Loramendi and voxeljet have developed a process and equipment for BMW Group Plant Landshut that allow automatic large-scale production of sand cores used in the casting of cylinder heads for high efficiency engines.
Manufacturing these sand cores using a 3D printing process makes it possible to optimize the cylinder head design, reducing consumption and significantly increasing engine efficiency. This technological improvement allows BMW Group Plant Landshut to stay at the forefront of its industry and repeatedly innovate, thanks to the flexibility of additive manufacturing.
The premium automaker needed a concept to automate and streamline the sand core additive manufacturing process. Until now, the pre-printing (raw material preparation and recycling) and post-printing operations (drying, removal and cleaning of the printed parts) were manual and tedious. So it was necessary to rethink the existing solutions and create a fully automated, integrated line.
The BMW Group Plant Landshut, Loramendi and voxeljet development teams have tested and validated the equipment and processes to demonstrate the feasibility of an automated additive manufacturing line for large-scale production. Strong team cooperation coupled with the flexibility of the equipment developed under the ICP (Industrialization of Core Printing) brand have been key to the success of this cutting-edge Industry 4.0 project.
The ICP line is currently producing thousands of 3D printed cores per week to supply the mass production of the latest generation of BMW Group Plant Landshut’s engines. This technology combines 50 years’ experience in foundry with the advantages of additive manufacturing in a worldwide pioneering manufacturing line.
To learn more about this fascinating project and ICP technology, we encourage you to visit us at GIFA 2023, on the Loramendi & Aurrenak stand E26-E34 in hall 16. Our development team will provide you with insights into this game changing technology and will be glad to discuss the solution best suited to your specific core production needs. See you at GIFA! For interview requests, comments or suggestions relating to the Industrialization of Core Printing, please contact: info(at)loramendi.com
