Spring 2022 saw a successful start for ICME’s Certificate Course in Cast Iron Production, Metallurgy and Quality Control, as our students started the learn all the technical aspects of cast iron.

The first session, over two days, saw students complete a foundry tour, as well as get a closer look at the casting process, molten metal and a deeper dive into the chemistry of metal alloys. Feedback from students was really positive, with lots of praise for the first few days of the course; one student stated that the course had ‘opened my mind to new aspects of thought on foundry work’. Another student said that they now had a better understanding of furnaces, as well as health and safety.

Amy Worrallo, Quality Manager for ICME, breaks down the course details “This course has been developed in response to a clear need from industry for a practical programme, focused on the metallurgy and production of the suite of cast irons” says Amy. “It includes modules on melting and shop floor quality controls, raw material selection, metal treatments as well as testing and quality assurance.  With a mix of classroom delivery, practical aspects and project work completed in company, this is a great new offering from ICME and clearly fits with our aims, as the professional body for the UK industry, to support the professional development of our members.”

Michael Cramphorn, Foundry Director for Thomas Dudley Foundry explains why this course is vital to the success and support of the industry. “Finding talent is getting increasingly difficult particularly in the field of metallurgy, where technological changes have transformed process control in recent years. The introduction of the Foundry Metallurgy programme will enable some of our existing melt plant team to extend their current knowledge base and to network with similar people from different backgrounds.  Once the building blocks are in place in terms of base knowledge, we can then enhance our in-house training, knowing the fundamentals are understood.”

This course, which is continuing on a block-basis throughout this year, is a joint venture from ICME and the Cast Metals Federation, with the aim of increasing, knowledge, growth and progression within the industry. Dr Pam Murrell FICME, CEO of Cast Metals Federation, highlights the importance of this course to industry saying, “We have supported the development of this new course, in conjunction with ICME and many of our industry Members, as we recognised the need for a programme that is specific to cast iron metallurgy.  It is vital that we have courses that support the future development of our industry.  We are also particularly grateful to the Foundry Training Trust who have offered substantial funding to anyone from the UK enrolling for the course, helping to make it more affordable for the industry.”

Our Cast Iron Metallurgy Course has been designed with progression in mind.  We are not just about educating those new to the industry – we are about strengthening the talent within the industry.

Registrations for the next cohort are now being taken so to find out more about the course and reserve your place please contact: info@icme.org.uk

Originally posted on ICME website.