The practical course, which regularly takes place in the winter semester, offered students a methodical combination of foundry theory and practice in the Metakushalle at the University of Kassel. The academic program initially focused on the theoretical design of die-cast parts and metallurgical evaluation, which included thermal analysis and the investigation of specific casting properties. Practical material testing was an essential part of the course: by removing car parts, the participants learned how to identify cast components in real automotive systems and then examine them metallographically.

The university teaching program was supplemented by a technical excursion to Heck & Becker GmbH & Co KG in Dautphetal. There, the students were given detailed insights into industrial production by company representatives Andre Weißbenner and Benni Jung. The company, which can look back on almost 90 years of history in tool and mold making, demonstrated the complex process chain of mold making, prototyping and retrotyping in the field of aluminum die casting on site.

The excursion concluded with a tour of the Hallenberg brewery, led by Reinhard Gamm. As one of the first students to enrol at the University of Kassel in 1973, he illustrated historical references to the university and facilitated a cross-industry exchange on the successful combination of academic training and professional practice. The Department of Foundry Technology would like to thank the participating cooperation partners for providing practical insights and the valuable transfer of knowledge.