CIM and control of pressure die-casting in the automotive industry

The successful introduction of highly automated machines into a predominantly manual environment requires careful planning and support. Ford Motor Company in Belfast realised that its electronic/control expertise needed to be strengthened when it embarked on automating its die-casting facilities and saw the Teaching Company Scheme as a good means of obtaining the necessary technology transfer. So successful was the first scheme that a follow-on was established. This article gives an overview of the work of the Teaching Company Associates and the tangible benefits which have resulted. The pressure die-casting environment is a harsh one for young control engineers to ´cut their teeth´ in, but the experience gained has fitted them for successful careers in engineering.<>