LEIBER SHOWCASES THE ART OF FORGING AT “CASTFORGE”
STUTTGART (jw) | The LEIBER Group is making its mark: With a successful exhibition at the “CastForge” trade show, the lightweight construction specialists from southern Baden-Württemberg are highlighting the advantages of forged aluminum products for various applications.
The booth concept’s communication strategy focused even more consistently than before on the customer benefits of LEIBER’s forged and machined components: maximum strength and durability combined with low weight. LEIBER leverages these strengths in a wide range of automotive, aerospace, and rail vehicle applications, as well as in a variety of industrial applications.
Compelling examples—both as physical exhibits and in digital form—illustrated LEIBER’s broad expertise. For example, the drastically reduced machining requirements resulting from the use of a near-net-shape forged LEIBER seat structure component were demonstrated in comparison to a standard component. The LEIBER booth staff also enthusiastically and clearly explained how comprehensively the company can support its customers along the entire value chain. The capabilities of the two LEIBER locations in Emmingen-Liptingen and Ruda Śląska, Poland, range from virtual engineering to the forging and machining of aluminum, all the way through to the assembly of ready-to-install components. The development of application-optimized aluminum alloys rounds out this comprehensive portfolio.
Showing a Presence as an Important Signal
According to the organizers, “CastForge,” a major European trade fair for casting and forging, attracted more than 6,000 visitors over three days this year. The more than 570 exhibitors from 30 countries also underscore that the event is an important forum for professional exchange within the metal industry in this country. Dr. Rolf Leiber, managing partner of the LEIBER Group, draws a positive conclusion: “In these times of economic uncertainty, it’s important to send a positive message and make our presence felt. It was worthwhile to participate in CastForge again with our own booth. We achieved the goals we set for ourselves over the three days. And I believe there is good reason to take a more positive view of the overall trend.”
TIP: To learn more about the potential of LEIBER lightweight solutions, check out our informative fact sheet on the LEIBER seat structure.
Thumbs up: Dr. Rolf Leiber (left), managing partner of the LEIBER Group, and his “Leichtmacher” booth crew give a positive assessment of CastForge 2026.
Setting the Standard: Despite the generally challenging economic situation for many metal suppliers, CastForge 2026 saw an increase in both visitors and exhibitors. The LEIBER Group invited attendees to discover the “Land of AluBility®.”
Understanding lightweight design made easy: The volume of chips collected in two cylinders makes it clear at a glance why forging close to the final contour offers significant advantages in terms of machining effort, as illustrated here by the example of an aircraft seat divider. While a component milled from a solid aluminum block produces 2,028 grams of chips, the bionically optimized LEIBER variant produces just 172 grams.
A Close-Up View: A cross-section of a LEIBER component reveals what forging means “at its core.” The microstructure of the metal alloy follows the primary load paths. This is how LEIBER aluminum components achieve significantly higher strength compared to components manufactured using other production processes.
The range of applications for LEIBER aluminum forged components is remarkable. Manufacturers of chassis, structural components, high-performance braking systems, aircraft seat structures, and hydraulic systems all benefit equally from the advantages of exceptional strength combined with lightweight design.
Forged aluminum can really showcase its advantages, particularly in the manufacture of components for aircraft seat structures—but not only there. A compact exhibit display made this “tangible” in the truest sense of the word.