August 2019 Volume 1

FORGING RESEARCH

In 2018, the Forging Industry Association (FIA) and the Forging Industry Education and Research Foundation (FIERF) completed a strategic planning process that defines a new vision for how FIERF will support the needs of the forging industry as we move into the middle of the 21st century. The principle purpose of FIERF is to: • Guide the development and education of the future forging industry workforce, from skilled labor and technicians to engineers with advanced degrees. • Promote research and development of new technology that will improve the profitability of the North American forging industry. • Assist FIA member companies in finding, implementing and benefiting from existing technology. Effective implementation of these principles requires that efforts be driven by the needs of FIA membership. FIERF redefined its institutional vision tomore actively engage with constituents in each of these critical activities. Workforce Development A skilled workforce is the key to the forging supply chain. With the decrease in skilled trade education opportunities, member companies have repeatedly lamented the difficulty of finding enough qualified workers to replace staff lost to retirement or attrition. At the opposite end of the scale, as forging becomes increasingly advanced, there is an increasing need for engineers with advanced degrees who can manage the technology of material science, controls and process data. With partners like Cuyahoga Community College, Kishwaukee College and Daley College, the FIERF Community College Initiative will guide community colleges in developing applied courses that can immediately fill needs in the industry. For future employees working toward four-year and advanced degrees, Technology and Workforce Development Summits at The Ohio State University (Sept. 12) and Colorado School of Mines (Oct. 8) provide opportunities for networking and development of internships, co-ops, projects and research. FIERF also supports ASM Materials Camps for Teachers, which provide middle school and high school teachers with knowledge and experiments to generate excitement about materials and manufacturing in the next generation of engineers and technicians. Through the Finkl Scholarships (focusing on engineering and metallurgy) and the Forging Industry Women’s Scholarships (focusing on developing future leaders), the foundation attracts the best and brightest to our industry by providing direct support for Re-envisioning FIERF By Suzanne Tkach

college students with a demonstrated interest in pursuing careers in the forging supply chain. Research and technology transfer FIERF-supported university research serves a dual purpose. For industry, there is the immediate benefit of new technology which, when implemented properly, can improve quality and productivity, reduce costs and improve competitiveness. This provides an additional benefit of developing industry-specific skills in the future workforce. Sponsored research opportunities mean college professors and their students become aware of and actively engage with the forging industry. Engineers who enter the workforce having participated in forging research during college bring a better understanding of the fundamental science of forging and are better able to use that understanding to drive advances in technology. With ever-present pressure from competing manufacturing technologies such as casting and additive manufacturing, FIERF is actively supporting industry-driven research projects demonstrate the inherent benefits of forging for strength, durability, and cost. For multi-year projects, FIERF has implemented a new stage gate project management system. With the review and guidance of the FIA Technical Committee, the system ensures that university projects remain responsive to the needs of the industry. After projects are completed, there is a clearly defined protocol for sharing findings with FIAmembership so that all members receive a positive return for their support of FIERF. Results are available on Technical Library section of the FIA website and shared via webinars and presentations at forging industry technical conferences. While current research is important, giving industry members ready access to decades of existing knowledge is key to ensuring making the most efficient use of limited research resources. For this reason, the foundation maintains an online technical research library for members. Yesterday’s research outcomes can be used to drive FIERF exists to support the workforce and technology needs of FIA member companies. As an FIA member, FIERF needs your engagement and financial support to guide our mission: • FIERF is engaged with community colleges and universities. To provide effective guidance, we need you to communicate your career opportunities and workforce requirements. • FIERF is effective at fostering industry-university research initiatives. We need to know your research project ideas. performance and competitiveness today. Role of the member company

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