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EDITORIAL


Engineering Answers W


elcome to our annual Plant Engineer- ing issue of Modern Casting. This is the third year in a row we have


published an October issue dedicated to examin- ing ways metalcasters can and are re-engineering their facilities to enhance production and im- prove efficiencies. As manufacturers, this is your goal every


day. Increase output. Eliminate waste. Increase revenue. Decrease cost. Bolster profit. In a perfect world, you would achieve these improve- ments without spending a dime. In reality, your facility must balance the investments in time, equipment, materials and technology with the projected enhancement in productivity to ensure a sufficient payback. Te features in this issue provide ideas focused


on both technology and process advancement. Ɣ In “Fall River


Foundry Packs One- Two Punch” on p.28, this metalcaster saw an opportunity to fill a void for its custom- ers by broadening its production capa- bilities with a new automatic molding line for 0.25-2 lb. nonferrous cast- ings. “Being a job shop, flexibility is obviously something we prioritize,” said Brennen Weigel, Fall River’s president and CEO. “We wanted to broaden our capabili- ties, so we could meet more of our custom- ers’ demands. We saw a real need for this new Ɣ automatic mold line.”


on profits that continues until the proper Ɣ action is taken.”


“Flexibility, Automation in Small Metalcasting Facilities” on p. 38 looks at two case studies of metalcasters that utilized automation solutions to ensure consistency and repeat- ability. “Changing operating conditions are forcing firms to be flexible in handling variations in demand and product and uncertainty and changes in the en- vironment. Such factors have affected manufac- turing companies for a long time, but their influ- ence has escalated during


“As manufacturers, this is your goal every day. Increase output. Eliminate waste. Increase revenue. Decrease cost. Bolster profit.”


the past 20 years as a result of advances in manufacturing tech- nology and demand for mass customization.” As your metalcasting facil-


ity considers ways to improve efficiencies and advance pro- duction, look to the advice of the experts quoted in this issue and the case studies that are showcased. The challenge for our industry in the future will require every plant to maxi- mize production from limited resources to ensure competive- ness in the global economy.


Te feature “Material Handling: Go With Flow” on p. 34, focuses on optimizing plant performance by ensuring equipment installations are executed with the consideration of how they affect the en- tire plant’s operation. “If a metalcaster misses an opportunity to improve the flow of materials, the bottleneck in handling and flow will be a drain


Alfred T. Spada, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief


If you have any comments about this editorial or any other item that appears in Modern Casting, email me at aspada@afsinc.org.


October 2015 MODERN CASTING | 9


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