The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently issued the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Integrated Innovation of Advanced Manufacturing Processes," officially launching the construction of a national-level "Advanced Manufacturing Process Integration Innovation Center." This center will focus on the collaborative innovation of five core processes—Steel Investment Casting, Ductile Iron Sand Casting, Forging, Aluminum Casting, and Machining—and establish a comprehensive digital Process Design platform covering the entire industrial chain.
First National-Level Innovation Platform Established
According to the plan, the innovation center will be located in the Yangtze River Delta Manufacturing Innovation Demonstration Zone, with a total investment exceeding ¥10 billion. It will include pilot bases for the five major processes, a digital twin laboratory, and a standardization verification center. The center will prioritize addressing technical challenges in the transition from precision forming via Steel Investment Casting to strengthening treatments via Forging, develop new composite manufacturing processes combining Ductile Iron Sand Casting and Aluminum Casting, and achieve end-to-end optimization from design to Machining through an intelligent Process Design system.
According to the plan, the innovation center will be located in the Yangtze River Delta Manufacturing Innovation Demonstration Zone, with a total investment exceeding ¥10 billion. It will include pilot bases for the five major processes, a digital twin laboratory, and a standardization verification center. The center will prioritize addressing technical challenges in the transition from precision forming via Steel Investment Casting to strengthening treatments via Forging, develop new composite manufacturing processes combining Ductile Iron Sand Casting and Aluminum Casting, and achieve end-to-end optimization from design to Machining through an intelligent Process Design system.
Significant Technological Breakthroughs Achieved
In pilot projects, a leading aerospace enterprise has achieved breakthroughs. Its rocket engine turbo-pump, utilizing "gradient material composite manufacturing" technology, involves forming high-temperature flow channels via Steel Investment Casting, embedding reinforced structures made of Ductile Iron Sand Casting at critical points, applying Forging to enhance material density, and finally achieving ultra-precision Machining to 0.001mm-level accuracy. This innovative approach has increased the product's pressure-bearing capacity by 40% and extended its service life threefold.
In pilot projects, a leading aerospace enterprise has achieved breakthroughs. Its rocket engine turbo-pump, utilizing "gradient material composite manufacturing" technology, involves forming high-temperature flow channels via Steel Investment Casting, embedding reinforced structures made of Ductile Iron Sand Casting at critical points, applying Forging to enhance material density, and finally achieving ultra-precision Machining to 0.001mm-level accuracy. This innovative approach has increased the product's pressure-bearing capacity by 40% and extended its service life threefold.
Upgraded Digital Process Design Platform
Notably, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will support the development of a next-generation Process Design cloud platform with three core functions:
Intelligent Process Chain Matching: Automatically recommends optimal process combinations, such as Steel Investment Casting-Forging-Machining, based on part design requirements.
Collaborative Parameter Optimization: Establishes a database of interlinked parameters for the five processes, enabling dynamic matching of Aluminum Casting shrinkage rates with subsequent Machining allowances.
Accurate Carbon Footprint Calculation: Tracks the full lifecycle carbon emissions from raw materials in Ductile Iron Sand Casting to finished products after Machining.
Accelerated Development of Standardization System
Regarding supportive policies, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in collaboration with the China Machinery Industry Federation, will release the "Technical Evaluation Standards for Multi-Process Integrated Manufacturing" within the year, focusing on:
Quality inspection standards for composite manufacturing combining Steel Investment Casting and Forging.
Data interface specifications for the digital process design of Ductile Iron Sand Casting.
Precision classification standards for integrated Aluminum Casting-Machining manufacturing.
Emerging Industrial Cluster Effects
Currently, 12 provincial-level manufacturing innovation centers have initiated related projects. A manufacturing cluster in the Pearl River Delta has adopted an "Industrial Internet + Process Integration" model, enabling regional sharing of Steel Investment Casting molds, collaborative Forging production capacity, and Machining service outsourcing, reducing new product development costs for small and medium-sized enterprises by 35%.
Notably, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will support the development of a next-generation Process Design cloud platform with three core functions:
Intelligent Process Chain Matching: Automatically recommends optimal process combinations, such as Steel Investment Casting-Forging-Machining, based on part design requirements.
Collaborative Parameter Optimization: Establishes a database of interlinked parameters for the five processes, enabling dynamic matching of Aluminum Casting shrinkage rates with subsequent Machining allowances.
Accurate Carbon Footprint Calculation: Tracks the full lifecycle carbon emissions from raw materials in Ductile Iron Sand Casting to finished products after Machining.
Accelerated Development of Standardization System
Regarding supportive policies, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in collaboration with the China Machinery Industry Federation, will release the "Technical Evaluation Standards for Multi-Process Integrated Manufacturing" within the year, focusing on:
Quality inspection standards for composite manufacturing combining Steel Investment Casting and Forging.
Data interface specifications for the digital process design of Ductile Iron Sand Casting.
Precision classification standards for integrated Aluminum Casting-Machining manufacturing.
Emerging Industrial Cluster Effects
Currently, 12 provincial-level manufacturing innovation centers have initiated related projects. A manufacturing cluster in the Pearl River Delta has adopted an "Industrial Internet + Process Integration" model, enabling regional sharing of Steel Investment Casting molds, collaborative Forging production capacity, and Machining service outsourcing, reducing new product development costs for small and medium-sized enterprises by 35%.
Launch of Talent Development Program
The Ministry of Education is concurrently advancing the "Advanced Manufacturing Process Engineer" training program, offering multi-process integration courses at 30 engineering universities. The program focuses on cultivating versatile professionals skilled in Steel Investment Casting simulation, Forging process optimization, intelligent Machining programming, and Process Design system development. It is expected to train over 5,000 professionals in the next three years.
The Ministry of Education is concurrently advancing the "Advanced Manufacturing Process Engineer" training program, offering multi-process integration courses at 30 engineering universities. The program focuses on cultivating versatile professionals skilled in Steel Investment Casting simulation, Forging process optimization, intelligent Machining programming, and Process Design system development. It is expected to train over 5,000 professionals in the next three years.
Profound Industry Impact
Industry experts note that the establishment of this innovation center marks China's shift from breakthroughs in individual processes to systematic integration and innovation. By 2028, it is projected to drive the creation of over 200 demonstration applications for multi-process integration, stimulate upgrades in related equipment industries such as Steel Investment Casting, Forging, and Machining, and position China as a global leader in the holistic manufacturing capabilities of complex components.
Estimates suggest that through deep collaboration among the five major processes and the widespread adoption of intelligent Process Design, the overall efficiency of China's high-end equipment manufacturing industry will increase by over 25%, with energy consumption reduced by 18%. This will provide crucial technological support for achieving the strategic goals of becoming a manufacturing powerhouse.
Industry experts note that the establishment of this innovation center marks China's shift from breakthroughs in individual processes to systematic integration and innovation. By 2028, it is projected to drive the creation of over 200 demonstration applications for multi-process integration, stimulate upgrades in related equipment industries such as Steel Investment Casting, Forging, and Machining, and position China as a global leader in the holistic manufacturing capabilities of complex components.
Estimates suggest that through deep collaboration among the five major processes and the widespread adoption of intelligent Process Design, the overall efficiency of China's high-end equipment manufacturing industry will increase by over 25%, with energy consumption reduced by 18%. This will provide crucial technological support for achieving the strategic goals of becoming a manufacturing powerhouse.