For the second consecutive time, EUROGUSS has taken a giant leap in growth. “583 exhibitors – that is around 100 more than at the last EUROGUSS two years ago and 200 more than at the fair before that”, says a delighted Heike Slotta, Director Exhibitions, NürnbergMesse. In order to offer all exhibitors sufficient space, the previous exhibition Halls 7 and 7A have this year been complemented for the first time by Hall 6. “One reason for this positive development of the fair is no doubt the lightweight design trend in the automotive industry, in which aluminium die-cast parts in particular are used. The automobile industry and its suppliers are the foundries’ most important customers”, explains Slotta. In addition, the machinery and plant engineering sector, the electrical engineering and electronics industry, furniture industry along with innovative sectors such as energy or medical technology are all among the foundries’ customers. 

Every second exhibitor at EUROGUSS is international. They travel to Nuremberg from 33 countries. Apart from Germany (267 exhibitors), the top European exhibiting nations include Italy (127), Spain (20), Austria (18), the Czech Republic (15), Turkey (15), Switzerland (13), Sweden (10), France (8), the Netherlands and Slovenia (6 each).

“Forschung, die Wissen schaf(f)t” (Research for Knowledge) special show

The Research for Knowledge special show is now already being held for the third time at EUROGUSS. In Hall 7, Stand 642, nine research institutes, universities and technical colleges will be providing an insight into their latest projects, presenting their services and main research areas and also showing their range of training and further training options and opportunities. Among those participating are the: 

• Fraunhofer-Entwicklungszentrum Röntgentechnik (Fraunhofer Development Centre for X-Ray Technology)
• Fraunhofer-Institut für Fertigungstechnik und Angewandte Materialforschung (IFAM, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials)
• Hochschule Aalen Gießereilabor (University of Aalen, Foundry Laboratory
• Hochschule Ansbach (Ansbach University of Applied Sciences)
• Lehrstuhl Werkstoffkunde und Technologie der Metalle (WTM, Chair of Metals Science and Technology)
• Neue Materialien Fürth
• Österreichisches Gießerei-Institut (ÖGI, Austrian Foundry Research Institute)
• Universität Kassel Fachgebiet Gießereitechnik (University of Kassel, Faculty of Foundry Technology
• Zentrum für Gussleichtbau und Konstruktion (Centre for Lightweight Casting and Design)

New: Oberflächentechnik (Surface Technology) Pavilion

The post-treatment of die-cast parts is a key theme for foundries. Deburring, grinding, polishing, coating or finishing are the processing cycles conducted after casting which lend the components a high-quality finish. For the first time at EUROGUSS (Hall 6, Stand 339). a pavilion with six companies will be dedicated to this special topic. Numerous other exhibitors in this theme sector are to be found in the fair halls. 

Internationaler Deutscher Druckgusstag (International German Die Casting Congress) in Hall 6

The specialist presentations delivered by the International German Die Casting Congress in Hall 6 are very popular with the trade fair visitors. In addition to classic themes such as tool technology or metallic raw and operating materials, future aspects such as Industry 4.0 with its challenges in the die-casting sector will also be addressed. Expert speakers from the exhibiting firms will be presenting their new products and innovations and providing exciting insights into the possibilities of further process optimization and automation.

Die-cast production in Germany rising continually

According to the Statistiches Bundesamt (Federal Statistical Office), die-cast production rose last year to 656,200 tons (2014: 644,851, 2013: 567,183). The lion‘s share of this was accounted for by aluminium die-casting with 587,000 tons followed by zinc die-casting at 54,500 tons and magnesium die-casting at 14,700 tons. According to estimates by the Verband Deutscher Druckgießereien (VDD, Association of German Pressure Die-Casters), in the first ten months of 2015, around 22,000 employees in 160 foundries generated total turnover of around 3.5 billion Euro. “Overall, things are looking good for the sector and all indications point to the fact that this will also remain the case in 2016”, said Gerd Röders, Chairman of the VDD, ahead of the launch of EUROGUSS. But he also points out that rising energy costs, volatile raw materials prices and globalization are making things really difficult for the sector which is predominantly made up of small and medium-sized companies. 

Europe’s die-casting machinery manufacturers leading on the world market

The manufacturers are reacting to this trend in the development of high-pressure die-casting machinery. For them, optimal energy and resource efficiency coupled with increases in productivity and flexibility achieved through technical innovations is a key challenge. This strategy appears to be successful. In the period 2012 to 2014, the European high-pressure die-casting machinery manufacturers, members of the CEMAFON* association, increased their worldwide shipments by a total of eleven percent to 293 million Euro and they did so although world export volumes declined. In 2014, half the high-pressure die-casting machines produced by the member nations of the CEMAFON Association were shipped to other countries within Europe. Strong growth is being registered in exports to Asia and North America. 

Die-casting event dates for the NürnbergMesse Group worldwide

NürnbergMesse is not only staging EUROGUSS in Nuremberg but also sees itself as the trailblazer for German and European die-casting foundries, who would like to enter the Asian market or intensify their business connections. This will be possible from 12 to 14 July 2016 at CHINA DIECASTING in Shanghai, organized by the Chinese subsidiary of NürnbergMesse. In India too, the NürnbergMesse Group is also active when it comes to die-casting: From 1 to 3 December 2016, the Indian subsidiary of NürnbergMesse will be participating for the second time at ALUCAST in Bangalore.