Modern Casting articles from March 2007

Modern Casting archives from March 2007

Georgia metalcaster to open new facility.(Industry News)
March 1, 2007... Guldens' Foundry and Machine, Columbus, Ga., will open its new gray and ductile iron facility in mid-April or early May this year, according to company officials. The company purchased Georgia Ductile, Cordele, Ga., last year and has nearly...

Pacific Steel Casting and CBE reach agreement.(Industry News)
March 1, 2007... Pacific Steel Casting (PSC), Berkeley, Calif., and Communities for a Better Environment (CBE), Oakland, Calif., have consented to an agreement that will result in emissions reductions, a scrap metal inspection program and a consultation...

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
March 1, 2007... The January web site question asked, "Which of the following core processes do you use in your metalcasting facility?" Coldbox 35.5% Shell 35.5% Nobake 16.1% Hotbox 12.9% This month's question is available at...

Worth repeating.
March 1, 2007... "Customers love it when a metalcasting facility can do everything in house." --Dick Kneip, Stahl Specialty Co.

High speed printing part cast with help of custom device.(Product Innovations)
March 1, 2007... High Speed Printing Part Cast with Help of Custom Device--A printing company needed an 80-lb., aluminum structural cylinder casting that could pass x-ray, fluorescent dye penetrant and pre-machining qualifications. Reliable Castings Corp.,...

Reducing costs by integrating heat treating.(Product Innovations)
March 1, 2007... Reducing Costs by Integrating Heat Treating--Superior Industries International, Van Nuys, Calif., wanted to reduce labor, energy, maintenance and inventory. The company called on CleanCast technologies from Consolidated Engineering Co.,...

When you least expect it.(EDITORIAL)
March 1, 2007... I had the good fortune to travel to Northern Italy last month to tour a few metalcasting facilities. As with any overseas trip, I like to learn the differences in business culture and operational mentality between U.S. metalcasters and the rest...

Goldens' Foundry and Machine to open new facility to complement existing plant.(North America)
March 1, 2007... Goldens' Foundry and Machine, Columbus, Ga., will open its new gray and ductile iron facility by early May this year, according to company officials. "Everybody's optimistic about that start date," said Tom Boyd, vice president of sales...

Pacific Steel Casting and Communities for a Better Environment reach agreement.(North America)
March 1, 2007... Pacific Steel Casting (PSC), Berkeley, Calif., and Communities for a Better Environment (CBE), Oakland, Calif., have consented to an agreement that will result in specified emissions reductions, a scrap metal inspection program and a...

Precision Castparts Corp. expands forging capabilities, aerospace sway.(North America)
March 1, 2007... Precision Castparts Corp., Portland, Ore., has agreed to acquire the assets of McWilliams Forge Company Inc., Rockaway, N.J., marking the company's third acquisition of an aerospace-focused company in a month and a half. Precision...

Hayes Lemmerz announces closing of facilities.(North America)
March 1, 2007... Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Northville, Mich. announced it will sell two of its suspension facilities and close its Ferndale, Mich., technical center. The company will sell its facilities in Bristol, Ind., and Montague, Mich., to...

Turkey emerges as second fastest growing ferrous caster in Europe.(Around the World)
March 1, 2007... Turkey is now the fifth largest European ferrous casting producer, with a growth rate for 2005 of 14.5% (second only to Spain). Turkey is closely behind Germany, France, Italy and Spain in terms of casting production figures. The country's...

GIFA, Metec, Thermprocess, Newcast trade fairs return to Dusseldorf fairgrounds.(Around the World)
March 1, 2007... The GIFA trade fair, running concurrently with Metec, Thermprocess and Newcast, will be held June 12-16, 2007, to unveil the latest developments in metalcasting equipment and supplies. The four fairs return to the Dusseldorf, Germany,...

Quality certifications.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 1, 2007... The following metalcasting organizations have passed recent surveillance audits: City Aluminum Foundry, Waterford, Mich., (ISO 9001:2000); Brost Foundry Company-Cleveland, Cleveland, (ISO 9001:2000); Brost Foundry...

Logan Aluminum.(Newscast)
March 1, 2007... Logan Aluminum, Russellville, Ky., worked four million hours without a lost-time accident.

Union Foundry Co., Anniston, Ala., started its new Disa 250C, installed by Vulcan Engineering Co., Helena, Ala. Farrar Corp., Manhattan, Kan., has contracted Vulcan to design and install an automatic heat treat system.(Newscast)
March 1, 2007... Union Foundry Co., Anniston, Ala., started its new Disa 250C, installed by Vulcan Engineering Co., Helena, Ala. Farrar Corp., Manhattan, Kan., has contracted Vulcan to design and install an automatic heat treat system. Chicago Magnesium,...

Pacific Alloy Castings.(Newscast)
March 1, 2007... Pacific Alloy Castings, South Gate, Calif., upgraded its vibrating shakeout system with the installation of a rotary media drum.

Georg Fischer AG, Schaffhausen, Switzerland, acquired the entire capital of E.D.C. Inc.(Newscast)
March 1, 2007... Georg Fischer AG, Schaffhausen, Switzerland, acquired the entire capital of E.D.C. Inc., Montreal, a pressure diecasting operation that produces light-metal automotive components

Florida State Univ.(Newscast)
March 1, 2007... The Master Craftsman Program at Florida State Univ. (FSU), Tallahassee, Fla., is currently working on a metalcasting facility that should be completed by the end of the year.

KB Alloys Inc.(Newscast)
March 1, 2007... KB Alloys Inc., Reading, Pa., has developed a business unit to focus on custom metalcasting alloys.

Material Technologies Inc.(Newscast)
March 1, 2007... Material Technologies Inc., Los Angeles, has acquired Stress Analysis Technologies Inc., Oxford, England, a wholly owned subsidiary of UTEK Corp., Tampa, Fla., in a stock transaction.

Senator Technology GmbH, Buchholz, Germany has acquired 100% of the shares of Disa Serf SAS.(Newscast)
March 1, 2007... Senator Technology GmbH, Buchholz, Germany has acquired 100% of the shares of Disa Serf SAS, Lorient, France.

Simpson Technologies, Aurora, Ill., licensed Sintokogio Ltd., Nagoya, Japan.(Newscast)
March 1, 2007... Simpson Technologies, Aurora, Ill., licensed Sintokogio Ltd., Nagoya, Japan, to manufacture certain models of Simpson's Beardsley & Piper Speedmullor batch muller.

ArvinMeritor Inc., Troy, Mich., announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Emissions Technologies business group.(Newscast)
March 1, 2007... ArvinMeritor Inc., Troy, Mich., announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Emissions Technologies business group, Columbus, Ind., to One Equity Partners, New York.

Foundry Solutions and Design Co.(Personals)
March 1, 2007... Jim Garrett has been made director of metalcasting systems responsible for development and implementation of ferrous and nonferrous advanced manufacturing projects at Foundry Solutions and Design Co., Atlanta.

Esco Corp.(Personals)
March 1, 2007... Francois Baril has been named the president of the Turbine Technologies Group of Esco Corp., Portland, Ore.

Accuride Corp.(Personals)
March 1, 2007... Accuride Corp., Evansville, Ind., has undergone an executive shuffle, making Terrence J. Keating chairman of the board (he will continue as the company's chief executive officer), John R. Murphy chief operating officer (he will continue as...

Tim McLaughlin joined Wheelabrator Group, LaGrange, Ga.(Personals)
March 1, 2007... Tim McLaughlin joined Wheelabrator Group, LaGrange, Ga., as territory account manager responsible for Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Ashland Casting Solutions.(Personals)
March 1, 2007... Ashland Casting Solutions, Dublin, Ohio, made Tom Oliver casting manufacturing services manager, Jim Archibald senior business development manager for the company's casting business in Asia, and Angela Wollenburg manufacturing services...

Alfe Corporate Group.(Personals)
March 1, 2007... Alfe Corporate Group, Fort Wayne, Ind., announced two new managers; Mike McPherron is general manager at the Charlotte, N.C., division and Bill Heminghous is technical services manager.

European Aluminum Association.(Personals)
March 1, 2007... Christel Bories, senior vice president of Alcan Inc., has been elected chairman of the European Aluminum Association's executive committee.

The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society gave David Poirier.(Personals)
March 1, 2007... The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society gave David Poirier, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., the Bruce Chalmers Award.

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
March 1, 2007... March March 18-20--Casting Industry Suppliers Association (CISA) Spring Conference, Hilton, Marco Island, Fla. March 18-21--Investment Casting Institute Spring Management Meeting, Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, Fla. ...

AFS files comments with Commerce Dept on applying CVD law to China.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
March 1, 2007... Efforts supporting the application of U.S. countervailing duty to China, a non-market economy, continued in January, when the American Foundry Society (AFS) submitted comments on the country's affect on the domestic metalcasting industry. The...

Bush administration imposes new rule development requirements.(WASHINGTON ALERT)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... In an effort to promote transparency in the federal regulatory process, President Bush recently issued changes to Executive Order 12866 on Regulatory Planning and Review. The revisions give federal agencies more specific directions on what...

EPA to enhance violations-reporting website, program.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
March 1, 2007... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a new website for reporting violations of environmental laws. The new site is replacing the site that EPA created in January 2006. According to EPA officials, the old site was...

Castings put the motor in record breaking cycle: the fastest motorcycle in the world was developed from a blank sheet of paper and a little help from the metalcasting process.(Cover story)
March 1, 2007... Rocky Robinson couldn't see as he pushed the Streamliner motorcycle he rode toward 300 mph. Several feet from his face, the front wheel had become misaligned, and the rotations were causing extremely high levels of friction. The resulting...

Ceramic breaks the mold: when rising prices forced a steel caster to shop around for an alternative molding aggregate, it opted to give ceramic a try.
March 1, 2007... AmeriCast's Amite Foundry and Machine Inc. used zircon sand at its nobake casting facility in Amite, La, for specialty applications, but its rising costs due to increasing global demand had Junior Chavers, plant operations manager, looking for...

Domestic supply slows to a drip in 2007: a domestic casting supply shortage is forecast for gray iron, steel and sand cast aluminum, which are all at critical capacity.
March 1, 2007... The lack of domestic supply in some casting processes and weight classifications, due to facility closings and loss of capacity, has resulted in domestic shortages, causing consumers to be dependent on imports to meet casting requirements. ...

Ignite your business: two metalcasting facilities' approaches to heat treating are helping them stay competitive.
March 1, 2007... Extra transportation costs, added days to customer delivery, uneven service and quality due to miscommunication. Bringing heat treating in-house can help you avoid these potential job-killing dangers, as well as improve your process flow and...

The turtle's back: rebuilding the first U.S. submarine required some guesswork, but the casting process that created its critical hatch component was a no-brainer.
March 1, 2007... The Turtle, the first submarine to be used in warfare back in the 18th century, was in some ways a failure, but the metal castings that helped keep it sealed worked just fine. "The Turtle was designed to perform covert operations to blow...

Focusing core binder needs.(metal casting)
March 1, 2007... Inside This Story * Design for Six Sigma translates customer requirements into meaningful, verifiable coremaking design characteristics. * Coremaking parameters that maximize casting characteristics are identified to achieve a more...

SIVEX* FC filters for aluminum castings.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... SIVEX* FC filters are phosphate-free, non-ceramic, reticulated foam filters, ideal for molten aluminum alloys in both sand and permanent molds. Their graphite-based formulation provides significant advantages in performance and remelt...

Complete Foundry Solutions.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... Vulcan's "Complete Foundry Solutions" Multi-Media CD offers a look at our Greenfield foundry capabilities, including a pictorial history of our most recent project from start to finish. A review of our facilities, staff and full product line...

Automated casting finishing systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... The most labor intensive area of the foundry is the Cleaning Room. In order to remain competitive in a global market, foundry management needs to consider the advantage of automating the finishing process and still maintain flexibility in...

Low odor resin-coated sand.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... Fairmount Minerals is proud to introduce TechniSand Signature Series, a revolutionary new technology in resin-coated sand. The Signature Series is a new high performance, low odor and smoke resin-coated sand that effectively helps to reduce...

Innovation in shakeout.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... The Carrier Barrel Horse([TM]) is a proven one-step solution to casting damage and sand mix problems. Unlike conventional rotary shakeouts, which lift and drop castings, the Barrel Horse action allows castings to swim in the sand bed,...

Rotary media drum.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... Didion's rotary media drum offers a new way to achieve better shakeout, sand screening, casting cooling and efficient casting cleaning. The product also can process very delicate castings and reduce shotblast time up to 80%. Its patented design...

Automated pouring.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... The world's most productive and precise automatic pouring technologies from Inductotherm and DISA (formerly Georg Fischer) have been brought together by Inductotherm. Encompassing the combined experience gained from more than 250 Inductotherm...

Dewaxing Autoclave Systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... WSF Dewaxing Autoclave Systems assure uniform ceramic shell heating for complete process mold dewaxing. Manufactured to meet virtually any production specification, the systems may be skid-mounted when size allows, factory piped, wired and...

FOXALL[R] Automated Finishing.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... Vulcan's FOXALL[R] Automated Finishing Center offers the latest innovations in casting finishing, throughput and precision. For foundries to compete in today's global market, they must reduce labor and increase efficiency throughout their...

Die casting/foundry supplies.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... Established in 1961, DY-KAST Supply is a major distributor and manufacturer of non-ferrous die casting and foundry supplies. A wide variety of products available include: Ladies; Skimmers; Infrared Die Heaters; Die Clamps; "T" Slot Bolts;...

Compact "Mini-Melter" furnace.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... The HI T.E.Q. Mini-Melter furnace is specifically designed for use at the casting station in foundry and die casting applications. It's compact, dual chamber design allows melting and holding right at the casting station. This eliminates both...

Custom and non-standard alloys.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... Brochure describes Milward's capability to develop custom or non-standard alloy products for proprietary applications, including. * exotic welding alloys * nuclear shielding alloys * ultra-high purity aluminum alloys *...

Engineering analysis software.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... ESI Group, a leader in engineering analysis software, is featuring ProCAST, an extensive engineering design tool that exceeds challenging requirements, covering fully coupled fluid flow, thermal, solidification, stress and microstructure for...

Aluminum melting.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... Thermtronix[R] offers the latest in energy efficient technology applied to their high performance aluminum melting and holding furnaces. Solid state technology allows modern furnaces to precisely measure the exact amount of energy necessary to...

Protein sand binder.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... The GMBOND[R] Sand Binder enables business success with a proven technology. Shakeout studies show that GM BOND[R] maintains better collapsibility. Because it's water soluble, it simplifies core removal and allows sand and binder to be reused....

Ceramic media.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... CARBOACCUCAST[TM] ceramic media possesses strength, ,unique thermal properties and a uniform shape to provide increased media life, casting accuracy and production to metal casting applications. Lower production costs, reduced waste and less...

Heat treating services.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... We understand that heat treating is an integral part of your production process. So we make sure you're always in control. Our job is to make your job easier whether you have one-of-a-kind or high-volume manufactured parts, aluminum or ferrous,...

Automatic Inoculation System.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... The KOINS' Automatic Inoculation System (AIS) features a stainless steel, heat protected dosing unit with multiple sensors to ensure proper inoculation. It is designed to be a stand-alone unit or integrated into the PourTECH system. In manual...

Automated melt control.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... The VIP[R] Melt-Manager[R] Plus induction power supply combines efficient and reliable melting cycles with built-in melt control. This automation technology provides operator assistance for the complete melting cycle. Melt-Manager[R] Plus...

Automatic saw.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... Rimrock's new automatic saw is designed to be integrated into a robotic workcell. A servo drive linear actuator slides the casting(s) through the saw blade for accurate, precision cuts of gates, risers and heavy flash. Custom hydraulic fixtures...

Enterprise software solutions.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... B&L Information Systems, Inc., located in Bridgman, Michigan, is the leader in enterprise software solutions for the metalcasting industry. Over 350 metalcasters in 35 states and 5 countries have selected B&L to help them increase productivity,...

Automated pouring.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... CMI Novacast Inc. manufactures the PG series electromagnetic pumps for aluminum, zinc, and magnesium. The semi-submerged pump draws molten metal from below the bath surface which can be filtered before it enters the pump. Non-turbulent metal is...

Compact ingot loader & furnace.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... To bring melting automation and enhanced safety to the casting station, Morgan Molten Metal Systems has introduced a highly compact ingot loader. Combined with a Morgan furnace, this productive system offers uncovered melt rates of 580 lbs./hr....

CoreCenter.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... Laempe continues to lead the core production equipment market with new standards for the high production and jobbing market. Laempe also is your complete automation center ready to analyze and automate your coreroom. Laempe features the much...

Precision borescopes.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... Excellent image quality and two-way articulation make the new Hawkeye Pro Flexible borescope a great combination of quality, function, and value. Quickly inspect, even inside complex castings, for sand, voids, and other defects. Get all the...

Swingmaster decoring systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... Rimrock Corporation is North America's only distributor of the Fill Swingmaster sm3 decoring unit. The sin3 allows for the decoring of a wide range of castings through multi-purpose fixtures and clamping devices. The vibration and rotation...

Flexible DeGate Cell.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... Mossner offers a unique technique for the automated removal of aluminum gates and risers as well as casting finishing by combining the speed of a bandsaw and the accuracy provided by the CNC guidance system. Mossner offers a complete line of...

Harrison core machines.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2007... Harrison Dual Station Shell core machines can out produce even "high tech" single station IsoCure machines and have a lower cost-per-core at about half the investment cost, plus payback is much faster. Contrary to the popular myth that IsoCure...

Securing a loan: relationship lending is in the past.(CAPITAL GAINS)
March 1, 2007... Ten years ago, it was uncomplicated to secure a bank loan. Regardless of industry or company performance, many businesses could secure money based on little more than a preexisting relationship. Those days are gone. Following the economic...

Wisconsin Regional draws more than 600 metalcasters and students to Milwaukee.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
March 1, 2007... More than 600 metalcasters converged on the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee for the 17th Annual Wisconsin Regional, Feb. 8-9. The two-day exposition featured 75 exhibitors and 25 technical sessions covering all areas of metalcasting management and...

Chapter meetings.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Calendar)
March 1, 2007... BIRMINGHAM April 13--TBD, Tuscaloosa, Ma.; Student Night & Golf. May 7--Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala.; Awards Night. CENTRAL NEW YORK April 11--Abigail's, Seneca Falls, N.Y.; National AFS State of the Union Address. Aug. 25--Greenview...

Keystone Chapter hosts joint meeting and tour with other area associations.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
March 1, 2007... More than 100 people attended a joint meeting and tour of Air Products & Chemicals Inc., Allentown, Penn., in January. Hosted in part by the AFS Keystone Chapter, the tour of the company's headquarters and R&D facilities included the...

Illinois Safety Council, Chicago Chapter plan for workplace emergencies.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
March 1, 2007... Rick Vulpitta, president of the Illinois Safety Council, Chicago, discussed the importance of implementing a comprehensive emergency training procedure in manufacturing and business facilities at the Chicago Chapter's January meeting. ...

New AFS Corporate members (December 2006-January 2007).(Membership Memo)
March 1, 2007... New AFS Corporate Members (December 2006-January 2007): Dent Manufacturing Inc., Northampton, Penn.; The Federal Metal Co., Bedford, Ohio; Hunter Automated Mach Corp., Schaumburg, Ill.; Erie Bronze & Aluminum Co., Erie, Penn.; NIBCO Inc.,...

CMI course schedule.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
March 1, 2007... CMI Course Schedule March 19-21 Analysis & Reduction of Casting Defects (56-07) Ft. Wayne. Ind. March 20-21 Casting Design (57-07) Schaumburg, Ill. March 20-April 23 ...

Central Ohio--in January, Stephanie Collins and Dr. Doru Stefanescu, both of Ohio State Univ., Columbus, Ohio, delivered their joint presentation.(Chapter Newscast)
March 1, 2007... CENTRAL OHIO -- In January, Stephanie Collins and Dr. Doru Stefanescu, both of Ohio State Univ., Columbus, Ohio, delivered their joint presentation, "Rebuilding the Metalcasting and Solidification Laboratories at Ohio State University."

Detroit-Windsor--in January, John Buttermore, General Motors Corp., Saginaw, Mich., gave his presentation, "General Motors, Then and Now.".(Chapter Newscast)
March 1, 2007... DETROIT-WINDSOR -- In January, John Buttermore, General Motors Corp., Saginaw, Mich., gave his presentation, "General Motors, Then and Now." Also in January, Jason Klein, Western Michigan Univ., Kalamazoo, Mich., was awarded the Warchol...

Hawkeye--in January, Betty Zeman, Cedar Falls Utilities, Cedar Falls, Iowa, gave her presentation.(Chapter Newscast)
March 1, 2007... HAWKEYE -- In January, Betty Zeman, Cedar Falls Utilities, Cedar Falls, Iowa, gave her presentation, "Electric Generation Using Bio Mass Products."

Northwest Pennsylvania--in January, Werner Gerbes, Urick Foundry Co., Erie, Penn., gave his presentation.(Chapter Newscast)
March 1, 2007... NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA -- In January, Werner Gerbes, Urick Foundry Co., Erie, Penn., gave his presentation, "The Toyota Way."

Southeast Ohio--in February, chapter chairman Bob Dzugan, buyCastings.com Inc., Dayton, Ohio, presided over an FEF scholarship fundraiser.(Chapter Newscast)
March 1, 2007... SOUTHEAST OHIO -- In February, chapter chairman Bob Dzugan, buyCastings.com Inc., Dayton, Ohio, presided over an FEF scholarship fundraiser. More than 50 people contributed approximately $2,000 to the charity.

Texas--in January, Jerry Call, American Foundry Society (AFS), Schaumburg, Ill., discussed the upcoming Metalcasting Congress and other AFS activities and events.(Chapter Newscast)
March 1, 2007... TEXAS -- In January, Jerry Call, American Foundry Society (AFS), Schaumburg, Ill., discussed the upcoming Metalcasting Congress and other AFS activities and events. Also in January, Dr. Robert Habingreither, Texas State Univ., San Marcos,...

Case history: part for high speed printing cast with the help of custom device.(PRODUCT INNOVATIONS)
March 1, 2007... An offshore company in the printing industry had plans to manufacture a new, high-speed printer that was faster than any machine it had produced before. But the success of the project hinged on the casting of an 80-lb., aluminum structural...