Huaxiang will also install DISA’s Mould Accuracy Controller (MAC) to alert them to any mould string inaccuracies in real time and before pouring. DISA has been a trusted supplier to Huaxiang since 2001 and, with seven out of 11 casting lines already employing DISA equipment, DISA was a natural choice to help Huaxiang fulfill its high digital ambitions.

“Monitizer | PRESCRIBE will really make a difference, giving us a more stable operational process to reduce scrap, improve yield and minimise finishing work like grinding,” says Mr Yuan Wang, President at Huaxiang. “With our long history of working with DISA, we trust them to understand what we need, and think that a DISA digital system together with DISA equipment will be a perfect match.”

Digital for high performance – and high profits
China’s fifth largest private foundry company with 4,000 employees, Huaxiang produces over 250,000 tons of iron castings annually. Originally specialising in compressor castings, the company has grown and diversified into new markets like automotive in recent years.

“When we entered the automotive industry, we wanted to make our process more stable and produce higher quality components,” explains Mr Wang. “That means fewer operational issues which will also improve our performance and profitability. Two of our main corporate goals are to build a single central foundry database and to reach a 10 billion Yuan annual income.”

To achieve its earnings target, Huaxiang wants to differentiate itself from its competitors through better quality, lower costs and faster product delivery. Results from a Lean manufacturing project it began three years ago helped point the right way forward.

“We found plenty of issues where we need the latest digital technology to improve, be more competitive and hit our future targets,” says Mr Wang. “We identified significant waste in our process, not just scrap but unplanned downtime and excess metal consumption too.”