Feb_March_AMP_Digital

FEATURE A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 2 0 3 4 2 Two important heat treating processes, induction heat- ing and carburizing, are now commonplace in Mexico. ASM is filling a valuable role this year by offering DC-3 (govern- ment acknowledged) accreditation for some of the sub- jects covered in the seminar. The emphasis will be on qual- ity systems centering on CQI-9 for Automotive and NADCAP for Aerospace. The aerospace industry in Mexico over the last 10 years has followed a similar path as the automotive industry. It started with small assembly shops and now includes key suppliers in the aerospace field, where complex thermal pro- cessing is required for titanium and aluminum, in particular. Carlos Carrasco, president of the ASM Chapter in Queretaro and principal of Carrasco and Associates, who for two gen- erations has represented leading companies in heat treat apparatus, summed up 30 years of heat treat progression in Mexico thisway: “There is a tremendous need to disseminate knowledge about the various heat treatments considering the rapid expansion of the industry in Mexico; ASM Interna- tional is the perfect tool for this purpose.“ In summary, ASMHeat Treat Mexico 2020 is bringing the experience from the ASM network of experts to an audience eager to do the best job they can for their manufacturing company. The companies doing business in Mexico look for accredited training opportunities and the government is do- ing a good job promoting and supporting skills-based edu- cation for manufacturing. On behalf of the Heat Treat Mexico 2020 organizing committee and the local chapter officers, we are working hard to deliver the best program possible. We get our energy from the attendees. It is invigorating and ex- citing to get with a group that enjoys heating things as much as we do. Robert Madeira Co-Chair, Organizing Committee, Heat Treat Mexico 2020 Global Manager of Heat Treat Technologies, Inductoheat Inc. ASM MISSION IN MEXICO; EDUCATION AND SHARING EXPERIENCES A SM International is about to sponsor its third educa- tional and exhibits event March 3 to 5 at the Grand Fiesta Americana in Queretaro, Mexico. With Heat Treat Mexico 2020, ASM is reaching an audience that com- prises the 15th largest economy in the world, according to the World Bank. In 2018, Mexico’s Purchas- ing Power Parity ranked 11th in the world, and according to the World Population Review, Mexico’s median workforce age is 28.3 years old, compared to 38.1 years in the U.S. and 42.2 years in Canada. The gross domestic product (GDP) of Mexico is com- prised of 35% industrial, 61% services, and 4% agricultur- al. The leading manufacturing industries according to the World Bank are automotive, aerospace, and oilfield goods. Yet, with all the prosperity in Mexico, nearly 50% of the pop- ulation lives below the poverty line. There is a true desire for targeted learning in Mexico. While the statistics tell some of the story; the desires of the people fill in the rest. For those of us who have spent decades in Mexico un- dertaking business related travel, we have seen an amazing transformation in the complexity of the jobs performed and the level of skills required to succeed. The progression start- ed in automotive assembly operations with imported parts. Over the years, countries with an interest in themarket start- ed small manufacturing operations to bridge the ocean gaps or provide just-in-time (JIT) supplies to the assembly plants. Seats and headliners were locally produced then heavy com- ponents such as truck frames and axle assemblies followed. The need for heat treatment came with the metals manufac- turing processes. Today most any structural, drivetrain, or interior components found in an automobile are being pro- duced in Mexico. GUEST DITORIAL