FEBRUARY MEETING

 
The AFS Toledo Chapter welcomed Dr. Sam Ramrattan from Western Michigan University as our February speaker. Dr./Prof Ramrattan’s presentation was entitled "Sustaining a future in metal casting" and he spoke about the challenges that face the industry both today and in the future. Dr. Ramrattan outlined three main areas that pose a challenge for the American metal casting industry in the future. These areas were Globalization, Governmental Regulations and New Markets.
AFS Toledo Chapter member Rob Morris presents Dr. Ramrattan with his speaker's award.  Rob was a student of Dr. Ramrattan at Western Michigan University.

Dr. Ramrattan asked, "How do we compete against foreign competition that pays no pensions, has no unions, has no EPA (MACT), no worker’s comp, no health insurance and no OSHA?" His suggestions were to improve the casting design rules that we currently live by. Such as producing castings that are ready to go, taking charge of the design process, developing more accurate testing methods and minimizing the cost to meet performance. He also suggested that through shared technologies, new markets could emerge for metal castings that would open new doors and take back previous markets. To make this possible, advances in materials such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium, compacted graphite, etc, along with state of the art processes and computer modeling would have to be realized. And this is why continued education in material science and engineer is necessary for the security of the metal casting industry.

 AFS Toledo Chapter Chairman Gary Hoehn congratulates the three students who were present to accept their $1000 scholarship award.  From left to right:  Chris Topoll, Michigan Tech University;  Amy Nagy, Tri-State University;  Scott Zandarski, Western Michigan University;  Gary Hoehn, AFS Toledo Chapter Chairman.

February 5th was also scholarship night for the AFS Toledo Chapter. This year, the Toledo Chapter awarded five $1000 scholarships. This year’s recipients were: Nicholas Nanninga from Michigan Tech University, Brian Sunderland from Tri-State University, Chris Topoll from Michigan Tech University, Amy Nagy from Tri-State University and Scott Zandarski from Western Michigan University. Congratulations to our scholarship winners! And thanks to all AFS Toledo Chapter members who make these awards possible.

 
Nicholas Nanninga from Michigan Tech University was also awarded with a $1000 scholarship.  His father and Toledo Chapter member, Nathan Nanninga (pictured) accepts the award for his son.
50-50 Winners

Door Prize Winner
1st Prize Mark Dickman $25

Chris Cogan
2nd Prize Dave Gallutia $15
3rd Prize Dave Varanese $10
Attendance Lottery - Mike Karhoff blew his chance to become $220 richer when he failed to attend the February meeting.  Sorry Mike