Visitors at a stall at the Inter Foundry Inter Die Cast exhibition organised in Coimbatore city on August 22, 2024.
Coimbatore’s foundries are increasingly prioritizing modernization to enhance productivity and quality, according to industry leaders at the Inter Foundry and Inter Die Cast exhibition.
The three-day event, running until August 24, is hosted by the Foundries Development Foundation and showcases advancements in foundry technology. The exhibition was officially inaugurated by leading figures from the industry, including prominent company executives.
With 220 exhibitors participating, the exhibition features four main display categories: equipment, materials, processes, and technologies. The biennial event aims to promote energy efficiency in foundries, boost productivity, and improve overall quality standards.
Coimbatore is home to around 550 foundries that collectively produce approximately 1.3 million tonnes of castings annually. While 85% of these foundries primarily use iron, there is a notable surge in facilities focusing on aluminum castings. Energy consumption is a critical concern in foundry operations, particularly in furnace usage. This exhibition highlights innovative technologies designed to minimize energy expenditure. Advancements such as sensors, IoT solutions, and real-time data capture are now integral to pattern making and melting processes, with technology adoption expected to rise significantly in the coming years. Global interest in sourcing from India’s foundries is on the rise, although China’s output remains high. Industry leaders stress the necessity of investing in advanced technologies to reduce reliance on human resources and to meet regulatory standards, particularly concerning environmental issues.
Regarding product quality, the rejection rate in Coimbatore’s foundries stands at 10%-12%, compared to the national average of 8%. The goal is to drive this down to approximately 4%. The exhibition is specifically aimed at tackling these challenges, according to industry representatives.
The event is anticipated to attract around 10,000 trade visitors across a sprawling 13,500 sq. mt exhibition space. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the exhibition encourages participation from shopfloor workers across the foundry sector.
