Modern Casting articles from June 2009

Modern Casting archives from June 2009

Where It's At.(moderncasting.com)
June 1, 2009... Wherever you find the cast metal Where It's At sign (right) in this issue, access additional content on the web at www. moderncasting.com or the otherwise indicated website: * Table of Contents: Web-only article on steel modification. ...

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
June 1, 2009... The April web poll asked: What one thing does your metalcasting company do better than anyone else? Complex Castings 28.9% On-Time Delivery 21.1% Good Customer Service 15.8% Low Scrap Rates ...

Worth repeating.(Hotline)
June 1, 2009... "There needs to be recognition that $700 billion trade deficits are unsustainable and cannot be a foundation for going forward."--Thea Lee, AFL-CIO

10 Years and counting.(EDITORIAL)
June 1, 2009... I normally don't like to use the editorial page for self-promotion. But this month is different because our staff has reason to celebrate. Our sister magazine, Engineered Casting Solutions, just went through a significant makeover and is now...

Metal Technologies to expand plant capabilities, add jobs.(North America)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Metal Technologies Inc., Auburn, Ind., will add ductile iron capabilities to its Auburn Casting Center metalcasting plant, creating up to 32 new permanent jobs and another 20 temporary positions by the end of the...

German caster Luitpoldhutte adds CGI Technology.(Around the World)
June 1, 2009... Ferrous metalcaster Luitpoldhutte AG, Amburg, Germany, recently entered into a supply agreement for compacted graphite iron (CGD process control technology. The maker of heavy section iron castings for the agriculture, off-highway...

Grede Foundries to close South Carolina Plant due to downturn in order volume.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 1, 2009... Grede Foundries Inc., Milwaukee, announced it plans to close its Greenwood Foundry, Greenwood, S.C., within the next 60-90 days. The Greenwood plant produces gray and ductile iron components for the automotive and other industrial,...

Citation Corp. wins Navistar Supplier Award for quality, delivery and cost.(North America)
June 1, 2009... Citation Corp., Novi, Mich., announced it has received the 2008 Navistar Inc. Diamond Supplier Award. Navistar, Warrenville, Ill., gives the award to suppliers who exceed performance expectations for quality, delivery and cost. Recipients...

Quality certifications.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 1, 2009... The following metalcasters have passed recent certification or surveillance audits: Tri-State Aluminum, Muskegon, Mich., (ISO 9001:2000); Premier Aluminum LLC, Racine, Wis., (ISO 9001:2000); Sloan Valve Co., Augusta, Ark., (ISO...

Hayes Lemmerz files for bankruptcy, reaches agreement with major lenders.(North America)
June 1, 2009... Automotive supplier and metalcaster Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Northville, Mich., has filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the District of Delaware, according to a company-issued press release. "The...

Pace Industries to close Monroe City, Mo., and Jonesboro, Ark., facilities.(North America)
June 1, 2009... Diecasting conglomerate Pace Industries LLC, Fayetteville, Ark., announced it will shut down its Monroe City, Mo., and Jonesboro, Ark., locations primarily in response to decreasing customer orders. The company, which operates 13 diecasting...

Corrections.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Correction notice)
June 1, 2009... Goldens' Foundry and Machine is located in Cordele, Ga., not Cordele, Ala., as indicated in the caption on p. 32 of the February article "Goldens' Leap." Gene Muratore did not speak on behalf of the Casting Industry Suppliers Association...

ThyssenKrupp Waupaca receives Supplier's Environmental Award.(North America)
June 1, 2009... ThyssenKrupp Waupaca Inc. (TKW), Waupaca, Wis., recently received the Environmental Stewardship Award from Energy Management Systems Inc. (EMS), Indianapolis, for significantly reducing its energy consumption. Through changes made by EMS...

Reverse the trade imbalance to save U.S. manufacturing, economy.(Letterbox)
June 1, 2009... I am writing this letter out of total frustration with our political leaders and the leaders of industry of this once great country. Those who are supposed to be representing us simply are not getting the job done. The biggest problem with...

Suppliers Wheelabrator and Disa merge.(North America)
June 1, 2009... Prominent metalcasting suppliers Disa Group, Herlev, Denmark, and Wheelabrator Group, LaGrange, Ga., have merged into one company, effective May 4. According to a press release issued by the companies, the merger will bring together Disa's...

Krentzman Metals Corp.(Personals)
June 1, 2009... Krentzman Metals Corp., Port Jefferson, N.Y., has hired Fred Rosenfeld as the head of its River Division.

Centennial Technologies Inc.(Personals)
June 1, 2009... Centennial Technologies Inc., Saginaw, Mich., appointted John Nelson as automation manager.

Remelt Sources Inc.(Personals)
June 1, 2009... Remelt Sources Inc., Darlington, S.C., named Joe McFayden quality manager and Chris DePetris materials manager.

Obituaries.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(E.L. LeBaron Foundry Co.)(Obituary)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Charles Didion, St. Charles, Mo., died on Feb. 12. He was 81. Didion began his career in 1940 for the family business now known as Didion International Inc., St. Peters, Mo. He worked up through the company ranks, being promoted to technical...

Calendar of events.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief article)(Calendar)
June 1, 2009... June June 16--AFS Ergonomics in the Metalcasting Facility Seminar, Embassy Suites, Downey, Calif. June 18--AFS Ergonomics in the Metalcasting Facility Seminar, Quality Inn, Ontario, Calif. July July 8--AFS Ergonomics in the...

Safety scofflaws beware: a bill to strengthen workplace safety violation fines has been reintroduced in Congress.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
June 1, 2009... In April, U.S. lawmakers reintroduced H.R. 2067, the Protecting America's Workers Act (PAWA). Aimed at expanding the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, the legislation would stiffen fines for workplace safety violations and create a...

Congress makes move to expand FMLA.(On the Hill)
June 1, 2009... In recent weeks, five bills have been introduced in the 111th Congress that would expand the Family Medical Leave Act, a federal law that requires business owners with more than 50 employees to provide 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth or...

24 hundred hours of Obama: President Obama has been in office for more than 100 days. Is the metalcasting industry counting the hours until he leaves?
June 1, 2009... As executive director of the Ohio Cast Metals Association, Russ Murray heads up what is perennially the largest delegation of metalcasters in Washington for the industry's annual march on Capitol Hill. But Murray has no problem stepping aside...

Wolverine Bronze flips the mold: the economy hasn't been predictable, so Wolverine Bronze hasn't been either.(Cover story)
June 1, 2009... Several years ago, Wolverine Bronze Co., Roseville, Mich., was approached about the kind of job that was perfect for its newest metalcasting line. The contract was to cast parts for the 14-liter, 1,200-horsepower DiMora Volcano V-16...

Testing mold coating dryness using infrared: residual volatiles in alcohol-based mold coating can result in gas related defects, but infrared imaging can verify a mold wash is evenly dry.
June 1, 2009... Alcohol- or water-based refractory mold coatings are used to protect the mold face from high melting temperature alloys such as iron and steel. While the benefits of coatings are significant and well known in the metalcasting industry, they are...

Aging for improved machinability: waiting a few days after an iron part is cast has been shown to make machining operations easier.
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cast gray iron exhibits an increase in mechanical properties after aging at room temperature due to the precipitation of iron-nitrides. According to the results of a recent study, aging also could have a beneficial...

Reduce your income tax liabilities: two tax credit opportunities can reduce current and future income tax obligations.
June 1, 2009... During economic downturns, companies constantly examine ways to reduce their expenditures in an effort to stay competitive while maximizing profitability. Many met alcasters concentrate on cost saving opportunities in their facility, but a...

Show them your strength.(MARKETING MATTERS)
June 1, 2009... Existing and potential customers benefit from seeing frequent examples of your organization's market strength. Particularly during an economic downturn, customers want reassurance your company has long-term viability. They want to know you can...

Casting answers & advice.
June 1, 2009... Q How do I properly pour separately cast test bars? A To provide certification that the cast iron metal and pouring process have produced castings that meet customer requirements, it is common for metalcasters to pour keel block or "Y"...

Cap-and-trade, card check, health care top metalcasting lobbying efforts.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
June 1, 2009... More than 100 U.S. metalcasters visited Washington, D.C., to attend the 2009 Metalcasting Industry Government Affairs Conference, sponsored by AFS and the North American Die Casting Association (NADCA), which was held May 4-5 at the Capitol...

House small business committee hears from metalcasters on auto supplier issues.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
June 1, 2009... On May 13, Chris Norch, AFS board of directors member and president of AFS corporate member Denison Industries, Denison, Texas, testified before the U.S. House Small Business Committee about the far-reaching effects the auto industry's crisis...

Reduce shipping costs with new corporate member program.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
June 1, 2009... With the high cost of shipping affecting the metalcasting industry, AFS has launched a new set of shipping services in conjunction with Logistics Management Inc. (LMI), Fall River, Mass., a consulting firm that specializes in minimizing...

Six month membership for $50 available through June.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
June 1, 2009... Through June 30, any North American metalcaster can join AFS for six months for just $50. Membership benefits include the AFS Career Center, discounts on Cast Metals Institute courses and upcoming conferences, and access to information through...

AMC technology review to highlight casting technologies.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
June 1, 2009... The American Metalcasting Consortium (AMC) Technical Review will be held June 24-25 at the Sheriton Gateway Suites, Rosemont, Ill. This year's review will highlight new metalcasting technologies addressing the Defense Logistics Agency's...

Navistar hosts OSHA Alliance seminar.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
June 1, 2009... Navistar's Waukesha Foundry, Waukesha, Wis., hosted an Introduction to the Foundry seminar for 20 Region V OSHA compliance officers on April 20-21. The event was organized by the AFS/OSHA Alliance. "Safety is one of the key focuses for us....

CMI course schedule.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Brief article)(Calendar)
June 1, 2009... CMI Course Schedule June 16-18 Metallurgy of Aluminum State College, Pa. Casting Alloys (70-09) June 23-26 A Hands-On Introduction Pittsburg, Kan. to...

ThyssenKrupp Waupaca saves energy, reduces costs.(Case Study)
June 1, 2009... ThyssenKrupp Waupaca (TKW), Waupaca, Wis., was looking for ways to reduce energy usage and control costs at its Plant 5 in Tell City, Ind. According to Dale Gengelbach, TKW engineering manager, the heating and cooling system was leaking...

Reduce energy costs, earn tax deduction.(Case History)
June 1, 2009... Metalcasters may be eligible for a tax deduction offered through the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) of up to $1.80 per sq. ft. for energy efficiency improvements on existing buildings or by designing high efficiency into new buildings....

Shot blast wheels.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pangborn Corp. has announced its Genesis family of shot blast wheels, which include high-speed, 14-18-in. diameter wheels with either single or double-sided runner heads and low-speed, 19.5-26.5-in. diameter wheels...

Tool management.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dynamic Systems Inc. has developed a Basic Tool Manager, which is a bar code system for keeping track of tools. The service scheduler included in the software is customizable and can be used to track and schedule...

Conveyor dust caps.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Martin Engineering's new dust caps prevent material accumulation and corrosion at the base of conveyor structures. Made from accumulation-resistant molded polyurethane, the dust caps are pyramids designed to cause...

Rotary Mesh Table.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
June 1, 2009... The Rotary Mesh Table system from Wheelabrator is ideal for cleaning smaller parts, such as aluminum die castings, off-line using one operator. Parts and components are loaded onto a manganese wire mesh table or fixtures that rotate through the...

Diecasting monitoring system.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
June 1, 2009... Visi-Trak Worldwide LLC announced a portable version of its True-Trak20/20 diecasting monitoring system for use by any size diecasting operation. The monitoring system allows diecasters to monitor, archive and analyze shot data from multiple...

Binder System.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
June 1, 2009... LETCAST, a consortium of suppliers dedicated to improving the environmental footprint of the metalcasting industry, has released its XLink Binder System, which exhibits lower emissions over phenolic-based binder systems, features excellent hot...

Casting measurement.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Exact Metrology has added NDI's industrial suite of shop-floor metrology solutions to its product offering, including the OPTOTRAK 3D optical tracker, laser scanner and related equipment for inspection, reverse...

Cast grates loop the Lincoln Memorial.(SHAKEOUT: In case you didn't know ...)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Morel Industries, Seattle, a producer of copper-base, aluminum and iron sand and permanent mold castings, has played a role in the current restoration project underway at the National Mall...