Two years ago, I first mentioned the issue of GIGA casting and heat treatment of dies for this purpose at a conference of the Czech Heat Treatment Association. It caused smiles, because we were still a long way from our own application. But times change. Volvo Slovakia is already building the first factory of this style in Košice, Hyundai is fighting for new land in Karviná, where it would like to build its GIGA factory, and I have already heard about Škoda-Auto’s intentions in this new technology. After all, it is logical, I personally see it as a technological revolution in car production.
However, the production of GIGA dies for GIGA casting is not yet ready for this, although there are already certain signs. I do not yet know of a tool shop that would want to enter this sector, and above all, I do not know of a hardening shop that would be able to heat treat these GIGA dies.
However, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are already waking up to this problem, so the Czech Foundry Association decided to include this topic in the 10th annual Holeček Conference. The main sponsor is Magna, which is a guarantee that the content will include real problems of high pressure die casting (HPDC) for GIGA castings. And since I was invited to actively participate with my lecture, I can say right away that I am very much looking forward to it. After all, shock treatment is also a method, right?
https://www.holeckovakonference.cz/program/
Jiří Stanislav
January 27, 2025