Modern Casting articles from June 2006

Modern Casting archives from June 2006

Intermet announces plan to improve efficiency.(Industry News)
June 1, 2006... Intermet Corp., Troy, Mich., a manufacturer of cast metal automotive components, announced a plan designed to improve overall manufacturing efficiency and reduce costs. A key component of the plan, which is effective immediately, is a...

Dynacast to realign capacity.(Industry News)
June 1, 2006... Dynacast International, Charlotte, N.C., announced capacity realignment to support customer migration to low cost countries. Dynacast is adding 40,000 sq. ft. to its existing facility in Shanghai, China, in the plant's second expansion....

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
June 1, 2006... The March web site question asked, "Which of the following cast metals has the greatest potential to become a dominant material choice over the next 20-30 years?" Austempered ductile iron 25.8% Magnesium 25.8%...

Producing high-integrity magnesium castings using permanent mold.(Product Innovations)
June 1, 2006... Producing High-Integrity Magnesium Castings Using Permanent Mold--Most magnesium castings are made by high pressure diecasting, which is incompatible with some classes of automotive components. A new permanent mold casting process called T-Mag,...

Robotic finishing system improves capacity for engine head production.(Product Innovations)
June 1, 2006... Robotic Finishing System Improves Capacity for Engine Head Production--Foundry Solutions and Design LLC, Alpharetta, Ga., selected Fanuc Robotics America Inc., Rochester Hills, Mich., to design a flexible robotic system to handle a huge variety...

Where is your Casting of the Year?(EDITORIAL)
June 1, 2006... This is our annual Casting of the Year issue for MODERN CASTING. The casting competition was started in 2001 as a means to market the capabilities of the metalcasting process to our customers--casting buyers and design engineers. As a combined...

Intermet announces plan to reorganize into five business groups.(North America)
June 1, 2006... Intermet Corp., Troy, Mich., a manufacturer of cast metal automotive components, announced a plan designed to improve overall manufacturing efficiency and reduce costs. A key component of the plan, which is effective immediately, is a...

Monomoy to acquire casting technology company.(North America)
June 1, 2006... Monomoy Capital Partners LP, New York, announced that it has agreed to purchase Casting Technology Co. (CTC), Franklin, Ind., a manufacturer of aluminum automotive components for domestic and transplant OEMs. Financial terms of the transaction...

Dynacast to realign capacity.(North America)
June 1, 2006... Dynacast International, Charlotte, N.C., announced capacity realignment to support customer migration to low cost countries. Dynacast is adding 40,000 sq. ft. to its existing facility in Shanghai, China, in the plant's second expansion....

Alcoa's Howmet increases melt capacity at Whitehall plant.(North America)
June 1, 2006... Alcoa's Howmet Products and Services, Cleveland, increased its melt capacity with the addition of a new vacuum furnace at the company's manufacturing facility in Whitehall, Mich. The new furnace will soon contribute to the melt operation as...

OSHA publishes final Hexavalent Chromium Standard in three versions.(North America)
June 1, 2006... OSHA published the final Hexavalent Chromium [Cr(VI)] Standard in three version--General Industry (1910.1026), Construction (1926.1126) and Shipyards (1915.1026). The requirements of each standard are very similar. Chromium is a metal used...

Clow Valve supports High School metalcasting education.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 1, 2006... When Oskaloosa High School remodeled their industrial technology department, Clow Valve, Oskaloosa, Iowa, was there to assist. Industrial technology teacher David Bower approached Clow Valve HR Manager David Cummins through an industrial...

Department of defense recognizes GSC Foundries' support.(North America)
June 1, 2006... The American Metalcasting Consortium (AMC) recently recognized GSC Foundries, Ogden, Utah, for their participation in the AMC Metalcasting Concept training courses presented at Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base. The...

Correction.(Correction notice)
June 1, 2006... In the May 2006 article, "Global Shipments of Metal Castings to Reach 90 Million Tons in 2008," Table 1 on page 25 listed a few incorrect shipment amounts. The shipment forecasts for steel in 2006 and 2008 should be 7,104 and 7,510 (000 metric...

Metalcasters converge on Capitol Hill for Government Affairs Conference.(North America)
June 1, 2006... More than 100 metalcasters poured onto Capitol Hill April 27 as part of the American Foundry Society (AFS) Government Affairs Conference. Attendees met with Congressional representatives from the House and Senate in more than 100 meetings to...

Occupational Safety and Health Administration, American Foundry Society renew alliance.(North America)
June 1, 2006... The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Foundry Society (AFS) have renewed their alliance to further enhance safety and health for employees in the metalcasting industry. The alliance will continue to focus on...

Kuka Robotics Corp., Clinton Township, Mich., announced it has been selected by C.M.H. Manufacturing, Lubbock, Texas, to provide robots for its new casting total work cell.(Newscast)
June 1, 2006... Kuka Robotics Corp., Clinton Township, Mich., announced it has been selected by C.M.H. Manufacturing, Lubbock, Texas, to provide robots for its new casting total work cell. The permanent mold cast cells are designed to complete multiple tasks,...

Powdermet Inc.(Newscast)
June 1, 2006... Refractory supplier Powdermet Inc., Euclid, Ohio, was awarded $350,000 for commercialization of its lightweight syntactic foam by the Ohio Research Commercialization Grant Program.

Alfe North Carolina, a division of Alfe Heat Treating, Fort Wayne, Ind., announced the opening of a new facility in the Charlotte region.(Newscast)
June 1, 2006... Alfe North Carolina, a division of Alfe Heat Treating, Fort Wayne, Ind., announced the opening of a new facility in the Charlotte region. In addition to ferrous heat treating, the new facility will offer aluminum heat treating.

Alcan Inc., Montreal, Canada, and Mercury Castings, Fond du Lac, Wis., announced a joint marketing agreement to globally sell and distribute Mercalloy.(Newscast)
June 1, 2006... Alcan Inc., Montreal, Canada, and Mercury Castings, Fond du Lac, Wis., announced a joint marketing agreement to globally sell and distribute Mercalloy, a patented family of alloys developed for die and permanent casting of aluminum propellers...

Hayes Lemmerz International Inc.(Newscast)
June 1, 2006... Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Northville, Mich., announced on April 25 that it reached a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) resolving the SEC's investigation, commenced in 2001, relating to certain financial...

Briggs & Stratton Corp.(Newscast)
June 1, 2006... Briggs & Stratton Corp. has informed government officials that it's eliminating 78 jobs at its Milwaukee Engine Division and 53 in the diecasting department, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Pacific Steel Casting.(Newscast)
June 1, 2006... Pacific Steel Casting, Berkeley, Calif., received approval for a $2 million carbon air filtering system by the Berkeley Zoning Adjustments Board.

Lufkin Industries Inc.(Newscast)
June 1, 2006... Lufkin Industries Inc., Lufkin, Texas, said its board of directors will not renew a shareholder rights plan to avoid hostile takeover bids, also known as a "poison pill."

Castings Technology International.(Around the World--Newscast)
June 1, 2006... Castings Technology International (Cti) has opened its new $18 million (9.6 million [pounds sterling]), purpose-built headquarters on the Advanced Manufacturing Park at Waverley, South Yorkshire, England. The new 51,000-sq. ft. (4,800-sq. m)...

Doosan Infracore Co. Ltd.(Around the World--Newscast)
June 1, 2006... Doosan Infracore Co. Ltd, Incheon, Korea, has entered into a technology supply agreement with SinterCast, Stockholm, Sweden, for compacted graphite iron (CGI) product development leading toward series production.

Metal Castings Limited.(Around the World--Newscast)
June 1, 2006... Two administrators were appointed to find a buyer for Metal Castings Limited, Worcester, England, an aluminum diecasting company.

Quality Certifications.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 1, 2006... The following metalcasting organizations have passed recent surveillance or registration audits: Premier Aluminum Inc., Racine, Wis., (ISO 9001:2000); Tampa Brass and Aluminum Corp., Farmington Hills, Mich., (ISO 9001:2000); ...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
June 1, 2006... June June 4-6--World Foundry Congress 2006, Harrogate, England. June 14-16--10th International Pattern Model Making Congress, Paris, France. August August 10-11--AFS Chapter Officers Conference, Schaumburg, Ill. September...

CMI courses.(Brief article)(Calendar)
June 1, 2006... CMI Courses June 5-July 3 Analysis of Casting Defects (50-06) Internet June 6-8 Practical Metallurgy of Aluminum Casting Alloys (51-06) Ponoma,...

Express Pattern.(Personals)
June 1, 2006... Express Pattern, Vernon Hills, Ill., named Colin Fannon director of investment casting sales.

Lynne Woehlke has joined Foseco Metallurgical Inc.(Personals)
June 1, 2006... Lynne Woehlke has joined Foseco Metallurgical Inc., Cleveland, as an account executive.

D. Ray Garrett has joined Alfe Corporate Group.(Personals)
June 1, 2006... D. Ray Garrett has joined Alfe Corporate Group, Fort Wayne, Ind., as a sales representative for the Wabash Division.

Revere Industries.(Personals)
June 1, 2006... Revere Industries, Indianapolis, announced James R. Crews Jr. has been appointed interim chief financial officer.

August Mack Environmental Inc.(Personals)
June 1, 2006... August Mack Environmental Inc., Indianapolis, promoted Darci Thomas to project manager.

Flowserve Corp.(Personals)
June 1, 2006... Thomas E. Ferguson, president of Flowserve Corp., Irving, Texas, was elected president of the Hydraulic Institute.

Obituaries.(Obituary)
June 1, 2006... Richard G.Wendorf, Wisconsin Dells, Wis., died Jan. 10, 2006. He was 75. Wendorf, retired from Milwaukee Valve, joined AFS in 1952, and his dedication to the society was rewarded in 2002, when he was made a service life member. Don M....

U.S. Treasury Dept. fails to designate China as a currency manipulator.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
June 1, 2006... The U.S. Treasury Department's recently released "Report to Congress on International Economic and Exchange Rate Policies" failed to designate China as a currency manipulator. In the months leading up to the release of the report, AFS and...

OSHA sends letter to 14,000 workplaces for high injury and illness rates.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
June 1, 2006... Approximately 14,000 employers have been notified that injury and illness rates at their worksites are higher than average and that assistance is available to help them fix safety and health hazards. In a letter to those employers, the...

Court decision sets deadlines for area source rule.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
June 1, 2006... In a summary judgment issued on March 31 by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must issue air toxics emission limits for non-major or area sources by June 15, 2009. The court...

2006 Casting Competition: representing industries as diverse as automotive, aerospace, military, marine, art and agriculture, this year's casting competition winners demonstrate the breadth of casting capabilities.(Cover story)
June 1, 2006... Seven castings were honored as winners in the 2006 Casting Competition. This year's Casting Competition marked the first time in six years that two castings were awarded Casting of the Year honors. Though the winners are diverse, they all share...

New source for gas defects found: formerly thought to be produced through the reaction between aluminum and moisture in sand molds, aluminum induced gas defects in iron casting are in fact a result of precipitation of aluminum nitride during cooling.
June 1, 2006... Aluminum-induced gas defects in iron castings have plagued the metalcasting industry for many years. The source of aluminum generally is contaminated iron scrap or inadvertently high aluminum levels in ferroalloy inoculants. The main approach...

Ensuring quality prior to pouring: of the various aspects of the aluminum casting production process, the quality of the molten metal is perhaps the most controllable.
June 1, 2006... Metalcasting facilities must maintain considerable control over their processes to ship high-integrity castings reliably and on time. But, many of those processes are highly influenced by external factors. In any product, five main factors...

Taking stock of casting imports: casting imports are to reach 3.2 million tons in 2006, with 48% to be produced in Asian countries.
June 1, 2006... This article is Part Two in a two-part series focusing on global metalcasting trends. Part One, "Global Shipments of Metal Castings to Reach 90 Million Tons in 2008," was published in the May issue of MODERN CASTING. An 8% increase in...

Metalcasters attempt to mold U.S. policy: the metalcasting industry has descended upon Capitol Hill to lobby four of its most pressing issues.
June 1, 2006... Lawmakers in Washington occupy a world that most metalcasters don't think about as they're filling a mold on the shop floor. But during the coming Congressional session, four issues will be at stake that will affect the everyday workings of...

Tapping the Wisdom of Crowds.(NOVEL SOLUTIONS)
June 1, 2006... It's easy to see why Business Week and Forbes.com thought The Wisdom of Crowds, by James Surowiecki, was a Best Book of the Year. It offers big ideas that can drive big changes. Let's say you entertain the notion that your business is run half...

Transforming sales into gatekeeping.(CEO JOURNAL)
June 1, 2006... As demand heats up and opportunities abound, it's important to remember that keeping out accounts and jobs that do not fit the company is every bit as important as nurturing compatible accounts and winning compatible business. And it is up to...

Northwest Pennsylvania--in April, a joint meeting with the Pittsburgh chapter was held at Hodge Foundry, Greenville, Pa.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA -- In April, a joint meeting with the Pittsburgh chapter was held at Hodge Foundry, Greenville, Pa. In attendance were (from l) Ed Group, Urick Foundry Co.; Barb Lucas, U.S. Bronze...

Chesapeake--in April, shown above, Dan Szekalski, Foundry Service & Supply Co., presents the speaker's award to Dr. Prem Mohla, Jim Csonka and Mark Bidoli, all of Hickman Williams & Co., following their presentation on recent developments in ductile iron processing.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: CHESAPEAKE -- In April, shown above, Dan Szekalski (r), Foundry Service & Supply Co., presents the speaker's award to (from I) Dr. Prem Mohla, Jim Csonka and Mark Bidoli, all of Hickman Williams & Co.,...

Northeast Indiana--in March, at left, Brett Fisher, International Truck & Engine Corp., welcomes technical speaker Erol Ergin, Disa Industries Inc.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: NORTHEAST INDIANA -- In March, at left, Brett Fisher (r), International Truck & Engine Corp., welcomes technical speaker Erol Ergin, Disa Industries Inc., after his presentation on vertical mold systems.

Detroit-Windsor--in April, Rick MacDonald, Ford Motor Co., and Eric McCarty, Daimler Chrysler, present the speaker's award to Joseph A. Carpenter, U.S. Department of Energy.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: DETROIT-WINDSOR -- In April, Rick MacDonald (l), Ford Motor Co., and Eric McCarty (r), Daimler Chrysler, present the speaker's award to Joseph A. Carpenter, U.S. Department of Energy, after his presentation...

Tri-State--in January, Tim Gilbreath, Midvale Industries Inc., presents the speaker's award to Mike Trzecinski, EMSCO Inc.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: TRI-STATE -- In January, Tim Gilbreath (r), Midvale Industries Inc., presents the speaker's award to Mike Trzecinski, EMSCO Inc., following his presentation on furnace sizing and maintenance.

Central New York--in March, Dave Wetmore, Upstate Refractory Services Inc.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: CENTRAL NEW YORK -- In March, Dave Wetmore (I), Upstate Refractory Services Inc., presents the speaker's award to Mark Kness, United Refractories Co.

Birmingham--in May, Jim Frost, ACIPCO, presents Jeremy Mowry, Bobby William and Dr. John Berry, all of Mississippi State Univ.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: BIRMINGHAM -- In May, Jim Frost (l), ACIPCO, presents Jeremy Mowry, Bobby William and Dr. John Berry, all of Mississippi State Univ. (MSU), with FEF scholarships. William also was presented with the...

Oregon--in March, Beth Knipple, Bridgetown Cores Inc., and Juan Diaz, Eagle Foundry Co., present Terry Shoell, Bridgetown Cores Inc.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: OREGON -- In March, Beth Knipple (l), Bridgetown Cores Inc., and Juan Diaz (r), Eagle Foundry Co., present Terry Shoell, Bridgetown Cores Inc., with the Foundry Person of the Month award.

Northeast Wisconsin--in April, Joey Leonard, ThyssenKrupp Waupaca, presents the speaker's award to Steve Sikorski, Magma Foundry Technologies Inc.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: NORTHEAST WISCONSIN -- In April, Joey Leonard (l), ThyssenKrupp Waupaca, presents the speaker's award to Steve Sikorski, Magma Foundry Technologies Inc., following his presentation on real world and future...

Central Ohio--in April, Chris Doerschlag, Alb Klein Technology Group, presents a check to Prof. Doru Stefanescu, Ohio State Univ.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: CENTRAL OHIO -- In April, Chris Doerschlag (far l), ALB Klein Technology Group, presents a check to Prof. Doru Stefanescu (far r), Ohio State Univ. (OSU), to help rebuild and modernize the OSU Metal Casting...

Northern California--in January, at right, Raymond Monroe, Steel Founders' Society of America, accepts the speaker's award from Michael Emmerichs, Pacific Steel Casting Co.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: NORTHERN CALIFORNIA -- In January, at right, Raymond Monroe (l), Steel Founders' Society of America, accepts the speaker's award from Michael Emmerichs, Pacific Steel Casting Co., following his presentation...

Central Indiana--in April, Matt Arvin, Purdue Univ., received the AFS/CIC scholarship at the chapter's Student Night meeting.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: CENTRAL INDIANA--In April, Matt Arvin (c), Purdue Univ., received the AFS/CIC scholarship at the chapter's Student Night meeting. Also pictured are Tony Williams (l), Rowe Foundry Inc., and Jaime...

Chapter meetings.(events of golf clubs)(Brief article)(Calendar)
June 1, 2006... CENTRAL NEW YORK Aug. 26--Greenview Golf Course, West Monroe, N.Y., Golf Outing. CENTRAL OHIO June 16--Eaglesticks Golf Club, Zanesville, Ohio; General Meeting. CHESAPEAKE June 13--Hanover Country Club, Abbottstown, Pa.; Board...

Producing high-integrity magnesium castings using permanent mold.(New Process)
June 1, 2006... Magnesium is increasingly used in the automotive industry to lighten vehicles, improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, most magnesium castings are made by high pressure diecasting, which has limitations of internal...

Robotic finishing system improves capacity for engine head production.(New Process)
June 1, 2006... A major supplier of diesel engines for a wide range of industries was recently challenged to improve engine component production at its metalcasting facility. Plant managers determined that automation was the best alternative to manual...

Horizontal machining centers.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
June 1, 2006... Makino's variable geometry series of horizontal machining centers provides simultaneous three-axis machining and slanted hole machining by tilting the spindle at an optimum angle for outstanding access to the machining point. The tilted spindle...

Coremaking Modeling Software.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
June 1, 2006... Ashland Casting Solutions announces enhancements to its Arena-flow casting process modeling software that includes a new installation wizard and a graphical user interface redesign. The software delivers a full picture of the entire coremaking...

Fettling machines.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
June 1, 2006... Maus spA, represented by ReichCompanes in the U.S., has added the SAM 300 to its SAM line of fettling machines. These machines are ragged-duty performers designed to handle workpieces from 4-78 in. (100-2,000 mm) in diameter and 61-1,230 lbs....

Compressed air condensate filter.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
June 1, 2006... Kaeser Compressors' Kaeser Condensate Filter (KCF) is designed to filter out oil and other contaminants in oil/water mixtures that are classified as hazardous waste and cannot be discharged into municipal wastewater systems unless the oil and...

Bentonite's Kaleidoscope of Applications.(SHAKEOUT: In case you you didn't know ...)
June 1, 2006... Bentonite clay is much-used in the metalcasting industry as a bonding agent in green sand molds. Its unique ability to absorb seven to 10 times its own weight in water makes it economical for green sand molding, but metalcasting is not the only...