Modern Casting articles from May 2006

Modern Casting archives from May 2006

Superior announces wheel supply program with Subaru.(Industry News)
May 1, 2006... Superior Industries International Inc., Van Nuys, Calif., announced that it has been awarded a contract to supply 17-in. aluminum wheels for the 2007 Subaru. This is Superior's first contract for this model, and it represents a significant...

International Truck and Engine to upgrade ICC.(Industry News)
May 1, 2006... International Truck and Engine Corporation, Warrenville, Ill., will soon start an upgrade of the Indianapolis Casting Corporation (ICC) as part of an $83 million project. The project, which also will involve an upgrade of the company's East...

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
May 1, 2006... The March web site question asked, "How many metalcasting facilities (other than your own) do you visit a year?" This month's question is available at www.moderncasting.com. For More Information Visit the For More Information...

Improving productivity through casting process modeling.(Product Innovations)
May 1, 2006... Improving Productivity Through Casting Process Modeling--Casting engineers often design tooling based on previous experiences. This can be resource- and time-consuming. Casting process modeling from Sutcast Technologies, Vancouver, British...

Taylor properties where needed using the CDC process.(Product Innovations)
May 1, 2006... Taylor Properties Where Needed Using the CDC Process--Engineering components frequently call for different material properties at various locations on the part. The CastDecantCast (CDC) process allows metalcasters to produce functionally...

Exploring metalcasting's softer side.(EDITORIAL)
May 1, 2006... I am writing this having just returned from a walk on The National Mall in Washington D.C. For those of you not familiar with our nation's capitol, the Mall is the location of the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial,...

Superior announces wheel supply program with Subaru.(North America)
May 1, 2006... Superior Industries International Inc., Van Nuys, Calif., announced that it has been awarded a contract to supply 17-in. aluminum wheels for the 2007 Subaru. This is a new program for Superior. "This program represents a significant...

CSUC manufacturing students win 2006 manufacturing challenge.(North America)
May 1, 2006... California State Univ. Chico Manufacturing Technology students won the Grand Prize in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Westec Manufacturing Challenge at the Los Angeles Convention Center on March 27 for a cast aluminum transmission...

International Truck and Engine to expand ice plant.(North America)
May 1, 2006... International Truck and Engine Corp., Warrenville, Ill., will soon start an upgrade of the Indianapolis Casting Corp. (ICe), Indianapolis, as part of an $83 million project. The project, which also will involve an upgrade of the company's East...

OSHA program to focus on exposure to crystalline silica.(North America)
May 1, 2006... The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the beginning of a statewide local emphasis program in Kansas aimed at reducing the frequency of work-related silicosis resulting from employee...

Eagle Alloy Inc.(Newscast)
May 1, 2006... Eagle Alloy Inc., Muskegon, Mich., now offers rough casting production in five weeks or less, reducing their lead time by three weeks. Lead times for machined castings remain at eight weeks.

Anvil International, Columbus, Pa., has ordered a complete green sand molding system from Savelli SpA.(Newscast)
May 1, 2006... Anvil International, Columbus, Pa., has ordered a complete green sand molding system from Savelli SpA, Brescia, Italy. The system, designed to be operated at 260 molds per hour with a flask size of 515 mm x 680 mm x 200/175 mm, is scheduled for...

PAT Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, a subsidiary of PBR International, has signed a contract with Consolidated Engineering Co. (CEC).(Newscast)
May 1, 2006... PAT Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, a subsidiary of PBR International, has signed a contract with Consolidated Engineering Co. (CEC), Kennesaw, Ga., to install a Three Position Continuous Roller Hearth Furnace in its Dalian, China aluminum...

Cymat Corp.(Newscast)
May 1, 2006... Cymat Corp., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, announced that it has recently been granted patent protection in Europe covering its proprietary Low Pressure Foam Casting process. This process is used to produce stabilized aluminum foam near-net...

Kore Mart Limited.(Newscast)
May 1, 2006... Kore Mart Limited, Hamburg, Pa., is now offering its customers cores made with GM Bond sand from Hormel Specialty Products, Austin, Minn.

Ashland Casting Solutions, Dublin, Ohio, has obtained licenses for Magmasoft (Magma Foundry Technologies, Schaumburg, Ill.), Procast and QuikCast (both from ESI Group, Paris) software.(Newscast)
May 1, 2006... Ashland Casting Solutions, Dublin, Ohio, has obtained licenses for Magmasoft (Magma Foundry Technologies, Schaumburg, Ill.), Procast and QuikCast (both from ESI Group, Paris) software. Ashland has also opened a new office in St. Petersburg,...

The international Buhler Technology Group.(Newscast)
May 1, 2006... The international Buhler Technology Group, Uzwil, Switzerland, increased its consolidated sales by 3.2% to CHF 1.5 billion in fiscal 2005, but the diecasting division slipped by 0.6% to CHF 177 million compared with the previous record year.

Tromley Industrial Holdings, Tualatin, Ore., purchased the assets of Kloster Corp., Minneapolis, on April 6.(Newscast)
May 1, 2006... Tromley Industrial Holdings, Tualatin, Ore., purchased the assets of Kloster Corp., Minneapolis, on April 6. Kloster Foundry Products will continue to offer chemically bonded sand equipment, engineered systems, service and parts from its...

Express pattern expands headquarters and SLA facility.(stereolithography rapid prototyping)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Express Pattern announced the expansion of its Vernon Hills, Ill., headquarters and stereolithography production facility. During its seven years of stereolithography (SLA) rapid prototyping, the company has produced more than 50,000 parts....

Simpson Technologies Corp.(Newscast)
May 1, 2006... Simpson Technologies Corp., Aurora, Ill., announced the opening of a branch office in Saltillo, Mexico. Jose I. Lobo was appointed general manager and will oversee the daily operation of Simpson Technologies de Mexico Srl.

Stork Materials Technology, Huntington Beach, Calif., assumed ownership of Climax Research Services.(Newscast)
May 1, 2006... Stork Materials Technology, Huntington Beach, Calif., assumed ownership of Climax Research Services, Wixom, Mich. Personnel, equipment, services and quality approvals currently in place at the metallurgical laboratory will continue under the...

Frost & Sullivan's, San Antonio, 2006 European Technology Leadership of the Year Award in digital simulation for prototyping and manufacturing processes went to ESI Group.(Newscast)
May 1, 2006... Frost & Sullivan's, San Antonio, 2006 European Technology Leadership of the Year Award in digital simulation for prototyping and manufacturing processes went to ESI Group, Paris, for its Procast software for casting simulation.

IdraPrince Inc.(Newscast)
May 1, 2006... IdraPrince Inc., Holland, Mich., announced that it recently signed Castmet as its sales and service organization for Mexico.

Quality certification.
May 1, 2006... The following metalcasting organizations have passed recent surveillance or registration audits: J. Walter Miller Co., Lancaster, Penn., (ISO 9001:2000); Line Precision Inc., Farmington Hills, Mich., (ISO 9001:2000); IGC...

American Foundry Society announces two casting of the year winners for the first time.(North America)
May 1, 2006... The metalcasting industry recognized seven cast components as top designs for the 2006 Engineered Casting Solutions and American Foundry Society Casting Competition. These components are being delivered to end-use industries as diverse as...

AFS Trade Commission gone, not forgotten as fight continues in Washington.(Letterbox)
May 1, 2006... American Foundry Society (AFS) officers decided that the AFS Trade Commission (AFSTC) should be melded into the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) following the 110th Metalcasting Congress. A consensus also was reached that the AFSTC members...

Calendar of events.(Conference schedule)(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... May May 23--AFS Research Board Meeting, AFS Headquarters, Schaumburg, IL. May 28-June 2--11th MCWASP Conference, Club Mediterranee, Opio, France. June June 4-6--World Foundry Congress 2006, Harrogate, England. August ...

Chrysler Group.(Personals)
May 1, 2006... Chrysler Group, Auburn Hills, Mich., named five new plant managers--Andrew Garibian, Michael Butz, Kevin Hayes, Joseph Ozdowy and Cynthia Sidoti.

Ford Meter Box Co.(Personals)
May 1, 2006... Steve Ford assumed the role of president, Ford Meter Box Co., Wabash, Ind.

Intermet Corp.(Personals)
May 1, 2006... Intermet Corp., Troy, Mich., named Gil West interim CEO and Jeff Mihalic interim president.

Denison Industries.(Personals)
May 1, 2006... Denison Industries, Denison, Texas, announced that Chris Norch was named president.

Tim Hall has joined Foseco Metallurgical Inc.(Personals)
May 1, 2006... Tim Hall has joined Foseco Metallurgical Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, as an account representative.

Superior Graphite Europe Ltd.(Personals)
May 1, 2006... Superior Graphite Europe Ltd., Sundsvall, Sweden, made Dr. Carsten Wehling its new president.

Thermadyne Industries Inc.(Personals)
May 1, 2006... Thermadyne Industries Inc., St. Louis, Mo., appointed Richard Morgan director of automation sales and Dan Hlawati marketing manager for gas equipment product lines.

August Mack Environmental Inc.(Personals)
May 1, 2006... August Mack Environmental Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., announced the promotion of Jeff Carnahan to senior geologist.

Obituaries.(Obituary)
May 1, 2006... Steve Wulff, Cincinnati, Ohio, died March 26, 2006. He was 57. Wulff spent 36 years with the David J. Joseph Co., where he held several management positions and ended his career as vice president of marketing and communications. Wallace...

Working Group continues efforts on area source rule.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
May 1, 2006... The AFS Area Source Working Group is continuing to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the development of new area source standards. After several internal meetings, the group met with representatives of the EPA Office...

USTR lists foreign trade barriers and promises to take action.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
May 1, 2006... The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued its latest annual compilation of foreign barriers to trade and investment, reporting that the Bush administration has in place an "aggressive and proactive agenda" for breaking down...

Small Business Health Plan legislation moves out of senate committee.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
May 1, 2006... On March 15, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee approved legislation that would allow small businesses to band together across state lines through membership in a trade association to purchase affordable health...

Foulke takes office as new head of OSHA in April.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
May 1, 2006... On April 3, Edwin G. Foulke Jr. took office as the assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, heading the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Foulke was nominated for the post by President George W. Bush...

Global shipments of metal castings to reach 90 million tons in 2008: China, Brazil, Mexico and Korea increase market share while other countries decrease.(Forecast of Metal Casting )
May 1, 2006... This article is Part One in a two-part series examining global trends in the metalcasting industry. The first article, "Global Shipments of Metal Castings to Reach 90 Million Tons in 2008," provides a global analysis of the forecast of...

J. Walter Miller's bronze age: J. Walter Miller Co. is positioning itself for future competition with the added capacity from its new horizontally parted sand molding line.
May 1, 2006... Brass padlocks line the walls of the offices of J. Walter Miller Co. Although it's been decades now since the firm produced padlocks in its green sand shop, they remain on display as a symbol of the metalcasting facility's legacy. For nearly...

Making maintenance work for you: stay ahead of the repair curve, and maintenance costs can be an investment rather than a reason to shut down.
May 1, 2006... The word maintenance typically is associated with negative connotations. Whether the word makes one think of a broken machine or a repair need, it often is linked with negativity and pessimism. But in reality, maintenance should be viewed as...

110th Metalcasting Congress: April 18-21, 2006 * Columbus, Ohio.
May 1, 2006... More than 2,100 metalcasters gathered April 18-21 in Columbus, Ohio, for the 110th Metalcasting Congress cosponsored by the American Foundry Society (AFS) and the North American Die Casting Assn. (NADCA). The show featured more than 230...

Optimizing your cupola operation.(CASTING FACTS)
May 1, 2006... The cupola furnace generates, worldwide, more than 60% of the liquid iron used for the production of gray and ductile iron castings. U.S. cupola metalcasting facilities produce about five million tons of castings for applications such as...

Q How can we reduce the variability in results from Brinell hardness testing on quench and tempered steel castings?(CASTING ANSWERS AND ADVICE)
May 1, 2006... The Brinell method of checking hardness is still the preferred method for steel castings and can be very accurate if performed consistently and with proper precautions. Because there are potential metallurgical and processing issues that have...

CMI internet courses provide convenient educational opportunities for metalcasters.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
May 1, 2006... In response to industry needs for reduced travel costs and less time away from the office, CMI has partnered with Mohawk College and Banu Learning Systems to develop internet based courses in a number of metalcasting subjects. Currently, seven...

74th Annual Southeast Regional held in Nashville.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
May 1, 2006... Nearly 150 metalcasters convened in Nashville at the downtown Hilton February 15-17 for the 74th annual AFS Southeast Regional meeting. The theme for this year's regional was "Our Industry in a Global Market." Attendees listened to...

AFS Texas regional attracts casters to Fort Worth.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
May 1, 2006... AFS President James Keffer, EBAA Iron Inc., presented his keynote address at the AFS Texas Regional meeting held March 23-25 in Fort Worth, Texas. The meeting consisted of of breakout sessions in three area: nonferrous, iron and steel. ...

New AFS Corporate Members (February 2006-March 2006).(Membership Memo)
May 1, 2006... New AFS Corporate Members (February 2006-March 2006): North Star Casteel Products Co., Seattle, Wash.; American International Engineering & Manufacturing, San Fernando, Calif.

Thank you.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
May 1, 2006... This space is to thank the instructors and their companies who have provided their time and expertise for CMI courses held February 1-March 31, 2006. Rick Cavallaro, American Foundry Society Robert C. Creese, West Virginia Univ. ...

Texas--in January, Dr. Bob Habingreither, Texas State Univ. (TSU), along with Dr. V. Sriraman and Dr. Mohamed Gadalla, both of TSU, presented four students with FEF scholarships.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: TEXAS -- In January, Dr. Bob Habingreither (c), Texas State Univ. (TSU), along with Dr. V. Sriraman (far left) and Dr. Mohamed Gadalla (far right), both of TSU, presented four students with FEF scholarships....

Hawkeye--in March, Tyler Schneiter, Univ. of Northern Iowa, presents a personalized brass plaque cast at the Univ. of Northern Iowa's Metal Casting Center Vasko Popovski.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Hawkeye -- In March, Tyler Schneiter (r), Univ. of Northern Iowa, presents a personalized brass plaque cast at the Univ. of Northern Iowa's Metal Casting Center to Vasko Popovski, Elkem, following his...

Western Michigan--in February, students from Spring Lake High School get ready to tour Alcoa Automotive Castings during the chapter's Student Night. Casting Center.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: WESTERN MICHIGAN -- In February, in the left photo, students from Spring Lake High School get ready to tour Alcoa Automotive Castings during the chapter's Student Night. In the right photo, program chairman...

Piedmont--in March, David Sherman, Conbraco Industries Inc., presents the speaker's award to Joe Whiteside Jr., Metal Energies Inc., following his presentation on casting surface preparation methodologies.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Piedmont -- In March, in the left photo, David Sherman (r), Conbraco Industries Inc,, presents the speaker's award to Joe Whiteside Jr., Metal Energies Inc., following his presentation on casting surface...

Central Ohio--in March, Parashar Joshi, Ashland Specialty Chemical, meets with Michael Brennan, Fidelity investments.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Central Ohio -- In March, Parashar Joshi (r), Ashland Specialty Chemical, meets with Michael Brennan, Fidelity investments, following his presentation "Managing your Personal Finance."

Northeast Wisconsin--in March Matthew Panhans; Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), presents a FEF Scholarship.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Northeast Wisconsin -- In March Matthew Panhans (r), Milwaukee of Engineering (MSOE), presents a FEF Scholarship to Joseph Rico, MSOL.

Chicago--in March, Claudio Bell, Hunter LLC Brazil, and Alexis Tahta, Landers Co., gave presentations on the metalcasting business.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Chicago -- In March, Claudio Bell (l), Hunter LLC Brazil, and Alexis Tahta, Landers Co., gave presentations on the metalcasting business in their countries.

Western Michigan--in March, Jeff Cook, Eagle Group, presents a plaque to John Workman and Mark Fazakerley.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: WESTERN MICHIGAN -- In March, Jeff Cook (I) Eagle Group, presents a plaque to John Workman (c) and Mark Fazakerley, both of Eagle Group, following a tour of Eagle; Alloy and Eagle Group.

Birmingham--in March, Mike Petrus, ACIPCO, presents Bob Schultz, Ashland Special Chemical, with a speaker's award.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: BIRMINGHAM -- In March, Mike Petrus (r), ACIPCO, presents Bob Schultz, Ashland Special Chemical, with a speaker's award. Scultz's presentation was "An Analysis of Foundry Resin Cost Drivers."

Chicago--in March, Tim Eilers, Francis and Nygren Foundry Co., presents Nick Fox, Galesburg Foundry, and Tad Olson, Olson Aluminum Castings.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Chicago -- In March, Tim Eilers (c), Francis and Nygren Foundry Co., presents Nick Fox (I), Galesburg Foundry, and Tad Olson, Olson Aluminum Castings, with speaker awards for their talks on quality control.

Northwest Pennsylvania--in March, John McGoldrick, Hodge Foundry, presents the token of appreciation mug to David Williams, ASI International Ltd.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Northwest Pennsylvania -- In March, John McGoldrick (I), Hodge Foundry, presents the token of appreciation mug to David Williams, ASI International Ltd., following his presentation on effective flux...

Saginaw Valley--in March, students from several area universities were awarded scholarships by the Educational Opportunities Committee.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Saginaw Valley -- In March, students from several area universities were awarded scholarships by the Educational Opportunities Committee. Pictured are (I to r) Feba Pothen, Andrew Bolf, Kimberly Jorgensen...

Detroit-Windsor--in March, Gary Witt, Ford Motor Co., presents Dr. Matthew Zaluzec, Ford Motor Co.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Detroit-Windsor -- In March, Gary Witt (I), Ford Motor Co., presents Dr. Matthew Zaluzec, Ford Motor Co., the speaker's award following his presentation "Materials and Advanced Engineering of the Ford GT...

Chapter meetings.(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... CENTRAL NEW YORK Aug. 26--Greenview Golf Course, West Monroe, N.Y.; Golf Outing. CENTRAL OHIO May 18--Berwick Manor, Columbus, Ohio; General Meeting. June 10--Oakhaven Country Club, Delaware, Ohio; Golf Outing. June 16--Eaglesticks Golf...

Improving productivity through casting process modeling.(PRODUCT INNOVATIONS)
May 1, 2006... Casting engineers often design tooling based on their previous experiences. While this experience is invaluable, achieving the proper design using typical trial and error methods is time- and resource-consuming. Casting process modeling...

Tailor properties where needed using the CDC process.(PRODUCT INNOVATIONS)
May 1, 2006... Engineering components often call for different material properties at various locations of the part. For example, engine blocks require exceptional wear resistance in the cylinder bores and excellent castability and machinability in other...

Reduced atmosphere testing system.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)
May 1, 2006... Thermtronix's Reduced Atmosphere Testing System (RATS) provides fast and accurate porosity tests at the melting furnace. RATS permits repeatable and reliable determination of hydrogen gas content in aluminum alloys essential to consistent...

Release agent and lubricant.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... GE Advanced Materials has introduced a new grade of boron nitride (BN) spray coating that eliminates the use of methylene chloride. Boron Nitride Spray II release agent contains a high-purity, high-crystalline grade of BN for better lubrication...

Mold release coatings.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... Huron Technologies has developed a new line of mold release coatings for molding friction materials. These coatings are formulated to eliminate many of the problems related to molding composite friction materials. Custom formulations can be...

Power cleaner.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
May 1, 2006... Cortec's VpCI-417 Powerwash Cleaner is a low temperature, low foam cleaner for power wash applications that cleans and protects machined castings in one step. The heavy duty cleaning and degreasing action removes ma chining lubricants,...

Unearthing facts from the not-so-humble beginnings of aluminum and copper.(SHAKEOUT: In case you didn't know...)
May 1, 2006... * Although aluminum is the most abundant metallic element in Earth's crust, it is very rare in its free form and was once considered a precious metal more valuable than gold. Napolean III of France is said to have had a set of aluminum plates...