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Welcome to e-Connections, the weekly AFS email newsletter. In this January 8, 2008, edition:
Metalcasting Career Center Released
In December, AFS launched its web-based Metalcasting Career Center at www.afsinc.org/careercenter. In partnership with JobTarget, AFS is bridging the gap between metalcasting employer and employee, with an initial posting of more than 1,700 metalcasting related positions.
Metalcasters wishing to browse open positions or post a resume may do so at no charge, while employers wishing to post employment opportunities or review resumes will incur a fee. AFS Corporate Members will receive premiere positioning when posting job openings on the website, and also have access to purchasing multiple job postings at a discounted rate.
"AFS is proud to release the first Metalcasting Career Center," said Jerry Call, AFS executive vice president. "The website will enhance the metalcasting industry by bringing together employers and employees in a way like never before, once again leading the metalcasting industry."
As part of the Metalcasting Career Center launch, MODERN CASTING and ENGINEERED CASTING SOLUTIONS magazines have redesigned their web-based classifieds for better functionality. Advertisers of used equipment and services now will have an opportunity for enhanced web exposure to accompany their print ads. For more information, or to place a classified ad, click here. For further information, contact Dave Krugman, AFS PR and marketing coordinator, at dkrugman@afsinc.org or 800/537-4237.
EPA Signs Area Source Rule for Iron, Steel Casters
On Dec. 15, 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed the final iron and steel foundry area source rule. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 2. EPA issued the standard based on generally available control technology (GACT) for the control of the following urban hazardous air pollutants (HAPs): chromium, lead, manganese and nickel. The final rule sets emission limits for large area source foundries and requires all area source metalcasting facilities to comply with pollution prevention management practices and notification and record keeping requirements.
Originally, EPA had considered a production threshold level of 500 tons of metal melted, but this would have impacted a large number of small area source facilities. EPA proposed a production threshold level of 10,000 tons, and then ultimately settled on a production threshold level of 20,000 tons in the final rule, to minimize the number of area source facilities that would have to comply with the applicable emissions limit.
EPA estimated that the final rule would result in the following emissions reductions for iron and steel facilities nationwide: 380 tons per year of particulate matter (PM), 13.7 tons per year of metal HAPs, and 32 tons per year of organic HAPs. The total capital cost for the industry would be approximately $17 million and the total annualized compliance cost would be approximately $4.8 million. EPA also estimated that metalcasting facilities would generate 440 tons of hazardous waste and would consume 4,440 megawatts per hour of electrical energy each year as a result of the final rule.
Take the Automatic Molding Flask Survey
The AFS Green Sand Committee (4-M) is conducting a survey on the quality and maintenance of tight flasks used for horizontally parted molding machines. This data will be used to benchmark industry practices for inspection, qualification and maintenance of molding flasks. All those responding to the survey will receive a copy of the final report. All information will be confidential and proprietary, and your company will not be named in any way without your consent.
The survey is available at www.afsinc.org/moldinglinesurvey. For more information on this survey, contact Becky Erickson, AFS technical assistant, at techasst@afsinc.org.
Permanent Mold Conference Coming in February
The 6th International Conference on Permanent Mold Casting of Aluminum and Magnesium will be held Feb. 11-12, at the Embassy Suites Frisco, Dallas, Texas. The three-day meeting will include discussions on metal treatment, filtration, non-traditional alloys, extending mold life, mold temperature control, new methods for gating and risering, comparison of low-pressure with gravity pouring, computer modeling, effective equipment maintenance, magnesium alloys and new mold coating options.
A plant tour of Denison Industries also is planned. For more information, click here, or contact AFS Customer Service at 800/537-4237.
Internet Course Survey Available
AFS and its Cast Metals Institute (CMI) are developing short format (1.5-to 2-hour) internet courses. In order to determine the subjects to include, a short survey has been made available. Take a few moments to fill it out, and you will be entered into a drawing to receive a free CMI course.
To take the survey, click here. For more information on this survey, contact Jennifer Head, CMI special projects and course coordinator, at jhead@afsinc.org.
Receive Six Sigma Certification via the Internet
The Cast Metals Institute (CMI) will be offering a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification internet course March 3-April 13. This is a six week course that will include reading materials, assignments and quizzes. Participants will spend an average of ten to fifteen hours per week towards reading, understanding, interacting with the facilitator, answering the assignments and quizzes and completing the Six Sigma Project.
At the end of the course, those participants that meet the minimum required score of 150 out of 200 points will receive a certificate from CMI awarding 6.0 CEUs and Green Belt Certification. For more information, or to enroll in this course, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here.
Quality Management Internet Course Available
The Cast Metals Institute (CMI) will be offering an Introduction to Total Quality Management internet course March 4-May 31 in conjunction with Mohawk College. This course is designed to introduce the student to the broad range of topics that comprise the field of quality. Taking a total quality management (TQM) viewpoint, quality is presented as an integrated set of concepts centered on product, process and organizational issues.
Topics discussed during the course include the historical development of the field of quality, the movers and shakers of the quality world, quality costs, charting, TQM, acceptance sampling, statistical process control, ISO 9000 and Six Sigma. No previous quality knowledge is assumed. Mathematical concepts are introduced at a fundamental level.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be equipped to understand, appreciate, and apply quality concepts in the workplace and to pursue further study in the field. For more information, or to enroll in this course, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here.
CMI Offers Intro to Metalcasting Internet Course
The Cast Metals Institute (CMI) will be offering an Introduction to Metalcasting internet course March 11-May 31 in conjunction with Mohawk College. This 42 hour on-line course will serve as an introduction to the major concepts associated with metalcasting. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have a basic understanding of metalcasting terminology, common practices and processes, molding methods and materials, furnaces and melting, gating & riser design, as well as cleaning, finishing and inspection of metalcastings.
Upon successful completion of all units, the student will receive a certificate of completion from CMI, awarding 4.2 CEUs. For more information, or to enroll in this course, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here.
Looking for more information on six sigma maintenance? The publication Achieving Six Sigma Maintenance: Developing a World Class Maintenance Program 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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