Modern Casting articles from March 2009

Modern Casting archives from March 2009

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
March 1, 2009... The December web poll asked: How would you expect an increase in hybrid and electric cars to affect the metalcasting industry? Hurt Casting Shipments 45.6% Have No Effect 29.8% Help Casting Shipments ...

Hollywood's casting call.(EDITORIAL)
March 1, 2009... Logic tells me this editorial should be about the current state of the global economy and how it is affecting the metalcasting industry. But what am I going to tell you that you don't already know? * Production has dropped significantly in...

Fansteel/Wellman Dynamics to complete expansion for new military orders by June.(North America)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Fansteel/Wellman Dynamics, Creston, Iowa, has finished framing out a 5,200-sq.-ft. expansion that company officials said it will complete by this summer. The expansion, which will add capacity to the company's heat treat, x-ray and welding...

Federal grant helps Jencast improve furnace efficiency.(North America)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ferrous sand caster Jencast, Coffeyville, Kan., recently received a grant that will help it improve the energy efficiency of its two electric melting furnaces. The $250,000 grant and an $800,000 guaranteed loan...

Navistar to close Indianapolis metalcasting facility.(North America)
March 1, 2009... Truck and engine maker Navistar International Corp., Warrenville, Ill., will close its Indianapolis Casting Corporation (ICC), as well as the engine plant in Indianapolis, on July 31, according to a company press release. The company's...

Award winner Sheffield Forgemasters invests in ladles.(Around the World)
March 1, 2009... Steel caster Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd., Sheffield, U.K., which recently won the Cast Metals Federation Company Achievement Award, invested more than $730,000 to increase the size of its pouring ladles. "We are continually...

Gregg Industries closed by parent Neenah.(North America)
March 1, 2009... Neenah Enterprises Inc., Neenah, Wis., announced it will close subsidiary Gregg Industries, El Monte, Calif., in mid-May due to declining sales. Neenah Chief Executive Officer Robert Ostendorf said the decision to close the ferrous...

Delphi steering column helps ford f-150 win safety award.(North America)
March 1, 2009... Delphi Corp., Troy, Mich., provided a diecast steering column for the new 2009 Ford F- 150 that the company said recently helped the track become America's safest full-size pickup. According to a press release issued by Delphi, the mobile...

Behringer builds casting plant.(Around the World)
March 1, 2009... Saw maker Behringer Maschinenfabrik und Eisengiesserei GmbH, Kirchardt, Germany, has broken ground on a new greenfield metalcasting facility at its headquarters. The company is following a timetable it set in 2008, when it decided to...

Contech files Chapter 11, looks to divest holdings.(North America)
March 1, 2009... Automotive part supplier Contech LLC, Portage, Mich., announced it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for its domestic facilities under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Contech, which in addition to die castings makes steel forged automotive...

Quality certifications.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 1, 2009... The following metalcasters have passed recent certification or surveillance audits: Bradken Atchison/St. Joseph, Atchison, Kan., (ISO 9001:2008); Bradken Amite, Amite, La., (ISO 9001: 2008).

Nemak completes announced closure of Essex plant.(North America)
March 1, 2009... Nemak of Canada officially closed its Essex Aluminum Plant, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on Feb. 13, just more than one year after announcing the intention. The plant, which produces aluminum cylinder heads for Ford Motor Co., is currently...

JL French lays off 479.(North America)
March 1, 2009... JL French Automotive Castings Inc., Sheboygan, Wis., has laid 479 workers off from two of its plants and is planning to consolidate operations at those plants from three shifts to two. The company's Sheboygan, Wis., diecasting operation...

The metalcasting industry is poised to come out of the economic downturn.(Letterbox)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2009... Thank you for the recent "Shift in Thinking" editorial in the January 2009 issue. I too was under the misguided opinion that the metalcasting industry was slipping, but after reading the article, I am instead convinced that the metalcasting...

Buy American clause can work.(Letterbox)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2009... As a Canadian (by choice, not birth), I have noted the "buy American" clause in the bailout package and the reactions to it: "So why do we have a free trade agreement, etc.?" But on second thought: is it totally out of line? There is...

Columbus Steel Castings, Columbus, Ohio, has signed a three-year rental contract for NovaCast Foundry Solutions'.(Newscast)
March 1, 2009... Columbus Steel Castings, Columbus, Ohio, has signed a three-year rental contract for NovaCast Foundry Solutions' NovaFlow&Solid CV simulation software.

Ashland India Private Ltd.(Newscast)
March 1, 2009... Ashland India Private Ltd., Mumbai, India, has announced the opening in Pune, India, of a casting design services center that includes computer-aided design and engineering analysis

Correction.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Correction notice)
March 1, 2009... The article "Be Proto-Type-Cast" (December 2008) indicated that the direct sand printed pattern pictured on p. 30 was used to make the "cast mortar base plate" on p. 31. The direct sand printed pattern shown was in fact used in the manufacture...

Bremen Castings Inc.(Personals)
March 1, 2009... Mike Menke has been named director of sales and marketing by Bremen Castings Inc., Bremen, Ind. Menke will direct all sales aspects of the company's machined complete gray and ductile iron components. Menke has been with Bremen since 1998,...

Industry health and safety specialist Ian Frost has been brought in by Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd., Sheffield, U.K., to oversee its subsidiary Vulcan Engineering Services.(Personals)
March 1, 2009... Industry health and safety specialist Ian Frost has been brought in by Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd., Sheffield, U.K., to oversee its subsidiary Vulcan Engineering Services. Frost will lead a dedicated team, taking overall...

Ashland India Private Ltd.(Personals)
March 1, 2009... Lakshmi Narayanan Arunachalam was named casting design specialist for Ashland India Private Ltd., Mumbai, India.

Obituaries.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Obituary)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Vincent "Skip" Holmstrom, Lake Bluff, Ill., died Jan. 29. He was 53. Holmstrom worked in the diecasting industry as a manufacturer's representative for Holmstrom & Associates, Lake Bluff, Ill., a firm established by his father in the mid-1950s....

Calendar of events.(Conference news)(Brief article)(Calendar)
March 1, 2009... March March 19--Metalcasting Solutions Seminar, Red Lion Hotel, Seattle. March 19-21 AFS Northwest Regional Conference, Red Lion Hotel, Seattle. March 22-25--Investment Casting Institute Spring Management Meeting, Rancho Bernardo...

Obama signs fair-pay act: President Obama's first bill signed into law signals his commitment to the labor agenda.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
March 1, 2009... At the end of January, President Obama signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a measure which expands the limitations period for bringing equal pay claims against employers. The act was formed in response to a May 2007 Supreme Court...

Form I-9 rule implementation delayed.(On the Hill)(Employment Eligibility)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has delayed until April 3 the implementation of a new rule and new Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) governing the types of acceptable...

Workplace Class Action Litigation on rise.(On the Hill)
March 1, 2009... A study released in January shows that class action and collective action lawsuits are on the rise, and the trend is expected to continue. The study, Workplace Class Action Litigation Report, which analyzed 650 decisions in class action...

The state of the industry and where it is going.(Industry overview)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With the automotive industry and housing starts showing declines in 2008, 2009 was not expected to be a growth year. However, even as late as early December 2008, the domino effect those two industries would have on...

Feeling the domino effect: following a tough first quarter, a revised 2009 forecast predicts overall casting shipments could fall to record lows.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Recent interviews with casting users indicate that most market sectors are experiencing losses in shipments in the first quarter of 2009 as the domino effect of poor sales has affected markets beyond automotive and...

Stimul-us? With the metalcasting forecast turned downward for 2009, can the recently passed stimulus bill help?
March 1, 2009... The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate came together to pass a cohesive economic stimulus package; President Barack Obama signed it. The question now is whether the law can alleviate the domino effect of the current economic situation and...

Worldwide casting tonnage slowed by recession: global shipments are forecast to drop to near 90 million tons by 2010.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Economies worldwide are struggling with recession, and the global metalcasting industry is feeling the ripple effects. The recent World Census of Casting Production conducted by MODERN CASTING in December 2008...

Morel Industries is back: by moving into a larger manufacturing space, Morel Industries has continued its eight-year return from temporary hiatus.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mark Morel works in a small office several miles south of downtown Seattle. During an interview last September, he rarely took a break to catch his breath. A spin of a swivel chair away, on the other side of the...

Casting Congress heads to the strip: Metalcasting's annual main event brings together metalcasters and suppliers for updates on the latest technology, products and services.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A MODERN CASTING Staff Report Move over Graceland Wedding Chapel, Bette Midler and CSI, metalcasters will be raiding the Las Vegas Strip April 7-10 for the annual Metalcasting Congress, sponsored by the American...

Special events (separate registration may apply.(113th METALCASTING CONGRESS)(Calendar)
March 1, 2009... Tuesday, April 7 AFS Copper Division Luncheon--11:45 a.m. Robert Voigt, professor at Penn State Univ., will present "Adopting Technology in a Global Metalcasting Economy," during this division luncheon. The presentation will highlight...

Technical program (as of Feb. 25).(113th METALCASTING CONGRESS)(Conference news)(Calendar)
March 1, 2009... April 7-10, 2009 * Las Vegas, Nevada HOYT MEMORIAL LECTURE Friday, April 10 9a.m. Room: Versailles 3-4 Foundries: The Final Frontier--The Next Thousand Years of Casting Technology (09-128) ALUMINUM Wednesday,...

Optical emission spectrometers.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Introducing the Bruker G4 ICARUS CS HF: suitable for the rapid determination of carbon and sulfur in many different kinds of materials (i.e. steel, iron, alloys, non-ferrous metals, aluminum, titanium and alloys, zirconium and alloys, ores,...

No-bake molding and reclamation.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Tinker Omega is known for bringing new and innovative solutions to your no-bake molding and reclamation areas. Stop by and see how our TOM-Mixers, NexGen Controls, Intelligent Sand Gates and Flo-Master Pumping Systems can control cost and add...

Crucibles, furnaces, foundry equipment.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... The name, "Morganite Crucible," has been associated with the metal industry's best crucibles for more than 100 years. While that name is widely recognized, it no longer reflects the company's wider range of products. "Morganite Crucible" has...

Sand Core Engineering Technology.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... The award-winning Arena-flow[R] Sand Core Engineering Technology helps you compete in today's market by improving quality while saving you time and money. Save by reducing tooling design iterations, machine downtime, tooling maintenance costs,...

Veino Ultra[TM] sand additive.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Ashland's new Veino Ultra[TM] sand additive protects castings from veining and metal penetration defects--giving your casting a superior surface finish. In addition, Veino Ultra sand additive is affordably priced to help reduce your casting's...

Induction furnaces/automated pouring systems.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Inductotherm manufactures induction melting, holding, heating and pouring systems for virtually all metals. We offer a complete line of induction furnaces and power supplies as well as a full range of charging and preheating systems, melt shop...

Next Generation EcoMission.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Geopol, a Sand Team technology, is now offered through HA International. I Superior to sodium silicates, it features high sand flowability with high mold and core density, ultimately yielding lower resin addition levels compared to traditional...

No-bake/Cold Box equipment.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Palmer Manufacturing supplies a complete line of no bake and cold box equipment and systems: Continuous Sand Mixers, No Bake and Cold Box CoreMakers[TM], Sand Reclamation Systems, Sand Heaters/ Coolers/Classifiers, Rollovers and more. Our...

Coreless induction furnaces.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... ABP Induction manufactures a full line of coreless induction furnaces. The open cage and segmented coil designs are some of the advanced features that improve electrical efficiency and maximize productivity. Standard components and less...

Innovative visual inspection.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... The new Hawkeye Videoscopes, from Gradient Lens Corporation, are the perfect visual inspection choice when portability, and easy image capture, are key factors. These high-quality, affordably priced video borescopes are much more durable than...

Simulation/process control tools.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... NovaCast Foundry Solutions provides products for the entire foundry process including software for methoding of castings, for simulating mould filling and solidification and metallurgical process control tools. NovaCast Foundry Solutions has...

Digital porosity measurement.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Thermtronix[R] Q-Series[TM], Quantitative Aluminum Porosity Measurement System is a computerized testing device that digitally measures, displays and records, in real time, the precise level of hydrogen porosity in a sample of molten aluminum....

Rotary shakeout.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... DUCTA-SERIES[TM] rotary shakeouts from General Kinematics reduce maintenance costs by up to half over other rotary designs. GK's LOCK-TITE[TM] liner system, designed for rapid and safe replacement of liner segments, eliminates wear to, and...

ERP software.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... In today's challenging times, metalcasters must lower costs, streamline operations, and realize fast returns on any investment. B&L ERP software and services has helped 381 metalcasters achieve these objectives. Stop by our booth and find out...

Routine elemental determination with the GDS500A.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... The patented, solid-state, CCD-based GDS500A Glow Discharge Atomic Emission Spectrometer is ideal for routine elemental determination in most ferrous and nonferrous materials, including difficult materials such as powdered metals, as-cast iron,...

Cast zinc shot.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Transmet's HG Cast Zinc Shot already outlasted cut wire zinc by 50%, but the company has now developed their ZA4 Cast Zinc Shot that is up to 300% more durable than competing zinc cut wire products. In addition to the extended life of the shot,...

Innovation in vibratory equipment.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Conveyor Dynamics specializes in vibratory foundry equipment including furnace charging systems, mold dump conveyors, casting cooling conveyors, shakeouts, screens and shot blast charging systems. Our Dyna Sync Dynamic Drive System[TM] is the...

Basketless heat treating system.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Can-Eng Furnaces' Basketless Heat Treating System (BHTS[TM]) reduces energy consumption and floor space requirements when compared to conventional roller hearth aluminum heat treatment systems. The BHTS[TM] incorporates a unique material...

Ceramic media.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... 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...

ERP/MRP software.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Synchro32 is the worldwide leading provider of affordable metal casting specific ERP/MRP software that is designed for only the metal casting industry. Synchro32 is a "foundry in a box solution" and supports the production/management needs of...

Feeding, filtration, coating products.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... At Foseco, our goal is to help your foundry achieve Great Performance based upon a number of factors. It's not just products. It's application engineering and superior technologies that make your quality castings cost less--day in and day out....

Rotary foundry machinery.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... DIDION will showcase its line of Rotary Foundry Equipment. Customers reported payback in a few months with the patented designs. Additional benefits: Easy installation, low maintenance, and better working conditions. Rotary Media Drums, Rotary...

Cupola melt centers/systems.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Kuttner North America offers a full range of foundry solutions; including cupola melt centers, heat recovery systems, gas cleaning systems, and process controls. Kuttner also has the environmental expertise to help you stay ahead of changing...

Molton Metal Solutions.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... When every investment dollar needs to be justified by PAYBACK ANALYSIS, you need Modern Equipment Company as your turnkey MOLTEN METAL SOLUTION provider. Innovative equipment technology with proven energy savings, quality and performance backed...

Simulation software.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In every business there are tools that are essential for doing the job right. In metal casting, MAGMA offers a casting process simulation software that is one of these tools, MAGMASOFT[R]. With MAGMASOFT[R] you can...

Innovation in metal transfer.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The MMEI Inc. patent pending metal transfer system is the newest approach to controlled metal transfer. This system can be integrated with new or existing aluminum melting and holding furnaces. No more pulling tap...

Green sand molding materials.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... IKO is the symbol of global green sand molding foundry technology for S&B Industrial Minerals. IKO with six US mineral processing operations produces a complete product line of green sand molding materials. Visit our booth number 433 and...

Energy Management technology.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Powerit Solutions is the leader in Intelligent Energy Management technologies, providing foundries with significant energy cost savings. We offer the only Intelligent Energy Management system designed specifically for the energy-intensive...

Ceramic foam filters.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Hi-Tech Ceramics is the leading manufacturer of reticulated ceramic foam filters for molten metals. We have produced filters for the most demanding ferrous and non-ferrous applications for over 25 years. ISO certified and available in a variety...

Automated casting finishing.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... 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...

Match plate molding/mold handling.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Hunter Automated Machinery introduces the XL series of horizontal matchplate molding machines. The XL is the most technologically advanced matchplate molding machine built for today's foundries to produce the highest quality castings. Hunter...

Complete Foundry Solutions.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... 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...

Solidification modeling.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... FSI offers FLOWCast, SOLIDCast and OPTICast, the world's most popular software for fluid flow analysis, solidification analysis and automatic casting optimization. In addition to software sales, we also provide support, training and contract...

Innovation in coremaking.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... 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...

Induction heating/melting.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Ajax TOCCO Magnethermic Corporation designs and manufactures induction heating and melting equipment. Ajax TOCCO's advanced technologies are used for the melting and holding of ferrous and nonferrous metals. Melting applications are suited for...

Sand additives.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... SphereOX: Best sand additive for no-bake cores, molds and resin coated sand. Eliminates veining, penetration, pinholes, burn in and lustrous carbon casting defects. Chromite sand can be replaced with silica sand and SphereOX. Nothing works...

Aeration sand fill technology.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Aeration provides better sand control and excellent sand filling performance for complex mold shapes and small pockets. Improvements in the mold's surface have been reported as well as reductions in the number of inclusions caused by sand...

Sensor technologies.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Engineered to the highest standards of quality and accuracy, Heraeus Electro-Nite sensor technologies help metal casters earn millions of dollars by enabling more precise control. From XT[R] thermocouples, to QuiK-Cup[R] Thermal Analysis Cups...

Automatic pouring.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... KOINS is the leading manufacturer of Heated and Unheated POURING UNITS featuring the Laser Based "pourTECH" Automatic Pouring Control System. Featuring our 3D (Line) Laser technology, pourTECH can also be retrofitted to existing pouring...

Molding/sand preparation.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... The Simpson Group, which includes Simpson Technologies Corp. and Beardsley & Piper LLC, is a world renowned provider of foundry molding sand preparation technology, including batch and continuous mixers, coolers, sand reclaimers, Simpson +...

Engineering/consulting.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Foundry Solutions & Design (FS&D) provides complete Engineering & Consulting Services to the ferrous and non-ferrous Foundry Industry. As an independent company, FS&D develops customized, high performance manufacturing systems for rationalizing...

Vacuum impregnation/surface preparation.(Casting Technology Showcase 2009)
March 1, 2009... Godfrey & Wing, Inc., a global manufacturer of engineered equipment, products and services for vacuum impregnation and surface preparation, will be featuring its Continuous Flow Impregnation technology (CFi) as well as its Imprex high-quality...

Improve your personal effectiveness.(NOVEL SOLUTIONS)(market strategy)
March 1, 2009... The Art of SpeedReading People, by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger, can probably do more to improve your interpersonal effectiveness than any other book you will ever read. The book, which avoids theory in favor of proven practice,...

Obtaining business insurance in China.(CAPITAL GAINS)
March 1, 2009... The purchase of insurance for foreign-backed ventures in China is a microcosm of legal, political, economic and cultural challenges and illustrates that, with understanding, patience and good advice, obstacles can be overcome and establishing...

AFS calls for action against the Employee Free Choice Act.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... AFS is urging its members to take action and write to their lawmakers in opposition to Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). The bill would eliminate more than 70 years of precedent established under the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 by...

AFS creates social networking groups on Facebook, LinkedIn.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
March 1, 2009... In an etlort to promote social networking in the metalcasting industry, AFS has created metalcasting-related groups on the Facebook and LinkedIn websites. They can be accessed via www.afsinc.org/facebook and www. afsinc.org/linkedin. The groups...

AFS accepting 2009 Safety Award entries.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
March 1, 2009... Entries for the 2009 AFS Millionaires Safety Award are now being accepted. The award is designed to recognize AFS corporate member firms that succeed in providing the highest level of safe and healthy workplaces. This annual award...

CMI course schedule.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Table)(Brief article)(Calendar)
March 1, 2009... CMI Course Schedule March 16-April 26 Six Sigma Green Belt Internet Certification (53-09) March 17-20 Gating & Riser Design-- Pomona, Calif. ...

Metal castings to be marketed across the U.S., tradeshows include SME WESTEC, Rapid, SAE Annual.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
March 1, 2009... Metal castings will make their way around the U.S. to be marketed to numerous industries at trade shows during March, April and May. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AFS will participate in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) WESTEC...

North American metalcasters on display at Newcast 2009, award applications available.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
March 1, 2009... For the first time, U.S., Canadian and Mexican metalcasters will have the opportunity to exhibit within a North American Pavilion at Newcast 2009, 3rd International Trade Fair for Precision Castings and Newpart Innovation Park. The trade fair...