Modern Casting articles from December 2004

Modern Casting archives from December 2004

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
December 1, 2004... The October web site question of the month asked, "In the coming year, what type of equipment will your metalcasting facility be most likely to upgrade?" Answers: * 33%--Mold/Core Preparation. * 24%--Melting/Pouring. *...

Just a pat on the back.(Editorial)
December 1, 2004... This issue of MODERN CASTING contains our most-anticipated annual feature article--the "Census of World Casting Production." In this article (p. 25), we use data provided by various metalcasting trade associations and other agencies across the...

U.S. criticizes European Union's regulatory measures.(Washington Alert)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... During a recent World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting, a U.S. ambassador challenged the European Union (EU) trade policy as it pertains to regulatory issues and non-trade barriers. The U.S. expressed concerns that the regulatory measures...

Economic Development Administration reauthorized.(Washington Alert)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... On Oct. 27, President Bush signed Senate Bill S.1134, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Reauthorization Act of 2004, into law. The reauthorization legislation, approved with broad-based bipartisan support, contains valuable...

Norwood Foundry, Innovative Energy Solutions agree to power up for clean energy facility.(North America)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Norwood Foundry Ltd., Nisku, Alberta, Canada, and Innovative Energy Solutions Inc. (iESi), Las Vegas, entered into an agreement to begin the engineering, development and operation of iESi's first power generation plant utilizing iESi's clean...

Legget & Platt constructing new plant for Briggs & Stratton diecasting contract.(North America)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Legget & Platt Inc., Carthage, Mo., broke ground on a 140,000-sq.-ft. aluminum diecasting facility in Auburn, Ala., to supply components to a Briggs & Stratton, Milwaukee, facility. With a capital investment of more than $20 million, the...

SPX Contech to supply automotive die castings for truck program.(North America)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... SPX Contech (SPX Corp.), Portage, Mich., received two contracts from a major Tier One automotive supplier company to produce diecast steering system components. With these new programs, which will utilize high-pressure vacuum diecasting...

Lufkin Industries Inc.(Foundry Ticker)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Lufkin Industries Inc., Lufkin, Texas, reported a 34% increase ($95.8 million) in third quarter sales from a year ago ($71.5 million). Net earnings for the same time also increased from $3.4 million to $4.9 million. Further, sales for the first...

Superior Industries International Inc.(Foundry Ticker)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Superior Industries International Inc., Van Nuys, Calif., announced an increase in revenue of $199.3 million for the third quarter, a 6.4% increase from 187.3 million from the same time last year. However, the company experienced a 4.7% decline...

Southern Alloy Corp.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Southern Alloy Corp., Sylacauga, Ala., was named the Sylacauga Industry of the Year.

Hibino Corp. of America.(facility closing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Hibino Corp. of America, Gainesville, Ga., will close its aluminum diecasting facility by February 2005, according to the Associated Press.

Norsk Hydro completes Europe's largest aluminum supply plant in Norway.(Around the World)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... As part of an aluminum supply site overhaul, Norsk Hydro ASA, Oslo, Norway, completed the construction of reportedly Europe's largest aluminum alloy supply facility in Sunndal, Norway. The cost of the 700,000-sq.-meter plant was NOK 150 million...

I. Schumann & Co.(Quality Certifications)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The following supplier organization has passed a surveillance audit: I. Schumann & Co., Bedford, Ohio, (ISO 9001:2000).

Crucible Foundry casts nation's largest Hamilton statue.(North America)
December 1, 2004... The Crucible Foundry and Gallery, Norman, Okla., recently cast a bronze statue of an American forefather, Alexander Hamilton. Following a design sculpted by Kristen Visbal, the statue, aptly named "The American Cape," features Hamilton as...

Steel casting representatives congregate at SFSA Technical & Operating Conference.(Metalcasting Associations)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... More than 100 representatives from the steel casting industry attended the Steel Founders' Society of America (SFSA) 58th Annual Technical & Operating (T&O) Conference and Workshop, held Nov. 3-6 in Chicago. The event featured a members'...

AFS Government Affairs Conference dates set.(Metalcasting Associations)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The dates for the annual AFS Metalcasting Industry Government Affairs Conference have been set for March 9-11, 2005 in Washington D.C. This year's meeting will address new agendas and legislation being set by Congress and the Bush...

2004 FEF Conference delivers opportunities in metalcasting to 101 student representatives.(Metalcasting Associations)
December 1, 2004... One-hundred one students turned out for the 2004 Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) College Industry Conference to see what future opportunities exist in the metalcasting industry. Held Nov. 11-13 at The Drake Hotel, Chicago, more than...

Metalcasters gather in Toledo at AFS Lost Foam Conference, Tabletop Exhibit.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... More than 120 representatives in the lost foam casting industry joined together at the AFS International Lost Foam Conference and Tabletop Exhibit Oct. 19-21 at the Hilton Hotel in Toledo, Ohio. The conference was divided into three...

Amcast Industrial Corp.(Personals)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Amcast Industrial Corp., Dayton, Ohio, announced the resignations of President and CEO Joseph R. Grewe and Vice President of Finance and CFO Francis J. Drew.

Superior Industries International Inc.(Personals)(Steven J. Borick )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Superior Industries International Inc., Van Nuys, Calif., named Steven J. Borick president and CEO.

Sarcol Inc.(Personals)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Sarcol Inc., Chicago, named Joseph A. Lancia vice president and general manager, Sergio Rodriguez foundry superintendent-R&D, John Mandala, production control manager, and Anton Lang quality control manager.

Inductotherm Group, Rancocas, N.J., appointed John Hooper vice president of operations for the company's Inductoheat Inc.(Personals)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Inductotherm Group, Rancocas, N.J., appointed John Hooper vice president of operations for the company's Inductoheat Inc., Madison Heights, Mich., division and named Laurie Taylor Director of customer relations.

Metabo Corp.(Personals)(Martin Cross as vice president)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Metabo Corp., West Chester, Pa., named Martin Cross vice president-sales.

Winsert Inc.(Personals)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Winsert Inc., Marinette, Wis., named Jacquelyn Mathein director of human resources.

IdraPrince Inc.(Personals)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... IdraPrince Inc, Holland, Mich., announced that Robert Hegel was appointed the company's chairman of the board.

Obituaries.(Arthur Cohen)(Obituary)
December 1, 2004... Arthur Cohen, Albuquerque, N.M., died in November. He was 73. Mr. Cohen served 30 years for the Copper Development Assn., New York, as well as for the ASTM International Committee B-5. In 1996, he was the chairman of the ASTM board of directors...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
December 1, 2004... January January 29-30--Non-Ferrous Founders' Society NFF Summit Conference, Marco Island Hilton Beach Resort, Marco Island, Fla. February February 2-4--AFS Southeast Regional Conference, Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala. ...

Alloy engineering defies gravity: by encouraging process improvement while managing three diverse casting techniques under one roof, Alloy Engineering has advanced beyond your traditional metalcasting facility.(Cover Story)
December 1, 2004... For more than 60 years, Alloy Engineering and Casting Co. (AECCo), Champaign, Ill., has exhibited its mobility to keep up with the times. As the metalcasting industry evolved, the company seized opportunities to tap into more markets and...

38th Census of World Casting Production--2003: as casting production across the globe grew last year, individual nations reported more expansion than contraction for casting shipments.
December 1, 2004... According to the 32 nations responding to MODERN CASTING's 38th Annual Census of World Casting Production, 2003 offered a positive year for the global casting industry. The results from 2003 showed that total global tonnage (represented by...

Drifting away from seacoal.
December 1, 2004... Inside This Story * Seacoal has been a popular green sand additive because of the positive effects it can have on casting quality. But because it is the main contributor to emission characteristics, many metalcasters are searching for...

Tightening the reins on dimensional tolerances in aluminum green sand castings.
December 1, 2004... Inside This Story * The key characteristics to achieving tight dimensional tolerances in aluminum green sand castings are evaluated. * A total system evaluation is needed, including the molding sand, tooling and equipment to achieve...

Finding a niche with lost foam: even though the lost foam casting process has yet to be embraced fully by the metalcasting world, two small lost foam facility owners explain how they have advanced their businesses.
December 1, 2004... Irish Foundry, Seattle, and American Foam Cast, Sylacauga, Ala., might appear to be completely different companies. One is located in a Northwest metropolitan area, while the other finds home in a Southeast town of 13,000. One operates in a...

Strategy maps: converting intangible assets into tangible outcomes.(Novel Solutions)
December 1, 2004... Do we need another book on strategy? With metalcasting facilities closing at a rate of two per week over the last few years, the answer may be yes. Yet, it is safe to say that most metalcasting executives would rather undergo a root canal...

Not all sales are good sales.
December 1, 2004... It never ceases to amaze me that metalcasters will go to almost any length to keep a customer or to secure business with a new customer. The logic here, as best I can figure it, is that more sales are always better than fewer sales, and that...

Plains States--in October, Johnny Thornburgh, Tonkawa Foundry Inc., and Doug Fulton, Grede Foundries Inc.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: PLAINS STATES -- In October, Johnny Thornburgh (l), Tonkawa Foundry Inc., and Doug Fulton (r), Grede Foundries Inc.-Wichita, present Mike Strauss, Sand Springs Metal Processing Corp., a speaker's award after...

Northwest Pennsylvania--in October, Lisa Anderson, Liberty Iron and Metal Co., presents a pewter mug to Bruce Blatzer, Iron Casting Research Institute.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA -- In October, Lisa Anderson, Liberty Iron and Metal Co., presents a pewter mug to Bruce Blatzer, Iron Casting Research Institute, after his presentation on case studies in defect...

Detroit/Windsor--in October, Duane Becknell, Ford Motor Co., presents a speaker's award to Dan Kapp, Ford Motor Co. Powertrain Operations.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: DETROIT/WINDSOR -- In October, Duane Becknell (l), Ford Motor Co., presents a speaker's award to Dan Kapp, Ford Motor Co. Powertrain Operations, after his presentation, "Casting Technology is Ford Motor's...

Northeast Ohio--in October, Bill Vondriska, Equipment Merchants International Inc., and Mark Adamovits and Dana Cooper, both from Ashland Casting Solutions, meet after Adamovits' presentation.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: NORTHEAST OHIO -- In October, (from l) Bill Vondriska, Equipment Merchants International Inc., and Mark Adamovits and Dana Cooper, both from Ashland Casting Solutions, meet after Adamovits' presentation...

Central Ohio--in October, Tim Hable, Amsted Industries.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: CENTRAL OHIO -- In October, Tim Hable (l), Amsted Industries, receives a speaker's award from Mark Steil, Burnham Foundry, after his presentation, "Scrap Purchasing and Related Issues."

Central Michigan--in October, Dan Severn, Ultimate Fighting Champion/World Wrestling Entertainment.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: CENTRAL MICHIGAN -- In October, Dan Severn (r), Ultimate Fighting Champion/World Wrestling Entertainment, accepts a speaker's award from Keith Teachout, Asama Coldwater Manufacturing, after his presentation...

Northeast Indiana--in October, Ernie Benion, Dalton Corp., greets Pete Satre, Allied Mineral Products.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: NORTHEAST INDIANA -- In October, Ernie Benion (r), Dalton Corp., greets Pete Satre, Allied Mineral Products, after his discussion on refractories, applications and installation in melting operations.

Northern California--in September, (from l) Ray Rummel, Gwen Van Steenberge, Jeremy Denzel and Chris St. John, all of California State Univ.-Chico.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: NORTHERN CALIFORNIA -- In September, (from l) Ray Rummel, Gwen Van Steenberge, Jeremy Denzel and Chris St. John, all of California State Univ.-Chico, participated in the chapter's 69th annual golf...

Southern California--in October, Glenn Schneider Sr., Gregg Industries Inc., presents a speaker's award to Greg Sanders, Hormel Foods.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA -- In October, Glenn Schneider Sr. (l), Gregg Industries Inc., presents a speaker's award to Greg Sanders, Hormel Foods, after his presentation addressing an alternative binder system for...

Southwestern Ohio--in October, Vic LaFay, The Hill and Griffith Co., gave a presentation.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: SOUTHWESTERN OHIO -- In October, Vic LaFay, The Hill and Griffith Co., gave a presentation, "Emission Reduction with the Use of Seacoal."

Ontario--in October, Dan Peace, Dominion Pattern Works, presents Dana Coulombe, Foseco Canada Inc., a speaker's award for his presentation.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: ONTARIO -- In October, Dan Peace (r), Dominion Pattern Works, presents Dana Coulombe, Foseco Canada Inc., a speaker's award for his presentation, "Improving Performance Through Education."

TEXAS--in October, Tim Purcell Porter Warner Industries Inc., greets Tom Lorren, Center of Rehabilitation Excellence.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: TEXAS -- In October, Tim Purcell (l) Porter Warner Industries Inc., greets Tom Lorren, Center of Rehabilitation Excellence, after his presentation on industrial rehabilitation with an emphasis on back and...

Stateline--in October, Wayne Carr, Olson Aluminum, presents a speaker's award to Joe Novak, Northern Illinois Univ.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: STATELINE -- In October, Wayne Cart (r), Olson Aluminum, presents a speaker's award to Joe Novak, Northern Illinois Univ., after his presentation "The Road to Success."

Pittsburgh--in October, Robert Creese, West Virginia Univ., presents a speaker's award to Mehrooz Zamanzadeh, Matco Assoc.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: PITTSBURGH -- In October, Robert Creese (r), West Virginia Univ., presents a speaker's award to Mehrooz Zamanzadeh, Matco Assoc., after his presentation, "The How and Why of Materials' Failures."

Canton--In October, Gary Schroeder (l), Castek Aluminum Inc., presents a speaker's award.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: CANTON -- In October, Gary Schroeder (I), Castek Aluminum Inc., presents a speaker's award to Greg Naples, McDonald & Co., after his presentation, "Investing Today."

BIRMINGHAM--In October, Jarek Olszak (r), Laempe+Reich Corp., greets Reiner Graf, F. W. Duker GmbH & Co., after his presentation.(AFS Chapter News)
December 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: BIRMINGHAM -- In October, Jarek Olszak (r), Laempe+Reich Corp., greets Reiner Graf, F. W. Duker GmbH & Co., after his presentation, "Technical Developments of the Cokeless Cupola."

Chapter Meetings.(AFS Chapter News)(Calendar)
December 1, 2004... CANTON February 10--Anthe's Restaurant, Akron. Ohio: Six-Sigma/Lean Manufacturing/S5, Tim Kreuzer, Ford Motor Co. March 3--Anthe's Restaurant, Akron, Ohio; "Foundry Environmental Issues," Kurt Braun, Ford Motor Co. April 7--Alliance Castings...

Composite auto pour ladles reduce scrap, improve service life.(Case History)
December 1, 2004... Many metalcasting operations use auto pour ladles made up of a variety of materials, such as cast iron, steel, cast refractory and fiber laminate. But a new ladle using RFM technology can replace these traditional materials. Pyrotek Inc.,...

Sample manipulation system helps optimize analysis, quality control.(New Product)
December 1, 2004... Analyzing metals is an essential part of the metalcasting process to ensure optimum performance. Because of that, modern metalcasting facilities require the most reliable metal analyzers to increase productivity and deliver fast, accurate...

Accumulating Mold Conveyor.(Metalcasting Supplies)
December 1, 2004... SandMoldSystems Inc. recently unveiled its new accumulating mold conveyor that allows pattern changes to be made without stopping molten metal pouring. The hydraulically operated unit accepts molds as they are pushed out of the molding machine...

Pass through airless blaster.(Metalcasting Supplies)
December 1, 2004... Viking Corp. Blast & Wash Systems now offers the MR 2412, the smallest in its line of pass through airless blasters. The blaster is a heavy-duty machine that integrates with the paint system monorail for continuous blast and paint operations....

Electric heating elements.(Metalcasting Supplies)
December 1, 2004... Custom Electric Manufacturing Co. now' offers several grades of high-temperature metallic alloy heating elements for severe operating conditions. For temperatures from 2,370-2,550F, the elements are fabricated from Fe/Cr/Al alloys, which...

Manhole cover mania sweeps nation.(Shakeout: in case you didn't know ...)
December 1, 2004... Manhole covers are often an afterthought in the metalcasting industry even though you can't walk down a city street without seeing one. Recently, cities such as New York, Seattle, Vancouver and Vail have worked to turn the simplistic...