2024 SFSA Technical & Operating Conference

Schedule

Conference registration will be in the Wright Foyer, 1:00pm – 5:00pm Wednesday and 8:00am – 4:30pm Thursday and Friday.

Workshop

Wednesday Dec. 11, 2:00pm-6:00pm

Industry 4.0: Real-Time Monitoring at Fimex

Santiago Oyarzabal – Fimex

This presentation examines the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies at Fimex, specifically focusing on the use of sensors for real-time monitoring in steel foundry operations. By capturing and analyzing critical data during production processes, these sensors enable more efficient decision making, improved process control, and enhanced product quality. The presentation will explore the impact of sensor-driven monitoring on key performance indicators and highlight the challenges and opportunities of integrating these technologies into traditional steel and bronze foundry workflows, showcasing Fimex’s approach to leveraging real-time data to drive operational efficiency.

Riser Sleeve Modeling and Performance Investigation

Tory Wendlandt, Ken Murphy and Jorge Okhuysen – SFSA and Alumni

Amir Baghani – McConway & Torley

SFSA’s Riser Sleeve Working Group began because of discussion at the 2023 T&O. The group meets regularly, holding roundtable discussions with members and subject matter experts and performing experiments with the goal of developing more and better modeling datasets for riser sleeves based on lower bound performance for reliability.

1. Comparing Simulation Datasets (Amir): solidification modeling is an important foundry tool and accurate simulation datasets are critical for realistic simulation; provided datasets will be compared to those generated from experiments.
2. Optimal Casting Riser Size (Ken): riser performance factors including sleeves and hot topping thickness, maximize yield and minimize under riser segregation.
3. Group Summary (Tory): goals, experiments and work done, and future plans.
4. New Formed Hot Topping (Jorge): hot topping application can significantly affect riser performance; however, trials of new hot topping formed disc should reduce human variability to achieve consistent and expected performance.

SFSA Member Support

Tory Wendlandt, Caelan Kennedy, Ryan Moore, Raymond Monroe and David Poweleit – SFSA

This session will feature updates from SFSA activities:

1. Chemical Analysis Round Robin (Tory): Spectrographic readings must be both repeatable and reproducible. This study is being performed to produce state-of-the-industry chemical analysis data for a range of high-alloy steels (primarily in the 19Cr-9Ni family) and will be compared to previous SFSA studies.
2. Tensile Properties of 8630 Castings (Caelan): What drives the properties of low alloy steels? This overview on studies evaluating the tensile properties of cast 8630 steel, with an emphasis on recent work at the UI and the UAB, will discuss historical context and other case studies.
3. EHS (Ryan): EHS regulatory update, developing best practices resources, and benchmarking safety statistics to enhance workplace safety and compliance.
4. Ramblings Podcast (Raymond): Nuggets from “Ramblings with Raymond”.
5. Steel Foundry I4.0 Tech (Dave): SFSA Industry 4.0 R&D update and emerging technology.

***The last two presentations are free to all members to attend and will start at 5:30***

US members in particular, regardless of paid workshop registration, are encouraged to attend to learn how to take advantage of this funded program.

Craftsman with Character Resource to Develop a Workforce for Your Foundry

Dave Hataj – Edgerton Gear

Insights on how businesses can effectively tap into workforce development programs, specifically focusing on the value that Craftsman with Character® (CWC) provides. Dave will highlight what resources are available from CWC, what outcomes businesses can expect, and the kind of investments companies need to make—such as the time skilled workers take to mentor students. Dave will highlight the massive impact CWC has had on not only his own business, but numerous businesses in Wisconsin.

METAL Program Vision

Lucinda Curry – METAL

Workforce resources for US foundries.

Miscellaneous

Alternative parking

SpotHero

Registered attendees

This list of registered attendees was correct as of December 1 2024.  Late registrants will not appear on the list.