Modern Casting articles from August 2005

Modern Casting archives from August 2005

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
August 1, 2005... The June web site question asked, "What is the greatest obstacle facing today's metalcaster?" * 38%--Foreign competition. * 33%--Lack of skilled labor. * 24%--Customers focusing solely on price. * 5%--Government regulations....

For more information.(moderncasting.com)
August 1, 2005... Visit the For More Information section at www.moderncasting.com to view "Improvement of the Low-Pressure Permanent Mold Pressurization Sequence for Wheel Casting," by D. Singh, J.R. Lee and Z.W. Chen, as mentioned in the article, "VCT Models...

Practicing the fundamentals.(Editorial)
August 1, 2005... I recently picked up the game of golf. As a teenager, I caddied six days a week during the summer as a means to stay outside and earn money. However, I never became interested in the game itself. Whenever I was asked to play, I usually gave...

German ae group to establish North American headquarters in Georgia, create 300 jobs.(North America)
August 1, 2005... A German diecasting firm plans to advance its capabilities in North America and new facility. As part of a $15 million initial investment are group ag, Bebra, Germany, will establish its first U.S. manufacturing operation--a...

Metal Technologies acquires Sachs Giesserei.(North America)
August 1, 2005... Metal Technologies Inc. (MTI), Auburn, Ind., announced that its affiliate, Metal Technologies Holding LLC, completed the acquisition of Sachs Giesserei GmbH (SGG), Kitzingen, Germany from ZF Sachs AG, Schweinfurt, Germany. MTI, which finalized...

Whitman opens 160,O00-sq.-ft. pattern refurbishing, storage and transfer center.(North America)
August 1, 2005... To aid OEMs in the burden of pattern storage, Whitman Castings Inc., Whitman, Mass., opened its Pattern Refurbishing, Storage and Transfer Center with the purchase of a modern 160,000-sq.-ft. industrial building in Worcester, Mass. Whitman...

3 metalcasting firms benefit from grants, to improve capabilities.(North America)
August 1, 2005... Three U.S. metalcasting firms recently received financial assistance from local organizations to improve production capabilities and add jobs during the next few years. Ryobi Die Casting, Shelbyville, Ind., was selected as one of four...

Legget & Platt.(Foundry Ticker)(sales and earnings)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Legget & Platt, Carthage, Mo., reported a record second quarter sales of $1.31 billion, a 2.5% increase from the same period in 2004. The company's earnings per share also increased 5.1% compared to last year's second quarter. Legget ended the...

Lufkin Industries Inc.(Foundry Ticker)(sales and earnings)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Lufkin Industries Inc., Lufkin, Texas, declared a second quarter sales increase of 44% at $121.7 million, compared to the $84.5 million reported in the second quarter of 2004. Net earnings also increased 200%, from $3.5 million last year to...

Superior Industries International Inc.(Foundry Ticker)
August 1, 2005... Superior Industries International Inc., Van Nuys, Calif., reported a second quarter revenue of $226.4 million, a 3.1% decrease compared to the second quarter 2004. Net income was lower than the same time last year, as well, dropping from $13.58...

Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Northville, Mich., announced the sale of its wholly-owned equipment and engineering subsidiary to Todd G. Carlson and Daniel D. Minor.(Newscast)
August 1, 2005... Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Northville, Mich., announced the sale of its wholly-owned equipment and engineering subsidiary to Todd G. Carlson and Daniel D. Minor. The business will be renamed CMI-Equipment and Engineering Inc., Au Gres,...

Mareen Johnson Machine Co.-Foundry Div., Webster, S.D., was purchased by current employees.(Newscast)
August 1, 2005... Mareen Johnson Machine Co.-Foundry Div., Webster, S.D., was purchased by current employees of the casting facility and renamed Dakota Foundry.

Citation Corp., Birmingham, Ala., announced its Butler (Ind.) Division was named a 2005 Best Supplier.(Newscast)
August 1, 2005... Citation Corp., Birmingham, Ala., announced its Butler (Ind.) Division was named a 2005 Best Supplier to Delphi Energy and Chassis Systems, Saginaw, Mich.

Intermet Corp.(Newscast)
August 1, 2005... Intermet Corp., Troy, Mich, announced the Bankruptcy Court denied its motion to enter into a financing commitment letter and pay the fees and expenses, and to furnish related indemnities provided for in the letter. The company has the right to...

Wescast Industries Inc.(Newscast)
August 1, 2005... Wescast Industries Inc., Brantford, Ontario, Canada, filed a Form 15 with the Securities and Exchange Commission to deregister its Class A Subordinate Voting Shares.

Integra Castings USA LLC.(Newscast)
August 1, 2005... Integra Castings USA LLC, Cando, N.D., closed its facility in June, affecting 60 employees.

Ashland Casting Solutions (Ashland Inc.), Dublin, Ohio, announced it has entered into an agreement with TEMC Metal and Chemical Corp., Taipei, Taiwan.(Newscast)
August 1, 2005... Ashland Casting Solutions (Ashland Inc.), Dublin, Ohio, announced it has entered into an agreement with TEMC Metal and Chemical Corp., Taipei, Taiwan. The agreement provides TEMC an exclusive right to distribute Ashland's binders and sleeve...

Flow Science Inc.(Newscast)
August 1, 2005... Flow Science Inc., Santa Fe, N.M., established its new Engineering Services Div. that will initially serve the metalcasting industry.

CECO Environmental Corp., New York, announced it will sell the Cincinnati manufacturing and corporate office facilities of its subsidiary.(Newscast)
August 1, 2005... CECO Environmental Corp., New York, announced it will sell the Cincinnati manufacturing and corporate office facilities of its subsidiary, Kirk and Blum Manufacturing Co., to the Trademark Property Co., Forth Worth, Texas.

CANMET-MTL.(Newscast)
August 1, 2005... CANMET-MTL, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, announced it will relocate to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The move is expected to take three to four years.

Kuka Robotics Corp. (Kuka Roboter GmbH), Clinton Township, Mich., signed Nercon Engineering and Manufacturing Inc.(Newscast)
August 1, 2005... Kuka Robotics Corp. (Kuka Roboter GmbH), Clinton Township, Mich., signed Nercon Engineering and Manufacturing Inc., Oshkosh, Wis., as a system partner.

Houghton Fluidcare (Houghton International), Valley Forge Pa., will design and implement a mechanical vapor recompression-based fluid recycling system.(Newscast)
August 1, 2005... Houghton Fluidcare (Houghton International), Valley Forge, Pa., will design and implement a mechanical vapor recompression-based fluid recycling system for Toyota's new Bodine Aluminum diecasting plant in Jackson, Tenn.

Cole Specialty Systems Inc., Auburn Hills, Mich., was purchased by William Goetz of both William Goetz & Assoc. Co., Grand Blanc, Mich., and CMI-Schneible Co., Holly, Mich., and Bruce Berry of BRB Group, Auburn Hills, Mich.(Newscast)
August 1, 2005... Cole Specialty Systems Inc., Auburn Hills, Mich., was purchased by William Goetz of both William Goetz & Assoc. Co., Grand Blanc, Mich., and CMI-Schneible Co., Holly, Mich., and Bruce Berry of BRB Group, Auburn Hills, Mich. The company now...

Union Foundry achieves safety milestone.(North America)
August 1, 2005... Union Foundry Co., Anniston, Ala., reached a safety achievement in June when it had operated for more than one million man hours with no lost-time injuries. During this time, the company's employees experienced a 35% reduction in recordable...

MAHLE International GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany, renamed its subsidiary company.(North America)
August 1, 2005... MAHLE International GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany, renamed its subsidiary company, Cosworth Technology Inc., to MAHLE Powertrain Inc., Novi, Mich.

Seco/Warwick Corp.(North America)
August 1, 2005... The majority interest of Seco/Warwick Corp., Meadville, Pa., was acquired by Jeffrey W. Boswell.

Quality certifications.(Industry News)
August 1, 2005... The following metalcasting and supplier organizations have received recent certifications or passed surveillance audits: Harrison Steel Casting Co., Attica, Ind., (ISO 9001:2000); Vulcan Lead Inc., Milwaukee, (ISO 9001:2000).

France--ESI Group, Paris, supplied ProCast simulation software.(Around the World--Newscast)
August 1, 2005... FRANCE -- ESI Group, Paris, supplied ProCast simulation software to 15 Italian metalcasting firms within the last year.

Turkey--Hayes Lemmerz Inci, Jant Sanayi A. Y., Manisa, Turkey received the 2004 Hyundai Assan Otomotiv Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Y. Best Supplier Award.(Around the World--Newscast)
August 1, 2005... TURKEY -- Hayes Lemmerz Inci, Jant Sanayi A. Y., Manisa, Turkey received the 2004 Hyundai Assan Otomotiv Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Y. Best Supplier Award, from Hyndal Assan, Izmit, Turkey.

Georg Fischer to close Swiss, German plants, will shift production to Austria.(Around the World)
August 1, 2005... Georg Fischer, Schaffhausen, Switzerland, announced plans to cease operations at two of its European metalcasting facilities. The company announced it will close the Georg Fischer Druckguss GmbH aluminum diecasting plant in Munich, Germany,...

Obsessed with the metalcasting life.(Letterbox)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... After reading the June 2005 MODERN CASTING editorial, "Just a Little Obsessed," I am reassured that I am in the right place for metalcasters. I sometimes thought I was the only one who felt that way. Just sitting down to "write" this has...

The Doncasters Group Ltd.(Personals)
August 1, 2005... The Doncasters Group Ltd., Melbourne, U.K., announced the appointment of Michael Schurch as group finance director.

Citation Corp.(Personals)
August 1, 2005... Citation Corp., Birmingham, Ala., named a new board of directors, including William E. Redmond. Jr., Alan E. Antonieqicz, Tom S. O'Donoghue, Ronald M. Ruzic and Richard J. Sloan. The company also promoted Geoffrey A. Bell to vice-president and...

Inductoheat.(Personals)
August 1, 2005... Inductoheat, Madison Heights, Mich., appointed Michael Rugg as product manager, tube and pipe heating.

Roberts Sinto Corp.(Personals)
August 1, 2005... Roberts Sinto Corp., Lansing, Mich., appointed Bob Conrad as foundry sales manager.

ASi International Ltd.(Personals)
August 1, 2005... ASi International Ltd., Cleveland, announced the appointment of David C. Williams as vice president of technology.

Hickman, Williams & Co.(Personals)
August 1, 2005... Hickman, Williams & Co., Oak Brook, Ill., elected William A. Snyder executive vice-president and CEO.

Obituaries.(Industry News)(Obituary)
August 1, 2005... Roy Butler, Cambridge, Ontario died June 14. He was 59. Butler was president and the longest employee of Custom Aluminum Foundry Ltd., Cambridge, Ontario. He was a member of the Canadian Foundry Assn. and AFS. Frank Hall, Park Ridge, Ill.,...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
August 1, 2005... August August 21-23--AFS Environmental Health & Safety Conference, Dearborn Inn, Dearborn, Mich. September September 10-14--Steel Founders' Society of America, Annual Meeting, Hyatt Regency, Lake Tahoe, Calif. September...

Senate passes comprehensive energy bill, final bill awaits vote.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
August 1, 2005... In June, the U.S. Senate passed the comprehensive energy bill (H.R. 6) by a vote of 85-12. The final version of the Senate bill included some important issues for industrial firms. The Senate defeated an amendment mandating the reduction...

Appeals court upholds most of EPA Clean Air Act.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
August 1, 2005... A federal appeals court recently upheld the majority of a 2002 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule aimed at improving the implementation of the Clean Air Act new source review (NSR) program. The NSR program requires all stationary...

House bill eases OSHA burdens on small businesses.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
August 1, 2005... In July, the House of Representatives passed four separate bills designed to give small businesses some leeway when dealing with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The four bills are: * The Occupational Safety...

The Manhattan project: a contractor, patternmaker and metalcasting facility collaborated on 43,000 castings to produce a replica of the original fence surrounding New York City's Central Park Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.(Cover Story)
August 1, 2005... Every day, thousands of New York joggers pound the path surrounding the Central Park Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, which is circled by a newly-installed ornamental fence set against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. Many will take...

Aristo Cast: accepting the challenge: by pioneering the use of magnesium in investment casting and positioning itself as a metalcasting facility with rapid prototyping capabilities, Aristo Cast has shown its willingness to meet the challenges facing the industry today.
August 1, 2005... Nestled in a small town an hour north of Detroit, occupying an unassuming building that, from the street, resembles an office suite more than an investment casting facility, Aristo Cast Inc., Almont, Mich., constantly works to refine a...

Building the foundation for green sand.
August 1, 2005... Inside This Story: * The basic fundamentals of green sand preparation, such as additives to the system, mixing and mulling, and sand measurement methods, have a direct effect on the quality of castings. * Better green sand preparation...

Mandating IHTC through casting simulation.
August 1, 2005... Inside This Story: * Interfacial heat transfer coefficients play a pivotal role in predicting permanent mold casting cooling rates. * Casting modeling software assists in these predictions by simulating fluidity and thermal activity....

VCT produces solutions for solid castings.
August 1, 2005... Inside This Story: * Virtual casting technology (VCT) connects modeling simulation with casting design teams to reach the root cause of a casting defect. * VCT methods allowed casting engineers to eliminate component errors and improve...

Considering the metalcasting CEO.(CEO JOURNAL)
August 1, 2005... While it is certainly true that the role of a metalcasting firm's chief executive officer is multifaceted, a number of all-important aspects of the job have been on my mind and in my work lately. This has spurred me to consider, yet again in...

Casting answers & advice.
August 1, 2005... Q In our aluminum permanent mold casting facility, we experience casting dimensional problems related to mold wear and maintenance. What might cause this misalignment? Background: Proper care and maintenance of permanent mold tooling and...

Former CMI Director Betterley (1912-2005).(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
August 1, 2005... Ralph E. Betterley, former director of education for AFS, passed away June 30 in Menomonie, Wis. He was 92. Betterley was best known throughout AFS for bringing his engineering expertise to the society when he became the AFS director of...

2004 average hiring wage $9.58 according to AFS Wages and Benefits Survey.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
August 1, 2005... The 2005 AFS Wages and Benefits Survey has been tabulated, and its results provide a valuable insight into the labor costs at metalcasting facilities throughout North America. Reports from 168 facilities representing 21,466 employees in the...

Birmingham--in June, the chapter elected new officers, directors and committee members.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
August 1, 2005... BIRMINGHAM -- In June, the chapter elected new officers, directors and committee members. Pictured above are the new committee members (front row I to r), Karen Williams, ACIPCO; Peter Reich, Laempe Reich Corp.; Jenny Bailey, ACIPCO; Tommy...

Keystone--in June, board officers and members for 2005-2006 were elected.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
August 1, 2005... KEYSTONE--In June, board officers and members for 2005-2006 were elected. Pictured are (front row, I to r) Director Mark Bidoli, Hickman Williams & Co.; Vice Chairman Ron Keiser, Motor Technology; Recording Secretary Steve Ducharme, H. Kramer &...

Michiana--in July, scholarship winners were recognized at the annual golf outing.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
August 1, 2005... MICHIANA -- In July, scholarship winners were recognized at the annual golf outing. Pictured in the left photo is Cassidy Kipfer. Pictured in the center photo are Karthik Prasad, Amanda Bridgman and Vanessa Foor. Pictured in the right photo is...

New Jersey Metropolitan--in March, past chairmen were honored.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
August 1, 2005... NEW JERSEY METROPOLITAN--In March, past chairmen were honored. Pictured are (from l to r) Bill Jacobs, Industrial Ferguson Foundry Co; Russel Lay, Concordia Industries; Bill Kavangh, Unimin Corp.; Don Clarke, American Aluminum Casting Co.; Mike...

Chapter meetings.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
August 1, 2005... BIRMINGHAM Aug. 27--Mountain View Golf, Graysville. Ala.; Picnic & Golf Outing. Oct. 10--Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham. Ala.; Regular Meeting. Nov. 14--Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham. Ala.: Regular Meeting. Dec. 12--TBA: Christmas Party. Jan. 9--Wynfrey...

Built-in melt automation technology boosts induction power supply.(New Product)
August 1, 2005... For many metalcasting facilities, automation is a top priority. Often it is the key to remaining competitive in what is now a challenging global marketplace. Facilities can optimize their automation with the VIP Melt-Manager Plus induction...

Grede-Iron Mountain gains edge with 3-D scanning.(New Product)
August 1, 2005... Grede's Iron Mountain Foundry, Kingsford, Mich., works year-round producing complex hydraulic valve castings for the agriculture industry as well as open-faced valves for transmissions in medium- and heavy-duty trucks. These complex castings...

Personal cooling system.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
August 1, 2005... RefrigiWear Inc., introduced its CoolZone Personal Cooling System, comprised of the CoolZone Carrier Vest/102 and the CoolZone Phase Change UniPak/102-PK, designed to reduce the dangers of heat stress for workers in extremely warm environments....

Tumble-blast machinery.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
August 1, 2005... Guyson Corp. now offers an addition to its line of pneumatic tumble-blast machinery with the Model T-50, a rotary basket system designed for batch processing of small components. Inside the 76- x 40- x 50-in. (193- x 101-x 127-cm) cabinet is a...

Production monitor.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
August 1, 2005... Vorne Industries introduced the XL800 Production Monitor for lean manufacturing. The XL800 provides a "bolt on" solution by integrating all the elements needed for performance management. It combines a large-area visual display, a...

Unearthing cast American history.(SHAKEOUT: In case you didn't know ...)
August 1, 2005... An important piece of American metalcasting history is being excavated piece by piece in Cold Springs, N.Y., the home of the 19th century West Point Foundry. The land preservation organization, Scenic Hudson, and Michigan Technological Univ.,...