Modern Casting articles from August 2003

Modern Casting archives from August 2003

Checking our pulse.(metal casting industry)(Editorial)
August 1, 2003... One of the advantages to being a magazine editor covering metalcasting is that I am easily able to step back and take a birds-eye view of the industry. When you are immersed in the day-to-day demands of casting production, it can be difficult...

Representatives introduce Secretary of Manufacturing legislation.(Washington Alert)(advocate for manufacturing sector)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... To further illustrate the growing concern on Capitol Hill over the decline of manufacturing, companion bills have been introduced in the House and Senate that propose a Secretary of Manufacturing within the U.S. Dept. of Commerce to give...

U.S. House Subcommittee holds hearing on OSHA reform bill.(Washington Alert)(Occupational Safety and Health Act)
August 1, 2003... The House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on Rep. Charlie Norwood's legislation, H.R. 1583. Norwood's "The Occupational Safety and Health Fairness Act of 2003" amends the Occupational Safety and...

Toxic emissions release data available.(Washington Alert)(Environmental Protection Agency report)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... In June, EPA released the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data for 2001. The data provides the public with details on toxic chemicals released into the air. in their communities. This information is central to EPA's Right-to-Know program, which...

EPA officials resign.(Washington Alert)(Environmental Protection Agency)(Christine Todd Whitman and Linda Fisher)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Just after EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman resigned in June, the Agency lost another of their leading officials when Deputy Administrator Linda Fisher announced her resignation. Fisher left the Agency in July. In her position,...

Why do you like this foundry stuff?(Letterbox)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... Editor's Note: The following letters are responses to the June 2003 Editorial, "Why Do You Like This Foundry Stuff." To read these responses in their entirety as well as the other responses not shared here, visit www.moderncasting.com and its...

Superior named aluminum wheel supplier for Ford's F-150 truck.(North America)(Superior Industries International, Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Superior Industries International, Inc., Van Nuys, California, has been named aluminum wheel supplier for Ford Motor Co.'s F-150 truck, beginning with the 2004 model year. Superior already has begun shipments of five different wheel styles. ...

Howmet doubles level of involvement with Navy missile program.(North America)(Howmet Castings)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Howmet Castings (Alcoa, Inc.), Darien, Connecticut, has doubled its level of participation in the U.S. Navy's Tactical Tomahawk Program from two to four major castings. Howmet will cast the nose and payload components of the...

Citation named supplier for Ford's 5-speed transmission.(North America)(Citation Corp.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Citation Corp., Novi, Michigan, has been awarded the control-module casting program for Ford Motor Co.'s new five-speed automatic transmission. The components will be cast at Citation's Lake Zurich, Illinois facility and machined at its...

Internet acquires remaining 50% interest in joint venture.(Acquisitions)(Internet Corp. to acquire PortCast Foundry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Internet Corp., Troy, Michigan, has entered into an agreement with Grupo Jorge de Mello, Portugal, to acquire 100% of the shares of Fundicao Nodular, S.A., a Portuguese foundry also known as PortCast Foundry. Internet, who purchased a 50% stake...

Meridian Technologies signs joint venture agreement in China, invests $20 million.(North America)(Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. subsidiary)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Meridian Technologies, Inc., Strathroy, Ontario, Canada, signed a joint-venture agreement in June with SCAAC, a subsidiary of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp., Shanghai, China, to manufacture automotive die castings beginning at the end of...

Ford and PSA Peugeot Citroen premiere first engine to use a compacted graphite iron block.(North America)(diesel engine)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... In June, Ford Motor Co., Detroit, and PSA Peugeot Citroen, France, jointly announced their new high performance 2.7 litre V6 diesel engine. It is the first high-volume engine to use a compacted graphite iron cylinder block. The total investment...

Final iron and steel MACT rule to come to a head in August.(North America)(Maximum Achievable Control Technology)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The AFS 10E MACT Ad-hoc Committee continues to work with U.S. EPA to develop a revised proposal for the pending iron and steel Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rule. The committee is holding weekly calls with the agency to discuss...

Quality certifications.(Industry News)(foundries and suppliers)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The following foundry and supplier organizations have received recent certifications: Sturgis Foundry Corp., Sturgis, Michigan (ISO 9001:2000); Westlectric Castings, Inc., Chino Hills, California (ISO 9000-2001); Harrison Steel...

First magnesium casting utilizing vacuum sealed molding process produced at Auburn Univ.(North America)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Solidification Design Center (a NASA Research Partnership Center) at Auburn Univ., Auburn, Alabama, and Space Age Enterprises, Inc., Lawrenceville, Georgia, announced the first successful magnesium vacuum sealed molding process (V-process)...

Amcast Industrial Corp.(Foundry Ticker)(third quarter sales)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Amcast Industrial Corp., Dayton, Ohio, reported third quarter sales were $111.8 million, down 3% compared with the third quarter of last year. The firm earned a net income of $0.7 million in its fiscal third quarter, compared with $1.9 million...

Intermet Corp.(Foundry Ticker)(second quarter loss)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Intermet Corp., Troy, Michigan, reported a second quarter loss, including restructuring and other charges associated with the closure of its Radford, Virginia foundry, of $6.6 million. This compares with a net income of $4.8 million during the...

Wescast Industries, Wingham, Ontario, Canada, awarded Ashland Casting Solutions.(Newscast)(supplier award)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Wescast Industries, Wingham, Ontario, Canada, awarded Ashland Casting Solutions (Ashland Specialty Chemical Co.), Dublin, Ohio, its 2002 Supplier of the Year Award.

Richmond Casting Co.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Richmond Casting Co., Richmond, Indiana, announced that its employees have worked 730 days without a lost time accident.

Globe Valve Corp.(Newscast)(possible closing)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... According to the Journal and Courier, Lafayette, Indiana, Globe Valve Corp., West Lafayette, Indiana, is closing.

Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.(Newscast)(wins award)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc., Northville, Michigan, received the Quest for Excellence award and has been ranked as a top 50 supplier by OEM executives in Automotive Industries 2003 survey. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel,...

Grede Foundries, Inc.(Newscast)(worker dies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Grede Foundries, Inc., Milwaukee, after investigating the death of a worker in January.

Wheelabrator.(Newscast)(Wheelabrator Corp. wins workplace safety award)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Wheelabrator, LaGrange, Georgia, received the Georgia Depart. of Labor's Award for Excellence in workplace safety.

Foundry Educational Foundation.(Newscast)(relocation)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Foundry Educational Foundation, Des Plaines, Illinois, relocated to 1881-B Hicks Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois as of August 1st, 2003.

Final preparations made for 2003 FundiExpo.(North America)
August 1, 2003... The final preparations are being made for FundiExpo 2003, which will be held October 2-4 in at the Cintermex convention center in Monterrey, Mexico. The exhibition will have more than 160 companies from across the world showcasing the latest...

Neenah Foundry receives $110 million commitments for financing.(North America)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Neenah Foundry Co., Neenah, Wisconsin, has received commitments for $110 million of financing to support the company's proposed financial restructuring, which will eliminate a substantial amount of debt, reduce cash interest expense payments,...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
August 1, 2003... August August 17-20--AFS 15th Environmental Health & Safety Conference, Holiday Inn Select North at the Pyramids, Indianapolis. September September 15-18--North American Die Casting Assn. (NADCA), 22nd International Die Casting...

Intermet Corp.(Personals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Intermet Corp., Troy, Michigan, named Gary F. Ruff president and chief executive officer.

L.A. Aluminum Casting Co.(Personals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... L.A. Aluminum Casting Co., Hayden Lake, Idaho, named Arnie Tyler sales manager.

Hickman, Williams & Co.(Personals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Hickman, Williams & Co., Oak Brook, Illinois, named David H. Gelwicks to its board of directors.

Ashland Specialty Chemical Co.(Personals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Ashland Specialty Chemical Co., Dublin, Ohio, named Julie Treon manager--marketing communications.

Taylor's Industrial Services.(Personals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The HPM Division of Taylor's Industrial Services, Mt. Gilead, Ohio, named Dean M. Francis vice president of global development.

Modern Equipment Co.(Personals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Modern Equipment Co., Port Washington, Wisconsin, named Bob Youmans manager of foundry and industrial sales.

American Society for Metals (ASM) International.(Personals)(Fellow honors)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... American Society for Metals (ASM) International, Materials Park, Ohio, awarded the honor of Fellow to Lawrence D. Graham, PCC Airfoils, Inc., Richard B. Gundlach, Climax Research Services, Elwin L. Rooy, Rooy and Assoc., and Darrell F. Smith,...

George B. Peters.(Obituaries)(retired Aurora Industries Inc. president)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... George B. Peters, 88, retired president and CEO of Aurora Industries, Inc., Aurora, Illinois, died in June. Peters worked at Aurora Industries for 46 years, retiring in 1987.

The perfect matchplate molding operation: before MODERN CASTING could name the three best matchplate molding operations, we had to figure out what exactly makes one ideal and the envy of all others.
August 1, 2003... How do you quantify who is the best at something? In order to highlight the very best foundries in matchplate molding, MODERN CASTING asked molding suppliers to nominate plants that have implemented cutting edge technology and engineering...

The best of matchplate molding: Modern Casting asked molding experts to nominate foundries that have implemented the best technology and engineering to make their matchplate molding operation the model of efficiency and productivity. They considered several aspects, including physical layout, mold handling and versatility. The following three foundries were deemed the best overall.(Acme Foundry Inc.)(Littlestown Foundry)(Donsco Inc.)
August 1, 2003... Acme Foundry/Magic Circle, Inc. Coffeyville, Kansas In 2000, Acme Foundry was looking to improve the flexibility of its high production matchplate molding line, allowing for more capabilities while simultaneously keeping its costs low. "Our...

CAE opens new frontiers in casting design: applying cutting-edge, integrated computer-aided engineering (CAE) technologies to optimize casting designs can open doors for foundries, placing them at the head table with their customers.
August 1, 2003... The pace of change in today's marketplace is so rapid that time-to-market has to be the overriding priority. All too often casting designers feel forced to compromise on innovative casting ideas or approaches because of a perception that there...

Reducing surface defects with proper vein reduction: while vein reduction compounds can lead to improvements in iron castings--such as reduction in metal penetration and core erosion--they can result in varying degrees of tensile property reduction.
August 1, 2003... As casting surface quality becomes increasingly important to end-users, foundries have to find new and effective methods of eliminating surface defects in iron castings. One method--vein reduction compounds--is used primarily to reduce or...

GIFA '03: unveiling new technology casting advancements: with more than 40,000 attendees searching for the latest and greatest technological advancements in metalcasting, this year's GIFA delivered the future of metalcasting for all to behold.
August 1, 2003... GIFA is the metalcasting industry's largest event. Hands down, no competition. The 2003 version of this once every four-year conference drew more than 40,000 attendees to Dusseldorf, Germany, June 16-21, as industry suppliers from across...

The acronym conundrum.(CEO Journal)(foundry management)
August 1, 2003... To some foundry CEOs, the blizzard of advanced manufacturing management programs (and their ubiquitous acronyms) are little more than fads that will, in time, pass. To others, programs such as TQM, DFT, ISO, QRM, TBM, Five S and so on are to be...

Effective riser use.(Casting Facts)
August 1, 2003... A riser is a reservoir of molten metal that is used to feed a casting, which shrinks during solidification from molten to solid metal. Risers are an important part of a casting's gating system, which is the path molten metal takes to enter the...

Immediate Past President Paul Cervellero retires.(AFS/CMI News)(from Inductotherm Corp.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... In July, AFS Immediate Past President Paul B. Cervellero retired from Inductotherm Corp. as president and chief operating officer after 40 years of service. After a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, Cervellero joined Inductotherm as a...

New AFS Corporate Members (April-June 2003).(Membership memo)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... New AFS Corporate Members (April-June 2003): Q-Tec Engineering Group; Ohio Machine & Mfg. Co. Inc.; North Vernon Industry Corp.; Kloster Corp.; Commercial Enameling Co.; Precision Propeller, Inc.; May Foundry & Machine; The Shredder Co. LLC;...

CMI thanks instructors, companies.(AFS/CMI News)
August 1, 2003... This space is to thank the instructors and their companies who have provided their time and expertise for CMI courses held April 1-May 30, 2003. Gabriel Lucas, Buehler Ltd. Joe Phelan, Consultant Phil Sandford, FOSECO Inc. ...

AFS Cast Iron Marketing Committee introduces website for material property comparisons.(AFS/CMI News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... In order to facilitate better decisions regarding material selections and component designs, a new interactive website, www.ironcastings.org, has been unveiled by the AFS Cast Iron Marketing Committee (5-M). This free online resource allows...

New 2-day CMI course planned for October for casting sales & marketing at AFS.(AFS/CMI News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... A new CMI course, "Marketing & Selling Castings in the New Millennium" has been planned for October 8-9 at AFS. This all-new course, put together by the AFS Marketing Division, combines the highly regarded marketing course that debuted in May...

Trade Commission working with Congress to initiate Section 332 investigation.(AFS/CMI News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Throughout April, May and June, the AFS Trade Commission has worked vigorously with the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee to issue a formal request to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to initiate a fact-finding...

AFS chapter news.
August 1, 2003... NORTHERN CALIFORNIA--In June, Richard Garcia (ctr), Laney College, presents awards to Ricardo Ramirez (l), winner of the best casting by an apprentice award, and Joaquin Salazar, California Castings, who was named Apprentice of the Year.--by...

Chapter meetings.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
August 1, 2003... CENTRAL NEW YORK August 23--Golf Outing, Greenview Golf Course, West Monroe, New York. October 8--Pier 57 Restaurant, Liverpool, New York; "Casting Imports," Tim Brown, Benton Foundry. November 12--Pier 57 Restaurant, Liverpool, New York;...

An artist's approach to industry: in case you didn't know.(Shakeout)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... As part of his collection on artwork depicting industry workers and craftsmen (detailed in the book Man at Work by Klaus Turk), Eckhart G. Grohmann, president and chairman of Aluminum Casting & Engineering Co. (ACE/CO), Milwaukee, invited...