Welcome to e-Connections, the weekly AFS email newsletter. In this April 29, 2008, edition:

Spotlight On: Metalcasting Documentary Premiers May 8
The world premier of the documentary Spotlight On: Metalcasting will be available to AFS Members via a webinar on May 8, at 11:00 AM EST. The AFS sponsored documentary will begin airing to the general public next month.

This documentary provides an overview of metalcasting and its importance to our world. It will also serve as an educational tool at career fairs and various conferences related to the metalcasting industry.

To register for this event, visit www.afsinc.org/spotlighton. For more information, contact Dave Krugman, AFS PR and marketing coordinator at dkrugman@afsinc.org or 800/537-4237.

Solutions Found at Metalcasting Seminar
The AFS Metalcasting Solutions Seminar was held April 24 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Des Plaines Ill. Topics at the half-day event included a forecast of the U.S. metalcasting industry, casting processes, alloys, design successes and technological advancements. A discussion on castings in action topped off the event, where metal castings were presented to attendees to show the many end-markets they serve.

This event also gave the opportunity for metalcasters and casting buyers to connect, as several AFS Corporate Members exhibited with tabletop displays.

"Connecting metalcasters and suppliers is one of the many benefits of AFS corporate membership," said Leo Baran, AFS director of membership services. "We're looking forward to planning similar events across North America so metalcasters and casting buyers in other areas have the same opportunity." Baran said.

Notification Requirement Released for Iron, Steel Facilities
Under the iron and steel foundry area source regulation, metalcasting facilities that are subject to the rule (both small and large area source foundries) must submit an initial notification that identifies the facility for EPA and the state as being subject to the rule. The deadline for submitting the initial notification is May 1, 2008.

To assist foundries in preparing the initial notification, Mike Blankestyn and Craig Schmeisser of RMT prepared a sample notification, which can be downloaded from the AFS website at www.afsinc.org/ironandsteelnotification. The sample notification can be used as a guide to submit the required information. It is recommended that each facility subject to the iron and steel foundry area source rule submit the initial notification to the appropriate EPA Regional Office (with attention to the air program) and the state air regulatory agency.

If you have any questions regarding the initial notification, contact Jeff Hannapel or Christian Richter at jhannapel@thepolicygroup.com or crichter@thepolicygroup.com.

Get Hands on With Intro Course
CMI will be offering A Hands-On Introduction to Metalcasting course June 23-27 at Pittsburg State Univ., Pittsburg, Kan. The course will include laboratory sessions for green sand, coldbox, shell, nobake, permanent mold, lost foam, and investment casting, as well as quality tests such as hardness, tensile strength and metallographic sample preparation.

In addition, the course will cover the same lecture topics as the popular three-day classroom course:

  • patternmaking;
  • molding and coremaking processes;
  • alloys poured;
  • melting methods;
  • gating and risering;
  • cleaning and finishing;
  • defects;
  • inspection techniques.

An interactive workshop designed to address communication issues between metalcasters and casting buyers also is planned. 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 casting design? The CD-ROMs Strain-Life Fatigue Properties Database for Cast Iron 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.