AFS Technology Transfer CastExpo
Several new features will highlight the AFS CastExpo’10 sched- uled for March 20-23, 2010 in Orlando, Florida, USA. Spon- sored by the American Foundry Society (AFS) and the North American Die Casting Association (NADCA), CastExpo and the associated Metalcasting Congress represents the single larg- est event focused on metalcasting technology and research in North America. It features an equipment and technology exhi- bition and more than 40 technical sessions on a wide variety of topics of interest to the metalcasting industry. New features in- clude a technical education track orientated for the casting user and design engineering community focusing on cost-effective casting design, sourcing concerns and the basics of metalcast- ing. Accompanying this emphasis on providing education to the casting buyer is the new Cast in North America pavilion, an ex- clusive area where North American metalcasters can showcase their engineering and casting capabilities to their customers— casting buyers and designers. Another new feature, the Metal- casting Technology Theatre will provide practical technology presentations and demonstrations for Expo attendees on the exhibition floor. Several technical seminars will be available to show floor attendees in the Metalcasting Advancement Center.
Conferences—Webinars
AFS assisted in the organization of the recently completed Carl Loper Cast Iron Symposium held in Madison, WI. This 1 1/2 day event featured participation and presentations for friends, colleagues, and former students from around the world that have been influenced by the work of Carl Loper. Select papers from this event were published in the IJMC Fall 2009 issue and a CD of the proceedings from the conference, a compilation CD of more than 80 technical papers written or co-authored by Prof. Carl Loper on cast iron and also the proceedings from the DIS/AFS Keith Millis Symposium of Ductile Cast Iron held October 20-22, 2008 are available for purchase through AFS.
Energy costs have significantly increased in recent years, and a close look into the future reveals market forces and govern- ment policies that can lead to an explosion of energy costs. The
profitability of the individual metalcasting facility is at risk, and there is danger if managers don’t act now to begin to control this risk. To help assure future profits, every metalcasting facil- ity should pay close attention to what is happening in energy markets and immediately begin to measure, monitor and reduce energy consumption. To help assist our membership confront these issues, AFS created and held a unique energy webinar se- ries providing practical, shop-floor advice and case studies that demonstrate the potential for energy cost reductions in each area of the metalcasting operations. Module 1, Understanding the Issues, is available at no cost upon request and other modules are available for purchase. The webinars are the product of the newly formed AFS Energy committee.
For more information on Energy conservation or to par- ticipate in the AFS Energy Committee, contact Steve Robi- son, AFS Senior Technical Director, at
stever@afsinc.org or 800/537-4237. To request access to Module 1 or to purchase other webinar modules, contact AFS Technical Assistant Re- becca Erickson,
rebecca@afsinc.org, or 847/824-0181 or 800/537-4237 ext. 246.
Seminar
AFS hosted the seminar Best Practices for Aluminum Castings: Maximizing Casting Quality and Strength with Dr. Geoffrey Sig- worth. The practical workshop focused on principles of melt treatment to obtain best results when pouring aluminum cast- ings. Our understanding in this area has improved considerably in the past 25 years. The full body of knowledge was reviewed and new technologies discussed provide a better understanding of the important fundamental principals of molten aluminum processing. Topics included: critical melt process controls to produce top quality castings; tips to reduce production costs and reduce or eliminate scrap; how to maximize casting tensile properties, fatigue life and high temperature strength; principles to reduce shrinkage and porosity; the detrimental effect of low- level impurity elements; principles of heat treatment; and how to modify the heat treatment for improved properties or lower costs. All workshop attendees received a CD-ROM ‘library’ of important technical papers which may be used later for refer- ence and for in-house training.
International Journal of Metalcasting/Winter 10
81
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