Dotson Co.'s Alternator/AC Bracket Wins Annual AFS Casting of theYear Award

This aternator/air conditioning bracket for John Deere skid loaders was this year’s AFS Casting of the Year.

Twelve cast-component designs have been recognized by the American Foundry Society and Metal Casting Design and Purchasing’s 2010 Casting Competition.

Dotson Iron Castings of Mankato, MN (center) was the top honoree, earning the Casting of the Year awad for the altenator/air conditioning bracket it designed for John Deere skid loader engines. The component supports and attaches a 12-lb. alternator and 14-lb. air conditioning compressor, replaces a previous design involving an 11-piece weldment. The conversion to the cast part resulted in a cost savings of 48% from the former design, and reduced scrap rejections by 10%.

As the winner, Dotson Iron Castings will receive a oneyear license of MAGMASOFT software, including training and implementation assistance from MAGMA Foundry Technologies.

In addition to the winning casting from Dotson, the Competition recognized five castings as best-in-class and six were given an honorable mentions.

Best In Class

Liftgate Inner
Meridian Magnesium Products
Eaton Rapids, MI Guide
Sioux City Foundry Co.
Sioux City, IA

Laparoscopic Surgery Instrument
Aristo-Cast Inc.
Almont, MI Four Cylinder Intake Manifold
Eagle Aluminum
Cast Products
Muskegon, MI

Fuel Filter Housing
BRP Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG
Spruce Pine, NC   Honorable Mentions

Lower Frame Casting
Pier Foundry & Pattern Shop Inc.
St. Paul, MN Oil Tank
Denison Industries
Denison, TX

Locking Hinge Assembly
Signicast Investment Castings
Hartford, WI Ecotec 2.4L Cylinder Block
Nemak Dillingen GmbH
Monterrey, Mexico

Transmission Input Housing
P&H Mining Equipment (OEM)
Milwaukee, WI Diesel Particulate Filter Bracket
Citation Columbiana
Columbiana, AL