Modern Casting articles from February 2003

Modern Casting archives from February 2003

Honda Power Equipment to invest $30 million in NC plant. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Honda Power Equipment Manufacturing, Inc., Alpharetta, GA, will invest $30 million in its Swepsonville, North Carolina factory to add a third production line for diecasting, machining and assembly operations.

Hodge Foundry acquired by local investor group. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Hodge Foundry, Greenville, PA, has been acquired by an investor group comprised of senior managers, members of the namesake Hodge family and Commonwealth Capital Group.

Waukesha Foundry acquires Kramer International. (Industry News).(new company name: Waukesha Kramer Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Waukesha Foundry Co., Inc., Waukesha, WI, has acquired Kramer International, Inc., Milwaukee, from Atchison Casting Corp., Atchison, KS. These two firms now are known as Waukesha Kramer, Inc.

ACIPCO named 6th Best firm to Work for by Fortune. (Industry News).(American Cast Iron Pipe)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... American Cast Iron Pipe Co. (ACIPCO), Birmingham, AL, has been ranked 6th on Fortune magazines list of "The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America." This is the seventh year in a row that ACIPCO has been on the list.

Update your foundry capability listing. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Capability listing forms for the 13th edition of the Casting Source Directory were mailed to all North American casting operations in January. If your foundry has not yet replied, please do so now to ensure that you will continue to he listed...

Casting process simulation for diecasting. (Product Innovations).(Canadian firm Amcan Castings chose Roberts Sinto's Flow 3-D software as simulation tool)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... A diecast impeller for an automobile transmission had bounced around several foundries because nobody could produce it at an acceptable scrap rate. Up to a challenge, Amcan Castings, Ltd., Hamilton, ON, Canada, took the job. In an effort to...

Automated casting cleaning for jobbing foundries. (Product Innovations).(Dotson chooses Barinder Grinding System from Roberts Sinto)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Dotson Co., a 120-employee gray and ductile iron jobbing green sand caster in Mankato, MN, has been looking for an automated solution to its cleaning room for years. "I have been on a ten year quest to do something different in foundry cleaning...

A little PR can go a long way. (Editorial).(Editorial)
February 1, 2003... I marvel at the image of molten metal being poured. The vibrant orange stream of iron illuminates a room. The cascading silver shine of aluminum sparkles like stars in the night sky. These are million-dollar images. These images make...

Iron and steel foundry MACT officially proposed in Federal Register. (Washington Alert).
February 1, 2003... On December 23, 2002, the U.S. EPA published in the Federal Register a proposed rule establishing new emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants from iron and steel foundries. While text of the proposed rule has been available through...

Ergonomics recordkeeping requirements on hold until 2004. (Washington Alert).(OSHA will not require employers to record ergonomics-related injuries as separate category on OSHA 300 logs in 2003)
February 1, 2003... OSHA recently announced that employers will not be required to record ergonomics-related injuries as a separate category on their OSHA 300 logs in 2003. The federal job safety agency has delayed until 2004 implementation of a provision...

OSHA expected to issue guidelines on preparing material safety data sheets. (Washington Alert).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... With a recent government report on a fatal refinery explosion offering evidence of dangerous errors in material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and a 1995 OSHA-funded study suggesting that key information on MSDSs are routinely inaccurate, the...

Honda Power Equipment Manufacturing to invest $30 million in North Carolina plant. (Industry News: North America).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Honda Power Equipment Manufacturing, Inc., Aipharetta, Georgia, will invest $30 million in its Swepsonville, North Carolina factory to add a third production line, which will have diecasting, machining and assembly operations. The...

Hayes Lemmerz files Reorganization Plan. (Industry News: North America).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc., Northville, Michigan, has filed a Plan of Reorganization with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Filing of the plan is a key step forward for the company in its efforts to emerge...

American Cast Iron Pipe Co. named 6th Best Company to Work for in America by Fortune magazine. (Industry News: North America).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... American Cast Iron Pipe Co. (ACIPCO), Birmingham, Alabama, has been ranked 6th on Fortune magazine's list of "The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America." This is the seventh year in a row that the firm has been featured in the list. ...

Hodge Foundry acquired by local investor group. (Acquisitions).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Hodge Foundry, Greenville, Pennsylvania, has been acquired by an investor group comprised of senior managers, members of the namesake Hodge family and Commonwealth Capital Group, a Pittsburgh-based investment firm. Prior to its divesture, Hodge...

Waukesha acquires Kramer International. (Acquisitions).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Waukesha Foundry Co., Inc., Waukesha, Wisconsin, has acquired Kramer International, Inc., Milwaukee, from Atchison Casting Corp., Atchison, Kansas. These two organizations are now known as Waukesha Kramer, Inc. Kramer, a $10 million/yr...

Superior wins aluminum suspension components business. (Industry News: North America).(Superior Industries International starts shipping production quantities of new aluminum component used in GM cars)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Superior Industries International, Inc., Van Nuys, California, has begun shipping production quantities of a new aluminum component used in a variety of GM's small car platforms. Superior is manufacturing the lower crankcase bed plate for...

Wescast to supply manifolds for future Chrysler Group engines. (Industry News: North America).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Wescast Industries, Inc., Brantford, Ontario, Canada, has been chosen by the Chrysler Group to supply cast and machined iron exhaust manifolds for the 2.7L and 3.5L engine programs. Beginning with the 2003 model year, Wescast will provide a...

AFS restructures Cast Metals Institute to expand reach. (Metalcasting Associations).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... To better meet the needs of its customer base, AFS' Cast Metals Institute (CMI) is restructuring its operations. On June 30, 2003, CMI will close its foundry training facility and laboratories in Des Plaines, Illinois, and will shift all...

SAE 2003 World Congress to feature 22 papers over two days of metalcasting sessions. (Metalcasting Associations).
February 1, 2003... AFS has worked with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), Dearborn, Michigan, to sponsor the presentation of 22 papers at SAE's 2003 World Congress and Expo. To be held March 3-6 at Detroit's Cobo Hall, this annual meeting is the world's...

AFS announces new officers & directors, award winners for 107th Casting Congress. (Metalcasting Associations).
February 1, 2003... In anticipation of the 107th Casting Congress, April 26-29, Milwaukee, AFS has announced its new officers and directors for 2003-04 and the 2003 gold medal, scientific merit, service citation, Howard F. Taylor and Ray H. Witt award winners. ...

2001 metalcasting industry lost workday Injury, Illness rates released by U.S. Bureau of Labor. (Industry News: North America).
February 1, 2003... The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has released the 2001 Injury and Illness rates. These numbers reflect the lost workday rates as well as OSHA recordable rates for the metalcasting industry. When OSHA decides what firms will be targeted...

CISA participates in Metal China. (Metalcasting Associations).(in fall-2002 in Beijing, China)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The Casting Industry Suppliers Assn. (CISA), Chicago, designed and constructed an "American Pavilion" for the Metal China '02 Foundry Exhibition, held last fall in Beijing. In addition to the exhibition, CISA also participated in the "Directors...

Grede Foundries, Inc. (Personals).(Tam Trudeau-Ebenhoeh is new VP of Vassar Michigan foundry)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Grede Foundries, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, named Tam Trudeau-Ebenhoeh vice president of its Vassar Michigan foundry, Jeff Friday vice president of its Reedsburg, Wisconsin foundry and Dave Roycraft vice president of its New Casde, Indiana...

Superior Industries, Inc. (Personals).(Steven J. Borick is new president and chief operating officer)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Superior Industries, Inc., Van Nuys, California, named Steven J. Borick president and chief operating officer, He was formerly executive vice president.

Lunt Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Personals).(appointments)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Lunt Manufacturing Co., Inc., Schaumburg, Illinois, named Tom Ruden manager of application development.

Tyler Pipe Industries, Inc. (Personals).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Tyler Pipe Industries, Inc., Tyler, Texas, named Ronald Getz maintenance general foreman North Plant, Mike ColClasudre second shift maintenance supervisor North Plant, Rodney Reed maintenance superintendent North Plant, Raymond Barrow, second...

Globe Metallurgical Sales, Inc. (Personals).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Globe Metallurgical Sales, Inc., Cleveland, named John Colias regional sales manager for the upper Midwest.

Colonial Metals Co. (Personals).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Colonial Metals Co., Columbia, Pennsylvania, named Michael R. Mann president and COO.

IMF North America, Inc. (Personals).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... IMF North America, Inc., Muskegon, Michigan, announced the appointment of two new sales agents, Roy Simmons and Stan Mueller.

Alfe Heat Treating (Alfe Corporate Group). (Personals).(appointment)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Alfe Heat Treating (Alfe Corporate Group), Fort Wayne, Indiana, named Ernie Lackner vice president.

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
February 1, 2003... March March 3-6--Society of Automotive Engineers, 2003 World Congress & Exhibiton, Cobo Center, Detroit. March 14-15--AFS Northwest Regional Conference, West Coast Hotel, Seattle. March, 23-25--Casting Industry Suppliers Assn.,...

Casting better bones: almost routine today, surgically-implanted castings are regularly replacing knee, hip and shoulder joints with amazing results.
February 1, 2003... Lee Majors' "$6 Million Man" and Lindsey Wagner's "Bionic Woman" wowed TV viewers in the 1970s with the portrayal of the future of medical science. The ability to fix humans with replacement parts, and turn them into superior beings was...

Part 1: determining your foundry's target castings; this article shows foundries how to uncover the single most important element in the formula for a successful sales and marketing program. (The Market-Driven Foundry).
February 1, 2003... Editor's Note: This is the first installment of a three-part MODERN CASTING series highlighting concepts and methods for foundries to consider in increasing their marketing effectiveness. It's been said that the definition of insanity is...

Does your core sand measure up? This article describes the tests necessary to evaluate sand for coremaking, ensuring foundries realize a cost savings due to reduced resin consumption and improved casting finish.
February 1, 2003... Today's foundries are faced with shrinking profit margins and the ever-rising cost of raw materials. More then ever, foundries need to examine their way of producing castings and determine if they are using the best-suited materials for their...

The oil alternative for sand molding.
February 1, 2003... Today, the mention of oil tempered bond for molding sand automatically and mistakenly conjures up images of antiquated coremaking practices. This mistaken identity has kept this form of sand molding virtually unknown, even though a greater...

Selecting casting technology: permanent mold's perspective.(aluminum wheels)
February 1, 2003... The wheel. Along with fire and fermentation, it is set in the crown of accomplishments of mankind. So simple, yet so useful. The automobile simply would not be the same without wheels. Each year, more than 16 million cars and light...

MK5 Rotary Media Drum reduces costs and labor. (Technology in Action).(Saint Gobain Pipelines)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... USER--Saint Gobain Pipelines, Telford, England, is a foundry specializing in gray iron pipe fittings. OPERATION--The Sinclair Works in Telford has a Disamatic feeding a DIDION Rotary Media Drum. PROBLEMS--The hot and dirty castings...

BMM Industries solves difficult molding problems. (Technology in Action).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... USER--Foundries requiring large flask size molding versatility and the capability to draw and handle molds in an inverted and frilly supported condition. OPERATION--Foundries currently producing small and medium volumes of municipal...

Flow-3D[R] provides solutions for tough casting problems. (Technology in Action).(Werkzeugbau Schaufler)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... USER--Werkzeugbau Schaufler, Laichingen, Germany, ranks among the top European diemakers, and specializes in manufacturing dies for aluminum and magnesium castings. OPERATION--Schaufler's facility covers about 50,000 sq. ft., providing...

The GMBOND[R] sand binder process helps a General Motors foundry ramp up production. (Technology in Action).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... USER--A General Motors foundry. OPERATION--The GMBOND process development site will be implemented with the backing of the Casting Emission Reduction Program (CERP) and multi-million dollars in appropriations from the U.S. Department of...

Laempe CoreCenters result in increased production & labor savings at Buck foundry. (Technology in Action).(Buck Co. )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... USER--Buck Company, Quarryville Pennsylvania Producer of gray, ductile, aluminum, and bronze castings. OPERATION--Three (3) Laempe LL10 Core Production Centers (CoreShooter, GasGenerator, SandMixer under a single controller) for the...

Acutrak[R] furnace provides alloy flexibility-maximizes power efficiency. (Technology in Action).(TPi Arcade)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... USER--TPi Arcade, a modern foundry in Arcade, NY, makes aluminum V-Process castings for the medical, automotive and instrumentation industries. OPERATION--Melting 356 and 319 aluminum, TPi began operations at its new foundry in 2000 with a...

Furnaces improve melt quality-decrease gas consumption. (Technology in Action).(Mahoney Foundry uses Morganite Melting Systems furnaces)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... USER--Mahoney Foundry, a family-owned foundry in Kendallville, IN, makes aluminum castings for commercial lighting, electrical contacts, electric motors, valving and automotive brake components. OPERATION--Mahoney Foundry melts with nine...

Grinding cells reduce labor shortage problem, increase consistency and throughput. (Technology in Action).(AArowcast Inc., Shawano WI)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... USER--Aarrowcast, Inc., Shawano, Wisconsin OPERATION--Aarrowcast is a producer of gray and ductile iron components for off-highway equipment, engines and water and irrigation systems. PROBLEMS--Faced with a labor shortage problem, the...

GMD's CERT system controls emissions, significantly reduces exhaust volumes. (Technology in Action).(GMD Environmental Technologies Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... USER--Waupaca Foundry Plant #1, Waupaca, Wisconsin a producer of iron and ductile iron castings. OPERATION--Cupola Emission Control System PROBLEMS--Wet Scrubber discharge not meeting emission standards. SOLUTION--Side stream at...

Vibration reduced chipping hammers improve ergonomics and productivity. (Technology in Action).(Honsa Ergonomic Technologies)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... USER--Large Indiana gray iron foundry. OPERATION--Casting and finishing 3500-4500 automotive engine blocks per day. PROBLEMS--Using conventional chipping hammers for the finishing operations. Resulting in excessive vibration and...

Badger Iron Works finds Barinder Grinder "fast, safer and more accurate". (Technology in Action).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... USER: Badger Iron Works, Menomonee, Wisconsin OPERATION: Job shop producer of ductile iron, austempered ductile iron, gray iron, heat resistant iron and Meehanite castings. PROBLEM: Time, accuracy, materials handling and safety concerns...

There is a way through. (CEO Journal).(foundries forecast)(Column)
February 1, 2003... Most everyone in the North American metalcasting industry should be scared stiff these days. We've been thrown into the global economy seemingly overnight, a major domestic capacity shakeout is well underway (with no end in sight) and even more...

Chills: solidification trickery. (Casting Facts).(metalcasting)
February 1, 2003... As a clever metalcaster once remarked, "Chills are the foundryman's way of doing thermal trickery." It isn't magic, but a molder can pull a metal chill out of his hat to effectively "trick" the metal into solidifying the way he wants it to. ...

Chapter meetings.(Calendar)
February 1, 2003... BIRMINGHAM March 14--Tuscaloosa, Student Night and Golf. April 14--Regular Meeting. May 12--Regular Meeting. BRITISH COLUMBIA February 21--Westminster Club, New Westminster, British Columbia; Retirement and Investment Seminar. April...

Process modeling solves die design problems, saves more than $100,000. (Case History).(Amcan Castings Ltd., Hamilton, Ontario)
February 1, 2003... A job for a diecast impeller for an automobile transmission had bounced around several foundries over the last few years because nobody could produce it at an acceptable scrap rate. Too many of the production castings contained voids and...

Automated casting cleaning system for job shops improves Dotson's efficiency. (Case History).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... For jobbing foundries, no greater obstacle may exist in production than the bottleneck that often forms in the cleaning room. Traditionally, this area of the foundry is extremely difficult to automate. At Dotson Co., a 120-employee gray and...

Close capture fume hood. (Metalcasting Supplies).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Industrial Revolution, Ltd., offers close-capture fume hoods for induction melting furnaces. The slotted hood, telescoping duct and knuckle elbow allow complete, reliable exhaust coverage over the melt area during all operations. Efficiency...

Spectrometer. (Metalcasting Supplies).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Spectro Analytical Instruments, Inc., has introduced a benchtop spectrometer that provides manufacturers and testing laboratories the analytical range and accuracy normally associated with larger, more expensive alloy analysis systems. The...

Refractory sheets. (Metalcasting Supplies).(Zircar Refractory Composites)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Zircar Refractory Composites, Inc. Zircar Refractory Composites, Inc., introduces refractory sheet cylinder type RS-201 and RS-202, fiber reinforced ceramic laminates with useful properties to 2300F (1260C). These high-temperature products...

Foundries float through 1942. (Shakeout).(floats entered in parade celebrating end of World War II)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... In 1942, Belle City Malleable Iron Co. and Racine Steel Castings Co. entered a float into the Racine, Wisconsin victory parade for World War II, illustrating the foundry industry's contribution toward the war.

Hot number. (Shakeout).(1980)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... 1980 is: * the liquidous melting point of copper in Farenheit; * the year Japan passed the U.S. as the world's largest automaker; * the year John Lennon was assassinated by Mark David Chapman; * the year CNN was launched, the...

Heat Wave.(excerpt from 'Rammed Up and Poured,' poetry)(Brief Article)(Poem)
February 1, 2003... Heat Wave. (Shakeout) When it's a hundred in the shade The furnace man is not afraid To charge his furnace, fix his spout, And tap the molten metal out. He doesn't fuss or fret or pout, But listen, and you'll hear him shout,...