Why is a good part good and a bad part bad? Jens Hunke is focused on improving the understanding and monitoring processes of die-casting cells. His foundry, FIASA in Northern Spain, has become a pioneer in the area of Industry 4.0, equipping a cell with SmartCMS (Smart Cell Management System) together with Bühler.
The automotive industry is a cost-driven market. Success mainly hinges on low process costs,” says Jens Hunke. The CEO of Fundiciones Inyectadas Alavesas, S.A. (FIASA) knows just how important it is to keep processes and costs under control at the foundry. For over 46 years, his company, located in the green hills of the Basque country, has directly and indirectly supplied virtually all European car brands with drivetrain components. In the current situation especially, with the automotive industry in a state of upheaval, it is essential for suppliers to offer a wide range of services and prepare for the future.
“The challenge is figuring out what direction the market is going to take,” says Hunke. After all: Fewer cars with pure combustion engines mean fewer cast parts for the drivetrain. In times like these, FIASA will invest in a new die-casting cell. But not just any die-casting cell – the new one should set benchmarks in terms of overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), that is, availability, performance and quality. “We can gain market shares by optimizing our OEE,” explains Hunke.