AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Braunau am Inn - Ranshofen | Website
Short Description
The Kurtz AK92 low-pressure casting plant (ND) is a fully automated, semi-industrial experimental facility for the development and manufacture of complex components from Al and Mg alloys.
Contact Person
Dipl.-Ing. Simon Frank
Research Services
• Process-related and application-oriented light metal alloy development
• Mechanical and thermodynamic property characterisation
• Metallographic analysis and evaluation
• Component development/simulation/design
• Process development and process simulation
• Tool development and tool testing
• Component sampling/prototyping/pilot series
• Provision of plant capacities (rental option)
• Holistic solutions from the idea to the component ready for series production
• High-quality precursor for developments in the field of forging/weld wire/extrusion pressing
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
The industrial-scale ND system, allows R&D projects to be carried out under production conditions. The combination of realistic process conditions and LKR’s expertise in alloy technology allows efficient implementation of R&D results into industrial practice.
Technical data:
• Manufacturer: Kurtz GmbH - type: Kurtz AK 92
• Casting unit, clamping force: 5 tonnes
• Fixing plate: 1050 x 850 mm
• Core pulls: 4 pieces
• Plate distance: max. 1000 mm
• Cooling: air, 4 cycles
• Crucible furnace: 200 kg aluminium, 120 kg magnesium
• Control unit: Siemens
LKR expertise:
• Alloy structure (impact of individual alloy elements on the microstructure)
• Adjustment of microstructure characteristics
• Adjustment of microstructure/heat treatment
• Melting technology and temperature control
• Melt quality (composition, purity)
• Melt treatment, grain refinement, modification)
• Characterization (spectroscopy, metallography, DSC, dilatometer)
• Numerical methods of alloy development and process technology: microstructure simulation (MathCalc), mould filling simulation, solidification simulation etc.