American Foundry Society
Encyclopedia
The American Foundry Society traces its roots to 1896 when the American Foundrymen's Association was formed. The Association was subsequently named The American Foundrymen's Society, and later the name was shortened to the American Foundry Society, sometimes shortened to AFS. The society is considered an international organization consisting of 9,000 members across 48 countries, organized into 48 local chapters and 34 student chapters in the United States
, Canada
and Mexico
. The AFS promotes the interests of the foundry
industry to the federal government and consists of a professional staff and volunteer committee structure. Activities of the AFS include committee work, education, organization of regional and national conventions and other work in support of the metalcasting industry.
In addition to these committees the organization has technical staff to assist with engineering services, a system to support research, and an extensive library.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The AFS promotes the interests of the foundry
Foundry
A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Metals are cast into shapes by melting them into a liquid, pouring the metal in a mold, and removing the mold material or casting after the metal has solidified as it cools. The most common metals processed are aluminum and cast iron...
industry to the federal government and consists of a professional staff and volunteer committee structure. Activities of the AFS include committee work, education, organization of regional and national conventions and other work in support of the metalcasting industry.
History
For a number of years prior to the founding of the Society many local bodies of foundrymen met for mutual protection in regards to labor, prices and interchange of technical information. The attendance was usually strong in these organizations in times of prosperity but waned when economic conditions slowed. Early in 1896 the Philadelphia Foundrymen's Society through discussion with its members conceived that a more general, larger benefit might be gained through organizing a wider group of foundrymen. They invited foundrymen from around the country to Philadelphia for a meeting. The response was spontaneous and well received. On May 12, 1896 the American Foundrymen's Association was formed .Organization
The Society is organized into 13 Divisions with committees under each division:- Division 1 - Engineering
- Division 2 - Aluminum
- Division 3 - Copper Alloy
- Division 4 - Molding Methods & Materials
- Division 5 - Cast Iron
- Division 6 - Magnesium
- Division 8 - Melting Methods & Materials
- Division 9 - Steel
- Division 10 - Environmental Health & Safety
- Division 11 - Lost Foam
- Division 12 - Government Affairs
- Division 13 - Human Resources
- Division 14 - Marketing/Management Services
In addition to these committees the organization has technical staff to assist with engineering services, a system to support research, and an extensive library.