September 18 , 2007 - The Process and Product Metallurgy Operating Committee (PPMOC) held a meeting on Sept. 18 in Detroit, Mich., in conjunction with the AIST Steel Properties & Applications Conference, which was part of MS&T’07. Brian Nelson led the meeting. After reviewing the committee structure and mission, he solicited volunteers to become part of the committee leadership. Several individuals were identified as candidates, and contacts will be made to determine their interest prior to the elections in May. The PPMOC then reviewed the sessions that had taken place during the Steel Properties & Applications Conference, and discussed additional ideas for the 2008 conference. It was also indicated that there would be additional sessions at AISTech 2008 in Pittsburgh, Pa. The committee and the University of Pittsburgh Basic Metals Processing Research Institute (BAMPRI) sponsored a Specialty Conference on microalloying in June 2007, which was led by Anthony DeArdo and Isaac Garcia. In retrospect, this Specialty Conference was very successful. John Speer reviewed the Call for Papers for a 2008 Specialty Conference on New Developments in Advanced High-strength Sheet Steels, which will be held in Orlando, Fla., in June 2008. This conference will be held in conjunction with the Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center at the Colorado School of Mines.

May 9, 2007 - A joint meeting of the Process and Product Metallurgy Operating Committee (PPMOC), the Product Applications and Development Operating Committee (PADOC) and the Product Quality Operating Committee (PQOC) was held at AISTech in Indianapolis, Ind., on May 9. The meeting began with discussion regarding a previous teleconference among the Technology Division VI — Process Metallurgy and Product Applications members, in which a modification of the Operating Committee structure within this Technology Division was approved. The primary result of this call was to combine these three Operating Committees into one committee, which would be called the Process and Product Metallurgy Operating Committee. Also, the mission statements of the three committees were reviewed and consolidated into the new proposed mission statement: “To promote and advance the understanding of ferrous metallurgy as it applies to steel processing and steel products. This committee will provide forums for exchange of information on the interactions between processing, quality, properties, performance and applications of steel.” The new mission statement was approved. The next step involved the consolidation and election of new officers. Brian Nelson was elected chair, Matt Merwin as vice chair and Ron Radzilowski as awards chair. Plans for future meetings were reviewed, and the possibility of a joint meeting with the Coating and Process Lines Operating Committee was considered. The committee then discussed methods to increase participation and attendance at their sessions at MS&T’07, which will be held in Detroit, Mich., Sept. 17–20. Members were encouraged to support the Specialty Conference on microalloying, taking place in Pittsburgh, Pa., July 16–19. Finally, the development of a Specialty Conference on advanced high-strength sheet steels, which will be offered in June 2008, was approved.

October 17, 2006 - The Process and Product Metallurgy, Product Applications and Development and Product Quality Operating Committees held a joint meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Oct. 17 in conjunction with MS&T’06. Some administrative issues were discussed, including membership, future officers for the committee and whether some of the AISTOperating Committees should merge. It was decided to continue with joint meetings for some time before changing the structure of the committees. Discussion then switched to planning sessions for AISTech 2007, including a joint session. An update was provided on the Specialty Conference, “New Developments in Long and Forged Products: Metallurgy and Applications,” which was held by these committees in June 2006. They are also planning another Specialty Conference for July 2007: the International Conference on Microalloyed Steels, to be held in Pittsburgh, Pa., on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, and cosponsored by BAMPRI-University of Pittsburgh. A review of MS&T’06 was held with respect to the quality of the sessions, number of sessions and attendance. Plans for MS&T’07 were also discussed. Before adjourning the meeting, Brian Nelson presented two Technology Division awards to the recipients of the 2006 Jerry Silver Award for Best Paper: John G. Speer and Robert J. Glodowski, for their paper, “Aluminum and Vanadium Competition for Nitrogen in Thin Slab Processing.” Pictured below: (5) Brian Nelson (left) and John G. Speer; and (6) Robert J. Glodowski (left) and Brian Nelson.           

March 14, 2006 - A joint meeting of the Process and Product Metallurgy, Product Applications and Development and Product Quality Operating Committees was held in Merrillville, Ind., on March 14. The meeting began with a review and update of meeting attendance and membership criteria. There was also a review of the status of committee officers for each of the Operating Committees. The upcoming sessions for AISTech were reviewed, and feedback was provided for the Conference Planning Committee. An update on the Strategic Planning meeting was provided to the committee members who could not attend. The plan for getting a steel-only proceedings published from MS&T 2005 was reviewed, with  the understanding that this would be available in April 2006 and could be provided on-site at future MS&T conferences. Future joint meetings among the committees were also planned. The committees have an upcoming Specialty Conference, “International Conference on New Developments in Long and Forged Products: Metallurgy and Applications,” which will be held June 4–7 in Winter Park, Colo. Discussion was held on tours or technical presentations that could be combined with the meetings to increase interest and participation.

September 27, 2005 - The Process and Product Metallurgy Operating Committee met in Pittsburgh, Pa., at MS&T’05 on Sept. 27. They talked about strategic development for the committee’s activities as they relate to the Technology Division and Operating Committee structure, roles and responsibilities, and programming structure. Attendees also reviewed the status of the awards program that was resolved in the Technology Division meeting. They reviewed the programming for MS&T’05 and reviewed the critical dates for upcoming events. The committee also discussed future programming formats, including participation in AISTech, MS&T and standalone Specialty Conferences. Plans were made to include a technical presentation on the agenda at their next meeting.

September 26, 2005 - On Sept. 26, the Product Applications and Development Operating Committee met in Pittsburgh, Pa., in conjunction with MS&T’05. An update was provided on the standalone specialty conference on high-strength long products and forgings, June 5–6, 2006, Winter Park, Colo. Another standalone conference on high-strength sheet steels at the University of Pittsburgh was also discussed, and it was decided to plan this for June 26–28, 2007. The best papers from this conference will be included in MS&T’07, to be held in Detroit, Mich. The committee also decided to sponsor a session at AISTech 2006. They reviewed critical dates for AISTech and MS&T so these could be incorporated into their meeting schedule. The meeting closed with discussion on the committee officers and plans for future leadership of the committee.

April 14-15, 2005 - The Product Applications and Development Operating Committee held a meeting at General Motors University in Auburn Hills, Mich., on April 14–15. The meeting began with a review of administrative details for the committee and election of officers for the upcoming year. Programming for AISTech and MS&T was discussed, along with the two potential upcoming Specialty Conferences, one on New Developments in Long and Forged Products: Metallurgy and Applications, planned for June 4–7, 2006, in Winter Park, Colo., and one on Production and Properties of High-performance Steels Using Thin Slab and Thin Strip Casting. The committee decided to defer this latter conference to a future date to avoid conflict with a similar program being offered in 2006. The following morning, a tour of GM’s Pontiac Metal Center was conducted.

April 7, 2005 - The Process and Product Metallurgy Operating Committee began their meeting on April 7 in Hamilton, Ont., Canada, at the McMaster University Materials Engineering Department with a presentation and discussion on the Steel Research Center capabilities. This was followed by a tour of their high-speed machining labs. The following morning, a tour of the Dofasco Research Department was held. After the tour, the business meeting began with a review of the Technology Division and Operating Committee structure and the roles and responsibilities of each. Discussion followed on the division awards and some items that need to be resolved with the other Operating Committees in the division. The committee then reviewed programming for the AISTech and MS&T conferences and added two general abstract sessions that they hope to have at each MS&T conference. A tour of Dofasco’s hot mill followed the meeting.

September 28, 2004 - The Product Quality Operating Committee met on Sept. 28 at MS&T 2004. The main item of business was plans for MS&T 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pa. The committee also discussed methods for attracting participation in upcoming meetings. Part of the plan includes a future meeting with a discussion on ISO/TS 16949, quality metrics, benchmarking and plant tours. This committee also decided to participate in both major conferences in 2005, AISTech and MS&T.

September 28, 2004 - The Product Applications and Development Operating Committee met Sept. 28 at MS&T 2004 in New Orleans, La. Administrative issues relating to the number of meetings to plan in a year and their locations were covered. The committee also reviewed the progress on their symposia, “Developments in Sheet Products for Automotive Applications,” which is planned for MS&T 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Members then debated the merits of a stand-alone conference versus one linked with a major conference such as AISTech or MS&T. It was decided to begin developing a specialty conference on production, processing and properties of high-performance steels using thin slab and thin strip casting, to be offered in Pittsburgh, Pa., in July 2006.

September 27, 2004 - On Sept. 27, the Process and Product Metallurgy Operating Committee held their meeting in New Orleans, La., in conjunction with MS&T 2004. A review of the current Technology Division, Operating Committee and programming structure was provided, along with roles and responsibilities of Operating Committee officers and members. An update was also provided on the status of the MS&T 2005 conference. The various types of programming available to the committees were reviewed, and the committee discussed development of a specialty conference. They then brainstormed ideas for technical presentations at upcoming meetings and methods to provide value to the members who participate in committee activities.

September 26, 2004 - Technology Division VI — Process Metallurgy and Product Applications held a meeting at MS&T 2004 in New Orleans, La., on Sept. 26. One of the main items discussed was the development of a strategy for addressing metallurgy, quality, and advanced processes and products. The committee also reviewed the roles and responsibilities of the members and officers of the Operating Committees and Division. Programming was also discussed, with a review of the structure of the upcoming MS&T 2005 conference that will be held in Pittsburgh, Pa., Sept. 25–28, 2005. The various types of future programming such as stand-alone conferences and participation in MS&T and AISTech were also reviewed. Chairs of each of the Operating Committees in Division VI provided a report on their committee activities and their future plans. It was also noted that the AIST Board of Directors approved the move of the Process Technology Operating Committee into this division.

June 22, 2004 - The Product Quality Operating Committee held a meeting on July 22 in Maumee, Ohio. They reviewed a draft of the committee mission statement and made minor modifications. They then discussed different types of programming for the committee and what areas of product quality they should cover. Numerous topics were proposed for round table discussions, and it was thought this would be a good method to draw attention to the committee. A review of their plans for conference programming was discussed, and preliminary plans were made for topics for MS&T ’05. The decision was made to develop a questionnaire as the basis for their round table discussion planned for October. The committee also identified contacts at steel producing companies and assigned committee members to solicit committee representatives from those producers. After the meeting, several of the committee members toured North Star BlueScope Steel.

July 15, 2003 - The Process and Product Metallurgy Operating Committee held a meeting on July 15 in Canton, Ohio, at the Timken Research Facility. They opened their meeting with an overview of the committee structure and options for meeting and programming activities. The committee then voted on and approved a mission statement. Buddy Damm provided an update on their symposia for MS&T ’04, to be held in New Orleans, La., from Sept. 26–29. Plans were made to develop the technical program for MS&T ’05 in Pittsburgh, Pa., and general plans for committee activities were covered. Brian Nelson made a presentation on “Reduction in Finishing Mill Entry Temperature at Dofasco.” A tour of the Research Facility and the Timken Faircrest facility followed the meeting.

July 14, 2003 - The Product Applications and Development Operating Committee held a teleconference meeting on July 14. After a review of the structure of the Technology Divisions and Operating Committees and membership requirements, the mission statement for the committee was reviewed and approved. Committee members then reviewed the technical program for MS&T ’04 in New Orleans, La., and their plans for MS&T ’05 in Pittsburgh, Pa. After discussion on options available to the Operating Committees for meetings and programming, the suggestion was made that committee members need to consider potential candidates to take over the responsibilities of committee leadership.

June 7, 2003 - The Process and Product Metallurgy Operating Committee held a teleconference on June 7. After reviewing the committee’s basic guidelines, members discussed the mission statement that had been drafted. An update was provided on the status of their program for MS&T ’04, to be held in New Orleans, La., Sept. 26–29. A grid of their sessions was provided and will be posted for the entire committee in the Members Only area of the AIST Web site. Plans for 2005 programs were discussed, along with the opportunities for joint symposia — possibly at MS&T ’05, which will be held in Pittsburgh, Pa., and colocated with the fall AISTech conference. Future leadership roles for the committee were also discussed. Several members suggested that their next meeting, tentatively scheduled for late July, include a tour at one of their own plants.

May 10, 2003 - On May 10, the leadership of the Operating Committees under Technology Division VI —Process Metallurgy and Product Applications and other related leaders held a meeting and teleconference at AIST headquarters in Warrendale, Pa. Discussion on the basic guidelines for Operating Committees was held, including the various types of activities the committees can undertake. There was also discussion on the types of opportunities that are available to the committees for technology exchange and training, including major conferences, specialty conferences and the actual committee meetings. Input was also provided on future programming plans for the major conferences and how programming would be split for two major conferences in one year. Each of the Operating Committees were to proceed with their plans for developing their mission statements and scheduling of their initial meetings.