May 2025 Volume 7

CONTENTS

MAY 2025 | VOLUME 7

MAINTENANCE 20 How to Justify the Repair or Replacement of Your Forging Presses AUTOMATION 23 Automated Robotic Welding System 26 Forging to the Last Billet 30 Automation Enhances Surface Finishing in the Forging Industry 32 Automation and Tool Management 34 Planning for Automation? Start with the Parts 36 Driving Robotics Innovations in Casting and Forging for Defense Through Collaboration 38 You Don’t Have a Labor Shortage. You Have an Automation Problem 42 Case Study: Automotive Parts Manufacturer Streamlines Production With 3D Robot Vision MATERIALS 44 Advanced Materials & Forging OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT 46 Employment issues – What’s the current state of the law? 48 The Science of Succession Planning 52 Addressing Workforce Challenges in Casting and Forging 54 Tech Talk: Simplifying Frequently Used Terms 56 Bringing Experiences to Light through a Survey of Women in Forging 60 Anchor Harvey Announces Integration with PMG Family of Businesses

INDUSTRY NEWS 62 U.S. Manufacturers Expect Profit to Increase Despite Tariffs 65 FIA and FIERF Announce 2025– 2028 Board Officers and Trustees 66 Welcome New Members 69 FIA Announces 2024 Safety Award Winners 71 Chiz Bros. Acquires Advanced Material Science to Bolster Insulation Machining Services 72 FIA 2025 Annual Meeting of Members Recap 74 Member Spotlight: Patriot Forge 76 Milwaukee Forge In A State Court Receivership Proceeding 77 Remembering Lyle D. Sharp, Former FIA President 78 FIA Upcoming Events FOUNDATION NEWS 80 FIERF Children's Book 'Forging with Freddy' Wins 2025 Trendy Award 82 FIERF Donor Spotlight: Silent Auction Donors 83 Letter from the Technical Committee Chair 84 Amanda Dureiko Named Executive Director of FIERF Forging Foundation FORGING RESEARCH 86 FIA Technical Update: Shifting Seasons, Opportunities, and Project Updates MEMBERS SPEAK 88 Embracing Leadership Development in the Forging Industry AD INDEX 89 May Advertiser Index

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 1 Letter from the Editor WASHINGTON UPDATE 4 Tariffs Today, Taxes Tomorrow: Manufacturers Plan for Both ENERGY 6 Energy Prices Rising Fast: Why a Big Upward Revision Is Raising Concerns for 2026 EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY 9 Minimize Delays & Maximize Savings With Turnkey Forging Lines 12 The Benefits of OEM Rebuilds and Updates for Hydraulic & Mechanical Forging Equipment 14 Pushing the Limits of Forging 16 The Elephant in The Room – What Does Industry 4.0 Really Mean in the Forging Industry?

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FIA Magazine (ISSN 2643-1254 (print) and ISSN 2643-1262 (online)) is published 4 times annually, May, August, November and February by the Forging Industry Association, 6363 Oak Tree Blvd., Independence, Ohio 44131. Telephone: (216) 781-6260. Only (1) copy of the print version distributed at no charge only to members of the Forging Industry Association. Digital version distributed at no charge to qualified individuals. Subscription requests available at www. forging.org. Printed in the U.S.A. Periodicals postage paid in Independence, OH and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Forging Industry Association, 6363 Oak Tree Blvd., Independence, Ohio 44131. Copyright © 2025 by the Forging Industry Association in both printed and electronic formats. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations or for any statement made or opinion expressed herein. Data and information presented by the authors of specific articles are for informational purposes only and are not intended for use without independent, substantiating investigation on the part of potential users.

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FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2025