APRIL 2021 foundrymag.

com

THE NEW
COMPETITORS
Powdered materials, binder-
jet printing, and sintering are
being deployed to challenge for
PHWDOFDVWHUV·PRVWYDOXHGPDUNHWV

IN THIS ISSUE
Controlling Conditions
for Cupola Melting

Patternmaker Builds
Brand on Accuracy

Moldmaking According
to Industry 4.0

The Expectations
Gap and the Push for
Digitization
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^ CONTENTS
Volume 149 Number 4

14 MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY

2 SUMMIT PARK DRIVE, SUITE 300
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING CLEVELAND, OH 44131
13 Metallurgy Breakthroughs Show a New PH 234/466-0200
WWW.FOUNDRYMAG.COM
Phase of Competition
Powdered materials, binder-jet printing, and sintering EDITORIAL STAFF
are advancing to a point that developers say will be EDITOR ROBERT BROOKS
“disruptive” to metalcasting. rbrooks@endeavorb2b.com

METALLURGY GRAPHICS EDITOR BILL SZILAGYI

14 Controlling Conditions for Cupola Melting bszilagyi@endeavorb2b.com
There are several steps to maximizing cupola operating
performance, but the first and most important is to manage
the detrimental influences of iron oxide.

18 QUALITY CONTROL
18 Patternmaker Builds its Brand on Accuracy
A range of advanced metrology systems and capabilities
are helping Accurate Pattern Inc. improve and expand its
resources for product quality and customer service.

MOLDS/CORES
20 To Industry 4.0 …and Beyond
Dotson Iron Castings adopted Sinto America’s enVision
Process Visibility System for its molding lines, resulting in
improved production, less downtime, faster cycle time,
better maintenance scheduling, and more.

MANAGEMENT ON THE COVER: Design by Bill

22 Communication Creates Expectations Szilagyi, graphics editor.
24 Building and shaping customers’ impressions is part of what
your brand must do, and every message you deliver will
influence their expectations.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
28 Industry 4.0 Pushes Manufacturers
to Digitize Operations
A widening “expectations gap” between suppliers and
buyers means that manufacturers’ investments must
create a seamless digital experience and quick-response
capabilities.

23
Editor’s Note...................................................2
Metalcasting News ................................. 6
Newsmakers .................................................12
Visit the Foundry Management & Technology
Technical Development ........................ 23
website www.foundrymag.com for the online
Success Story....................................... 20
suppliers directory.
Message Received ................................ 22
New Products ...................................... 23
Advertiser Index ..........................................24
Product Express ...........................................25
Business Staff...............................................27
Closing Comment ........................................32

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A P R I L 2 0 2 1 | FO U N D RY M AG . CO M | FO U N D RY | M A N AG E M E N T & T E C H N O LO G Y 1
 ^ EDITOR’S NOTE
Is This a Private Game?
T
here is a growing sense of optimism about U.S.
economic recovery, with various data points
available to argue that the year-long whammy ef-
fected by a global pandemic is over – or will be soon.
In recent weeks analysts have offered the monthly
Purchasing Managers’ Index, durable goods ship-
ments, and various metrics of consumer spending to
argue that the pre-pandemic levels of low inflation
and high employment, plus renewed strong industrial
demand are just about to resume.
To believe evidence like this requires a lot of tumblers
to fall into place, a lot of prior economic assumptions
to be fulfilled. I have become less confident that prob-
lems of such consequence will work out so neatly. My
confidence in economic recovery is based on a simpler
observation: metalcasting operations are drawing inves-
tors’ capital.
Since the start of 2021 we have reported a half dozen
acquisitions of U.S. casting plants, along with a steady
log of expansions and new equipment programs. I don’t
have to see my fiscal principles fulfilled for my con-
fidence to be boosted; I merely have to note that these
investors cannot all be wrong. I am drawing assurance
from their confidence.
It’s hard to come up with better arguments to explain
these investors’ confidence because every one of them
lacks the details that justify the investors’ risk-taking. We
don’t know how much they’ve paid or other basic terms
of their investments. We cannot compare their transac-
tions to other comparable moves. They are private deals,
not quite secret but carried out by corporate entities. The
personal motives and stakes are not clear.
To the extent that the investors explain their actions
they cite goals to improve performance or product qual-
ity, or customer service. We cannot predict their re-
wards or measure their successes. We must assume that
there is a commercial strategy for recouping the capital
invested but revealing that would give away too much
of the plan, apparently.
Surely the metalcasting sector needs the capital infu-
sion. It’s an expensive business that makes its profits in
margins, not multiples. Metalcasters need to update their
machinery and technologies and meet evolving stan-
dards. They need to adapt their ways of doing business
to match the current accelerated pace of designing and
manufacturing, and delivering, finished parts. All this
requires capital, now.
2 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
Robert Brooks
Editor
Private equity is not a new phenomenon. Investment
funds have long been part of the free market economy,
only more so in recent decades as other sources of capital
investment have become restricted by disclosure require-
ments, and as investors seek higher and faster returns
than listed holdings can ensure. They’ll take risks, but
they want some cover.
Then, too, many manufacturing businesses have often
been cast as high-risk investments, meaning a high-risk
investor may be the only type offering capital when it’s
needed. Private equity has done a lot of good for metal-
casters and other U.S. businesses, and those who rely on
those businesses for their own livelihoods. The secrecy
they keep about their plans and goals is part of the fee for
their services.
It was not always true that privacy came at a cost. The
quaint image of a family-owned business supporting
dozens of employees and the community where they
all thrive is an idealized notion of commercial life that
barely exists any longer – some metalcasting exceptions
notwithstanding. And such images do not exist out of
context: they fit within a broader idealism involving
responsible government, a trustworthy legal system, reli-
able commercial institutions, effective academic bodies,
and so forth. It’s a mythic nostalgia we maintain based on
the shortcomings of reality.
It’s an impression that is highly personal too, set in an
alternate universe where our own feelings and motives
are not questioned, and we feel no suspicions about those
we encounter there. Our own assumptions about what is
good and bad are the standard that everyone shares. The
outcomes we want are all agreed to be the best ones.
In reality, we live in a world that is almost entirely
impersonal. It is wholly commercial: relationships are
transactional and values are negotiable. Surrendering
your thoughts and records is the price of admission. We
are governed by pragmatism, not principle. Personal ex-
pression is sanctioned so long as it conforms to shifting
social “truths.” Integrity, meaning a unity of principles
and responsibility that ensures an individual’s autonomy,
affords one very little.
Privacy is an expensive commodity in this world, and
if we cannot afford it then the best that we can expect is
that those who can pay for it have invested wisely.
 ADVERTORIAL

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4 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
 CASTING TECHNOLOGY
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^
METALCASTING NEWS
…READ MORE detailed reporting on foundry operations and technology at foundrymag.com/news

Ermak Foundry
Adds Two Aluminum
Casting Businesses
M innesota-based Ermak Foundry
and Machining has acquired Pa-
triot Foundry & Castings in Franklin,
NH, a specialty producer of nonferrous
sand castings; and RDS Dock Hard-
ware, also in Franklin, NH, which casts
aluminum docks, decks, and bridge
hardware.
The value of the transactions, com-
pleted in early February, was not an-
nounced. For Ermak Foundry, the ac-

Elyria Foundry photo

quisitions follow its 2019 purchase of

The new ownership claimed that the iron foundry operation “has range to produce very large
castings and the depth of technical talent to solve problems for its customers.”

Investment Group Buys Elyria Foundry,

Hodge Foundry
rivate investment group TRM Equity acquired Elyria Foundry, Elyria,
P OH, recently for an undisclosed price. The seller was not identified.
Elyria Foundry is a gray and ductile iron foundry that produces parts

Ermak Foundry photo

ranging in size from 20 to 200,000 lbs., for defense projects, oil-and-gas
equipment, wind energy systems, mining and mineral processing machin-
ery, construction equipment, and similar applications.
The foundry has an affiliated operation in Greenville, PA. Hodge Foundry
produces large-scale, engineered gray and ductile iron castings for critical
applications in the power generation segment. This includes parts for wind The Minnesota group acquired Patriot
turbines and coal pulverizers, along with other parts for mining and mineral Foundry and RDS Dock Hardware, both in New
Hampshire, adding more nonferrous alloy
processing machinery. Its specialties are large, heavy-section iron castings capabilities as it installs automated molding and
weighing from 3,000 to 200,000 lbs. sand testing.

“The foundry industry has been under considerable pressure over the last
few decades, and we have focused on the companies with unique positions Northwest Casting Inc., St. Paul, MN,
and capabilities in their space,” stated Jeffrey Stone, managing director for and ongoing improvements to its cast-
TRM Equity. “Elyria Foundry has range to produce very large castings and ing capabilities.
the depth of technical talent to solve problems for its customers. We look Patriot Foundry’s sellers were Chris
forward to partnering with the Elyria Foundry team to navigate through a and Debbi Leuteritz, and the transac-
challenging environment and continue to be a valued resource to its cus- tion was coordinated by Generational
tomers far into the future.” … READ MORE Equity, a private investor group. “The
new ownership of Patriot is a great fit,”

6 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
CONGRATULATIONS TO

BOCAR
U.S
ON THEIR INVESTMENT IN
AMERICAN MANUFACTURING
AT THEIR PLANT IN
HUNTSVILLE, AL

Foundry Solutions & Design

Engineering & Project Management

316 Maxwell Rd, Suite 500, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA Phone: 770.667.4545 Fax: 770.667.4544
e-mail: engineering@foundrysd.com, www.foundrysd.com
^ METALCASTING NEWS
the broker stated. “Ermak has the management and opera-
tional expertise to take this company to the next level. It was
a pleasure to lead this M&A transaction.”
Ermak Foundry and Machining general manager Eric
Sloan said the group’s “access to capital and experience
adding automation across the enterprise allows for future
expansion of Patriot and RDS Dock Hardware. With this
acquisition, we will have nearly quadrupled the size of the
company in four years. We’ve been focused on automating
both the shop floor and back office, so we have a strong
foundation from which to scale the companies.”
Ermak Foundry, Chaska, MN, offers no-bake and green-
sand-cast and permanent-mold aluminum castings for var-
ious markets (general industrial, recreational, construction,
utility, and agricultural manufacturers.) It also offers ma-
chining and heat-treating services.
Patriot Foundry’s customers are concentrated in the
Northeast U.S., and include defense programs, packaging,
communications, aerospace, automobile, and multiple other
market segments.
Seth Cutler, president of Ermak, commented: “The acqui-
sition of Patriot was a logical next step after the integration of
8 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
Northwest Casting’s permanent mold/gravity-fed diecast and
in-house heat-treat capabilities last year. Our emphasis has
expanded to other nonferrous alloys in tandem with the in-
stallation of our automated molding and sand testing systems.
“Patriot expands our aluminum capability geographi-
cally, as well as expertise in brass, bronze, zinc, and other
copper-based alloys,” he continued, “plus the capability for
assembly of complete parts.” … READ MORE
Precision Castparts Loses
Unionization Appeal
P recision Castparts Corp. lost a U.S. Court of Appeals
ruling in a challenge it had brought to a National Labor
Relations Board conclusion concerning employees’ efforts
to organize a union in 2017. The NLRB found that PCC
committed an unfair labor practice when it refused to engage
in bargaining with about 100 welders working for its PCC
Structurals subsidiary in Portland, OR, and challenged their
effort to affiliate with the International Association of Ma-
chinists and Aerospace Workers union.
Now, reportedly, the union plans to send a “demand let-
ter” to Precision Castparts to force it to begin negotiating a
contract.
Precision Castparts has three business units: Investment
Cast Products, including PCC Structurals and PCC Airfoils;
Forged Products, including Wyman-Gordon, PCC Energy
Group, Titanium Metals Corp. (TIMET), and Special Metals
Corp. (SMC); and Airframe Products, including PCC Fas-
teners and PCC Aerostructures. While it is heavily focused
on aerospace manufacturing, it also supplies energy and
industrial markets.
The 2017 vote by the welders was the start of an attempt
by the IAM union to organize PCC workers, which at that
time totaled about 30,000. About 20% of the workers at
that time were subject to collective-bargaining agreements.
Ninety-two welders participated in the 2017 vote, of whom
54 endorsed the organizing effort.
Last year PCC implemented an extensive downsizing
program, reducing its total workforce by about 30% amid
a severe downturn in commercial aerospace demand. Also
last year, Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. took
a $9.8-billion writedown on Precision Castparts, which it
bought for $32.1 billion in 2016. … READ MORE
AB&I Foundry to End Molding
Operations
D uctile-iron pipe producer AB&I Foundry will cease
moldmaking in Oakland, CA, in 2022, and shift those
processes to another McWane Inc. holding, Tyler Pipe in
…READ MORE detailed reporting on foundry operations and technology at foundrymag.com/news

Tyler, TX. “The company will be per-

manently shutting down molding oper-
ations in 2022 to satisfy ever-increas-
ing regulatory standards as quickly as
possible and well in advance of regula-
tory deadlines,” according to an AB&I

Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry photo

Foundry statement, referring to Cali-
fornia air-quality regulations.
About 100 positions will be elim-
inated, according to an estimate by
AB&I in its statement.
“AB&I has an excellent compli-
ance record with applicable regulatory
standards,” stated Michael Lowe, the
foundry’s general manager. “Changing
standards create business uncertainties Wisconsin Aluminum The private transaction adds more aluminum
green-sand casting capability, in what the CEO
that make it difficult to continue our Foundry Buys said, “will accelerate our growth in the electric
vehicle and consumer goods markets.”
operations in California.” Wabash Castings
Other foundry operations will con- in a private transaction. The green-sand
tinue in Oakland with enhanced engi-
neering controls, according to the com-
pany. … READ MORE
W isconsin Aluminum Foundry re-
ported it has purchased the assets
of Wabash Castings Inc., Wabash, IN,
foundry is seen as “a perfect comple-
ment to our existing breadth of produc-
tion lines.” According to a statement by

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^ METALCASTING
Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry CEO
Sachin Shivaram.
“This acquisition will accelerate our
growth in the electric vehicle and con-
sumer goods markets, among other ex-
citing opportunities,” he added.
The Wabash Castings brand will be
maintained.
Wabash Castings produces com-
plex-cored parts like pumps, man-
ifolds, and turbo chargers, among
others, for automotive manufacturers
(including EVs), heavy-duty truck
builders, off-highway and construction
equipment producers, and other gen-
eral manufacturing operations.
Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry,
Manitowoc, WI, uses green-sand, air
set, and permanent-mold casting and
low-pressure molding to pour a range
of aluminum and copper-based al-
loys for automotive, agriculture and
1 0 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
NEWS
construction, commercial vehicles,
defense, medical, and railroad manu-
facturing, among others. Its holdings
also include Manitowoc Pattern & Ma-
chining, MP&M a precision machining
and foundry tooling producer with en-
gineering capabilities for prototyping
through assembly, NDT, and other ser-
vices. … READ MORE
Metal Technologies
Inc. Buys Machine
Shop in Mexico
F oundry group Metal Technologies
Inc. has purchased a specialty ma-
chining operation in Mexico from AAA
Sales & Engineering, nearby MTI’s gray
and ductile iron foundry in San Luis Po-
tosi. The plant’s management team will
remain, operating the facility as Metal
Technologies Maquinados de SLP.
The terms of the acquisition were
not announced.
The machining operation is close
to a General Motors crossover vehi-
cle assembly plant, noted Nicholas
D. Heiny, general counsel for MTI.
“Growth of existing U.S. business lines
is substantially strengthened by hav-
ing a presence in Mexico. We view this
as definitely a way to strengthen our
U.S. presence by growing in Mexico,”
Heiny stated.
“MTMS was one of our first and
largest customers in Mexico,” MTI
president and CEO Matthew Fetter
commented about the purchase. “We
knew the management team very well
for many years, and the MTMS team
was the critical part of the acquisition.
In addition, MTMS’ ability to machine
a wide size range of parts with complex
operations and tight tolerances was
…READ MORE detailed reporting on foundry operations and technology at foundrymag.com/news
complementary with our existing ma-
chining experience.
“We believe customers benefit from
casting and machining solutions close
to their operations,” Fetter added.
“MTI is the only company that can do
this in Mexico as well as the U.S.A.”
MTI, headquartered in Auburn, IN,
produces gray iron, ductile iron, and aus-
tempered ductile iron castings, as well as
aluminum diecastings, at six locations in
Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ten-
nessee, in addition to the Mexican iron
foundry. The group also has a specialty
machining operation in Michigan.
Each plant is set up to produce cast-
ings for particular markets, including
automotive, heavy trucks, hydraulic
systems, compressors, appliances,
small engines, railroad, trailer axle, and
general industrial customers.
… READ MORE
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METALCASTING BRIEFS
Eck Industries, Manitowoc, WI, recently certified its quality system to
the AS9100D standard, for aviation and aerospace market suppliers. The
air-cooled cylinder head shown here is cast in 200 Series aluminum for
small aircraft. Eck produces air-set, permanent mold, and low-pressure
permanent mold castings in various alloys, and offers in-house heat
treatment, dye penetrant inspection and radiography services.
Guardian Software Systems will supply its ERP platform to investment caster
Dameron Alloy Foundries, with plants in California, Kentucky, and Mexico,
Dameron Alloy Foundries excels as an industry leader with over 70 years of
metal casting experience. Wisconsin-based Guardian also recently added Trum-
bull Foundry/Jarvie Performance Castings, a no-bake foundry in Niles, OH, as
an ERP/MES software client.
General Kinematics recently acquired Foundry Equipment Co., Stanwood,
IA, expanding its portfolio for foundry system integration. “FECo has the same
commitment to quality and customer satisfaction that General Kinematics pro-
vides and will be a great addition to our existing group of experienced foundry
experts,” commented Tom Musschoot, GK president.
Franklin Bronze Precision Components, an investment caster in Franklin,
PA, has adopted laser-based SLA additive manufacturing to produce rapid
prototypes and short-run castings. “The addition of this 3D printer to our
facility allows us to quickly prove out design changes without needing to alter
the tooling each time. For instance, making a gating change can be proved
before cutting into the tool,” said senior IC process engineer Neil Kruse.
^ NEWS MAKERS
Leadership Change
at Vesuvius GmbH
R afael Carbonell has replaced Heinz
Nelissen as managing director of
Vesuvius GmbH’s foundry division.
Nelissen will remain with the com-
pany as area director,
Northern Europe,
until June 30, 2021,
at which time he will
retire.
Carbonell holds
a master ’s degree
Carbonell in Mathematics and
Theoretical Phys-
ics from Cambridge
University and an
MBA from London
Business School.
Carbonell spent
10 years holding
Nelissen
various management
positions in alumi-
num manufacturing,
and for the past two
years he has been the
Vesuvius Group’s
European Vice Presi-
dent EMEA Foundry.
He will continue in
that role in his role as
Erger
managing director.
Hannes Erger, the Vesuvius business
unit manager for iron and steel found-
ries, has been added to the group’s
management team.
New CFO for ASK
Chemicals Group
H ubert Windegger has joined ASK
Chemicals as the group’s chief
financial officer as of March 1, it an-
nounced, calling him “an experienced
financial expert” and making him re-
sponsible for finance, controlling, dig-
italization, and IT. Windegger replaced
Anders Wester, who had served as CFO
of ASK Chemicals Group since 2018.
Windegger previously held various
1 2 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
management posi-
tions at Dow Chem-
ical in Europe, and
recently served as
Division CFO at
Trinseo Europe, a
manufacturer of plas-
Windegger tics, latex binders,
and synthetic rubber.
“Hubert is a seasoned manager who,
alongside traditional CFO responsibili-
ties, will set new emphases in the digi-
talization strategy of ASK Chemicals,”
stated Frank Coenen, ASK Chemicals
CEO. “I am very pleased that we were
able to win Hubert Windegger for our
company.”
New Regional Mgr. at
Simpson Technologies
C ory Ashburn has joined Simpson
Technologies as its regional ac-
count manager, Midwest, responsible
for the sales of all Simpson products
and services in Iowa,
Illinois, Indiana,
Michigan, Minne-
sota, Missouri, Ne-
braska, North Da-
kota, South Dakota,
and Wisconsin.
Previously, Ash-
Ashburn
burn spent six years
with the Foseco / Vesuvius organiza-
tion as an account executive, and before
then he was a product and sales manager
during 11 years with American Colloid
Co. He also worked as a regional sales
manager for the Hill & Griffith Co.
Ashburn has served two terms on
the board of directors of the Wiscon-
sin Chapter of the American Foundry
Society and is a four-time recipient of
the American Foundry Society (AFS)
Technical Presentation award. He was
five times presented the AFS Service
Appreciation Award.
“It is my true pleasure to be a part of
the Simpson Technologies team,” Ash-
burn stated. “I look forward to using my
over-25 years of foundry-sand prepara-
tion knowledge to support our custom-
ers’ needs, now and into the future.”
Carpenter Bros.
Adds Environmental
Sales Rep
C arpenter Brothers Inc. and its af-
filiate J. Carpenter Environmen-
tal announced the hiring of Matthew
Ednie as the Northeast regional direc-
tor for environmental technical sales.
He is Carpenter Brothers’ first sales
representative solely
assigned to environ-
mental products and
services.
Ednie brings over
24 years’ experience
Ednie
in environmental re-
mediation projects
and compliance issue
resolution to the staff of J. Carpenter
Environmental, which provides envi-
ronmental products and equipment to
foundries and other manufacturers.
Global Marketing
Manager Named for
Superior Die Set
W isconsin-based Superior Die
Set Corp. appointed Maria Van-
Haverbeck as its global marketing
head, a new position for the custom
supplier to stamping, plastic injec-
tion molding, and forging businesses.
VanHaverbeck will be responsible for
building the marketing department and
synchronizing strategies for Superior
Die Set and its brands, Greendale Pre-
cision Services and ProPlastica.
“Maria will position us in the mar-
ketplace as a global leader; her edu-
cation, background and experience in
manufacturing make her a perfect fit
for Superior Die Set,” stated vice presi-
dent Rodney Yeomans.
^ TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
Metallurgy Breakthroughs Show a New Phase of Competition
Powdered materials, binder-jet printing, and sintering are advancing to a point that developers
say will be “disruptive” to metalcasting.
well-designed, well-produced casting is proof of its own value, “High-speed aluminum 3D-printing paves the way for other
A but buyers’ demands go beyond design and production. That’s an opportunities that we’re just now starting to take a look at because
opening for proponents of 3D-printing, who lately are making their of the ability to do complex parts with aluminum that previously
intentions known – not with new design or production capabilities but weren’t possible,” according to Harold Sears, Ford technical leader
with metallurgy, long assumed to be the real advantage foundries and for additive manufacturing. “It’s really opening doors for other
diecasters held in this competition. opportunities.”
Desktop Metal Inc. CEO Ric Fulop called his group’s co-devel- ExOne noted that new process could increase Ford’s effi-
opment of an aluminum 6061 powder for ciency by allowing it to affordably produce
binder-jet additive manufacturing a “break- complex parts uniquely designed for ad-
through … one of the most sought-after ditive manufacturing, which could mean
materials for use in automotive, aerospace, “size and weight reductions, part consoli-
and consumer electronics.” according to Ric dation, and performance improvements.”
Fulop, Desktop Metals CEO and co-founder. “Developing a fast, affordable, and easy
Desktop Metal and partner Uniformity Labs way to 3D-print aluminum with traditional
claim the alloy offers greater than 10% elon- material properties is a critical step toward
gation plus improved yield strength and ul- light-weighting more products and delivering
timate tensile strength compared to wrought An aluminum 6061 engine block model a more sustainable future,” stated John Hart-
demonstrates the high resolution and geometric
aluminum 6061. control available in the ExOne/Ford binder jet 3D ner, ExOne CEO.
The alloy, Uniformity 6061, is proceeding printing and sintering process. [Business Wire] Another frontier in this competition sees
toward qualification and a commercial release. AM specialist 3D Systems collaborating
Adam Hopkins, Uniformity Labs founder and with Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport
CEO said the new alloy “opens the door to a News Shipbuilding division to develop cop-
wide variety of thermal and structural applica- per-nickel (CuNi) and nickel-copper (NiCu)
tions across industries.” alloys for powder-bed fusion (a/k/a “binder
Binder-jet additive manufacturing is the jet”) production – potentially allowing NNS to
process in which a printer-head device selec- replace castings with additively manufactured
tively deposits a liquid binder onto a layer of parts, and to cut lead times by up to 75%.
powdered metal according to a pattern defined CuNi and NiCu are corrosion-resistant al-
Fully dense, sinterable 6061 aluminum with
from a CAD file of the finished part. Each better than wrought strength will be available loys with high strength and durability across
completed layer is bonded to a successive for binder jetting technology, according to co- a wide range of temperatures. However, com-
developers Desktop Metals Inc. and Uniformity
layer, according to the design, and the formed Labs. [Business Wire] ponents produced in these alloys require long
part is later sintered with a combination of heat lead times (sometimes more than one year,
and atmospheric pressure to densify the part structure. according to 3DS) and multiple suppliers. A successful powder-metal
The developers said the new powder makes it possible to sinter un- formulation that could be available for metal 3D printing could shorten
adulterated 6061 aluminum, meaning it is not necessary to coat pow- the supply chain considerably, it is proposed.
der particles prior to printing, nor to mix sintering aids into the powder, Newport News Shipbuilding is the sole designer, builder, and re-
nor to use binders containing expensive nanoparticles or metals. fueler of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and one of two providers of U.S.
At nearly the same time another “breakthrough” for binder-jet Navy submarines. It would be able to use the new materials with its
printing of aluminum 6061 was announced by AM developer ExOne current metal AM capabilities to produce replacement parts for cast-
Co. and Ford Motor Co., who have been collaborating on the devel- ings as well as valves, housings, and brackets.
opment since 2019. They are seeking to patent a 3D-printing and Once the CuNi and NiCu materials have been demonstrated suc-
sintering process which they claim, “delivers properties comparable cessful, 3D Systems anticipates they will be added to its materials
to diecasting.” portfolio and would be available for corrosion-resistant applications
Aluminum 6061 contains magnesium and silicon elements, and it in other industries, like oil-and-gas production and refining, and utility
feature good mechanical properties and good weldability. It is com- energy production.
monly extruded, forged, and sometimes diecast. Ford and ExOne The metallurgy of powdered materials may be the emerging venue
contend their process for binder-jet printing and sintering aluminum for the ongoing competition between metalcasting and other manufac-
6061 results in parts with densities greater than 99%. turing processes – a contest that buyers will settle.

A P R I L 2 0 2 1 | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y 1 3
Metallurgy
Controlling Conditions
for Cupola Melting
There are several steps to maximizing cupola operating performance, but the first and most
important is to manage the detrimental influences of iron oxide.
Ron Beyerstedt
I
ron oxide threatens all iron-melting processes. In cupola
melting, much greater amounts of iron oxide are produced
during the normal melt cycle than are produced in electric
furnace melting. This makes iron oxide’s effect much more
pronounced in cupola melting. In EF melting, 20%-30% oxida-
tion loss is the extreme of losses encountered. In cupola melting,
in the worst-case scenario, the oxidation losses approach 65%.
Carbon oxidation losses remain unknown to this day.
When a cupola is first started, blast air “burns-in” the coke bed.
During this phase, no iron oxide is produced because no iron is
melted. The blast air simply preheats the coke, preparing for the
upcoming melting campaign.
Once metallic charging and melting commences, blast air
contacts the molten metal droplets as they descend through the
oxygen-rich layer immediately in front and above the cupola
tuyeres. This oxygen-rich high-temperature zone (5,000°F) in the
cupola causes iron-oxide formation on the droplet’s surface and
vaporization of a portion of the iron oxide formed. The FeO gas
spreads throughout the cupola, leading to FeO contamination of
the entire cupola.
Iron oxide causes significant chemistry losses, both carbon and
silicon. The graph below shows silicon loss as melting progresses
in a 35-tph cupola. Silicon loss finally reaches steady-state when
FeO exiting the cupola contained in slag equals the FeO being
1 4 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
produced by blast air contact with the molten metal. (See this
effect illustrated in Fig. 1, p. 16.)
Iron oxide present in the tuyere raceways produces carbon-ox-
idation loss. There have no meaningful measurements of the car-
bon loss in the raceway due to the ever-changing dynamic nature
of the cupola melt zone.
Mastermelt DeOX counters iron-oxide formation in the race-
ways: The elusive carbon loss does not need to be determined.
DeOX injection simply eliminates the loss, making further inves-
tigation moot.
DeOX is the only material available that eliminates iron oxide
in the tuyere raceways. As stated previously, iron oxide formation
cannot be stopped but DeOX instantly chemically reduces it to
inert by-products. With iron oxide and its effects neutralized,
free-oxygen atom levels in the molten iron bath decrease near
to oxygen’s inert level of activity, effectively de-oxidizing the
cupola melting operation
First contact
The mechanism of the oxidation loss reactions is iron oxide
contacting the molten iron droplet’s surface, immediately adding
free-oxygen atoms to the molten iron. Those oxygen atoms seek
out other elemental atoms within the iron’s matrix and combine
(oxidation process) in accordance with the Laws of Thermody-
namics. High temperature (as in the tuyere raceways) favors car-
bon loss, and low temperature (as in the upper melt zone) favors
silicon loss.
The amount of iron oxide formed controls the amount of the
loss. Once free-oxygen atoms enter molten iron, there is nothing
available to iron melting personnel to stop the oxidation reaction.
The only option available to them is to somehow cut off the oxy-
gen atom supply.
In steel melting, operators add aluminum (0.03% Al) to quickly
combine with free-oxygen atoms but this option is not available
to iron melting personnel due to pin-holing sensitivity in cast iron,
promoted by elevated levels of aluminum.
The volume of iron oxide produced in the tuyere raceways is
controlled in part but, significantly, this is a consequence of the
blast air’s humidity. High humidity makes cupola melting very
difficult.
Most coke suppliers will comment on how cupola-melting per-
sonnel always claim coke quality deteriorates during the hot-sum-
mer months. Obviously, coke quality has not deteriorated. be done about it, so no concern was assigned to it.
The fact is more iron oxide is produced during melting and the The common practice used to increase molten iron’s carbon
increased iron-oxide level causes increased carbon and silicon content was to raise coke rates – the famous “coke bump”.
losses. A typical scenario in the high-humidity periods: increase Carbon increase occurs from coke that has transitioned through
coke rate; add or increase pig iron; reduce steel in the metallic the 5,000°F temperature range directly above tuyere level. This
charge; enter complaint with coke suppliers. high temperature causes the amorphous coke to
Up until now, nothing was available to reduce convert to graphitic-carbon atom structural ar-
iron-oxide formation in the tuyere raceways.
The common rangements. Once the coke has been graphitized
Mastermelt’s DeOX is available now to counter – practice used to and descends below the oxygen-rich blast air re-
not stop – iron-oxide formation. increase molten gion, carbon dissolution into the descending iron
droplets readily occurs.
Natural course iron’s carbon Carbon pick-up can vary significantly, but it
Iron oxide forms naturally – by the Laws of content was to raise is highly dependent on the metal temperature.
Thermodynamics. Mastermelt’s DeOX, however The volume of coke below tuyere level remains
counters iron-oxide formation by catalytically
coke rates – the constant so addition of “coke bumps” or other
reducing it into inert by-products as it forms. famous temperature control means to produce increased
Cupola melting encounters carbon oxidation carbon appears to occur simply due to metal tem-
“coke bump”.
losses in the tuyere raceways, and encounters car- perature increases. Carbon’s dissolution rate into
bon pick-up directly below the raceways from the molten iron is significantly affected by metal
incandescent, graphitized coke. Carbon is lost and then gained, temperature.
and the overall effect is a net increase in carbon. Cupola operators Cupola operating temperature is a critical operating parameter
refer to the overall carbon pickup as “carbon from the coke bed.” that requires much investigation and review. Temperature of
In the past, the carbon loss occurring in the tuyere raceways molten iron exiting the cupola becomes the main focus for melt
has gone un-treated. Two schools of thought existed with cupola performance improvement once iron oxide’s presence within the
operators: either the carbon loss was unknown, or nothing could cupola is countered.

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A P R I L 2 0 2 1 | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y 1 5
Metallurgy

2
Consider the following cupola operating parameters, which
affect a cupola’s molten iron temperature:
1.75
1. Uniform blast-air distribution between tuyeres;

% Silicon
2. Proper blast-air penetration away from the cupola’s shell;
1.5
3. Streamline blast-air flow;
4. Minimize retained slag level – proper metal dam height;
1.25
5. Proper-size coke;
6. Proper-size metallic charge materials;
1
7. Reduced cement bonded charge materials; 2:00 AM 2:15AM 2:30AM 2:45AM 3:00AM
8. Proper amount of limestone;
9. Inject oxygen uniformly in tuyeres; use special injection 1:45 AM 2.02 The cupola charge consisted of steel,
nozzles. 2:00 AM 1.70
sprue and 50# SC bricks

Numerous benefits result when cupola operating improve- 2:16 AM 160

Full silicon recovery=1.96% Si

ments are instituted: 2:30 Am 1.60

1. Improved refractory service life throughout the cupola;
2. Straight-line metal chemistry control – with no oxidation
losses;
3. Eliminate pig iron and other special metallic charge
materials;
4. Eliminate chemistry declines over hold periods;
5. Provide instant chemistry recovery after cupola down
periods;
6. Reduced coke rates;
7. Reduced slag volume produced in melting cycle;
8. Substantial cost savings;
9. Improved metal quality;
10. Precise management of metal quality.
Take control
The first and foremost step to improving cupola operation
is to gain control of iron oxide formation throughout the melt
process. Once iron oxide contamination of the cupola is re-
solved, coke rates can be reduced to the 6-7% level.
The reduced coke rates produce dramatic energy efficiency
improvement and corresponding reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions. Slag volume produced is cut in half. Monetary sav-
ings are significant – millions of dollars saved annually.
Controlling iron oxide completely changes cupola oper-
ations: No slag buildup occurs in the front box. No tap hole
erosion occurs. No wide variations in metal chemistry occur.
Each of the points listed above will be discussed further in
coming articles, and these and many more operating points
will be discussed in our upcoming cupola operating workshop.
A simple change like a two-inch reduction in metal dam
height can increase metal temperature by 60°F. a four-inch re-
duction in tuyere height increases metal temp 75°F. Obtaining
uniform blast air distribution eliminates isolated wear areas
within the cupola, reduces coke rates, reduces chemistry varia-
tions, and increases metal temperature.
Then consider this: limestone additions vary dramatically
from cupola to cupola. Reducing limestone increases metal
temperature, decreases chemistry loss, increases metal tem-
perature, and enables easier slag handling in the front box.
Cupolas today operate at 10 to 45% limestone additions based
Silicon recovery near tap-out
time=1.88% Si indicating Minimum
2:45 AM 1.44
FeO present at start up.
Silicon recovery after FeO built for
3:00 AM 1.26 one hour=65%
Figure 1. Silicon loss continues as melting progresses in a 35-tph cupola,
finally reaching a steady state when FeO exiting the cupola in the slag
equals the FeO being produced by blast air contact with the molten metal.
on coke weight. Nothing different happens from one cupola to the
next, although each melt department superintendent insists, “the
limestone used is the limestone needed.”
This is a falsehood that must be discussed. Limestone adds
nothing to metal quality, and it is added to counter coke ash’s sil-
ica content. Ten-percent limestone works at one cupola, it should
work at all cupolas.
Melt operators must consider the effect of coke size on com-
bustion energy produced. The coke salesman promoting 10%,
tiny-sized coke substitution for normal-sized coke is misleading:
Coke combusting to form CO2 liberates nearly four times the heat
released by coke combusted to form CO.
CO formation is favored by the large carbon-surface area
found with small coke. Large coke burns hotter: Adding 10% tiny
coke substitution should be stopped. Anyone considering small-
size coke should consider reducing the overall coke rate by the
amount of the proposed tiny coke addition rate.
No minimum coke-rate is required to produce a certain melt-
ing result. Coke rate determines metal temperature only after the
cupola is de-oxidized with Mastermelt DeOX Metal Treatment.
Seven-percent coke rate is being used now in operating cupolas in
the U.S., indicating that all cupolas can operate at that level.
Cupolas operating at low coke rates today do so due to no
significant carbon level increase being required during the melt
cycle. DeOX Metal Treatment removes this restriction, providing
increased carbon levels without requiring increased coke rates –
maximizing cupola operating performance.
This is the second in a series of reports examining cupola
design, cupola melting practice, and cupola technology
solutions. Also see “Maximizing Cupola Performance,” FM&T
March 2021.
Ron Beyerstedt is the president of Mastermelt LLC. Contact him
at ron@mastermelt.com

1 6 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
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Quality Control

Patternmaker Builds its Brand on Accuracy

A range of advanced metrology systems and could perform only time-consuming spot checks using hand tools.
capabilities are helping Accurate Pattern Inc. Now, the wide reach of the model (~13 ft. diameter) allows
improve and expand its resources for product them to check patterns like truck hoods, wind turbine blades, and
boat hulls in a single set-up. If necessary, the operators can shift
quality and customer service.
the scanner on its portable stand and the software stitches the scan
aking “accuracy” part of your brand may be a risk, but a fairly data together. “The Romer arm’s 0.003-in. accuracy confirms the
M unavoidable one if the business is patternmaking. Accurate quality our customers need,” he said.
Pattern Inc., Butler, WI, specializes in wood, metal, and plastic Switching from Elm to Wenzel CNC CMM increased checking
patterns, tools, fixtures, gauges, prototypes, and models for man- accuracy and efficiency by 10X, according to Accurate Pattern. Pre-
ufacturers. Its capabilities include CAD design, manual and CNC viously, they were able to guarantee to +/- 004 in. (0.1 mm), but now
machining, woodworking and metalworking, painting and weld- measurement accuracy is better than 0.0003 in. (0.006 mm). Upgrading
ing and other services for design, to the PolyWorks|Inspector™ soft-
engineering, and production job ware means that the Wenzel DCC
shops. CMM machine can inspect quality
Accurate and reliable quality fixtures in half the time.
control is also a customer-ser- Daniel Jones, the model shop
vice issue, and for that Accurate manager, further credits the tech-
Pattern co-founder and president nical assistance available from Ex-
Bruce Williams acknowledges act Metrology, including projects
the tools and systems supplied involving first-article inspections,
by Exact Metrology – a provider quick changes on a car model and
of 3D and CT scanning, reverse modified a cast aluminum tool.
engineering, quality inspection, The Hexagon Romer Absolute
product development and 2D Arm was used for FAI on fiber-
drawings, as well as metrology Using the Romer Absolute Arm to verify changes to the mold glass and vacuum formed parts,
pattern for a model car pattern at Accurate Pattern Inc.
equipment sales. and to verify changes to a model
“We only entered the quality car pattern. The scanner was used
fixture market because of the inspection capabilities Dean helped us to align on a five-axis router and recut within 0.005 in. Then, laser
obtain,” he explained, recalling Exact Metrology co-president Dean inspection helped to verify how much hand-sanding was necessary
Solberg’s recommendation of an Elm CMM/ layout machine with before painting the finished model.
PC-DMIS software, more than a decade ago. Recently, a cast aluminum tool needed to be modified. In order
In 2014, Solberg suggested Accurate Pattern should install a to know wall thickness and the position of water lines, the tool was
Wenzel CNC CMM with Open DMIS software machine, for coor- laser-scanned to compare the results to CAD data, and to machine
dinate measuring with CNC machining. Later, following an Exact within the wall without damaging the water lines.
demonstration, the shop implemented a Hexagon Absolute Arm “We have been able to greatly reduce our customer non-confor-
seven-axis device, its second CMM system. Over the past year, Ac- mances by inspecting our patterns in-house,” Jones said. “We have
curate Pattern Inc. has worked with Exact Metrology to update the also been able to re-machine jobs with more precision thanks to the
open DMIS software on the Wenzel CMM to PolyWorks|Inspector™, capabilities of scanning the job in position on the machine.”
a 3D dimensional analysis and quality control program developed by Reverse-engineering is another capability now available. Ac-
Innovmetric Software. curate Pattern Inc. digitizes existing shapes to CAD format for
The Elm CMM layout machine with PC-DMIS software sig- redesign and reproduction, allowing rapid design changes, scaling,
nificantly enhanced the shop’s capabilities for pattern and fixture or mirror imaging.
measurement. Previously, it had been able to use only height gages Accurate Pattern is set to receive ISO 9001:2015 certification
and calipers, and they were not able to certify their work. The Elm this year, and Bruce Williams is looking forward to building on
allowed Accurate Pattern Inc. to start quality fixture-building and “accuracy” for further improvements and capabilities – including
greatly improved accuracy in all their work. large-format metrology scanning. “I want to do verification on the
“The Romer Arm with PolyWorks|Inspector™ was a game- machine, have handheld scanning for on-site digitizing and have
changer for inspecting patterns and molds 100% to reference CAD cloud-based CAD, inspection, and reverse engineering software,”
data,” Williams said, noting that previously the shop’s technicians he explained.

1 8 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
^ SUCCESS STORY
To Industry 4.0 …and Beyond
Dotson Iron Castings adopted Sinto America’s enVision Process Visibility System for its molding
lines, resulting in improved production, less downtime, faster cycle time, better maintenance
scheduling, and more.
I
ndustry 4.0 is a vast subject involving technological sys-
tems and functions integrated with practical manufacturing
applications, but it’s worth noting that some metalcasting
operations are well beyond the concept stage. Dotson Iron
Castings, the Mankato, MN, producer of ductile iron and aus-
tempered ductile iron components is one example.
In simple terms, Industry 4.0 describes a network of ma-
chines and processes sharing critical operating data, and at the
same time contributing to an expanding volume of data that
grows an organization’s control over its activities and opportu-
nities. Dotson has been operating its molding machines, transfer
stations and turn tables with Sinto America’s enVision Process
Visibility System (ePVS) since 2019.
Dotson and Sinto have a long working history, involving
various systems installed for molding, automatic pouring, au-
tomatic grinding, and blast-cleaning machines. The integrated
data analytics of the ePVS installation allows Dotson operators
to visualize the operating conditions in such a way that perfor-
mances can be evaluated in real time, and potential failures can
be recognized and avoided.
The ePVS system makes available real-time analysis of oper-
ations on any device, at any time, and at any place. It also allows
the operators to adopt predictive maintenance practices, locating
hidden liabilities and promoting higher system productivity.
At the organizational level, it makes long-term planning more
2 0 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
feasible, shortening process or equipment launch
cycles, and improving yields, and enhancing com-
munication across the organization.
“At Dotson, we continue to reinvest, redevelop,
and recreate what a foundry can be so that we can
deliver the best value and quality to our customers,”
according to president Eric Nelson. “Sinto’s ePVS,
allows us to be the most efficient foundry we can be,
by taking our focus off maintenance and putting it on
the customer.”
As Nelson recalled, Dotson’s introduction of the
system two years ago came with some uncertainty.
“Rolling out the ePVS system at Dotson started as
a ‘nice-to-have’, … not sure exactly what benefits
we would see. What we are really trying to improve
on is our ability to not overwork on equipment, from
a maintenance standpoint, but really address the
equipment and work on it at the right time.
“The first mechanical issue that was highlighted by
the system has turned it into a ‘must-have’,” Nelson continued.
“We have been able to address concerns well before they create
compounding issues in the remainder of the system. It doesn’t
replace our maintenance team, but it makes them much more
efficient.”
Sinto America’s enVision Process Visibility System (ePVS)
is a data acquisition and process visualization platform designed
to make it easy to see what’s happening at any moment, what
will happen soon, and what should be done to maximize the
potential of a specific production process. It provides real-time
data, allowing operators to see and address problems before a
failure occurs, for a significant reduction in unplanned down-
time. Envision also makes it easy to correlate data and identify
patterns over longer periods of time, so that it can predict when
recurring maintenance will be necessary, and to replace a default
maintenance schedule with one based on real, reliable data.
“I think ePVS is great,” offered Dotson’s maintenance man-
ager, Kenny Elliott. “It gives us advance notice of things that
may be wearing out. ePVS is giving our maintenance techni-
cians opportunities to fix things before they break. It is giving us
the ability to plan out our maintenance better.
“The analytics program shows me a bright future on what we
can do and what the future holds for being able to be a proactive
maintenance team rather than a reactive maintenance team,”
Elliott added.
 One situation Dotson faced began with a warning indication we can incorporate, the data is there. Being able to grab that data
for a “Sand Gate Close” process. After investigating the history of and see it immediately is a great benefit.”
sand-gate closing and several related operations, it was suggested Another improvement Dotson has identified concerns pro-
that sand was clogging the sand gate. With this discovery, the oper- duction and line-side monitors. The foundry wanted to improve
ation was able to be fixed before any downtime was incurred, and line-side pace awareness for all three of its molding lines. Using
the process cycle time decreased from 3.9 to 0.49 seconds. ePVS, live production counts and targets are displayed at opera-
One of ePVS’s most appreciated features
is its ability to reveal the “hidden” potential
capacity of individual machines or production
processes. The enVision’s detailed visual data
helps the users gain better visibility quickly,
and bring to light lag times, production gaps
and unused assets, revealing inefficiencies
and opportunities for meaningful optimiza-
tion – which otherwise would have remained
hidden. The ePVS portrays clearly how, when,
and where throughput can be increased, and
how maximum production can be achieved.
“What we have found with Sinto is that the The ePVS system displays each motion and event in a molding line’s operation, and gives
ability to understand the equipment is criti- actionable information to operators, which they can apply to keep the line running. [Sinto America]
cal and really helps us leverage that data we
have,” Nelson explained. “We have seen a
10% improvement in our mold production. We
have reduced our preventative maintenance
time by 18%, which is huge for us, as it is
making our techs more efficient. We have also
decreased our downtime in that area by 15%.”
He continued: “It takes a lot of money to
run a foundry on an hourly basis so any addi-
tional capacity we can gain, without adding
hours, goes right to the bottom line.”
Dotson set many goals to be achieved with
ePVS, including raising production volume
without increasing production hours. The
Dotson president Eric Nelson said ePVS system data on mold production has helped to improve
foundry needed its cycle time to be at 120 molds/ the foundry’s maintenance practices. “We have been able to address concerns well before they
hour to meet demand, and by applying Sinto’s create compounding issues in the remainder of the system,” he noted. “It doesn’t replace our
maintenance team, but it makes them much more efficient.”
Analytics program Dotson was able to work
with a Sinto service technician and data analyst to identify areas for tor stations, which led to improved mold output per shift by 5-6.
cycle time reductions. The team was able to reduce cycle time by 5 Working with Sinto’s data analysts Dotson was able to share
seconds (over 14%) remotely. the workload for root-cause analysis. During one study, Dotson
By decreasing maintenance and machine issues, product qual- was experiencing intermittently slow mold push-out. A Sinto
ity improves too. Dotson was able to be more productive in a data analyst reviewed time history and compared that infor-
shorter period of time. Shayne Pribyl, a Dotson maintenance tech- mation to interrelated operations. It was found that a cylinder
nician working directly with the equipment and ePVS, reported switch needed adjusting to accommodate an interlock with the
that since the system was adopted he has seen a direct improve- mold-handling system, which reduced group cycle by 20% and
ment in product quality as a consequence of the machinery oper- reduced maintenance hours required.
ating more consistently. “Sand quality, molding quality, pattern Sinto maintains that Industry 4.0 is paving the way to future
quality – ePVS helps all of it,” Pribyl said, “in the sense that we successes for metalcasting plants, and points to Dotson Iron
can monitor, on a daily basis, the consistency of the machines. Castings’ improvements in production, downtime, cycle time,
“Producing high-quality, consistent molds while hitting the visual targets, maintenance scheduling, and communication as
required number of molds daily, is great,” according to Pribyl. proof. Sinto’s “long-term technicians have been able to help us
“ePVS can only continue improving everything we are working quickly see the trends that we might not have seen otherwise,”
on. From molding machines to the core room, everything that according to Dotson president Eric Nelson.

A P R I L 2 0 2 1 | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y 2 1
^ MESSAGE RECEIVED
Communication Creates Expectations
Building and shaping customers’ impressions is part of what your brand must do, and every message you de-
liver will influence their expectations.
Alexandria Trusov
hen you deliver a business communication, what is
W your goal? To clarify? To educate? To sell products or
services? To set expectations?
When you deliver a business communication, what is your
goal? To clarify? To educate? To sell products or services? To set
expectations?
What if I told you that every communication sets expec-
tations? Especially in busi-
ness. Communication style,
tone, and transparency all
contribute to telling a story
to potential customers, and
current customers, about
what they should expect
from your business, your
brand, and/or you. How you
will perform as their trusted
business partner.
What if I told you every
communication educates the
reader about your business, your brand, and/or you? It also may
educate customers and potential customers about your business’
processes, products, or services.
Communications frame consumer expectations, whether you
are a business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C)
enterprise, because businesses are comprised of humans having
human experiences. What you say – your communication – can
help set you up for success. Likewise, a lack of focus and intent
in your communications can be a barrier to your best sales efforts.
Planning communication messages results in both a higher goal
and a stronger bottom line.
As tempting as it might be, not every communication is about
making a sale. Some communication builds relationships and
trust. The variety of offering information and asking for the sale
also creates more of the feeling of a conversation and less of a
sales pitch.
When you put out information just for the sake of putting out
information – it’s a bit like people at a cocktail party who will
not stop talking about themselves. It’s less a conversation than
a monologue. It doesn’t build a relationship. (And if you think
business transactions are not relationships, you have forgotten
that purchasing is emotional as well as transactional.)
Educational communications build trust which can lead to a
sale, and more important to the bottom line, a long-term customer
relationship (aka lifetime customer value). The educational in-
2 2 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
formation can be couched as an ad or social media (short form
content), or a blog or on your website (long-form content.) Clar-
ifying content might compare and contrast your product against
a competitor or common standard. It may expound on additional
service options.
Good communication starts with a plan. Planned commu-
nications begin with thinking about what you want readers to
do or how you want them to
feel. Regardless of channel,
approach the content from that
angle. Include a call to action,
and you’ll have the recipe for
Tascha Rassadornyindee | Dreamstime
communication success.
Do you want your customer
or prospect to feel educated,
intrigued, empowered, moti-
vated? Are you solving their
problem (offering relief)? Are
you making their job easier
(offering support)? How will
your message support that emotional connection?
Next, focus on whether that communication will be singular
or part of a series? Are you building to an information crescendo
or reinforcing a brand value, or is the communication part of an
outreach campaign? Where is the best place to share the commu-
nication? Is it visual or written, or some combination of the two?
Each of these communication choices builds into your cus-
tomers’ expectations of your business and their experience of
your business. Whether customer expectations are met, ex-
ceeded, or failed also becomes part of the brand experience for
other potential customers. People tend to tell three people about
a positive experience and up to 10 people about a negative ex-
perience. Those statistics pre-date the viral appeal of our current
digital reality. In our modern world of testimonials, social media,
and reviews, your customer’s experience easily becomes a part of
your brand story that is outside of your control.
But your brand story is not outside the influence of your mar-
keting. Marketing is about communications, and communica-
tions can set customer expectations. Your communication plan
influences how potential and current customers experience your
brand and the expectations they have about you.
Alexandria Trusov is the Global Marketing Manager at Alpha Resources
and a B2B marketing consultant to manufacturers and other B2B com-
panies. Contact her at atrusov@truinsightsconsulting.com or visit www.
truinsightsconsulting.com.
^ NEW PRODUCTS
… READ MORE is your tip to visit FoundryMag.com/new-products for up-to-date, extensive, informative reporting on new metalcasting technology.

Ceramic-Alumina,
Micro-Fracturing Grain
Grinding Discs
SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES introduced
the Norton BlazeX F980 fiber discs with a
premium ceramic-alumina, micro-fracturing
grain for grinding in stainless steel and hard-
er-to-grind materials. New, proprietary Cool
Friction technology dissipates heat during
grinding, reducing rework and extending
the performance life of Norton BlazeX F980
fiber discs.

An offline programming suite offers a virtual function to calculate robot stopping distances, to
optimize operator safety and reduce robotic cell footprint by up to 25%. [ABB Robotics]

Braking Distance Simulator for Robotic Cells

ABB ROBOTICS’ RobotStudio® offline programming and simulation software
has been upgraded with a new, virtual robot braking-distance function designed
to create an exact simulation of the real-world stopping distance of a robot.
It makes it possible to calculate accurately the robot’s braking distance, and
thereby to overcome the need to add safety margins into cell designs. As a result, Norton BlazeX F980 fiber discs incorporate a
plants and workshops may save up to 25% of required operating space. proprietary heat-dissipating technology that
increases cut rate and performance life in
Predicting exactly where a robot will stop depends on a range of variables, stainless steel and harder-to-grind materials.
including speed, payload and the robot’s own inertia. These factors, individually [Saint-Gobain Abrasives]

or combined, can result in the robot coming to a halt outside of its safety zone,
sometimes by several meters. To compensate for the variability in stopping dis- Norton BlazeX F980 fiber discs are suit-
tances, engineers designing robot cells traditionally oversize them to allow for able for stock removal, deburring, beveling,
additional movement as the robot comes to a stop, which uses unnecessary space blending, cleaning/detailing, and finishing
on the factory floor. in metalcasting operations. Other industrial
The new RobotStudio function uses ABB’s motion-control technology to applications include MRO, metal fabrica-
predict the robot’s movements with millimetric precision. This allows the exact tion, welding, oil-and-gas, energy, and ship-
movement of the robot to be simulated in RobotStudio, so the user can determine building.
the correct size of the safety zone required, and the ideal location of features In addition, a self-lubricating grinding aid
including light curtains, safety fencing and controllers. treatment and active filler contribute to pro-
For applications using ABB’s SafeMove software, the data on the robot’s ducing cool cuts. Its micro-fracturing grain
final position can be used to determine the size of the ‘green,’ ‘amber’ and ‘red’ consistently exposes sharper grain edges to
zones where the robot either will continue working, slow down, or come to a deliver a better cut rate and longer disc life
halt, depending on the location of the operator. This is especially beneficial in when compared to blended ceramic alumina
collaborative applications where operators need to be confident that a robot has discs.
stopped before approaching it. “Due to improved ceramic grain together
“Our new robot braking-distance function for RobotStudio equips the user with our new Cool Friction technology,
with information about a robot’s real-world movements with an unprecedented self-lubricating grinding aid and active filler,
level of accuracy,” according to Antti Matinlauri, head of product management there is a 50% increase in cut rate and disc
for ABB Robotics. “Predicting the braking behavior of a robot with its payload life when using Norton BlazeX F980 fiber
will help system integrators and end users save time and costs, with up to 25% discs compared with Norton Blaze F980 fi-
reduction in the footprint when it comes to designing and building a robot cell or ber discs and other leading discs,” said Pat-
setting up a safety zone. This will help our customers optimize their processes rick Carroll, Norton | Saint-Gobain Abra-
and get the most out of their automation solutions.” … READ MORE sives senior product manager. “Prioritizing
the operator experience is first and foremost,

A P R I L 2 0 2 1 | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y 2 3
^
NEW PRODUCTS
… READ MORE is your tip to visit FoundryMag.com/new-products for up-to-date, extensive, informative reporting on new metalcasting technology.

so Norton BlazeX F980 fiber discs deliver

a smooth cut requiring less pressure, result-
ing in less fatigue and longer times between
change-overs.”
BlazeX F980 fiber discs are offered in 36
grit and are available in a standard 7/8-in.
hole pattern fitting most angle grinders, and
in the most popular sizes for any application.
The Speed-Change BlazeX F980 fiber
disc version features the Norton quick,
tool-free, twist-on/off speed-change fas-
tener. Discs lock to standard back-up pads
with a unique nut design and are easily re-
moved, increasing productivity with more
time to grind.
Previously available BlazeX discs
include BlazeX F970 fiber and quick-
change discs for carbon steel and soft-to-
grind materials.. … READ MORE
High-Temp, Point-Level
Detection
DYNATROL division of Automation
Products Inc. offers level indicators that
provide high, intermediate, or low point-
level detection in hostile, high-tempera-
ture environments. Dynatrol® Bulk Sol-
ids DJT level indicators have no moving
parts and require no adjustments, result-
ing in low operating costs.
The rugged design promotes reliable
Rugged design promotes reliable level
measurement for dry materials, including sand,
in hostile work environments, with no moving
parts and no calibration required.
level measurement for applications that
include sand, gravel, and rock, crushed
stone, ore, talc mine, crushed dolomite,
and recycled crushed concrete, as well
as lightweight aggregates: clay, pumice,
perlite, vermiculite, etc.
DJT level indicators also work well
in dusty environments and in vessels
equipped with vibrators.
The U.S.-made units are factory-cali-
brated — no field calibration is required
— and approved for Class I, Group C &
D; Class II, Groups E, F & G; and Class
III Services. … READ MORE
Twin-Screw Feeder for
Precise Batch Sizes
BEST PROCESS SOLUTIONS designed
the Model TSF twin-screw feeder for pre-
cise batching and weighing applications.
A dual-helix design combines fast, high-volume
filling with accurate dribble flow at the end of
the cycle.
It features a dual-helix design that com-
bines fast, high-volume filling with accu-
rate dribble flow at the end of the cycle.
Its compact design is ideal when limited
space prohibits multiple individual screw
units.
Two helixes — 1½ and 4-in. in diam-
eter — are mounted on an 18 × 22-in.
hopper. They are rated at 17 cu ft and 283
cu ft per hour, respectively, at maximum
RPM with 100%-efficient conveyable
product and no slippage.
TSF is ideal for batching to weigh-hop-
pers; low loss-in-weight scale-monitored
flow; low loss-of-weight batch applica-
tions with scales; drum and pail packout
lines; and recipe-type batching by multi-
ple computer-controlled units with many
options available. … READ MORE

^ AD INDEX
Advertise Website Page
ASK Chemicals ..................................................................www.ask-chemicals.com........................................................................................4-5
Conveyor Dynamics Corp. ......................................www.conveyordynamicscorp.com .............................................................................. IBC
Didion International, Inc. ....................................................... www.didion.com ................................................................................................ 17
Foundry Educational Foundation .......................................... www.fefinc.org.................................................................................................. 10
Foundry Solutions & Design, LLC ......................................www.foundrysd.com .............................................................................................. 7
General Kinematics Corp. ........................................... www.generalkinematics.com ....................................................................................IFC
Heraeus Electro-Nite Co. .......................................................www.heraeus.com ................................................................................................ 9
Hoosier Pattern, Inc. ....................................................... www.hoosierpattern.com ....................................................................................... BC
LGT Manufacturing Co. ................................................. www.lgtmanufacturing.com........................................................................................ 8
OTP Industries...............................................................www.omegatractorparts.com .................................................................................... 15
Summit Foundry Systems, Inc. ............................. www.summitfoundrysystems.com .................................................................................. 3
Tinker Omega Sinto, LLC .................................................. www.tinkeromega.com .......................................................................................... 19
Webb-Stiles Co.....................................................................www.webb-stiles.com ........................................................................................... 11

2 4 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
A P R I L 2 0 2 1 | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y 2 5

brought to you by
A U TO MATED FOUNDRY SYST E M S
Summit Foundry Systems, Ft. Wayne, IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260-749-7740
CO N VEY OR S, BELT
Summit Foundry Systems, Ft. Wayne, IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-749-7740
CO N VEY OR S, P NEUMAT I C
Dynamic Air Inc., St. Paul, MN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .651-484-2900
CO N VEY OR S, V IBR ATIN G
Conveyor Dynamics Corp., St. Peters, MO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .636-279-1111
General Kinematics, Crystal Lake, IL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .815-455-3222
CO REMAK ING
D RO SS R EC LAMATION
Didion International, Inc., St. Peters, MO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .636-278-8700
General Kinematics, Crystal Lake, IL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .815-455-3222
EL EVATOR BUCK ETS, S E L F CL E ANI NG
States Engineering Inc., Ft. Wayne, IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-747-6195
Summit Foundry Systems, Ft. Wayne, IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-749-7740
F O UN D RY S YS T E M S
Summit Foundry Systems, Ft. Wayne, IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260-749-7740
2 6 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
ADVERTISE IN THE
PRODUCT EXPRESS
CONTACT:
JOE
DINARDO
Phone:
440.487.8001
jdinardo@endeavorb2b.com
MAT E RIA L H A ND L ING E Q U IPME NT
Conveyor Dynamics Corp., St. Peters, MO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 636-279-1111
General Kinematics, Crystal Lake, IL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 815-455-3222
MO LD H A ND LING E Q U IPME NT
States Engineering, Ft. Wayne, IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260-747-6195
Summit Foundry Systems, Ft. Wayne, IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260-749-7740
SA ND H A ND LING E Q U IPME NT
General Kinematics, Crystal Lake, IL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 815-455-3222
States Engineering, Inc., Ft. Wayne, IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260-747-6195
Summit Foundry Systems, Ft. Wayne, IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260-749-7740
SA ND RE CL A MAT IO N E Q U IPME NT
Didion International, Inc., St. Peters, MO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 636-278-8700
General Kinematics, Crystal Lake, IL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 815-455-3222
SH A KE O U T S, RO TA RY
Didion International, Inc., St. Peters, MO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 636-278-8700
General Kinematics, Crystal Lake, IL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 815-455-3222
SH A KE O U T S, VIB RAT ING
Conveyor Dynamics Corp., St. Peters, MO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 636-279-1111
General Kinematics, Crystal Lake, IL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 815-455-3222
VA CU U M CL E A NING E Q U IPME NT & RE NTA L
DeMarco Industrial Vacuum Corp., Crystal Lake, IL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 815-344-2222
Visit our website: DeMarcoVacuums.com • Email: Sales@DeMarcoVacuums.com
VA LVE S, B U T T E RFLY
Posi-flate, St. Paul, MN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-484-5800
^
BUSINESS STAFF ^
CLOSING COMMENT

continued from p. 28
industrial buyers and the growing expectation gap that is starting to
be filled by sourcing networks and more modern plants.
MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY The report found that 67% of industrial buyers expect a quote
2 Summit Park, Suite 300 • Independence, OH 44131 in less than 24 hours from the time they submit a request for quote
Telephone: 234-466-0200 (RFQ), and only four percent are willing to wait up to a week for a
response. The findings also show that to fill this expectations gap
BUSINESS STAFF
and meet new demands, 48% of both prototype and production
John DiPaola • VP and Group Publisher
jdipaola@endeavorb2b.com (440) 331-6099 buyers always or often send RFQs to sourcing networks; and 18%
are sending to those networks first when they have an urgent need.
Joe DiNardo • Associate Publisher
jdinardo@endeavorb2b.com (440) 487-8001 These findings alone point to why manufacturers need to
Brenda Wiley • Production Manager modernize the front office to support a more streamlined sales and
bwiley@endeavorb2b.com (714) 406-2661 quoting process. As buyers regularly work with manufacturing
Frank Chloupek • Director, User Marketing networks, they expect a seamless digital experience and quick
fchloupek@endeavorb2b.com (909) 736-0826 service. Manufacturers need to invest in modern digital solutions
Robin Slanie • Sales Support Specialist that enable them to deliver the same capabilities and services in
rslanie@endeavorb2b.com
order to compete with the networks rather than becoming depen-
Steven Porter • Group Digital Advertising Manager
dent on them.
sporter@endeavorb2b.com
By digitizing the front-office in the manufacturing facility,
REPRINTS, CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND CONTENT REUSE manufacturers improve collaboration and reduce risks that cause
Reprints/Permissions • Reprints@endeavorb2b.com issues downstream from the quoting process. By leveraging tools
National Archives (NAPC) • Microfilm Copies that reduce silos of information and consolidate it into a single,
Tel.: 1-800-420-6272, ext. 657 secure location – sometimes known as a Digital Thread – manu-
SALES OFFICES facturers can gain a competitive edge and meet buyers’ changing
Joe DiNardo • U.S. and Canada expectations. As manufacturers assess solutions, there are several
jdinardo@endeavorb2b.com, Tel.: (440) 487-8001 capabilities they should prioritize in their search:
Julian Maddocks-Born, • U.K., Europe • Secure, cloud-based file sharing. With one central tool that
julian@itsluk.com, Tel.: 44-1442-288299
stores all the files and tribal knowledge, manufacturers can quote
Yoshinori Ikeda • Japan
Tel.: 81-3-3661-6138, Fax: 381-3-3661-6139 faster and more consistently.
Cesare Casiraghi • Italy • Immediate searchability. Build a library of historic data and
c.casiraghi@tin.it • Tel.: 39-031-261407 • Fax: 39-031-261380 ensure no time is wasted re-quoting parts by being able to search
Adonis Mak • China, Hong Kong and reference past quotes for similar RFQs in seconds.
adonism@actintl.com.hk • Tel.: +85-2-2838-6298
• In-context collaboration tools. Communicate securely and ef-
Charles Yang • Taiwan
medianet@ms13.hinet.net • Tel.: +886-4-2322-3633 • Fax: +886-4-3233-3646
fectively in real time without needing additional software. Users
can quickly and easily annotate PDFs to better communicate with
ENDEAVOR BUSINESS MEDIA other team members around specific content. Imagine being able
Chris Ferrell • CEO to make time stamped notes for the future, mark specific areas of
Scott Bieda • CRO prints, and assign tasks in the context of a drawing.
Patrick Rain • COO • Analytics. Every plant generates terabytes of data every year,
June Griffin • CMO
Angela Mitchell • VP, Accounting
so manufacturers should look for software with an analytics en-
Jessica Klug • VP, Finance gine to help prioritize quotes for optimal win-rates, and to drive
Mike Christian • EVP, Industrial insights using data gathered from past jobs to evaluate current
Monique Leija • VP, Digital Business Development RFQs and decide the best way to quote them.
Kristine Russell • EVP, Special Projects Ease of use also should be a top priority as manufacturers
Curt Pordes • VP, Production Operations
Glenn Scheithauer • VP, Technology
compare solutions, ensuring less-experienced sales reps and
Tracy Kane • Chief Administrative and Legal Officer estimators can participate in the quoting process. The right soft-
ware partner will listen to manufacturers’ needs, understand the
challenges they are up against, and constantly tailor the solution
to help the organization be successful and competitive in the new
reality shaped by Industry 4.0.
Endeavor Business Media, 331 54th Ave N., Nashville, TN 37209, U.S.
www.endeavorbusinessmedia.com. Jason Ray is the CEO of Paperless Parts, an online market-
Printed in U.S.A. • Copyright © 2021 Endeavor Business Media, LLC
All Rights Reserved
place for custom parts, with proprietary technology to elim-
FOUNDRY MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY is indexed in the Applied Sciences and Technology Index and with inate costs associated with sourcing and quoting. Contact
the Engineering Index generally available in libraries. Copying: Permission is registered with the Copyright
Clearance Center Inc. to photocopy any article, with the exception of those for which separate ownership is Ray at paperlessparts@v2comms.com
indicated on the first page of the article, for a base fee of $1.25 per CCC. (Code No. 0360-8999/97 $1.25 + $.60)

A P R I L 2 0 2 1 | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y 2 7
^ CLOSING COMMENT
Industry 4.0 Pushes
Manufacturers to Digitize
A widening “expectations gap” between
suppliers and buyers means that
manufacturers’ investments must create
a seamless digital experience and quick-
response capabilities.
T
he effects of Industry 4.0 may feel like a double-edged
sword for many manufacturers. On one hand, Industry
4.0 has enacted positive progress throughout the man-
ufacturing sector. Plants are more focused than ever on
leveraging data and automation to make their operations more
efficient as emerging technologies become available to them. At
the same time, however, the mismatch between the opportunity for
improvement and the pace that manufacturers adapt to the changes
is creating an expectations gap that some companies are starting to
take advantage of.
A good example of this is the recent Protolabs acquisition of
3DHubs for $280 million to access the front-end buyer experience
and customer base that they have built. Similarly, companies like
Fictiv, Xometry, and Mfg.com have invested hundreds of millions
of dollars into their digital-sourcing platforms for buyers. These are
just a few individual cases that highlight how digital-first companies
are investing to fill the expanding expectations gap and capture large
Jason Ray | CEO, Paperless Parts
2 8 F O U N D RY M A N A G E M E N T & T E C H N O L O G Y | F O U N D RY M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1
portions of the market with technology to
improve the buyer experience. Investments
like these continue to drive the change in
what buyers expect and demand from their
manufacturing partners, further widening the
disparity between buyers’ expectations and
what the average manufacturer can provide.
It is also evident that the evolving role of
the industrial buyer is playing a part in wid-
ening the gap, as OEMs look to reduce their
spending on procurement and supply-chain
management. At one time it was standard
for buyers and manufacturers to maintain
working relationships over long periods, but
as buyers are forced to manage more line
BiancoBlue | Dreamstime
items each year and must increase their ef-
ficiency through the use of software, those
relationships have become more – or entirely
– transactional.
The way buyers are measured is evolving
too, as a focus on speed and risk mitigation have become a critical
aspect of their role.
All of these forces are creating an opportunity for those who
are willing to invest early in Industry 4.0 technology. While this
may seem daunting, the onus is on the manufacturer to continually
improve its processes and adopt new technologies, to gain a compet-
itive advantage over plants that are slower to modernize.
Most manufacturers focus the bulk of their technology invest-
ment on the plant floor to drive efficiency, but opportunity created
by this gap in expectations can only be filled through changes in
the front office. Activities like sales, estimating, quoting, and pro-
curement are all at the tip of the spear when it comes to filling the
expectation gap, and often are fraught with inefficiency in the av-
erage manufacturer. These activities require a lot of collaboration,
and benefit from a secure cloud platform that can streamline efforts
and protect against cyber security breaches, now one of the greatest
threats to the manufacturing sector. Simple investments in these
areas will dramatically improve a manufacturer’s ability to compete
as the market evolves and the expectations gap grows.
To help manufacturers improve their business strategies and tech-
nology investments for Industry 4.0, Paperless Parts surveyed more
than 400 part buyers for its 2020 Part Buyer Expectations Survey
Report. The findings of the survey highlighted the changing role of
continued on p. 27