Tiangong Makes Strong Foray into Integrated Die Casting Field
Tiangong Makes a Strong Foray into Integrated Large-Scale Die Casting Casting - Technology and Industry Forum on “Materials, Manufacturing and Applications for Integrated Large Moulds” Successfully Held
As the automotive industry accelerates its transformation towards integrating lightweight core structural components through integrated casting, namely replacing hundreds of stamped and welded parts with a few die-cast components, the super-large, precision and complex die-casting moulds, weighing up to 160 tons per set and requiring 8,000-ton or even 10,000-ton die-casting machines, has become a new favorite in automotive mould procurement. However, the increasingly complex geometries, thin walls, and reinforced rib structures of the formed castings present new challenges in technology and application across the die-casting industry, from mould materials to manufacturing.
On September 18, 2022, the Technology and Industry Forum on “Materials, Manufacturing and Applications for Integrated Large Moulds”, jointly organized by the Mold Materials Committee of China Die & Mould Industry Association and Tiangong International Company Limited, was held in Danyang. The Forum focused on new demands, technologies and applications of the die-casting moulds in China, aiming to meet the demands for large mould materials used in domestic mould manufacturing and jointly expand the new era of lightweight material markets and mould applications. Attendees included Gan Yong (Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering), Qin Ke (Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of China Die & Mould Industry Association), Du Wansheng (Party Secretary and Executive Vice President of the Central Iron & Steel Research Institute), Liu Jianjun (from the Special Steel Enterprises Association of China), and Wang Chengming (Party Secretary of Danyang Municipal Committee), as well as leaders from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, and the Professional Committee of Die & Mould Materials and the Die-Casting/Casting Mould Committee of China Die & Mould Industry Association, professors from Northeastern University, Shandong University, Jiangsu University, Lund University in Sweden, and over 100 experts from the mould industry across China.
The Forum was conducted through a combination of online and offline channels, attracting nearly 80,000 online viewers. At the Forum, the industry experts extended their congratulations on its successful organization. They highly commended Tiangong for launching its 7,000-ton high-speed forging project, seizing opportunities in R&D and production of materials for integrated large moulds, and satisfying the manufacturing demands of such moulds. They also expressed strong affirmation for Tiangong’s breakthrough in overcoming international monopolies on critical powder metallurgy technologies, filling domestic gaps, and its commitment to developing 10,000-ton powder metallurgy materials to establish a complete powder metallurgy industrial chain. Regarding integration of technology and industry in “materials, manufacturing and applications for integrated large moulds”, the participants elaborated from various perspectives, supported by detailed graphics and illustrations, on topics such as material preparation, quality control, and development trends in mold manufacturing and application. Academician Gan Yong recommended that more efforts should be made to accelerate the high-quality development of the steel industry, phase out outdated production facilities, optimize short-process production techniques, and speed up the production of high-quality eco-friendly steel. He also emphasized seizing the opportunity presented by integrated die-casting technology, which is driving a new revolution in automotive manufacturing, to swiftly advance into the field of integrated large-scale casting. Professor Jiang Zhouhua from Northeastern University highlighted that the preparation and quality control of large mould steel materials should focus on purification during smelting, homogenization and refinement in solidification, processing and heat treatment, as well as precision in dimensional accuracy. Experts offered multiple recommendations on the challenges and opportunities facing integrated die-casting moulds, as well as the current development landscape at home and abroad. In response to the trend toward larger die-casting moulds, Tiangong presented specific solutions, committing to meet the overall requirements for supersized die-casting moulds through equipment investment, technological upgrades, and process optimization.
Wang Chengming, Party Secretary of Danyang Municipal Committee, stated in his address that Tiangong is a typical representative and role model of high-quality local private enterprises. He expressed hope that the Forum would blossom with more innovative ideas for breakthroughs in cutting-edge mould technology and bear more fruits of cooperation through the deep integration of industry, academia, and research. Zhu Xiaokun, Chairman of the Board of Tiangong International, said that over the past 41 years, Tiangong has consistently prioritized innovation as the driving force behind its development, adhered to the mission of driving national rejuvenation and supplying materials for high-end manufacturing industries in China, and built its foundation on narrowing the gap between Chinese and global manufacturing standards, pursued a differentiated development path in the field of tools and moulds, and shouldered its national responsibility and commitment to building China into a manufacturing powerhouse. To break through the international monopoly of the key technologies that are “bottleneck” in powder metallurgy, Tiangong invested a large amount of manpower, materials and financial resources in 2018 to launch China's first large-scale production line for powder metallurgy tool and mould steel, which was a previously unexplored field domestically. By focusing on powder metallurgy as a core product and key technological breakthrough, Tiangong spent four years achieving a milestone transition from having no domestic capability to possessing world-leading technology in powder metallurgy tool and mould steel. This success in overcoming key technological barriers and filled a critical gap in China, establishing Tiangong as the domestic leader in the large-scale production of powder metallurgy tool and mould steel.
Zhu Xiaokun stated that driven by the growing market demand for industrialized production of large mould materials, especially the great demand of large moulds for the electric vehicle production in the automotive industry, Tiangong has launched a 7,000-ton high-speed forging project. He discussed with other experts how the materials for integrated large moulds could reach world-class standards and meet the overall market demand for integrated large moulds. It is sufficient to demonstrate Tiangong’s conviction and determination to support national rejuvenation through manufacturing.
During the event, Tiangong International signed a strategic cooperation agreement with 13 enterprises, including the presiding, vice-presiding, and secretary-general units of the Professional Committee of Die & Mould Materials of China Die & Mould Industry Association. This agreement focuses on the production, research, and application of steel for integrated large moulds, marking the opening of a new chapter in the development of materials for large moulds and the integrated mould industry.