Modern Casting articles from March 2008

Modern Casting archives from March 2008

AmeriCast sells remaining iron plant.(Industry News)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AmeriCast Technologies Inc., Atchison, Kan., has sold its Prospect Foundry, Minneapolis, to TMB Industries, a Chicago-based private equity firm. AmeriCast, which owns five other metalcasting facilities, has been...

Nemak Canada plant, losing pricing war, closes.(Industry News)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Nemak of Canada announced last month it intends to close its Essex Aluminum Plant, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, sometime in the first quarter of 2009 due to global pressures. According to a company spokesperson, the decision is the result of price...

Heat treatment for diecast parts supplies stronger castings.(Product Innovations)
March 1, 2008... Heat Treatment for Diecast Parts Supplies Stronger Castings--High pressure die castings often can't be heat treated like other cast aluminum parts. But the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization has developed a new heat...

Vision systems lend accuracy to robotics.(Product Innovations)
March 1, 2008... Vision Systems Lend Accuracy to Robotics--Unlike firm parts, sand cores will wear away if they contact one another as they are moved to a final assembly position. Fanuc Robotics' new iRVision integrated into the R-30iA robot controller is used...

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
March 1, 2008... The January website question asked: How do you keep track of your production and scheduling costs? Homemade System 52.8% Manufacturing Software 30.6% Metalcasting-Specific Software 13.9% ...

Worth repeating.(HOTLINE)
March 1, 2008... "Trying to do two different quality levels is out of the question. You produce the best quality casting you can for every casting."--Vernon Boose, Boose Aluminum

Here's an idea ... innovate.(EDITORIAL)
March 1, 2008... Who is your firm's idea person? Who is the person at your facility that is responsible for coming up with new processes and technology to increase productivity, reduce costs and improve worker health and safety? Who is the person...

Americast sells remaining iron plant Prospect Foundry.(North America)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AmeriCast Technologies Inc., Atchison, Kan., has sold its Prospect Foundry, Minneapolis, to TMB Industries, a Chicago-based private equity firm. AmeriCast, which owns five other metalcasting facilities, has been...

Diecaster Contech receives new automotive business.(North America)
March 1, 2008... Contech U.S. LLC, Portage, Mich., recently was awarded new aluminum diecasting business by American Axle & Manufacturing, Detroit, for multiple castings used on General Motors (GM) platforms. Contech, a Marathon Automotive Group Company,...

Nemak Canada plant, losing pricing war, closes.(North America)
March 1, 2008... Nemak of Canada announced on Feb. 6 it intends to close its Essex Aluminum Plant, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, sometime in the first quarter of 2009 due to global pressures. A company spokesperson said the decision to close the plant, which...

Cookware caster lodge wins Design Award for iron, stainless steel skillet.(North America)
March 1, 2008... Lodge Manufacturing, South Pittsburg, Tenn., won the Best of the Best Gold for its Signature Series 12-in. seasoned cast iron skillet with stainless steel handle during the Fifth Annual International Housewares Association's Design Award...

L A Aluminum wins a portion of two government contracts worth more than $400 million.(North America)
March 1, 2008... L A Aluminum Casting Co., Hayden, Idaho, was included in two recently-awarded, multi-million dollar government contracts that increased the metalcaster's annual sales by 25%. The two contracts are estimated to be worth more than $400...

FSI Group ends operations at Ravenna Aluminum after failing to find a buyer.(North America)
March 1, 2008... The FSI Group, Ravenna, Ohio, has closed its metalcasting and machining company Ravenna Aluminum Inc. (RAI) after an extended fight to find a buyer and keep the business open. Prior to ceasing operations on Jan. 31, RAI operated two...

AMT spends $3 million on facility in China.(Around the World)
March 1, 2008... Metalcaster and machinist American Metal & Technology Inc. (AMT), Los Angeles, announced a $3 million investment in facilities at its Langfang manufacturing center in China. The expansion will increase the facility's annual casting...

Paper maker Metso's in-house metalcasting facility expansion inaugurated in Finland.(Around the World)
March 1, 2008... Metso Paper, Jyvaskyla, Finland, inaugurated the expansion of its Rautpohja Foundry on Feb. 8. The addition will increase the company's annual in-house casting capacity of rolls and cylinders, two components used in paper machines, from...

Sale of Foseco nearing completion.(North America)
March 1, 2008... When the proposed acquisition of Foseco Metallurgical Inc., Cleveland, by the Cookson Group, London, was announced on Oct. 11, 2007, the sale was conditional on receipt of anti-trust clearances in the U.S. and European Union. The two companies...

Mexico: more than simply automotive castings.(North America)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The metalcasting industry in Mexico is an important part of an economy that is expected to grow in the coming years and play a key role as a manufacturing location for the North American market. Every year,...

Award maker R.S. Owens takes home prize for marketing, branding.(North America)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Metalcaster and award manufacturer R.S. Owens, Chicago, received a Gold Web Award at the annual PPAI Suppliers Achievement Awards sponsored by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). PPAI Awards Committee members judged all...

Ashland commits to India expansion.(North America)
March 1, 2008... Ashland Inc., Dublin, Ohio, recently announced its intent to acquire property in the chemical industrial zone of Jhagadia, Gujarat, India, for a facility that will produce resins for the composites and metalcasting consumables industries. ...

Bremen Castings Inc., Bremen, Ind., has purchased Odyssey software by B&L Information Systems, Bridgman, Mich., to help implement its continuous improvements initiative and to focus on profitability.(Newscast)
March 1, 2008... Bremen Castings Inc., Bremen, Ind., has purchased Odyssey software by B&L Information Systems, Bridgman, Mich., to help implement its continuous improvements initiative and to focus on profitability. B&L recently was named Progress Software...

Refractory maker Allied Mineral Products Inc., Columbus, Ohio, purchased 100% of AMETSA, its sales and manufacturing facility in Germiston, South Africa, at the end of 2007, according to a release issued by the company.(Newscast)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Refractory maker Allied Mineral Products Inc., Columbus, Ohio, purchased 100% of AMETSA, its sales and manufacturing facility in Germiston, South Africa, at the end of 2007, according to a release issued by the company. The facility began as a...

EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems, Munich, Germany, and TrumpfWerkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG, Ditzingen, Germany, announced they have signed an agreement with MCP Tooling Technology Ltd., Stone, U.K., and MCP-HEK Tooling GmbH in Germany.(Newscast)
March 1, 2008... EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems, Munich, Germany, and TrumpfWerkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG, Ditzingen, Germany, announced they have signed an agreement with MCP Tooling Technology Ltd., Stone, U.K., and MCP-HEK Tooling GmbH in Germany. Under...

ABP Induction, New Brunswick, N.J., and Pillar Induction, Brookfield, Wis., merged companies in early 2008 to establish a joint enterprise under the ABP name.(Newscast)
March 1, 2008... ABP Induction, New Brunswick, N.J., and Pillar Induction, Brookfield, Wis., merged companies in early 2008 to establish a joint enterprise under the ABP name. According to a letter to vendors from an ABP executive, the companies will continue...

Mazak Corp.(Newscast)
March 1, 2008... Machine tool manufacturer Mazak Corp., Florence, Ky., is investing $2 million to expand its Southwest Regional Technology Center in Houston.

Morgan Crucible, Windsor, Berkshire, U.K., has acquired two technical ceramics businesses, Certech and Carpenter Advanced Ceramics for $147 million.(Newscast)
March 1, 2008... Morgan Crucible, Windsor, Berkshire, U.K., has acquired two technical ceramics businesses, Certech and Carpenter Advanced Ceramics for $147 million. The businesses, which produce ceramics used in the investment casting industry among others,...

Steelmaker Nucor Corp., Charlotte, N.C., announced it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire scrap recycler David J. Joseph Co.(Newscast)
March 1, 2008... Steelmaker Nucor Corp., Charlotte, N.C., announced it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire scrap recycler David J. Joseph Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, and its related affiliates and real estate, for approximately $1.44 billion.

Selas Heat Technology Co. LLC.(Newscast)
March 1, 2008... Selas Heat Technology Co. LLC announced it has completed the commissioning of a new on-site machine shop at its Montgomeryville plant for turning, milling, and grinding of cast housings for manufacturing high-precision components used in...

On Jan. 31, 2008, Simpson Technologies GmbH, Steinhausen, Switzerland, acquired the Disa sand laboratory testing equipment product line.(Newscast)
March 1, 2008... On Jan. 31, 2008, Simpson Technologies GmbH, Steinhausen, Switzerland, acquired the Disa sand laboratory testing equipment product line. The line, which contains approximately 50 CE-certified and European standardized instruments, was purchased...

Synchro32.(Newscast)
March 1, 2008... Resource planning software provider Synchro32, Barmouth, Gwynedd, U.K., recently announced the opening of a new office based in Austin, Texas.

Gudgeon Thermfire.(Newscast)
March 1, 2008... Gudgeon Thermfire recently completed projects for a variety of customers--OMCO Cast Metals Inc., Winchester, Ind., received a thermal reclaimer on Feb. 15; Danko Arlington, Baltimore, announced startup of its unit on March 3; Temperform Corp.,...

Quality certifications.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 1, 2008... The following metalcasting organizations have passed recent certification audits: Riverside Brass and Aluminum Foundry Ltd., New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada, (ISO 9001:2000). Brost Foundry Co., Mansfield, Ohio, (ISO 9001:2000); Brost...

Modern Casting hires new advertising staff member.(North America)(Appointment of Jim Beckwith)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Jim Beckwith joined the MODERN CASTING and ECS advertising staff in February as its new advertising salesperson. Beckwith received a bachelor's degree in advertising from the Univ. of Illinois before going on to account representative positions...

Calendar of events.(Conference news)(Calendar)
March 1, 2008... March March 13-15--AFS Northwest Regional Conference, Hilton Portland & Executive Tower Hotel, Portland, Ore. March 16-18--Casting Industry Suppliers Association Spring Conference, Hilton El Conquistador, Tucson, Ariz. March...

Citation Corp.(Personals)
March 1, 2008... Steve Korwin was promoted to vice president, quality and manufacturing engineering for Citation Corp., Novi, Mich. He will report to the company's new chief executive officer and board member Douglas Grimm. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Grede Foundries Inc.(Personals)
March 1, 2008... Grede Foundries Inc., Milwaukee, hired Dan Antonetti as vice president of operations at its plant in Wichita, Kan.

Wescast Industries Inc.(Personals)
March 1, 2008... Wescast Industries Inc., Brantford, Ontario, installed a new chief operating officer, Rick Legate.

Intermet Corp.(Personals)
March 1, 2008... Robert Axe was appointed president of the Die Cast Group within Intermet Corp., Fort Worth, Texas.

Patrice Chartrand, associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Ecole Polytechnique.(Personals)
March 1, 2008... Patrice Chartrand, associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Ecole Polytechnique, Montreal, was awarded the Rio Tinto Alcan Prize for Research by the Academy of Sciences of the Institute of France.

R.S. Owens.(Personals)
March 1, 2008... R.S. Owens, Chicago, hired Mitch Shreder as regional sales manager for the eastern U.S.

Hugh Kind.(Personals)
March 1, 2008... Hugh Kind, vice president, marketing and technology for Foseco Metallurgical Inc., Cleveland, accepted the position of marketing and technology director for Foseco Europe. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Synchro32.(Personals)
March 1, 2008... Shane Allen was made head of the support unit at Synchro32, Barmouth, U.K.

Remet Corp.(Personals)
March 1, 2008... Remet Corp., Utica, N.Y., named Chris Fillmore director of specialty products.

Obituaries.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Obituary)
March 1, 2008... Craig Vivian, Beloit, Wis., died Feb. 10, 2008. He was 67. Vivian worked for many years in the metalcasting industry, serving stints with Beloit Corp. and PrimeCast. He was involved with the Stateline Chapter of the American Foundry Society....

Silicosis crackdown: metalcasting facilities are targets of a new OSHA program intended to reduce hazards related to lung disease.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
March 1, 2008... On Jan. 31, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a new National Emphasis Program (NEP) targeting worksites, including metalcasting facilities, where employees are at risk for developing silicosis, a lung disease...

Nationwide I-9 campaign targets illegal workers.(On the Hill)
March 1, 2008... The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently has launched an I-9 inspection campaign across the country, targeting employers suspected of employing unauthorized workers. These inspections are announced by subpoenas calling for...

Defense Bill includes FMLA expansion for military families.(On the Hill)
March 1, 2008... In late January, President Bush signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4986) which includes the first expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) since its passage in 1993. FMLA benefits were expanded for military...

Boosting production at Boose: the cross pollination of ideas between two different plants has turned the Boose companies into a jobbing juggernaut.(Company overview)
March 1, 2008... The shift is nearing its end at Boose at Cornwall (BAC), Lebanon, Pa., but instead of winding down, a buzz has been struck up. It's not the standard buzz of induction furnaces, automatic molding lines, conveyer-driven finishing cells and...

Coming clean on chemicals: recent legislation requires metalcasters to report to the government on the chemicals in their plants.
March 1, 2008... It was about four weeks before Halloween in 2006 when the use of a single word removed a disguise that lay over many of the nation's chemical-holding facilities. Before the word was invoked, manufacturers were able to keep the chemcicals in...

How sand expands.
March 1, 2008... For years, metalcasters and researchers have blamed veining defects on the expansion of silica sand. Silica is well known to exhibit a sharp expansion at approximately 1,062F (572C) due to a change in crystalline structure from alpha to beta...

Heat treating, streamlined: as the costs associated with heat treating increase, heat treat companies rely on technology and service to compensate.
March 1, 2008... As with most other facets of manufacturing, heat treating costs are rising, from raw materials to energy and labor costs. John Keough, Applied Process, Livonia, Mich., points out that the price of nickel alone, which is used in heating tubes,...

The hip, knee, elbow, toe and shoulder movement: cast titanium and cobalt-chromium joint components help hundreds of thousands of people move without pain and stiffness.
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Maybe all the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together again, but metal castings might have. Hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. each year rely on metal castings to help...

Simulation software.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... In every business there are tools that are essential for doing the job tight. In metal casting, MAGMA offers a casting process simulation software that is one of these tools, MAGMASOFT[R], With MAGMASOFT[R] you can design castings right the...

Complete Foundry Solutions.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... 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...

Foundry software package.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... Arena-flow[R] is the only, foundry software package which uses the revolutionary Computational Particle Fluid Dynamics (CPFD[R]) technology to model sand core filling and curing. Arena-flow[R] has been extensively validated by industry and been...

Automated casting finishing systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... 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...

Intelligent Demand Response (IDR).(Literature+PLUS+)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Discover how your facility can participate in energy conservation that pays for supporting grid reliability. IDR uses advanced technologies to automatically coordinate your facility's participation during a Demand Response (DR) event. This...

Innovation in shakeout.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... 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, constantly...

Enterprise software solutions.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... 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,...

Rotary Medium Drum.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... 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, 2008... The world's most productive and precise automatic pouting 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+)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... 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...

Flexible DeGate Cell.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... 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...

Complete no-bake machinery & systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... Palmer Manufacturing, Inc. is a manufacturer of heavy-duty foundry equipment. Palmer's equipment line includes: mixers, no-bake molding systems and components, core room equipment, shake-out reclamation & knock-out equipment, sand mixers, mold...

Heat treating services.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... From automotive to aerospace and commercial to military--Alfe is a leader in both ferrous and non-ferrous heat treating services, equipment and technology. This brochure describes how Alfe's state-of-the-art furnace systems provide superior...

Custom and non-standard alloys.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... 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 *...

See inside your designs with FLOW-3D[R].(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... Optimize your designs before casting and lower your costs with FLOW-3D[R], a powerful computational fluid dynamics software for highly-accurate modeling. This easy-to-use software takes the trial and error out of casting designs with advanced...

Aluminum melting furnace.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... The GC Series Non-Crucible furnace is designed for continuous aluminum melting operations as a durable refractory lined furnace that does not use crucibles. Metal is charged onto a dry hearth charging chamber, avoiding the issue of operators...

The future of process instructions.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... Guardian Software Systems announces Paperless Routings. Guardian has taken advantage of touch screen technology to allow the viewing of all process instructions directly from the operator's work station. No longer will you need to print the...

Ceramic media.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... 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...

CoreCenter.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... Laempe continues to lead the way with the unique CoreCenter concept, combining core shooter, sand mixer and gas generator under a single controller with a Windows-based PC. The company has expanded its product line to the economical LL series...

Automatic Inoculation System.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... 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...

Management information systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... Synchro 32 provides complete integrated production control and management information systems, incorporating ERP/MEP. These systems are specifically designed for the foundry, die cast and cast metal industry. These systems feature: all...

Precision borescopes.(Literature+PLUS+)
March 1, 2008... 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...

Innovation as a battle cry.(NOVEL SOLUTIONS)(Editorial)
March 1, 2008... John Kao's view of life in America in 20 years if we continue along with the status quo reads like George Bailey's glimpse of Bedford Falls without his existence in It's a Wonderful Life. Just as Bedford Falls turned into seedy Pottersville...

Value-driven management.(CAPITAL GAINS)
March 1, 2008... The market value of a business generally is something owners and shareholders investigate only when a sale or significant transition of ownership is contemplated. In this approach, companies have limited means to strengthen value over a short...

CastExpo attendee registration open, tickets for special events released.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
March 1, 2008... Attendee registration for CastExpo'08 opened online Feb. 1 at www. castexpo.com. Full CastExpo registration includes entrance to the exhibits, as well as admittance to the more than 200 technical presentations at a cost of $300/member and...

IJMC includes study on modification of Al-Si alloys, endurance of ductile iron.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
March 1, 2008... The third issue of the International Journal of Metalcasting (IJMC) will be released April 2008. This issue will feature four papers and a technical communication, including a follow-up work by Geoffrey Sigworth, Alcoa Primary Metals, "The...

New MSDS forms available for magnesium alloy castings.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
March 1, 2008... AFS has completed the update of the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for magnesium alloy castings to follow the new American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 16-part format. The new forms will help metalcasters meet their ISO...

U.S. metalcasters to gather in Washington D.C. in April, corporate members buy one get one free.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
March 1, 2008... The 2008 Government Affairs Conference will be held April 9-11 at The Madison Hotel, Washington, D.C. Key legislative issues to be discussed at the conference include global climate change, Chinese currency reform, card-check legislation, paid...

Chapter meetings.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Calendar)
March 1, 2008... BIRMINGHAM DISTRICT April--Student Night, Date and Location TBA. May 12--Past Chairman's Night, Location TBA. BRITISH COLUMBIA April--"AFS Safety," Date and Location TBA. May 3--Spring Golf Tournament, Guildford Golf Course, Surrey, B.C....

CMI course schedule.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Brief article)(Calendar)
March 1, 2008... CMI Course Schedule March 17-20 Gating & Riser Design Kent, Ohio Nonferrous (52-08) March 18-20 Safety in the Foundry Nashville, Tenn. Seminar XX (53-08) March...

Twelve plants earn top millionaires safety award.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
March 1, 2008... AFS has announced the winners of the 2007 Millionaires Safety Award. This annual award recognizes facilities that reach million marks of consecutive man-hours worked without incurring an occupational injury or illness that results in days away...

Vision systems lend accuracy to robotics.(New Product)
March 1, 2008... The assembly of sand cores in the precision sand casting process requires a high degree of accuracy. Unlike firm parts, sand cores will wear away if they contact one another as they are moved to a final assembly position. This abrasion...

Heat treatment for diecast parts supplies stronger castings.(New Product)
March 1, 2008... High pressure diecasting (HPDC) is one of the most cost-effective process for making large quantities of complex aluminum components in netshape. But while other cast aluminum parts can be heat treated to improve their mechanical properties,...