A North American Metalcasting Alliance? (Editorial).I returned from the recent AFS A distributed file system for large, widely dispersed Unix and Windows networks from Transarc Corporation, now part of IBM. It is noted for its ease of administration and expandability and stems from Carnegie-Mellon's Andrew File System. AFS - Andrew File System CastExpo in Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City is the largest city in the state of Missouri. It encompasses parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest in Missouri, which includes counties in both Missouri and Kansas. , with renewed energy and an eye on the future. You see, as our industry evolves, so must its trade associations. That is why I propose that as our industry surfaces from its current economic spiral, it must consolidate under a single group's leadership--the "North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. Metalcasting Alliance." The recession of the last two years has not only hit our foundries and suppliers hard, but the associations they belong to as well. Dwindling dwin·dle v. dwin·dled, dwin·dling, dwin·dles v.intr. To become gradually less until little remains. v.tr. To cause to dwindle. See Synonyms at decrease. foundry and supplier numbers have resulted in dwindling membership and attendance at trade shows, conferences and training forums. This means drastically reduced operating funds, and numerous organizations struggling to service their members. This editorial isn't a plea for sympathy for AFS, NADCA NADCA National Air Duct Cleaners Association NADCA North American Die Casting Association NADCA National Aboriginal Dance Council Australia NADCA National Animal Damage Control Association NADCA North American Draft Cross Association, Inc or the other national associations. They had the same opportunities as foundries to refocus Verb 1. refocus - focus once again; The physicist refocused the light beam" focus - cause to converge on or toward a central point; "Focus the light on this image" 2. and/or increase their war chests during the '90s in anticipation of this forecasted economic downturn. This editorial is in support of a solution because even when the economy returns, much of the support for the 10 national metalcasting associations will not. A "North American Metalcasting Alliance" would serve as the parent organization, coordinating all of the macro-level activities for the industry, including government affairs, marketing, research and development, training, and trade shows and conferences. This alliance would be headed by the leaders of the various associations and industry leaders. Within this alliance, each of the existing associations would still serve the targeted technical needs of members, but individual and corporate membership would be to the alliance. Before you say I have lost my mind because this could never work, take a look at a blueprint for the metalcasting industry to follow. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers The Society of Manufacturing Engineers [1] (SME) is dedicated to bringing people and information together to advance manufacturing knowledge. SME is internationally recognized by manufacturing practitioners, companies and other organizations as a source for information, (SME (1) (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise) See SMB. (2) (Subject Matter Expert) An individual who is well-versed in the policies and procedures of a particular department or division. ) recognized the diverse needs of its manufacturing engineer The profession of manufacturing engineer is defined as a person having the education and experience to understand and control manufacturing systems such as processes and/or automation, including industrial processes and equipment used to produce goods. customers and aligned itself with other manufacturing associations such as the Rapid Prototyping Building a part one layer at a time using a method of additive fabrication such as 3D printing. Such parts are used for concept modeling to determine if the product design meets the customer's expectations. Assn. and Computer & Automated Systems Assn. Through its subgroup associations, SME is able to offer its diverse membership more targeted education specific to each segment's needs while still serving the macro needs of the whole. As with SME, a North American Metalcasting Alliance would allow each industry segment to maintain its own identity and niche services, while the macro issues (government affairs, foreign competition, marketing, etc.) underlying future success are coordinated by a single, united force. Our industry currently is splintered because we are caught up in process and material differences. As a result, we fight many of the same battles (such as on Capitol Hill and offshore) multiple times. The problem is that our customers don't care
"Don't Care" is a 1994 (see 1994 in music) single by American death metal band Obituary. what process makes their components--they just want a good price and the necessary properties. Government regulators don't care what metals you use--they just want you in compliance. Low-cost, foreign competition doesn't care how you produce your castings--they just want your customer's PO's. These three groups--customers, government regulators and foreign competition--are going to dictate our future. We must have a united alliance to push forward. Take a look at the following quote: "A united front for the foundry industry is long past due. Split by the needless controversy among the various metal (and process) divisions, its markets are being eroded. Why doesn't the industry fight hack? The answer lies in the separate groups aiding the foundry industy or segments of it...None of these organizations speak for the casting industry in every respect, and the total society expenditure is so diversified that the effect is dissipated dis·si·pat·ed adj. 1. Intemperate in the pursuit of pleasure; dissolute. 2. Wasted or squandered. 3. Irreversibly lost. Used of energy. and lost. There should be a regrouping of the many organizations and a pooling of the presidents of the societies and their interests in an effort to develop the market for castings." This quote was excerpted from a February 1949 MODERN CASTING editorial written by Bruce L. Simpson, who was serving on the AFS Board of Directors at the time. That message was delivered 53 years ago. Since little positive change has occurred since, I am resending it today. For this united front to develop, the individual foundry and supplier members of the national associations will have to drive the effort. You must tell your associations to combine efforts, streamline and present a strong, unified front. You are the customers, and it is up to you to direct your associations' and industry's future. It is time for the North American Metalcasting Alliance. Alfred T. Spada, Executive Editor |
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