On Friday, Oct. 7, the American Foundry Society (AFS) hosted more than 250 students and adults at its 3rd Annual National Manufacturing Day event. As one of 17 national sponsors, AFS hosted Foundry in a Box demonstrations, gave a metalcasting trivia contest and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner.
“Across the country, hundreds of manufacturers opened their doors on National Manufacturing Day to demonstrate modern manufacturing,” said AFS CEO Doug Kurkul. “AFS was proud to help represent the metalcasting industry in this endeavor.”
In addition to Foundry in a Box, AFS utilized 3-D-printed scratch molds for participants to make their own casting. Donated by the University of Northern Iowa and its Metal Casting Center, 300 scratch molds were used to provide each participant the chance to make his or her own casting to take home.
General Kinematics, Crystal Lake, Ill., and Hunter Foundry Machinery Corp. Schaumburg, Ill., participated with booths at the open house and answered questions about the metalcasting industry.
In the metalcasting trivia portion of the event, hosted by AFS Membership Director Leo Baran, students were given the chance to answer questions about metalcasting and win prizes.
This year, AFS added a microscope station, led by AFS Director of Education Shelly Dutler, in which attendees could analyze microstructures of different metals.
Finally, AFS welcomed the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, which delivered a proclamation on behalf of Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, announcing October 2016 as Illinois Manufacturing Month. Rauner declared his continued support for legislation to make it easier for metalcasters and small businesses to do business within the state.
Illinois State Senator Laura Murphy, Schaumburg, Ill., joined the MFG Day activities, as well, and took part in a foundry in a box demonstration.
Coinciding with Manufacturing Day, AFS also launched a new issue of Melting Point, a magazine focused on providing resources to teachers and students seeking to find out more about the industry, including general industry statistics, career pathways, college and scholarship information and multimedia tools, available to help those who are performing the outreach. Deemed “Melting Point,” the magazine and website is the first endeavor developed from the ground up solely for the purpose of reaching the youth of North America in order to inform, encourage and excite students to consider a career in metalcasting.
AFS is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1896. With its headquarters in Schaumburg, Ill., AFS provides members and consumers with information and services to promote and strengthen the metalcasting industry.
AFS staff accepts proclamation from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Governor's office
AFS Director of Education Shelly Dutler assists in a microscope demonstration during Manufacturing Day
AFS Senior Technical Editor, Sue Thomas, demonstrating Foundry in a Box to students on Manufacturing Day
AFS Techical Instructor Kevin Fleischmann demonstrates Foundry in a Box to MFG Day attendees