Dear Sir or Madame-
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In this January 29, 2014 Publication:
Deadline Extended - Submit Your Die Casting Industry Benchmarking Survey Today - $50 Gift for Participation
NADCA Submits Testimony to Senate Committee on Aluminum Pricing and Supply
EPA Proposes to Change Rome, Georgia to a PM2.5 Attainment Area
New NADCA Publication Available Via Amazon and iTunes
Learn About Die Lubricants - Selection, Use and Evaluation
Deadline Extended - Submit Your Die Casting Industry Benchmarking Survey Today - $50 Gift for Participation
We all get a little smarter if we know how our die casting
operations compare to the rest of the industry. Please take a few moments to consider our request for your
organization to participate in NADCA's Confidential Benchmarking Survey. The last time we conducted this survey
was 9 years ago. The results of past surveys have proven to be very valuable to those that take the time to
provide input.
The 2013 benchmarking survey is split into four sections, focusing on Business/Strategy, Operations, Technology
and Finance. Separate individuals within an organization, with expertise in each of these areas, can fill out each
section. You can fill out the survey in different ways:
Option 1: Click here and complete the survey as an "interactive" PDF file
Option 2: Click here and print the survey to fill out by hand
Option 3: Click here to complete the survey online through Survey Monkey
If you will be selecting options 1 or 2 please return your completed survey to:
NADCA
3250 N Arlington Heights Rd., Suite 101
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
or fax it directly to - 847.808.3162
NADCA will send a $50 gift certificate to the first 50 companies which return a completed survey!
The deadline to complete the survey has been extended to February 1, 2014. NADCA is expecting to have wide
participation within the die casting industry, and any die caster that participates will receive a copy of the
full benchmarking report.
Please decide to participate even if some of the questions you would prefer not to answer or don't know the
answer. Simply complete only the questions you would like to answer. Thank you in advance for your participation.
NADCA Submits Testimony to Senate Committee on Aluminum Pricing and Supply
On January 15, 2014, the North
American Die Casting Association (NADCA) submitted formal testimony to the Senate Banking Subcommittee on
Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection for the hearing titled, "Regulating Financial Holding Companies
and Physical Commodities."
"Long lead times, supply shortages, outmoded contract terms, and illogical pricing contribute to
instability in the aluminum market. This drives down manufacturing productivity and encourages customers
to seek overseas suppliers," said NADCA President Dan Twarog.
This is the second Senate hearing investigating ownership of metals warehouses by banks and holding
companies and their relationship with the London Metals Exchange (LME). Aluminum is one of the metals central
to the warehousing investigations and subject of three lawsuits against holding companies such as Goldman
Sachs, which own metals warehouses.
In February 2013, according to data from the LME, the queue to remove metal from warehouses they oversee in
Detroit reached 400 days. In June 2013, some users reported 16-month wait times for aluminum from order to
delivery. In May 2013, NADCA met with representatives of the LME to discuss concerns over wait times, among
other issues, with the North American Special Aluminum Alloy Contract (NASAAC). The Association considered
withdrawing its support of the NASAAC and remains concerned about terms applied to aluminum contracts.
To view the NADCA testimony submitted to the Senate Banking Subcommittee,
click here.
EPA Proposes to Change Rome, Georgia to a PM2.5 Attainment Area
On January 23, 2014, the U.S. EPA released a proposal to
redesignate the Rome, Georgia area as an "attainment zone" under the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter (PM2.5). This important change from a "non-attainment
area" designation will remove a number of restrictions currently in place on manufacturing facilities
and other businesses throughout Floyd County, Georgia, which encompasses the Rome PM2.5 Attainment Area. In
June 2012, the state of Georgia submitted a redesignation request to the EPA to reclassify Rome under the
1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS along with a plan to maintain those standards through 2023. The EPA is seeking
comments on this proposal by February 24, 2014.
"This is an important change for our NADCA members in the Rome, Georgia area," said NADCA President Dan
Twarog. "We hope that as the EPA develops its broader PM2.5 designations, it factors in the impact
their decisions will have on manufacturing and employment in this country."
NADCA is working with regulators, members of Congress, and industry allies on new PM2.5 standards under
consideration by the EPA. PM2.5 includes emissions and releases related to sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide,
ammonia, and volatile organic compounds, among other particles. Late last year, NADCA submitted formal
comments to several states in the process of recommending which areas within their boundaries the EPA should
designate as non-attainment zones. The EPA is expected to make final decisions on designation areas for the
entire country in December 2014. If states do not meet the new standards by 2020, non-attainment areas will
face similar restrictions on manufacturing and economic activity as in place today.
New NADCA Publication Available Via Amazon and iTunes
With the continued growth of eReaders such as the iPad, Kindle
and Nook, NADCA has begun the process of making various publications available on these devices. NADCA has
recently added the following publication available for purchase on Amazon and iTunes. This publication can
be purchased for just $9.99.
Evaluation of Surface Finishes on Aluminum Die Castings [Kindle Edition]
Evaluation of Surface Finishes on Aluminum Die Castings [iTunes Edition]
Previously released titles include:
Die Casting Defects - Causes and Solutions
Die Casting Defects - Troubleshooting Guide
Porosity in Die Castings: An Overview and Analysis
Safe & Reliable Die Clamping
Extending Die Life: Maintenance & Welding Strategies
Die Casting Porosity Guidebook
Die Casting Shipment Report 2011
Energy Saving Manual
High Integrity Die Castings
Master Die Casting Process Modeling
As NADCA continues to convert publications we will make sure to keep you posted on the newest developments
and availability on other devices.
Learn About Die Lubricants - Selection, Use and Evaluation
Die lubricants are expected to provide good part release,
anti-solder and lubricity of the die and ejector pins. Selection of die lubricants depends on many factors
including alloy cast, process temperatures, need to preserve or remove heat etc. Most die lubricant have
proprietary ingredients and may not be easily benchmarked, evaluated or cross-referenced to equivalent
products. After a brief introduction to their typical application, the webinar will present literature
evidence on selection criteria and evaluation methods of die lubricants.
This webinar will take place on January 29, 2014 at 12pm CST. The cost to attend this webinar is just $49 for
Corporate Member and $99 for Non-Corporate Members. This 60-minute presentation will not only address important
information on the topic but also provides adequate time for questions, answers, and discussion.
To register
click here!
ADDITIONAL UPCOMING WEBINARS:
Advanced Operator Training - Part 5 - Understanding Die Steel and What Makes Dies Last - January 29, 2014
Current Situation and Outlook for European Die Casters - Part 2 - New Trends in Die Casting Technology - January 30, 2014
Advanced Operator Training - Part 6 - Why Control of Shot Sleeve Distortion is Important - January 30, 2014
Engineered Aluminum Alloys for Die Casting Series - Part 1 - Die Casting Alloys - February 4, 2014
