Modern Casting articles from January 2005

Modern Casting archives from January 2005

Caterpillar to restructure global casting operations.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... As part of a $40 million investment, Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill., will restructure its global metalcasting operations through its Mapleton, Ill., facility and could create a new joint venture metalcasting facility with Grupo Industrial...

Intermet to close Sturtevant Plants.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Intermet Corp., Troy, Mich., announced plans to cease operations of its Racine (diecasting) Plant and Racine Machining Plant, both in Sturtevant, Wis., during the second quarter of 2005. The continuing high costs at the facilities and a...

Ashland casting solutions opens 'one-stop shop'.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... As a means to establish a "one-stop shop" for the metalcasting industry, Ashland Casting Solutions, Dublin, Ohio, opened its new Design Services Center in December. The shop is intended to provide support for the entire metalcasting industry,...

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
January 1, 2005... The November web site question of the month asked, "What percentage of your customer base is demanding just-in-time delivery of your product (castings, raw materials, etc.)?" Answers: * 37%--More than 50%. * 32%--Less than 25%....

CFi system defies traditional approach to casting impregnation.(Product Innovations)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... CFi System Defies Traditional Approach to Casting Impregnation--Casting impregnation to eliminate casting porosity defects has remained an expensive, and sometimes risky, value-added process over the years. But when Godfrey & Wing, Cleveland,...

Surface-infusion treatment extends life of tool & die casting components.(Product Innovations)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Surface-Infusion Treatment Extends Life of Tool & Die Casting Components--The Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Northville, Mich., facility in Bristol, Ind., was looking to raise the productivity of its process line. The firm discovered that...

A year of promise.(Editorial)(meeting challenges )(Editorial)
January 1, 2005... I love the feeling of January 1. Every year I wake up refreshed with a new sense of excitement about the opportunities that will present themselves in the coming year. I also feel mentally and physically rejuvenated, able to overcome the...

Metalcasting industry responds to U.S. Treasury report on Asian currency.(Washington Alert)
January 1, 2005... The U.S. metalcasting industry recently criticized the U.S. Treasury Dept.'s annual report on international exchange rate policies in which the Treasury Dept. once again found that no major U.S. trading partner is manipulating its currency to...

Congress passes loan program to aid small manufacturers.(Washington Alert)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Included in this years annual spending bill is legislation coauthored by House of Representatives Small Business Committee Chair Don Manzullo (R-Ill.) and Senate Slnall Business Committee Chair Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) that reauthorizes and...

Caterpillar to restructure Mapleton facility, likely to enter joint venture with Grupo Industrial Saltillo.(North America)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... As part of a $40 million investment, Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill., will restructure its global metalcasting operations through its Mapleton, Ill., facility and could create a new joint venture metalcating facility with Grupo Industrial...

Intermet to close Sturtevant plants.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Intermet Corp., Troy, Mich., announced plans to cease operations of its Racine (diecasting) Plant and Racine Machining Plant, both in Sturtevant, Wis., during the second quarter of 2005. The continuing high costs at the facilities and a...

Ashland Casting Solutions opens Design Center.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... As a means to establish a "one-stop shop" for the metalcasting industry, Ashland Casting Solutions, Dublin, Ohio, opened its new Design Services Center in December. The shop is intended to provide support for the whole metalcasting...

Cymat, Georg Fischer enter co-op.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Cymat Corp., Toronto, and Georg Fischer Automotive, Schaffhausen, Switzerland, entered a two-year co-operation agreement. Through the joint venture, the two companies will pursue technical, operational and commercial development of aluminum...

Tupy casts high-performance engines for Toyota Tundra in NASCAR craftsman truck series.(North America)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Furthering its production of compacted graphite iron (CGI) automotive components to European customers, Tupy, Joinville, State of Santa Catarina. Brazil, has expanded its customer base to North America with Toyota Racing Development (TRD),...

Amcast files for Chapter 11 protection.(North America)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... As a means to implement financial restructuring, Amcast Industrial Corp., Dayton, Ohio, and several of its subsidiary companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November. This protection comes in lieu of an agreement Amcast...

North Vernon establishes new metalcasting plant.(North America)(Cullman Casting Corp)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... North Vernon Industry Corp., North Vernon, Ind., announced plans to build a 350,000-sq.-ft. metalcasting facility' in Cullman, Ala., that will employ 300 people over the next three years. Cullman Casting Corp., scheduled to open in December...

MagPro purchases former citation facility.(North America)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The former Camden Castings (Citation Corp.) plant in Jackson, Tenn., which closed in 2002, was purchased by MagPro, a California-based firm that will relocate to Jackson. MagPro will refurbish the 117,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space to...

Comp Cams, Morais enter joint venture to purchase New Zealand metalcasting operation.(North America)(Pro Topline, Auckland)(Southern Performance Ltd)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Comp Cams Inc,, Memphis, and Michael Morais (a former new-ventures specialist for Fletcher Challenge. Auckland. New Zealand) agreed to a joint venture to buy Pro Topline, Auckland, as reported by the Sunday Star Times, Auckland. Pro...

Ripplewood holdings acquires Honsel technologies.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Ripplewood Holdings LLC, New York, acquired the operations of Honsel International Technologies S.a.r.l. (HIT), Luxembourg, from the Carlyle Group, Washington. HIT, which produces automotive components for firms such as Ford and Volvo,...

Hayes Lemmerz International Inc.(Foundry Ticker)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Northville, Mich., reported a third quarter sales increase of 4.8% to $556.2 million compared to $530.9 million the same time in 2003. Also, nine-month sales ending Oct. 31 were 8.1% higher than last year with...

Royalston Arts Foundry rejuvenates Soldier Sam monument.(North America)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Royalston Arts Foundry, Royalston, Mass., restored Soldier Sam, a 19th Century statue in Belchertown, Mass. The all-zinc structure had suffered creep defects over the years and would potentially collapse upon itself due to the zinc...

Argos Foundry to cast 9/11 memorial sculpture.(North America)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Argos Art Foundry, Brewster, N.Y., has been commissioned to cast a sculpture remembering the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The facility is in the process of creating a bronze assembly of two hands that will clasp an actual...

Texas Aluminum Foundry Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, chose to upgrade the PLC controls on the Model BSM-2016.(Newscast)(Beardsley & Piper LLC )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Texas Aluminum Foundry Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, chose to upgrade the PLC controls on the Model BSM-2016 Matchblomatic machine from Beardsley & Piper LLC (Simpson Group), Aurora, Ill.

Hayes Lemmerz International Inc.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Northville, Mich., obtained approval from lenders of an amendment to its credit agreement. This will allow the company to establish an accounts receivable securitization program of up to $100 million and modify...

CMF honors best British company, component.(Around the World)(Cast Metals Federation )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Cast Metals Federation (CMF), West Bromwich, England, honored two companies with "best of" awards. In the photo at right, British Olympian Eddie Edwards (I) presents Philip Rawnson, MRT Castings Ltd., a trophy honoring MRT Castings,...

Knight Foundry Corp.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Knight Foundry Corp., Sutter Creek, Calif., signed a contract to produce at least 25 lampposts to be placed in San Leandro, Calif., according to the Amador Ledger Dispatch, Jackson, Calif. The $105,000 project aims to restore the original...

Star Foundry & Machine, Salt Lake City, has been recognized by the Utah Air Quality Compliance Advisory Panel.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Star Foundry & Machine, Salt Lake City, has been recognized by the Utah Air Quality Compliance Advisory Panel, West Valley City, Utah.

Xenia Foundry & Machine Co.(Newscast)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Xenia Foundry & Machine Co., Xenia, Ohio, is celebrating its 85th anniversary in 2005.

Quality Certifications.(Industry News)
January 1, 2005... The following metalcasting organization has passed a surveillance audit: Fimex S.A. de C.V., Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (ISO 9001:2000).

Ion Ltd.(Around the World-Newscast)
January 1, 2005... Ion Ltd., Melbourne, Australia, was placed in voluntary administration by its board of directors as a result of cost overruns and delays associated with three major capital projects that have absorbed cash.

Dubai Aluminum Co. (DUBAL).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Dubai Aluminum Co. (DUBAL), Dubai. United Arab Emirates, an aluminum supply firm, invested in excess of AED 110 million ($29.9 million) in the second phase of its casthouse expansions, as part of a comprehensive initiative to add additional...

Norsk Hydro ASA.(Around the World-Newscast)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Norsk Hydro ASA, Oslo Norway, will upgrade its aluminum casthouse in Kurri Kurri, Australia, enabling the facility to supply up to 88,000 tons of casting alloys and increase production of extrusion ingots up to 110,000 tons per year.

Nemak of Canada Corp.(Personals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Nemak of Canada Corp., Windsor, Ontario, Canada, announced that Terry Scherback assumed daily responsibilities for the company's internal and external communications and media relations.

ThyssenKrupp Stahl.(Personals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... ThyssenKrupp Stahl, Kingsville, Mo., appointed Franz Eckl president.

Winsert Inc.(Personals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Winsert Inc., Marinette, Wis., appointed Ken Carlson director of continuous quality improvement.

Honsel International Technologies S.a.r.l. (HIT).(Personals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Honsel International Technologies S.a.r.l. (HIT), Luxembourg, through a transaction with Ripplewood Holdings LLC, New York, named Richard Donnelly chairman of the board, Anthony Barone CFO, and Thomas Stallkamp as a board member.

Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Mich., sold Cosworth Technology.(Personals)(Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerald Forsythe buys Cosworth Technology)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Mich., sold Cosworth Technology, Worcester, England, to Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerald Forsythe.

Obituaries.(Industry News)(Metal castings industry)(Obituary)
January 1, 2005... Thomas C. Helgeson, Bradenton, Fla., died in October. A service life member, Mr. Helgeson had been an AFS member since 1957. Charles T. Sheehan, Milwaukee, died in November. He was 80. As a long-time representative of the metalcasting...

Calendar of events.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
January 1, 2005... January January 29-30--Non-Ferrous Founders' Society NFFSummit Conference, Marco Island Hilton Beach Resort, Marco Island, Fla. February February 2-4--AFS Southeast Regional Conference, Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala. ...

11% growth forecast for next 4 years led by aluminum, ductile iron: despite the continued growth of imports, U.S. metal casting shipments are forecast to rebound to a 25-year high in 2008.
January 1, 2005... Despite a slight decrease in light vehicle production in 2004, U.S. metal casting shipments rose 3.6% over 2003 to 13.76 million tons. The rebound is expected to continue in each of the next four years and show an overall growth of 11% to 15.27...

ME Global helps launch shuttles to space: the track shoes on NASA's crawler transporters, which carry the space shuttles to the launch pad, required refurbishing. But ME Global had a better solution--cast entirely new sets of shoes.
January 1, 2005... As the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) returns its space shuttles to flight this May after a two-year hiatus, it required some assistance for ground transportation. ME Global Inc. had the solution. The steel sand casting...

Getting more from your cleaning room: cleaning and finishing operations in low- and high-volume facilities have their problems, from automation to expenses. Although there is no immediate solution, there are several remedies for improvement.
January 1, 2005... In an era of tighter process controls and lean manufacturing techniques, metalcasting facilities continuously are looking to enhance their overall operation from design to shipment. This includes both revamping the facility layout and investing...

6 sigma eases strain of converting tooling to nobake molding.
January 1, 2005... Inside This Story * The Harrison Steel Castings Co. decided to convert its existing green sand molding line to nobake molding to produce a more consistent casting and eliminate the overhead costs of the green sand process. * Detailed...

Marrying Almag 535 to the permanent mold process.
January 1, 2005... Inside This Story * The impressive characteristics Almag 535 can achieve in the sand casting process are all but lost in other processes, such as permanent mold. By combining the characteristics of the permanent mold process with the...

Jumping from hot water.(Small Foundry Management)(Production processes management)
January 1, 2005... Have you been frustrated because someone wasn't addressing a problem or wasn't addressing it correctly? Often, it seems I've spent my whole career in that situation. I even felt, at times, that the people working for me weren't concentrating...

Heat treating aluminum castings: AFS Technical Dept., Schaumburg, Illinois.(Casting Facts)
January 1, 2005... Many aluminum castings meet property requirements in the as-cast condition and do not require further processing. However, depending on the alloy and casting process, aluminum castings have dimensional instability, low strength and toughness,...

AFS nominating committee members announced.(AFS/CMI News)
January 1, 2005... AFS has announced the members of the 2004-05 Nominating Committee, which represents the three AFS chapters eligible to select national directors to be elected during Cast Expo '05 in St. Louis. The committee members are: Richard Boyd, Nova...

Engineers, end users gather on West Coast for AFS/CMI casting design seminar.(AFS/CMI News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Sixty design engineers and end users of metal castings congregated at the first Cost-Effective Casting Design Seminar held on the West Coast. The AFS Marketing Div. and CMI presented the one-day seminar, which was co-sponsored by Engineered...

Labor relations issues discussed at AFS human resource conference in Chicago.(AFS/CMI News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Forty-five industry representatives attended the AFS Labor Relations & Human Resource Conference, held Nov. 10-11, at The Drake Hotel, Chicago. The two-day conference addressed several issues that metalcasting staffs and their employees often...

Western Michigan--In October, Peter Bialik, retired, presents speaker's awards to Bill Tellefsen, Betz Industries, and Bill Lievense, The Capital Group, after their presentation, "Legislative Issues Impacting Your Michigan Foundry.".(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2005... WESTERN MICHIGAN--In October (photo on l), Peter I Bialik (ctr.), retired, presents speaker's awards to Bill Tellefsen (l), Betz Industries, and Bill Lievense, The Capital Group, after their presentation, "Legislative Issues Impacting Your...

St. Louis--in November, Greg Kintzelman, Midvale Industries, greets Jim Paravantes, Extrude Hone Corp.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2005... BIRMINGHAM -- In November, Jarek Olszak (r), Laempe+Reich Corp., presents a speaker's award to Jennifer Bailey, American Cast Iron Pipe Co., after her presentation, "Safe Workplaces and OSHA Compliance: Are They One in the Same?" ...

St. Louis--in November, Greg Kintzelman, Midvale Industries, greets Jim Paravantes, Extrude Hone Corp.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- In November, Greg Kintzeiman (r), Midvale Industries, greets Jim Paravantes, Extrude Hone Corp., after his presentation addressing new technology that allows for the printing of sand molds and their uses in any desired alloy. ...

Central New York--in November, Krista Wetmore and Dave Wetmore, both of Upstate Refractory Services Inc., receive a plaque for Dave's presentation.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2005... CENTRAL NEW YORK -- In November, Krista Wetmore (l) and Dave Wetmore, both of Upstate Refractory Services Inc., receive a plaque for Dave's presentation on metalcasting refractories. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Detroit/Windsor--in November, Duane Becknell, Ford Motor Co., presents a speaker's award to William J. Mogren.(AFS Chapter News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... DETROIT/WINDSOR -- In November, Duane Becknell (l), Ford Motor Co., presents a speaker's award to William J. Mogren (r), CWC Textron, after his presentation, "Revolution and Reinvention of CWC Textron." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Northwestern Pennsylvania--in November, Lisa Anderson, Liberty iron & Metal Co., presents a pewter mug to Tim Kosto, Milward Alloys Inc.(AFS Chapter News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA -- In November, Lisa Anderson (l), Liberty iron & Metal Co., presents a pewter mug to Tim Kosto, Milward Alloys Inc., after his presentation addressing the role of titanium in engineered aluminum alloy castings. ...

Plains States--in November, Doug Fulton, Grede Foundries Inc.-Wichita, presents a speaker's award to Vasko Popovski, Elkem Metals Inc..(AFS Chapter News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... PLAINS STATES -- In November, Doug Fulton (r), Grede Foundries Inc.-Wichita, presents a speaker's award to Vasko Popovski, Elkem Metals Inc., after his presentation, "Magnesium Treatment and Fade of Ductile Iron." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Southern California--in November, Glenn Schneider Sr., Gregg Industries Inc., greets B.J. Clingan, International Tactical Training Seminars Inc.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2005... SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA -- In November, (photo on l) Glenn Schneider Sr. (l), Gregg Industries Inc., greets B.J. Clingan, International Tactical Training Seminars Inc., after her discussion on programs that aid manufacturers' employee training to...

Twin cities--in November, several industry representatives participated in "Educator and Scholarship Night.".(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2005... TWIN CITIES -- In November, several industry representatives participated in "Educator and Scholarship Night." Pictured (from l) in the front row are Gregg Gunderson, retired, Fulton Holtby, retired, and Jeff Erickson, Ermak Inc. Pictured (from...

Texas--in October, Tim Purcell, Porter Warner Industries Inc., greets Greg Brown and Richard Volk, both of United Refractories Co.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2005... TEXAS -- In October, Tim Purcell (ctr), Porter Warner Industries Inc., greets Greg Brown (l) and Richard Volk, both of United Refractories Co., who addressed issues regarding ferrous/ nonferrous refractory applications, installation,...

Washington--in October, Bill Newman, Bergstrom Foundry Inc., presents a cast bronze salmon to Ken Sandell.(AFS Chapter News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- In October, Bill Newman (r), Bergstrom Foundry Inc., presents a cast bronze salmon to Ken Sandell, Atlas Castings & Technology, after his presentation, "The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Project." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Stateline--in November, Tom Gaeding, Carpenter Brothers Inc., presents a speaker's award to Bruce Keener.(AFS Chapter News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... STATELINE -- In November, Tom Gaeding (r), Carpenter Brothers Inc., presents a speaker's award to Bruce Keener, National Metal Abrasive Inc., after his presentation, "Blast Cleaning Efficiency in the Foundry." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Northeastern Ohio--in November, Bill Vondriska, Equipment Merchants International Inc., Willem van der Velde, Ohio Aluminum Industries Inc., and Brian Began, Foseco Metallurgical Inc., greet Rafael Gallo.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2005... NORTHEASTERN OHIO -- In November, Bill Vondriska, Equipment Merchants International Inc. (l), Willem van der Velde (second from r), Ohio Aluminum Industries Inc., and Brian Began (r), Foseco Metallurgical Inc., greet Rafael Gallo, Foseco...

Canton--in November, Corey Jarvis, Wellsville Foundry, and Nick Cannell, Emtec, greet Larry Boyd, Emtec.(AFS Chapter News)
January 1, 2005... CANTON -- In November, Corey Jarvis, Wellsville Foundry, and Nick Cannell (r), Emtec, greet Larry Boyd, Emtec, after his presentation, "Workforce Training for the Metals Processing Industries." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Tri-State--in October, Thomas Hahn (l), Pittsburgh State Univ., presents a speaker's award to Dan Falese, HA International LLC.(AFS Chapter News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... TRI-STATE -- In October, Thomas Hahn (l), Pittsburgh State Univ., presents a speaker's award to Dan Falese, HA international LLC, after his presentation, "Calibration and Process Control of Mixers & Pumping Systems." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Chapter Meetings.(AFS Chapter News)(Calendar)
January 1, 2005... BIRMINGHAM March 11--Univ. of Alabanm, Tuscaloosa, Ala.: Student Night and Golf. April 8--Wynfrey Hotel. Bimmagham, Ala.: General Meeting. May 9--Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala.; General Meeting. BRITISH COLUMBIA January TBD--TBD:...

Surface-infusion treatment extends life of tool & die casting components.(Case History)
January 1, 2005... The traditional approach to casting impregnation has followed the line of thinking that bigger is better. Despite all of the technological advancements in the metalcasting industry in recent memory, the theory of performing casting impregnation...

Surface-infusion treatment extends life of tool & die casting components.(Case History)
January 1, 2005... In 2001, the Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Northville, Mich., facility in Bristol, Ind., was looking to raise the productivity of its process line. The firm discovered that the face mill machining operation responsible for cutting the datum...

Ceramic nozzles.(Metalcasting Supplies)
January 1, 2005... Industrial Ceramic Products Inc. now offers fused silica nozzles designed and suited for bottom pour ladles and automatic pouring furnaces. The nozzles demonstrate thermal shock resistance, excellent mechanical strength and a high density. The...

UV inspections lamp.(Metalcasting Supplies)
January 1, 2005... Spectronics Corp. now offers its Spectroline AP-800 UltraWand UV inspection lamp to deliver long-wave UV illumination in restricted areas. The unit's eight-watt UV tube is located near one end of its anodized aluminum cylinder and concentrates...

Thermocouple recorder.(Metalcasting Supplies)
January 1, 2005... MadgeTech Inc. now offers the TCTEMP 1000, a battery-powered thermocouple temperature recorder that is totally submersible and features a user-replaceable probe. The recorder is 100% waterproof with a replaceable probe that can record ambient...

Creative expression outside of the metalcasting industry.(Shakeout: in case you didn't know)(Book Review)
January 1, 2005... Tony Midea, who works as a product development manager by day for Foseco Metallurgical Inc., Cleveland, needed a form of therapy to cope with the headaches brought on by his moonlight business as a landlord. He started fazing himself out as a...

Henry Green (a.k.a Henry Vincent Yorke).(Shakeout: in case you didn't know)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... While the Mideas chose to write their book on something outside of the realm of metalcasting, others have brought the metalcasting industry to life through their works. In his 1929 novel, Living, Henry Green (the pen name used by Henry Vincent...