Modern Casting articles from April 2009

Modern Casting archives from April 2009

Where it's at.(moderncasting.com)
April 1, 2009... Wherever you find the cast metal Where It's At sign (right) in this issue, access additional content exclusively on the web at www.moderncasting.com: * Table of Contents: Web-only article on thin-wall steel auto parts. * "8 Answers to...

Virtual tours.(moderncasting.com)
April 1, 2009... Short-run job shop St. Louis Precision Casting Co. joins the library of virtual tours available online.

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
April 1, 2009... The February web poll asked: Which of the following networking websites do you use? None 48.7% Facebook 31.6% LindkedIn 7.1% Myspace 1.3% Other 1.3% This month's question is available at...

Worth repeating.(moderncasting.com)
April 1, 2009... "Everybody's looking for a bailout. If you want cash, realize that you have it invested in your own factory. There's your bailout."--Jay McCreary, Flow Vision

Be my friend, join my network.(EDITORIAL)
April 1, 2009... I just don't understand Facebook. I can't believe LinkedIn is the new way to stay connected in business. If you want to Twitter me, I am going to have to ask my wife first because I am not sure if she will approve. Yes, social/business...

NFCA spends more than $1 million on upgrades.(North America)(Non Ferrous Cast Alloys Inc.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... Job shop Non Ferrous Cast Alloys Inc. (NFCA), Norton Shores, Mich., recently completed capital improvements in excess of S 1 million. Over the past year, the nobake and green sand metalcaster spent $1 million on a 15,000-sq.-ft. expansion...

Northern Iron and Machine installs new automated molding line.(North America)(Disa Match 130)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Northern Iron and Machine, St. Paul, Minn., announced it has completed the installation of a new Disa Match 130 automated molding line, doubling the company's molding capacity. The new system, which is now fully...

Citation sells diecasting operation to compass.(North America)
April 1, 2009... Automotive systems supplier Compass Automotive Group Inc., Franklin, Ind., announced it has acquired the aluminum diecasting and machining operations of Citation Corp., Novi, Mich. The transaction, the terms of which were not disclosed, is...

Superior aluminum recognized for capital reinvestment.(North America)
April 1, 2009... Sand caster Superior Aluminum Castings Inc., Independence, Mo., was among companies recently recognized for job creation and/or capital investment by the Independence Council for Economic Development. The award honors companies that have...

Study shows aluminum use in automobiles continues to grow.(North America)
April 1, 2009... According to a study commissioned by the Aluminum Association Inc., Arlington, Va., the use of aluminum in cars in North America is at an all-time high, averaging 8.6% of vehicle weight in cars made in 2009. The Aluminum Association, which...

SCRA wins contract to provide mobile metalcasting to Army.(North America)
April 1, 2009... Applied research and commercialization group the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) announced it won a $2 million contract to execute a portable metalcasting program for the U.S. Army. The Tactical Metal Fabrication (TacFab) program,...

Cast-Fab technologies institutes new health program.(North America)
April 1, 2009... Ferrous sand caster and fabricator Cast-Fab Technologies, Cincinnati, Ohio, recently completed the first step in its newly implemented incentives-based wellness program--a month-long employee walkathon. The walkathon, held with the support...

ECS becomes Metal Casting Design and Purchasing.(North America)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Approaching its 10-year anniversary, MODERN CASTING's sister publication Engineered Casting Solutions has changed its name to Metal Casting Design and Purchasing effective in the May/June issue. The change is...

Cymat completes prototypes for "major" German OEM.(North America)(Cymat Technologies Ltd.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... Cymat Technologies Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, announced it has finished casting prototype parts for a 2010 vehicle platform on behalf of a leading German automobile manufacturer. The previously announced project utilized Cymat's...

Fata Aluminium IP acquired by Fata Automation.(North America)(FATA Aluminum)(Fata Automation S.p.A.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... The worldwide intellectual property (IP) rights of Fata Aluminium, Rivoli, Italy, recently were acquired by Fata Automation Inc., Sterling Heights, Mich. The purchase, which was made for an undisclosed amount, included all IP rights,...

Fort Wayne Foundry to close one facility.(North America)
April 1, 2009... Fort Wayne Foundry Corp., Fort Wayne, Ind., recently announced it will close its Lima Road casting facility, one of two metalcasting plants it operates. Fort Wayne Foundry indicated in a press release that the closing is due to the...

Paul Cervellero, a 40-year industrial veteran, has begun a new consulting firm, Induction Melting and Holding Systems, Feasterville, Pa.(Newscast)
April 1, 2009... Paul Cervellero, a 40-year industrial veteran, has begun a new consulting firm, Induction Melting and Holding Systems, Feasterville, Pa. The firm specializes in helping metalcasters improve the operating efficiency of existing equipment and...

Canfield & Joseph, Tulsa, Okla., announced a new partnership with SGS Tools.(Newscast)
April 1, 2009... Canfield & Joseph, Tulsa, Okla., announced a new partnership with SGS Tools, Munroe Falls, Ohio, which manufactures a line of burs.

Finishing equipment supplier SIIF, Caudan, France, has appointed Equipment Merchants International Inc., Cleveland, as its exclusive sales representative.(Newscast)
April 1, 2009... Finishing equipment supplier SIIF, Caudan, France, has appointed Equipment Merchants International Inc., Cleveland, as its exclusive sales representative for the U.S., Canada and Mexico. MC

Quality certifications.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
April 1, 2009... The following metalcasters have passed recent certification or surveillance audits: Bremen Castings Inc., Bremen, Ind., (ISO 9001:2008); J. Walter Miller Co., Lancaster, Pa., (ISO 9001:2008). MC

Calendar of events.(Conference news)(Brief article)(Calendar)
April 1, 2009... April April 23-24--FEF Annual Meeting, Univ. of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa. April 23-25--AFS Texas Regional Conference, Fort Worth, Texas. April 24--AFS Ergonomics in the Metalcasting Industry Seminar, The Marriott, Fort...

AlumAlloy Co. Inc.(Personals)
April 1, 2009... Clark Howell has been named president of AlumAlloy Co. Inc., Ontario, Calif. Former President David Howell will continue to serve the company as senior casting specialist.

Metal Technologies Inc.(Personals)
April 1, 2009... Keith Turner, co-founder of Metal Technologies Inc., Auburn, Incl., has retired as president but will continue with the company in a consulting role. Matthew J. Fetter will replace Turner as president of Metal Technologies Inc. and its related...

Northland Castings Corp.(Personals)
April 1, 2009... Kirk Dow has become vice president and co-owner of Northland Castings Corp., Hart, Mich.

Grede Foundries Inc.(Personals)
April 1, 2009... Grede Foundries Inc., Milwaukee, has appointed Thomas E Walker Sr. as the group's new president and chief executive officer.

Rosler Metal Finishing USA LLC.(Personals)
April 1, 2009... Paul Rawlinson has been named the new general manager of Rosler Metal Finishing USA LLC, Prescot, Mersey side, U.K.

Seco/Warwick Corp.(Personals)
April 1, 2009... Keith Boeckenhauer has been promoted to president of Seco/ Warwick Corp., Meadville, Pa. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Aleris International Inc.(Personals)
April 1, 2009... Aleris International Inc., Beachwood, Ohio, announced that Sean M. Stack has been named the company's new executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Alloy Products Group.(Personals)
April 1, 2009... Craig Johnson has been appointed to the position of president, Alloy Products Group, Madison Heights, Mich.

Obituaries.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Obituary)
April 1, 2009... Jerry B. Losee, Saginaw, Mich., died Feb. 20, 2009. He was 76, Losee was a retired pipefitter with Chevrolet Gray Iron Metal Casting, Saginaw, Mich. Daniel E. Hoover, Danville, Ill., died on Jan. 31, 2009. He was 77. Hoover worked at...

COBRA sees changes: the new stimulus law provides a 65% federal subsidy of COBRA continuation coverage premiums.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
April 1, 2009... The financial stimulus law, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed by President Obama on Feb. 17, includes significant changes to employers' obligations under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) health care...

House readies climate change bill.(On the Hill)
April 1, 2009... The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to vote climate change legislation out of committee by Memorial Day, according to Committee Chair Henry Waxman (D-Calif.). The legislation aims to set a national standard for renewable energy...

Health care reform moves to forefront.(On the Hill)
April 1, 2009... President Obama has made enacting health care reform by the end of the year one of his top priorities and set aside $634 billion in his fiscal 2010 budget plan to help fund reform. Congressional lawmakers also have said they want to tackle...

8 answers to your lean questions.
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You've seen presentations on it. You've heard your peers talk about it and your customers push it. Your competitors have splashed it on their brochure and website, and you've probably Googled it. Lean manufacturing....

Cummins: what's in a name? Cummins produces more than just engines, and it buys more castings than just blocks and heads.(Company overview)
April 1, 2009... Cummins Inc. Columbus, Ind. Products: Diesel engines, power generation units, turbochargers, and filtration, fuel and emissions systems. Castings Purchased: $1 billion annually. Global Footprint: 85 manufacturing plants, more...

Building nondestructive know-how: customer requirements for nondestructive testing increasing? Maybe it's time to bring it in-house.
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nondestructive testing (NDT) can be a benefit to both you and your customer. Your customer receives the reassurance that the castings supplied will stand up to the rigors of the end-use application. You maintain a...

Excluding investment casting inclusions: by using the outlined procedure, even the least experienced investment casting personnel can reduce inclusion defects.
April 1, 2009... Inclusions in any investment casting create quality issues, but for DIA Precision Casting Co. Ltd., Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, they were of particular concern. DIA, which employs about 400, has robot molding and melting...

Simulation Software.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... In every business there are tools that are essential for doing the job right. In metal casting, MAGMA offers a casting process simulation software that is one of these tools, MAGMASOFT[R]. With MAGMASOFT[R] you can design castings right the...

Complete Foundry Solutions.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... Vulcan's "Complete Foundry Solutions" Multi-Media CD offers a look at our Greenfield foundry capabilities, including a pictorial history of our most recent project from start to finish. A review of our facilities, staff and full product line...

Simulation software.
April 1, 2009... "Arena-flow[R] is the only foundry engineering software package which uses the revolutionary Computational Particle Fluid Dynamics (CPFD[R]) technology to accurately predict sand core filling, miss-fills, density variations and curing. This...

Low odor resin-coated sand.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... Fairmount Minerals is proud to introduce TecimiSand Signature Series, a revolutionary new technology in resin-coated sand. The Signature Series is a new high performance, low odor and smoke resin-coated sand that effectively helps to reduce...

Intelligent Demand Response (IDR).(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... Discover how your facility can participate in energy conservation that pays for supporting grid reliability. IDR uses advanced technologies to automatically coordinate your facility's participation during a Demand Response (DR) event. This...

Innovation in shakeout.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... The Carrier Barrel Horse(TM) is a proven one-step solution to casting damage and sand mix problems. Unlike conventional rotary shakeouts, which lift and drop castings, the Barrel Horse action allows castings to swim in the sand bed, constantly...

Enterprise software solutions.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... B&L Information Systems, Inc., located in Bridgman, Michigan, is the leader in enterprise software solutions for the metalcasting industry. Over 350 metalcasters in 35 states and 5 countries have selected B&L to help them increase productivity,...

Rotary media drum.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... Didion's rotary media drum offers a new way to achieve better shakeout, sand screening, casting cooling and efficient casting cleaning. The product also can process very delicate castings and reduce shotblast time up to 80%. Its patented design...

Induction furnace/automated pouring systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... Inductotherm manufactures induction melting, holding, heating and pouring systems for virtually all metals. We offer a complete line of induction furnaces and power supplies as well as a full range of charging and preheating systems, melt shop...

Dewaxing Autoclave Systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... WSF Dewaxing Autoclave Systems assure uniform ceramic shell heating for complete process mold dewaxing. Manufactured to meet virtually any production specification, the systems may be skid-mounted when size allows, factory piped, wired and...

Flexible DeGate Cell.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... Mossner offers a unique technique for the automated removal of aluminum gates and risers as well as casting finishing by combining the speed of a bandsaw and the accuracy provided by the CNC guidance system. Mossner offers a. complete fine of...

Complete no-bake machinery & systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... Palmer Manufacturing, Inc. is a manufacturer of heavy-duty foundry equipment. Palmer's equipment line includes: mixers, no-bake molding systems and components, core room equipment, shake-out reclamation & knock-out equipment, sand mixers, mold...

Surface preparation systems/equipments/services.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... Pangborn designs, manufactures, markets and services shot blast machines, dust collectors and related products for the primary metal and metalworking industries. Since 1904, Pangborn has been a leader in surface preparation technology by...

Furnaces/power transfer ladles.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... There is no better value than a Schaefer furnace. These furnaces have a track record and reliability unmatched by any other furnace manufacturer. They will make your foundry more profitable. The Schaefer Furnace Division of The Schaefer Group,...

See inside your designs with FLOW-3D[R].(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... Optimize your designs before casting and lower your costs with FLOW-3D[R], a powerful computational fluid dynamics software for highly-accurate modeling. This easy-to-use software takes the trial and error out of casting designs with advanced...

Aluminum melting furnace.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... The GC Series Non-Crucible furnace is designed for continuous aluminum melting operations as a durable refractory lined furnace that does not use crucibles. Metal is charged onto a dry hearth charging chamber, avoiding the issue of operators...

The future of process instructions.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... Guardian Software Systems announces Paperless Routings. Guardian has taken advantage of touch screen technology to allow the viewing of all process instructions directly from the operator's work station. No longer will you need to print the...

Ceramic media.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... CARBOACCUCAST[TM] ceramic media possesses strength, unique thermal properties and a uniform shape to provide increased media life, casting accuracy and production to metal casting applications. Lower production costs, reduced waste and less...

CoreCenter.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... Laempe continues to lead the way with the unique CoreCenter concept, combining core shooter, sand mixer and gas generator under a single controller with a Windows-based PC. The company has expanded its product line to the economical LL series...

Matchplate molding machine.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... The new DISA MATCH 28/32 machine provides the perfect larger match plate molding option for shorter, moderate production runs with frequent pattern changes. Fast pattern plate changes using the Quick Match Plate Changer combined with speeds of...

Management information systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... Synchro 32 provides complete integrated production control and management information systems, incorporating ERP/MEP. These systems are specifically designed for the foundry, die cast and cast metal industry. These systems feature: all...

Precision Borescopes.(Literature+PLUS+)
April 1, 2009... Gradient Lens Corporation designs, manufacturers and sells its patented line of Hawkeye Precision Borescopes. Hawkeyes deliver all the image quality of the finest instruments in the world, and sell for less than half the price. Over 50 Hawkeye...

Keep in touch: more than a parting cliche.(MARKETING MATTERS)
April 1, 2009... Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it, you can never get it back. This thought, from motivational speaker and bestselling author Harvey Mackay,...

Listing updates, advertising opportunities available in Casting Source Directory.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Directory)
April 1, 2009... North America's most comprehensive directory of metalcasters, the Casting Source Directory, is now accepting listing updates and advertising for the 2009 edition. Published in June, the Casting Source Directory is distributed free of...

Safety means always coming home at NAOSH week.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
April 1, 2009... The North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) annual safety celebration will be held May 3-9. The event is sponsored by the members of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Alliance, which AFS is a member, and...

AFS Texas Regional focuses on wind energy, digital mold & core production.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
April 1, 2009... The AFS Texas Regional Conference will be held April 23-25 at the Dallas Fort Worth Marriott Hotel & Golf Club at Champions Circle, Fort Worth, Texas. Conference presentations will include "CAD to Core Technology, Patternless and Digital...

Practical help available at melt seminar.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(American Foundry Society)(Conference news)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... The AFS Coreless Induction Furnace Committee (8-C), the AFS Mo-Kan, Plain States and Tri-State Chapters, and the AFS Pittsburg State Univ. Student Chapter are offering an Induction Melting Seminar May 8 at Pittsburg State Univ. Kansas...

CMI course schedule.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Cast Metals Institute)(Table)(Brief article)(Calendar)
April 1, 2009... CMI Course Schedule April 28-30 Introduction to Metalcasting Schaumburg, Ill. (61-09) May 4-31 Green Sand Control (62-09) Internet May 5-7 Analysis & Reduction of Casting ...

Thin-wall ladle improves aluminum diecaster's efficiency.(PRODUCT INNOVATIONS)
April 1, 2009... As part of a plant-wide cost-savings initiative, General Aluminum Manufacturing's Fremont, Ind., diecasting facility recently replaced its fiber laminate ladles with thin-wall auto-pour ladles from Pyrotek Inc., Spokane Valley, Wash., to cut...

Hybrid machine cleans and deburrs parts.(PRODUCT INNOVATIONS)
April 1, 2009... Metalcasters supplying machined complete components are expected to deliver burr-free clean castings that are ready for use in the field. Traditional mechanical and abrasive deburring methods include hand and/or robotic mechanical deburring...

Airblast room.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)(Wheelabrator Group Inc.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... Wheelabrator Group offers its manual airblast rooms that are engineered to work within existing facilities and meet all material handling requirements. The airblast rooms have several options for work doors, including swing, bi-fold and powered...

Vacuum furnace.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
April 1, 2009... Ipsen Inc. has launched Titan, a new production-line vacuum furnace for heat treating. Titan is a self-contained, mobile, skid-mounted system with fast utility hook-ups for single-day installation. The control system supports 15 languages,...

Portable videoscope.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
April 1, 2009... Borescopes-R-Us has released a new portable videoscope designed for increased flexibility and productivity with intuitive operation and convenient functions. The video output connection feature allows images and video to be captured on an MP-4...

Corebox preheat oven.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
April 1, 2009... Infratrol Manufacturing Corp. has designed and built an energy efficient, portable cast iron corebox preheat oven. Using infrared heating, the system preheats two halves of a complete corebox per load. A hinged, hi-folding oven top provides...

A different kind of pour.(SHAKEOUT: In case you didn't know ...)(Bremen Castings Inc.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Molten metal isn't the only thing brewing at Bremen Castings Inc., Bremen, Ind. The iron metalcaster also has developed its own line of premium coffee blends in three flavors--SQS (Status Quo Sucks--the company's...