AFS Student Chapter Hosts Annual Symposium
On March 22, the Annual Spring Desert Iron Symposium was held in Tempe, Arizona. Hosted by the Arizona State Univ. (ASU) Student Chapter of the American Foundry Society (AFS) and Fahrenheit 2150, the event nicknamed "Iron Peep" attracted more than 50 regional and national artists from ASU, Scottsdale Community College (SCC) and Northern Arizona Univ. (NAU). The event provided an opportunity for the artists to express themselves not with a paint brush and a palette, but with a cupola furnace and molten metal.
To produce the cast art, 2000 lbs. of iron was poured into more than 100 molds, including both ceramic shell and bonded sand. To melt the ferrous alloy, a continuous flow cupola furnace designed by Ted Uran, Prof. of Art and Dept. Chair at SCC, was used. The event began at 8 am with registration, preparation of the cupola and the inspection and organization of molds on the pouring floor. Iron was up at 12:30 pm and continued to flow until 2:45 pm when all molds were filled.
The symposium was organized by ASU Faculty Assoc. Mary Meyer and ASU Graduate Student Ryan Lamfers, who collectively instruct the Foundry class. Mary Neubauer, ASU Prof. of Art and head of the Foundry Program, directed the pouring of the molds. The guest artist for the event was Kevin Shunn, Assoc. Prof. of Sculpture and Art Dept. Chair at West Georgia Univ. (WGU), Carrollton, GA.
Spotlight On: Metalcasting Documentary Premiers May 8
The world premier of the documentary Spotlight On: Metalcasting will be available to AFS Members via a webinar on May 8, at 11:00 AM EST. The AFS sponsored documentary will begin airing to the general public next month.
This documentary provides an overview of metalcasting and its importance to our world. It will also serve as an educational tool at career fairs and various conferences related to the metalcasting industry.
To register for this event, visit www.afsinc.org/spotlighton. For more information, contact Dave Krugman, AFS PR and marketing coordinator, at dkrugman@afsinc.org or 800/537-4237.
AFS to Sponsor North American Pavilion at NEWCAST 2009
For the first time, U.S., Canadian and Mexican metalcasters will have the opportunity to exhibit within a North American Pavilion at NEWCAST 2009, 3rd International Trade Fair for Precision Castings and NEWPART Innovation Parc. The trade fair will be held at the fairgrounds in Dusseldorf, Germany, from June 23-25, 2009.
The North American Pavilion at NEWCAST 2009 will be organized by Messe Dusseldorf North America (MDNA), the U.S. subsidiary of the trade fair organizer, and sponsored by the American Foundry Society (AFS).
The North American Pavilion provides a cost-effective means for companies to enter into or to expand their business in the lucrative overseas marketplace. Companies are provided with a fully equipped, turnkey booth, which MDNA will custom design according to the exhibitor’s specifications. All technical work, set up and dismantling is included. MDNA also will assist with the placement of hostesses and translators if exhibitors request this service. U.S. Commercial Service staff will be on hand to assist with export and licensing questions.
Lost Foam Made Simple Released
The latest publication on the lost foam casting process, Lost Foam Casting Made Simple, is now available. This is an extensive revision of Expendable Pattern Casting, which was published in 1992.
Lost Foam Made Simple is a basic overview of the process of making and using lost foam patterns for metalcating, as well as an introduction for lost foam. Many experts in the field of lost foam have contributed to the making of the publication.
A wide range of additional information about the lost foam process is included in the appendices, which include a casting design checklist for lost foam casting, coating quality control, foam pattern quality control procedures, a troubleshooting guide for lost foam pattern molding and a CD with videos of neutron radiography and real time x-ray mold filling.
An electronic download of the table of contents is available upon request by contacting AFS customer service at estoreservices@asfinc.org or 800/537-4237. For more information on this publication, contact Laura Moreno, AFS Director of Publications and Related Services at lmoreno@afsinc.org or 800/537-4237 x241.
Analysis of Casting Defects Internet Course Coming
The Cast Metals Institute (CMI) will be offering an Analysis of Casting Defects internet course July 7-August 3. Information will be presented through video lectures and participation in discussion boards. Expect to spend approximately 10 hours per week on this course.
A candidate who successfully completes this course will be able to:
