This aternator/air conditioning bracket for John Deere skid loaders was this year’s AFS Casting of the Year.

Twelve cast-component designs have been recognized by the American Foundry Society and Metal Casting Design and Purchasing’s 2010 Casting Competition.

Dotson Iron Castings of Mankato, MN (center) was the top honoree, earning the Casting of the Year awad for the altenator/air conditioning bracket it designed for John Deere skid loader engines. The component supports and attaches a 12-lb. alternator and 14-lb. air conditioning compressor, replaces a previous design involving an 11-piece weldment. The conversion to the cast part resulted in a cost savings of 48% from the former design, and reduced scrap rejections by 10%.

As the winner, Dotson Iron Castings will receive a oneyear license of MAGMASOFT software, including training and implementation assistance from MAGMA Foundry Technologies.

In addition to the winning casting from Dotson, the Competition recognized five castings as best-in-class and six were given an honorable mentions.

Best In Class
Liftgate Inner Meridian Magnesium Products Eaton Rapids, MI	Guide Sioux City Foundry Co. Sioux City, IA
Laparoscopic Surgery Instrument Aristo-Cast Inc. Almont, MI	Four Cylinder Intake Manifold Eagle Aluminum Cast Products Muskegon, MI
Fuel Filter Housing BRP Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG Spruce Pine, NC
Honorable Mentions
Lower Frame Casting Pier Foundry & Pattern Shop Inc. St. Paul, MN	Oil Tank Denison Industries Denison, TX
Locking Hinge Assembly Signicast Investment Castings Hartford, WI	Ecotec 2.4L Cylinder Block Nemak Dillingen GmbH Monterrey, Mexico
Transmission Input Housing P&H Mining Equipment (OEM) Milwaukee, WI	Diesel Particulate Filter Bracket Citation Columbiana Columbiana, AL