businesses, today modern production systems, plants for the chemical industry or special machines for the solar industry are produced. The innovations are sought after all across the world: almost 40 percent of all machines and systems are sold abroad. The cluster management in the special machine and plant construction is financed with state and federal funds in order to promote cooperation between businesses, universities and research institutes. In addition to the Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, these also include the Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg  as well as all large research societies such as the Fraunhofer Institute for factory operation and automation or the Max Planck Institute.

Contact:

www.vdi-wissensforum.de