ACRC is practical science at its best. The ability for members to create projects that are relevant to industry, deep technical discussions where everyone can participate, learning from students that are doing world-class research and being able to re-direct that research if necessary; this is how research develops knowledge that can be applied to real problems. Projects on recycling, hot-tearing , improved processing to reduce cost and improve productivity have defined this organization and many projects have been moved to industry or catalyzed new research outside of the consortium. In short, ACRC is the most effective organization doing this level of applied research designed first and foremost for its members.
David Weiss, CEO
Vision Materials
I am personally excited to participate in the Advanced Casting Research Center (ACRC). With recent efforts to increase American manufacturing capabilities, the focus on metal processing becomes even stronger. It is refreshing to observe effective academic-industry partnering work live in time. The center’s ability to address members’ common needs in a timely, pre-competitive manner undoubtedly positions it well as casting and other metal processing technologies rapidly evolve.
Additionally, the breadth and scope of the ACRC membership network is truly impressive. I always meet interesting industry members who bring unique perspectives and expertise at the biannual ACRC meetings. I am grateful that these contacts have always been willing to provide expert input to help address Sandia National Laboratories’ technical challenges, in support of the national interest.
Finally, I appreciate the hands-on approach to educating ACRC students. The degree of interaction and guidance from industry is such a unique and valuable experience for the students, and provides them with skills and opportunities as soon as they graduate. As one who has recently experienced the student to early/mid-career professional transition, I look forward to being able to help influence the next generation of materials engineers who will undoubtedly become leaders of the field.
Additionally, the breadth and scope of the ACRC membership network is truly impressive. I always meet interesting industry members who bring unique perspectives and expertise at the biannual ACRC meetings. I am grateful that these contacts have always been willing to provide expert input to help address Sandia National Laboratories’ technical challenges, in support of the national interest.
Finally, I appreciate the hands-on approach to educating ACRC students. The degree of interaction and guidance from industry is such a unique and valuable experience for the students, and provides them with skills and opportunities as soon as they graduate. As one who has recently experienced the student to early/mid-career professional transition, I look forward to being able to help influence the next generation of materials engineers who will undoubtedly become leaders of the field.
Josh Yee, Principal Systems Engineer
Sandia National Laboratories
"The world of castings is evolving rapidly and the demands from industry are continuously pushing the boundaries of what was previously thought possible. It’s an extremely exciting time, and ACRC is well positioned at the tip-of-the-spear by bridging the gap from the needs and requirements of industry with the facilities, faculties, and talents of some of the brightest people in academia.
VJ Technologies is proud to be a member of this wonderful organization – understanding the needs of our customers as they continue to push for lighter and more complex parts is critical to the development of the QA and testing systems and processes. The ACRC research programs provide a tremendous value in understanding the growing needs of industry now and into the future."
VJ Technologies is proud to be a member of this wonderful organization – understanding the needs of our customers as they continue to push for lighter and more complex parts is critical to the development of the QA and testing systems and processes. The ACRC research programs provide a tremendous value in understanding the growing needs of industry now and into the future."
Sonia Alreja
VJ Technologies
“QuesTek receives tremendous benefit from our participation in ACRC. As a small business with limited internal R&D resources, the access to top-quality research through the students, faculty, and projects is invaluable. The networking opportunities afforded by the bi-annual meetings have been fantastic and have led to multiple commercial project opportunities for QuesTek. We look forward to continuing our relationship with ACRC and to building new partnerships in the years to come.”
John Sebastian, President
QuesTek
ACRC is the preeminent aluminum casting research center. With an international membership base, participants include experts in various disciplines from around the world to assist in guiding the research activities. To date, several diecasting related projects have been conducted and have generated highly beneficial results for the North America die casting industry. For these reasons, NADCA has stayed engaged with ACRC for nearly 3 decades.
Steve Udvardy, President
NADCA - North American Die Casting Association
“As students going through engineering school, we were always looking for great projects. As business owners trying to solve our customers’ problems, we are always seeking solutions. The ACRC does an incredible job bridging these two spheres. Our membership has paid for itself many times over!”
Bob Logan
Palmer Foundry, USA
“I have personally been involved in the ACRC consortium for years and I enjoy the collaboration between the members. Among the attributes that differentiate ACRC from other academic research programs; a great deal of technical expertise from both the industrial membership and the facility, research into real world problems, and equipping the next generation of metal casting engineers with practical knowledge.
For Magna International, the demands to provide cost effective light weighting solutions to our customers has never been greater. The ACRC research programs provide a great deal of value toward satisfying the increasing market demands of today and tomorrow.”
For Magna International, the demands to provide cost effective light weighting solutions to our customers has never been greater. The ACRC research programs provide a great deal of value toward satisfying the increasing market demands of today and tomorrow.”
Randy Beals
Magna International
“Being a member of ACRC is not only prestigious, it’s personal. It serves as the perfect intersection of “university to industry”, allowing me to dream with the curiosity and open mindedness of a student, while staying grounded with experience and wisdom. In Hinduism, there are four stages of life: Brahmacharya (student), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprastha (retired), and Sannyasa (renunciation).
I feel like I have come full circle – learning (Brahmacharya), earning (Grihastha), and now reflecting (toggling between the first three stages with the students and peers at ACRC). This reflection has turned my experience into insight. If there is one thing I have learned along the path of “life”, it is that while we may strive for mastery, mastery is not a destination but a journey; and we, the eternal students, are the protagonists on this path.”
I feel like I have come full circle – learning (Brahmacharya), earning (Grihastha), and now reflecting (toggling between the first three stages with the students and peers at ACRC). This reflection has turned my experience into insight. If there is one thing I have learned along the path of “life”, it is that while we may strive for mastery, mastery is not a destination but a journey; and we, the eternal students, are the protagonists on this path.”
Vijay Alreja, CEO
VJ Group