Modern Casting articles from April 2004

Modern Casting archives from April 2004

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
April 1, 2004... The February web site question of the month asked, "What percentage of sales does your foundry spend purely on marketing efforts (not sales)? Answers: * 68% Less than 1%. * 12% 4-5%. * 10% More than 5%. * 9% 2.5-3.5% ...

It's our scrap bed to lie in.(Editorial)
April 1, 2004... Is it a scrap crisis or just the laves of supply and demand playing themselves out? In four articles this month, we try to detail the current ferrous scrap issue facing today's metalcasting industry. As we were interviewing experts for...

President refuses to sign Section 421 for the metalcasting industry.(Washington Alert)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... On March 3, President Bush determined that the International Trade Commission's (ITC) Section 421 investigation conclusions regarding import relief for cast ductile iron waterworks fittings (DIWF) from China were not in the national economic...

Foundry-specific guidance now available for ISO 14001.(Washington Alert)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Many major automakers are requiring their tier-one suppliers to register for the International Standards Organization's environmental management system (ISO 14001). If adopted and continually managed, ISO 14001 provides a systematic approach to...

With election nearing, Kyoto protocol raises its head again.(Washington Alert)
April 1, 2004... In March, a Clinton Administration environmental priority resurfaced in a Government Accounting Office (GAO) investigation requested by Sens. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) They asked the GAO (the investigative ann of...

Howmet continues conversions with titanium component for M777 Howitzer.(North America)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Cast components continue playing a role in the redesign of the M777 lightweight Howitzer as Howitzer Castings (Alcoa Inc.), Greenwich, Conn., has begun converting the gun's cradle assembly from a fabricated structure to titanium investment...

AFS, ECS exhibit metalcasting at SAE, NMW shows.(Metalcasting Associations)(Engineered Casting Solutions )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... To demonstrate metalcasting capabilities to design engineer and purchaser audiences, AFS and Engineered Casting Solutions magazine showcased exhibits at National Manufacturing Week (NMW), Feb. 23 26 in Chicago, and the Society of Automotive...

MTI agrees to joint venture with Germany-based ZF Sachs.(Industry News)
April 1, 2004... Metal Technologies Inc. (MTI), Auburn, Ind., and industrial automotive supplier ZF Sachs A.G., Schweinfurt, Germany, formed a joint venture effective March 2 in an effort to serve customers globally. MTI also is interested in Sachs Giesserei...

Section 421 ductile iron waterworks fittings trade case a "defining decision".(Letterbox)(Column)
April 1, 2004... The Presidential determination on imports of certain ductile iron waterworks fittings (DIWFs) from the Republic of China is a "Defining Decision." (In March, despite a 6-0 vote by the International Trade Commission [ITC], the Bush...

Detroit-Windsor draws nearly 300 attendees.(Metalcasting Associations)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... In January, the AFS Detroit-Windsor Chapter's 44th Annual Management Night drew nearly 300 industry officials, including AFS President Arthur Edge and AFS Executive Vice President Dwight Barnhard. Guy D. Briggs, vice president of manufacturing,...

AFS meets with Government officials.(Metalcasting Associations)(American Foundry Society)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... In late February, leaders from AFS convened in Washington, D.C. to host a House of Representatives Small Business Committee breakfast to discuss the metalcasting industry and the issues confronting it. AFS leaders sat with members of...

Superior supplies Nissan with wheels.(North America)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Superior Industries International Inc., Van Nuys, Calif., began shipping cast aluminum wheels for Nissan's Path finder Armada and the new 2004 Tiran full-size truck in February. The wheels are manufactured at Superior's facility in Chihuahua,...

ICI honors Manzullo for work of Small Business Committee.(Metalcasting Associations)(Investment Casting Institute, Don Manzullo)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Investment Casting Institute (ICI), Montvale, N.J., commended Congressman Don Manazullo (R-Ill.) for the work of the House of Representatives Small Business Committee, which Manzullo chairs. ICI's Executive Director Michael C. Perry led a...

Quality certifications.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The following metalcasting and supplier organizations have received recent certifications: Magparts Corp., Azusa, Calif. (ISO 9001:2000 and AS9100:2001) Florida Aluminum Casting Co., West Palm Beach, Fla. (ISO 9002:1994) Tecpro...

Cambridge Brass, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, has selected Brock Solutions, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Cambridge Brass, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, has selected Brock Soludons, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, to design and implement a high-performance matchplate molding machine equipped with squeeze-station technology.

Flury Foundry Co., Lancaster, Pa., recently purchased an FBOII flaskless molding machine.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Flury Foundry Co., Lancaster, Pa., recently purchased an FBOII flaskless molding machine from Roberts Sinto Corp., Lansing, Mich.

Ford Meter Box Co., Wabash, Ind., has purchased a fourth FBOII flaskless molding machine.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Ford Meter Box Co., Wabash, Ind., has purchased a fourth FBOII flaskless molding machine from Roberts Sinto Corp., Lansing, Mich.

Howmet Castings.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Howmet Castings (Alcoa Inc.), Greenwich, Conn., will dose its aluminum foundry in Hillsboro, Texas in 2005.

Magparts Corp.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Magparts Corp., Azusa, Calif. completed a 33,000-sq.-ft. aluminum sand and permanent mold facility, replacing a 10,000-sq.-ft. building.

Oshkosh Truck, Oshkosh, Wis., renewed its agreement to use Magamasoft simulation software products from Magma Foundry Technologies Inc.(Newscast)(Magma Foundry Technologies Inc)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Oshkosh Truck, Oshkosh, Wis., renewed its agreement to use Magamasoft simulation software products from Magma Foundry Technologies Inc., Arlington Heights, Ill.

The Simpson Group, Aurora, Ill., agreed to supply Martin Sprocket & Gear Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, with a Simpson mix-muller.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Simpson Group, Aurora, Ill., agreed to supply Martin Sprocket & Gear Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, with a Simpson mix-muller, a Hartley compactability controller with bond determinator and a Hartley bond addition system.

Ashland Casting Solutions, Dublin, Ohio, agreed to market and distribute scrubber systems from Dakota International Inc., Aberdeen, S.D.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Ashland Casting Solutions, Dublin, Ohio, agreed to market and distribute scrubber systems from Dakota International Inc., Aberdeen, S.D., to its customers worldwide.

Herschal Products Inc., Cleveland, has acquired the foundry supply business of ThyssenKrupp Stahl Co.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Herschal Products Inc., Cleveland, has acquired the foundry supply business of ThyssenKrupp Stahl Co., Duisburg, Germany.

vonRoll and Magma agree to Magmasoft license.(Around the World)(Magma Foundry Technologies Inc)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... von Roll Casting Group, Emmenbrucke, Switzerland, has agreed to extend its casting process simulation license with Magma Foundry Technologies Inc., Arlington Heights, Ill., to a cluster license at the Engineering Center in Emmenbrucke.

PIAD Precision Casting Corp.(Personals)(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... PIAD Precision Casting Corp., Greensburg, Pa, appointed Holger Schweisthal president.

Auburn Foundry Inc.(Personals)(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Auburn Foundry Inc., Auburn, Ind., elected Thomas Woehlke president and CEO and appointed David Hunter vice chairman of the board of directors.

Intermet Corp.(Personals)(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Intermet Corp., Troy, Mich., added Richard A. Nawrocki, CMI-Management Services Inc., Southfield, Mich., to its board of directors.

Grede Foundries Inc.(Personals)(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Grede Foundries Inc., Milwaukee, named Dan Rhoads vice president of operations of the company's metalcasting facility in Wichita, Kan.

Ervin Industries.(Personals)(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Ervin Industries, Ann Arbor, Mich., promoted Gene Brown to district sales manager for Canada.

Obituaries.(Industry News)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
April 1, 2004... Eugene Hennessy, Jamesburg, N.J., died in December 2003. He was 79. A long-time member of AFS, Mr. Hennessy was the owner of Richmond Industries, Dayton, N.J. John H. Fuqua, Birmingham, Ala., died in January. He was 81. Mr. Fuqua graduated...

Calendar of events.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... May 18-19--Metal Casting Technology Forum 2004, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill. May 23-26-11th World Conference of Investment Casting, Caledoinian Hilton, Edinburgh, Scotland. May 26--Metal Processing Institute Spring Symposium,...

Ferrous scrap pricing: a case of supply & demand.(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... If the price composite chart shown in Fig. 1 represented the results from the New York Stock Exchange, the whole world would be rejoicing. But since it actually represents the composite price of shredded steel scrap for the last 2.5 years, only...

Surviving the scrap crisis: what can you do?(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... It was about a year and a half ago that signs started to point toward escalating prices and diminishing availability of ferrous raw melting materials. Dan Torzewski, senior corporate buyer for Indianapolis Casting Corp., Indianapolis, remembers...

Don't scrap the issue: the points and counterpoints of government intervention.(Brief Article)(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... In the midst of the ferrous scrap dilemma of high prices and distressed metalcasters, a pendulum is being pulled from both sides. The Emergency Steel Scrap Coalition and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI) are currently...

Voice of the industry: addressing the scrap crisis.(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... With ferrous raw material prices reaching record highs and availability becoming more scarce, metalcasters and raw material suppliers have a lot to talk about. Here is what some of them had to say: On Economics... "The laws of supply...

Unearthing secrets: new sand core expansion control method revealed.
April 1, 2004... The expansion of silica sand used in cores has plagued foundries for years. The phenomenon is caused by the rapid thermal expansion of the sand during the casting process, which results in core cracking. The molten metal then enters these...

Getting to the core of thin-walled castings: through the addition of a sand additive/replacement to the cores, thin-walled castings with properties comparable to those with thicker walls and great weight were produced.(Technology in Progress)
April 1, 2004... Economic and environmental pressures continue to force metalcasting facilities to look for ways to produce castings with thinner walls and at lighter weights but with the same or better mechanical properties. However, several key requirements...

Include nothing: step-by-step reduction of investment casting inclusion defects.
April 1, 2004... In the stringent global market metalcasters face today, the need for precision is grossly imperative. Although North American plants still lead global investment casting with 50% of the market share, competition from world sources has never...

Casting innovation for tomorrow.
April 1, 2004... The American Foundry Society and the North American Die Casting Association are joining together in 2004 to host the largest annual meeting of metalcasters in the U.S. With the wide range of opportunities for technology transfer, it promises to...

Now, discover your strengths.(Novel Solutions)(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... With U.S. metalcasting facilities coming off a tumultuous three years (to say the least), the timing is good for fresh ideas about fully capitalizing on the strengths of employees. For managers with the ability to see the potential of new tools...

Manufacturing strategy.(CEO Journal)
April 1, 2004... Manufacturing strategy is, without question, the most important element of the foundry business planning process. Yet we have found that manufacturing strategy is not very well-understood at all. While everyone can easily envision all of the...

Diets and foundry quality.(Small Foundry Management)
April 1, 2004... I've been trying to lose weight again. As I've been going through the process, it struck me how similar weight control and foundry quality control are. How can watching your weight be like getting quality castings from a foundry? Let me explain...

Chicago.(AFS Chapter News)
April 1, 2004... CHICAGO--In January, David Kanicki (l), Inductotherm Corp., presents Illinois State Representative Carole Pankau a speaker's award after her presentation. "What Can We Do to Help Save Manufacturing Jobs in Illinois?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Tri-State.(AFS Chapter News)
April 1, 2004... TRI-STATE--In February, Rick Voss (r), Acme Foundry, presents Raymond Monroe, Steel Founders' Society of America, a speaker's award after his presentation on the overall foundry market and economic conditions in industry. [ILLUSTRATION...

Oregon.(AFS Chapter News)
April 1, 2004... OREGON--In November, Kurt Ball (l) presents Bill Blakely, both of Esco Corp., an award for Oregon Chapter "Foundry Person of the Month." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Northern California.(AFS Chapter News)
April 1, 2004... NORTHERN CALIFORNIA--In January, Jim Griffith (l), iArchitects, and Dan Sanguinetti(r), PC Professionals, gave a joint presentation, "Leveraging Electronic Technology in the Foundry Industry."

Canton.(AFS Chapter News)
April 1, 2004... CANTON--In December, Corey Jarvis (l), Wellsville Foundry, and Nick Cannell (r), EMTEC, greet Mary Trotman, FBI, after she spoke about current affairs within the FBI and national security. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Michiana.(AFS Chapter News)
April 1, 2004... MICHIANA--In January, Jim Bopp (r), Carpenter Brothers Inc., presents Dick Stewart, Roberts Sinto Corp., a speaker's award after his presentation, "Automate Your Foundry--Once an Economic Choice, Now a Necessity!" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Birmingham.(AFS Chapter News)
April 1, 2004... BIRMINGHAM--In February; Jeff Fowler (r), Citation Corp., presents Scott Howell, Robinson Iron Corp., with a speaker's award after his presentation on the statue of Vulcan restoration project in Birmingham [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Stateline.(AFS Chapter News)
April 1, 2004... STATELINE--In January, Mike Stahl (l), Olson Aluminum Castings, and Reg Gustafson (ctr), Clinkenbeard & Associates, gave a presentation, "Prototype Evolution." Pictured with them is Wayne Carr, Olson Aluminum Castings. [ILLUSTRATION...

Central New York.(AFS Chapter News)
April 1, 2004... CENTRAL NEW YORK--In February, Dave Stimson (r), Weaver Materiel Service Inc., presents George Calboreanu, Western Foundries Inc., with a speaker's award after his presentation on "Inoculation of Ductile Iron."

Central Indiana.(AFS Chapter News)
April 1, 2004... CENTRAL INDIANA--In January, Dan Torzewski (r), International Truck & Engine Corp., thanks AFS Trade Commission Chairman Chuck Kurtti, Neenah Foundry Co. (retired), after Kurtti's presentation, "AFS Trade Commission Update." [ILLUSTRATION...

Western Michigan.(AFS Chapter News)
April 1, 2004... WESTERN MICHIGAN--In January, Pete Bialik (ctr), retired, and John Monette (r), Paragon Pattern, present Nick Fox, Galesburg Castings Inc., a speaker's award after his speech on lean quality and how it coordinates with lean manufacturing. ...

St. Louis District.(AFS Chapter News)
April 1, 2004... ST. LOUIS DISTRICT--In February, Mike Kock (l), Bodine Aluminum, and Chris McCafferty (r), Corbitt Manufacturing Co., accompany Frederick J. Diekman, Controlled Thermal Processing, after his presentation about myths behind freezing castings to...

Northeastern Ohio.(AFS Chapter News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... NORTHEASTERN OHIO--In February, Doug Rowe (ctr), Ford Motor Co., receives a "Member of the Year" award for his efforts with raising funds for FEF Scholarships from James Wood (I), Hickman Williams & Co., and Tim Kreuzer, Ford Motor Co. ...

Northwest Pennsylvania.(AFS Chapter News)
April 1, 2004... NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA--In February, Dan Higham (ctr), U.S. Bronze Foundry, presents Shannon Sweeney (l), Penn State Univ.-Erie, a speaker's award for his work with the student chapter. Pictured with them is Ken Fisher, Penn State Univ.-Erie.

Chapter meetings.(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... BIRMINGHAM May 10--Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala.: Update on FEF, Bill Sorensen, FEF. BRITISH COLUMBIA May--TBD: Appreciation Night and Annual General Meeting. CENTRAL ILLINOIS May 3--Mark Twain-Packard Plaza, Peoria. Ill.; "Thermal...

Dosing pump, furnace get to the bottom of aluminum oxides.(New Product)
April 1, 2004... The European term "dose" means to deliver an exact quantity. Traditional dosing furnaces have been pressure pour furnaces, but five years ago, Stotek Danmark ApS, Naestved, Denmark (represented in North America by Meltech, Inc., Brookfield,...

Consulting firm helps metalcasters cut waste, not jobs.(Case History)
April 1, 2004... As manufacturers ponder their futures, many are considering relocating to other states or even going offshore. Others are looking at containing operational costs by cutting jobs in an attempt to cope with the hemorrhage of orders and profits....

Rapid prototypes.(Metalcasting Supplies)
April 1, 2004... Express Pattern now offers two patterns for rapid prototyping for investment casters. Quick Cast patterns are highly accurate investment casting patterns that provide design flexibility and fine features in pattern sizes ranging from 0.5-50 in....

Dust/mist collector.(Metalcasting Supplies)
April 1, 2004... United Air Specialists recently unveiled its DA, DB and DMB models of the media bag dust/mist collector. The models are designed to trap dry or wet airborne contaminates with high-efficiency filters ideal for removing smoke, dust, oil mist and...

Stress calculation software.(Metalcasting Supplies)
April 1, 2004... Magma Foundry Technologies recently unveiled Magmastress, a program designed to determine the stress distribution and related strains and distortions during the casting solidification and cooling processes. Stresses and strains within permanent...

Flaskless molding machine.(Metalcasting Supplies)
April 1, 2004... Roberts Sinto Corp., now offers the enhanced FBO IIIS molding machine with automatic core setting. The FBO IIIS is a horizontal, flaskless molding machine that features added mold sizes, additional proportional controls and speeds reaching 170...

Portable part.(Metalcasting Supplies)
April 1, 2004... Romer CimCore recently introduced ToolOK, a utility designed to automate the inspection of tools, fixtures and parts. The inspection system features "touch there and you'll see" operation. To start inspection, an operator contacts three...

Tying one on at The Foundry.(Shakeout: in case you didn't know ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... At closing time, a whistle resonates through a large, open building and sirens flash frantically to signify the end of another shift. It is how many metalcasters end their day, but now it is increasingly becoming the way many bar-goers know...