Lightweighting again
There is an interesting article in the new Crain’s Automotive news on one company’s approach to lightweighting. The article reads:
“Shiloh has created a stamped steel control arm that is lighter than the same control arm in aluminum, as well as a steel shock tower that is lighter than the aluminum version. "Just because it's aluminum doesn't mean it's lighter," he says. "It will also be important on these projects to know what else is going on in the automaker's factory.”
Those words are absolutely correct. However, it is incumbent on people like me and others in the iron casting industry to educate end users on how our methods and materials can help them to cut weight and cost from their products. Ductile Iron and ADI will not solve every lightweighting question, but iron castings can genuinely be a major part of the mix. Stay tuned and we will make that happen.
AP University Purchasing of Ferrous Heat Treatment Seminar
The first-ever AP University Purchasing of Ferrous Heat Treatment Seminar is scheduled for September 25, 2014. This one-day non-commercial seminar will be held on-site at Applied Process in our purpose-built classroom and will include a plant tour.
This is NOT a metallurgical seminar on the glories of austempering (though austempering really is glorious!). Rather, AP has gathered some respected industry panelists to give presentations on “how to get what you ordered” and “how to get your money’s worth” when purchasing various types heat treatment for ferrous metal components. All parties are hurt when purchasing decisions are made with incomplete information, so we are doing our part to help buyers make sound decisions (even on things that have nothing to do with AP).
Attendance will be limited to 30 people and it is already filling up very quickly. There will be more details in this space in a week or so as plans firm up.
Things That Need to be Taught to Humans #4
The referees do not really hate your team. Except when they cannot help themselves (see below).
What Vasko is reading
What a perfect segue into this topic. I have read the book Scorecasting by Tobias Moskowitz and L. Jon Wertheim. It is a sports book with appeal for technical people with some understanding of variability and statistics. It is not a trivia book, but rather it explores the realm where raw numbers overlap with the human factor (very much like technical sales!). For example, the book explains with great detail why the home field advantage exists in various sports. I was surprised to learn that it has little to do with sleeping in your own bed, etc. Check it out – you will like it.