performance. If an organization or activity does not make the best use of current resources, or forgoes invest- ment in technology, it may produce or perform below its potential. Based on my own experience and the input from colleagues, industry leaders, including past AFS presi- dents, foundry owners and heads of other metalcasting research orga- nizations, this section explores the state of AFS metalcasting research, and perceived potential or desired performance. As one might imagine, the opinions gathered on research run the spectrum from great to not-so-great, to immediate change is needed. One clear gap seen, and echoed by others, is technology trans- fer. While AFS, universities, suppli- ers and those foundries who can still afford it generate research, only a small percentage is getting transferred to the foundry floor. AFS has sought to narrow this gap using webinars and the ongoing Casting Congress, and now social media with Casting Con- nection to reach a wider audience. Casting Connection was launched to AFS members in April 2014. Since its inception, 2,000 individuals have officially logged into the website. To date, 1,000 unique threads have been started in the Open Forum. In the interest of transparency, the Research Board should establish a separate
open community to publish updates on funded projects. At a minimum, we need to consider ways to facili- tate transfer of completed research to a wider group utilizing Casting Connection. Tere is a need to conduct research that supports our university commu- nity, especially FEF schools, whether it leads to technology that is transferred to the foundry floor or not. It has been noted by many in the industry that education is a key component of metalcasting sustainability. Universi- ties that conduct metalcasting related research are training the next gen- eration of foundry engineers, metal- lurgists, and material scientists, not to mention the professors that our foundries depend upon to understand and implement the latest in technol- ogy, alloys, and advanced processes. Tis need was best put by Sy Katz in 1990 when he said “Te U.S. foundry industry is fortunate to have a wide range of expertise among academics that are interested in foundry science and technology. Many have been strug- gling to maintain their foundry inter- ests. Tis academic base is a vital asset to the U.S. foundry industry if we are to make the needed technological strides. A byproduct of the partnership will be the education of professionals with backgrounds that are sorely needed by the foundry industry.”
It is certainly true today. Project submissions to the Research
Board require the sponsoring com- mittee, its steering committee, and the principal investigator (PI) to fill out the AFS Research Proposal Form. It requires the essential information used to evaluate to proposal in a consistent format. Both must be accountable for this deliverable by steering committees. Another key takeaway from my
time on both Division Council and the Research Board is that technical committees are not trained on how to function as steering committees. Some individuals may have had experience and training in project management essentials. Most do not. Tis opens the opportunity for PIs to conduct projects with little oversight. Te result can be timelines being
exceeded, quarterly reports not being filed on time, and the objectives of the project not achieved. Worst case, projects tend to have “birthdays” and do not get to closure, let alone with results that can be transferred to the shop floor.
Te Research Board is seeking
to bridge this gap, but can’t alone. It requires the commitment of Division Council and individual divisions to implement. AFS needs to consider ways we can educate committee members on essential elements of project management and the func-
A technology roadmap such as this one for cast materials developed by the American Metalcasting Consortium plays an essential role that matches short-term and long-term goals with specific technology solutions to help meet those goals.
30 | MODERN CASTING June 2017
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