AFS Chicago Chapter
RECENT MEETINGS

Nondestructive Testing Basics

The discussion will center on the basic five methods of testing used in industry, visual, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic and radiographic inspection. The application of each method will be described with examples depicted. The advantages and limitations for each method will be reviewed to enable users to properly specify each method. Handouts will be available for attendees.

Stuart Kleven

Stuart is a Quality Engineer and an ASNT ACCP, Level 3 in four test methods, UT, PT, RT and MT.  He has been in the nondestructive testing field for 38 years and has experience in welding, fabrication, metal finishing, and forging and has worked in the power industry, aerospace, commercial and test laboratory businesses during his career. He is a Fellow in ASNT and has authored numerous articles.  He is also an AWS CWI (Certified Weld Inspector.)

Thursday, April 21, 2011 - CHAPTER MEETING
Location: Mattone Restaurant and Bar

Topic:  Understanding Non-ferrous Casting Alloys

Presenter:  Leo J. Baran
Understanding Non-ferrous Casting Alloys

The metalcasting industry surpasses other manufacturing methods and processes because of its ability to produce metal components in a multitude of different alloys.  Whether you are an expert or barely acquainted with the family of non-ferrous cast alloys, come to the Chapter meeting and review everything from "A" to "Z" - yes, aluminum to zinc - along with some of the mechanical and physical characteristics that make these alloys so popular for designers, buyers and specifiers of castings!

Leo J. Baran
A Chicago area native, Leo received his BS degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago and was certified in Process Metallurgy/Nonferrous by the Cast Metals Institute (CMI).

Thursday, March 17, 2011 - CHAPTER MEETING
Location: Diplomat West

Topic:  Sand Related Defects - Identification and Control
Sand Related Defects - Identification and Control

Sand molds and cores are the processes used to produce the majority of metalcastings. This presentation provides a basic overview of green sand and chemically bonded sand systems and the defects common to them.  System components are discussed as well as their benefits and the possible problems encountered in their use.  Many examples of casting defects are shown.  Suggestions for controlling and maintaining green sand and chemically bonded sand systems are highlighted.  Have a defect and not sure what it is or how to solve it? - bring it along for discussion.

Ian Kay
AFS / CMI  (Retired)
Mundelein IL

October 21, 2010 - CHAPTER MEETING

TOPIC:    Foundry Pattern Design  Session #2 of our Foundry 201 Program
The presentation will illustrate the use of CAD models in the design and development of pattern and corebox tooling.  Examples of various types of pattern equipment will be shown.  The discussion will include the opportunity to use proper tooling design and construction to favorably influence quality, production, and value for the end product.

PRESENTERS:   Doug Steffey and Jason Steffey

Doug and Jason are Patternmakers, certified with the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.  They have a combined experience of over 50 years in the pattern industry, and currently operate Capital Pattern and Model, Inc.

September 16, 2010 - CHAPTER MEETING

TOPIC:          Induction Furnace - Operation and Benefits
SPEAKER:   David C. Williams, ASI International Ltd, Columbus Ohio

Mr. Williams has 32 years experience in the foundry industry and is currently Vice President of Technology for ASI International. He graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1978, with a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering and has been an Active Instructor for the AFS Cast Metals Institute for 23 years. He was Manager Product Services, Staff Metallurgist, a technical service support position for Allied Mineral Products, in non-ferrous and ferrous metal applications for 21 years and has numerous publications in Modern Castings, AFS Transactions, Foundry Management and Technology, AIME/ISS publications.

Thursday March 11, 2010 - CHAPTER MEETING

Location: Diplomat West
Topic: Gating & Risering - Basic Methods
Session #4 of Foundry 101 Program - Past Chairmen Honors night

Speaker: Jennifer Head - Course Coordinator, CMI (Cast Metals Institute)

•Clemson University - Bachelor's Degree in Education (Science Teaching)
•Walden University - Master's Degree in Education in the area of Curriculum, Science and Assessment

Jennifer joined the Cast Metals Institute in 2005. Her areas of responsibility include the coordination of courses, development and coordination of Internet programs, liaison to the AFS Technical Committees and instructing.

Thursday - January 21, 2010
CHAPTER MEETING UPDATE
(New Topic and Speaker)
 

We invite you to attend a special presentation by the AFS Chicago Chapter
 - a very applicable discussion of new Sales and Marketing methods in the current challenging economy which can be applied to the foundry industry.

Topic: Prospecting: Where to Turn for New Leads and New Markets - Sales & Marketing Methods

Speaker: Mr. Leo Baran - American Foundry Association

NOTE: Show your AFS membership card at registration and receive a free gift just for attending!

An important part of -Business 101- is sales and marketing.  You can make the best product, with the best staff, in the best facilities, but if no one knows you exist you have nothing!  And it doesn't matter if you are a metalcaster, a supplier to the industry, a pattern shop, a consultant getting the word out about your business is critical.

But do you need an enormous sales and marketing budget to make things work, or are there other  more frugal and focused ways? 

Manufacturers always ask if the really can go prospecting for new business?  If so, where?  And how?  Get answers to these and other questions by attending the Chicago Chapter's January meeting!  Listen to and discuss with our presenter what you can do to begin giving your company a bigger presence in front of decision makers looking for your product!

DONNYBROOK - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009
Special Joint Meeting event (NADCA / AFS Chicago Chapter)
with guest speaker:
Dale Tallon - Senior Advisor, Hockey Operations, Chicago Blackhawks

LOCATION Rosewood Banquet Center, 9421 W. Higgins Road, Rosemont, IL
Phone: 847.696.9494

Thursday November 19, 2009 CHAPTER MEETING

We invite you to attend the second Session of a special program series being presented this year by the
AFS Chicago Chapter - the - Foundry 101- Technical Program - an excellent review program of technical
basics related to the foundry industry.

Topic: Patterns & Tooling - Session #2 of Foundry 101 Program
Speaker: Mr. Douglas Steffey - President, Capital Pattern & Model, Inc

Presentation Title:  Patternmaking - History, Methods, and Modern Examples
Mr. Steffey will speak about the history of patternmaking up to current modern procedures. Examples will be shown of different materials used in construction and modern methods such as CNC machining.

Thursday - October 15, 2009

We invite you to attend the first Session of a special program series being presented
this year by the AFS Chicago Chapter - the Foundry 101 Technical Program
an excellent review program of technical basics of the foundry industry

Topic Casting Design Aspects - Session #1 of Foundry 101 Program
Speaker: Jiten Shah, President, Product Development & Analysis, LLC
www.PDA-LLC.com ; www.productdevelopmentanalysis.com

 Presentation Title:  Designing Metal Castings for Better Economics

This presentation will cover basic metalcasting design 101 rules with case studies for various alloys and processes, from new products to product conventions from fabrication to castings. The author will also expand on the latest metalcasting alloy & process selector tool, developed to assist OEM casting designers and buyers.  This comprehensive tool also helps with the sourcing of metalcasters located anywhere in the Greater Chicago Area. Available at the meeting will be case studies recently published in metalcasting design journals.

THURSDAY MARCH 20, 2008 - Chapter Meeting
Ray Monroe, Executive Vice President of the Steel Founders Society of America presented "The Challenge of China"

Ray has been the Executive Vice President of the Steel Founders Society of America since 1988. In addition to a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University and a M.S. in Engineering Science from the University of Alabama, Ray has authored and co-authored many techincal papers and publications. Ray is also involved with numerous organizations in the metal casting industry. 

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