2026 Steel Casting Workshop

AFS Headquarters
July 16, 2026

Overview

The American Foundry Society has assembled an all-star cast of senior steel foundry executives and steel-casting academic leaders from around the country. Their insightful presentations, combined with your participation in the discussions, will make for an informative day you won’t want to miss. The 2026 Steel Casting Workshop will cover new innovations, groundbreaking research now underway, solutions to casting challenges, and an economic forecast for steel castings. Attendees will also receive a summary of the AFS Steel Casting Survey results.

Boost your company’s visibility with this important audience before, during and after the Steel Casting Workshop.

For information about sponsorship opportunities at the event, please contact Kim Farrugia at kfarrugia@afsinc.org or click here.

Location

AFS Headquarters
Schaumburg, IL
July 16, 2026

Get Directions

Hotel Information

Holiday Inn Chicago/Schaumburg
Schaumburg, IL
$115/night + fees

BOOK A ROOM

1998 N. Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL 60195

Conference Agenda

7:30 a.m.

REGISTRATION

8 – 8:10 a.m.

WELCOME

Justin Scott
American Foundry Society
Schaumburg, IL

8:10 – 8:45 a.m.

RESULTS OF THE STEEL FOUNDRY OPERATING SURVEY

Dr. Robert Tuttle
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Håkon Mauset
Elkem ASA
Kristiansand, Agder, Norway

8:45 – 9:30 a.m.

FIBER OPTIC SENSING IN MOLDS

Laura Bartlett
Wolf Associate Professor of Metal Casting
Missouri University of Science and Technology

9:30 – 10:15 a.m.

LASER WELDING OF STEEL CASTINGS

Derek Shaffer Ph.D.
Welding Engineer and New Customer Development
Phoenix Laser

10:15 – 10:30 a.m.

NETWORKING BREAK

10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

PANEL: DEOXIDATION

Dr. Robert Tuttle
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Håkon Mauset
Elkem ASA
Kristiansand, Agder, Norway

11:15 a.m. – Noon

STEEL FOUNDRY OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES PANEL DISCUSSION

Moderator:

George Curry Jr.
American Foundry Society
Schaumburg, IL

Panelists:

Jeff Cook
Eagle Alloy, Inc. Muskegon, MI

Bill Easterly
Bath, PA
Effort Foundry

Jacob Belke, PhD, PE
Oshkosh, WI
Mercury Marine

Noon – 1 p.m.

CATERED NETWORKING LUNCH

1 – 1:30 p.m.

METALCASTING ECONOMIC FORECAST & TARIFF IMPACT

Ben Yates
American Foundry Society
Schaumburg, IL

1:30 – 2:15 p.m.

STEEL SCRAP MARKET

Caroline Fennema
Foundry Sales
PADNOS

2:15 – 2:30 p.m.

NETWORKING BREAK

2:30 – 3:15 p.m.

MEASURING SURFACE FINISH ON CASTINGS

Dr. Robert Tuttle
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

3:15 – 4 p.m.

STEEL GRAIN REFINEMENT

Håkon Mauset
Elkem ASA
Kristiansand, Agder, Norway

4:15 – 4:30 p.m.

WRAP-UP

Registration

Registration Fees

AFS Member:

$275.00 Early Registration (Ends 6/11/2026)
$325.00 Standard Registration

Non-AFS Member:

$350.00 Early Registration (Ends 6/11/2026)
$400.00 Standard Registration

Cancellations & Substitutions

AFS presents a variety of technical and management conferences (in both in-person and virtual formats). The refund policy for AFS conferences is as follows: 1) Substitutions are accepted at no charge at any time up until the start of the conference; 2) Full refunds are offered if AFS is notified in writing of cancellation at least 30 days in advance of the conference. No refunds or credits are available for less than 30 days written notice.