* Some of the questions a foundry would ask about converting to this Western-dominated binder are answered to provide practical guidance to
foundries considering a switch.
This method of pouring typically is used in larger, higher production
foundries with molding line rates of 275 molds/hr and above.
A high-production investment casting process would be an abrupt technology change that could impact many
foundries. Another important variable is customer preference: does the customer value a solution or does it only care about the product?
"Customers used to expect 5-10% annual cost reductions from
foundries," said Monroe.
Most
foundries recondition their sand by bringing used sand back to the muller, adding more clay, seacoal and water, and mulling it.
At a recent AFS Chicago Chapter meeting, an officer of a large foundry discussed success found in making conversions for an OEM with its own captive
foundries. Granted, the manufacturer's participation in the foundry industry has diminished significantly with the closing of some of its own captive
foundries, but shouldn't such an organization have been able to "market castings" internally?
And, even more beneficial to the company, its orders are much smaller, making it less feasible for large
foundries to go after the business, he says.
While many nonferrous
foundries continue to seek out marker share, the overall number of
foundries continues to dwindle.
Huff, FACT, Three Rivers, Michigan John McCutcheon, Neenah Foundry Company, Neenah, Wisconsin Jeff Bianco, Grede
Foundries Iron Mountain Foundry, Kingsford, Michigan Godfrey Sergeant, Grede
Foundries New Castle Foundry, New Castle, Indiana Mary Wolfe, Deeter Foundry, Lincoln, Nebraska
The fact that these concepts are mutually exclusive is what has caused trouble for many
foundries over the years, especially jobbing
foundries.
"So many
foundries are tonnage driven that they lose sight of what it takes to be a profitable foundry," said Hall.
The innovative design of the new ACE tight flask molding machine is a realistic alternative for companies considering entry into the tight flask market or for
foundries who wish to update existing capabilities.
Currently used in two German
foundries, the Beach-Box binder is achieving cure rates, cycle times and strengths that are equal to coldbox binders.
Simply put, an emission factor is a number that lets
foundries predict their emissions based on some unit of production.
(VDG), presentations will focus on information technology for
foundries and the various approaches being taken worldwide in simulation processes and process automation methods.
