YSU Foundry Society Chapter Places First in Competition

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown State University Chapter of the American Foundry Society competed in the Cast in Steel competition in Milwaukee, Wis., earning a first-place category finish.

The annual competition challenges university students to use modern casting tools to creatively design and produce a functioning version of a tool that is traditionally manufactured with another method. This year’s competition featured more than 40 teams from across the world.

The 2024 competition challenged teams to produce a Halligan bar – a multipurpose tool used by firefighters to gain access to building spaces, vehicles and in other emergencies. YSU’s student team produced their version, named The Halliguin, that was judged for its design, casting quality and performance by practical testing.

The team won first place in a surprise competition category offered by the ASM International Milwaukee Chapter for “Excellence in Material Selection, Analysis, and Processing.”

Throughout the year, the students gained experience with modern engineering tools, including 3D sand printing and casting simulation software. They also worked with local foundry Coronado Steel to complete the casting. Next year, the team aims to complete the entire process in-house at YSU.

Led by Brian Vuksanovich, professor and faculty adviser, the team was composed of mechanical engineering and mechanical engineering technology students, including Coleman Buchanan, Andrew Prokop, Elly Volz, Ely Vuksanovich, Jonah Montgomery and Katie Chludzinski.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.