Modern Casting articles from August 2004

Modern Casting archives from August 2004

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The June web site question of the month asked, "If you are not currently using modeling/solidification software on all new jobs, why not?" Answers: * 43%--Cost is too prohibitive. * 26%--Repetitive jobs/simple gating system so it...

Look outside the mold.(Editorial)
August 1, 2004... In this issue of MODERN CASTING, we recognize two different firms in our industry for challenging tradition and the stratus quo. The first firm is John Deere Foundry. This captive metalcasting facility decided it needed to test its...

OSHA considers options regarding standard for silica exposure.(Washington Alert)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... In June's Federal Register, OSHA published the Semi Annual Regulatory Agenda, which continues to list exposure to crystalline silica as a major problem and suggests a new exposure limit as part of a new role is likely. OSHA states the current...

Bi-partisan commission faults U.S.-China trade policy.(Washington Alert)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission released the 2004 Report to Congress that details concerns and recommendations for improving the security and economic equality of Chinese trade with the U.S. A full copy of the Report to...

Bush administration names manufacturing Czar and Council.(Washington Alert)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... As part of the Bush Administration's "Manufacturing Initiative," California businessman AI Frink has been tapped for the position of Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing and Services. Once nominated and confirmed, Frink will serve as the Bush...

Sibley Foundry saved from closure.(North America; Sibley Machine and Foundry Corp.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... After an April announcement that Sibley Foundry, South Bend, Ind., would close, the facility has been saved thanks to new ownership. A group of private investors purchased Sibley's metalcasting facility in July after an outstanding tax bill...

Forest City Casting launched in Canada.(North America)(Forest City Casting Inc)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... According to the London Free Press, London, Ontario, Canada, two long time members of the metalcasting industry set off their own casting company in February. Scott McRae and Mike Vandenboom established Forest City Casting Inc., London,...

Alcoa Michigan facilities to benefit in military castings from national defense spending bill.(North America)
August 1, 2004... Howmet Castings (Alcoa Inc.), Whitehall, Mich., and Alcoa Automotive Castings Inc., Fruitport, Mich., will share in $ 24 rail lion in advanced materials research through contracts that are expected to be coming from the U.S. Dept. of Defense,...

Ward Corp. earns honorary award.(North America; Supplier of the Year/Continuing Achievement Award from Cummins Engine Co.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... In appreciation of multiple achievements, Ward Corp., Fort Wayne, Ind., received the Supplier of the Year/ Continuing Achievement Award from Cummins Engine Co., Columbus, Ind. The honor recognized Ward's completion of a six-sigma project;...

Howmet Whitehall receives MVPP star award from MIOSHA for workplace safety.(North America)
August 1, 2004... Honoring workplace safety and health excellence, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) presented the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) Star Award to the whitehall, Mich., facility of Howmet Castings...

Desert Crucible to cast mascot sculpture.(North America)(The Wildcat Family)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... As part of a new monument at the Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., Desert Crucible Inc., Tucson, was commissioned to cast "The Wildcat Family." The sculpture is expected to be 11-ft. tall and will feature two adult wildcats guarding two...

Coastcast Corp., Rancho Dominguez, Calif., which closed its metalcasting facilities.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Coastcast Corp., Rancho Dominguez, Calif., which closed its metalcasting facilities, agreed to sell assets used in the operations of its plants in Rancho Dominguez and Tijuana, Mexico to Fu Sheng Industrial Co. Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan.

A U.S. subsidiary of Aalberts Industries N.V., Amsterdam, agreed to purchase most of the assets of the Flow Control division of Amcast Industrial Corp., Dayton, Ohio, to comply with provisions of loan agreements.(Acquisition)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... A U.S. subsidiary of Aalberts Industries N.V., Amsterdam, agreed to purchase most of the assets of the Flow Control division of Amcast Industrial Corp., Dayton, Ohio, to comply with provisions of loan agreements. Flow Control includes Elkhart...

Rimrock Corp., Columbus, Ohio, purchased all assets of Lubrimation, Columbus.(Acquisitions)(Lubrimation)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Rimrock Corp., Columbus, Ohio, purchased all assets of Lubrimation, Columbus, which formerly supplied die lubrication and automation equipment, such as nozzles and stationary systems, to the forging industry.

Superior Industries International Inc.(Foundry Ticker)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
August 1, 2004... Superior Industries International Inc., Van Nuys, Calif., reported a second quarter revenue record of $233.7 million compared to $210.7 million for the same quarter in 2003, For the first half of 2004, the company's revenue has experienced a...

Amcast Industrial Corp.(Foundry Ticker)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Amcast Industrial Corp., Dayton, Ohio, reported fiscal third quarter sales of $111.4 million and $318.7 million in year-to-date sales, both slightly down from last year. During the quarter, the company experienced a decline of engineered...

Precision Castparts Corp. (PCC).(Foundry Ticker)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Precision Castparts Corp. (PCC), Portland, Ore., reported first quarter fiscal 2005 total sales of $738.8 million, an increase from $475.7 million in last year's first quarter. Net income from continuing operations had also increased from $35.3...

ThyssenKrupp Waupaca, Waupaca, Wis., has awarded a new contract to Sert, Lyon, France.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... ThyssenKrupp Waupaca, Waupaca, Wis., has awarded a new contract to Sert. Lyon, France, to equip 3 vertically parted green sand mold lines at their plant in Marinette, Wis., with the Uceram automatic mold pouring unit.

U.S. Pipe & Foundry.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... U.S. Pipe & Foundry, Birmingham, Ala., will pay $6.5 million and change work procedures in settling a lawsuit filed by its African-American employees alleging discrimination on the job.

OneSource Casting Corp. Newark, N.J., signed a supply and toll manufacturing agreement with RH Foundry.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... OneSource Casting Corp., Newark, N.J., signed a supply and toll manufacturing agreement with RH Foundry, Beijing after working with the Chinese company for several years.

The iron lost foam casting facility at Citation Columbiana (Citation Corp.) Columbiana, Ala., participated in the Teachers Intern Program.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The iron lost foam casting facility at Citation Columbiana (Citation Corp.) Columbiana, Ala., participated in the Teachers Intern Program of the Shelby County, Ala., school system to acquaint teachers with local industries.

Simpson Technologies Inc., Aurora, Ill., renewed its technical exchange and cooperation agreement with Sintokogio Ltd., Nagoya, Japan.(Newscast)
August 1, 2004... Simpson Technologies Inc., Aurora, Ill., renewed its technical exchange and cooperation agreement with Sintokogio Ltd., Nagoya, Japan. to continue the technical and marketing collaboration between the two companies.

Magma Foundry Technologies, Arlington Heights, Ill., will supply Cifunsa's metalcasting facility.(Newscast)(Cifunsa)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Magma Foundry Technologies, Arlington Heights, Ill., will supply Cifunsa's metalcasting facility in Irapuato, Coahuila, Mexico, with simulation software and engineering services.

Herron Casting Services, Chicago, and MeltTech Inc., Tuscumbia, Ala., entered into a joint plan.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Herron Casting Services, Chicago, and MeltTech Inc., Tuscumbia, Ala., entered into a joint plan to market complementary patented technologies for the industry.

Q.C. Designs Inc., St. Joseph, Mich., will supply a Dross Boss hot return system to AAP St. Mary's Corp., St. Mary's, Ohio.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Q.C. Designs Inc., St. Joseph, Mich., will supply a Dross Boss hot return system to AAP St. Mary's Corp., St. Mary's, Ohio. Q.C. Designs also plans to supply two dross processing units for St. Mary's low-pressure wheel casting machines.

Rimrock Corp., Columbus, Ohio, agreed to distribute a line of products.(Newscast)(Fill Technik der Zukunft)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Rimrock Corp., Columbus, Ohio, agreed to distribute a line of products from Fill Technik der Zukunft, Gurten, Austria.

Koins Ltd.(Newscast)(Koins Ltd.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... LaserPour Group (LMI Technologies) Southfield, Mich., has joined Koins Ltd., Siheung-Si, Kyunggi-Do, South Korea, to support customers in the Americas. As a result, LaserPour will operate under the name Koins Corp.

Accelerated Technologies (Ellison Group), Austin, Texas, launched a new tooling division.(Newscast)(Stealth Technologies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Accelerated Technologies (Ellison Group), Austin, Texas, launched a new tooling division, Stealth Technologies, Port Huron, Mich.

Universal Chemical Technologies Inc. (UTC), Stuart, Fla., granted Hale Chrome Service, Toledo, Ohio, a license.(Newscast)(Hale Chrome Service)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Universal Chemical Technologies Inc. (UTC), Stuart, Fla., granted Hale Chrome Service, Toledo, Ohio, a license to practice UCT's UltraCem family of metal finishing technologies.

3D Systems Corp., Valencia, Calif., and DSM Desotech Inc., New Castle, Del., entered into a distribution agreement for stereolithography resin.(Newscast)
August 1, 2004... 3D Systems Corp., Valencia, Calif., and DSM Desotech Inc., New Castle, Del., entered into a distribution agreement for stereolithography resin, under which 3D Systems will supply DSM Seines stereolithography resins.

France--Sert, Lyon, France, revamped the eight-year old automatic pouring unit.(Around the World--Newscast)(Le Creuset Foundry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... FRANCE -- Sert, Lyon, France, revamped the eight-year old automatic pouring unit at Le Creuset Foundry, Fresnoy-Le-Grand, France.

Germany--Buhler Druckguss AG, Uzwil, Switzerland, supplied six high-tonnage diecasting machines.(Around the World--Newscast)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... GERMANY -- Buhler Druckguss AG, Uzwil, Switzerland, supplied six high tonnage diecasting machines to the new BMW metalcasting facility in Landshut, Germany.

SMS GmbH, Dusseldorf, Germany, acquired the remaining 30% of Concast AG, Zurich, Switzerlands.(Around the World--Newscast)
August 1, 2004... SMS GmbH, Dusseldorf, Germany, acquired the remaining 30% of Concast AG, Zurich, Switzerland; however, Concast will continue to operate in markets as a self-standing brand.

South Africa--Steloy Foundry Group, Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa, will co-sponsor the 2004 Stainless Steel Awards.(Around the World--Newscast)(Steloy Foundry Group)(Stainless Steel Awards)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... SOUTH AFRICA -- Steloy Foundry Group, Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa, will co sponsor the 2004 Stainless Steel Awards hosted by the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Assn. (Sassda). Steloy joins a number Of other sponsors from the...

Sweden--ABB KMT.(Around the World--Newscast; opens technology center in Ronneby, Sweden)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... SWEDEN -- ABB KMT, Ronneby, Sweden, has opened a new technology center in Ronneby. The facility is the company's largest investment ever.

Switzerland--ABB Inc., Zurich, Switzerland, supplied a new melt shop to Aisin Takaoka, Toyota City, Japan.(Around the World--Newscast)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... SWITZERLAND -- ABB Inc., Zurich, Switzerland, supplied a new melt shop to Aisin Takaoka, Toyota City, Japan. ABB also will provide melting furnaces to Fusag S.A., Agueda, Portugal, and Portcast (Intermet), Porto, Portugal, and pouring equipment...

United Kingdom--Sanes, Pune, India, has been appointed agent for Vulcan Europe (Richards Engineering Inc.), Leicester, England.(Around the World--Newscast)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... UNITED KINGDOM -- Sanes, Pune, India, has been appointed agent for vulcan Europe (Richards Engineering Inc.), Leicester, England. In its duties, Sanes will cover India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The SPS Aerospace Fasteners (Precision Castparts Corp.) facility in Leicester, England, signed a four-year contract with Airbus, Toulouse, France.(Around the World--Newscast)
August 1, 2004... The SPS Aerospace Fasteners (Precision Castparts Corp.) facility in Leicester, England, signed a four-year contract with Airbus, Toulouse, France, to supply titanium pins, collars, nuts and studs to Airbus facilities across Europe.

Quality Certifications.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The following metalcasting and supplier organizations have received recent certifications: Bronze Craft Corp., Nashua, N.H., (ISO 9001:1994); Harrison Steel Casting Co., Attica, Ind., (ISO 9001:2000); Castings Technology...

Engineered Casting Solutions.(Editors Receive Promotions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Alfred T. Spada has been promoted to publisher of Engineered Casting Solutions. Spada has been working with the magazine since its inception in 1999 and has held positions as associate, managing and executive editors as well as his current role...

Kyle Bauer has been promoted to associate editor of MODERN CASTING and Engineered Casting Solutions.(Editors Receive Promotions)(Modern Casting)(Engineered Casting Solutions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Kyle Bauer has been promoted to associate editor of MODERN CASTING and Engineered Casting Solutions. Bauer joined the staff of the magazines full-time in 2003 as assistant editor. He had previously worked as a sports writer for the...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
August 1, 2004... September September 6-9--Foundrymen's Assn. of Turkey, 66th World Foundry Congress, Swissotel Istanbul-The Bosphorus, Istanbul, Turkey. September 11-15--Steel Founders' Society of America Annual Meeting. The Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake...

Winsert Inc.(Personals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Winsert Inc., Marinette, Wis., named David Eickmeyer director of engineering.

Citation Corp.(Personals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Citation Corp., Birmingham, Ala., hired Michael J. O'Brien as director of automotive sales and marketing.

J.L. French.(Personals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... J.L. French, Witham, England, appointed Axel Assmus as head of European operations and Matthias Scheidling to head of European sales and marketing.

ABB Inc.(Personals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... ABB Inc., Norwalk, Conn. (Zurich, Switzerland), announced the election of Dinesh C. Paliwal to the U.S.-China Business Council Board of Directors.

Republic Engineered Products Inc.(Personals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Republic Engineered Products Inc., Fairlawn, Ohio, appointed Jay Helmick regional sales manager-Chicago, Shane McGuire field sales representative-Chicago, and announced Ted Thielens Jr. will head a consolidated department of customer relations,...

Obituaries.(Industry News)(Obituary)
August 1, 2004... William George Gudgeon, London, Ontario, Canada, died in May. He was 82. Mr. Gudgeon formed Gudgeon Brothers Ltd., Pattern Engineering and Tooling, London, Ontario, Canada and was one of the first people to introduce shell and nobake molding to...

2004 Foundry of the year: John Deere Foundry from CAD to casting in 12hr ... the on fashioned way: proving that nothing is impossible, this iron facility produced a production-grade casting using traditional methods from CAD design to delivery in 11 hours and 48 minutes.
August 1, 2004... The past MODERN CASTING Foundry of the Year Awards have been granted to plants showcasing feats of engineering excellence. Whether it's a new molding line, melt system or environmental controls, the award has been centered around a...

Keeping up with process simulation technology: this casting process modeling software roundup provides metalcasters with details on the latest advancements. Visit www.moderncasting.com for more information.
August 1, 2004... While many aspects of the metalcasting industry evolve gradually into the future, fire exception is casting process modeling software. In the heart of the technology age, it is imperative to keep up with the latest advancements. But that can...

Bringing mold material thermophysical data up to speed: because of the ever-growing functionality of casting process modeling programs, mold material thermal input data have been evaluated and redefined.
August 1, 2004... With the rapid increase in advancements in physics-based mold filling and solidification simulation software, the need to bring material thermal properties up to speed has be come readily apparent. Constant advances in simulation technology...

The sand controversy--does core sand harm your green sand? Since the 1970s, the integration of nobake binders into green sand systems has been investigated significantly. By updating a previous conclusion, closure to the dilemma might be at hand.
August 1, 2004... Since 1979, the growth of chemical binders--particularly phenolic urethane binders--has been phenomenal. Although usage of most chemical binders has increased during the last 25 years, the use of phenolic urethane binders has grown at the...

Evaluating sources of inclusion defects: SEM-EDS reference data can greatly assist metalcasters in evaluating green sand cast iron inclusion defects and, thus, help create countermeasures to decrease the rate of inclusion errors.(Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion spectrometry )
August 1, 2004... Inclusion defects are among the most frequently observed errors in castings produced in green sand molds. Sand and slag are the principal generators of inclusion defects, but inoculants, refractories, smelting aids or slag removers also can be...

Advocating engineered castings from a unique perspective: leading his firm's shift in focus, Ashland's Mike Swartzlander works to convert design engineers and buyers to casting lovers one component at a time.(Industry Faces)(Company Profile)
August 1, 2004... Metalcasters know that their future long-term success depends upon the marketing, development and sales of engineered cast components. The days of end-users placing million dollar orders with U.S. metalcasters for "commodity" components that...

World class maintenance.(CEO Journal)(total productive maintenance )
August 1, 2004... The manufacturing industry's ability to contribute to company profitability is best measured in terms of delivery effectiveness, productivity, cost of quality, cycle times and manufacturing cost structure. However, when it comes to maintenance...

Casting answers & advice.
August 1, 2004... Q we use silica sand to remove the mold coating from permanent molds. Due to environmental concerns, we are considering a system that uses a C[O.sub.2] dry ice material. Will this be aggressive enough to clean the molds? Background: Silica...

Primal Leadership.(Book Review)
August 1, 2004... Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee (Harvard Business School Press) has the potential to be extremely valuable to managers feeling pressure to improve performance. To determine if this book will be useful for...

The West and the Rest: Globalization and the Terrorist Threat.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... What is the greatest threat to economic stability? If you think it is terrorism, read The West and the Rest by Roger Scruton, (Intercollegiate studies Institute). You'll find a concise, penetrating analysis of the plan to plant western-style...

Birmingham--in June, the chapter officers and directors terms became effective.(AFS Chapter News)
August 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: BIRMINGHAM -- In June, the chapter officers and directors terms became effective (above). Pictured (from I) are Jeff Fowler, Citation Marion; Jarek Olszak, Laempe+Reich Corp.; Diane Kirkley, Vulcan...

Chicago--in May, Dave Kanicki, Inductotherm Corp., presents a speaker's award to Stuart Kleven.(AFS Chapter News)
August 1, 2004... Caption: CHICAGO -- In May, Dave Kanicki (r). Inductotherm Corp., presents a speaker's award to Stuart Kleven, Alloyweld Inspection Co., after his presentation, "Recovery and History of the Confederate Submarine. The Hunley, and the Role of...

Stateline--in April, Jeff Clark, Gunite Corp., presents a speaker's award to Dan Verschage.(AFS Chapter News)
August 1, 2004... STATELINE -- In April, Jeff Clark (r), Gunite Corp., presents a speaker's award to Dan Verschage, Citation Wisconsin Castings, after his presentation, "What We Do and How We Do It."

Chapter meetings.(AFS Chapter News)(Calendar)
August 1, 2004... CENTRAL NEW YORK August 21--Greenview Golf Club West Monroe, N.Y.; Golf Outing. KEYSTONE September 10--Heidelberg Country Club, Bernville, Pa.; Summer Outing. December 3--TBD; Christmas Party. PITTSBURGH September 20--Ramada Inn,...

Fill enters North American market with swingmaster decoring system.(New Product)
August 1, 2004... Making its North American debut. Fill Technik der Zukunft, Gurten, Austria, is introducing its high-tech, cost-effective solutions for machinery and equipment design to the North American metalcasting industry. Among the innovations Fill is...

Cost savings from furnaces bale out Mahoney Foundry.(Case History)
August 1, 2004... Many aluminum casters build and operate their own gas melting and holding furnaces as a way to limit capital expenditures. However, the higher operating costs and production limitations over time can offset the one time capital savings. That...

Rotary degasser.(Metalcasting Supplies)
August 1, 2004... Metaullics Systems Co. L.P. now offers the STAR molten metal treatment system. The STAR (square tipped aluminum refiner) rotary degassing system can be supplied an a stationary well-mounted unit, with a power lift or on a mobile cart. The flux...

CIP systems.(Metalcasting Supplies)
August 1, 2004... Engineered Pressure Systems Inc. recently unveiled its cold isostatic press production unit (CIP). The CIP is designed for high productivity and low maintenance and is capable of operating at pressures up to 100,000 psi with control of...

Dross processing equipment.(Metalcasting Supplies)
August 1, 2004... Q.C. Designs Inc. now offers the Dross Boss hot return system. The automated unit is unique because hot drosses are processed directly from the generating furnace with the recovered aluminum alloy then returned to the original furnace in the...

Nobel lists metalcaster among accomplishments.(Shakeout: in case you didn't know ...)
August 1, 2004... Alfred Nobel--inventor, entrepreneur, industrialist... metalcaster? Best remembered for the prizes bearing his name, Alfred Nobel may have never reached such popularity had it not been for the metalcasting industry. In 1837, Nobel's...