Activity

Our value contribution focuses on the following activities:

Foundry

R+D+i Projects

• Development of new alloys
• Introduction of intelligent systems for managing and controlling the production process
• Manufacture of prototypes
• Inverse engineering
• Intelligent manufacturing systems
• Laser

Technological Advice

• Technological innovation in processes / materials
• Environmental quality
• Advanced simulation services

Characterization of Materials and their Processes

• Trials, analyses and quality control
• Certification and official approval of systems, processes and personnel
• Advanced technological services (study of processes and defects, failure analysis and in-service behaviour, environmental monitoring of plants)

Equipment and plant engineering

• Investment plans
• Feasibility studies
• Drawing up of preliminary projects
• Execution of investment projects
• Selecting of suppliers and subcontractors
• Reception of equipment
• Monitoring of civil works
• Assembly management

Technology Dissemination and Transfer

Tecnalia’s Foundry Unit is contributing towards transfer to the scientific community and to the business base by means of courses, seminars, technology conferences, publication of articles and books as well as through the organising of various national and international events linked to the Sector and Foundry technologies.

Steelmaking

Quality in steel manufacturing processes

• Predictive simulation of processes designed to eliminate defects

Control of mechanical properties

• Depending on the operating parameters of the process

Key technologies

• Fluid dynamics
• Heat transfer
• Solidification
• Metallurgy

Process ecodesign

• Steel is 100% recyclable and is the world's most recycled material
• Cutting emissions: development of new iron and steel processes to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% (ULCOS), cutting of NOx in the reheating furnace
• Energy saving by making the processes more efficient

In the iron and steel area each phase in the production cycle is tackled, starting from the transformation of the raw material and going right up to the final product: scrap yard, electric furnace (blast furnace), refining furnace, continuous or ingot mould casting, reheating furnace, shaping processes (rolling, drilling), heat and surface treatments:

• Analysis of the iron and steel processes to improve product quality, develop new steels, cut costs (energy, materials) and optimize process times, thus reducing the environmental impact.
• Improving efficiency in the manufacturing systems through process management, knowledge bases and advanced training.
• Development of new iron and steel manufacturing processes.