HomeNewsEventsMatvision at Aluminum Giga Casting Seminar​ by EURECAT

Matvision at Aluminum Giga Casting Seminar​ by EURECAT

13 November 2024
Events, Sustainable Technology

Matvision: Sponsor of EURECAT’s Seminar on Aluminum Giga Casting Innovations

As a proud sponsor, Matvision recently took part in the Revolution of Injection Die Casting seminar hosted by EURECAT in Barcelona. This event focused on the transformative impact of giga casting on the automotive industry, initially pioneered
by Tesla. By consolidating multiple parts into just a few massive castings, this method facilitates vehicle assembly, reduces the number of parts, and enhances efficiency. Giga casting is on its way to set a new industry standard, with many automakers now adopting this technology to produce aluminum parts.

 

Matvision'stand
poster of the day
presenting Matvision

 

Aluminum recycling: How AI and robotics play a role

 

At the seminar, Matvision presented its advancements in aluminum recycling by showcasing AI-powered multisensor and robotic systems that support sustainable aluminum fusion processes. This technology allows for precise sorting of aluminum families, including those from post-consumer shredded automotive residues, commonly sourced from automotive shredder residues. By using sophisticated sensors like X-rays and LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy), Matvision’s solutions ensure that aluminum recycling can meet the highest quality standards without sacrificing environmental goals.

The role of giga casting in the automotive industry

Giga casting technology, which started with Tesla’s Model Y, has reduced the vehicle’s assembly complexity by replacing up to 70
individual parts with a single cast piece in the rear underbody. This technology helps lighten vehicles, cut down on the number of robots needed for assembly, and simplify overall production, making it ideal for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. As more companies adopt this approach, the aluminum fusion and recycling industry is set to experience accelerated demand for quality-assured, post-consumer recycled aluminum.

 

With our giant casting machines, we are literally trying to make full-size cars in the same way that toy cars are made.

Elon Musk on X in 2021

Giga casting’s demand for mega infrastructure and investment

Giga casting demands substantial infrastructure and upfront investment far beyond traditional manufacturing processes, relying on massive die-casting machines, specialized handling systems, and advanced cooling and quality control setups, making it highly capital-intensive. As a result, giga casting is especially suited for “greenfield” manufacturing sites, where facilities can be designed from the ground up to meet its unique demands—an approach that allows for optimized layouts and material flows that are difficult to retrofit into existing plants. In established automotive markets like Europe and the USA, where the industry relies on networks of small and medium suppliers (OEMs) specializing in individual components, this shift could fundamentally alter supply chains by consolidating numerous smaller parts into single, large castings, potentially disrupting traditional supplier roles. For legacy manufacturers, integrating giga casting would require costly re-engineering of facilities, supply chains, and assembly processes, a complex endeavor likely to unfold gradually, as companies weigh the potential gains in efficiency and simplicity against the high costs and structural adaptations needed.

 

A look ahead: Matvision at POLLUTEC Paris

We extend our thanks to EURECAT for organizing this event and to the speakers and attendees for contributing to a rich exchange of insights. Next, Matvision will attend POLLUTEC Paris on November 26-27 to present our sorting solutions. Be sure to visit us at Stand H084-E to learn more about our AI-driven innovations in sorting.

Robert Baudinet
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