Welcome to e-Connections, the weekly AFS email newsletter. In this Oct. 14, 2008, edition:

AFS Announces Ambassador Program
Best of CastExpo Webinar to Focus on Global Warming
Wind Energy Workshop Coming in December
Conference Focuses on Improving Operations, Profitability
Induction Melted Cast Iron Processing Course Coming

AFS Announces Ambassador Program
In an effort to strengthen and grow the metalcasting industry, AFS announces its Ambassador Program. This program will work in conjunction with the 10K by 2010 campaign; a membership drive that strives to achieve 10,000 members by June 30, 2010. AFS Ambassadors will be asked to participate in activities including:

Emailing 10-20 potential members on a monthly basis (suggested copy will be supplied);
Carrying an AFS membership application with them–everywhere they go;
Participating in membership recruitment programs such as the AFS 10K by 2010 campaign;
Attending AFS programs and events;
Promoting participation in local chapters;
Spreading the word about AFS programs and events at their company, organization or chapter.

Getting started is easy—simply register as an AFS Ambassador online at www.afsinc.org/ambassador. Watch your email for your monthly list of potential members who will need to receive an “invitation” email. Suggested copy for the email will arrive with the list of names. In recognition for your time and commitment, AFS will acknowledge your role as an AFS Ambassador through various mediums including Member Connections, e-Connections and the AFS Website.

Additionally, AFS Ambassadors will be recognized at the annual Metalcasting Congress, and depending on participation level, will receive an AFS Ambassador award reemphasizing your contribution to the metalcasting industry. For more information about the AFS Ambassador Program, contact Leo Baran, AFS Director of Membership Services, at lbaran@afsinc.org or 800/537-4237.

Best of CastExpo Webinar to Focus on Global Warming
AFS's new webinar series, the Best of CastExpo, is intended to recap the most important technical sessions of the event held this year in Atlanta.

The second in the series, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 23, at 11:00 AM EST, will focus on global warming and its impact on metalcasting. Presenters include Jim Schifo, Kermada Inc., and Alicia Oman, AFS Washington Office. The hour and a half session will cover:

climate change;
metalcasting CO₂ profile;
types of metalcasting energy consumed;
America's Climate Security Act.

The cost to attend this and future Best of CastExpo webinars is $50 for AFS members, $100 for non-members. For more information on the Best of CastExpo webinar series, or to register for this webinar, contact Rebecca Erickson, AFS technical assistant, at rebecca@afsinc.org or 800/537-4237 x246.

Wind Energy Workshop Coming in December
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Wind Power Supply Chain Workshop will be held Dec. 8-9 at the The InterContinental Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio. The intent of this workshop is to promote the significant opportunity for state and local governments, manufacturers and component suppliers across all industries to help feed the supply chain and grow their business.

Topics discussed at this workshop include:

introduction to wind energy;
technology behind wind turbines;
wind industry today and tomorrow;
growth and economic potential of wind projects;
challenges and constraints within the supply chain;
who's who in the production of wind turbines.

For more information, contact Mike Swinburne, AWEA, at mswinburne@awea.org or 202/383-2502, or Lori Rugh, AWEA, at lrugh@awea.org or 661/821-2149.

Conference Focuses on Improving Operations, Profitability
The Improving Operations and Profitability in the Small Foundry Conference will be held Dec. 3-4 at AFS Headquarters, Schaumburg, Ill. This conference is designed to cover a broad spectrum of issues that can help the small metalcasting facility succeed and profit. Topics include:

managing human resources;
pricing castings;
common OSHA violations;
utilizing automation and robotics in a job shop cleaning room;
sand system maintenance;
becoming QS certified;
integration of process modeling.

The conference will conclude with an open forum where metalcasters can discuss issues facing small metalcasting facilities with experts in the field. For more information, or to register for this conference, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237 or click here to download a conference brochure in .pdf format.

Induction Melted Cast Iron Processing Course Coming
CMI will be offering an Induction Melted Cast Iron Processing course Dec. 9-11 at Pittsburg State Univ., Pittsburg, Kan. Practical instruction on induction melting with special emphasis on melting procedures is highlighted. A review and description of equipment design features and electrical circuitry for an induction furnace is presented. Metal-slag, metal-metal and metal-refractory interactions along with refractory selection, installation and maintenance are included.

For more information or to attend this course, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here to register.

Looking for more information on metalcasting? The publication Metalcasting Dictionary, 2nd Edition can help. AFS Special Publications has everything you need to supplement your metalcasting training. Visit www.afsinc.org/estore or call 800/537-4237 for more information.

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