Modern Casting articles from May 2003

Modern Casting archives from May 2003

moderncasting.com. (Hotline).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Question of the Month March's website question asked, "Which of the following value-added services does your foundry offer its customers in-house?" Answers: * 34.2%--Machining. * 26.3%--Painting. * 18.4%--Casting Design....

Yes, technology still matters. (Editorial).
May 1, 2003... When it comes to views on technology, there are two kinds of fools. There's the one who thinks plugging in the latest and greatest will solve all problems. Then, there's the one who doesn't put a nickel into a decades-old operation yet expects...

House Small Business Committee to investigate manufacturing plight. (Washington Alert).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.), chairman of the House Small Business Committee, has scheduled a series of five hearings to explore the serious challenges facing this country's small manufacturers. The subject of the first hearing was "Will We Have...

Opportunity to comment on costs, benefits of federal regulations. (Washington Alert).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) is seeking comments on the draft of the 2003 Report to Congress on the Costs and Benefits of Federal Regulations. This report is divided into two chapters. Chapter one...

U.S. Labor Dept. plans to enhance enforcement on safety violations. (Washington Alert).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... In March, the U.S. Labor Dept. announced a series of policy changes regarding enforcement. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao said that OSHA will crack down on employers who repeatedly defy federal workplace and safety regulations by increasing...

Congress seeks to restore Superfund tax. (Washington Alert).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Legislation that would reinstate a tax on the chemical and oil industries to pay for the cleanup of toxic waste sites has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The Senate bill was introduced in January by...

Letterbox.(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... Creative Risk Leads to Needed Breakthroughs I couldn't agree more with the March editorial ("Bigger Dreams, Bigger Results"). If the majority of our efforts go into complaining about foreign competition, the sluggish economy, the cost of...

Airo Die Casting plans $20 million expansion, doubles workforce. (North America).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Airo Die Casting Co., Inc. (Leggett & Platt, Inc.), Loyalhanna, Pennsylvania, is moving forward with plans for a $20 million expansion, which will double both the size of the plant and its workforce. The firm will add a 54,000-sq-ft expansion...

Briggs & Stratton to stop diecasting for other firms. (North America).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... According to the Milwaukee Journal--Sentinel, Briggs & Stratton Corp., Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, will cease diecasting components for outside firms, cutting more than 275 jobs by mid-2004. Briggs & Stratton had been in negotiations with other...

Bodine Aluminum to build new plant in Jackson, Tennessee. (North America).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... According to the Memphis-Business Journal, Bodine Aluminum (Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc.), St. Louis, Missouri, is building a new diecasting plant on a 200-acre site in Jackson, Tennessee, which will produce aluminum engine...

Sen. Hollings introduces bill to Save American Manufacturing. (North America).(Fritz Hollings)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... In an effort to halt the steady loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs, U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings (DSC), ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, introduced the "Save American Manufacturing Act of 2003" in March. ...

Intermet Corp. receives Environmental Award. (North America).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Intermet Corp., Troy, Michigan, announced that it's plant in Monroe City, Missouri, received a Return on Environment Partnership Award from General Electric, Fairfield, Connecticut, for a chemical management program that reduced the firm's use...

Hayes Lemmerz extends Plan of Reorganization period. (North America).(Hayes Lermmerz International Inc)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc., Northville, Michigan, has filed a motion with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to extend the period during which the firm has the exclusive right to file a Plan of Reorganization in its...

2003 AFS Texas Regional focuses on future of industry, technological advancements. (Metalcasting Associations).(American Foundryman's Society Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The 2003 AFS Texas Regional Conference was held at the Adam's Mark Hotel, San Antonio, Texas, April 9-12, 2003, under the theme "Texas Roundup." The conference featured 14 technical sessions on a variety of topics, including austempered ductile...

Quality certifications.(foundries)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The following foundry and supplier organizations have received recent certifications: Ashland Casting Solutions facility in Ulsan, South Korea (ISO 4001); Quality Investment Castings, Inc., Blandon, Pennsylvania...

Winsert, Inc. (Newscast).(recognized as Supplier of the Year by Detroit Diesel Corp)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Winsert, Inc., Marinette, Wisconsin, was recognized as "Supplier of the Year" by Detroit Diesel Corp., Detroit, for the third time. The award is based on achievements in such areas as quality, delivery, cost and technical support.

Intermet Corp. (Newscast).(receives Certificate of Achievement awards from Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America Inc)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Intermet Corp., Troy, Michigan, received two Certificate of Achievement awards from Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc., Erlanger, Kentucky. Intermet's foundry in Decatur, Illinois, earned the awards for meeting Toyota's quality and...

Superior Industries International, Inc. (Newscast).(named Supllier of the Year by General Motors)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Superior Industries International, Inc., Van Nuys, California, has been named a Supplier of the Year for the third consecutive year by General Motors, Detroit.

Tyler Pipe Co. (Newscast).(fined for workplace safety violations)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Tyler Pipe Co., Tyler, Texas, has agreed to pay $196,000 in fines after the foundry received 18 citations for workplace safety violations. According to OSHA, thirteen of the violations were serious, four were repeat violations and one was an...

Progress Castings. (Newscast).(awards contracts to Shamrock Automation Inc)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Progress Castings, Albert Lea, Montana, issued a contract to Shamrock Automation, Inc., Harrison, Arizona, for a new robotic pouring system. The robot will be incorporated with two holding furnaces and a tilt casting machine and deliver 100 lb...

Morganite Melting Systems. (Newscast).(moves into new facility)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Morganite Melting Systems, Wallingford, Connecticut, moved into a new 30,000 sq. ft. facility effective April 1. The new building, which is eight miles from the previous headquarters, has 27,000-sq.-ft. of warehousing dedicated to various...

Bradford Educational Fund, Inc. (Newscast).
May 1, 2003... Bradford Educational Fund, Inc., Fort Myers, Florida, has received certification as an IRS approved 501-C Non-Profit Charitable Organization. The firm was formed to provide scholarships in the metalworking industry and is funded through tax...

Apogee Technology, Inc. (Newscast).(enters partnership agreement with RadTech Ltd)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Apogee Technology, Inc., Verona, Pennsylvania, and RadTech, Ltd., Nova, Ohio, have entered into a partnership agreement to market Apogee's portfolio of advanced aluminum metal treatment products throughout North America, including heated...

Superior Industries International, Inc. (Foundry Ticker).(reports 1st-qtr 2003 finances)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Superior Industries International, Inc., Van Nuys, California, reported that net income for its first three months of 2003 increased 30% to a new record as revenue and unit wheel shipments also rose to all-time first quarter highs. The firm...

Intermet Corp. (Foundry Ticker).(reports 1st-qtr 2003 finances)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Intermet Corp., Troy, Michigan, reported a 2003 first quarter income of $3.2 million, compared with a 2002 first-quarter net income of $4.8 million. Gross profit was $21.3 million, up from $20.5 million during the same period last year. The...

Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. (Foundry Ticker).(reports year ended January 31, 2003 finances)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc., Northville, Michigan, reported a $0.3 million operating loss in the year ended January 31, 2003, compared with a $210.6 million operating loss a year earlier. Sales for fiscal 2002 were $2 billion, compared...

Amcast Industrial Corp. (Foundry Ticker).(reports fiscal second quarter finances)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Amcast Industrial Corp., Dayton, Ohio, reported a net loss of $55.9 million in its fiscal second quarter, compared with a net loss of $4.9 million during the same period last year. Second quarter sales were $99.1 million, up 2% compared with...

Lufkin Industries, Inc. (Foundry Ticker).(reports 1st-qtr 2003 finances)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Lufkin Industries, Inc., Lufkin, Texas, reported net sales of $55.1 million in the first quarter of 2003, compared to $51.0 during the first quarter 2001. Net earnings for the first quarter increased to $774,000, up from $188,000 during the...

The power of Six Sigma. (Novel Solutions).
May 1, 2003... Few customers today will allow a foundry to enjoy an undeserving profit. "If it's a profit you want," they seem to say, "find it yourself." This inference is made clear when you open one of those 8% price reduction letters. This is why...

Auburn Foundry, Inc. (Personals).(appoints Thomas E. Woehlke, Dennis Maude)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Auburn Foundry, Inc., Auburn, Indiana, named Thomas E. Woehlke president of U.S. operations and Dennis Maude group finance director.

Wescast Industries, Inc. (Personals).(names Edward G. Frackowiak executive chairman)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Wescast Industries, Inc., Brantford, Ontario, Canada, appointed Edward G. Frackowiak executive chairman of its Board of Directors.

Whitman Castings, Inc. (Personals).(names Albert Camara vice president)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Whitman Castings, Inc., Whitman, Massachusetts, named Albert Camara vice president of operations.

Zircar Ceramics, Inc. (Personals).(names Chris Decker international sales engineer)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Zircar Ceramics, Inc., Florida, New York, named Chris Decker international sales engineer.

Meehanite Metal Corp. (Personals).(names John Tranter general manager )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Meehanite Metal Corp., Mequon, Wisconsin, named John Tranter general manager after the retirement of Harry Behrens.

RMT, Inc. (Personals).(Dan Oman elected to Foundry Assn. of Michigan board of directors)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Dan Oman, vice president and senior consultant for RMT, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, was elected to the Foundry Assn. of Michigan's board of directors.

Obituaries.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
May 1, 2003... Dan "Otto" Van Lyssel, 58, an ironworker and project manager at Azco, Inc., Appleton, Wisconsin, died in February. Van Lyssel served as a Sgt. ES in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he received the Purple Heart. Robert G....

Keeping one eye on Washington: trade, MACT threaten U.S. foundries.(maximum achievable control technology )
May 1, 2003... The business of making castings always has been about more than production. Be it human resources, worker safety, ergonomics or marketing issues (to name a few), foundries always have been able to keep only one eye on melting and pouring metal,...

Battling the elusive lustrous carbon defect.
May 1, 2003... This article examines new methods for lustrous carbon defect elimination and offers several solutions, including venting and vacuum exhausting of mold gases during pouring. The growth in both phenolic urethane coldbox and nobake binders...

What variables affect core erosion resistance?
May 1, 2003... Erosion of a sand mold or core can occur when heat from molten metal degrades the binder until the surface can no longer resist the mechanical forces of the flowing metal. Sand can be removed from the surface and carried with the metal stream,...

Bulking up aluminum alloys.
May 1, 2003... Aluminum has the reputation of being a "softie." But like all reputations, this one is not entirely true. Because of their difference in material properties, most design engineers believe that aluminum castings are weaker then steel or...

Guide to GIFA: GIFA 2003 showcases metalcasting June 16-21 in Dusseldorf, Germany.
May 1, 2003... Operating on its new four-year cycle, the 10th GIFA International Foundry Trade Fair, the world's largest exposition for the metalcasting industry, is being held June 16-21 at the Messe-Dusseldorf fairgrounds in Dusseldorf, Germany. ...

Designing thin sections. (Casting Design Notebook).
May 1, 2003... Metalcasting is unique in that it allows designers to place material where it is necessary and to do it in a non-uniform way, conforming with a nonlinear stress distribution field within the structure. When the part has minimal stress levels,...

Filters: the hows & whys. (Casting Facts).
May 1, 2003... In these days of increasing quality standards, the need for tighter tolerances, better mechanical properties, more efficient production methods and reduced costs, engineers are constantly searching for every tool they can find. One approach...

AFS releases Technology of Metalcasting. (AFS/CMI News).(American Foundryman's Society Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The AFS Publications Dept. has released a new book titled, Technology of Metalcasting. The book is based on the best-selling AFS publication cast Metals Technology. This updated and rewritten text includes chapters on all molding and coremaking...

Taylor's Off-Road Racing, receives a speaker's award. (AFS Chapter News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... STATELINE--In March, Scott Taylor (1), Taylor's Off-Road Racing, receives a speaker's award for his presentation on his racing experiences from Wayne Carr, Olson Aluminum Castings.--by Doug Zilliox

Kansas Castings, Inc. (AFS Chapter News).(Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium America gets speaker's award)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... PLAINS STATES--In March, Pat Pomeroy (1), Kansas Castings, Inc., and Nate McLain (r), CFM Corp., present a speaker's award to Gene Muratore, Rio Ti nto Iron and Titanium America, after his presentation, "Ductile Iron Inoculation."--by Johnny...

Otto Rosentreter Co. (AFS Chapter News).(congratulates Jack Zbiegien)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA--In October, Bill Matthews (1), Otto Rosentreter Co., congratulates Jack Zbiegien, Gregg Industries, Inc., after his presentation on the metalcasting fair trade committee.--by Jeff Mock

Woodland Alloy Casting, Inc. (AFS Chapter News).(Frank Steck, Kyle Metzloff receive speaker's awards)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... WISCONSIN--In March, Regs Scheeler (r), Woodland Alloy Casting, Inc., presents speaker's awards to Frank Steck (1) and Kyle Metzloff, Univ. of Wisconsin- Platteville, after their presentation, "The Future of Technology/Foundry Educaiton."--by...

Western Michigan Univ., receives a speaker's award for his presentation, "Sustaining a Future in Metalcasting". (AFS Chapter News).(Sam Rmarattan)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... TOLEDO--In February, Sam Rmarattan (1), Western Michigan Univ., receives a speaker's award for his presentation, "Sustaining a Future in Metal casting," from Rob Morris, General Motors Corp.--by Chris Cogan

Sivyer Steel Corp. (AFS Chapter News).(gives award to Jack Mathias)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... QUAD CITY--In September, Jim Hickie (r), Sivyer Steel Corp., presents a plaque to Jack Mathias, Blackhawk Foundry and Machine Co., in appreciation for his job as last year's chapter chairman.--by Larry King

Allied Mineral Products, Inc. (AFS Chapter News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... NORTHEAST INDIANA--In March (from 1), Pete Satre, Allied Mineral Products, Inc., Bill Herrington, Fort Wayne Foundry Corp., Tom Mutton, Exolon Co., and Dave Kanicki, Inductotherm Corp., gather after a seminar presented by Satre, Mutton and...

American Cast Iron Pipe Co., and Todd Lyles, Pryor Giggey Co. (AFS Chapter News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... BIRMINGHAM--In March, Mike Petrus (I), American Cast Iron Pipe Co., and Todd Lyles, Pryor Giggey Co., are pictured following the Univ. of Alabama's Annual Student Golf Outing. Larry Hall

American Brass & Iron Foundry. (AFS Chapter News).(Dwight Barnhard receives speaker's award)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... NORTHERN CALIFORNIA--In March, James "Ted" Ray (1), American Brass & Iron Foundry, and Craig Wilson (r), Superior Aluminum Castings, Inc., present a speaker's award to Dwight Barnhard, AFS, for his presentation, "What Business Are You In?" ...

Caterpillar, Inc. (AFS Chapter News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... PEORIA--In January, John Grabel (r), Caterpillar, Inc., presents a check for $1000 on behalf of the Peoria Chapter to Alexey Sverdin (ctr) and Mark England, Bradley Univ., for their "beer mug" casting project. Bill Sullins

Univ. of Missouri--Rolla, receives a speaker's award for his presentation, "Metallurgy of the Titanic". (AFS Chapter News).(Chris Ramsay)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CANTON--In March, Chris Ramsay (1), Univ. of Missouri--Rolla, receives a speaker's award for his presentation, "Metallurgy of the Titanic," from Gary Schroeder, Wheeler Boyce C Co. Paul Berg

Coastal Concepts and Planning, presents a speaker's award to Tim McMillin, Magma Foundry Technologies, Inc. (AFS Chapter News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... WESTERN MICHIGAN--In March, Bob Smith (I), Coastal Concepts and Planning, presents a speaker's award to Tim McMillin, Magma Foundry Technologies, Inc., for his presentation, "New Frontiers in Optimizing Casting Designs and Processes."--by Andy...

Fort Worth Aluminum Foundry, Inc. (AFS Chapter News).(Blake Kidd, Ann Marie Callery, Scott Wiedeman, Melinda Houlihan receive Iron Man awards)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... TEXAS--In January, Timothy Schulz(r), Fort Worth Aluminum Foundry, Inc., presents Iron Man awards to (from 1) Blake Kidd, Ann Marie Callery, Scott Wiedeman and Melinda Houlihan, Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, for participating in a...

Carpenter Brothers, Inc., presents speaker's awards to Jeremy Eastman. (AFS Chapter News).(and Larry Cottrell)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CENTRAL MICHIGAN--In March, Dave Trahan (1), Carpenter Brothers, Inc., presents speaker's awards to Jeremy Eastman (ctr), Hormel Foods Corp., and Larry Cottrell, General Motors Corp., following their presentations on GM Bond.--by Mark Noggle

Chem-Cast, Ltd., presents a speaker's award to Gregory Sturtz. (AFS Chapter News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CENTRAL INDIANA--In February, Jeff Craig (1) Chem-Cast, Ltd., presents a speaker's award to Gregory Sturtz, Ashland Specialty Chemical Co., after his presentation on environmental problems in the foundry.--by Bob Welmer

Rotary Blending/Cooling Drum helps cool sand in three-stage process. (Product Innovations).
May 1, 2003... Hot sand problems can be eliminated by evaporating water from return sand. Such evaporative cooling can be achieved by passing a counterflow of high-volume, low velocity air through a curtain of damp, hot sand. An effective and efficient way to...

Tumble blaster. (Metalcasting Supplies).
May 1, 2003... Viking Corp. introduced the 700S Steel Belt Tumble Blaster, which has the ability to handle large or hot castings with its seven cubic ft of blasting capacity. The tumble blaster has a 20 in. lip type air wash separator, cast elevator buckets...

Ceramic. (Metalcasting Supplies).
May 1, 2003... Aremco Products, Inc., offers Aremcolox 502-1100-FF, a new low-cost, machinable alumino-silicate ceramic, which is used to produce high temperature burner nozzles used in combustion applications to 2100F (1150C). The ceramic demonstrates...

America's cast pastime. (Shakeout).
May 1, 2003... * The plaques for players inducted into The National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, New York, are cast by Matthews International Corp.--Bronze Div., Pittsburgh. Matthews has been manufacturing the plaques for more then two decades. The few...