At the 34th International Conference of the European Investment Casters' Federation (EICF), held in Seville, Professor Milan Horáček received the distinguished Robert Smart Award. The honour is presented to individuals whose dedication, innovative spirit, and significant contributions have driven technological progress and fostered the continued development of the investment casting industry. Established in memory of Robert Smart, the award recognises exceptional achievements that have helped shape the future of the sector.
Born in the Czech Republic in 1948, Professor Milan Horáček has devoted his professional life to the development of foundry technology, engineering education, and the continued progress of the casting industry. His long-standing connection with Brno University of Technology began as a student, continued through his doctoral studies, and evolved into an academic career that has spanned many decades. Over the course of his career, Horáček progressed from assistant lecturer to full professor, playing a key role in educating future engineers. He has guided more than 100 diploma students and has taught extensively across bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programmes, leaving a lasting impact on engineering education.
Advancing Investment Casting Through Research, Education, and International Collaboration
In addition to his achievements in academia, Professor Milan Horáček has played a major role in the advancement of investment casting through his research. His work has focused on areas such as manufacturing control, precision in cast components, and the implementation of modern production technologies. These contributions have earned recognition from both scientific institutions and the industrial sector. Numerous publications document his ongoing efforts to expand technical expertise while helping to bridge the gap between research and practical application.
Beyond his research activities, Professor Horáček has built a strong reputation within the global foundry community. Over many years, he has contributed actively to international foundry organisations while consistently advocating for the Czech foundry industry. His longstanding cooperation with the European Investment Casters' Federation (EICF) has been especially influential. Through his initiative, EICF educational programmes were established and developed at Brno University of Technology, providing an enduring foundation for the education and professional development of future investment casting specialists. Professor Horáček's lifelong commitment to research, education, knowledge exchange, and technological innovation reflects the principles represented by the Robert Smart Award. During the conference in Seville, the distinction was presented by former EICF Chairman Philippe Hoste and was received with enthusiastic applause from delegates representing the international investment casting community.
