This issue of Modern Casting includes a major focus on additive manufacturing. There are case studies from our industry, perspectives to consider, and perhaps a call to action for your own company. The issue follows the American Foundry Society’s first multi-day conference on additive manufacturing last autumn.

At that conference, held Oct. 3-6 in Novi, Michigan, we had an exciting and close look at how these emerging, disruptive technologies are being used in our industry to produce cast components and what it will mean for metalcasters. We toured facilities that have adapted additive manufacturing as significant parts of their business plans.

Just as additive manufacturing is on the leading edge of our industry, each month our editorial team strives to provide inspirational, informative, and interesting content that helps you and your team be as innovative, productive, and profitable as you can. There are frequent updates on other technological process advances, tips on eliminating casting defects, stories of successful conversions from fabrication to castings, government affairs updates, and insight into ways to engage your manufacturing workforce to perform at the highest possible level.

Speaking of high-performance workforces, AFS is on the leading edge of providing knowledge and skills training for the metalcasting industry. All AFS Institute classroom courses have been revamped to employ adult-learning best practices. For those who prefer training in the convenience of their own facility, the AFS Institute offers most courses as in-plant, company-specific options. Moreover, many dozens of foundries are now employing e-learning from the AFS Institute to develop their talent, as was noted in a recent Modern Casting case study of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry. A skilled workforce can not only improve a foundry, but also differentiate it from the competition.

Metalcasting is a fast-changing industry, operating in an atmosphere of rapid-fire change in the marketplace, the workforce, and in government. AFS has an obligation to help lead the industry successfully through these changes. Modern Casting is one of the essential ways we communicate critical information and advance those aims.

Thank you for your readership, and enjoy this issue.

Click here to see this story as it appears in the April 2017
issue of Modern Casting.