The research and development efforts and transfer of technology are guided by the Technology Administration Group and three technical committees - The Die Materials Committee, The Research and Development Committee and the International Technical Council.

Research project objectives, such as improving casting integrity, improving alloys, increasing die life, improving quality and lead times through simulation, implementing high integrity casting technologyand energy conservation. Specific strategic areas to which efforts are applied include: aluminum, zinc, magnesium, semi-solid alloys and metal matrix composites; base material and coatings for dies and inserts; optimization of process parameters; metal flow, die design, die deflection and property simulation; energy conservation; rapid tooling; and pollution prevention. Projects are funded by various sources such as The United States Department of Defense (DOD), The United States Department of Energy (DOE), United States Automotive Materials Partnership (USAMP), American Institute for Pollution Prevention (AIPP) and the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA). NADCA is a member of the American Metalcasting Consortium (AMC) and the Cast Metals Coalition (CMC) which utilize DOD and DOE funds, respectively.

In short, the NADCA R&D Strategic Plan and Roadmap addresses the research efforts that are viewed as pertinent to the on-going viability of the North American die casting industry. In addition, the efforts are targeted at shaping the die casting industry of the future by providing technologies that will be needed. This is the full version of the Plan which explains the strategic areas, formulation of the roadmap, and portfolio of projects.