Modern Casting articles from January 2004

Modern Casting archives from January 2004

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
January 1, 2004... The November website question of the month asked, "All foundries are striving for 0% scrap rate, but what does your foundry consider to be acceptable?" Answers: * 39%--3.5-4.5%. * 25%--1.5-2.5%. * 18%--2.5-3.5%. *...

Greatest show on earth.(Editorial)
January 1, 2004... Some days I feel like a member of the Ringling Brothers Circus. While my critics would say it is because I am a clown, I say it is due to the regular "barnstorming" city-to-city tours I take to visit North American metalcasters and suppliers....

U.S. ITC rules affirmatively on ductile iron waterwork fittings case.(Washington alert: AFS Government Affairs Representative--Waterman & Axxoc., Washingotn, D.C.)
January 1, 2004... In December, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) affirmed a Section 421 complaint against Chinese imports and made a unanimous, affirmative determination, finding that certain cast ductile iron waterworks fittings from China are being...

SAFE Act to be reintroduced with felony charge provision added.(Washington alert: AFS Government Affairs Representative--Waterman & Axxoc., Washingotn, D.C.)
January 1, 2004... When Congress reconvenes in 2004, controversial OSHA reform legislation is expected to be reintroduced by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY). The Safety Advancement for Employees (SAFE) Act, which the senator originally introduced during the 105th Congress,...

Hayes Lemmerz signs agreement with Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems for ductile iron hubs and brake drums.(North America)
January 1, 2004... Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc., Northville, Mich., announced that its Commercial Highway & Aftermarket Group has signed a long term agreement with Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems, Canton, Ohio. The agreement covers the supply of...

Superior Industries to supply components for 2004 Cadillac SRX.(North America)
January 1, 2004... Superior Industries International, Inc., Van Nuys, Calif., will supply 17- and 18-inch aluminum wheels and certain aluminum suspension components for the all-new 2004 Cadillac SRX. The company currently supplies aluminum front upper control...

Herron Castings awarded patent for mold-filling process.(North America)
January 1, 2004... David Herron, consultant at Heron Casting Services, Chicago, was awarded a patent for the invention of a high integrity mold filling process and pressurized solidification technique to high production molds, The process, which is applicable to...

Atchison Casting to sell core operating assets.(North America)
January 1, 2004... Atchison Casting Corp., Atchison, Kansas, has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its remaining operating assets out of bankruptcy to KPS Special Situations Fund II, L.P. Under the terms of the agreement, KPS will form a new company to...

Wynnchurch Capital acquires Inverness Castings Group from Atchison Casting Corp.(Acquisitions)
January 1, 2004... Wynnchurch Capital, Lake Forest, Ill., acquired Inverness Castings Group, Dowagiac, Mich., an aluminum diecaster servicing the automotive industry, from Atchison Casting Corp., Atchison, Kan., in October. Inverness will continue its focus...

Annual CISA Meeting focuses on economic conditions.(Metalcasting Associations)
January 1, 2004... The 2003 Annual Business Meeting for the Casting Industry Suppliers Assn. (CISA), Goodyear. Arizona, was held November 19-20 at the Doubletree Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois. With the theme, "An Evaluation of Economic Conditions," CISA welcomed...

Texas foundries participate in environmental program.(North America)
January 1, 2004... Two Forth Worth, Texas foundries--Fort Worth Aluminum Foundry and Midland Manufacturing Co.--have recently been certified to participate in a state environmental compliance program offered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality...

Meridian Technologies to open facility in United Kingdom.(North America)
January 1, 2004... Meridian Technologies, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada, announced the opening of a new 32,000 sq ft facility in Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom. The facility, which will employ approximately 100 people, will initially concentrate on producing...

Aarrowcast celebrates 25th Anniversary.(North America)
January 1, 2004... Aarrowcast, Inc., Shawano, Wisc., recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary. The firm, which first opened in 1978 under the name Aarrow Electric Iron Castings, now employs 330 workers. Pictured above is the firm's fully automated green sand...

Turkish-based Hydro Aluminum produces milestone 40 millionth cylinder head.(Around the World)
January 1, 2004... The Hungarian foundry, Hydro Aluminum Automotive, has produced its 40 millionth cylinder head, The firm celebrated the milestone at its plant in Gyor, Hungary. "This is one more symbol of our expertise as a comprehensive supplier to the...

Quality certifications.(Industry News)
January 1, 2004... The following foundry and supplier organizations have received recent certifications: Citation Corp.'s Biscoe, N.C. Div. (ISO/TS 16949:2002): Kenwalt Die Casting, Sun Valley, Calif, (ISO 9001:2000); Buck Co., Quarryville, Pa. (ISO...

According to Industrialinfo.com, Alloy Resources, Inc., has purchased the foundry constructed by Webb Wheel Products, Albertville, Ala.(Newscast)
January 1, 2004... According to Industrialinfo.com, Alloy Resources, Inc., has purchased the foundry constructed by Webb Wheel Products, Albertville, Ala. The firm will restart the meltshop of the foundry to produce stainless steel slugs and ingots that will be...

Atlas Foundry, Marion, Ind., has purchased a turnkey cleaning room system from Engineered Foundry Systems, St. Louis.(Newscast)
January 1, 2004... Atlas Foundry, Marion, Ind., has purchased a turnkey cleaning room system from Engineered Foundry Systems, St Louis. The system was installed over the firm's December shutdown.

According to ABC12, Saginaw, Mich., General Motors, Detroit, will close its Saginaw. Mich., Saginaw Malleable Iron plant.(Newscast)
January 1, 2004... According to ABC12, Saginaw, Mich., General Motors, Detroit, will close its Saginaw. Mich., Saginaw Malleable Iron plant. The plant, which employs 433 workers, produces cylinder blocks, cylinder beads and brake drums. A closing date hasn't been...

SPX Contech.(Newscast)
January 1, 2004... According to The Herald Palladium, St. Joseph-Benton Harbor, Mich., SPX Contech, Dowagiac, Mich., is ending diecasting at its plant, leaving only machining.

Modern Equipment Co., Port Washington, Wis., has sold its stake in Kuttner-Modern, L.L.C. to the Kuttner Group, Port Washington.(Newscast)
January 1, 2004... Modern Equipment Co., Port Washington, Wis., has sold its stake in Kuttner-Modern, L.L.C. to the Kuttner Group, Port Washington. Kuttner Modern will be renamed Kuttner L.L.C.

The HPM Div. of Taylor's Industrial Services, Mt. Gilead, Ohio, has purchased the assets of PH Group, Inc., Columbus, Ohio.(Newscast)
January 1, 2004... The HPM Div. of Taylor's Industrial Services, Mt. Gilead, Ohio, has purchased the assets of PH Group, Inc., Columbus, Ohio, adding several new product lines for the metalcasting industry.

Remet Corp., Utica, N.Y., has signed an agreement to sell and market new wax and ceramic injection equipment.(Newscast)
January 1, 2004... Remet Corp., Utica, N.Y., has signed an agreement to sell and market new wax and ceramic injection equipment to the precision investment casting industry in the Americas and Europe for Cleveland Tool & Machine, Cleveland.

B&L Information Systems, Inc.(Newscast)
January 1, 2004... B&L Information Systems, Inc., Bridgeman, Mich., held their 21st annual users group meeting in October. The meeting featured more then 30 technical sessions and panel discussions where experts gave an overview on B&L metalcasting software.

Pennsylvanian Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP).(Newscast)
January 1, 2004... Pennsylvanian Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Kathleen McGinty proposed expanding the use of foundry sand from ferrous foundries for construction material and soil additives.

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
January 1, 2004... February February 12-13--AFS Wisconsin Regional Conference, Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee. March March 8-11--Society of Automotive Engineers 2004 World Congress, Cobo Center, Detroit March 11-13--AFS Northwest Regional Conference,...

Ashland Specialty Chemical Co.(Personals)
January 1, 2004... Ashland Specialty Chemical Co., Dublin, Ohio, named Dana Cooper global marketing manager-sleeves and filters, David Gilson global marketing manager-coldbox systems, Sang Lin (Calvin) Choi commercial manager China and Ray Yates commercial...

ACP Manufacturing Co.(Personals)
January 1, 2004... ACP Manufacturing Co., Blossburg, Penn., named Doyne Chartrau chairman of the board of directors and chief executive offier, Yasu Kumada president and chief operating officer, and Arthur P. Guidi, Jr., vice president.

FKI Logistex White Systems.(Personals)
January 1, 2004... FKI Logistex White Systems, Kenilworth, N.J., appointed Richard Lanpheare and Daniel VanHooser regional sales managers. Lanpheare manages the Northeast and VanHooser manages the Midwest.

Pillar Induction Co.(Personals)
January 1, 2004... Pillar Induction Co., Brookfield, Wis., appointed Dennis A. Augustin national sales manager.

RMT, Inc.(Personals)
January 1, 2004... RMT, Inc., Madison Wis., named Joe Liello senior engineer of its Brookfield, Wis., office.

Robert Heine.(Obituaries)
January 1, 2004... Robert Heine, Westlectric Castings., Inc., Cathedral City, Calif., died in November. Heine served as chairman of the board.

Marshall H. Lovett.(Obituaries)
January 1, 2004... Marshall H. Lovett, Spartanburg, S.C., died in June. Lovett retired as the chief metallurgalist of Lawson-Sessions.

George D. Ferguson, Jr.(Obituaries)
January 1, 2004... George D. Ferguson, Jr., Lynchburg, Va., died in October. Ferguson served as the works manager at Griffin Pipe Products Co., Lynchburg, Va.

WAFCO: reinvesting to compete: this family-owned job shop uses annual reinvestment strategies of at least $1 million to stay current with technology and the competition.
January 1, 2004... Every business theory espouses the necessity of continually reinvesting in one's facility to ensure increasing productivity and efficiency levels and the ability to always meet the latest needs of the customer. Unfortunately, the problem with...

Forecast shows 5.1% shipment increase in '04, 18% demand jump by '09: a study of end-use market shows an expansion in casting shipments for 2004 with considerable gains in aluminum and steel.(Cover Story)
January 1, 2004... Though motor vehicle production in the U.S. dropped slightly in 2003, casting shipments as a whole rose 3.6%. The rebound for the foundry industry from two recession years began to take place in many market sectors in the second half of the...

Fighting fire with castings: firefighting is a high stress occupation for both the men and women in uniform and the castings that support them. This article profiles how castings are used to help protect people and aid those working toward fire prevention.
January 1, 2004... Firefighters exist to help people in times of crisis, whether that is to topple a five story building or to rescue a cat from a tree. "Fire fighting is a very rewarding career, but it can take its toll on a person. We try not to get...

Building better molds: can nobake & green sand work together?
January 1, 2004... What does a company do when its nobake line is overworked and its green sand matchplate molding line is underutilized? Faced with this problem, Durametal Corp., Muncy, Pennsylvania, attempted a unique solution by combining nobake facing sand...

Opening up to robotic change: by deciding to automate its cleaning and finishing room with robot, Pacific Steel reduced its costs and opened up a common bottleneck in its casting process.
January 1, 2004... Similar to so many jobbing foundries, cast components at Pacific Steel Casting Co., Berkeley, Calif.. flow feely and easily through the initial stages of the casting process but then get stuck in the cleaning room. The labor and individual...

www.disagroup.com.(Website Spotlights)
January 1, 2004... Founded in 1900, DISA is the world's leading supplier of foundry molding lines, foundry equipment and metal surface finishing systems, and one of the world's largest and most experienced suppliers of air pollution control solutions. With...

www.hottinger-na.com.(Website Spotlights)
January 1, 2004... Hottinger's wide product range comprises: turnkey projects, single and multi-station core shooting, mold dumping machines and mold closing devices, handling equipment using robots and manipulators, customized machines to suit specific...

www.laempeusa.com.(Website Spotlights)
January 1, 2004... Laempe+Reich offers a a complete core solution for your foundry. From the small job shop to the high-production foundry, Laempe has the experience, knowledge and talent to increase your core quality and efficiencies Laempe was the pioneer of...

www.maus.it.(Website Spotlights)
January 1, 2004... MAUS hits introduced a proven design of auromatic grinding of into and steel castings. The MAUS technique is a repeatable process utilizing rugged CNC platform, precise individual casting position verification, grinding wheel wear verification...

www.ashspec.com.(Website Spotlights)
January 1, 2004... Serving your casting needs, one foundry at a time. Ashland offers a complete product package including sand-binding rosins systems refractory coatings, release agents, engineered sand additives, riser sleeves and the tech support and product...

www.generalkinematics.com.(Website Spotlights)
January 1, 2004... General Kinematics vibratory equipment leads the foundry industry in automation, energy efficiency, cost control and increased productivity. Learn more about our dependable products; including shakeouts, conveyors, sand/casting processing...

www.wsf-industries.com.(Website Spotlights)
January 1, 2004... Job-proven Dewaxing Autoclave Systems by WSF assure uniform ceramic shell heating for complete process mold dewaxing. Steam pressure build-up to 130 psig achieved in less than five seconds. Shorter cycle times are possible since system...

www.amafond.com/nafta.asp.(Website Spotlights)
January 1, 2004... Machines Italia partner, AMAFOND, the Italian association of companies producing equipment, systems and supplies for the foundry industry, recently added a page to their web site rearming 10 member companies seeking to further develop business...

www.didion.com.(Website Spotlights)
January 1, 2004... For more than 25 years, Didion International has been a leading supplier of shakeout and materials handling systems and equipment--with more than 700 machines in 42 countries worldwide, Rotary processing equipment includes sand casting...

www.gmdenv.com.(Website Spotlights)
January 1, 2004... GMD Environmental Technologies engineers, designs, manufactures and installs environmental equipment for air pollution control (fabric filters, i.e, baghouses) and sand reclamation (thermal & mechanical). GMD's Totally Enclosed Treatment...

www.inductotherm.com.(Website Spotlights)
January 1, 2004... Based in Rancocas, New Jersey Inductotherm is a global leader in the manufacture of induction furnaces for metal producers. With manufacturing facilities in 14 countries the company has built more than 10,000 melting systems. Inductotherm...

www.vulcangroup.com.(Website Spotlights)
January 1, 2004... Vulcan Engineering Co. offers complete solutions for the metal casting industry. Browse by process or by specific equipment type for your immediate needs. Project milestones may be found in our Press Release section and view the company profile...

Management riddle.(Small Foundry Management)
January 1, 2004... Here's management riddle for you: "What does nobody do and yet someone does to almost everyone?" Tough one, right? Some might even say impossible. How can something be done by someone but not by anyone? The answer is easy--micromanage. ...

What is inoculation?(Casting Facts)
January 1, 2004... When you walk the production floor of an iron foundry, you may notice employees tossing a cup full of material into a pouting ladle as the iron is tapped from the furnace. What you have seen is called "inoculation." Inoculation is a common...

Metalcasters gather in Orlando in October for AFS Structural Aluminum and Iron Melting Conferences.(AFS/CMI News)
January 1, 2004... More than 230 metalcasters gathered for two AFS conferences--the International Iron Melting Conference and the International Conference on Structural Aluminum--which were held concurrently November 2-4 in Orlando, Fla. The International...

Student receives MODERN CASTING scholarship at 2003 FEF Conference in Chicago.(AFS/CMI News)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: At the 2003 Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) Conference held November 13-15 in Chicago, the MODERN CASTING Partners Scholarship was presented to George Macut, Mohawk College. Pictured congratulating...

New AFS Corporate Members (October-November 2003).(Membership Memo)
January 1, 2004... New AFS Corporate Members (October-November 2003): ABB, Inc., New Berlin, Wis.; Guardian Software Systems, Oconomowoc, Wis.; Champion Chisel Works, Rock Falls, Ill.; F.K. Foundries, Notch Chicago, Ill.; IPS/Belgium Foundry Corp., Belgium, Wis.

Thank you.(AFS/CMI News)
January 1, 2004... This space is to thank the instructors and their companies who have provided their time and expertise for CMI courses held October 1--November 30, 2003. Ted Schorn, Enkei America, Inc. Ted Klemp, Cayenne Systems Mary Beth Krysiak,...

Detroit/Windsor -- in October, Glenn Byczynski, Nemak Engineering Centre, presents a pouring man statue to John Campbell.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: DETROIT/WINDSOR -- In October, Glenn Byczynski (r), Nemak Engineering Centre, presents a pouring man statue to John Campbell, Univ. of Birmingham, England, following his presentation, "Welcoming Technology:...

Stateline -- in October, Pete Rundquist, Rockford Foundries, Inc., congratulates Jenny Larsen, Joseph Huber Brewing Co.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: STATELINE -- In October, Pete Rundquist (l), Rockford Foundries, Inc., congratulates Jenny Larsen, Joseph Huber Brewing Co., after her presentation on the processes used to brew different types of beer.

Keystone -- in November, George Frigm, Heraeus Electro-Nite Co., presents Bill Kohr.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: KEYSTONE -- In November, George Frigm (r), Heraeus Electro-Nite Co., presents Bill Kohr, Motor Technology, Inc., with a speaker's award for his presentation on preventative maintenance.

Wisconsin -- in October, Jonathan Levine and Scott Baumbach (r), both from Michael Best & Friedrich.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: WISCONSIN -- In October, Jonathan Levine (l) and Scott Baumbach (r), both from Michael Best & Friedrich, are congratulated following their presentation, "Keeping Employers Out of Labor Trouble," by Phil...

Oregon -- in November, Tony Bella, Varicast, Inc., congratulates David Peterson.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: OREGON -- In November, Tony Bella (l), Varicast, Inc., congratulates David Peterson, AFS, after his presentation on AFS membership.

Plains States -- in November, Johnny Thornburgh, Tonkawa Foundry, Inc., and Nate McLain, CFM Corp., congratulate Dan Falese.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: PLAINS STATES -- In November, Johnny Thornburgh (l), Tonkawa Foundry, Inc., and Nate McLain (r), CFM Corp., congratulate Dan Falese, HA International, after his presentation, "Controlling Your Phenolic...

Central New York -- in November, Charles H. Frink, Jr., Inductotherm Corp., receives a speaker's award.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: CENTRAL NEW YORK -- in November, Charles H. Fink, Jr. (l), Inductotherm Corp., receives a speaker's award after his presentation on furnace safety from Hans Prigl, Armstrong Mold Corp.

Northeastern Wisconsin -- in September, Joey Leonard, ThyssenKrupp Waupaca, Inc., presents Bill Nimmo.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN -- In September, Joey Leonard (l), ThyssenKrupp Waupaca, Inc., presents Bill Nimmo, Hunter Automated Machinery Corp., with a plaque after his presentation, "Looking for Weapons of Mass...

Toledo -- in November, Pat Carlin, OmniSource Corp., thanks Denny Luma.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: TOLEDO -- In November, Pat Carlin (r), OmniSource Corp., thanks Denny Luma, Superior Aluminum Alloys, after Luma hosted a plant tour.

Bradley Univ. -- in October, Alexey Sverdlin, Bradley Univ., Raymond Monroe, Steel Founders' Society of America, and Andrew M. Szotak, Bradley Univ.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: BRADLEY UNIV. -- In October, (from l) Alexey Sverdlin, Bradley Univ., Raymond Monroe, Steel Founders' Society of America, and Andrew M. Szotak, Bradley Univ., gather after Monroe's presentation at the...

Tristate -- in October, Rick Voss, Acme Foundry, Inc., congratulates Gary Mosher.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: TRISTATE -- In October, Rick Voss (l), Acme Foundry, Inc., congratulates Gary Mosher, AFS, following his presentation, "An Update on the iron and Steel Foundry MACT."

North Western Pennsylvania -- in November, Dan Cable, Matson Insurance Agency, receives a speaker's award following his presentation.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: NORTH WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA -- In November, Dan Cable (I), Matson Insurance Agency, receives a speaker's award following his presentation, "Control and Safety Programs and Training Needs for the Foundry...

Chapter meetings.(AFS Chapter News)(Calendar)
January 1, 2004... BIRMINGHAM February 13--Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala.; "Update on Vulcan Restoration," Scott Howell, Robinson Iron. March 12--Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Student Night & Golf. April 12--Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala.; "Update on AFS Research at the...

Counter-pressure casting system eases aluminum pouring for high integrity components.(New Product)
January 1, 2004... Metalcasters who work with molten aluminum are familiar with turbulence. The process of pouring the touchy alloy can be stressful due to its need to follow a slow, tranquil path into the mold. Too much turbulence while pouring leads to...

Additive helps foundry improve green sand properties.(Case History)
January 1, 2004... Donsco, Inc., Wrightsville, Penn., is a company that has always been interested in innovation and adopting new technologies designed to provide its customers a competitive advantage. This open-minded approach to business provided the framework...

Automatic grinding system.(Metalcasting Supplies)
January 1, 2004... IMF has added an automatic grinding system to its range of production. The system is highlighted by a magnetic table equipped with its patented magnetic system to secure the casting. The system also features a grinding robot, grinding device,...

Core modeling software.(Metalcasting Supplies)
January 1, 2004... Ashland Casting Solutions continues to provide Arena-Flow, a computational fluid dynamic modeling software for core and tooling design. The software, developed by Arena-Flow, LLC in conjunction with General Motors, NASA and the U.S. Dept. of...

Digital imaging sensors.(Metalcasting Supplies)
January 1, 2004... LMI Technologies has introduced a family of digital imaging laser triangulation sensors. The Selcom Xline is designed for level measurement and control in molten metal applications. The laser sensors combine advances in digital technology,...

Voice of the industry: the steel industry has been one of the hardest hit by the economic downturn of the past few years. What do you believe steel foundries must do to rebound?(Shakeout: hear what industry voices have to say ...)
January 1, 2004... Steel foundries do not need to reinvent the wheel. We should have a positive attitude and do what other industries have done--become more efficient by producing more with less. We must work faster, reduce rework and scrap, and work harder (but...