Welcome to e-Connections, the weekly AFS email newsletter. In this January 15, 2008, edition:

IJMC Includes Study on Nanocomposites, Machining
The second issue of the International Journal of Metalcasting was released in early January, and is currently in the mail to subscribers. This issue features 6 papers, including one on "Recent Developments on Ultrasonic Cavitation Based Solidification Processing of Bulk Magnesium Nanocomposites," by G. Cao, H. Konishi and X. Li, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, that will discuss the potential to double the strength of aluminum castings with only a 1-2% addition of nano-sized particles of Silicon and Carbon. A second paper titled "Age Strengthening of Gray Iron–Kinetics Study," by V.L. Richards, T.V. Anish, S. Lekakh, D.C. Van Aken, Univ. of Missouri–Rolla, W. Nicola, Warsaw, Ind., will discuss improvements in machinability along with increases in strength that have been observed, and now documented for gray cast iron.

Don't delay, subscribe now to receive the journal that is leading the transfer of research and technology to the global metalcasting industry. For more information on the IJMC, and to download a subscription form, visit www.metalcastingjournal.com or contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237.

China Raises Export Tariffs to Curb Trade Surplus
Under pressure from the U.S. and Europe, China announced that it would impose or raise export duties on a variety of steel products including coke, alloy steel, steel billets, pig iron, and some finished steel products, effective Jan. 1, to rein in a record trade surplus and cut energy consumption and pollution. China's trade surplus rose 14.7 percent in November to $26.28 billion, one of the highest levels on record.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Finance, export taxes on semi-finished steel products will be raised to as much as 25%, and a 15% export tax will be imposed on some stainless steel, welded pipes and other steel products. To meet its World Trade Organization commitments and try to increase domestic consumption, China will cut import tariffs on more than 600 products including crude oil, coal, key equipment and component parts, sporting goods, coffee makers and automobile gear boxes. For more information, contact Alicia Oman, AFS Washington Office, at 202/842-4864 or aoman@afsinc.org.

Wisconsin Regional Features Presentation by Mikkola
The 2008 American Foundry Society (AFS) Wisconsin Regional Conference will be held Feb. 7-8, at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. The meeting is hosted by the AFS Wisconsin, Stateline and Northeast Wisconsin Chapters, and the Universities of Wisconsin.

Thirty-eight speakers will be included in this year's technical program, covering twenty-two topics, such as "Low Cost Metalcasting Ideas for High School Programs," Kyle Metzloff, Univ. of Wisconsin-Platteville, "Lost Foam Casting of Steel-Fill Mechanisms and Foam Decomposition Effects," Von Richards, Univ. of Missouri-Rolla; and the featured presentation, "The Future Challenges Facing the Metalcasting Industry," Paul Mikkola, AFS national president. A Friday breakfast presentation "The Journey to Best Small Company," with AFS Corporate Member Badger Mining also is scheduled.

Special room rates at the Pfister Hotel are available to those who pre-register. Mention the conference when registering to receive preferential rates. For more information, contact Donna Nagy at 262/594-2375 or waifs@wi.rr.com.

Investigate Energy Savings at Free Webinar
Selecting the right Energy Service Company (ESCO) also referred to as Alternative Retail Electric Supplier (ARES) for your company can be a daunting task. The marketplace is rife with complicated information which often prevents metalcasters from receiving the full benefit of the promised savings. This results in overpaying for electricity. To further complicate things, every ARES has multiple contracts and pricing structures.

AFS recognizes that metalcasters could use assistance in this arena, and is producing a free webinar focusing on the benefits of the AFS Energy Solutions program. Scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m. EST, this 45-minute webinar will educate you on reducing the impact energy supply (electricity and gas) has on your bottom line. Other Energy Solutions benefits discussed include access to the low-cost provider of energy with typically 10-25% savings, simple pricing model with no surcharges or hidden costs, flexible contract terms available, consultation on deregulation, pricing and contract terms and more. To register for this webinar, visit www.afsinc.org/energysolutionswebinar. For more information contact Dave Krugman, AFS PR and marketing coordinator, at dkrugman@afsinc.org.

Take the Automatic Molding Flask Survey
The AFS Green Sand Committee (4-M) is conducting a survey on the quality and maintenance of tight flasks used for horizontally parted molding machines. This data will be used to benchmark industry practices for inspection, qualification and maintenance of molding flasks. All those responding to the survey will receive a copy of the final report. All information will be confidential and proprietary, and your company will not be named in any way without your consent.

The survey is available at www.afsinc.org/moldinglinesurvey. For more information on this survey, contact Becky Erickson, AFS technical assistant, at techasst@afsinc.org.

Filling, Feeding & Gating Workshop Coming in March
The Cast Iron Filling, Feeding & Gating workshop will be held March 4-6, at the Hilton Garden Inn-Chicago O'Hare Airport, Des Plaines, Ill. The focus of the hands-on workshop will be choosing one of six computer simulated castings to gate & riser.

In addition, presentations included at this workshop will include current and future system designs, melt quality, treatment an inoculation, green sand mold wall, nobake molding and cores, filters and sleeves, casting process simulation, state of the art world technology, building metalcaster and buyer relationships and more. For more information on this hands-on workshop, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here to download a brochure.

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.

CMI Offers Nonferrous Gating and Risering Course
The Cast Metals Institute (CMI) will be offering a Nonferrous Gating & Riser Design course March 17-20 at Kent State Univ., Kent, OH. Gating and riser design for nonferrous alloys covers information on aluminum, copper-base and magnesium alloy castings. Metal flow, turbulence, solidification, heat transfer, shrinkage, metallostatic pressure effects, gating system and riser design, mold-wall movement and computer modeling are discussed. Riser size and gating system calculations, pouring times, placement and feeding distance of risers also will be covered. For more information, or to enroll in this course, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here.

Safety in the Foundry Seminar Coming Soon
The Cast Metals Institute (CMI) will be offering a Safety in the Foundry seminar March 18-20 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel, Nashville, TN. Seminar topics include:

Changing the safety culture;
Washington legislative update;
ABC's of occupational exposure limits (OEL's);
OSHA's electrical workpractice standard revisions;
Managing your hearing conservation program;
Recordkeeping;
Confined spaces in facilities;
MSDS management of a shoe string;
Respirator selection
Return to work;
Engaging your audience: interactive training technology;
Troubleshooting ventilation systems.

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

Looking for more information on nonferrous gating and risering? The publication Technology of Metalcasting 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.