Skuld LLC (Columbus, Ohio) received a Small Business Innovative Research grant from the Department of Energy (DOE). The grant will be used to show going to 0.060-in. thick ductile iron can be done without negatively impacting automobile properties.
Skuld’s most recent trials reduced the weight of designs by 70% and material costs by 40%. This is of interest to the DOE due to increasing fuel efficiency standards.
AFS Corporate Member Waupaca Foundry, a Hitachi Metals company, opened its manufacturing plant in Ironwood, Michigan.
The facility will process castings produced in Waupaca, Wisconsin. The facility is expected to create 61 new jobs and an investment of $4.3 million and covers 50,000 sq. ft.
The University of Northern Iowa’s Additive Manufacturing Center, located at TechWorks (Waterloo, Iowa) hosted a three-day camp for Cedar Valley students interested in STEM.
Focusing on a “Jurassic Park” dinosaur theme, Panther Park 3D was one of many camps offered by the STEM program at UNI and granted students the opportunity to broaden and develop their STEM interests and skills with an immersive 3D printing and design experience involving dinosaurs.
AFS Corporate Member Batesville Products (Lawrenceburg, Indiana) has introduced a second chance program. Working with Beacon of Hope, Dearborn County Court Services (DCCS), Workforce Connection and Purdue University’s Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP), Batesville is developing a program that “will help individuals get a fresh start in the workforce,” the company said in a news release.
“This second chance program will help both the company and the surrounding community build a relationship,” BPI said.
AFS Corporate Member Victaulic (Easton, Pennsylvania) has purchased Globe Fire Sprinkler ( Standish, Michigan).
“The addition of Globe’s fire protection sprinkler volume and engineering capabilities will provide the scale and skills necessary to be a true leader in all aspects of the fire protection industry," Victaulic CEO John F. Malloy said.
Steven Worthington, who will serve as president of Globe Fire Protection, echoed that excitement.
Speyside Foundry Holdings (Ann Arbor, Michigan), a portfolio company of Speyside Equity Fund I LP, announced the acquisition of AFS Corporate Member Weatherly Casting and Machine Company (Weatherly, Pennsylvania) and Hazleton Casting Company (Hazleton, Pennsylvania).
Both transactions were completed June 12.
Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow (LIFT), a national manufacturing innovation institute operated by the American Lightweight Materials Innovation Institute (ALMMII), announced it is loaning its tilt-pour casting machine to Michigan Technological University to enhance teaching and research at the school’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) Foundry.
Allegheny Technologies Incorporated announced it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its cast products business to Consolidated Precision Products Corp. (Cleveland).
MacLean Power Systems announced a $5.3 million investment to upgrade equipment and the 67,000 sq. ft. foundry in Alabaster, Alabama. The current foundry employs 90 and sits on 22 acres.
AMERICAN Flow Control, the valve and hydrant division of AFS Corporate Member AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company (Birmingham, Alabama), has announced the formation of AMERICAN Innovation LLC. According to a news release, the company is dedicated to research and development and intends to construct a facility, the AMERICAN Flow Control Center for Innovative Excellence, in Crawfordsville, Indiana, this summer.