Articles & Research • Sarginsons Technology Centre
Sarginsons Technology Centre
19th April 2024
Written by Ashley Stafford
Technology
Casting has been a black art for thousands of years. Even today, many foundries still operate on the basis of ideas and concepts that were in vogue when witches were still being tried. Yet, it is the most complex of all manufacturing disciplines, as the number of variables is seemingly infinite, which demands more technology and better understanding, with less magic.
Sarginsons is totally technology driven. It established its technology centre five years ago, which has made numerous breakthroughs, particularly it's development of digital twin simulations capable of determining TYE at any point on a components form. And it continues to demystify casting traditions through the auspices of PIVOT; a £6m research proposal that seeks to open casting's Pandora's box and truly democratise the potential of liquid metal engineering.
Technology is simply another, hopefully better, means of finding a solution. Want the lightest component, you need Topological Optimisation: want more strength, you need digital twin TYE simulations; want lower cost, you need DfM+; want sustainability you need alloy development.
The tool box continually expands in direct proportion to the problems tackled. 3D printed moulds and cores, intelligent tooling with targeted cooling, designed deformation, alloy grain refinement, controlled nucleation and crystallisation. The list of technologies is as endless as a designers imagination. And it is this never ending challenge that Sarginsons Technology Centre seeks to dominate.
PIVOT is the next big thing. If approved, it will allow Sarginsons to use the datasets, it has built over three years, to inform an AI programme that will combine digital twin simulations, topological optimisation and metal solidification into a one stop casting shop for OEMs. It will also develop a strengthened secondary aluminium alloy and commercialise production of the exotic new designs it generates through 3D printed cores.
PIVOT will put the cart before the horse and the driver in a simulated pole position. It will hand control of the infinite design potential of casting to OEMs which will allow Sarginsons Technology Centre to focus on the finer, more intricate details of the casting equation.
