GM Powertrain hosts Saginaw Valley Educational Seminars.

The AFS Saginaw Valley Chapter held its 2007 Educational Seminars Feb. 8, 15 and 22 at the General Motors (GM) Powertrain training center in Saginaw, Mich. Each session was two hours with two to three speakers. More than 40 attendees per session included chapter members and college students from Saginaw Valley State Univ., University Center, Mich., and Delta College, University Center, Mich.

On Feb. 8, Alan Gould, CMI Equipment & Engineering, Au Gres, Mich., discussed types of permanent and semi-permanent mold aluminum casting equipment and processes, including static pour, tilt and reverse tilt pour, low pressure and diecasting. Mark Franz, Ford Motor Co., Detroit, presented on how to successfully plan and launch an aluminum gravity pour semi-permanent mold cylinder head project, including what to consider for maximum productivity, high yield and minimum defects.

On Feb. 15, Peter Blaser, ArenaFlow LLC, Albuquerque, N.M., spoke about new computer modeling methods for sand cores and EPS foam patterns. Mark Osborne, GM Powertrain, Pontiac, Mich., presented on aluminum melting and casting energy costs, including new melting technologies to lower costs and improve melt quality. An overview of the ablation casting process for high strength ductility castings also was presented.

On Feb. 22, Andrew Buczynsky, GM Powertrain, Pontiac, Mich., shared his knowledge of vehicle fuels. The presentation was an introduction to petroleum refining, fuel distribution, properties of gasoline and diesel fuel, and alternative fuels such as E-85 and bio-diesel. Edwin Romblom and Scott Kociba, both from GM Corp., Warren, Mich., discussed GM's diesel engine technology. They offered a better understanding of compacted graphite iron applications, core and mold design, and complexity of core assembly for engine cylinder blocks.