Alan Holtz, Spuncast VP, presents whitepaper on Cost Benefits of Centrifugally Cast 316L SS in CEBAF at JLAB

On November 30, 2011, Alan Holtz, Vice President-Sales & Engineering at Spuncast, Inc., presented a paper at the Stainless Steel World Conference & Expo in Maastricht, Netherlands. The paper is the culmination of a joint project between Spuncast and Jefferson National Laboratory (JLAB) in Newport News, VA.

In 2007, JLAB came to Spuncast with an inquiry for finish machined rings made of 316L Stainless Steel. The application was severe, in that the part would be used at 2ºK (-456ºF), operates in a vacuum of 10-⁷ torr and contain liquid Helium with no leakage. The actual function of the parts are end-heads of the helium vessels in the linear accelerator section of the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator (CEBAF) at JLAB. The stainless steel parts successfully replaced titanium metal spinnings at a significant cost savings.

COST BENEFITS OF
CENTRIFUGALLY CAST 316L SS
in Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator
See Whitepaper Abstract / Summary
by Alan Holtz, VP, Spuncast

Spuncast Offers Continuing Support to Watertown High School's SkillsUSA

In October 2011, Don Payne showed Spuncast's continued support of local high school technical programs with a donation of $1000 to the SkillsUSA program at Watertown High School. Don stated his firm belief that US manufacturers must do everything they can to help young people to enter high technology careers. SkillsUSA is a high school centered program that encourages and mentors students who are interested in engineering fields.

Spuncast Student Scholarship 2011 Award Winner

Don Payne, President of Spuncast, announced the award on Friday, August 26, 2011 to Stephan Skibinski. Skibinski, a 2011 graduate of Watertown High School, will be attending the Milwaukee School of Engineering starting next month.

Payne described the scholarship as an annual award going to students who are enrolled in 2-year or 4-year technical academic programs that are of direct importance to Spuncast and the foundry industry. Two-year Associate Degree programs include Machining (CNC machining, Computer Aided Manufacturing) and Industrial Maintenance. Four-Year Bachelor Degree programs would include Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering. The scholarship renews each year for two years for an Associate Degree and for four years for a Bachelor Degree. In addition, employment at Spuncast during winter and summer breaks is part of the award. Maintenance of a minimum grade point average is a requirement for continued renewal. Skibinski will be awarded $4000 each year for his four year pursuit of a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Stephan Skibinski with Don Payne

During his years at Watertown High School, Skibinski participated in SkillsUSA, a competitive, team-oriented national program for students interested in manufacturing and related engineering. His team place 1st in Wisconsin in Automated Manufacturing and 10th nationally. He is also a member of National Honor Society and the Varsity Tennis team. He is the son of Glen and Tricia Skibinski of Watertown.

Spuncast Awarded
"Industry of the Year" by Watertown Chamber of Commerce

Spuncast Inc. in the town of Emmet was the recipient of the Industry of the Year award for a recent expansion project that resulted in the addition of $8 million in buildings and equipment.

Erdmann said the Industry of the Year award honors any industrial firm whose new manufacturing installation or expansion of facilities has provided a substantial broadening of the community's economic base and major employment opportunities for citizens.

According to Maas, Spuncast was founded in 1976 and became a 53 percent employee stock ownership plan business in 2005. The company, which currently has 156 employees, added over 45 new workers last year, Maas added.

Donald Payne, president of Spuncast, praised his employees for receiving the award. “My employees are my greatest assets,” he said. “We have come a long way in the last five to six years and we just started.”

4th Annual
Thanksgiving Food Drive

Spuncast just completed its fourth annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. This year, Spuncast delivered 894 items, a check for $100.00 and a check from Spuncast in the amount of $1,000.00. Thanks to all of the Spuncast employees that participated.

News Release, Oct. 18, 2010:

Spuncast, Inc., a centrifugal foundry in Watertown, WI, has been awarded Caterpillar's Supplier Quality Excellence Process (SQEP) Bronze Level Certification. SQEP encompasses both quality metrics and delivery performance. Spuncast has been a supplier of parts used on Cat's largest mining trucks and large wheel loaders for over 25 years. Caterpillar initiated the SQEP program during the summer of 2009. Spuncast becomes one of the first steel foundries to achieve certified status. As an employee owned company, this achievement is a testament to all of its employees.