In the ever-lasting pandemic, we have prepared another issue of the Foundry Review 3–4/2021, the second one this year. Its publication coincides with the beginning, considering normal conditions, of the season of organizing technical and scientific conferences and trade fairs. However, this will not be the case this year. Not all industry events planned in the first and second quarter will take place. The world has entered another, much more dangerous phase of the pandemic. Which still makes it impossible to organize mass events, despite the Organizers’ observance of restrictions that are not easy to meet.

This situation practically limits the possibility of promoting technical innovations during industry fairs and conferences.

For this reason, in the current issue, we publish several interesting texts, with which we want to fill, at least a part, of the increasingly severe lack of access to innovation. We hope that these articles will be of interest to our Dearest Readers.

Among the presented works you will find:

• “Application of 3D printed polymer models to the melt casting technology” by M. Petrič, R. Cerc Korošec, M. Vončina, P. Mrvar, S. Kastelic,
•  “Structural castings with the highest parameters” by P. Wiederhold,
•  “High Performance Core and Forming Tool Materials” by K. Kołodziej i A. Wójcik.

These publications are complemented by three interesting interviews.

The first one is an interview with Ion Aleksandru Bacanu PhD, Eng. on the modern HA Competence Center which offers foundries a modern approach to the stage of designing production lines and support in project implementation and staff training.

Second interview was conducted with representatives of Fenix Machines Sp. z o.o., regarding the possibility of grinding castings with the use of the first Polish CNC machine of this type.

The third interview is dedicated to Gusstech, STOP Supporting Member, which celebrates its 10^th Jubilee.

For foundry history admirers, we publish an article entitled „Commemorative plaques of the first casting”, in which the author – Marek Skowron presents the previously preserved cast plaques commemorating the first casts made by ironworks and foundries.

Traditionally, in the journal you will find information about the current activities of the Association, the activities of its Partners and current information from the country and the world.

Therefore, we encourage all our faithful members and readers to enjoy this issue of the Foundry Review, wishing you health and further patience, which will allow us to wait for the moment when we can start the activities planned for the second half of the year, and with which we plan to summarize the 85th anniversary of our Association.

Tadeusz Franaszek – editor-in-chief