Modern Casting articles from November 2006

Modern Casting archives from November 2006

Die castings, successful on iPod Mini, to make iPod Nano sing.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... A redesign of Apple's popular mp3 player, the iPod Nano, has made the company's engineers turn to a cast aluminum casing, which had previously been used on the iPod Mini. The full metal construction of the gadget's outer body will see the...

Metalcaster announces 2007 plant opening.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... EBAA Iron Inc., Eastland, Texas, announced that its new greenfield metalcasting facility, which it began building one year ago, will be completed early next year. The new addition to the EBAA Iron facilities, which produce mechanical restraint...

Question of the Month.(moderncasting.com)
November 1, 2006... The September web site question asked, "What percentage of sales do you reinvest into your metalcasting facility each year?" 2-3% 50% More Than 5% 28.6% 1% or less 14.3% 4-5% 7.1% This month's...

Buyer's Guide online.(HOTLINE)
November 1, 2006... All supplier and product data in this annual MODERN CASTING Buyer's Guide is available to you free at www.moderncasting.com/bg. No matter where you are, you're never more than a mouse click away from phone numbers, faxes and emails of every...

Worth Repeating.(HOTLINE)
November 1, 2006... "Purchasing power is a license to purchase power."--Raoul Vaneigem, philosopher

Your customers are calling.(EDITORIAL)
November 1, 2006... Do you remember the old E.F. Hutton commercials? The catch phrase was, "When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen, and the visual imagery usually was a crowded, boisterous location that suddenly became quiet when a representative from the financial...

EBAA Iron announces 2007 plant opening.(North America)
November 1, 2006... EBAA Iron Inc., Eastland, Texas, announced that its new greenfield metalcasting facility, which it began building one year ago, will be completed early next year. The new addition to the EBAA Iron facilities, which produce mechanical...

Asama coldwater announces expansion.(North America)
November 1, 2006... Asama Coldwater Manufacturing, Coldwater, Mich., has announced a $25 million expansion to its existing ferrous metalcasting facility. The investments for new equipment and building are being planned in response to new contract awards, and...

Die castings to make iPod Nano sing.(North America)
November 1, 2006... A redesign of Apple's popular mp3 player, the iPod Nano, has made the company's engineers turn to a cast aluminum casing, which had previously been used on the iPod Mini. The full metal construction of the gadget's outer body will see the...

Alcoa establishes presence in China with Alliance to produce aluminum automotive components.(North America)
November 1, 2006... Alcoa, Pittsburgh, announced that it has formed an alliance with SMW Automotive Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, to produce cast aluminum chassis and suspension components and modules for the automotive industry in China, South Korea, Japan and the...

Casting Technology Center taking shape in South Africa.(Around the World)
November 1, 2006... The South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has requested that the Council for Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR) facilitate the development of a National Casting Technology Center (NCTC). The center would operate under the...

California limits lead content in potable water systems.(North America)
November 1, 2006... California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in late September signed a bill to limit the amount of lead used in potable water systems, despite efforts by metalcasting lobbyists to delay the legislation. Opponents to the bill said that lowering...

Superior Industries announces closing of Johnson City metalcasting facility.(North America)
November 1, 2006... Superior Industries International Inc., Van Nuys, Calif., is closing its manufacturing facility in Johnson City, Tenn., which will result in a layoff of approximately 500 employees. "This is the latest step in our program to rationalize our...

Global metalcasting buyers ask perfection, producers offer country by country forecasts.(Around the World)
November 1, 2006... Leaders of the global metalcasting community came together Sept. 2829 in Cascais, Portugal (just outside Lisbon), for the 2006 International Foundry Forum (IFF). Hosted by the European Foundry Assn. and the European Foundry Equipment Suppliers...

Pacific Alloy Castings, South Gate, Calif., has contracted Hunter Automated Machinery Corp., Schaumburg, Ill., to build a new matchplate molding machine.(Newscast)
November 1, 2006... Pacific Alloy Castings, South Gate, Calif., has contracted Hunter Automated Machinery Corp., Schaumburg, Ill., to build a new matchplate molding machine. Hunter also has been contracted to build and install a four-level turntable mold handling...

Unimin Corp.'s Customix metal-casting blending facilities, Belvidere, Ill., Archbold, Ohio, and Wadsworth, Ohio, were aquired by American Colloid International Corp.(Newscast)
November 1, 2006... Unimin Corp.'s Customix metal-casting blending facilities, Belvidere, Ill., Archbold, Ohio, and Wadsworth, Ohio, were aquired by American Colloid International Corp., Arlington Heights, Ill.

Advance Die Casting Company, Milwaukee, has been bought by Rollcast LLC.(Newscast)
November 1, 2006... Advance Die Casting Company, Milwaukee, has been bought by Rollcast LLC, creating a new entity still known as Advance Die Casting Company.

FineLine Prototyping, Raleigh, N.C., purchased a second SLA machine from 3-D Systems, Valencia, Calif.(Newscast)
November 1, 2006... FineLine Prototyping, Raleigh, N.C., purchased a second SLA machine from 3-D Systems, Valencia, Calif., to expand its rapid prototyping capabilities.

Consolidated Engineering Company.(Newscast)
November 1, 2006... Consolidated Engineering Company, Kennesaw, Ga., has completed comprehensive field trials of a new heat treatment system.

Applied Manufacturing Technologies Inc.(Newscast)
November 1, 2006... Applied Manufacturing Technologies Inc. (AMT), Orion, Mich., announced plans to open a new Midwest regional office located in Saint Louis.

Geomagic.(Newscast)
November 1, 2006... Geomagic, Research Triangle Park, N.C., has won a 2006 Tibbetts Award from the Small Business Technology Council, given annually to companies, projects, organizations and individuals for innovation in small business research.

McMaster Univ.(Newscast)
November 1, 2006... McMaster Univ., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, announced the opening of the Light Metal Casting Research Center, which will focus on automotive metal castings.

Ka Shui Holdings Co. Ltd, Hong Kong, China, has contracted with Epicor Software Corp.(Newscast)
November 1, 2006... Ka Shui Holdings Co. Ltd, Hong Kong, China, has contracted with Epicor Software Corp., Irvine, Calif., in an effort to improve the operational efficiency of its diecasting operations.

The North American Die Casting Association.(Newscast)
November 1, 2006... The North American Die Casting Association (NADCA) has introduced "Creating Value with Die Casting," a program to help engineers and designers evaluate the potential for using die cast components.

Alabama pipe fitting caster reaches safety milestone.(Union Foundry Co.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The Union Foundry Co. (UFCO), Anniston, Ala., achieved a safety milestone when its employees worked 2 million man hours without a lost time accident on Aug. 7, 2006. That milestone comes on the heels of the company surpassing a two year...

Quality certifications.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... The following metalcasting organizations have passed recent surveillance audits: Trialco Inc., Chicago Heights, Ill., (ISO 9001:2000); Aluminum Conversion Inc., Cromwell, Ind., (ISO 9001:2000); Sandwich Casting and Machine,...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
November 1, 2006... November 15-16--Casting Industry Suppliers Association Fall Business Meeting, Doubletree, Rosemont, Ill. November 16-18--Foundry Educational Foundation College Industry Conference, The Drake Hotel, Chicago. November 22-24--5th...

Grede Foundries.(Personals)
November 1, 2006... Grede Foundries, Milwaukee, named Raymond F. Lowry vice president and CFO.

Five Star Die Casting.(Personals)
November 1, 2006... Alan Koch has been made general manager of Five Star Die Casting, Minneapolis.

Hayes Lemmerz International Inc.(Personals)
November 1, 2006... Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Northville, Mich., appointed Cynthia Feldmann to its board of directors as chairperson of the audit and nominating and corporate governance committees.

Lufkin Industries.(Personals)
November 1, 2006... Larry M. Hoes was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer of Lufkin Industries, Lufkin, Texas.

Alfe Corporate Group.(Personals)
November 1, 2006... Shaun Braun has joined Alfe Corporate Group, Fort Wayne, Ind., as a sales representative for the Wabash Division, Wabash, Ind.

Hugh Kind, vice president of marketing and technology for Foseco Metallurgical Inc., Cleveland, has received the 2006 Presidents Award.(Personals)
November 1, 2006... Hugh Kind, vice president of marketing and technology for Foseco Metallurgical Inc., Cleveland, has received the 2006 Presidents Award from the Casting Industry Suppliers Association.

ASM International's 2006 Class of Fellows includes several in the metalcasting industry.(Personals)
November 1, 2006... ASM International's 2006 Class of Fellows includes several in the metalcasting industry--Stewart Ballantyne, Allvac Allegheny Technologies Co., MonrOe, N.C.; Kathy Hayrynen, Applied Process Inc., Livonia, Mich.; Roberto Rioja, Alcoa,...

Obituaries.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Obituary)
November 1, 2006... Anna "Pat" DeMarino, Grafton, Ohio, died August 18, 2006. She was 56. DeMarino was an executive secretary at Foseco Metallurgical Inc., Cleveland, for 30 years.

EPA proposes changes to new source review requirements.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
November 1, 2006... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced proposed changes to the new source review (NSR) regulations, expanding the circumstances under which facilities would be able to make plant modifications without triggering NSR...

Sand beneficial reuse guides unveiled.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
November 1, 2006... Two guidance documents to help increase the beneficial reuse of metalcasting sand recently were unveiled by the metalcasting sector partnership of American Foundry Society (AFS) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Both guides, aimed...

Metalcasting industry gives input to China WTO compliance report.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
November 1, 2006... The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will use the input recently received from AFS and other interested parties in its preparation of the 2006 report to Congress on China's World Trade Organization (WTO) compliance record. AFS...

Put in reverse: in order to put a classic, extremely rare Duesenberg Model J into gear, metalcasting engineers had to go in reverse.
November 1, 2006... Jim Schneck wanted in. He had the car--a supercharged 1934 Duesenberg Model J worth more than $500,000--but he wanted the respect of those in the inner circle of Duesenberg collecting. Metalcasting turned out to be his passkey. Schneck had...

Shopping for innovation: product innovations case studies show how metalcasting plants have saved money, increased productivity or improved quality with new equipment.
November 1, 2006... Purchasing equipment is not always as simple as replacing what is broken with a newer model. Many times, a better alternative exists that you have to go out and find. Other times, replacing still-functional equipment with new technology turns...

Grede-Iron Mountain gains edge with 3-D scanning.(New Product)
November 1, 2006... Grede's Iron Mountain Foundry, Kingsford, Mich., works year-round producing complex hydraulic valve castings for the agriculture industry, as well as open-faced valves for transmissions in medium- and heavy- duty tracks. These complex castings...

AB&I Foundry gains speed, accuracy with redesigned molding system.(Case History)
November 1, 2006... AB&I Foundry, Oakland, Calif., a metalcasting facility that produces cast iron soil pipes and fittings, as well as jobbing work, was looking for a way to increase production and reduce manpower in order to stay competitive. The company turned...

Neptune Technology Group benefits from customized automated pouring.(Case History)
November 1, 2006... Like many metalcasters, Neptune Technology Group, Tallassee, Ala., a manufacturer of lead-free brass water meters, sought to reduce its operating costs to enhance its competitive position. It was determined that increasing casting yields...

Heat treating automation leads to advanced tracking system.(case history)
November 1, 2006... Aided by computers, automation in manufacturing has grown significantly in the last several years. However, heat treating was left behind because automation systems could not stand up to the heat and heavy industrial environment. In the...

Ward manufacturing saves energy by recovering heat.(Case History)
November 1, 2006... Two years ago, Ward Manufacturing, Blossburg, Pa., installed a new cupola and emission control system as part of its MACT compliance program. The cupola modernization was engineered by Kodiak Group, Grayling, Mich., for Electric Controls and...

The good, the bad and the porous.(CASTING ANSWERS & ADVICE)
November 1, 2006... Q We use the visual comparison method to rate sectioned samples for hydrogen level to evaluate solidified reduced pressure samples. But recently, we have had problems where apparently "good" gas samples still allowed our customer to find...

AFS Texas chapter hosts casting simulation seminar.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
November 1, 2006... On Dec. 7, Denison Industries, Denison, Texas, will be hosting a seminar on casting simulation software as part of the AFS Texas Chapter's Texas Troubleshooters program. Steve Sikorski, engineering manager at Magma Foundry Technologies Inc.,...

Mikkola honored by Michigan Tech.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
November 1, 2006... Paul H. Mikkola, Metal Casting Technology Inc., Milford, N.H., was recently elected to the 2006 Class of the Academy of Materials Science and Engineering at Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Mich. The Academy recognizes and honors...

Technical paper proposals due for GIFA 2007.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
November 1, 2006... The German Foundrymen's Association (VDG), which will organize the WFO-Technical Forum during GIFA 2007, has issued a call for papers. The Technical Forum covers all fields of metalcasting, including: * casting processes; * mold and...

Piedmont chapter's VTFIRE project picking up steam.(afs/cmi news)(Virginia Tech Foundry Institute for Research and Education)
November 1, 2006... What began as a dream to curb the declining interest in the metalcasting industry is quickly becoming a reality. The AFS Piedmont Chapter's Virginia Tech Foundry Institute for Research and Education (VTFIRE) program, which had been in the...

Northeast Wisconsin--in September, Allen Rebarchik, Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Co., presents the speaker's award to Walter Nocito, Prudential Financial.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2006... NORTHEAST WISCONSIN -- In September, Allen Rebarchik (r), Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Co., presents the speaker's award to Walter Nocito, Prudential Financial, following his presentation on using the "return on assets" concept to measure plant...

Chicago--in September, Steve Hoppe, Guardian Software, is presented with the speaker's award from Pat Keene, G&W Electric Co.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2006... CHICAGO -- In September, Steve Hoppe (l), Guardian Software, is presented with the speaker's award from Pat Keene, G&W Electric Co., following his talk about scheduling software.

Northwest Pennsylvania--in September, Phil Venesky, Urick Foundry Co., presents the speaker's award to Charles Hagerty, Hamot Medical Center.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2006... NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA -- In September, Phil Venesky (l), Urick Foundry Co., presents the speaker's award to Charles Hagerty, Hamot Medical Center, following his speech on motivating Today's employees.

Hawkeye--in September, Tyler Schneiter, Univ. of Northern Iowa, presents the speaker's award to Brian Guyer, HA International.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2006... HAWKEYE -- In September, Tyler Schneiter (l), Univ. of Northern Iowa, presents the speaker's award to Brian Guyer, HA International, following his discussion on iron casting quality.

Michiana--in September, Indiana Rep. Steve Heim and U.S. Rep Chris Chocola spoke about environmental issues, including permitting, MACT and alternative fuels, at the chapter's Government Night.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2006... MICHIANA -- In September, Indiana Rep. Steve Heim (second from left) and U.S. Rep Chris Chocola (second from right) spoke about environmental issues, including permitting, MACT and alternative fuels, at the chapter's Government Night. Also...

Birmingham--in September, Kevin Crawford, Vulcan Engineering Co. Inc., presents the speaker's award to Scott Strobl, Simpson Technologies Corp.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2006... BIRMINGHAM -- In September, Kevin Crawford (r), Vulcan Engineering Co. Inc., presents the speaker's award to Scott Strobl, Simpson Technologies Corp., following his presentation, "Using Stress-Strain Curves to Evaluate and Control Clay Bonded...

Western Michigan--in September, Thomas Davies, Carpenter Brothers, is presented with the speaker's award by Jay Morrison, Metal Technologies, and Mike Lenahan, Resource Recovery Corp.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2006... WESTERN MICHIGAN -- In September, Thomas Davies (c), Carpenter Brothers, is presented with the speaker's award by Jay Morrison (l), Metal Technologies, and Mike Lenahan, Resource Recovery Corp., following his speech, "Been There, Done That, Now...

Detroit-Windsor--in September, Glenn Byczynski, Nemak Canada Corp., presents the speaker's award to Ramsey Zimmerman, Shepard Advisors.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2006... DETROIT-WINDSOR -- In September, Glenn Byczynski (r), Nemak Canada Corp., presents the speaker's award to Ramsey Zimmerman, Shepard Advisors, following his speech on reducing energy use.

Piedmont--in September, at left, technical speakers Terry Moon, Versevo, Glover Kerlin, Bombardier Recreation Products, Steve Robinson, Bombardier Recreation Products, and Chris Esselstyn, Versevo, show examples of lost foam castings following their discussion, "Understanding the Lost Foam Process.".(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2006... PIEDMONT -- In September, at left, technical speakers (from l) Terry Moon, Versevo, Glover Kerlin, Bombardier Recreation Products, Steve Robinson, Bombardier Recreation Products, and Chris Esselstyn, Versevo, show examples of lost foam castings...

Oregon--in September, Arturo Rendon, Columbia Steel Casting Co. Inc., receives the Foundry Man of the Month Award from David Havel.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)
November 1, 2006... OREGON -- In September, Arturo Rendon (r), Columbia Steel Casting Co. Inc., receives the Foundry Man of the Month Award from David Havel, Columbia Steel Casting Co. Inc.

Chapter meetings.(AFS CHAPTER NEWS)(Calendar)
November 1, 2006... CENTRAL NEW YORK Dec. 15--Comfort Inn, Liverpool, N.Y.; Holiday Party. Feb. 21--Pier 57, Liverpool, N.Y.; TBD. March 14--Pier 57, Liverpool, N.Y.; TBD. April 11--Pier 57, Liverpool, N.Y.; TBD. Aug. 26--Pier 57, Liverpool, N.Y.; TBD. ...

Castings go postal.(SHAKEOUT)
November 1, 2006... When the recent housing boom in Florida caught the enthusiasm of investors, Jamie Harden and Kelly Crandall decided to put their money where their mail was. Now, master-planned communities throughout the state feature custom-designed mailboxes...

Supplier's online.(metal industries)(Directory)
November 1, 2006... 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: As of October 20, 2006)
November 1, 2006... ABRASIVE BRICKS, STONES, FILES Acme Abrasive Co, Warren, MI Bancroft Co Inc, Millersburg, MI Bates Abrasives Inc, Burlington, WA Floxovit USA Inc, Angola, NY Foundry Service & Supply Co, Baltimore, MD Kindt-Collins...

General manufacturing, engineering & maintenance.(Product Index: As of October 20, 2006)
November 1, 2006... ACCUMULATORS Carrier Vibrating Equipment, Inc, PO Box 37070, Louisville, KY, 40233-7070 tel: 502/969-3171 fax: 502/969-3172# Hydac Corp, Bethlehem, PA Miller Fluid Power Div, Bensenville, IL Parker Hannifin Corp, Cylinder...

Melting, pouring & heat treatment.(Product Index: As of October 20, 2006)
November 1, 2006... AFTERBURNERS American Environmental Int'l, Schaumburg, IL Consolidated Engineering Co, Kennesaw, GA EnviroAir, Inc. (CORECO), Eagle, WI Gasmac Inc, Guelph Ont Lindberg, 304 Hart St, Watertown, WI, 53094 tel: 920/261-7000...

Mold, core & sand preparation.(Product Index: As of October 20, 2006)
November 1, 2006... Air Trac Corporation, Niagara Falls, NY ALB Klein Technology Group, 8275 Estates Pkwy, Plain City, OH, 43064 tel: 614/873-8995 fax: 614/873-8996# CARBO Ceramics Inc, 6565 MacArthur Blvd, Ste 1050, Irving, TX, 75039 tel: 972/401-0090...

Patternmaking.(Product Index: As of October 20, 2006)
November 1, 2006... ACRYLIC RESINS Arkema, Inc., Philadelphia, PA Ashland Inc., Casting Solutions, PO Box 2219, Columbus, OH, 43216-2219 tel: 614/790-3333 fax: 614/790-4359# Casting Solutions, El Dorado Hills, CA Express Pattern, Buffalo Grove,...

Safety & environmental.(Product Index: As of October 20, 2006)
November 1, 2006... AIR POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT Air Trac Corporation, Niagara Fails, 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: As of October 20, 2006)
November 1, 2006... 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 Floxovit USA Inc, Angola, NY ...

Manufacturers index: as of October 20, 2006.
November 1, 2006... 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 23 Pero (Milano)...

Metal associations.(Directory)
November 1, 2006... The Aluminum Assn. Inc. 1525 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 600 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...

State Foundry Associations.(Directory)
November 1, 2006... Alabama Alabama Cast Metals Assn. Darnell Self P.O. Box 1105 Trussville, AL 35173 Tel: 205/661-2262 Email: acma7688@charter.net California California Cast Metals Assn. James Simonelli 1011 St....

International Metalcasting Associations.(Metals Associations)(Directory)
November 1, 2006... Austria Fachverband der GieBereiindustrie Wiedner Hauptstrasse 63 1045 Wien AUSTRIA Tel: 43 5 90900 3476 Fax: 43 5 90900 279 E-mail: giesserei@wko.at Dipl. Ing. Adolf Kerbl, MSc Belarus Belarussian...