member connections - American Foundry Society

MEMBER
CONNECTIONS
NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR AFS MEMBERS AND CHAPTERS
Metalcasting Industry Assembles at CastExpo’10
Spring 2010
Inside This Issue
From Your
Executive VP
2
Technology
Transfer
3
Membership
4
Chapter News
6
Government
Affairs
9
In the News
10
way up. We closed two orders on the show
The global metalcasting industry was on disfloor worth over $50,000, so it was time well
play at CastExpo’10 and the 114th Metalcastspent. We continue to follow up on other
ing Congress, held March 20-23 at the Orange
leads developed at the show and expect furCounty Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
ther positive results in the months to come.”
Cosponsored by the American Foundry
CastExpo’10 also unveiled a new segment
Society (AFS) and North American Die Castgeared towards casting designers and buyers,
ing Association (NADCA), the event attracted
the Cast in North America Pavilion. This area of
nearly 4,500 attendees and more than 300
the show allowed metalcasting facilities (foundcompanies from around the globe showcasries and diecasters) to showcase their casting
ing the latest technology, research and sercapabilities in an unprecedented forum. More
vices available to the metalcasting industry.
than 40 exhibitors had the opportunity to netThe attendees on the show floor came with
work with casting buyers and designers. This
decision making power—27% were presiarea of the show was complemented by castdents, chief executive officers or owners,
ing
design
22%
were
and sourcing
plant manageducation in
ers and 14%
the Metalcastwere
vice
ing Congress
presidents.
sessions.
The remain“Denison
ing 37% inIndustries is
cluded engivery excited
neers, sales
with the oprepresenta tives,
and More than 300 companies showcased the latest technology, research p o r t u n i t i e s
received as a
t e c h n i c a l , and services available to the metalcasting industry at CastExpo’10.
direct result
production
of our exhibiting efforts at the Cast in North
and maintenance personnel.
American Pavilion at this year’s show,” said
“Finite Solutions Inc. found the recent
Shawn Ingram, Denison Industries, Denison,
CastExpo show to be a valuable experiTexas. “We left CastExpo’10 not only with
ence,” said David Schmidt, Finite Solutions
solid leads, but confirmed meetings with
Inc., Slinger, Wis., an exhibitor at CastExpo.
very promising customers that we might not
“While the number of attendees may have
been less than at past shows, the average
(continued on page 3)
interest and seriousness of the contacts was
LEADING THE METALCASTING INDUSTRY
www.afsinc.org • 800/537-4237
AFS Member Connections • Spring 2010
1
From Your Executive Vice President
What’s the Verdict?
With CastExpo’10 now in the record books, we are pleased to report
that attendees and exhibitors alike
have stated the event exceeded their
expectations. A look at the numbers
for the show reveals that nearly 4,500
attendees and 370 exhibitors were
in attendance. Remembering that
this Expo was on a two-year versus
three-year cycle to avoid conflicting
with GIFA in 2011—and that we were
emerging from the most severe recession since the early 1980s—the show
was viewed as money and time well
spent.
It important to note that the decision to hold the show in 2010 versus
2011 was made in early 2008. By this
time the traditional Midwest venues
that we have chosen in the past to
host the event were booked. The two
remaining venues that could meet the
weight requirements of our show, as
well as having the required supporting services and accommodations,
were Los Angeles, California and Orlando, Florida. After carefully considering both venues, Orlando was chosen due to it better meeting the needs
of both exhibitors and attendees. We
are in the final negotiations for the
2013 CastExpo which will again be
held in a Midwestern location.
In terms of new additions to the
show, the Cast in North America Pavilion (CINA) and Metalcasting Tech-
nology Theater were both huge successes. In fact, metalcasting facilities
that exhibited, as well as casting
buyers and designers that attended,
have requested that we make CINA
an annual event at the show.
Requests also have been made for
the Metalcasting Technology Theater
on the show floor to be a permanent
addition to CastExpo. Hundreds of
metalcasters, casting buyers and
design engineers attended presentations on the economic state of the
metalcasting industry, energy and its
effect on the industry, common Occupational Safety & Health Administration violations and safety. It also
has been noted that the Metalcasting
Technology Theater would be especially valuable to large numbers of
shop floor personnel if presented in
the heart of metalcasting—the Midwest. This request is being taken into
careful consideration.
All-in-all, the metalcasting industry
again proved its resilience by coming
together for a successful CastExpo
and Metalcasting Congress. Thank
you to each and every person and
company that attended, participated
in, and supported CastExpo’10 and
the 114th Metalcasting Congress. The
AFS staff is proud and honored to
have the opportunity to serve this industry and the wonderful individuals
from which its fabric is woven.
Gerald G. Call
Executive Vice President
American Foundry Society
jcall@afsinc.org
2
We are pleased to
tell you that the
most commonly
received comments
from both attendees
and exhibitors were
that the event
exceeded their
expectations, and
that the decision-makers
were in attendance.
Jerry Call
AFS Executive Vice President
2009-10 AFS Officers
President
Henry Lodge, Lodge Manufacturing Co.
Vice President
Timothy G. McMillin, Fairmount Minerals Ltd.
2nd Vice President
Michael L. Selz, Charlotte Pipe & Foundry Co.
Immediate Past President
Stephen H. Reynolds, Lufkin Industries Inc.
AFS Leaders
Executive Vice President
Gerald G. Call, jcall@afsinc.org
Vice President of Technical Services
Tom Prucha, tprucha@afsinc.org
Publisher/Editor of MODERN CASTING and Metal Casting Design & Purchasing,
Director of Marketing, PR and Communications
Alfred Spada, aspada@afsinc.org
Director of Membership Services
Leo Baran, lbaran@afsinc.org
Cast Metals Institute Director of Education
Jennifer Head, jhead@afsinc.org
Director of Publications & Related Services
Laura Moreno, lmoreno@afsinc.org
Director of Environmental, Health & Safety
Frederick H. Kohloff, CSHM, fhk@afsinc.org
AFS Member Connections • Spring 2010
Metalcasting Industry Assembles at CastExpo’10
(continued from page 1)
otherwise have been able to schedule.”
In addition to the show floor, CastExpo’10 offered technical and management sessions in several different fields of
metalcasting including casting design and purchasing, diecasting, engineering, environmental health and safety, human resources, marketing, metals, molding and patterns.
“CastExpo’10 and the 114th Metalcasting Congress
was a success,” said Jerry Call, AFS executive vice
president. “We have already received many positive
comments from both attendees and exhibitors alike regarding the additions of the Metalcasting Technology
Theater, Metalcasting Advancement Center and Cast in
North America Pavilion.”
“By all accounts from our exhibitors, this show was
much better than expected, given the recent economic
conditions. Everyone felt that the mix and quality of the attendees was excellent,” said NADCA President Daniel L.
Twarog. “The joint venture with AFS has made this show a
‘must-attend’ event in North America for the serious metalcasting company.”
AFS
Technology Transfer
AFS Research Helps Produce
$10.1 Million Grant, Lightweight Casting Solutions
was developed by Prof. Xiaochun Li at
With the help of AFS research, the
is expected to increase as automotive
UWM through an AFS funded project.
Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison (UWM),
industries are forced to improve the fuel
As published in the Metalcasting IndusMadison, Wis., has procured a five
efficiency of their products.
try Research chapter of the Spring 2009
year, $10.1 million grant from the Na“It could reduce weight by 20% to
(Vol. 3, Issue 2) International Journal of
tional Institute of Standards and Tech30% on an engine block, for example,”
Metalcasting (IJMC), the need for cast
nology. The grant has been issued to
said Tom Prucha, AFS vice president of
aluminum and magnesium alloys havtake cast aluminum and magnesium
technical services. “If it proves successing elevated temperature capabilities
nanocomposites from laboratory to
ful, the research eventually could result
large-scale producin thousands of new
tion. AFS helped
jobs in the U.S. metUWM by providing
alcasting industry.”
the research funds
For more infornecessary to initiate
mation on this or
the seed project that
other AFS sponhelped to prove the
sored
research
viability of the techprojects, contact
nology.
Prucha at 800/537A method that
4237 x264 or tprucombines solidificacha@afsinc.org. To
tion processes with
subscribe to the
ultrasonic cavitation
IJMC, contact AFS
based
dispersion
customer service
of nanoparticles in
at
800/537-4237,
aluminum and mag- With the help of AFS research, the Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wis., has procured or estoreservices@
nesium alloy melts a five year, $10.1 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
afsinc.org.
AFS
AFS Member Connections • Spring 2010
3
Membership
Association Management 101
Being in the metalcasting industry, you might not know how the
association world works. Typically,
individuals in manufacturing understand how things are made. Whether their educational background
is technical or managerial or they
simply have years of experience,
employees at metalcasting facilities know how to deliver cast metal
“stuff.” They are specialists.
The same is true in the association world. These folks understand
the inner-workings of a not-for-profit
and nothing more. Rarely, if ever,
do associations have an “industry
person” employed full-time. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons doesn’t
have medical doctors on staff, nor
does the International Concrete Repair Institute employ concrete experts. When this does occur, it is a
rare exception to the rule. So let me
introduce just such an exception.
You guessed it—AFS.
At your society’s headquarters in
Schaumburg, Ill., people that know
what a metalcaster does for a living
are available to help you. They have
worked in and around the industry.
So when an OEM recently called for
guidance on finding a source for
more than 400 steel castings, your
technical staff helped. And when a
nonferrous metalcaster called for
help with a defect in a C958 nick-
el aluminum bronze casting, your
technical staff helped again.
So what do you do? Are you a
steel investment caster? Or a copper-base permanent mold operation? Maybe you sell products to
the industry. Or you buy castings.
It makes no difference to AFS staff
members. They can help.
Can an association be everything
to everyone? No organization can.
But when you are in a specialized
area of manufacturing, having access to focused resources in HR,
EHS and technology can allow your
company to become globally competitive and stay so.
Why do trade associations exist? Each membership-based society’s mission statement might read
differently, but the central reason
is simple—strength in numbers.
Even direct competitors can benefit from tapping into common key
resources. And let’s be honest, the
industry’s competition often is not
the metalcaster down the street or
halfway around the globe. It is competing processes and materials, as
well as regulatory burdens and industry perceptions, that slow metalcasters down. Having access to
timely assistance from people with
a deep knowledge of the industry
can make the typical metalcasting
facility better and stronger.
When you are in a
specialized area of
manufacturing, having
access to focused
resources in HR, EHS
and technology can
allow your company
to become globally
competitive
and stay so.
Leo Baran
AFS Director of
Membership Services
Leo Baran
Director of Membership Services
American Foundry Society
lbaran@afsinc.org
4
AFS Member Connections • Spring 2010
Technology Transfer
Have Technical Questions? Ask the Experts!
Looking for answers to your technical questions? Look
active in the metalcasting industry for more than 35 years,
no further—the AFS Technical Department is here to help.
specializing primarily in aluminum and magnesium casting.
These metalcasting inBefore working in the AFS
dustry experts respond
technical department, Rodaily to hotline requests
bison worked in an alumifor technical and operanum facility for 15 years.
tional assistance via the
His primary responsibilitelephone and email,
ties at AFS include cocoordinate the technical
ordinating the technical
program for conferencsessions for the annual
es including the annual
Metalcasting
Congress
Metalcasting Congress,
and working closely with
Steve Robison,
Scott Lammers,
Thomas Prucha,
organize more than 80
metalcasting facilities to
AFS Senior Technical
AFS Technical
AFS Vice President of
technical committees and
transfer the latest technolDirector—a 35-year
Director—a 20-year
Technical Services—a
the AFS library, publish
metalcasting veteran,
metalcasting veteran,
30-year metalcasting
ogy practices.
coordinates the
oversees the AFS
veteran, oversees
the International Journal
Scott Lammers, AFS
Metalcasting Conlibrary and
technical support,
of Metalcasting and detechnical director, has
gress and specializes
specializes in
committee activities
in nonferrous metals.
ferrous metals.
and research projects.
velop and manage reworked in the metalcastsearch projects to ensure
ing industry for more than
the future of the metalcasting industry. In addition, they work
20 years, specializing primarily in ferrous metals. Lammers
with many other organizations outside of the metalcasting
not only works with AFS ferrous member facilities on their
industry, including the Society of Automotive Engineers, Somost pressing metallurgical issues, he also is responsible
ciety of Manufacturing Engineers, American Society for Testfor organizing and overseeing the updating of the AFS liing and Materials to keep abreast of the latest manufacturing
brary—a real-time, precision tool to locate both current and
technologies and practices.
historical information necessary for technical, production
The head of the department is Tom Prucha, AFS vice
and marketing decisions.
president of technical services. A 30 year metalcasting
There is no other group of people in the metalcasting
veteran, Prucha oversees all aspects of AFS member techindustry that can help you in a faster, more efficient mannical support, technical committee activities and research
ner. Use your membership and seek out Prucha, Robison
projects. He also is Editor of the International Journal of
or Lammers with your technical questions. Prucha can be
Metalcasting.
contacted at 800/537-4237 x264, Robison at x227 and LamSteve Robison, AFS senior technical director, has been
mers at x228. AFS
Technical Conferences to Help With Management,
Heat Treatment Practices
Two beneficial conferences are coming from the AFS
Technical Department to help your facility become more efficient and profitable. The first, Heat Treatment Theory and
Practice for both ferrous nonferrous facilities, will be held
May 26-27 at AFS Headquarters, Schaumburg, Ill. The conference is intended to provide an understanding of the basic
principles of thermal treatment, as well as best heat treating
AFS Member Connections • Spring 2010
practices for ferrous and nonferrous castings. The second,
Improving Operations and Profitability in the Small Foundry,
will be held June 22-23 at AFS Headquarters. This conference is intended to help management of metalcasting facilities with fewer than 75 employees deal with issues including
human resources, safety and regulatory compliance.
(continued on page 9)
5
For a complete list of upcoming AFS chapter meetings,
visit www.afsinc.org/chapters.
Chapter News
Cast Your Future, Solidify Profits at AFS Northwest Regional
The 2010 AFS Northwest Regional Conference will be
held May 13-15 at the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, Whistler, B.C., Canada. The focus of the regional conference is
to help shape your facility’s future. It will include presentations on:
• Clean Lean and Mean, Michael Aughtman, Vulcan
Engineering, Birmingham, Ala.
• Cast and Shakeout, Gene Muratore, Rio Tinto Iron
and Titanium, Des Plaines, Ill.
• Building and Sustaining a Winning Team, Chris Norch,
Denison Industries, Denison, Texas.
• North American Metalcasting: Competing Globally?,
Alfred Spada, AFS, Schaumburg, Ill.
• Strong Markets Ahead!, Raymond Monroe, Steel
Founders’ Society of America, Crystal Lake, Ill.
• ADI Conversions for Fun and Profit, John Keough, Applied Process, Livonia, Mich.
• Ecomission: Advances in Foundry Binder Technology, Doug Trinowski, HA International, Westmont, Ill.
For more information or to register for this conference, contact Barry Spence, conference chairman, at 800/663-2869 or
visit www.afsbc.ca/2010conference. AFS
AFS Twin Cities Chapter to Host Half-Day Specification Seminar
The AFS Twin Cities Chapter will host a half-day seminar Tuesday, May 11, at the Green Mill Hampton Inn, Shoreview, Minn. The featured speaker, John A. Rivers, Rivers
Precision LLC, will give the presentation “Communicating
and Verifying Specifications of Castings.”
The workshop will address communicating and verifying
specifications of the unique features of precision castings.
Due to their non-uniform characteristics, such as draft, distortion, and surface texture, special standards and procedures
must be adhered to in order to clearly specify requirements
and inspect castings. An introduction and review of ASME
standard Y14.8-2009, which addresses the dimensioning
and tolerance of castings, forgings and molded parts, will
be given, followed by examples and discussion of applying
the standard with practical methods of inspection using various types of inspection procedures. Participants will receive
a copy of ASME Y14.8-2009 Castings, Forgings and Molded
Parts. This nationally recognized standard will give tools to
anyone involved in the production or end-use of castings.
For more information or to register for this event, contact
Joy Clifford, AFS Twin Cities Chapter, at 763/413-7933 or
joyclifford@comcast.net.
AFS
AFS St. Louis Chapter Tours MetalTek, Attends
Presentation on 9/11 Memorials
On Feb. 11, the AFS St. Louis
chapter toured the MetalTek Carondelet Foundry, Pevely, Mo. In addition to touring the facility, Barry
Craig, MetalTek’s facility manager,
gave a presentation on the designing and production of memorial
benches that Carondelet was commissioned to make for 9/11 pentagon memorials. The presentation
also included images of the dedication of the benches, which Carondelet employees attended in Washington, D.C. AFS
6
St. Louis—In Feb., Tom Rhoads (l), AFS National Board Member, thanks Barry Craig,
MetalTek, for his presentation on the designing and making of memorial benches for the
9/11 memorial.
AFS Member Connections • Spring 2010
Chapter News
Central Indiana—In March, David Clark, chapter chairman (right),
presents Bill Baker, Interstate Castings, with a speaker’s award
for his presentation “Overview of the Casting Industry in Indiana.”
Northeast Wisconsin—In March, Chuck Kurtti (center), AFS past
president, presents speaker’s awards to Michael Osmundson,
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (left), and Hiroshi Sugitatsu, Kobe
Steel Ltd., for their presentation “Ironmaking Technology Mark
Three or ITmk3 Process.”
Northeast Wisconsin—In March, $14,500 in metalcasting scholarships were awarded
to 11 students. They were (from left to right) Phillip Aliota-UW Platteville, Fred KrauseUW Manitowoc, Eric Moe-UW Platteville, Marc Bond-UW Platteville, Tony Betts-UW
Platteville, Henry Frear-UW Platteville, Nicholas Belton-UW Madison, Scot CouturierUW Platteville, Michelle Loomis-Michigan Tech, Jason Sallgren-Michigan Tech and
Kyle Deane-Michigan Tech.
Northeast Ohio—
In December, Matt
Baker,
Greater
Cleveland Council, Boy Scouts of
America, gave the
presentation “Supporting the Metalworking Badge.”
AFS Member Connections • Spring 2010
Northeast Wisconsin—In April, Dave
Jablonski, chapter president (right), presents David Weiss, Eck Industries Inc.,
a speaker’s award for his presentation
““Foundries: The Final Frontier—The Next
Thousand Years of Casting Technology.”
British Columbia—In December, four chapter members received
service pins. Recipients included (from left to right) Larry Arychuck, 35 years, Shane Thorington, 15 years, Kia Damghani, 10
years, and Casey Sheriland, five years.
7
Chapter News
Central
New
York—In
February,
Brad
Wiler
(right),
chapter
chairman,
presents
Pat
Scullion,
Refcotec, with a speaker’s award for his presentation “Coatings/Foundry Applications.”
Stateline—In January, Cris Proctor (left),
chapter chairman, presents Stephen Neltner, S&B Industrial Minerals, a speaker’s
award for his presentation “Future Expectations of Foundry Bentonite.”
Texas—In January, George Westhoff (left), chapter chairman,
presents Ralph Shoman, Ashland Casting Solutions, with a
speaker’s award for his presentation “Casting Defects.”
Plaines States—In February, Don Hibbs, chapter chairman (right), presents Raymond Bitzel
Jr., Wheelabrator Plus, a speakers’ award for his
presentation“Shotblast 101.”
8
Twin Cities—In January, Mike Souchy (left), chapter chairman,
thanks Doug Allen and Beau Griffey, both with the U.S. Dept.
of Energy, for their presentations “Managing Natural Gas Risk”
and “The Impacts of Cap and Trade Legislation.”
Texas—In February, George Westhoff (right), chapter chairman,
presents a speaker’s award to Randy Lennan, GDF Suez, for his
presentation “Wind Energy.”
AFS Member Connections • Spring 2010
Technology Transfer
Technical Conferences to Help With Management,
Heat Treatment Practices
(continued from page 5)
Important elements to be discussed at the Heat Treatment
TheoryandPracticeferrousconferencewillincludethermaltreatment (normalizing, stress relieving, annealing, austempering),
surface hardening methods, auditing heat treating sources,
differences in heat treating iron and steel castings, and applications of heat treated cast irons and competitive materials. The nonferrous side will cover increasing tensile
strength, maximizing elongation, which aluminum alloys
meet strength requirements without heat treating, minimizing
distortion, improving hardness and machining performance,
and discovering the optimum heat treat cycle for each alloy
or component geometry. They will be led by the well-known
industry expert John Jorstad, JLJ Technologies Inc., Richmond, Va. The conference also will include a roundtable
discussion where attendees are encouraged to bring heat
treating questions, problems and concerns for discussion
and problem solving.
Topics to be discussed at the Improving Operations
and Profitability in the Small Foundry conference include
energy reduction, establishing a quality program, environmental, health and safety issues, engineering and cleaning
room improvements, the latest technology advancements
and people management.
To view brochures and register for either of these events,
visit www.afsinc.org/events or contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237. AFS
Government Affairs
Ten Senators Highlight Metalcasting Concerns on
Climate Bill in Letter to Kerry, Lieberman and Graham
After months of discussions with AFS
and its members, 10 industrial state
Democrats have highlighted metalcasting as a unique industry that requires
special consideration in the new Senate
climate change bill.
In a letter to Sens. John Kerry (DMass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and
Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), the architects
of the Senate climate and energy measure, the group of 10 outlined a series of
pro-industry proposals that
they must see in a bill if the
measure has any chance
of winning their vote. The
letter stated the legislation
must provide a “fair and
balanced” solution for metalcasters and a handful of
other unique industries to re-
ceive free allowances to cover increased
energy costs under a climate program.
Furthermore, the letter asks for a firm
price collar on carbon, sufficient offsets, a regionally equitable distribution
of allowances, reasonable emissions
targets and timetables, and a pathway
for the development, demonstration,
and deployment of carbon capture and
sequestration technologies.
The Kerry-Graham-Lieberman plan
AFS Member Connections • Spring 2010
would apply a cap-and-trade model
of carbon regulations to different sectors of the economy. To date, only
an eight-page outline of the plan has
been circulated.
The AFS Washington Office continues to work closely with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and a host of
Senators in key metalcasting states in
crafting legislative language that will
ensure all metalcasting sectors are included within the bill’s
rebate provisions.
For more information, contact
Alicia
Oman, Metalcasters Alliance for Government
Affairs Washington office, at 202/842-4864 or
aoman@afsinc.org.AFS
9
In the News
John Deere Alternator/AC Bracket Wins Casting of the Year
The metalcasting industry recognized 12 cast components
as top designs in the 2010 American Foundry Society and
Metal Casting Design and Purchasing Casting Competition.
These components are being used in a variety of industries,
including automotive, construction, medical and military.
Dotson Iron Castings, Mankato, Minn., earned top honors in the annual competition for its alternator/air conditioning bracket. The component supports and attaches a 12-lb.
high output alternator and 14-lb. air conditioning compressor
to the engine of John Deere skid loaders and replaces an
11 piece steel weldment. The cast version of the alternator
bracket accommodates the various angles necessary for accurate mounting surfaces and hold alignment.
AFS also awarded five Best-in-Class honors and six Honorable Mentions:
2010 Best In Class
• Liftgate Inner, Meridian Magnesium Products of America, Eaton Rapids, Mich.
• Four Cylinder Intake Manifold,
Eagle Aluminum Cast Products,
Muskegon, Mich.
• Laparoscopic Surgery Instrument,
Aristo-Cast Inc., Almont, Mich.
• Fuel Filter Housing, BRP Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG,
Spruce Pine, N.C.
• Guide, Sioux City Foundry Co., Sioux City, Iowa
2010 Honorable Mention
• Lower Frame Casting, Pier Foundry & Pattern Shop
Inc., St. Paul, Minn.
• Ecotec 2.4-L Cylinder Block, Nemak Dillingen GmbH,
Monterrey, Mexico
• Oil Tank, Denison Industries, Denison, Texas
• Transmission Input Housing, P&H Mining Equipment,
Milwaukee, Wis.
• Locking Hinge Assembly, Signicast Investment Castings, Hartford, Wis.
• Diesel Particulate Filter Bracket, Citation Columbiana,
Columbiana, Ala.
This year’s Casting Competition was sponsored by
Magma Foundry Technologies, Schaumburg, Ill. Magma
will provide Dotson Iron Castings with a one-year license of
Magmasoft software, including
training and implementation
assistance.
AFS
Dotson Alternator/Air Conditioning Bracket
2010 Chapter Officer’s Conference: New Decade, New Thinking
If you are a Chapter volunteer, join
AFS for the 2010 Chapter Officer’s
Conference (COC), which will be held
August 12-13, 2010, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Des Plaines, Ill. At this year’s
COC, attendees will explore the current resources and tools that can help
strengthen their local chapters and
give them ideas for unique approaches to chapter management in these
changing times. Check with local officers to see who is representing your
chapter at this year’s COC.
For more information, contact Abigail Adreani at abigail@afsinc.org or
847/824-0181 x221. AFS
10
Thirty five chapters convened at the Hilton Garden Inn, Rosemont, Ill., for the 2009 Chapter
Officer’s Conference.
AFS Member Connections • Spring 2010
In the News
AFS Introduces New Insurance Program
AFS has introduced Insurance Solutions, a new
individual membership program to help with spiraling insurance costs. Benefits of the new program include:
• accident
insurance—provides a
financial cushion
if an accident occurs;
• cancer/specifieddisease
insurance—helps with
medical expenses
related to cancer
treatment.
In addition, the plan
offers cash benefits in cases of illness or injury that can
be used regardless of other insurance being carried.
Cash benefits can be used for deductibles, copayments or out-of-network
charges, travel-related
expenses,
everyday
living expenses and
lost income. For more
information on how to
take advantage of the
Insurance
Solutions
program, contact Leo
Baran, AFS director of
membership services,
at 800/537-4237 x201 or
lbaran@afsinc.org.AFS
Three New Publications Released by AFS
AFS has released three new publications—Hearing Loss Prevention in Metalcasting, ASTM A247 Iron
Casting Graphite Microstructure Rating Chart and
the 2010 Wage and Benefits
Survey.
Members of the AFS Environmental, Health & Safety
Committee (10-Q) prepared
Hearing Loss Prevention
in Metalcasting to provide
metalcasters with updated
information and guidance to
support problems that address noise exposure issues in the
workplace.
Prepared by the AFS Cast Iron
Division Quality Control Committee
(5-J) with the approval of the ASTM
Committee A04 on Iron Castings, the
ASTM A247 Iron Casting Graphite
Microstructure Rating Chart supplements ASTM specification A247 and
AFS Member Connections • Spring 2010
is used to determine graphite form, size and distribution for both gray and ductile iron. The chart uses highquality photomicrographs in
place of the plates of artist
renditions of graphite sizes
and shapes currently offered
by ASTM.
The 2010 Survey of Wages and Economic Benefits
details the status of wages
and benefits for the metalcasting industry in the
U.S. and Canada by facility
size, union status and type
of metal poured. This year’s survey includes reports from 119 U.S.
metalcasting facilities representing
12,450 employees and 10 facilities
with 501 employees in Canada.
For more information or to purchase any of these publications,
contact AFS customer service at
800/537-4237.
AFS
11
American Foundry Society
1695 N. Penny Lane
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4555
www.afsinc.org
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US POSTAGE PAID
WHEELING, IL
PERMIT #38
Published by the American Foundry Society, Inc. Schaumburg, Ill., AFS Member Connections is a newsletter for all current AFS members. Inquiries about
AFS Member Connections should be sent to Dave Krugman, PR and marketing coordinator, at 800/537-4237 ext. 286 or dkrugman@afsinc.org.
Upcoming AFS Conferences
May 26-27
AFS Global Technology Series: Heat
Treatment Theory and Practice
(Ferrous/Nonferrous), Schaumburg, IL
June 21-22
AFS Improving Operations and
Profitability in the Small Foundry
Conference, Schaumburg, IL
Aug. 22-25
AFS 22nd Environmental, Health & Safety
Conference, Nashville, TN
Sept. 19-21
AFS Foundry Executive Conference
Park City, UT
Upcoming CMI Courses
New AFS Corporate Members
May 25-27
Casting Design, Schaumburg, Ill.
Management Science Associates Inc
Pittsburgh, PA
TechniSand Inc
Roff, OK
June 1-28
Green Sand Control, Internet
Sivyer Steel Corp
Bettendorf, IA
General Motors Corp., Powertrain Div
Warren, MI
June 2-4
Foundry Sand Test Procedures
Workshop, Cincinnati, Ohio
A & B Foundry Inc
Franklin, OH
General Motors Corp.,
Allison Transmission
Indianapolis, IN
June 8-10
Cupola Melting for Engineers,
Schaumburg, Ill.
June 22-25
A Hands-On Introduction to
Metalcasting, Pittsburg, Kan.
Member Connections Staff
O’Hare Foundry Corp
St Louis, MO
Fundidora De Cananea S A de C V
Naco, AZ
Ancast Inc
Sodus, MI
Ajax, Kropp Forge
Cicero, IL
Virginia Industries
Rocky Hill, CT
Grede Holdings LLC
Novi, MI
Graphic Artist
Mike Berrafato, mberrafato@afsinc.org
ESI Group
Columbia, MD
A & B Foundry Inc
Fremont, CA
Supreme Cores Alabama
Alabaster, AL
Rel Inc
Calumet, MI
PR & Marketing Coordinator
Dave Krugman, dkrugman@afsinc.org
Saint Gobain
Saint Louis, MO
Sage Environment Consulting
Richardson, TX
Management Science Associates Inc
Tarentum, PA
General Motors Corp
Springboro, OH
Graphic Artist
Henry Parrilli, hparrilli@afsinc.org
LEADING THE METALCASTING INDUSTRY
www.afsinc.org • 800/537-4237
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AFS Member Connections • Spring 2010