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EICF Workshop Measured As a Great Success Record breaking numbers attended the EICF Workshop held in Brno in May. 155 attendees were able to hear 14 presentations from industry experts and suppliers tackling the subject, “Inspection Capabilities for Tomorrow’s Foundry.” EICF Chairman, Steve Irwin, Rolls Royce, welcomed delegates to the event saying, "Events like these are great for networking, particularly when there is such a good level of attendance. The topic we have selected has proved popular – casting is often described as a black art, mysterious and difficult to control, but this is nonsense. Metals and materials obey the laws of physics. What it is though, is complex; no two castings are exactly the same and there are many variables. Over the day we shall hear from a range of companies all working to quantify, measure and control this process.” He also thanked sponsors for their support; Gold Sponsors, Ross and Catherall, Silver Sponsors Lanik sro and Remet Uk, as well as supporters the Blayson Group, IMC and Imerys Refractory Materials. This sentiment was echoed by Keynote Speaker Prof. Ing. Milan Horácek, CSc. from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, who reminded delegates that whilst investment casting is the oldest casting process, it is also the process that has seen and continues to see the greatest level of innovation and technological development. Globally the process is increasing, by around 7 to 8 last year, he said, with customers valuing the accuracy levels achievable, particularly for small parts, and also the design freedom that it offers. With a full day of speakers on topics ranging from surface inspection and optical metrology of parts, to process variation and risk reduction, a recurring theme was data. Alongside the workshop, delegates were able to network in an adjacent exhibition area, and choose from a selection of industrial works visits to either the aluminium investment foundry Alucast sro, PBS Velka Bites or to cores & ceramic filter manufacturer Lanik sro. Next year’s EICF European Conference will be held in Porto, Portugal, between the 22nd and 25th April 2018.