Welcome to e-Connections, the weekly AFS email newsletter. In this April 21, 2009, edition:
Personal Memberships Extended for Laid-Off Metalcasters Affected by Economy
Citing its commitment to the driving force of the organization—its membership—AFS has launched an initiative to assist personal members in need during 2009. Beginning Jan. 1 and continuing through the end of the calendar year, any active individual AFS member that loses his or her job due to staff reductions will be granted a complimentary membership extension of one year. Extensions will be provided to eligible individuals whose membership is up for renewal during the year.
AFS understands that metalcasters are struggling during this economic crisis, and many employees may be personally impacted by these budget cuts. In an effort to support members, these membership extensions will keep metalcasters connected to colleagues and up-to-date in the profession as they search for new positions within the industry.
For more information the AFS membership extension, contact Leo Baran, AFS director of membership services, at 800/537-4237 x 201 or lbaran@afsinc.org.
AFS Asks EPA to Exclude Diecasters from Nonferrous HAP Rules
On Feb. 9, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed regulations to control hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from aluminum, copper and other nonferrous area sources in metalcasting facilities. The proposed regulations indicated that diecasting operations were excluded.
On March 11, AFS submitted comments to EPA on the proposed rule. In those comments, AFS requested that EPA provide further clarification that diecasting operations be excluded from the rule, even those diecasting operations that may be co-located with aluminum, copper and other nonferrous metalcasting facilities. EPA is required by court order to finalize the aluminum, copper and other nonferrous metalcasting facility area source rules by June 15. To view the comments AFS proposed, visit www.afsinc.org.
Nominate Your Facility for Plant Engineering Award
The AFS Plant Engineering Committee 1D is accepting nominations for it's 2010 Plant Engineering Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize a company, division or corporation for its achievements in the planning, installation, operation and maintenance of metalcasting equipment and processes. It also encourages the advance of technical expertise and professionalism of metalcasting engineering in the application, operation and maintenance of metalcasting equipment including associated management control and information systems.
The 2010 winner will be awarded during CastExpo'10, March 20-23, 2010, in Orlando. To download a nomination form, click here. Nominations should be directed via fax to David Kennedy, AFS plant engineering committee 1D vice chairman, at 815/479-9102, or email dkennedy@generalkinematics.com. Plant nominations are due October 31.
Find Materials, Equipment and Services Via Online Buyer's Guide
MODERN CASTING magazine has put the compendium of information available in its annual Buyer's Guide up on the internet, so you can find the materials, equipment and services you need to improve your metalcasting business without leaving your office.
The new guide, available at buyersguide.moderncasting.com, includes all of the suppliers in each of the product categories presented in the print edition of the resource. But with this interactive application, you can search through the data to find the products you need by directly selecting a product category, entering a suppliers' name or location, or choosing from a list of supplier names.
The online guide, which is constantly kept up to date by the suppliers themselves, also can be accessed through the AFS website (www.afsinc.org) or MODERN CASTING site (www.moderncasting.com). Check out the new Buyer's Guide today, and go shopping for a better business.
Attend the Managing Heat Stress Webinar
With the summer months rapidly approaching, AFS is producing a webinar for its Corporate Members focusing on the many different ways to manage heat stress . This webinar is scheduled for Thursday, April 23 at 11:00 a.m. EST.
To register for this webinar, click here or contact Dave Krugman, AFS PR and marketing coordinator, at 800/537-4237 x 286 or dkrugman@afsinc.org.
CMI Offers Metallurgy of Aluminum Casting Alloys Course
CMI will be offering a Metallurgy of Aluminum Casting Alloys course June 16-18 at Penn State Univ., State College, Pa. This is a practical course in aluminum metallurgy for the producers and users of aluminum alloy castings. The classification of aluminum alloys is presented, along with solidification and phase diagrams, melting practice and interpretation of microstructures. The latest technology in alloy treatment, mechanical testing, heat treatment and quality control will be discussed.
For more information or to attend this course, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here to register.
