Clinkenbeard process produces sand molds, cores for production castings FAST.

A case study in The Free Library titled, “Prototyping process produces sand molds, cores for production castings” explains how this process saves the customer significant time and achieves significant speed to market metrics.

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Clinkenbeard’s Fasterestest Blog addresses two key audiences:

1. The Rockford business, political, economic development, manufacturing, and aerospace-related communities;

2.  All professionals who wish to engage in a forum that focuses on any issues of “speed to market” as they relate to all areas in the product development cycle in relationship to metal casting, rapid manufacturing and rapid prototyping.

It is true that these key audiences are similar in scope to our other social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, and our Fasterestest Group on Linkedin), but this blog allows readers a forum to present more in-depth comments and more detailed lead topics. It is also the social media site where we have found that most Rockford-area business and economic conversation takes place.  So, we thought we’d perpetuate that with this mission statement.

With respect to our slogan, Fasterestest,” that’s simple: we operate under a speed strategy that creates a healthy sense of urgency in our workplace and allows us to deliver some of the “shorterestest” lead times on Earth for the manufacture of our customers’ products and prototypes.

So, please, join, participate, learn, teach and enjoy this site!  It’s ours as much as it is yours.

The Staff of Clinkenbeard

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A very frank question.

You – our customers, prospects, friends and colleagues – have lots of choices for information these days.

What type of information should we provide that will incentify you to keep returning to this site?

Further, what will compel you to participate and share your expertise with us and this group’s members?

Thanks!

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No related posts were found, so here's a consolation prize: Clinkenbeard Blog Aims to Create Value for Professionals in Metal Casting, Rapid Prototyping and CNC Manufacturing and for Rockford, Illinois, Business, Economic and Political Leaders.

We all know how important it was for the city of Rockford to have a presence at the Paris Air Show in June. We were proud to be a part of the effort and the team.

Just wanted to let everyone know that Clinkenbeard continues to “carry the message” to the aerospace industry through the trade media, in this instance as a blog post about Rockford by Reg Gustafson on Product Design & Development’s website.

If you’d like to offer any comments about how companies like Clinkenbeard can help extend the reach and frequency of the message we all tried to convey at Paris, let us know here.

Hmmm. . . The Farnborough International Airshow is only about 10 months away. . .

Thanks everyone! Look forward to hearing from you.

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Clinkenbeard, a Rockford, Illinois-based rapid manufacturing and prototyping company, was named by Aerospace eBusiness as “best in class” for its use of social media during the Paris Air Show, which took place June 15 through 21.

One of Clinkenbeard’s key markets is the aerospace industry and Clinkenbeard’s Ron Jr. “Reg” Gustafson attended the aerospace-dominated show and monitored and participated in the company’s social media networking, which included a Twitter page (www.twitter.com/Clinkenbeard) and a company blog (http://Clinkenbeard.info).

Other participants on the Clinkenbeard social channels included customers, prospects, the aerospace trade press, local Rockford, Illinois, media, economic organizations, individuals from the state of Illinois, a number of participants associated directly with the Paris Air Show, and more.

Aerospace eBusiness also reported ( http://ludozone.net/2009/06/22/social-media-at-paris-air-show-by-the-numbers/) that Clinkenbeard had the third most active Twitter account of all companies tweeting at the show, out-tweeting companies ranging from Raytheon to GE Tech Infrastructure.

A week before the show, in a news release, Gustafson encouraged all interested parties to “join the conversation and participate.”

This call for participation was one of the likely reasons involvement was so great, Gustafson said.

Gustafson added that, “One of Clinkenbeard’s key metrics of success is our adherence to meeting and exceeding the time-to-market requirements of our customers. Our company slogan is ‘Fasterestest.’ We think our having communicated in a real-time mode from the show is a form of our ‘Fasterestest’ way of doing business. ”

According to Aerospace eBusiness, “Most of the big companies used Twitter in a ‘traditional’ way, simply as a relay for the press releases they had posted elsewhere. However, there were two exceptions. GE started using their accounts early and was very active on the community boards and other social media outlets well before the show started. Clinkenbeard (Rockford, Illinois), a small US manufacturer of complex cast and machined parts, was the best user of the medium in the industry class and was rewarded with great coverage including a television spot back in Illinois.”

According to Gustafson, both sites will continue to be active components in Clinkenbeard’s integrated marketing mix.

Social media company D.D. Griffith Consulting assisted Clinkenbeard in launching the social media sites and will continue to provide consultation to Clinkenbeard with respect to Clinkenbeard’s ongoing social media communications.

#  #  #

About Aerospace eBusiness

Aerospace eBusiness is a website operated by Ludo Van Vooren, a 15-year veteran of the aerospace industry.  Mr. Van Vooren blogs about eBusiness, Social Media, Internet Marketing, International Business Development, and Online Supply Chain Management.  He now spends the majority of his time developing the Internet as a communications and news vehicle for the aerospace and defense industry.

About Clinkenbeard

Clinkenbeard is a worldwide leader in the rapid production of complex castings and machined parts using a wide variety of plastics and metals. The company’s principal markets include US defense and government, aerospace, aviation, automotive, truck, marine and agricultural. Some of Clinkenbeard’s aerospace and aviation clients include Hamilton Sundstrand, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls Royce. The patented Clinkenbeard® Toolingless Process is industry renown for producing metal castings efficiently, affordably and extremely fast. The process is based on machining sand cores and molds without the expense of tooling. All machining is done using CNC, which produces superior speed and accuracy.

#  #  #

Mark A. Ricotta
815.708.7254
http://www.linkedin.com/in/markricotta

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An article published in the June 2009 issue of Foundry Management and Technology declares an industry in evolution.  The article asserts that speed to market is increasingly becoming an essential measure of success for rapid manufacturing and rapid prototyping companies. . .and their customers.

The article titled,  “Rapid Prototyping Speeds Up,”  spotlights Clinkenbeard’s (Rockford, Illinois, www.clinkenbeard.com ) business practices and operations, such as the company’s patented Clinkenbeard ® Toolingless Process and its “Fasterestest” marketing slogan and lead times, as successful responses to the relatively new yet critically important speed to market requirements of the industry and its customers.

According to the opening paragraph of the story, which was written by FM&T staff:

“Among all the problems that metalcasters face – quality, cost, competition – time wouldn’t seem to be too critical. However, depending on the production program and the technologies in use, time can make the all the difference. In fact, one producer of metal castings (Clinkenbeard) is making a bit of news because it believes speed is the key to its success.”

The entire article can be found here.

For more information, contact Ron Jr. “Reg” Gustafson, 815.226.0291,
reg@clinkenbeard.com

#  #  #

Mark A. Ricotta
815.708.7254
http://www.linkedin.com/in/markricotta

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The activity at the Rockford booth was greater than I ever imagined!

I really did not know what to expect.  And I certainly never expected the level of interest that we experienced.

Rockford first set its sights on aerospace no more than three years ago when in 2006 the Carter*Burgess (now Jacobs Engineering) targeted industry report came back and identified aerospace manufacturing and R&D industry as a potential industry to target for expansion and attraction.

In 2007 Winnebago County did a more comprehensive study of the immediate cluster of aerospace companies within the Rockford Metro Suburban Area.  This study revealed a rather large concentration of 90 aerospace and aviation companies in the immediate Rockford area.

Companies included those engaged in Power Management and distribution, R&D and prototype development, manufacturing of component parts for a diverse number of sub-assembly’s, logistics, and large amount of maintenance and repair operations.

In 2008 RAEDC began discussions with several of its largest investors in the aerospace industry to determine if developing a cluster strategy would make sense for the region.

It was due to and through these conversations that RAEDC received help from SupplyCore to determine that there was an even larger group than thought. In fact, 130 aerospace suppliers existed in the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area.

This aerospace group encouraged RAEDC to attend the Paris Air Show and determine if there was room for Rockford on the global aerospace stage.

I really did not know what to expect.  I never expected to come back with 33 business cards received in conversations at the booth, or in meetings with entities wanting to know more about Rockford.  I never expected the level of interest that we experienced.

I will be presenting our results to key RAEDC volunteers and local aerospace leaders, but I now expect that they will encourage RAEDC to continue our efforts.

I will also expect this will include participation at the Farnborough International Airshow next year from July 19 – 25, 2010 in Farnborough England, asking for DCEO to partner with RAEDC again, working to get more Rockford area companies to attend that air show and then inviting several new leads and prospective clients to come and visit Rockford.

Here is what I found interesting. As I looked around the show I found that the size of our cluster here in greater Rockford region, in total companies, was comparable to several other very well known US locations and several regions in countries that were presenting aerospace for attraction.

WOW!!!  We definitely have something here to crow about in the Rockford region!

I hope that Clinkenbeard and Leading Edge Hydraulics each got what they wanted out of the show.  I believe they did.

I know that while I was in the booth one of Clinkenbeard’s clients came by to introduce himself to Reg Gustafson, Project Manager for Clinkenbeard, and to thank them for quality work on a rebuild of a part for a WWII War Bird. I witnessed another potential client step up and ask about quoting a piece of work.

As I was busy outside in meetings, and in the booth so infrequently, I am sure that other such conversations occurred.

Leading Edge Hydraulics attended the Paris Air Show to research the potential of entering the aerospace market with their products.  My understanding from Russ Dennis, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Leading Edge Hydraulics, is that they came away being favorably impressed as to the potential.

In addition, we were able to publicly announce that Kaney Aerospace was the finalist for a prototype development opportunity for an Australian company, Tigerfish.  We were able to distribute information on Kaney Aerospace to at least one other entity specifically related to their composite capabilities.

Other entities whose information was distributed included: Ingenium, Balanced IT, Emery Air, Chicago Rockford International Airport, Greater Rockford Airport Authority, Northern Illinois University, Rockford College, Rock Valley College, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and Ingersoll Machine Tool.

# # #

With Thanks to Special Guest Author

Eric Voyles, VP
RAEDC
+1-815-987-8118

http://www.rockfordil.com/

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Rockford has definitely taken flight and continues to spread its wings and gain altitude as a result of the recent Paris Air Show.

Rockford Area Economic Development Council’s initiative to contact Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity resulted in sponsorship and private/public support to exhibit and attend the Paris Air Show at the historic 100 year anniversary of Le Bourget Airport in Paris.

Our mission: To inform the world’s aerospace industry that the Rockford Region is a very strong contender as an ideal local for foreign companies seeking a US location for their operations in North America.

Rockford’s impressive  “Aerospace Cluster” was up till now lesser known to the likes of European aerospace suppliers. Raising their profile at the Paris Air show is step one in their long term strategy to be a center of excellence in aerospace.

This was a great experience giving Rockford and the entire State of Illinois great exposure. We certainly raised our profile to the industry.

The Illinois Office of Trade and Investment’s office in Brussels had the pleasure of working with Eric Voyles, VP for Rockford, Russ Dennis, Jr of Leading Edge Hydraulics and Ron Gustafson, Jr of Clinkenbeard who were all working hard from Rockford’s booth to promote the Rockford region and products.

It is in Rockford’s, as well as in Illinois’, best interest to keep up the momentum that has been gained at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget France by having Rockford take off and fly high at the Farnborough International Airshow held next year on July 19 – 25 in Farnborough England.

The Paris Air Show and Farnborough International Airshow, 40 miles southwest of London, England, alternate venues annually.

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Like my father said in his speech before the May 28th press conference announcing the delegation’s trip: What is really exciting about the Paris Air Show is that it is an event that looks to the future of the aerospace and aviation industries with promise, hope and innovation.

These three words. . . promise, hope and innovation. . .  are what I personally believe define the cooperative efforts of our city’s current administration, the work of the city of Rockford, Rockford Area Economic Development Council, the Ill. Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the efforts of Congressman Manzullo and the collective and individual efforts of businesses throughout the Rockford community.

Clinkenbeard is proud to be a party to this public and private alliance that seeks to enhance our community’s economic vitality and works to positively position our community now and for the future. . .and very proud to be part of this Rockford delegation to the show.

I wonder: There are so many innovative, smart and dedicated people in our city and our business community. . .How can we create an even more effective public-private partnership. . . now. . . when we arrive home. . . and for the future?

Once again, thanks to the RAEDC, the city of Rockford, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Congressman Manzullo. . . and of course, to you, dear reader!

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Congratulations to Pratt & Whitney, Hamilton Sundstrand as well as Rockford’s Kaney Aerospace and Woodward Governor in connection with their announcements of new business at the Paris Air Show. Great job, all.

Here’s a question: Would type of additional results would you like to see produced from the first-ever Rockford delegation to the Paris Air Show?

Be specific, if you can.

New business for the Rockford area, for sure, but what do you think we excel in. . .what areas would you like us to develop with new business as a result of our presence at the show?

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