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International Journal of Metalcasting - Conferences and Workshops

AFS Metalcasting Congress 2024
Plan to attend next year’s AFS Metalcasting Congress in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, April 23-25, 2024. Metalcasting Congress is AFS’s annual meeting and industry showcase. One of the largest metalcasting trade events in North America, it includes exhibits from foundries and industry suppliers, technical presentations, education courses, keynote speeches, and awards for leaders and innovators in metalcasting. More than 2,000 people are expected to attend Metalcasting Congress 2024, with about 225 exhibitors anticipated.

Conferences and Workshops
AFS offers members and industry personnel an extensive program of professional development and learning opportunities on a wide variety of topics covering all aspects of metalcasting, including casting alloys and technologies, as well as events targeting EHS, management, and marketing professionals. In addition, AFS is sponsoring several workshops and conferences focused on best practices and the latest metalcasting technical developments, metallurgy, production, and safety. 

  • 2023 Foundry Leadership Summit (September 18-20, Asheville, NC): Leaders from all corners of the metalcasting industry will gather in an energizing setting for highly rated speakers, thought-provoking discussions, and rich networking opportunities. Speakers will discuss the profound changes sweeping the worlds of manufacturing, technology, economics, trade, and politics. 
  • 2023 Copper Alloys Workshop (September 27-28, Schaumburg, IL): This workshop is tailored for new and experienced copper alloy manufacturing professionals. Fifteen sessions are scheduled over two days, each led by industry experts in their respective fields. Topics covered include green sand systems, gating and risering, metallurgy, additive manufacturing, quality inspection, and foundry safety. Back by popular demand, this workshop will once again have a panel on casting defects. Attendees can AFS a casting with defects or bring it with them for discussion during the defect panel.
  • 35th Environmental, Health and Safety Conference (October 3-5, Chicago, IL): For 35 years, the AFS Environmental Health and Safety Conference has combined current must-know content with up-and-coming information for foundry EHS personnel. Hosted by the AFS EHS Division, the conference’s knowledgeable speakers provide tremendous value for everyone with an interest in EHS. This year’s conference at the Palmer House in Chicago spans three days: Day One is devoted to environmental content and Day Three is all health and safety. Day Two is for everyone with content covering all EHS topics of the highest interest; updates from Washington, D.C.; division awards; and an annual reception with exhibitors. 
  • 2023 Cupola Workshop: Practical & Advanced Concepts (October 10-11, Cadillac, MI): The 2023 Practical Cupola Workshop explores the fundamentals of foundry cupola operation. Presented by the AFS Cupola Technical Committee, topics reflect the expertise and experience of its industry-leading presenters, who are cupola operators and suppliers. This workshop covers cupola basics as well as some moderately technical information. It is ideal for new operators, engineers, and operation supervisors.
  • 2023 Future Leaders of Metalcasting Annual Meeting (October 23-24, Sheboygan, WI): The annual meeting of AFS Future Leaders of Metalcasting promotes career development and networking among metalcasting professionals. Rising metalcasting professionals are invited to Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboyganto experience an immersive event from the AFS Future Leaders of Metalcasting. Attendees will tour Kohler and Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry on provided shuttles and participate in an engaged feedback skills integration workshop.
  • 2023 Additive Manufacturing Conference (November 7-8, Dearborn, MI):  Designers, operators, casting buyers, and suppliers will find the 2023 Additive Manufacturing for Metalcasting conference a must-attend event. Industry experts in AM, including academics and foundry professionals, will lead sessions covering a comprehensive range of AM disciplines from designing for AM, to 3D printed sand molds and cores, printed hard tooling and fixtures, hybrid applications, and the latest in AM applied research. Several recent foundry case studies where AM was used to solve design, tooling, and/or production problems will be presented, along with cases where AM created opportunities not available through conventional methods. Is direct metal printing going to replace castings? This along with many other questions will be answered at the AFS Additive Manufacturing Conference this November.
  • 2024 Safety 101 Seminar (March 19-20, 2024, Schaumburg, IL):  This two-day seminar is directed to individuals who are relatively new to the safety and health field, or new in the metalcasting industry. Also, this seminar is great as a refresher for individuals with multiple roles in addition to the safety and health field. The seminar will introduce basic safety and health terminology and concepts relevant to safety in the foundry industry. Content will cover some specific OSHA regulatory topics such as electrical safety, arc flash, control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), machine guarding, respirable silica, emergency planning and fire protection. We’ll also present information about safety theory including topics such as the OSHA hierarchy of controls, incident investigation practices, general industrial hygiene concepts, dealing with drugs in the workplace, how to handle an OSHA visit, and tips for safety training.
  • 2024 Advanced Waste Seminar (May 15-16, 2024, Schaumburg, IL):  This seminar is for individuals with a basic knowledge and understanding of EPA RCRA/solid waste regulations and waste characterization. It will build on basic knowledge with advanced practical knowledge, tools, and techniques needed to address relatively complex foundry waste and beneficial use issues. This two-day seminar will cover the following topics regarding foundry waste AND byproducts: regulatory overview, identification and characterization, onsite management, storage and shipment, generator treatment, end users/TSDFs, and compliance demonstration. Foundry beneficial reuse and stakeholder engagement will also be highlighted by experienced foundry professionals. Classroom instruction will incorporate working group sessions where the class will be divided into subgroups to complete hypothetical foundry waste and beneficial use exercises that will reinforce the material.
  • 2024 Government Affairs Fly-In (June 11-12, 2024, Washington D.C.):  Issues on Capitol Hill have millions of dollars of implications for your company, including taxation, Buy America, trade enforcement, workforce policies, EPA rulemaking, and OSHA regulations. Each year, AFS members from across the entire supply chain gather to advocate for the metalcasting industry, grow the metalcasting economy, and get an inside look at policies that affect the industry. Join with fellow metalcasters and suppliers in supporting and defending the foundry industry in Washington, D.C., at the 2024 AFS Government Affairs Fly-In. 
  • 2024 Aluminum Specialty Conference (October 15-16, 2024, Mars, PA): Expand your knowledge of the aluminum metalcasting industry at the 2024 AFS Aluminum Specialty Conference. This conference will feature experts in molding, melt prep, casting process controls, and post-casting processes with the newest knowledge broken down to target engineering, operators, and plant managers making this a must-attend for all foundry personnel and casting users. Specific industries include sand casting, permanent mold, investment, lost foam, and diecasting. Special features include the advancement of legacy topics and the unveiling of groundbreaking discoveries in the greater cast aluminum ecosystem.


Web-Based Events

AFS also offers a series of technical webinars open to all industry personnel (offered at no cost to AFS members) thatprovide relevant information presented by industry experts on a wide variety of metalcasting subjects. An archive of past webinars is also available. For a full listing of upcoming and past webinars, visit the “Events” tab on the AFS website at www.afsinc.org (this opens in a new tab).


Information & Registration

AFS educational events provide relevant and practical information to improve casting quality, productivity, and profitability for metalcasting facilities and provide expertise in marketing and management issues. For more information, contact AFS Technical Assistant Kim Perna at 847-824-0181 ext. 246 or technicalassistant@afsinc.org (this opens in a new tab), or AFS Vice President of Metalcasting Technical Services at 847-824-0181 ext. 228 or bbegan@afsinc.org (this opens in a new tab). For a full listing of AFS educational opportunities, visit the “Events” tab on the AFS website at www.afsinc.org (this opens in a new tab).

September 18-20, 2023

2023 Foundry Leadership Summit, Asheville, NC

September 27-28, 2023

2023 Copper Alloys Workshop, Schaumburg, IL

October 3-5, 2023

35th Environmental, Health and Safety Conference, Chicago, IL

October 10-11, 2023

2023 Practical Cupola Workshop, Cadillac, MI

October 23-24, 2023 2023 Future Leaders of Metalcasting Annual Meeting

November 7-8, 2023

2023 Additive Manufacturing Conference, Dearborn, MI

March 19-20, 2024 2024 Safety 101 Seminar, Schaumburg, IL
April 22-24, 2024 

AFS Metalcasting Congress 2024, Milwaukee, WI

May 15-16, 2024 2024 Advanced Waste Seminar, Schaumburg, IL
June 11-12, 2024 2024 Government Affairs Fly-In, Washington D.C.
July 30-31, 2024 2024 Foundry Industry 4.0 Conference, Milwaukee, WI
September 22-24, 2024 2024 Foundry Leadership Summit, TBD
October 15-16, 2024 2024 Aluminum Specialty Conference, Mars, PA
November 6-7, 2024 2024 Melting Conference, Louisville, KY
April 12-15, 2025 

AFS CastExpo 2025, Atlanta, GA

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