Welcome to e-Connections, the weekly AFS email
newsletter. In this May 12, 2009, edition:
Shipping Solutions Program Available for Corporate Members
With the high cost of shipping affecting the metalcasting industry, AFS has launched a new, comprehensive set of shipping services in conjunction with Logistics Management Inc. (LMI), Fall River, Mass, a cost containment firm that specializes in minimizing shipping costs.
The new AFS Shipping Solutions programfor Corporate Members offers:
- shipping savings of up to 50% for freight
- instantaneous web-based freight quotes free of charge
- no contracts to sign
- the ability to compare quotes with multiple carriers
- shipping quotes that are immediately locked-in (from Jan.-Dec.)
- freight bill auditing
- shipping services that are available to the continental U.S., as well as to and from Canada and Mexico.
For more information on the AFS Shipping Solutions program, contact Leo Baran, AFS director of membership services, at 800/537-4237 x 201, lbaran@afsinc.org or visit www.afsinc.org/shippingsolutions.
Lawmakers May Mark Up the Controversial Cap and Trade Legislation This Week
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), Chair of the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee, released a draft of their comprehensive energy bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, on March 31. The 648-page draft bill intends to promote renewable sources of energy and carbon capture, increase energy efficiency, place limits on emissions of pollutants and provide a plan for transitioning to a clean energy economy through cap-and-trade regulation, renewable electricity standards, energy efficiency mandates and a low-carbon fuel standard.
The draft legislation’s cap-and-trade proposal calls for a 20% reduction of pollutant emissions from 2005 levels by 2020. This is more aggressive than President Obama’s budget, which calls for a 14% cut by 2020. Waxman and Markey’s draft bill calls for an 83% reduction below 2005 levels by 2050. This is also more aggressive than the failed Lieberman-Warner bill of 2007, which called for a reduction in emissions of 66% below 2005 levels by 2050.
In mid-April, the Energy and Environment Subcommittee held several days of hearings on the draft bill. Negotiations on the bill are continuing around the clock. The AFS Washington office anticipates that the full committee could possibly vote on the controversial measure by the Memorial Day recess. During the Government Affairs Conference in Washington on May 5th, metalcasters presented their strong concerns about the draft legislation to lawmakers and staff.
To read a summary of the draft legislation, click here. For more information, contact Alicia Oman, AFS Washington Office, at aoman@afsinc.org or 202/842-4864.
Learn to Control Energy Costs with Upcoming Webinars
Energy costs have significantly increased in recent years, and a close look into the future reveals market forces and government policies that can lead to an explosion of energy costs. The profitability of the individual metalcasting facility is at risk, and there is danger if managers don’t act now to begin to control this risk. To help assure future profits, every metalcasting facility should pay close attention to what is happening in energy markets and immediately begin to measure, monitor and reduce energy consumption.
In an effort to keep the metalcasting industry abreast of the latest developments and savings opportunities relating to energy, AFS is producing an energy webinar series. These web-based seminars will provide practical, shop-floor advice and metalcasting case studies to demonstrate cost reductions from an energy standpoint.
With the exception of Module 1, which will be free, each session will be available for purchase as single or a group of modules, and will include:
- Tuesday, May 12, 11:00 a.m EST - Getting Started: Understanding the Issues (Module 1)
- Thursday, May 14, 11:00 a.m. EST - Utilities (Module 2)
- Tuesday, May 19, 11:00 a.m. EST - Controlling Melting Costs: Ferrous Alloys (Module 3)
- Thursday May 21, 11:00 a.m. EST - Controlling Melting Costs: Non-Ferrous Alloys (Module 4)
- Tuesday, May 26, 11:00 a.m. EST - Managing Compressed Air Systems (Module 5)
- Thursday, May 28, 11:00 a.m. EST - Plant Environment and Equipment (Module 6)
- Thursday, June 4, 11:00 a.m. EST - Implementation Plans: Energy Assessments and Best Practices (Module 7)
Modules 2-7 will be available individually or as a package. Single modules are $99, two modules are $175, 3 modules are $250 and the entire package is $350.
For more detailed information on these modules, visit the AFS Energy Savings Webinar Series website by clicking here. To register, contact Becky Erickson, AFS technical assistant, at 800/537-4237 x 246 or rebecca@afsinc.org.
Explore Recent Iron Developments at Loper Symposium
To celebrate the momentous achievements of Dr. Carl Loper, which include the AFS Gold Medal, AFS Best Paper Award and the Howard F. Taylor Award, Dr. Loper’s former students and associates present The Carl Loper Cast Iron Symposium, which will be held May 27-29, 2009 at the Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis. The goal of this conference will be to review the fundamentals of cast iron solidification and recent developments in production and applications of the material.
Many well known former Loper students and colleagues are assisting in organizing this event, including:
- Prof. D.M. Stefanescu, Ohio State Univ., Conference Co-Chairman, USA
- Thomas Prucha, American Foundry Society, Conference Co-Chairman, USA
- Prof. R. Voigt, Pennsylvania State Univ., Conference Co-Chairman, USA
- Prof. B.C. Liu, Tsinghua Univ., China
- Prof. K. Ogi, Kyushu Univ., Japan
For more information on the symposium, click here or visit www.afsinc.org/carllopersymposium.
Alloy & Process Selector Available at MetalcastingDesign.comMetalcastingDesign.com now features an interactive tool that can determine the optimum metalcasting process and alloy for any application.
The Casting Alloy & Process Selector allows metal casting designers and purchasers to input the specifications of their desired engineered metal component (weight, size, section thickness, surface finish and production volume) and delivers a list of metalcasting processes and alloys that can satisfy their needs. If the casting user knows the alloy that will be used, the search can be restricted to the processes that can successfully work with that alloy.
The most comprehensive internet resource for metal casting designers and purchasers, MetalcastingDesign.com also offers a metalcaster directory, articles, blogs and audio clips to help casting end users get the most out of their components.
CMI Offers Permanent Mold Coating Fundamentals-Aluminum Course
CMI will be offering a Permanent Mold Coating Fundamentals-Aluminum course June 9-10 at AFS Headquarters, Schaumburg, Ill. The course is designed to increase understanding of mold coating materials, the composition and purpose of coatings, and coating quality control measures. Emphasis is placed on mold coating application. The cause and elimination of coating related casting defects are examined, as are coating removal methods and materials.
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 permanent molding of aluminum? The Aluminum Permanent Mold Handbook can help. AFS
Special Publications has everything you need to supplement your metalcasting
training.
