The 16th International Forgemasters Meeting Conference Chairman Peter Birtles (of Sheffield Forgemasters Engineering Ltd.) has issued a call for papers for selection and presentation at the IFM Conference, October 15-18, 2006 at Cutlers Hall in Sheffield, England.
The triennial conference, for the world open die forging industry, is organized by IOM Communications on behalf of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, and Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd.
Paper abstracts of 150 words as a Microsoft Word document are requested by Feb 28, 2006 and should be sent as an attachment by e-mail to [email protected].
Topics should address:
- Developments in the forging industry
- Advanced and new materials for forgings
- Advanced and new production technologies
- Testing and quality management
- Plant engineering and equipment
- Environmental Management
For a copy of the advance program brochure, visit the website, or request one from FIA at 216-781-6260.
Industry Lobby Day, March 8, 2006
March 8, 2006 will mark the third annual Lobby Day. Held in Washington to communicate industry needs to Congressional members, the FIA’s Board of Directors and the Government Affairs Committee are the core groups participating in the event. FIA members are also invited to participate and support the event.
Preliminary plans call for a breakfast meeting with a congressional representative and then a series of team visits to various members of congress representing districts with forging operations. Those interested in helping to plan these visits, or inparticiating, are encouraged to contact Laurin Baker ([email protected]), or Jennifer Baker, ([email protected]).
Tooling Database Available For FIA Members’ Review
When forged parts used in U.S. Department of Defense weapon systems go out of production and have to be replaced, it is often difficult to locate the tools needed to produce replacement parts (see Forging, July/August 2005, p. 24-25).
The solution: the development of the National Forging Tooling Database, which links over 100,000 tools with a logistics management service known as Haystack. This database service searches for tooling involved with needed replacement parts, leading to quick location of forging tools/dies.
FIA members who want to see what tooling has been identified, may review this database at no charge for a limited time by visiting the FIA website and clicking on Defense Tooling Database button on the left of the screen.
Funding for Innovation Available
Each year, the federal agencies that participate in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Funding for Innovation set aside 2.5% and 0.3%, respectively, of their extramural R&D budgets. For the DOE in FY 2005, these set-asides correspond to $102 million and $12 million, respectively.
These budgets contain funding for technical topics in such research areas as energy production, energy use, fundamental energy sciences, environmental management, and nuclear nonproliferation. Grant applications submitted by small businesses must respond to a specific topic and subtopic during an open solicitation.
To learn more about SBIR and STTR Funding, visit the: DOE Website.
Abstracts Invited for AMPT Conference
FIERF Magnet School Professor Dr. Jay Gunasekera invites FIA members, Magnet School Professors, and research partners to present papers on advances in hot, warm, and cold forging materials and processing at the International Conference on Advances in Materials and Process Technologies. It is scheduled to be held July 30-Aug. 3, 2006 at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Prospective presenters should submit a 400-word abstract by January 30, 2006. See the conference website for more information about about submitting abstracts and the conference program.
Plan Now for Summer Interns
Ever wish you had an extra set of hands around the plant? Hire a FIERF Magnet School or Scholarship recipient as a summer intern. Interns interested in design, metallurgy, or plant/industrial design can bring a fresh perspective to those projects that haven’t been done because of busy schedules and allow you to identify high-caliber candidates for future openings.
The best candidates will be making summer plans in January, so don’t delay in making contact directly with FIERF Magnet School Professors or the FIERF Office (216.781.5040 or [email protected]).