The Steel Founders Society of America (SFSA) hosted its much-anticipated Technical and Operating Conference from December 11-14, 2024, in downtown Chicago. Supported by steel foundry members that make up the Society, the T&O Conference is one of the premier steel casting events in the world. This annual event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and technical experts from member foundries across the Americas and Europe to share insights, advancements, and strategies shaping the future of the foundry sector.

Now in its 78th year, the T&O Conference continues a proud legacy of addressing the technical and operating topics of today that provide value to the industry for many years to come. This year’s workshop featured topics such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and the Craftsmen with Character initiative. There was a more extensive range of discussions, including melting, foundry engineering, molding, finishing, EHS, quality, and technical and featured research.

Midwest Metal Products Contributes

Among the many contributors, Midwest Metal Products stood out by presenting four impactful technical papers to reinforce our position as a leader in foundry innovation. MMP’s President, Joe Plunger, along with Technical Director, Jeanne Wagner, led our presentations by delivering insights on pivotal topics:

  • Economic Forecasting: An analysis that provided participants with valuable tools and strategies to navigate economic challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the foundry industry.
  • Advancements in Knock-Off: Highlighting improvements in removing risers and gating systems, this presentation showcased a cost-effective method to enhance productivity and reduce waste in casting finishing.
  • Pressurized Risers: This paper explored advancements in riser applications, specifically with the intention to improve casting soundness.
  • SFSA Market Forecast: This paper provided a comprehensive overview of market trends, enabling foundries to align their strategies with future demands and industry shifts.

 

A Platform for Global Collaboration

The conference underscored SFSA’s dedication to fostering a global community of innovation and excellence in the foundry industry. Attendees hailed from different parts of the world, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences. The event provided an unparalleled platform for networking, problem-solving, and envisioning the future of foundry technology and operations.

With the bar set high in 2024, Midwest Metal Products is already looking forward to the next gathering where the foundry community will once again come together to shape the industry’s future.

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