Welcome to e-Connections, the weekly AFS email newsletter. In this December 11, 2007, edition:

Campbell Included in Global Technology Series
In November, Prof. John Campbell, Univ. Birmingham, U.K., the originator of the Cosworth Casting Process, held a Minimizing Casting Defects workshop at AFS headquarters, Schaumburg, Ill. This was the first installment in the AFS Global Technology Series, which will include several presentations by leading metalcasting technologists.

More than 40 people attended this AFS members-only event, where several castings were presented and analyzed for defects. Campbell noted that the largest issue with casting defects is the presence of oxide films in the casting. Attendees said about the workshop:

..."Absolutely fascinating concepts validated through excellent research and profound logic," Ron Karg, Foundry Manager, Ford Meter Box Company, Inc.
..."This is a VERY significant conclusion and one with very large potential to help metalcasters make better castings. The concepts apply to all metals, all casting methods and casting sizes," John Troxler, Foundry Engineer, Rolls-Royce Naval Marine, Inc.
..."This was a super workshop and exceeded my expectations. We need more John Campbells in the industry to explore new methods for improvement of casting quality," Dan Westphal, Foundry Engineer, Brillion Iron Works

For more information on the Campbell workshop, or future presentations included in the Global Technology Series, contact Steve Robison, AFS senior technical director, at str@afsinc.org or 800/537-4237.

Santa Needs a Casting Supplier
Santa's elves are capable of producing many different toys, but when it comes to casting his bells, they need a little help. Since the elves can't accommodate, Santa is looking for a metalcasting facility to cast his brass jingle bells. Some of the bells are typical, some are acorn-shaped. If your metalcasting facility can help Santa, visit www.santachicago.com or call 224-772-8879.

IJMC Website Updated
In October, AFS announced the launch of its newest website, www.metalcastingjournal.com. The website was launched as a companion to its acclaimed International Journal of Metalcasting (IJMC).

The website has been updated so papers may be submitted and reviewed electronically, making the reviewing process easier for both authors and reviewers. Once an author submits a paper, they are assigned a username and password, which will allow them to view the status of their paper as well as let them review or update the submission at any time. For more information on electronic submission to the IJMC website, contact Pam Lassila, Casting Congress administrative assistant, at plassila@afsinc.org or 800/537-4237.

Internet Course Survey Available
AFS and its Cast Metals Institute (CMI) are developing short format (1.5-to 2-hour) internet courses. In order to determine the subjects to include, a short survey has been made available. Take a few moments to fill it out, and you will be entered into a drawing to receive a free CMI course.

To take the survey, click here. For more information on this survey, contact Jennifer Head, CMI special projects and course coordinator, at jhead@afsinc.org.

Submit Your Casting of the Year
Engineered Casting Solutions and the AFS Marketing Div. now are accepting submissions for the 2008 Casting Competition. Each year, dozens of castings are sent in with the hopes of becoming the next Casting of the Year.

Find out if your castings stand up against the elite. All castings submitted receive free publicity in Engineered Casting Solutions magazine. The Casting of the Year receives a free year's license of Magmasoft casting simulation software. Click here to download an entry form. For more information, contact Dave Krugman, AFS PR and marketing coordinator, at dkrugman@afsinc.org.

Melting & Heat Treating of Castings Course Available
The Cast Metals Institute will be offering a Melting & Heat Treating of Castings internet course, in conjunction with Mohawk College, Feb. 26-May 31. The intent of this course, is to give the student a broad understanding of the melting and heat treating techniques used in various ferrous and non-ferrous castings. The course will focus on discussing the major and minor alloying elements and heat treat options for aluminum, copper-based, magnesium, steel and cast iron alloys.

For more information, or to register for this course, click here or contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237.

New to Metallurgy? CMI Offers Online Intro Course
The Cast Metals Institute will be offering an Introduction to Metallurgy internet course, in conjunction with Mohawk College, Feb. 26-May 31. The intent of this course, is to introduce the student to the basic components of metallurgy. Topics include basic atomic structure, key metallic crystalline structures, effect of structure on mechanical properties, binary phase diagrams, and heat treatment of common ferrous and aluminum alloys. Online laboratories will reinforce topics covered in the course.

For more information, or to register for this course, click here or contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237.

Looking for more information on melting and heat treating of castings? The DVD Basic Principles of Fluid Flow/Heat Transfer and Solidification can help. AFS Special Publications has everything you need to supplement your metalcasting training. Visit www.afsinc.org/estore or call 800/537-4237 for more information.