Modern Casting articles from November 2005

Modern Casting archives from November 2005

An interesting dilemma.(EDITORIAL)
November 1, 2005... During the last few months, MODERN CASTING has been publicizing a potential shortage of capacity' that is forecast to occur in the U.S. metal casting market in 2007. To quote from an article that ran in our September 2005 issue (p. 36), "By...

Alcoa forms alliance with Seohan for VRC/PRC.(North America)
November 1, 2005... Alcoa Inc., Pittsburgh, and Korea-based Seohan Industries Co. Ltd. signed a letter of intent in September forming an alliance to produce cast aluminum chassis and suspension components and modules for the automotive industry in South Korea,...

Hayes Lemmerz to expand wheel production for commercial trucks, sells aftermarket brake operation.(North America)
November 1, 2005... Hayes Lemmerz International inc., Northville, Mich., announced its International and North American Wheel Groups intend to expand their product lines to include permanent mold cast aluminum wheels for commercial truck and trailer customers....

Aisin opens new Toyota Diecasting facility.(North America)
November 1, 2005... Aisin Automotive Casting Tennessee Inc. (Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd.), Clinton, Tenn., opened its new 280,000-sq.-ft. aluminum diecasting facility in October. In addition to the diecasting operation, the facility includes machining and assembly...

Delphi files for chapter 11 bankruptcy.(North America)
November 1, 2005... Delphi Corp., Troy, Mich., and 38 of its domestic subsidiaries filed for chapter 11 reorganization in October. The company's decision was based on preserving the value of Delphi and completing its transformation plan designed to resolve the...

Betz Industries granted 12-year tax abatement for new expansion project.(North America)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... As a method to ease the cost of its expansion project, Betz Industries, Grand Rapids, Mich., received a 12-yr. property tax abatement by the Walker, Mich., City Commission. The iron casting company anticipates the tax break will allow it to...

EPA corrects error in aluminum MACT.(North America)
November 1, 2005... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register in October a direct-to-final rule that corrects the punctuation error in the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Mr Pollutants (NESHAP) for Secondary Aluminum...

UWM pushing research and development mobile military metalcasting facility, nanocomposites.(North America)
November 1, 2005... As the domestic metalcasting community seeks new casting opportunities, the Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is stepping into the spotlight with several projects that could advance the industry. UWM was first sought out by the U.S. Army...

Ryobi earns governor's awards for environmental excellence.(North America)
November 1, 2005... In honor of its exceptional environmentally aware operations, Ryobi Die Casting USA Inc., Shelbyville, Ind., received two Indiana Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence. Ryobi earned the awards for: recycling/reuse, in which the...

Palmer purchases division from H.D. patterns & matchplates.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Palmer Engineered Products Inc., Springfield, Ohio, acquired the Aluminum Permanent Mold Chainlock Division from H.D. Patterns & Matchplates Inc., New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada. The transaction includes pattern plate inventory, equipment and...

OmniSource earns OSHA award for second time.(North America)
November 1, 2005... OmniSource Corp.'s Fort Wayne Ferrous Div., Fort Wayne, Ind., received the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Merit Award for the second year in a row. The company is the first metals...

Hayes Lemmerz International Inc.(Foundry Ticker)
November 1, 2005... Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Northville, Mich., reported an increase in second quarter sales of 9.8%, from $532.1 million during the second quarter last year to $584.3 million this year. The company announced a loss from operations of...

AmeriCast Technologies Inc.(Foundry Ticker)
November 1, 2005... AmeriCast Technologies Inc., a subsidiary company of KPS Special Situations Fund II (KPS), New York, completed a $95 million recapitalization. The recapitalization proceeds refinanced AmeriCast's debt, funded a $26.1 million distribution for...

Alcoa Inc.(Foundry Ticker)
November 1, 2005... Alcoa Inc., Pittsburgh, reported third quarter net income numbers of $289 million ($0.33 per diluted share) compared to $283 million ($0.32 per share) during the same time last year. Sales for the quarter were $6.6 billion, a 13% increase...

Legget & Platt.(Foundry Ticker)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Legget & Platt, Carthage, Mo., reported record quarterly sales of $1.35 billion for the third quarter, an $11 million increase from the third quarter last year. The company also declared earnings per diluted share at $0.28, a $0.13 decrease...

Lufkin Industries Inc.(Foundry Ticker)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Lufkin Industries Inc., Lufkin, Texas, reported third quarter sales of $123.7 million, an increase of 29.1% from $95.8 million declared for the third quarter last year. Net earnings for the 2005 third quarter increased 132.7% to $11.3 million...

Lufkin Industries Inc.(Foundry Ticker)
November 1, 2005... Lufkin Industries Inc., Lufkin, Texas, announced that the three unions representing employees at its facilities ratified new three-year contracts.

Union Foundry (McWane Inc.).(Foundry Ticker)
November 1, 2005... Union Foundry (McWane Inc.) Anniston, Ala., received the Calhoun County (Ala.) Chamber of Commerce 2005 Industry Awards of Excellence for Safety and Community Involvement.

Federal-Mogul Corp.(Foundry Ticker)
November 1, 2005... Federal-Mogul Corp., Southfield, Mich., announced that it's amending its plan to emerge from chapter 11 protection to offer investor Carl Icahn an option to become the controlling shareholder of the company.

Indianapolis Casting Corp. (International Truck and Engine Corp.), Indianapolis, agreed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to fund the retrofitting of city buses.(Foundry Ticker)
November 1, 2005... Indianapolis Casting Corp. (International Truck and Engine Corp.), Indianapolis, agreed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to fund the retrofitting of city buses with emission-control devices and pay a fine in response to the plant's...

CECO Environmental Corp.(Foundry Ticker)
November 1, 2005... CECO Environmental Corp., New York, will supply $600,000 of maintenance work and equipment to two metalcasting facilities.

Wabash Alloys.(Foundry Ticker)
November 1, 2005... Wabash Alloys, Wabash, Ind., announced it is relocating its production at its Cleveland operation to its Wabash facility.

Quality certifications.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2005... The following metalcasting and supplier organizations have received recent certifications or passed surveillance audits: Aluminum Conversion Inc., Cromwell, Incl., (ISO 9001:2000); Metal Dynamics Corp., Tulsa, Okla., (ISO 9001:2000);...

Chardon & Petit Pils.(Around the World--Newscast)
November 1, 2005... FRANCE -- Chardon & Petit Pils, Paris, announced it will dose.

South Africa--MikroPul (Pty.) Ltd., Johannesburg, South Africa, was awarded a contract to design, manufacture and install baghouses.(Around the World--Newscast)
November 1, 2005... SOUTH AFRICA -- MikroPul (Pty.) Ltd., Johannesburg, South Africa, was awarded a contract to design, manufacture and install baghouses at Xstrata Alloys' new facility in Steelpoort, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Quantron Advanced Analytical Systems GmbH, Kleve, Germany, established a new company.(Around the World--Newscast)
November 1, 2005... Quantron Advanced Analytical Systems GmbH, Kleve, Germany, established a new company, Quantron SA, Kyalami, Gauteng, South Africa.

Spain--CTIF Group, Sevres, France, INASMET-Tecnalia, San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain, and Sefatec S.L., Irun, Basque Country, Spain, established Sefatec Engineering S.L.(Around the World--Newscast)
November 1, 2005... SPAIN -- CTIF Group, Sevres, France, INASMET-Tecnalia, San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain, and Sefatec S.L., Irun, Basque Country, Spain, established Sefatec Engineering S.L., Irun, Basque Country, Spain, which aims to enhance metalcasting...

Remembering mentors to the metalcasting industry.(Letterbox)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... I sadly read of the passing of Roy Burritt (MODERN CASTING, September 2005). I recall a brief experience with Roy that has taught me a valuable lesson I would like to pass on to readers of my generation. Several years ago, my team and I...

Correction.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2005... The Industry News section of the September 2005 issue of MODERN CASTING incorrectly stated HI T.E.Q. Inc. (Inductotherm Group), Miamisburg, Ohio, was relocating to Rancocas, N.J. It should be noted HI T.E.Q. Inc. will consolidate new equipment...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
November 1, 2005... View the Extended Industry Calendar at www.afsinc.org December December 2--AFS Managing the Foundry Indoor Air Environment, AFS Headquarters, Schaumburg, Ill. January January 20-22--The 54th Indian Foundry Congress, Pune,...

Prospect Foundry Inc. (AmeriCast Technologies Inc.).(Personals)
November 1, 2005... Prospect Foundry Inc. (AmeriCast Technologies Inc.), Minneapolis, announced the appointment of Tom Woehlke as president.

East Jordan Iron Works, East Jordan, Mich., announced the retirement of Larry E. Cohen.(Personals)
November 1, 2005... East Jordan Iron Works, East Jordan, Mich., announced the retirement of Larry E. Cohen, vice president/general manger of operations.

Walter Industries.(Personals)
November 1, 2005... Walter Industries, Tampa, Fla., named Gregory Hyland chairman of the board and president and CEO of the company.

Palmer Manufacturing.(Personals)
November 1, 2005... Palmer Manufacturing, Springfield, Ohio, announced the appointments of Kenneth Strausbaugh as technical sales and service manager and Jim Summerfield as facilities manager.

Inductoheat (Inductotherm Group).(Personals)
November 1, 2005... Inductoheat (Inductotherm Group), Madison Heights, Minn., appointed Michael Doerr as regional sales manager.

FKI Logistex.(Personals)
November 1, 2005... FKI Logistex, St. Louis, Mo., appointed Ted Clucas president and Dick Braatz vice president. Ed Zahler was named director of projects for the Atlanta regional office.

Obituaries.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Obituary)
November 1, 2005... Harvey Henderson, Concord, Va., died March 28. He was 87. Henderson joined Lynchburg Foundry, Lynchburg, Va., in 1947 and was instrumental in the development of ductile iron. He was a member of the AFS Piedmont Chapter. Harry Cox,...

Senate health care package promotes Association Health Plans.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
November 1, 2005... In response to President Bush's charge to reduce the number of Americans without health insurance, Senate Republicans currently are pushing for the passage of new legislation introduced by Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.). "The Healthy...

EPA proposes-burden reduction rule for toxics release inventory.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
November 1, 2005... The EPA recently announced a proposed change to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Rule. If implemented, this rule change would allow more facilities to use the simplified Form A (instead of the more complicated and time-consuming Form R) for...

New clean air rules for smaller facilities under development.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
November 1, 2005... Under the 1990 Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to regulate the emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from large (i.e. major) sources and smaller (i.e. area) sources. In August 2003, the EPA finalized the Iron and Steel Foundry MACT...

Domestic business: what are our operational costs? More than 100 metalcasting facilities, representing $2.81 billion in sales, participated in the confidential AFS/NADCA Metalcasting Operational Cost Survey. The survey results are broken down here as a benchmarking tool.
November 1, 2005... In a time when the difference between profitability and loss is razor-thin, attention to detail on operational costs is too important to ignore. During the summer, AFS and the North American Die Casting Assn. (NADCA) commissioned the 2005...

Surveys reveal wage, salary increases.
November 1, 2005... Inside This Story: * Employee wages and benefits have increased since last year. * Executive compensation packages reflect a rebounding economy in the U.S. manufacturing sector. * Two AFS-sponsored surveys detailing trends in...

Do you qualify? You think your metalcasting firm can provide a casting superior to your competitors? Prove it.(Company Profile)
November 1, 2005... Have you ever had a household task--say a broken water pipe--that required a professional to fix? You scrolled your phone book for local plumbing companies, and after asking several about their capabilities, you settled on the one that gave the...

Casting answers & advice.
November 1, 2005... Q We are considering changing from well water to "city water." Will differences in water pH or mineral content affect our green sand properties? Background: There are various materials added to the typical green sand system to provide the...

2005 Foundry Executive Conference lays out building blocks.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Today's marketplace and the baby boomer's impact on the labor force were two of the key issues addressed at the three-day 2005 AFS Foundry Executive Conference held Oct. 16-18 in Newport, R.I. Day One featured presentations by Ian Kay, Cast...

Iron Inoculation Conference works to improve casting quality.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
November 1, 2005... One hundred ten metalcasters attended the Iron Inoculation Conference held Sept. 29 at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield, Schaumburg, Ill. Eleven presentations were given, focusing on recent advancements in inoculation processes and materials. ...

Membership memo.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
November 1, 2005... New AFS Corporate Members (August-September 2005): ProMetal Div. The ExOne Co., Irwin Pa.; Slinger Manufacturing Co. Inc., Slinger, Wis.; Pangborn Corp., Birmingham, Ala.

Thank you.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Directory)
November 1, 2005... This space is used to thank the instructors and their companies who have offered their time and expertise for CMI courses held Aug. 1-Sept. 30, 2005. Fred Linebarger, Miller & Co. Gene Muratore, Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium America ...

Birmingham--in October, Mike Petrus, ACIPCO, presents David A. Hughes Jr.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2005... BIRMINGHAM -- In October, Mike Petrus (l), ACIPCO, presents David A. Hughes Jr., McWane Cast Iron Pipe Co., a speaker's award for his presentation, "Process Control as a Foundation for Quality System." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Hawkeye--in October, Claude A. Krause, Carbo Ceramics Inc., accepts a plaque from Matt White.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2005... HAWKEYE -- In October, Claude A. Krause (r), Carbo Ceramics Inc., accepts a plaque from Matt White, Univ. of Northern Iowa, for his presentation, "Unique Alternative Molding Media to Silica." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Tri-State--in October, Tim Gilbreath, Midvale Industries Inc., thanks Thomas Hahn.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2005... TRI-STATE -- In October, Tim Gilbreath (l), Midvale Industries Inc., thanks Thomas Hahn, Pittsburg State Univ., for his presentation, "Sand Casting Prototypes in a Week." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Northeastern Ohio--in October, John Kurtz, Kurtz Brothers, Dana Cooper, Ashland Specialty Chemical Co., and Doug Rowe, Ford Motor Co., greet Tom Kurtz.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2005... NORTHEASTERN OHIO -- In October, John Kurtz (l), Kurtz Brothers, Dana Cooper (second from right), Ashland Specialty Chemical Co., and Doug Rowe (far right), Ford Motor Co., greet Tom Kurtz (with statue), Lorain Motor Speedway, after his...

Keystone--in October, George Frigm, Heraeus Electro-Nite Co., presents a speaker's award to William Kohr.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2005... KEYSTONE -- In October, George Frigm (l), Heraeus Electro-Nite Co., presents a speaker's award to William Kohr, Motor Technology, for his presentation and tour of the Motor Technology motor repair facility. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Western Michigan--in August, volunteers Sue Ostoin, Renee VanBlargen, and Jan Scherf.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2005... WESTERN MICHIGAN -- In August, (from l) volunteers Sue Ostoin, Renee VanBlargen, and Jan Scherf, all from Alcoa Automotive, gathered to help with the chapter's annual golf outing. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Michiana--in October, Tom Payovich, LECO Corp., thanks John Redshaw.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2005... MICHIANA -- In October, Tom Payovich (l), LECO Corp., thanks John Redshaw, Dauber Co., after his presentation, "The Global Silicon Carbide and Alumina Oxide Market." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Oregon--in October, Beth Knipple, Bridgetown Cores Inc., presents a Lewis and Clark commemorative casting to Raymond Moore.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2005... OREGON -- In October, Beth Knipple (l), Bridgetown Cores Inc., presents a Lewis and Clark commemorative casting to Raymond Moore, Steel Founders' Society of America, for his presentation, "Recapitalization and Prosperity." [ILLUSTRATION...

Southern California--in October, Pat Dickens, Scott Sales Co., Ken Rosentreter, Otto Rosentreter Co., Todd Schaff, EMSCO, Cecilia Murphy, Induction Technology Corp, Aaron Burks, Thermtronix, Hugh Chapman, Southern California Gas Co., and Bryan Warren, Southern California Gas Co., attended a joint meeting.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2005... SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA -- In October, (from l), Pat Dickens, Scott Sales Co., Ken Rosentreter, Otto Rosentreter Co., Todd Schaff, EMSCO, Cecilia Murphy, Induction Technology Corp, Aaron Burks, Thermtronix, Hugh Chapman, Southern California Gas...

Chapter meetings.(Calendar)
November 1, 2005... Chapter Meetings BIRMINGHAM Dec. 12--TBD; Christmas Party. Jan. 9--Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala.; Regular Meeting. Feb. 6--Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala.; Regular Meeting. March 13--Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala.; Regular Meeting....

Iron man McGinnity's iron career: in case you didn't know ...(SHAKEOUT)
November 1, 2005... The National Baseball Hall of Fame is peppered with athletes' nicknames, most of which tell the story of a player's feats and strengths. But Iron Man Joe McGinnity's nickname tells two stories: one of his inexhaustible pitching arm and the...

How to make this year's buyer's guide work for you: knowing your way around the Modern Casting Buyer's Guide will make locating supplier sources for your much-needed equipment, products and services quicker and easier.(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2005... In an industry like metalcasting, finding the right source for equipment and products can have a significant role on not only a metalcasting facility's costs, but also on the quality of the castings it produces. Realizing that metalcasters have...

Supplier's online.
November 1, 2005... Suppliers Online is a brand-new addition to the Annual Buyer's Guide designed to provide easy access to information from today's leading suppliers. These suppliers of metalcasting equipment, systems, materials and supplies invite you to visit...

Cleaning, finishing & shipping.(Product Index)
November 1, 2005... As of October 15, 2005 ABRASIVE BRICKS, STONES, FILES Acme Abrasive Co, Warren, MI Bancroft Co Inc, Millersburg, MI Bates Abrasives Inc, Burlington, WA Foundry Service & Supply Co, Baltimore, MD Kindt-Collins Co,...

General manufacturing, engineering & maintenance.(Product Index)
November 1, 2005... ACCUMULATORS Carrier Vibrating Equipment, Inc., PO Box 37070, Louisville, KY, 40233-7070 tel: 502/959-3171 fax: 502/969-3172# Hydac Corp, Bethlehem, PA Miller Fluid Power Div, Bensenville, IL Parker Hannifin Corp,...

Melting, pouring & heat treatment.(Product Index)
November 1, 2005... AFTERBURNERS Albertus Engineering Inc, Malvern, PA American Environmental Int'l, Schaumburg, IL Consolidated Engineering Co, Kennesaw, GA EnviroAir, Inc. (CORECO), Eagle, WI Gasmac Inc, Guelph Ont Gaylord Foundry...

Mold, core & sand preparation.(Product Index)
November 1, 2005... Air Trac Corporation, Niagara Falls, NY ALB Klein Technology Group, 8275 Estates Pkwy, Palin City, OH, 43064 tel: 614/873-8995 fax: 614/873-8996# CARBO Ceramics Inc, 6565 MacArthur Blvd, Ste 1050, Irving, TX, 75039 tel: ...

Patternmaking.(Product Index)
November 1, 2005... ACRYLIC RESINS Arkema, Inc., Philadelphia, PA Ashland Specialty Chemical, Casting Solutions, PO Box 2219, Columbus, OH, 43216-2219 tel: 614/790-3333 fax: 614/790-4359# Casting Solutions, El Dorado Hills, CA Express...

Safety & environmental.(Product Index)
November 1, 2005... AIR POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT Air Trac Corporation, Niagara Falls, NY Alstom Power Inc, Air Preheater Co, Wellsville, NY American Environmental Int'l, Schaumburg, IL Auburn Systems, LLC, Danvers, MA Bact Process Systems...

Testing & laboratory.(Product Index)
November 1, 2005... ABRASIVE DISCS Acme Abrasive Co, Warren, MI Bancroft Co Inc, Millersburg, MI Bosch Power Tools, Mount Prospect, IL Delta International, Tupelo, MS Dynabrade Inc, Clarence, NY Kindt-Collins Co, Cleveland, OH LECO...

Manufacturers index.
November 1, 2005... As of October 15, 2005 A A&A Mfg Co 2300 S Calhoun Rd New Berlin WI 53151-2708 tel: 262/786-1500 fax: 262/786-3780 E-Mail: sales@gortite.com Web Site: http://www.gortite.com A. Cesana S.p.A. Via Turati...

Metals associations.
November 1, 2005... The Aluminum Assn. Inc. 1525 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22209 Tel: 703/358-2960 Fax: 703/358-2961 Web site: www.aluminum.org J. Stephen Larkin, President Publisher of "Standards for Aluminum Sand and Permanent...

State foundry associations.(Directory)
November 1, 2005... Alabama Alabama Cast Metals Assn. Darnell Self P.O. Box 1105 Trussville, AL 35173 Tel: 205/661-2262 Fax: 205/661-2262 Email: acma7688@charter.net California California Cast Metals Assn. James Simonelli...

International metalcasting association.(Metals Associations)(Directory)
November 1, 2005... Austria Fachverband der GieBereiindustrie Wiedner HauptstraBe 63 1045 wien AUSTRIA Tel: 0043/5/909001279 Fax: 0043/5/90900/3463 E-mail: giesserei@wko.at Dipl. Ing. Adolf Kerbl, MSc Belarus Belarussian Assn....