editorial E
A Resurgence Continues
T ‘‘
he continued discussion of the resurgence in North American manufacturing is music to my ears. While there was a slowdown in the second half of 2013 for many of us, orders appear to be strengthening
and economic indicators are poised for a good 2014. But the key question for me is if the foundation of our manufacturing, and specifically our metalcasting industry, is poised enough to keep pushing forward 10 and 20 years from now. Another recession at some point is bound to cause a wave of belt tightening. Low cost country sourcing pressures aren’t going to disappear. Health care and regulatory costs will continue to rise throughout the Americas. In a big announcement last month, President
Obama gave a resounding yes to the question of whether the metalcasting segment of our manufacturing foundation is ready for the future
President Obama gave a resounding yes to the question of whether the metalcasting segment of our manufacturing foundation is ready for the future.”
as he detailed two initiatives to develop regional manufacturing hubs that will connect private business (including metalcasting) with research institutions as part of his National Network of Manufacturing Innovation. Tis is coupled with the January announcement that metalcasting is part of the America Makes initiative on additive manufacturing. Below is a recap of these three projects (see p. 1 and 7 for more details): American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing
Innovation Institute—Based in Canton Township, Mich., this regional hub will focus on the manufacture of aluminum, titanium and high-strength steel, while working with universities and labs on research and development. Te American Foundry Society (AFS) is part of a consortium of 34 companies, nine universities and 17 other groups including Boeing, General Electric (GE) and Te Ohio State University. Digital Labs for Manufacturing (or Digital Lab)— Led by University of Illinois labs in Chicago, the
Digital Lab will bring together manufacturing and software companies from Boeing to GE to develop compatible software and hardware for supply chains to reduce manufacturing costs. AFS will work with the other partners to use Digital Labs as a resource, focal point and network for resolving technical barriers currently limiting the application and integration of digital manufacturing and innovative design technologies. Accelerated Adoption of AM
Technology in the American Foundry Industry—Tis project was awarded funding from the National Network of Manufacturing Innovation’s pilot program and is led by the Youngstown Business Incubator, with partnership from AFS. Te research will support the transition of binder jet additive
manufacturing to the small business casting industry. Review the focus of these initiatives—additive manufacturing, lightweight materials and supply chain constraints. Tese are forward-thinking initiatives that will translate to practical results in the near future. Tese initiatives are focused to help the entire supply chain in metalcasting manufacturing. Tese initiatives are another brick in the foundation
of metalcasting manufacturing resurging before your eyes. As you continue to look to U.S. suppliers as part of your answer to global supply demands, we will need this foundation to remain strong.
Alfred Spada, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
If you have any comments about this editorial or any other item that appears in Metal Casting Design & Purchasing, email me at
aspada@afsinc.org.
Mar/Apr 2014 | METAL CASTING DESIGN & PURCHASING | 5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64