From the Editor
Development & Research–Big D and Little r Most people are familiar with the term
R&D used to represent the approach taken in academia and industry to explore new technologies and develop new materials, products and processes. I recently came across a book review in the Wall Street Journal by Henry Petroski, a
with promotion of intellectual curiosity, quest for knowledge, and fundamental understanding and kinetics being the guiding light, the D&R approach’s main concern is the development of a device, a machine, a process and/or a system. Those working under a basic R&D model feel
But what is important is a realization that to advance our industry we need involvement and
dialogue between the users of technology and those that are working to improve, enhance and innovate.
professor at Duke University and author of The Essential Engineer: Why Science Alone Will Not Solve Our Global Problems, on the new book by Frank Moss, The Sorcerers and Their Apprentices. The book by Mr. Moss concerns the
work at the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under the School of Architecture and Planning. While the focus of the lab is not just media- related activities, its stated goal is to invent the future and has a unique structure where no one owns the intellectual property and the innovation and inventions are put into the public domain. Beyond this unconventional approach and impressive list of innovations (including Amazon Kindle, LEGO Mindstorms robotic toys and Rock-Hero) is the technology development model that focuses on D&R. This is not the DNR (Department of Natural Resources), which many in our industry are all too familiar with, but the approach described as Development and Research with research kicking in only to help out if development becomes bogged down by a lack of knowledge or understanding. This approach is opposite the typical
science lab or research university in the placement of priorities. Instead of research as the principal driving force
International Journal of Metalcasting/Summer 2011
that their fundamental investigations will someday lead to development of something useful that might be commercialized or implemented, while with the D&R model successful technology transfer is the measure of success. What struck me in this review was how
the focus of information contained in the pages of the IJMC reflects more of the Big D and little r approach. This comment is not meant to downplay the importance of gaining the fundamental understanding of how things work or creating mathematical models to simulate and then predict. But what is important is a realization that to advance our industry we need involvement and dialogue between the users of technology and those that are working to improve, enhance and innovate. This comes from a mixture of development and improvement focused efforts with research that is applied when we need a better understanding to take us to the next level.
Thomas Prucha
Editor.
International.Journal.of .Metalcasting
AFS.Vice.President.of.Technology
tprucha@afsinc.org
5 As was mentioned in the last issue, a
New Generation Sand Casting Workshop & Consortium was held at AFS with a focus on collaborative research activity to improve dimensional accuracy and tolerances in sand casting. The workshop was attended by almost 50 people representing 12 metalcasting facilities, 15 metalcasting supply companies and 3 research organizations. The workshop included brainstorming sessions to help define technical challenges and identify potential paths forward to move sand casting into the future. The results of those sessions showed that our industry realizes that to continue to grow, we must reinvent ourselves and improve processes and technology, but with an approach that follows this D&R model. You will notice a similar emphasis
on the papers presented in the following pages and also the various research and technology projects that are funded, sponsored or monitored by AFS and outlined in the back section of the journal. We feel this approach not only reflects the desire and needs of our membership, but also is the most efficient approach to secure and ensure the survival of our industry. That is why we have continued to promote participation in the various AFS Technical Committees, involvement with the projects described in the back section of the journal and support for metalcasting education and research. Numerous vehicles and opportunities to assist exist, including the Metalcasting Research Foundation and the Foundry Education Foundation, so please consider your approach to help push the D&R efforts.
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