News

Committee Named to Find New Executive Director for Investment Casting Institute

A committee has been named to find a new executive director for the Investment Casting Institute, based in Montvale, New Jersey. The new executive director will replace Michael Perry, who will be leaving the Institute at the end of 2013. Four members of the Institute’s board of directors have been named to the search committee. It is comprised of John Marcin, past president and committee chairman, Mike Hendricks, president, Brad DeSplinter, vice president and Tim Sullivan, director.

The committee would like to have resumes by February 15th and expects to start interviewing candidates in March. The committee is particularly interested in two areas of expertise: the investment casting industry and association management. A knowledge of international markets would also be a plus. An ad announcing the position is being placed in INCAST. Interested principles only should send resumes to:

ICI Search Committee
Investment Casting Institute
PO Box 392
Montvale, NJ 07645

Or email resumes to icisearch@investmentcasting.org

2013 to Mark Institute's 60th Anniversary and INCAST's 25th

The Investment Casting Institute is counting down for its 60th Anniversary year in 2013, which will culminate in the Institute's 60th Technical Conference and Expo in Pittsburgh, PA.

The Institute will also commemorate the 25th anniversary year of INCAST Magazine, the only monthly publication dedicated exclusively to the investment casting industry.

Institute Executive Director Michael Perry noted an anniversary committee is in place, and plans are currently being made. "We are anticipating a number of feature articles to be published throughout the year in INCAST Magazine and on the Institute website at www.investmentcasting.org."

"During 2013, we plan to recognize our industry pioneers and honorary members– individuals who played an instrumental role in the development and growth of the Institute and the industry," Perry said. "We also expect to recognize several companies which have been involved in the Institute since its beginnings."

The Institute's first annual meeting was in June of 1953. A dozen investment casting foundries and half that many suppliers expressed their intention to join the new organization. Today the Institute consists of more than 200 companies, approximately half of which are casting members and half of which are supplier members. The nonprofit corporation collects and disseminates information about the industry and provides industry education opportunities to a diversified international corporate membership.

In addition to the annual Technical Conference and Expo, and annual Spring Management Meeting, the Institute also has developed a Certification Course and Process Control Course in investment casting, for employees of member companies.

The first issue of INCAST was published in February 1988. Within a year, the newsletter had expanded into a magazine.

Besides INCAST Magazine, the Institute also publishes technical books, DVDs and CDs as training tools. It also offers a number of statistical programs for participating North American casting members.

Casting Contest Entries

The deadline for entering the Investment Casting Institute’s 2013 Casting Contest is July 1. The contest is being conducted in conjunction with the 60th Technical Conference and Expo in Pittsburgh, PA this fall.

Ideal entries are components and applications which showcase the investment casting process or solve customer  problems.  The purpose of the contest is to promote the investment casting process and recognize innovation and leadership in the industry.

Case studies generated from the contest published in INCAST, distributed to various metals and design publications, and  promoted and at shows and events where the Institute has contact with end users and buyers of castings.

Institute Executive Director Michael Perry indicated the contest is a win/win for everyone who enters the contest. He noted all castings in the contest receive publicity that goes to end users of investment castings.

Taking top honors in 2012 were Shellcast. Inc. of Montague, MI and Uni-Cast of Londonderry, NH for military;  Alcoa Howmet of Georgetown Ontario, Canada for aerospace; and Aristo-Cast Inc. of Almont, MI for industrial.

In addition, five finalists were recognized: Barron Industries of Oxford, MI; Kovatch Castings of Uniontown, OH;  O’Fallon Casting of O’Fallon, MO; TPM, Inc. of Sugar Land, TX; and  Uni-Cast/Ceramet of Bethlehem, PA. A contest entry form is on the opposite page. 

60th Anniversary Conference & Expo Planned in Wake of Successful Nashville Event

In the wake of a well attended and successful 59th Technical Conference and Expo in Nashville TN, the Investment Casting Institute is making plans for its 60th Anniversary Conference and Expo Oct. 6-9, 2013 at the Wyndham Grand Downtown, Pittsburgh, PA.

With a total attendance of 616, the recent conference and expo featured 24 technical papers and exhibits from approximately 80 exhibitors. Next year's event will spotlight the Institute's 60th anniversary, which will be celebrated throughout the year.

"This event is clearly a milestone," said Institute Executive Director Michael Perry. "A 60th anniversary for any trade association is remarkable in this day and age, and we are proud to have a record membership."

Exhibit space is now on sale for the 2013 product/literature expo. Exhibit space was already 90% sold by the end of this year's show. The 2013 expo will feature product and literature (no running equipment).

"This is an investment casting event exclusively" Martin said. "No other gathering will attract so many investment casters to one place at one time." Institute Executive Director Michael Perry noted he anticipates good attendance again in Pittsburgh, which is centrally located and a popular conference and exhibition venue. "We are planning a technical program with a balance of presentations from investment casters, universities and suppliers. The casting contest will add another layer of technology andinformation to the attendees. The contest illustrates the benefits of the investment casting process and recognizes casters who stretch the envelope," he said.

Intern Scholarships: Several to be Awarded at 2013 Technical Conference

Several Investment Casting Institute-sponsored intern scholarships are expected to be awarded at the Institute’s upcoming Technical Conference Oct. 6-9 in Pittsburgh, PA.

The new undergraduate intern/scholarship program will involve Institute member companies in encouraging college students to find careers in the investment casting industry. Several $2,500 scholarships are expected to be awarded this year.

In order to qualify for the scholarship, the student must be employed as an intern at a North American Institute member company (either caster or supplier).

The Institute-funded program offers to both North American casting and supplier member companies the incentive to recruit students to work for them. The program will begin with internships this summer.  This year’s scholarships are expected to be awarded at the Institute’s 60th Technical Conference & Expo in October.

The company-sponsored internship must be a meaningful work experience at a competitive wage within the student’s major.  It must have stated objectives and outcome for the students, and must be 10-14 consecutive weeks in duration. 

In addition to participating in the internship, qualified students must be juniors or seniors majoring in engineering & technology, business & personnel, or environment & safety.  They must maintain a grade point average of 2.75 or above on a 4.0 scale.  Each applicant will be required to write a 500-word career objective statement.

The Education Committee will make the selection from the applications and the career objective statement. 

Member companies interested in the internship program may get information by contacting the Institute office at 201-573-9770 or e-mail ici@investmentcasting.org.

Institute Membership Sets Yet Another Record

Membership in the Investment Casting Institute set yet another record during 2012 at 235 corporate members. Institute Executive Director Michael Perry noted that growth trends indicate membership has reached a new level. "We have already surpassed last year's record, and several other companies are currently considering membership. This is a reflection of the strength of the Institute and the value members are deriving from it even in a problematic economy," he said.

Technical Papers Now Available On Line

A new option on the Investment Casting Institute web site will make a library of technical papers more accessible and readily available.

While technical papers have long been available for purchase, the new web site option not only allows customers to search the entire library for information, but also provides for easier ordering. This marks the first time the papers have been available to order on line.

The technical library includes paper published in Technical Conference Proceedings from 1981 to the present. Articles are searchable by key word, title and author. Starting with 2010, articles will have abstracts allowing customers access to a brief summary to make a decision whether or not to purchase.

Institute Welcomes New Members for 2013