The Technical & Operating (T&O) Conference is the SFSA flagship industry event, and the world’s premier steel casting meeting. Papers are compiled as conference proceedings. The majority of topics are presented by foundries and cover: melting, foundry engineering, molding, raw materials, finishing, heat treatment, quality, management, safety, human resources, environmental, specifications and other technical. In addition to these, cutting edge research is showcased to promote transition to our industry.
The Committee of Operating Executives, which started in 1938, was the precursor to the T&O Conference with the first one being held in 1947.
Attendance is restricted to SFSA members and board approved guests.
The 2026 T&O Conference is scheduled for Dec. 9 – 12 in Chicago.
SFSA would like to congratulate the best paper winner from the 2025 T&O conference. The winner is:
- “The Automation of Environmental Data Collection” – Evan Arachikavitz, Viking Pump – Robert G. Shepherd Best Paper
In addition, SFSA congratulates the authors of the other winning paper from the 2025 T&O conference. The winners are:
- Founders’ Choice Award
“Solid Molding Media Patterns for Large Ceramic Molds” – Jorge D. Okhuysen, SFSA alumni
“Modernization of a Sand Lab for Chemically Bonded Sand” – Jorge Leon, Tonkawa Foundry
“A Comprehensive Analysis of the Factors that Affect the Propensity of Mold Wash to Form Gas and Inclusion Quality Details” – Nick Knotts, Temperform - Robert G. Shepherd Runner-up Best Paper
“Mechanical Testing Variation and Customer Requirements” – Shawn Martin, Harrison Steel
We appreciate the support provided to the steel casting industry through papers such as this. To receive the full conference proceedings and hear the authors present their material firsthand, please make plans to attend the 2026 National T&O Conference.