Rob Blair

This month’s Casteel Commentary celebrates the successful Cast in Steel 2023 competition.  It also urges more member attendance and participation.  If recruiting bright and interested new employees is a priority, you have no excuse not to become active in this program! Research Review – July 18-20 This year’s Research Review is organized with three meetings. …

What policy priorities should we have for the future? In this month’s commentary, Raymond discusses a number of policy decisions that have hampered the industry’s ability to maintain and expand capacity and considers changes that we should advocate for. Specification Committee Meeting Reminder that the Specification Committee will meet on May 9th in Denver, CO.  …

Responding to an inquiry this week, I needed to return to looking at trade, China’s exports and their effect on the North American steel casting industry.   I thought for this month, it might be helpful to review this background data and some of the developments that will make this issue less of a factor for …

In this month’s commentary Raymond tries to make the case that where we are is not normal; globally, economically, or culturally.  We are on an ahistorical unsustainable path which will cause our world to reshape and we need to plan for a future that is different. Future Leaders Meeting March 14-15 The Future Leaders meeting …

This month’s commentary reviews Raymond’s predictions for 2022, and includes new ones for this year. 76th Technical & Operating Conference The T&O this past December was another success thanks to the authors, workshop presenters and T&O Committee.  With most of the 58 papers presented by industry and the majority of member foundries represented at the …

It is exciting when a problem that has long limited our industry has a potential solution that could dramatically improve our industry.  Traditionally, designers have been concerned with the reliability and safety of steel castings, not due to the properties but due to concerns about the defects that may cause sudden and unexpected failures below …

This month’s Casteel Commentary considers the exciting opportunities for steel foundries with the development of additive manufacturing.  Additive Manufacturing (AM) is being oversold as a direct replacement for steel castings.  Our industry correctly feels the heat from purchasers and designers who believe that they will be able to avoid most of the historic challenges of …

Economic growth in our economy depends on improvements in productivity and increases in the workforce.  With the aging population and declining size of families, growth will depend on improvements in productivity. This month’s Casteel Commentary looks at automation in finishing as a critical investment for our industry to survive and succeed. Steel Casting Design Videos …

History Doesn’t Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes – Mark Twain Fall Leadership Meeting There is still time to register for the Fall Leadership Meeting on September 23-26, 2022, at the Grand Hyatt in Vail, CO. SFSA staff and Board look forward to welcoming everyone to this essential meeting for leaders in the steel casting industry …