Welcome to e-Connections, the weekly AFS email newsletter. In this February 19, 2008, edition:
U.S. Metalcasters to Gather in D.C. in April, Lowest Cost Ever to Corporate Members
Make your plans now to attend the the 2008 Government Affairs Conference, which will be held April 9-11 at The Madison Hotel, Washington, D.C. Key legislative issues to be discussed at the conference include:
- Trade: currency manipulation legislative initiatives;
- Energy/Environment: climate change legislative & its impact on metalcasting;
- HyperCast research;
- Chinese currency reform;
- Card-check legislation;
- Paid sick leave;
- Panel discussion on OSHA enforcement & new PPE rule;
- EPA update.
The annual conference also provides U.S. metalcasters a unique opportunity to meet their Congressional representatives face-to-face, and present some of the regulatory issues that concern them the most. At this year's conference, American Foundry Society/North American Die Casting Assn. corporate members will be able to bring a colleague from the same company free of charge after the price of one admission is paid. Special room rates at The Madison Hotel are available to those who pre-register before March 19. Mention the conference when registering to receive preferential rates. For more information, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here to download a brochure.
CastExpo'08 Attendee Registration Open
Attendee registration for CastExpo'08 is now open via the internet at www.castexpo.com. Sponsored by the American Foundry Society (AFS) and the North American Die Casting Association (NADCA), CastExpo represents the single largest trade show and exposition in North America for metalcasters and industry suppliers with more than 160,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and more than 450 companies showcasing their products and services to date. Held in conjunction with the 112th Metalcasting Congress, this year's event will be held in Atlanta, May 17-20, at the Georgia World Congress Center, Hall C.
Full CastExpo registration includes entrance to the exhibits, as well as admittance to the more than 200 technical presentations at a cost of $300/AFS and NADCA members and $400/non-members when purchased in advance. An exhibits-only registration option also is available at the advance rate of $50/member and $75/non-member. Register early to take advantage of the unique opportunity to learn more about the latest metalcasting technologies, innovative production practices, ongoing research, successful management tools and more.
Tickets also may be purchased for the various special events, including an AFS/NADCA welcome reception (a premier event for 2008) the AFS Annual Banquet, the AFS President's Luncheon and Annual Business Meeting, and a spouse's "Simply Southern Tour."
Held every three years, CastExpo attracts thousands of decision-making metalcasters from around the world, all of whom are looking for the latest advancements in equipment, technology and services to use in their own facilities. Exhibit space is still available. For more information on exhibiting, contact Expo Productions at 262/367-5500. For registration or ticket purchase inquiries, contact Trish Margel, NADCA, at 877/810-2018.
IJMC Includes Modification of Al-Si Alloys, Endurance of DI
The third issue of the International Journal of Metalcasting (IJMC) will be released April 2008. This issue will feature four papers and a technical communication, including a follow-up work by Geoffrey Sigworth, president, GKS Engineering Services, “The Modification of Al-Si Casting Alloys: Important Practical and Theoretical Aspects.” This paper builds upon his first fundamental work discussing grain refinement. A second paper, “Comparative Study Evaluation of Fatigue Endurance Limit of 4-and 6-mm Thin Wall Ductile Iron,” by C. Labrecque, M. Gagne & P. Cabanne, Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium, and C. Francois, C. Becret and F. Hoffmann, PSA Peugeot Citroen, describes the practical approach taken and important mechanical properties developed to obtain light weight ductile iron components for demanding and safety critical automobile suspension applications.
Don't delay, subscribe now to receive the publication 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.
MODERN CASTING Profiles Boose, Remissions-Reduction
In the March issue of MODERN CASTING, Boose Aluminum, Reamstown, Pa., is profiled. Boose is an aluminum sand caster that produces a variety of parts in markets ranging from military to ornamental. A fourth generation company, it sees 400% of the revenue today as it did in the 1990s.
The March issue also provides metalcasters information on how to maintain compliance with today’s environmental standards for hazardous materials. A separate article—the first in a series—explores current and future climate change policy in the U.S., as metalcasting industry leaders work to promote an effective remissions-reduction program that will not hinder manufacturing competitiveness.
For more information on late breaking metalcasting industry news, visit www.moderncasting.com.
Attend the Northwest Regional Conference in March
The 2008 Northwest Regional Conference will be held March 13-15 at the Hilton Tower Downtown, Portland, Ore.
Fifteen speakers from world-class organizations will be included in this year's program, covering topics such as "Clallenges of a Green Field Foundry in China," Percy Chang, ESCO, "Global Competition, the Economic Outlook," Ray Monroe, Steel Founders' Society of America, "Training and Safety in Mixed Cultural Work Force," Sula Rozenfeld, Gunderson, Inc. "Elyria Foundry, Yesterday and Today," L. Kim Bevington, Elyria Foundry, "Observational Based Safety," Gary Woods, Evraz Oregon Steel Mills, "U.S. Metalcasting: Competing in a Global Marketplace," Alfred Spada, Editor/Publisher MODERN CASTING and Engineered Casting Solutions magazines, AFS director of marketing, pr and communications, "Changing Chemical Analysis of Steel Scrap That is Used in Iron and Steel Foundries," Eugene Muratore, Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium America and more.
A past-chairman’s dinner, Saturday night banquet and tours of Dependable Patterns Works, Evraz Oregon Steel Mills & Columbia Steel also is scheduled. For more information on this conference, visit www.afsoregon.com/afsregional, contact Beth Knipple at 503/226-6506 or beth@bridgetowncores.com.
Participate in the CMI Chapter Course Competition
CMI is currently holding a competition for AFS Chapters that co-sponsor CMI courses. The chapter with the highest attendance from within their chapter area will win $1,000 and three complimentary course registration certificates. Second place will receive $500 and two course certificates and third place receives $250 and one course certificate. To qualify for the competition, the chapter must have at least 10 attendees. The contest will end in June, and entries must be submitted at that time.
For more information, including course schedules and locations, visit the CMI website at www.castmetals.com, or contact Jennifer Head, CMI special projects and course coordinator, at 800/537-4237 or jhead@afsinc.org.
New to Metalcasting? CMI Offers Intro Course
CMI will be offering an Introduction to Metalcasting course April 15-17 at AFS headquarters, Schaumburg, Ill. This introductory course presents a general overview of the metalcasting process. Topics covered include patternmaking, molding and coremaking processes, alloys poured, melting methods, gating and risering, cleaning and finishing, defects and inspection techniques. This program also acquaints the student with metalcasting industry terminology.
For more information, or to attend this course, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here to register.
CMI Offers Analysis & Reduction of Casting Defects
CMI will be offering an Analysis & Reduction of Casting Defects course April 22-24 at AFS headquarters, Schaumburg, Ill. This class offers students a critical analysis of defective castings, types of imperfections, causes and corrective measures for sand molds (green sand, shell, nobake, gas-cured, etc.) Inspection techniques, customers’ requirements and the long-range economics of analyzing and minimizing casting defects also are discussed.
For more information, or to attend this course, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here to register.
Looking for more information on metalcasting? Castings 2nd Edition 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.
