In April, members of Kent State University’s Chapter of AFS traveled to Cleveland to attend the annual Metalcasting Congress hosted by the American Foundry Society. This event brings together foundry professionals, professors, teachers, students, and hobbyists in the metalcasting industry. The Metalcasting Congress boasts lectures, debates, exhibits, and networking opportunities that highlight and celebrate the newest technologies, innovations, and techniques.
Senior Mechatronics Engineering major Delonte Goodman, a Kent State University student who attended this conference, listed many enlightening sessions that were available to attendees, including a debate focusing on the uses of additive manufacturing, forging, casting as manufacturing techniques. For attending program sessions such as this, attendees could receive anything from free swag to discounts on software, equipment, and safety gear.
The Metalcasting Congress also includes the Cast in Steel Student Casting Competition, hosted by the Steel Founder's Society of America. Each year, contestants are given a project to create using casting as a manufacturing process. The 2023 project was to create an African Spear Point, which was accomplished by the Kent State University team of AJ Bernardo, Zane Bolyard, Andrew Herra-Baker, Nick LaRose, Antonio Valero, and faculty member Trent True.
True, who also serves as the AFS club advisor, says that the 23 Kent State University students in attendance comprised the largest group that he had ever taken to a conference or event such as this. The group also brought home many success stories, including one student who entered the event empty handed and left with two promising job interviews in line.
Students raved about their great experiences at the Metalcasting Congress as well. Sophomore Applied Engineering major Anthony Giancola said “THE MCC congress was a very insightful experience that truly opened my eyes to the industry of metalcasting.” Senior Applied Engineering Major Muqsit Fofana appreciated the opportunity to network with other students and learn about the connections between governmental relations and the metalcasting industry, while sophomore Aerospace Engineering major Gregory Wenner enjoyed learning about how new technologies can be implemented in older foundries.
For other students, attending the Metalcasting Congress provided assurance in their decisions to enter the engineering field and attend Kent State. Senior Mechanical Engineering Technology major Lucas Cragel says “You don't have to go into an engineering field to be an engineer.” Zane Bolyard, another senior majoring in Mechatronics Engineering, said that after attending he is sure that Kent’s engineering program was the right fit for him, while Eric Jackson, a senior Mechatronics Engineering Technology major, says that few other organizations are as involved and as enriching as AFS.
For more information about College of Aeronautics and Engineering student organizations, visit https://www.kent.edu/cae/student-organizations-and-activities.