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Testimonials
 

Peter Whiteley-Munimula Technology
 

Rich Collins has asked me to write a short note concerning his business and products.  I am delighted to do so.  It should be said that I have no business connection with Rich.  My association with him is simply on a professional basis whereby on occasions we have had the opportunity to work together in casthouses around the world.  I met Rich some years ago when he was still with Wagstaff and I was Manager of Casting and Remelt for Alcan International. Since that time we have both started successful independent consulting businesses focused on casthouse technology.

 As readers of this note will be aware Rich Collins was the individual who co-invented the Airslip billet mould technology. Accordingly, whenever I am working in casthouses that employ this technology I invariably refer those clients to Rich for advice on optimization and enhancements. Who better to ask than the inventor?

Having recommended his services I have never been disappointed with the results.  I have worked with Rich in many plants, most recently including Hydro, Bayside, and ALBA where he has conducted plant audits, conducted training, engaged in troubleshooting, and where he has installed some of his very successful proprietary enhancements such as graphite ring testing apparatus, and more particularly the gas mass flow control system.      Following commissioning of this latter technology in one plant, the process engineer in that facility said to me …"This is the best capital investment we have ever made in the casthouse". That’s a fairly decent testimonial coming from a customer.  I have no hesitation in recommending Rich Collins services to anyone looking for assistance with Airslip technology.
 
Sincerely
 
Peter Whiteley, Director

Munimula Technology
 

 John Rennekamp-Metallurgical Engineer

 

I have been associated with Rich Collins for many years.  During this time I was with 2 separate companies involved in the production of cast aluminum billet for the extrusion and forging markets.  My responsibilities included overseeing both the technical and quality requirements for the products that were cast and it was in these areas that Rich’s consulting services were utilized.  I feel there were numerous benefits in retaining the services that Rich offers.  A few of the major advantages gained are noted as follows:

1. Rich’s knowledge of the casting characteristics of the many different aluminum alloy series has lead to immediate refinements in casting parameters.  This knowledge covers several different casting mold technologies and has resulted in improvements in pit recoveries by eliminating or reducing casting defects such as tears, folds, laps, cracks, etc.

2. He has provided aftermarket improvements in the casting table and mold hardware that can lead to better control of the casting parameters.  This has led to improvements resulting in a more consistent product and a process that is easier and safer for the casting operator to control.

3. He has provided defined practices for improving the mold table maintenance.  This has included a preventive maintenance package along with the appropriate training and specialized casting mold test equipment.  The end results have been casting stations that are ready to perform to the best of their capabilities along with a reduction in the amount of station consumables and improved pit recoveries.

4. Rich has also developed and presented several training packages that can be customized to an individual casting operation.  These packages include the basics of various casting technologies.  They also cover the reasons and corrections for various scrap conditions and the metallurgical background of what is happening during the casting process.  All of this is presented in a format that is beneficial for anyone from a first time casting operator to an experienced Metallurgical Engineer.

Rich offers a comprehensive background of knowledge that is beneficial for any company involved in the casting of aluminum.  One of his main advantages is being able to look at the entire process instead of only concentrating on the casting parameters and casting station equipment.  His understanding of batching practices; alloy additions, metallurgical interactions, fluxing and degassing techniques, and filtering can result in an overall improvement in metal quality that ultimately results in improved pit recoveries.  He has a "holistic" approach to improving the process that results in obtaining the maximum benefits of the services he provides. This approach coupled with an extensive network of industry contacts has resulted in meaningful improvements in all of the projects in which I have had the pleasure to work with Rich.
 

Sincerely
 

John Rennekamp

Metallurgical Engineer

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