New projects to promote innovation, quality, and energy efficiency
The investments that Zanardi Fonderie is making this year have a clear focus on improving the environmental performance of the production plant in Minerbe (Verona). Recently, in line with the 5.0 transition, we replaced the sand mixer and completed the expansion of the photovoltaic system.
Latest generation systems: the new Savelli millstone
At the heart of our foundry department, the grinding mill is the plant that feeds the molding line and is responsible for preparing and regenerating the green sand, the mixture of silica sand, bentonite, mineral black, and water, necessary to create the molds into which the molten metal is poured.
The new Savelli sand mixer – model SGMT 2500 – consists of a metal tank with ceramic coating, inside which three rotating plows mix and homogenize the molding sand, giving it uniformity and permeability, which are essential for the escape of gases during metal casting. The quality of the molding sand is, in fact, fundamental to obtaining excellent results in terms of the quality of the castings produced.
The new system, which has a higher capacity than the previous one—2,500 kg compared to 2,000 kg—is equipped with three latest-generation electric motors with premium and super premium efficiency ratings (IE4/IE5). It also features a software management system that optimizes electricity consumption based on actual needs, thus further reducing power consumption.
Photovoltaics: Zanardi Fonderie moves toward energy independence
In support of greener production, to take advantage of part of our 30,000 sqm of covered area, the photovoltaic system has been expanded with the installation of new modules with a nominal power of 396 kW on the roof of the mechanical workshop and a battery energy storage system (BESS) of 1603 kW and 770 kW.
In this way, the energy produced from renewable sources is stored when there is a surplus and then released to power the plant when necessary.
Another important step towards energy transition!