Modern Casting articles from January 2007

Modern Casting archives from January 2007

Two Mexico metalcasters benefit from Norsk Hydro divestment.(Industry News)
January 1, 2007... Norsk Hydro ASA, Oslo, Norway, has agreed to sell its European automotive castings business to Nemak of Mexico, Monterrey. In addition, Hydro, an energy and aluminum group, will sell its share in a Mexican castings plant, Castech, to the joint...

Denison Industries continues to expand.(Industry News)
January 1, 2007... Denison Industries, Denison, Texas, broke ground in December to reconfigure 8,000 sq. ft. of its existing metalcasting facility and begin a 7,000-sq.-ft. expansion. The remodel is intended to accommodate increased manufacturing requirements and...

Question of the Month.(moderncasting.com)
January 1, 2007... The November web site question asked, "When determining starling salaries and wages for your facility, against which of the following do you compare?" This month's question is available at www.moderncasting.com. For More Information...

Casting firm saves weeks from model to mold.(Product Innovations)
January 1, 2007... Innovative Casting Technologies Inc. (ICT), Franklin, Ind., produces fast turnaround prototypes and low production castings, and one of the tools that allows ICT to achieve lower lead times is Delcam's CADCAM software.

Robotic automation cuts time in coreroom.(Product Innovations)
January 1, 2007... Gebruder Gienanth-Eisenberg GmbH, Eisenberg, Germany, needed to increase production, reduce labor costs and improve quality in its coreroom. It chose two Kuka robots to streamline the core dipping and palletizing operations.

Worth repeating.(HOTLINE)
January 1, 2007... "Some people think you can improve without it, but to stay price competitive, you have to do some engineering."--Norris Luther, Luther and Associates

Analyzing an industry SWOT.(EDITORIAL)
January 1, 2007... Has your firm ever performed a SWOT analysis? You know, analyzed its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats? I am a big believer in an annual self-analysis to put your arms around where you and your competition stand. But the key...

Nemak and Grupo Industrial de Saltillo, both of Mexico, benefit from Norsk Hydro divestment.(North America)
January 1, 2007... Norsk Hydro ASA, Oslo, Norway, has agreed to sell its European automotive castings business to Nemak of Mexico, Monterrey. In addition, Hydro, an energy and aluminum group, will sell its share in Mexican casting plant Castech to the joint...

Denison Industries continues to expand, improving sand reclamation and wastewater recycling.(North America)
January 1, 2007... Denison Industries, Denison, Texas, broke ground in December to reconfigure 8,000 sq. ft. of its existing metalcasting facility and begin a 7,000-sq.-ft, expansion. The remodel is intended to accommodate increased manufacturing...

Lean, mean and niche is the answer for the future of U.K. metalcasting facilities.(Around the World)
January 1, 2007... The Industrial Revolution may be a distant memory, but the U.K. is still sitting pretty to take advantage of the current Technological Revolution. The U.K. has a long-standing tradition in metalcasting's heavy volume iron sector, but...

Alcoa expands in Morristown.(North America)
January 1, 2007... Alcoa, Cleveland, will invest more than $6 million to expand manufacturing at its Howmet Product and Services' Morristown, Tenn., operation, which supplies ceramic cores to form the internal cooling passages of investment-cast turbine airfoils....

Internet announces new contract.(North America)
January 1, 2007... Internet Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, signed an exclusive supplier agreement with Metaldyne, Plymouth, Mich., to provide the majority of its cast parts needs through the end of 2007. Metaldyne designs and produces engine, driveline and chassis...

FEF, The Foundation for Metal Casting Education, holds conference gives awards and scholarships.(North America)
January 1, 2007... FEF, The Foundation for Metal Casting Education, Schaumburg, Ill., held its 59th annual College Industry Conference on Nov. 16 and 17, bringing together 300 industry executives, student delegates and key professors. The conference is...

Consortium acquires Meridian.(North America)
January 1, 2007... Meridian Technologies, Ontario, Canada, a magnesium diecasting company, is to be acquired by a consortium of investors led by the Norwegian entrepreneur Jostein Eikeland through his Swiss holding company Estatia AG. Current owners of...

Kingsbury Castings, Kingsbury, Ind., recently installed two new General Kinematics, Crystal Lake, Ill.(Newscast)
January 1, 2007... Kingsbury Castings, Kingsbury, Ind., recently installed two new General Kinematics, Crystal Lake, Ill., vibratory machines--a feed conveyor for sand removal and a sorting conveyor.

Rossborough Supply Co. Inc., a manufacturer of magnesium and aluminum auto parts based in Cleveland, Albany, Ore., and Matamoros, Mexico.(Newscast)
January 1, 2007... Rossborough Supply Co. Inc., a manufacturer of magnesium and aluminum auto parts based in Cleveland, Albany, Ore., and Matamoros, Mexico, was acquired by Monomoy Capital Partners L.P., New York.

Thresher Industries, Hanford, Calif., a manufacturer of aluminum and composite castings, announced that it has agreed to acquire 100% of Talon Composites, Beverly Hills, Calif.(Newscast)
January 1, 2007... Thresher Industries, Hanford, Calif., a manufacturer of aluminum and composite castings, announced that it has agreed to acquire 100% of Talon Composites, Beverly Hills, Calif., a manufacturer of metal matrix composites.

MCM Precision Castings Inc., Weston, Ohio and Urschel Laboratories Inc., Valparaiso, Ind., have implemented clean metal inert gas technology.(Newscast)
January 1, 2007... MCM Precision Castings Inc., Weston, Ohio and Urschel Laboratories Inc., Valparaiso, Ind., have implemented clean metal inert gas technology by Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP, Houston.

Hickory Hardware.(Newscast)
January 1, 2007... Hickory Hardware, a designer, manufacturer and marketer of decorative, functional and industrial hardware, announced that its caster testing lab has relocated to the new Hickory Hardware facility in Nashville, Tenn.

Metaldyne Corp., Plymouth, Mich., announced that it has agreed to amend the terms of its previously announced acquisition by Asahi Tec Corp., Kikugawa City, Shizuoka, Japan.(Newscast)
January 1, 2007... Metaldyne Corp., Plymouth, Mich., announced that it has agreed to amend the terms of its previously announced acquisition by Asahi Tec Corp., Kikugawa City, Shizuoka, Japan, primarily to address the higher than anticipated costs of obtaining...

CECO Environmental Corp.(Newscast)
January 1, 2007... CECO Environmental Corp., Cincinnati, a provider of air pollution control and industrial ventilation systems, announced that it has received $3 million in new contracts.

Fairmount Minerals.(Newscast)
January 1, 2007... Fairmount Minerals, Chardon, Ohio, has won the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center's Corporate Citizenship Award in the category of Corporate Stewardship, Small/Midsize Business.

Ashland Casting Solutions.(Newscast)
January 1, 2007... Ashland Casting Solutions, Dublin. Ohio, opened a new office in existing Ashland facilities in Frankfurt, Germany.

Flowserve Corp.(Newscast)
January 1, 2007... Flowserve Corp. announced the opening of new administrative headquarters in Essen, Germany, for its Flow Solutions Europe, Middle East and Africa operations.

Alcoa.(Personals)
January 1, 2007... Alcoa, Pittsburgh, made Charles D. McLane Jr. chief financial officer. Joseph R. Lucot will take over as the company's vice president-corporate controller. Other newly elected vice presidents of the company are Kevin J. Anton, materials...

Minerals Technologies.(Personals)
January 1, 2007... Joseph C, Muscari will become chairman, president and chief executive officer of Minerals Technologies, New York.

Charles Bates has retired from his position as full-time professor.(Personals)
January 1, 2007... Charles Bates has retired from his position as full-time professor at the Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham, Ala., and incorporated AlchemCast LLC, Birmingham, Ala.

South African Institute of Foundrymen.(Personals)
January 1, 2007... Richard Seymour-Wright has taken over as president of the South African Institute of Foundrymen, Wadeville, South Africa.

Obituaries.(Obituary)
January 1, 2007... Carl Schaefer, Dayton, Ohio, died Nov. 13, 2006. He was 83. Schaefer earned a degree in industrial design-from the Pratt Institute, New York, and served in the military before joining The Schaefer Group Inc., Dayton, Ohio, where he worked in...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
January 1, 2007... February February 2-4--55th Indian Foundry Congress and Bazaar, Agra, India. February 8-9--AFS Wisconsin Regional, The Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee. February 25-March 1--The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), Annual Meeting,...

Panel urges Congressional action on China currency manipulation.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
January 1, 2007... In November, the bipartisan U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission provided evidence that China has been seriously inconsistent in meeting its obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The commission made 44...

Council on Competitiveness releases latest report.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... In late November 2006, the Council on Competitiveness, a group of industrial, university and labor leaders, released its flagship report, Competitiveness Index: Where America Stands. The 2006 index benchmarks current U.S. competitiveness...

OSHA revises its National Emphasis Program on amputations.(WASHINGTON ALERT)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently revised its directive on the National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Amputations to identify and reduce workplace machinery and equipment hazards which cause or are likely to cause...

U.S. casting sales to maintain course with 3.7% rise: growth in aluminum and ductile iron is forecast for the next two years, while gray iron and steel casting shipments are expected to decline.(Cover story)
January 1, 2007... Despite a decrease in light vehicle production in 2006, metal casting shipments rose more than 1.5% over 2005 to 14,615,000 tons. Peak production of medium to heavy trucks and freight cars spurred increases in shipments of ferrous castings, but...

Earn your finishing school diploma: to go to the head of the class in product flow, you've got to start at the back of your process--in the finishing room.
January 1, 2007... Finishing school is a place where young women can go to improve themselves culturally and socially. Finishing school is not a place for metalcasters. So it's no wonder that metalcasters looking to improve their workflow are inclined to shy...

Toying with diecast zinc: the strength and finish of zinc and the detail and cost-effective of diecasting have helped make the diecast toy car industry a mainstay in children's and hobbyist's entertainment.
January 1, 2007... For the last 50 years, they have been a standard presence in children's toyboxes around the world. And for almost as long, they have been the focus of thousands of avid collectors. Most are small enough to fit in the palm of a child's hand, but...

Work your metal matrix.
January 1, 2007... The automotive industry recognizes that weight reduction and improved engine efficiency will make the greatest contribution to improved fuel economy with current powertrains. This is evidenced by the increased use of aluminum alloys in engine...

Salary increases grind to a halt in 2005.
January 1, 2007... The chief executive officers (CEOs) of very large manufacturers earned 33% more in 2005 than in 2004. But CEOs and other upper-level employees of smaller companies--the group that metalcasters are most closely associated with--weren't quite so...

Defending globalization.(In Defense of Globalization, The Pentagon's New Map)(Book review)
January 1, 2007... For anyone affected by globalization, and that's every reader of this magazine, two books that take different angles on the topic are worth reading. In Defense of Globalization, by Jagdish Bhagwati, and The Pentagon's New Map, by Thomas P.M....

Iron machinability testing receives funding.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
January 1, 2007... The AFS Cast Iron Div. Casting Quality Control Committee (5-J) has received a research grant to continue development of a machinability test that evaluates machining process changes for both metalcasters and their customers. While this effort...

Metalcasters gather to discuss HR issues.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
January 1, 2007... At the 2006 AFS Labor Relations & Human Resources (HR) Conference, held Nov. 1-3, more than 50 professionals convened to discuss some of the most important issues facing the U.S. metalcasting workforce today. Conference highlights included...

Workshop highlights magnesium technology.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
January 1, 2007... More than 40 metalcasters attended a magnesium technology workshop held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at CANMET-MTL headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Organized by the American Foundry Society (AFS) Magnesium Div. and CANMET, the two-day workshop...

CMI course schedule.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Calendar)
January 1, 2007... CMI Course Schedule Jan. 16-18 Vertical Gating Design (39-07) Muskegon, Mich. Jan. 23-25 Introduction to Metalcasting Schaumburg, Ill. (40-07) Jan. 30-Feb. 1 Analysis & Reduction of ...

Metalcasting industry represented at SAE show.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
January 1, 2007... AFS recently sent staff and corporate members to represent the U.S. metalcasting industry at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 2006 Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress & Exhibition. The show, held Oct. 31-Nov. 2 in Rosemont, Ill.,...

Chapters focus on legislative issues.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
January 1, 2007... Following an election in which the Democrats took a majority in both houses of Congress, the metalcasting industry appears wary of the potential for increasingly restrictive environmental and worker safety legislation. In recent months, many...

Oregon chapter loses valued community member, friend.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
January 1, 2007... Shortly after receiving the Oregon Chapter's Foundry Person of the Month award, Alfred B. Perez Jr., Bridgetown Cores, suffered a stroke and passed away. He had been in the metalcasting industry for more than 45 years. The Oregon Chapter...

BIRMINGHAM--In October, Trevor Tackaberry, Foseco Metallurgical Inc., gave his presentation.(Chapter Newscast)
January 1, 2007... BIRMINGHAM -- In October, Trevor Tackaberry, Foseco Metallurgical Inc., gave his presentation, "The Production of Iron Castings Utilizing a New Generation of Feeding System." In November, Donald Laundre, Roberts Sinto Corp., David LaRussa,...

Chicago--in October, Al Schmidt, RMT Inc., spoke on the beneficial reuse of metalcasting sand.(Chapter Newscast)
January 1, 2007... CHICAGO -- In October, Al Schmidt, RMT Inc., spoke on the beneficial reuse of metalcasting sand. In November, Gloria Ambos, Asset Profiles, gave her presentation, "How to Eliminate the Bad Hire."

Chapter meetings.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)(Calendar)
January 1, 2007... CENTRAL NEW YORK Feb. 21--Pier 57, Liverpool, N.Y.; TBD. March 14--Pier 57, Liverpool, N.Y.: TBD. April 11--Pier 57, Liverpool, N.Y.; TBD Aug. 26--Pier 57, Liverpool, N.Y.; TBD. CENTRAL MICHIGAN Jan. 17--Battle Creek Moonraker, Battle...

Detroit-Windsor--in October, Daniel Minor, Cadillac Casting Inc., offered his presentation, "Against the Grain.".(Chapter Newscast)
January 1, 2007... DETROIT-WINDSOR -- In October, Daniel Minor, Cadillac Casting Inc., offered his presentation, "Against the Grain." Also in October, Richard MacDonald, Ford Motor Co., received the past chairperson award.

Hawkeye--in October, Rick Crisp Crisp, Great Lakes Carbon, gave his presentation.(Chapter Newscast)
January 1, 2007... HAWKEYE -- In October, Rick Crisp, Great Lakes Carbon, gave his presentation, "Crude Oil in Foundry Products."

Michiana--in October, Dr. Fred Linebarger, Miller and Co.(Chapter Newscast)
January 1, 2007... MICHIANA -- In October, Dr. Fred Linebarger, Miller and Co., spoke on in-mold inoculation.

Northeast Wisconsin--in October, Chuck Smittkamp, Quality Management Systems Inc., spoke on failure mode and effects analysis.(Chapter Newscast)
January 1, 2007... NORTHEAST WISCONSIN--In October, Chuck Smittkamp, Quality Management Systems Inc., spoke on failure mode and effects analysis. In November, Doug Presny, CleanTech Partners Inc., spoke on emerging metalcasting technology and energy best...

Piedmont--In November, Mike Moore, J.C. Steele & Sons Inc., and Jim Lewis and Paul Hannah, both of MetalTech Systems Inc.(Chapter Newscast)
January 1, 2007... In November, Mike Moore, J.C. Steele & Sons Inc., and Jim Lewis and Paul Hannah, both of MetalTech Systems Inc., spoke on sand management practices for improved profitability. Also in November, Virginia Tech students Devin Crawford and...

Stateline--in November, Paul Schumacher, Refractory Insulation Supply, spoke.(Chapter Newscast)
January 1, 2007... STATELINE -- In November, Paul Schumacher, Refractory Insulation Supply, spoke on fundamentals of ladle technology.

Tri-State--in October, Joe Ramirez, Ramirez & Co., spoke on new immigration laws and communication issues.(Chapter Newscast)
January 1, 2007... TRI-STATE--In October, Joe Ramirez, Ramirez & Co., spoke on new immigration laws and communication issues in the workplace.

Western Michigan--in November,Alfred Spada.(Chapter Newscast)
January 1, 2007... WESTERN MICHIGAN -- In November, Alfred Spada, American Foundry Society Inc., spoke on the future of the metalcasting industry.

Case history: casting firm saves weeks from model to mold.(PRODUCT INNOVATIONS)
January 1, 2007... Innovative Casting Technologies Inc. (ICT), Franklin, Ind., prides itself on its ability to accelerate its customers' product development cycles to reduce their time to market. It produces fast turnaround prototypes and low production castings...

Case history: robotic automation cuts time in coreroom.(PRODUCT INNOVATIONS)
January 1, 2007... Gebruder Gienanth-Eisenberg GmbH produces 400 coldbox sand cores per day for the production of high performance six- and eight-cylinder crankcases at its gray, ductile and compacted graphite iron shop in Eisenberg. Germany. As part of an...

Heat recovery system.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
January 1, 2007... Megtec launched a new process heat recovery system that uses the heated air from process dryers, ovens and air pollution control systems to immediately reduce operating costs by capturing waste heat. The flow arrangement of the system consists...

Refractory products.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
January 1, 2007... Allied Mineral Products' new Tuffcrete family of refractories is a series of low-cement castables specifically designed to be installed by shotcreting but still capable of being pumped, vibration-cast or self-leveled behind forms. The Tuffcrete...

Self-calibration and leak tester.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
January 1, 2007... InterTech Development Co. announced the release of CalVal 2007, an electronic technology for self-calibration and automatic validation of leak testing with an accuracy of +/-2% of reading or 0.02 sccm (standard cubic centimeters per minute)....

Automated aluminum melting cell.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
January 1, 2007... The automated aluminum melting cell manufactured by Thermtronix consists of three RS-Series Electric Resistance Furnaces, sized to meet the particular application, on a motorized steel turntable. The cell supplies a continuous source of...

Watercolor on metal.(SHAKEOUT: In case you didn't know ...)
January 1, 2007... For Michael Moore, foundry manager for JC Steele and Sons, pouring molten iron is a work of art. So the self-taught artist has been drawing inspiration from it for his latest collection of paintings, which are on display in the offices of the...