Modern Casting articles from October 2008

Modern Casting archives from October 2008

Where It's At.(moderncasting.com)
October 1, 2008... Wherever you find the cast metal Where It's At sign (right) in this issue, access additional content exclusively on the web at www.moderncasting.com or the otherwise indicated website: * Table of Contents: Web-only article on aluminum...

Modern Casting blog.(moderncasting.com)
October 1, 2008... MODERN CASTING staff members blog about automotive castings, a question all metalcasters should be asking, and August's tricky online poll.

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
October 1, 2008... The August website question asked: How many jobs formerly sourced in a low-cost country has your facility won back in the past year? Zero 37.9% 5-10 24.1% 1-2 13.8% 2-5 13.8% More Than 10...

Worth repeating.(HOTLINE)
October 1, 2008... "We try to work as if OSHA or EPA would show up any time, any day." --Glenn Honeycutt, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Co.

An open exchange of ideas.(Editorial)
October 1, 2008... Whatever happened to good old honest debate? Why does it seem that two individuals on the opposite side of an issue can't sit down and have a meaningful discussion these days? Whether two individuals are running for president, across the...

Superior Industries to close Kansas wheel casting plant.(North America)
October 1, 2008... Superior Industries International Inc., Van Nuys, Calif., will close its Pittsburg, Kan., aluminum automotive wheel metalcasting facility by Dec. 19. According to a press release issued by the company, the closure, which will result in...

California metalcaster completes military order.(North America)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AlumAlloy Co. Inc., Ontario, California, recently completed a contract for more than 300 bunker buster bomb nose cones for the U.S. Navy. The Navy designed the new bomb nose cone castings, which require Grade C...

Metso to sell Swedish metalcasting facility.(Around the World)
October 1, 2008... Engineering and technology conglomerate Metso Corp., Helsinki, Finland, has sold a majority share in its Swedish metalcasting business to a private investor for about $22 million. Metso will continue as a minority owner of the company,...

Federal contract for Casting Emissions Reduction Program discontinued.(North America)
October 1, 2008... The Casting Emissions Reduction Program (CERP), which has been working for the betterment of the metalcasting industry since 1994, has run out of government funding to pay for air emissions testing, according to a spokesperson involved with the...

Precision Castparts diversifies with machining company purchase.(North America)
October 1, 2008... Precision Castparts Corp., Portland, Ore., has agreed to acquire Airdrome Holdings LLC, which produces aerospace parts out of its machining facilities Airdrome Precision Components, Long Beach, Calif., and AF Aerospace Ltd., Rugby, U.K. ...

GF sale to focus casting ops.(Around the World)(Georg Fischer GmbH and Saf-Holland SA)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Automotive supplier Georg Fischer AG & C (GF), Singen, Germany, plans to sell its wheel coupling business, Georg Fischer Verkehrstechnik GmbH, to SAF-HOLLAND S.A., Luxemburg. According to a press release issued by the company, the...

U.S. Aluminum Castings wins energy award.(North America)
October 1, 2008... U.S. Aluminum Castings, Entiat, Wash., has received an Energy Saver award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for significantly reducing its energy usage over the past year. The company was recognized as having achieved more than...

Boose Aluminum installs new cope and drag line.(North America)(Boose Aluminum Foundry Company Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Boose Aluminum Foundry, Reamstown, Pa., completed the installation of a new cope and drag line at the end of August, the result of an investment of nearly $3 million. The company's owners installed the line,...

Washburn Iron Works installs sand recycler.(North America)
October 1, 2008... Ferrous green sand metalcaster Washburn Iron Works, Washburn, Wis., installed and started up a new sand and clay recycling system in August. The company, which pours gray and ductile iron castings from ounces to 250 lbs., purchased the...

Let's talk about unsafe metalcasting practices.(Letterbox)
October 1, 2008... Congratulations on your brave article addressing safety in our industry ("Saftey First... Not So Sure," Sept. 2008). Safety is to the metalcasting industry what Social Security is to presidential candidates: the "third rail." As someone...

British company to produce two more of Western world's largest castings.(Around the World)
October 1, 2008... Sheffield Forgemasters, Sheffield, England, has won contracts to produce two more of the Western world's largest steel castings, recreating two of its largest previous efforts. In 2005, Forgemasters cast a forging press traverse weighing...

Harrison Steel Castings Co.(Newscast)
October 1, 2008... According to Inside Indiana Business, Harrison Steel Castings Co., Attica, Ind., is planning to expand its production facility in Fountain County and hiring 10 new workers. Serving the mining, construction and power transmission industries, the...

Seacast.(Newscast)
October 1, 2008... Investment caster Seacast, Marysville, Wash., broke ground for its new plant in Butte, Mont., on Sept. 18, according to local news reports. The company first announced the expansion in January of this year. The new plant will add titanium...

Jamnagar Brass Components.(Newscast)
October 1, 2008... Brass seal and automotive manufacturer Janmagar Brass Components, Jamnagar, India, announced plans to construct a new aluminum diecasting facility. The plant will be set up in collaboration with an American engineering firm and involve an...

Oberdorfer Aluminum Casting Foundry LLC.(Newscast)
October 1, 2008... Oberdorfer Aluminum Casting Foundry LLC, Syracuse, N.Y., has brought in-house an impregnation process it had previously outsourced. The metalcasting facility installed the equipment necessary to carry out the process in an effort to gain higher...

Can-Eng Furnaces International Ltd.(Newscast)
October 1, 2008... Can-Eng Furnaces International Ltd., Niagara Falls, N.Y., has received a contract to supply a mesh belt furnace system to heat treating company Termosan Isillem in Istanbul, Turkey.

Flow Science Inc.(Newscast)
October 1, 2008... Flow Science Inc., Santa Fe, N.M., has contracted Simulaciones y Proyectos S.L., Tres Cantos, Spain, to market and support its computational fluid dynamics software in Spain and Portugal for both sales and engineering consulting purposes.

Martin Engineering Co.(Newscast)
October 1, 2008... Martin Engineering Co., Neponset, Ill., has won a lawsuit for patent infringement filed against it by Air Control Science Inc., Greenwood Village, Colo. Martin Engineering assists industrial companies in making bulk materials handling cleaner,...

Wheelabrator Group Technology Centre Canada.(Newscast)
October 1, 2008... Wheelabrator Group Technology Centre Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canda, commemorated its 100 years in business with a luncheon celebration at its facility on Sept. 12.

Calendar of events.(Conference news)(Calendar)
October 1, 2008... October October 19-22--Investment Casting Institute 12th World Conference on Investment Casting and Equipment Expo, Adam's Mark Hotel, Dallas. October 20-21--The Aluminum Association 75th Anniversary Annual Meeting, The Greenbrier,...

Wisconsin Centrifugal.(Personals)
October 1, 2008... E.J. Kubick was made president of Wisconsin Centrifugal, a division of MetalTek International, Waukesha, Wis. Larry Blanton was named senior vice president, sales and marketing. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA.(Personals)
October 1, 2008... After acquiring Precision Propeller Industries Inc., Indianapolis, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA, Cypress, Calif., made Bill Boehman the investment caster's general manager.

Paulo Products Co.(Personals)
October 1, 2008... Paulo Products Co., St. Louis, made Bob Innes plant manager of the heat treating facility at its headquarters.

Morgan Metal Systems.(Personals)
October 1, 2008... John Maxwell was appointed chief executive officer of Morgan Metal Systems, a division of Morgan Crucible Co. plc, Berkshire, U.K.

Obituaries.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Obituary)
October 1, 2008... John Wallace, Cleveland, died Sept. 5. He was 89. Wallace was a longtime professor of metallurgy at Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, and a consultant in the metalcasting industry. Metalcasters often sought his expertise, and he repeatedly...

Lead inspections to tighten: OSHA revised its lead National Emphasis Program to direct inspections toward lead-heavy industries.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
October 1, 2008... In August, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a directive to implement a revised National Emphasis Program (NEP) to reduce occupational exposures to lead, which supersedes the 2001 program...

Immigration raid demonstrates concerns with E-Verify.(On the Hill)
October 1, 2008... In August, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents raided an electrical transformer plant in Mississippi, arresting close to 500 workers. The company had been participating in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verity system for...

E-manifest bill passes Senate committee.(On the Hill)
October 1, 2008... The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed legislation this summer that would authorize the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop an electronic system to track hazardous waste. The Hazardous Waste Electronic...

Does this man scare you? If the thought of an OSHA inspector walking through your door today makes you cringe, it's time to take control of your safety planning.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Even the simplest things can bite you in the end. Fred Kohloff, director of environmental health and safety for the American Foundry Society, conducts several mock safety inspections a year for metalcasters who want...

Avoiding fatalities: while accidents can never be entirely avoided, metalcasters must take steps to ensure their employees don't pay the ultimate price.(Cover story)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) recent Accident, Injury & Fatality Summary for metalcasting facilities reads like a police blotter. It's just the facts. But the conclusions are often grim....

Piad's conversion doctrine: Piad Precision Casting's focus on casting conversion makes its pool of potential customers deep.
October 1, 2008... A permanent mold caster of copper-base alloys, Piad Precision Casting Corp., Greensburg, Pa., has staked its success on presenting opportunities for cost saving to potential customers who might not have even realized they had a problem. In...

Brembo's co-cast lets you stop fast: combining the capabilities of aluminum and iron into one component, Brembo produced a brake disc that is the best of both worlds.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You step on the gas of your Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT-S (play along) and are barely through the intersection, when a pedestrian runs through the crosswalk to beat traffic. As much as you love the performance...

Illuminating core gas: gas defects have longed plagued the metalcasting industry, but the findings of a former research consortium can help limit them.(Editorial)
October 1, 2008... Leonard Winardi didn't set out to become a gas man, but in the short course of his metalcasting career, he has become one. Winardi is a post-doctoral employee of the Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, Ala., and the majority...

Simulation software.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... In every business there are tools that are essential for doing the job tight. In metal casting, MAGMA offers a casting process simulation software that is one of these tools, MAGMASOFT[R] With MAGMASOFT[R] you can design castings right the...

Complete Foundry Solutions.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... 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...

Simulation software.
October 1, 2008... "Arena-flow[R] is the only foundry engineering software package which uses the revolutionary Computational Particle Fluid Dynamics (CPFD[R]) technology to accurately predict sand core filling, miss-fills, density variations and curing. This...

Automated casting finishing systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... The most labor intensive area of the foundry is the Cleaning Room. In order to remain competitive in a global market, foundry management needs to consider the advantage of automating the finishing process and still maintain flexibility in...

Intelligent Demand Response (IDR).(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... Discover how your facility can participate in energy conservation that pays for supporting grid reliability. IDR uses advanced technologies to automatically coordinate your facility's participation during a Demand Response (DR) event. This...

Innovation in shakeout.(Literature+PLUS+)(Carrier Vibrating Equipment Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... The Carrier Barrel Horse[(TM)] is a proven one-step solution to casting damage and sand mix problems. Unlike conventional rotary shakeouts, which lift and drop castings, the Barrel Horse action allows castings to swim in the sand bed,...

Enterprise software solutions.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... B&I, Information Systems, Inc., located in Bridgman, Michigan, is the leader in enterprise software solutions for the metalcasting industry, Over 350 metalcasters in 35 states and 5 countries have selected B&L to help them increase...

Rotary media drum.(Literature+PLUS+)(Didion International Sales Inc. has introduced rotary media drum)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Didion's rotary media drum offers a new way to achieve better shakeout, sand screening, casting cooling and efficient casting cleaning. The product also can process very delicate castings and reduce shotblast time up to 80%. Its patented design...

Automated pouring.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... The world's most productive and precise automatic pouring technologies from Inductotherm and DISA (formerly Georg Fischer) have been brought together by Inductotherm. Encompassing the combined experience gained from more than 250 Inductotherm...

Dewaxing Autoclave Systems.(Literature+PLUS+)(WSF Industries Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... WSF Dewaxing Autoclave Systems assure uniform ceramic shell heating for complete process mold dewaxing. Manufactured to meet virtually any production specification, the systems may be skid-mounted when size allows, factory piped, wired and...

Flexible DeGate Cell.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... 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...

Complete no-bake machinery & systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... Palmer Manufacturing, Inc. is a manufacturer of heavy-duty foundry equipment. Palmer's equipment line includes: mixers, no-bake molding systems and components, core room equipment, shake-out reclamation & knock-out equipment, sand mixers, mold...

Sand additives.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... SphereOX: Best sand additive for no-bake cores, molds and resin coated sand. Eliminates veining, penetration, pinholes, burn in and lustrous carbon casting detects. Chromite sand can be replaced with silica sand and SphereOX. Nothing works...

High Temperature Systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... High Temperature Systems manufactures a complete line of molten metal transfer pumps, circulation pumps, degassing systems, lined pipe and pre-heat stations. Located in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, our engineering staff has more than 30 years of...

See inside your designs with FLOW-3D[R].(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... Optimize your designs before casting and lower your costs with FLOW-3D[R], a powerful computational fluid dynamics software for highly-accurate modeling. This easy-to-use software takes the trial and error out of casting designs with advanced...

Aluminum melting furnace.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... The GC Series Non Crucible furnace is designed for continuous aluminum melting operations as a durable refractory lined furnace that does not use crucibles. Metal is charged onto a dry hearth charging chamber, avoiding the issue of operators...

The future of process instructions.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... Guardian Software Systems announces Paperless Routings. Guardian has taken advantage of touch screen technology to allow the viewing of all process instructions directly from the operator's work station. No longer will you need to print the...

Ceramic media.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... 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...

CoreCenter.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... 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...

Matchplate molding machine.(Literature+PLUS+)(Disa M)
October 1, 2008... The new DISA MATCH 28/32 machine provides the perfect larger match plate molding option for shorter, moderate production runs with frequent pattern changes. Fast pattern plate changes using the Quick Match Plate Changer combined with speeds of...

Management information systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... Synchro 32 provides complete integrated production control and management information systems, incorporating ERP/MEP. These systems are specifically designed for the foundry, die cast and cast metal industry. These systems feature: all...

Precision Borescopes.(Literature+PLUS+)
October 1, 2008... Gradient Lens Corporation designs, manufacturers and sells its patented line of Hawkeye Precision Borescopes. Hawkeyes deliver all the image quality, of the finest instruments in the world, and sell for less than half the price. Over 50 Hawkeye...

Does your company need a tagline?(MARKETING MATTERS)
October 1, 2008... GE: We bring good things to life. Milk: It does a body good. These are taglines--concise statements that sum up what a company (or product) stands for. Taglines usually can be found in a company's ads. Some companies change their...

Annual Service Awards presented at 2008 EHS Conference.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
October 1, 2008... The 20th annual Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Conference was held Aug. 24-27 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, St. Louis. Conference topics included dust explosion hazards, global warming implications for metalcasters, the...

Best of CastExpo webinar series kicks off, global warming next topic.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
October 1, 2008... AFS's new webinar series, the Best of CastExpo, is intended to recap the most important technical sessions of the event held this year in Atlanta. The first webinar, held on Sept. 25, focused on production applications of compacted...

AFS urges agency to provide flexibility for manufacturers in ADA rulemaking.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
October 1, 2008... AFS has submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Department of Justice in response to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on significant revisions to the accessibility guidelines in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Metalcasting facilities have...

2008 transactions papers available for download.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... The Aluminum Div. 2, Molding Methods & Materials Div. 4, Cast Iron Div. 5, Magnesium Div. 6 and Lost Foam Div. 11 2008 Transactions of the American Foundry Society papers are now available for download via the AFS E-Store at...

Chapter meetings.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Calendar)
October 1, 2008... BRITISH COLUMBIA Oct. 17--"Why Being Connected to AFS is the Key to Success," Leo Baran, AFS, Sheraton Guildford, Surrey, B.C. Nov. 12--"Steel Solidification, Castings Shrinkage and Yield Improvement," John Outten, Foseco Inc., Sheraton...

How competitive are your wages? Find out with AFS survey.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
October 1, 2008... The challenge for today's companies is to find ways to create a workplace culture that attracts, retains and develops effective employees. Employers must stay competitive and offer salaries and benefits inline not only with competitors, but...

CMI course schedule.(AFS/CMI NEWS)(Brief article)(Calendar)
October 1, 2008... CMI Course Schedule Oct. 7-Jan. 24 Sand & Molding Technology (20-09) Internet Oct. 14-16 Casting Design (21-09) Schaumburg, Ill. Oct. 20-Nov. 24 Gating & Riser Design ...

Manufacturer uses laser scanner to get the perfect fit.(New Product)
October 1, 2008... Hensley Industries, Dallas, builds ground engaging tools for the construction and mining industries. One of the greatest challenges for Hensley in building replacement parts is creating teeth and adapters that fit perfectly with the installed...

Automating core setting reduces labor, injury.(New Product)
October 1, 2008... As one of the world's largest suppliers of exhaust manifolds for cars and light trucks, Wescast Industries decided to automate the core handling at its North Huron Casting Facility in Wingham, Ontario, Canada, to remain competitive in the...

Self-dumping hopper.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)(Farr Air Pollution Control has introduced Self-dumping hopper)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Farr Air Pollution Control, Jonesboro, Ark., recently released a new self-dumping hopper for disposal of dust captured by cartridge-style dust collection systems. A slide gate and flexible quick-disconnect hose connect the dust collector and...

Degating saw.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)(Kalamazoo Industries Inc. has introduced Model K20FS )(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... The Model K20FS lock down head saw from Kalamazoo Industries, Kalamazoo, Mich., is designed for cutting gates and risers and has a front stepped-in design to allow easy access. The saw features a 20-in. (50.8-cm) abrasive wheel, 2,500 rpm 1-in....

Impregnation tank.(METALCASTING SUPPLIES)(WSF Industries Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... WSF Industries, Tonowanda, N.Y., has designed a large capacity vacuum-pressure impregnation tank for impregnating porous castings with sealants. With an inner diameter of 10 ft. (3.05m) and a working depth of 10 ft., the system provides 100...

Castings part of national pastime.(SHAKEOUT: In case you didn't know ...)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When you sit down at a baseball stadium amid an atmosphere of hot dogs and peanuts, that arm holding a plastic cup of frothy beer may very well be resting on a casting. The seats themselves are typically a durable...