Modern Casting articles from September 2005

Modern Casting archives from September 2005

Intermet drives Cox Racing Team to improved performance with MADI crankshaft.(Industry News)
September 1, 2005... Intermet Corp.'s Archer Creek Foundry, Lynchburg, Va., used machinable austempered ductile iron (MADI) for green sand cast crankshafts for the Darrell Cox Racing Team. Participating with 1,100-hp, four cylinder Dodge Neons in numerous drag...

Hitchiner to add capacity, jobs.(Industry News)
September 1, 2005... Hitchiner Manufacturing Co. Inc., Milford, N.H., announced plans for a 6,200-sq.-ft. expansion of its Gas Turbine Div. investment casting facility in Milford. The expansion will provide the facility with new casting, pre-heat and knockout lines...

Question of the month.(moderncasting.com)
September 1, 2005... The July web site question asked, "As engineers continue to specify light metals over ferrous metals for their cast components, how can ferrous metalcasters best improve their marketability?" * 38%--Focus on new alloys, such as CGI and ADI....

Supercharging production with casting process modeling.(Product Innovations)
September 1, 2005... Supercharging Production with Casting Process Modeling--As the demand for shorter leadtimes grows, the pressure is on metalcasting facilities to find ways to cut production startup times. Crossroads Product Development, Salt Lake City, used...

Measuring casting residual stress with X-ray diffraction.(Product Innovations)
September 1, 2005... Measuring Casting Residual Stress with X-Ray Diffraction--The residual stresses present in cast metal components can significantly improve or diminish a component's typical life cycle. X-ray diffraction (XRD) Residual Stress Management Systems...

Worth repeating.
September 1, 2005... Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare. --Japanese proverb

Are we one-trick ponies?(Editorial)
September 1, 2005... A recent casting buyer emailed me the following question: "Is the typical metalcasting facility a full-service supplier or just a one-trick pony?" While in my heart I wanted to scream full-service supplier, I knew the latter choice was...

Internet drives Darrell Cox Racing Team to improved performance with MADI crankshaft.(North America)
September 1, 2005... With the use of machinable austempered ductile iron (MADD, Internet Corp.'s Archer Creek Foundry, Lynchburg, Va., has greatly augmented a professional auto racing team's ability to compete. This year, the Darrell Cox Racing Team adopted...

Congressman Dingell addresses metalcasters at recent EH&S conference in Michigan.(Metalcasting Associations)
September 1, 2005... Showing his support for the metalcasting industry, U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) delivered the keynote address at the AFS Environmental, Health and Safety Conference held Aug. 21-24 in Dearborn, Mich. Dingell addressed a number of...

Wescast sells Brantford facility to Gemini.(Acquisitions)
September 1, 2005... The board of directors of Wescast Industries Inc., Brantford, Ontario, Canada, approved the sale of its Brantford property and the majority of the production assets associated with the metalcasting operation to Gemini Fire Protection Solutions...

Hitchiner gas turbine to add capacity, jobs.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 1, 2005... Hitchiner Manufacturing Co. Inc., Milford, N.H., announced plans for a 6,200-sq.-ft. expansion of its Gas Turbine Div. investment casting facility in Milford. The decision for the additional space spawned from the company's recent strong...

Internet reorganization underway with court approval.(North America)
September 1, 2005... Internet Corp., Troy, Mich., announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved the company's motion to enter into an equity financing commitment letter in which its lenders agreed to underwrite a $75 million equity investment in the company....

Amcast Industrial exits Chapter 11 protection.(North America)
September 1, 2005... Amcast Industrial Corp., Dayton, Ohio, emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July, after filing for the protection in November 2004. Under the terms of the plan, Amcast's pre-petition senior lenders established a long-term...

Alloy Engineering sold to Wirco, maintains 89 jobs.(Acquisitions)
September 1, 2005... Alloy Engineering and Casting Co., Champaign, Ill.. was purchased by its customer, Wirco Inc., Avilla, Ind. With help of $700,000 in financial assistance from the state of Illinois, Wirco acquired the metalcasting facility's assets, including...

Leggett & Platt.(Foundry Ticker)
September 1, 2005... Leggett & Platt, Carthage, Mo., issued $200 million of 10-year notes that will pay a coupon rate of 5%, marking the company's fourth debt offering since early 2003. The four issuances comprise $730 million of long-term debt with a weighted...

Superior Industries International Inc.(Foundry Ticker)
September 1, 2005... Superior Industries International Inc., Van Nuys, Calif., announced that it will distribute a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share on the company's common stock, payable Oct. 21 to shareholders of record as of Oct. 7.

Precision Castparts Corp.(Foundry Ticker)
September 1, 2005... Precision Castparts Corp., Portland, Ore., announced that its board of directors approved a two-for-one split of its common stock in the form of a stock dividend.

Wescast Industries Inc.(Foundry Ticker)
September 1, 2005... Wescast Industries Inc., Brantford, Ontario, Canada, reported a second quarter revenue of $102.8 million ($85.8 million USD), a 5% decrease from the $108.2 million ($90.3 million USD) posted the same time last year. The company also declared...

Gardner Denver Inc.(Foundry Ticker)
September 1, 2005... Gardner Denver Inc., Quincy, Ill., reported second quarter revenues at $250.3 million, a 55% increase from $89 million reported during the second quarter in 2004. The company also announced that net income for the quarter was $14.7 million,...

Victaulic Co. of America, Easton, Pa., is undergoing a turnkey installation, which includes a LFB25 CoreCenter, an automatic core removal unit and an automatic tooling change unit with a corebox ID system.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Victaulic Co. of America, Easton, Pa., is undergoing a turnkey installation, which includes a LFB25 CoreCenter, an automatic core removal unit and an automatic tooling change unit with a corebox ID system, all from Laempe+Reich Corp.,...

Pioneer Foundry Co. Inc.(Newscast)
September 1, 2005... Pioneer Foundry Co. Inc., Jackson, Mich., is celebrating its 100th year of operation in 2005.

Arizona Castings.(Newscast)
September 1, 2005... Arizona Castings, Tempe, Ariz., will relocate to Maricopa, Ariz.

DaimlerChrysler Corp.(Newscast)
September 1, 2005... DaimlerChrysler Corp., Auburn Hills, Mich., announced that it will close its metalcasting facility in Indianapolis by Sept. 30, eliminating 881 jobs. The closure comes as a result of an agreement made by the company and UAW in 2003.

Southern Casting.(Newscast)
September 1, 2005... Southern Casting, Mathiston, Mass., announced it will relocate its operations to McRae, Ark.

Inductoheat Inc. (Inductotherm Group), Madison Heights, Mich., acquired the Mains Frequency (50/60 Hz) induction heating assets of Ross Production Systems Inc.(Newscast)
September 1, 2005... Inductoheat Inc. (Inductotherm Group), Madison Heights, Mich., acquired the Mains Frequency (50/60 Hz) induction heating assets of Ross Production Systems Inc., Brighton, Mich., in June. The company also announced that it expanded its induction...

HI T.E.Q. (Inductotherm Group).(Newscast)
September 1, 2005... HI T.E.Q. (Inductotherm Group), Miamisburg, Ohio, announced that it will relocate to Rancocas, N.J.

Laempe+Reich Corp., Trussville, Ala, recently agreed to contracts or supplied several products to various metalcasting facilities.(Newscast)
September 1, 2005... Laempe+Reich Corp., Trussville, Ala, recently agreed to contracts or supplied several products to various metalcasting facilities. The company will supply a LB50 CoreCenter to Carley Foundry, Blaine, Minn. Laempe also completed a robotic core...

Brock Solutions, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, will supply Astech Alloy Steel Technology.(Newscast)
September 1, 2005... Brock Solutions, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, will supply Astech Alloy Steel Technology, Vassar, Mich. a 16x20 matchplate molding machine based on a 20x24 frame with modifications to fit the 16x20 flask size.

Godfrey & Wing Inc.(Newscast)
September 1, 2005... Godfrey & Wing Inc., Cleveland, was awarded a patent for its component impregnation system. Continuous Flow Impregnation.

ETA Engineering Inc., Avilla, Ind., designed, fabricated and installed an Inoculation 110.000 CFM air pollution control system.(Newscast)
September 1, 2005... ETA Engineering Inc., Avilla, Ind., designed, fabricated and installed an Inoculation 110.000 CFM air pollution control system for McWane Cast Iron Pipe Co., Birmingham, Ala.

Akron Porcelain and Plastics Co., Akron, Ohio, acquired the assets of Universal Clay Products Co.(Newscast)
September 1, 2005... Akron Porcelain and Plastics Co., Akron, Ohio, acquired the assets of Universal Clay Products Co., Sandusky, Ohio.

The Simpson Group, Aurora, Ill., recently supplied several of its products to numerous metalcasting facilities including: one Speedmullor machine to Benton Foundry Inc.(Newscast)
September 1, 2005... The Simpson Group, Aurora, Ill., recently supplied several of its products to numerous metalcasting facilities including: one Speedmullor machine to Benton Foundry Inc., Benton, Pa.; a Matchblomatic upgrade to Dexter Co., Fairfield, Iowa; one...

Ametek Inc., Paoli, Pa., acquired Spectro Analytical Instruments GmbH & Co. KG, Kleve, Germany.(Newscast)
September 1, 2005... Ametek Inc., Paoli, Pa., acquired Spectro Analytical Instruments GmbH & Co. KG, Kleve, Germany. Spectro now" is part of Ametek's Electronic Instruments Group.

Luxembourg--Paul Wurth S.A., Luxembourg, acquired the blast furnace, coking plant and reduction activities of SMS Demag S.p.A.(Around the World--Newscast)
September 1, 2005... LUXEMBOURG--Paul Wurth S.A., Luxembourg, acquired the blast furnace, coking plant and reduction activities of SMS Demag S.p.A., Genoa, Italy.

South Africa--Ajax Manufacturing, Cape Town, Africa, received a contract from Profurl South Africa (Sparcraft Masts).(Around the World--Newscast)
September 1, 2005... SOUTH AFRICA--Ajax Manufacturing, Cape Town, Africa, received a contract from Profurl South Africa (Sparcraft Masts), Cape Town, to produce aluminum boom end, gooseneck and vang block castings to be used on boats.

Quality certifications.
September 1, 2005... The following metalcasting and supplier organizations have received recent certifications or passed surveillance audits: FKI Logistex, Frederick, Md., (ISO 9001:2000).

Staying close to Silica Sand.(Letterbox)
September 1, 2005... The article "Moving Away from Silica Sand" (MODERN CASTING, July 2005) was unquestionably interesting. However, it may "set up" the unsuspecting metalcaster for failure. Two points should be taken into consideration to prevent such a mishap....

Preserving metalcasting history.(Letterbox)
September 1, 2005... I enjoyed the Editorial, "Wine, Cable Cars & Castings" (MODERN CASTING, July 2005), and it has urged me to make note of the California Foundry History Museum in Sacramento. This museum, which opened in 2000, tells the story of our industry from...

Dynacast Inc.(Personals)
September 1, 2005... Dynacast Inc., Charlotte. N.C., named Steve Peterson general manager of the industrial products div.

Amsted Industries.(Personals)
September 1, 2005... Amsted Industries, Downers Grove, Ill., appointed Shirley J. Whitesell vice president of research and development.

Superior Industries International Inc.(Personals)
September 1, 2005... Superior Industries International Inc., Van Nuys, Calif., announced Michael Joyce has been appointed to the company's board of directors.

Eastman Kodak Co.(Personals)
September 1, 2005... Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y., named Stephen Mazur area manager, Midwest region, non-destructive testing.

Martin Engineering.(Personals)
September 1, 2005... Martin Engineering, Neponset, Ill., named John Hall as product development and marketing consultant.

Blasch Precision Ceramics.(Personals)
September 1, 2005... Blasch Precision Ceramics, Albany, N.Y., appointed Jack Parrish executive vice president.

Tromley Industrial Holdings.(Personals)
September 1, 2005... Tromley Industrial Holdings, Tualatin, Ore., elected Russell F. Tromley Jr. president. Tromley also assumed the positions of president of Dependable Foundry Equipment Co., Tualitin, Ore., and CEO of Redford-Carver Foundry Products, Tualatin,...

Flow Science.(Personals)
September 1, 2005... Flow Science, Santa Fe, N.M., appointed Michael R. Barkhudarov vice president of research and development.

Southwest Steel Casting.(Personals)
September 1, 2005... Nick Onofrio, president of Southwest Steel Casting, Longview, Texas, is retiring after leading the facility for 16 years.

Obituaries.(Personals)(Obituary)
September 1, 2005... Roy Burritt, Birmingham, Ala., died July 1. He was 62. Burritt was the vice president and general manager of Southern Foundry Resins, Pelham, Ala. An AFS member since 1972, he most recently served on the Molding Methods and Materials 4-K...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
September 1, 2005... September September 18-20--ASM International Symposium on Liquid Metal Processing and Casting, Eldorado Hotel, Santa Fe, N.M. September 25-28--Non-Ferrous Founders' Society Annual Meeting, The Carolina Hotel. Pinehurst, N.C. ...

Association Health Plan (AHP) legislation passes the House of Representatives.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
September 1, 2005... In a busy final week before Congress' August break, the House of Representatives passed the "Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005" (H.R. 525) by a vote of 263-165 on July 26. Also referred to as the Association Health Plan (AHP)...

Metalcasting industry represented at workshop on industrial by-products.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
September 1, 2005... In an effort to increase the use of industrial by-products, the Portland Cement Assn. (PCA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cosponsored a workshop on Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials July 20 in Washington, D.C. Representatives...

Metalcasting sand mentioned in new transportation bill signed in August.(WASHINGTON ALERT)
September 1, 2005... After two years of failed attempts to create successful legislation, Congress passed a $286.4 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill (H.R. 3) by an overwhelming margin July 29. This bill is of particular importance to the...

Direction for design: industry experts spout tips on how small metalcasting facilities can add casting design to their capabilities.(Cover Story)
September 1, 2005... If you're comfortable in a future where your business competes solely on cost and feel confident that you can succeed on the lower profits associated with price competition, adding casting design to your services might not be up your alley. But...

U.S. metalcasting's future by design: a product engineer sheds light on the future of customer/supplier relationships and the need to increase communication.(Industry Faces)
September 1, 2005... The U.S. metalcasting industry has begun to see an upswing in lousiness after a five-year lull. and a recent industry outlook has forecast continued growth through 2008. But now is not the time for U.S. facilities to get comfortable in their...

Magnesium driving to permanent mold: the development of magnesium alloys for casting via semi-permanent mold will mean wonders to the automotive industry if successful.
September 1, 2005... Reduced weight. This is a key term throughout the automotive industry as OEMs search for methods to design and manufacture vehicles with efficient fuel economies. Aluminum alloys have been embraced greatly for engine and chassis...

2 means to melt aluminum.
September 1, 2005... Inside This Story: * Detailed are the melt operations of two aluminum casting facilities, including charging, fluxing and degassing. * This overview of the operations can help guide other plants in search of a means to optimize their...

Supply shortage forecast for flaskless molded iron castings by 2007: by analyzing specific market sectors, a potential shortage of capacity is forecast fo ductile and gray iron castings made on vertically and horizontally parted molding machines.
September 1, 2005... Increases in imports and the closing of casting operations in the U.S. has led to reduced casting capacities. As a result, supply shortages are forecast for gray and ductile iron castings in specific market sectors. In order to shed some...

Protein Sand Binder.(Literature+PLUS+)
September 1, 2005... GMBOND[R] Sand Binder from Hormel Foods Corporation is a protein-based sand binder that helps foundries reduce the costs associated with shakeout and sand while helping minimize emission compliance expenditures. Using GMBOND[R], less binder is...

Complete Foundry Solutions.(Literature+PLUS+)
September 1, 2005... 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...

Sutter SP Series Core Machine.(Literature+PLUS+)
September 1, 2005... With a wide range of base machine sizes, blow capacities and production configurations, the Sutter SP Series Core Machine is able to provide the best, no-compromise machine configuration for both your present and future core production...

Automated casting finishing systems.(Literature+PLUS+)
September 1, 2005... 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...

Core automation.(Laempe and Reich)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Laempe has taken core automation to a new level by integrating reliable robotic handling for core removal, processing and assembly. The company's in-house automation staff utilizes the latest engineering and software technology to lead you...

Innovation in shakeout.(Literature+PLUS+)
September 1, 2005... 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,...

SIVEX* FC filters for aluminum castings.(Literature+PLUS+)
September 1, 2005... SIVEX* FC filters are phosphate-free, non-ceramic, reticulated foam filters, ideal for molten aluminum alloys in both sand and permanent molds. Their graphite-based formulation provides significant advantages in performance and remelt...

Rotary media drum.(Literature+PLUS+)
September 1, 2005... 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+)
September 1, 2005... 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+)
September 1, 2005... 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...

FOXALL[R] Automated Finishing.(Literature+PLUS+)
September 1, 2005... Vulcan's FOXALL[R] Automated Finishing Center offers the latest innovations in casting finishing, throughput and precision. For foundries to compete in today's global market, they must reduce labor and increase efficiency throughout their...

Protein Sand Binder.
September 1, 2005... The GMBOND[R] Sand Binder enables business success with a proven technology. Shakeout studies show that GMBOND[R] maintains better collapsibility. Because it's water soluble, it simplifies core removal and allows sand and binder to be reused....

Cross-Flow[R] dust collection.(Literature+PLUS+)
September 1, 2005... The Beltech Cross-Flow[R] system of dust collectors is an efficient, low maintenance hi-pressure pulse cartridge style system, manufactured to your exact specification using our skilled design and fabrication facilities: These systems are both...

Foam filters.(TaoFil from InterSource)
September 1, 2005... InterSource offers a complete line of TaoFil, ceramic foam filters for different kinds of metallurgical applications. The reticular shape of the filter provides a thorough and deep filtration to remove impurities in molten metal stream. This...

Ultra melt crucibles.(Typical metal casting method)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... ULTRAMELT is a premium quality carbon bonded silicon carbide crucible manufactured by high pressure iso-static pressing. It offers superior performance for aggressive erosive conditions with heavy fluxing in both copper based alloys and...

Engineering analysis software.(Literature+PLUS+)
September 1, 2005... ESI Group, a leader in engineering analysis software, is featuring ProCAST, an extensive engineering design tool that exceeds challenging requirements, covering fully coupled fluid flow, thermal, solidification, stress and microstructure for...

MAUS automatic grinding.(The MAUS casting)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... MAUS introduces a proven design of automatic grinding of iron and steel casting& The MAUS technique is a repeatable process utilizing ragged CNC platform, precise individual casting position verification, grinding wheel wear verification and...

Ceramic media.(Literature+PLUS+)
September 1, 2005... 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.(Laempe and Reich for management)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... 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...

Casting engineering services.(Literature+PLUS+)
September 1, 2005... Flow Science now offers cost effective simulation and process analysis using its powerful and accurate FLOW-3D[R] software. So, even if you feel you are not ready to adopt the advantages of simulation fulltime, our new Engineering Services...

Automated melt control.(Literature+PLUS+)
September 1, 2005... The VIP[R] Melt-Manager[R] Plus induction power supply combines efficient and reliable melting cycles with built-in melt control. This automation technology provides operator assistance for the complete melting cycle. Melt-Manager[R] Plus...

Heat treating services.(Alfe Corporate Group new process )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... We understand that heat treating is an integral part of your production process. So we make sure you're always in control. Our job is to make your job easier whether you have one-of-a-kind or high-volume manufactured parts, aluminum or ferrous,...

Heat treating iron castings: part 2.(CASTING FACTS)
September 1, 2005... In the 1930s, a fine, feathery, needle-like microstructure unlike ferrite, pearlite and martensite was found in steels when they were cooled rapidly from austenitizing temperatures and held at intermittent temperatures. This structure, called...

AFS to benefit from DOE-USCAR research agreement.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
September 1, 2005... AFS will continue work toward developing improved affordable lightweight cast components as a result of a recent agreement between the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) and the United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR). The five-year,...

AFS hosts open house, Chapter Officers Conference at headquarters.(American Foundry Society)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... AFS hosted an open house at its new headquarters Aug. 3. The open house corresponded with the Chapter Officers Conference (COC) and Board of Directors Meeting. The COC brought together officers from AFS national affiliates to discuss how to...

FEF moves in to AFS/CMI facilities.(Active Federal Service )(Foundrey Educational Foundation)(Cable Microcell Integrator )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... AFS Executive Vice President Jerry Call greets Foundrey Educational Foundation (FEF) Executive Director Bill Sorenson at the AFS Open House. FEF moved its offices to the AFS/CMI facilities in Schaumburg, Ill. on Tuesday, Aug. 16. The move was...

Thank you.(AFS/CMI NEWS)
September 1, 2005... This space is to thank the instructors and their companies who have provided their time and expertise for CMI courses held June 1-July 31, 2005. Walt Villiers, Moraine Valley Engineering Corp. Dave Williams, ASI International Ted...