The China Precision Casting Association officially released the "2024-2025 High-End Component Manufacturing Technology Development White Paper" today. The white paper indicates that during the critical period of transformation and upgrading in the manufacturing industry, three major casting technologies—Steel Investment Casting, Ductile Iron Sand Casting, and Aluminum Casting—alongside Forging, Machining, and intelligent Process Design, are forming an innovative "3+2+1" collaborative model, propelling China's high-end equipment manufacturing sector into a new stage.
Remarkable Achievements in Technology Integration
In the aerospace sector, a company has innovatively applied a "Steel Investment Casting + Forging" composite process for a critical landing gear component. Initially, complex internal structures are formed through precision Steel Investment Casting, followed by thermal Forging to enhance mechanical properties, and finally, five-axis Machining achieves aerospace-grade precision. This multi-process integrated solution has increased the product's fatigue life by 2.3 times and reduced weight by 15%.
In new energy equipment manufacturing, a wind power company has innovatively combined Ductile Iron Sand Casting with Aluminum Casting to develop a lightweight gearbox housing for ultra-large wind turbines. This design leverages a digital Process Design platform to optimize stress distribution across different materials, achieving the optimal balance between load-bearing capacity and lightweight performance.
In the aerospace sector, a company has innovatively applied a "Steel Investment Casting + Forging" composite process for a critical landing gear component. Initially, complex internal structures are formed through precision Steel Investment Casting, followed by thermal Forging to enhance mechanical properties, and finally, five-axis Machining achieves aerospace-grade precision. This multi-process integrated solution has increased the product's fatigue life by 2.3 times and reduced weight by 15%.
In new energy equipment manufacturing, a wind power company has innovatively combined Ductile Iron Sand Casting with Aluminum Casting to develop a lightweight gearbox housing for ultra-large wind turbines. This design leverages a digital Process Design platform to optimize stress distribution across different materials, achieving the optimal balance between load-bearing capacity and lightweight performance.
Intelligent Process Design Platforms as a Key Breakthrough
Notably, the rapid development of intelligent Process Design systems provides technical assurance for multi-process integration. The "Smart Foundry" process design platform, developed by a domestic research institute, enables integrated simulation of the mold temperature field in Steel Investment Casting, deformation patterns in Forging, and cutting parameters in Machining. This has reduced new product development cycles by 40% and improved material utilization by 25%.
Notably, the rapid development of intelligent Process Design systems provides technical assurance for multi-process integration. The "Smart Foundry" process design platform, developed by a domestic research institute, enables integrated simulation of the mold temperature field in Steel Investment Casting, deformation patterns in Forging, and cutting parameters in Machining. This has reduced new product development cycles by 40% and improved material utilization by 25%.
Accelerated Improvement of Industry Standards
Wang Jianguo, Secretary-General of the association, stated, "We are currently formulating the 'Technical Specifications for Multi-Process Collaborative Manufacturing,' focusing on establishing a quality traceability standard covering the entire chain of Steel Investment Casting, Ductile Iron Sand Casting, Aluminum Casting, Forging, and Machining. The first batch of 10 group standards is expected to be released in 2025."
Wang Jianguo, Secretary-General of the association, stated, "We are currently formulating the 'Technical Specifications for Multi-Process Collaborative Manufacturing,' focusing on establishing a quality traceability standard covering the entire chain of Steel Investment Casting, Ductile Iron Sand Casting, Aluminum Casting, Forging, and Machining. The first batch of 10 group standards is expected to be released in 2025."
Broad Market Prospects
According to the white paper, by 2026, the market size for precision components manufactured through multi-process collaboration is projected to exceed ¥80 billion. Particularly in sectors such as new energy vehicles, medical devices, and high-end machine tools, there is rapid growth in demand from enterprises requiring the combined advantages of Steel Investment Casting (high precision), Ductile Iron Sand Casting (high strength), Aluminum Casting (lightweight), and Forging (high reliability).
Several listed companies are already expanding related production capacities. For example, a manufacturing enterprise in the Yangtze River Delta has invested ¥520 million to establish a "Multi-Process Flexible Manufacturing Base," enabling intelligent flow production that integrates Steel Investment Casting, Aluminum Casting, and precision Machining.
According to the white paper, by 2026, the market size for precision components manufactured through multi-process collaboration is projected to exceed ¥80 billion. Particularly in sectors such as new energy vehicles, medical devices, and high-end machine tools, there is rapid growth in demand from enterprises requiring the combined advantages of Steel Investment Casting (high precision), Ductile Iron Sand Casting (high strength), Aluminum Casting (lightweight), and Forging (high reliability).
Several listed companies are already expanding related production capacities. For example, a manufacturing enterprise in the Yangtze River Delta has invested ¥520 million to establish a "Multi-Process Flexible Manufacturing Base," enabling intelligent flow production that integrates Steel Investment Casting, Aluminum Casting, and precision Machining.
New Talent Development Model
To adapt to technology integration trends, several engineering universities in China have launched specialized programs in "Advanced Manufacturing Process Integration," training engineers with comprehensive skills in Steel Investment Casting, Forging, Machining, and Process Design. The China Precision Casting Association will initiate the "Hundred Process Integration Experts" training program this September.
The white paper emphasizes that the next three years will be a critical window for transitioning multi-process collaborative manufacturing technologies from demonstration applications to widespread adoption. With continuous advancements in digital Process Design capabilities, traditional processes such as Steel Investment Casting, Ductile Iron Sand Casting, Aluminum Casting, Forging, and Machining will be revitalized within this new technological framework, providing solid support for the high-quality development of Chinese manufacturing.
To adapt to technology integration trends, several engineering universities in China have launched specialized programs in "Advanced Manufacturing Process Integration," training engineers with comprehensive skills in Steel Investment Casting, Forging, Machining, and Process Design. The China Precision Casting Association will initiate the "Hundred Process Integration Experts" training program this September.
The white paper emphasizes that the next three years will be a critical window for transitioning multi-process collaborative manufacturing technologies from demonstration applications to widespread adoption. With continuous advancements in digital Process Design capabilities, traditional processes such as Steel Investment Casting, Ductile Iron Sand Casting, Aluminum Casting, Forging, and Machining will be revitalized within this new technological framework, providing solid support for the high-quality development of Chinese manufacturing.
