Modern Casting articles from January 2006

Modern Casting archives from January 2006

Question of the month.(modercasting.com)
January 1, 2006... The November web site question asked, "If you're considering value-added services for your facility, what do you see as the most profitable?" Machining 41% Subassembly 0% Painting/ Polising 0% Heat treatment ...

A new approach to refractory installation for channel furnace inductors.(Product Innovations)
January 1, 2006... Although dry, vibratable refractories have replaced many brick, castable and wet ram linings, one drawback is the labor-intensive installation of these refractories. Allied Mineral Products Inc., Columbus, Ohio, developed a new installation...

2-platen diecasting machine innovates operations.(Product Innovations)
January 1, 2006... Engineers at IdraPrince Inc., Holland, Mich., have designed a clamp-system for diecasting machines that maintains the advantages of mechanical linkage style clamp machines while eliminating the limitations that prevent dramatic productivity and...

Do we produce castings or $$$$?(EDITORIAL)
January 1, 2006... Our industry (as a whole) analyzes its productivity in terms of casting tonnage. Whether it is ton/hr. melt rates, man hours/ton efficiencies or casting tonnage shipped, the focus for production is on how much we produce instead of how...

Alcoa to produce castings for Navy missiles, launch airfoil casting program in Hungary.(North America)
January 1, 2006... Alcoa Inc., Pittsburgh, signed a five-year, $30 million contract in which Alcoa Forged Products and Aluminum Castings will produce aluminum structural castings for the U.S. Navy's Tactical Tomahawk missile program. Alcoa agreed with Klune...

Sturm, Ruger division to launch new casting plant.(North America)
January 1, 2006... Pine Tree Castings (Sturm, Ruger & Co.), Newport, N.H., is in the process of establishing a new titanium investment casting facility in Newport. The new operation will be located in a portion of a 300,000-sq.-ft, former woolen mill Sturm, Ruger...

Hayes Lemmerz sells Cadillac plant, increases ownership in Turkish operation.(North America)
January 1, 2006... Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Northville, Mich., announced the sale of Hayes Lemmerz International-Cadillac Inc., Cadillac, Mich., to a group of private investors is finalized. The company will be renamed Cadillac Casting Inc. Through...

Spuncast expanding machining facility.(North America)
January 1, 2006... As part of ongoing growth plans for its manufacturing operations, Spuncast Inc., Watertown, Wis., is expanding its machining facility to make room for increased business. The expansion includes more than 12,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing...

2004 metalcasting industry lost workday injury, illness rates released.(North America)
January 1, 2006... The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the 2004 Injury and Illness rates, which reflect OSHA's recordable cases as well as cases of employees with days away, restricted or transferred (DART) from work. When OSHA decides what firms...

Amcast refiles for Chapter 11 protection.(North America)
January 1, 2006... Amcast Industrial Corp., Fremont, Ind., refiled for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after exiting such protection in August. The filing was prompted by loss of business from General Motors Corp. (GM), Detroit, which accounts for about 80% of Amcast's...

Dana Corp. to own core Mexican operations.(Acquisitions)
January 1, 2006... Dana Corp., Toledo, Ohio, announced it signed a letter of intent with DESC S.A. de C.V., Mexico City, under which Dana will acquire full ownership of several core operations based in Mexico. Under terms of the letter, Dana and DESC will...

CONAF/FENAF attracts metalcasters, suppliers from around the globe to Sao Paulo, Brazil.(Around the World)
January 1, 2006... More than 25,800 metalcasting representatives, purchasers and exhibitors arrived in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sept. 27-30 for the 12th CONAF (international foundry congress) and 11th FENAF (fair for foundry, raw materials and equipment) convention....

Neenah Foundry Co.(Foundry Ticker)
January 1, 2006... Neenah Foundry Co., Neenah, Wis., announced fiscal year 2005 net sales of $541.7 million, a 20.2% increase from the $450.9 million in net sales the company reported for fiscal year 2004. Neenah also declared a net income of $15.1 million, an...

Hayes Lemmerz International Inc.(Foundry Ticker)
January 1, 2006... Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Northville, Mich., reported an 11% increase in third quarter sales compared to the same time last year, from $545.9 million to $604 million. Hayes also reported earnings from operations of $16.8 million, a 29%...

Allegheny Technologies Inc.(Foundry Ticker)
January 1, 2006... Allegheny Technologies Inc., Pittsburgh, announced that its board of directors increased the firm's quarterly dividend by 67% to $0.10 per share.

The Eastern Co.(Foundry Ticker)
January 1, 2006... The Eastern Co., Naugatuck, Conn., announced a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share.

Lufkin Industries Inc.(Foundry Ticker)
January 1, 2006... Lufkin Industries Inc., Lufkin, Texas, declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share.

Gardner Denver Inc.(Foundry Ticker)
January 1, 2006... Gardner Denver Inc., Quincy Ill., announced third quarter revenue of $356.1 million, a 95% increase compared to the same time in 2004. The firm also reported a 93% increase in net income of $16.7 million.

Intermet Corp.(Newscast)
January 1, 2006... Intermet Corp., Troy, Mich., announced that it moved its corporate offices to a new location. The firm's new address is: 700 Tower Drive, Fourth Floor, Troy, MI 48098-2808. With the move, Intermet relocated its enhanced Data Center to Troy from...

Sturgis Foundry Corp.(Newscast)
January 1, 2006... Sturgis Foundry Corp., Sturgis, Mich., closed its metalcasting operations in November, as reported by the Sturgis Journal, Sturgis, Mich.

Metal Technologies-Woodstock Ltd (Metal Technologies Inc.).(Newscast)
January 1, 2006... Metal Technologies-Woodstock Ltd. (Metal Technologies Inc.), Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, is shutting down its casting operations, as reported by the London Free Press, London, Ontario, Canada.

Roloff Manufacturing, Kaukauna, Wis., agreed to a contract with Engineered Foundry Systems, St. Louis, Mo., to provide engineering, manufacturing and the installation of a new sand plant.(Newscast)
January 1, 2006... Roloff Manufacturing, Kaukauna, Wis., agreed to a contract with Engineered Foundry Systems, St. Louis, Mo., to provide engineering, manufacturing and the installation of a new sand plant, shakeout and prepared sand system. The project is the...

Proclaiming the supplier-customer relationship.(Letterbox)
January 1, 2006... I've found a sustained interest in the recent editorials presented in MODERN CASTING and would like to discuss my stance on the current economical situation U.S. metalcasters face, beginning with my background. I started in the...

Urging a stronger U.S. economy.(Letterbox)
January 1, 2006... The recent editorial, "Manufacturing On It's Own" (ECS, November/ December 2005, p. 7) has my blood boiling, as well. Being in the automotive industry for nearly 20 years, I have seen the U.S. industry suffer in order to support the...

Can-Eng Furnaces Ltd.(Newscast)
January 1, 2006... Can-Eng Furnaces Ltd., Niagara Falls, New York, received an order from an automotive casting supplier to design and perform the turnkey installation of a modular heat treatment system.

Leggett & Platt Inc.(Personals)
January 1, 2006... Leggett & Platt Inc., Carthage, Mo., announce d the election of Phoebe A. Wood to its board of directors.

Rimrock Corp.(Personals)
January 1, 2006... Rimrock Corp., Columbus, Ohio, promoted Dale Ronald to director of operations after previously being an applications engineer for Rimrock. The company also named Mark Riekert application engineering manager.

FKI Logistex.(Personals)
January 1, 2006... FKI Logistex, Frederick, Md., appointed Wes Goode Jr. vice president of airport systems for the company's North American Airport, Post and Parcel division. Goode succeeds Steve McElweenie, who remained vice president of sortation systems for...

PowerMetal Technologies Inc.(Personals)
January 1, 2006... PowerMetal Technologies Inc., Carlsbad, Calif., named William F. Davidson III vice president of product development.

The Federal Metal Co.(Personals)
January 1, 2006... The Federal Metal Co., Bedford, Ohio, promoted C. Todd Kidder to vice president of manufacturing.

The American Foundry Society.(Personals)
January 1, 2006... The American Foundry Society, Schaumburg, Ill., named Rick Cavallaro director of membership services. He formerly served as assistant manager of health, safety and environment for ThyssenKrupp Stahl, Kingsville, Mo.

Calendar of events.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Calendar)
January 1, 2006... January January 20-22 The 54th Indian Foundry Congress, Pune, India. February February 6-7--AFS Foundry Environmental 101 Seminar, Crown Plaza Atlanta Airport Hotel, Atlanta. February 9-10--AFS Wisconsin Regional, The Pfister,...

U.S.-China Commission releases Annual Report to Congress.(WASHINGTON ALERT)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The U.S.-China Commission's (USCC) 2005 Annual Report to Congress was released Nov. 10. The report, approved by USCC members by an 11-1 vote, criticized the Bush Administration for not having a coherent strategy in dealing with China. The...

New EPA rule establishes process for assessment of Brownfields.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
January 1, 2006... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented the All Appropriate Inquiries rule in November, which the agency hopes will accelerate private cleanups of brownfields (land that was previously industrial). The rule establishes the...

Metalcasting sand stakeholders meeting held in Philadelphia.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
January 1, 2006... More than 100 industry representatives, state and federal regulators, and university researchers gathered Dec. 1 in Philadelphia to discuss ways to increase the beneficial use of metalcasting molding sand. The meeting provided participants...

Casting sales forecast to grow 14% by '08: U.S. metal casting shipments are expected to continue to rebound, despite the ongoing growth of imports.(Cover Story)
January 1, 2006... Despite only a slight growth in light vehicle production in 2005, metal casting shipments rose 4.2% over 2004 to 14,142,000 tons. The rebound is expected to continue in each of the next three years and show an overall growth of 7.9% to...

Intercast partners for growth: as a partnership of U.S. and Brazilian casting groups, Intercast is expanding its reach from water works components to the global medium and heavy truck, construction and agriculture markets through in-house engineering and strategic alliances.(Company Profile)
January 1, 2006... The intensity of global competition in the metalcasting industry depends upon currency exchange rates, labor costs, government regulation costs, casting quality achieved and the service value a casting supplier can provide. The importance a...

Consolidating your cleaning room: by implementing new designs and practices, two steel casters anticipate improvement in their cleaning and finishing operations.
January 1, 2006... As domestic steel casting firms still recover from the economic slide of 2001-03, production methods must be at optimal levels to handle increased orders. This is necessary to increase profit and supplement continuous improvement efforts...

Transforming mold line data ... into process knowledge: translating collected data on your nobake mold line into knowledge will aid your facility in identifying opportunities where improvements can be made and time and resources can be saved.
January 1, 2006... Most metalcasting facilities have a system that collects data on their casting process, whether it be with a plant-wide computer system or through hand-written notes. But collecting data alone will do little more than take up hard drive or file...

How do manganese, sulfur levels affect gray iron properties?
January 1, 2006... Inside This Story * Investigations have sought to determine how the presence of sulfur and manganese affect gray iron properties. * Uncertainties exist to exact roles the two elements play in gray iron. * Detailed is an analysis...

Controlling aluminum gas porosity.(CASTING FACTS)
January 1, 2006... Cast aluminum components are used for many diverse functions, from applications that do not have critical service requirements to components for aerospace and automotive applications that require high strength, ductility and fatigue properties....

CMI holds iron induction melting course at Muskegon Community College.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
January 1, 2006... Molten metal is poured into molds during the CMI lab course, "Induction Melted Cast Iron Processing," held Nov. 15-17 at Muskegon Community College, Muskegon, Mich. The course offered informal and practical instruction on induction melting...

Attendee registration open for 110th Metalcasting Congress.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
January 1, 2006... Attendee registration for the 110th Metalcasting Congress opens Jan. 20. This year's annual congress will be held April 18-21 in Columbus, Ohio. Collaboratively held by AFS and the North American Die Casting Assn. (NADCA), the four-day...

Conference proceedings available.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
January 1, 2006... Proceedings from two recent AFS conferences are now available online (www.afsinc.org/estore) or by calling AFS Customer Service at 800/ 537-4237. The AFS Cast Iron Inoculation Conference held Sept. 29-30 in Schaumburg, Ill., was designed...

Toledo--in November, Jim Gary, General Motors Powertrain, greets Jack McMillin, Ajax Tocco Magnethermic, after his presentation.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
January 1, 2006... TOLEDO -- In November, Jim Gary (l), General Motors Powertrain, greets Jack McMillin, Ajax Tocce Magnethermic, after his presentation, "The Latest Technologies in Channel and Coreless Induction Furnaces."

New Jersey Metropolitan--in November, Keith DiGrazio, Richmond Industries Inc., greets David A. Janosz, American Aluminum Casting Co.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
January 1, 2006... NEW JERSEY METROPOLITAN -- In November, Keith DiGrazio (r), Richmond Industries Inc., greets David A. Janosz, American Aluminum Casting Co., after a round table discussion regarding metalcasting-related problems and their solutions.

Southern California--in November, Roy Sellars, Consolidated Foundries Inc., Glenn Schneider Sr., Gregg Industries, Inc., Tom King, Consolidated Foundries Inc., and Dinshaw Irani, Consolidated Foundries Inc.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
January 1, 2006... SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA -- In November, (from l) Roy Sellars, Consolidated Foundries Inc., Glenn Schneider Sr., Gregg Industries, Inc., Tom King, Consolidated Foundries Inc., and Dinshaw Irani, Consolidated Foundries Inc., along with 25 other...

Hawkeye--in November, Jeff Beuthien, Univ. of Northern Iowa, presents a personalized brass plaque to Tim Weber, Buehler Limited.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
January 1, 2006... HAWKEYE -- In November, Jeff Beuthien (r), Univ. of Northern Iowa, presents a personalized brass plaque to Tim Weber, Buehler Limited, for his presentation, "Digital Microscopy & Image Analysis."

Central New York--in October, Bob Stuenzi, Crouse-Hinds/Cooper Industries, presents a speaker's award to Andy Adams, Foseco Metallurgical Inc., for his presentation on filtration.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
January 1, 2006... CENTRAL NEW YORK -- In October, (photo at l), Bob Stuenzi (l), Crouse-Hinds/Cooper Industries, presents a speaker's award to Andy Adams, Foseco Metallurgical Inc., for his presentation on filtration. In November (photo at r), Stuenzi (l),...

Northeast Wisconsin--in December, Al Rebarchik, Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Co.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
January 1, 2006... NORTHEAST WISCONSIN -- In December, Al Rebarchik (l or r), Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Co., presents a speaker's award to Melvin Lischefski, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, for his presentation, "The Value of Safety and Health."

Detroit/Windsor--in November, Richard MacDonald, Ford Motor Co.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
January 1, 2006... DETROIT/WINDSOR -- In November, Richard MacDonald (r), Ford Motor Co., presents a speaker's award to John McIntyre, Anderson Global, after his presentation, "Combining North American Tooling Manufacturing with Asian Connections for Global...

Oregon--in November, Beth Knipple, Bridgetown Cores Inc., greets Audrey O'Brien, Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality, after her presentation on the air quality in the Portland, Ore., metropolitan area and the role metalcasting facilities play in future changes and regulations.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
January 1, 2006... OREGON--In November, (photo at r) Beth Knipple (l), Bridgetown Cores Inc., greets Audrey O'Brien, Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality, after her presentation on the air quality in the Portland, Ore., metropolitan area and the role...

Chapter meetings.(Calendar)
January 1, 2006... BIRMINGHAM Feb. 6--Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala.; Regular Meeting. March 13--Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala.; Regular Meeting. April 7--TBD; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Student Night & Golf. May 8--Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala.; Awards Night. ...

A new approach to refractory installation for channel furnace inductors.(Case History)
January 1, 2006... Dry vibratable refractories are used extensively for the working linings of many molten metal contract and containment applications. For refractory installation, the electric tamper is used to compact each 3-4 in. (75-100mm) individual layer of...

Hydraulic 2-platen machine innovates diecasting operations.(Case History)
January 1, 2006... Most diecasting machines utilize a mechanical linkages-tyle (toggle) clamp because they are well-known for their robustness and repeatable mechanism for creating tonnage. The linkage is the main contributor to a "stiff" diecasting machine (high...

Rotary parts washer.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
January 1, 2006... Almco has introduced the three-stage Model RCWR-72E, a rotary-design washer, to its product line. It is designed with a 6-ft. (1.8-m) diameter turntable and stainless steel cabinet and components and is able to accommodate up to 2,500 lbs....

Aluminum melting furnace.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
January 1, 2006... Thermtronix Corp. now manufactures its hydraulic tilt aluminum melting furnace, which is available in both solid state electric and gas-fired models. The furnaces are designed to handle large pours and labor-saving molten metal handling. They...

Shot peening services.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
January 1, 2006... Godfrey & Wing now offers shot peening services as one of its primary metal finishing processes. Shot peening, a mechanical surface treatment, enables components to carry higher cyclic stresses by inhibiting the propagation of microscopic...

World Trade Center steel shaped into Navy ship: in case you didn't know.(SHAKEOUT)
January 1, 2006... Recycled metal is used daily in metalcasting facilities, but the recycled metal used in a casting manufactured at Amite Foundry and Machine, Amite, La., in Sept. '03, wasn't your typical scrapyard steel. Twenty tons of steel salvaged from...