THE CUSTOMER
Slovenian supplier to the automotive sector
HTS SOLUTION
iTherm® conformally cooled core
THE CHALLENGE
Cycle time reduction
OUTCOME
20% cycle time reduction
Case study overview
A leading Slovenian manufacturer in the automotive industry, known for producing high performance engine components faced a challenge with excessive heat buildup in their steering wheel housing die.
The conventional die cores they were using exhibited high surface temperatures, leading to thermal stress and reduced operational efficiency over successive casting cycles.
Temperature at core surface
Thermal assessment of iTherm® Core for automotive steering wheel housing was made during operation using an IR camera.
iTherm® Core temperature at core surface – IR image
Results
The core surface temperature is around 100°C lower compared to the surface temperature of the conventional die core (IR pictures on the right side).
Faster and more uniform surface cooling had a substantial effect on Cycle Time. Replacing conventional core with iTherm® Core resulted in 20% cycle time reduction.
Conclusion
Enhanced Efficiency
Reduced core surface temperatures minimized thermal stress on the die casting equipment, leading to improved operational stability and extended equipment lifespan.
Quality Improvement
Lower surface temperatures contributed to better casting quality by reducing the likelihood of thermal defects and ensuring more precise casting dimensions.
Cost Savings
Decreased thermal stress and improved operational efficiency resulted in reduced maintenance costs and increased productivity over the long term.
