Tyler Union partnered with Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, to help students in the mechanical engineering department complete a long-awaited test. Last summer, the students designed and built a mini cupola furnace featuring a 12” diameter, 72” tall bore, and two tuyeres. They planned to test the finished product in early spring 2024.

Mingzhi Xu, Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Foundry Education Foundation Key Professor, and AIST Foundation Steel Professor at Georgia Southern, was put in touch with Steve Bates, Foundry/Melt Manager at Tyler Union Anniston, who gladly provided four drums of coke for their test run. The test was a great learning experience to help the students continue to improve their build.

Professor Xu and the AFS Student Chapter were excited they could finally test their cupola, thanks to the support from Tyler Union!