Cast Metals Institute, Inc. - Frequently Asked Questions

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CMI FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

General Course Information

What time do CMI classes start/end? [back to top]
Classes start at 8:15 a.m. on the first day, and 8:30 a.m. on other days. Classes end at 3:15 p.m. each day except the last, which ends at 2:15 p.m. Special start/end times may apply to some courses.

What do I need to bring to class? [back to top]
Just yourself. Books, paper, pens and meals are provided. Safety glasses are required for all laboratory courses. Your course acknowledgement letter will provide specific requirements for some courses, such as a calculator.

What should I wear to class? [back to top]
Dress for CMI classes is casual. Safety glasses are required for all laboratory courses. No open-toed shoes or shorts will be allowed in laboratory areas.

How much time do I need to get to the airport from AFS Headquarters? [back to top]
Travel time to O'Hare Airport is approximately 25-40 minutes depending on traffic conditions. We recommend leaving about 2 hours before your flight to allow time for check-in and car rental return.

Travel time to Midway airport is approximately 45-75 minutes depending on traffic conditions. We recommend leaving about 2-1/2 hours before your flight to allow time for check-in and car rental return.

Can I check my e-mail while I am at AFS Headquarters? [back to top]
Yes. CMI has a wireless internet connection called "surf" that you can log-on to at no charge if you have a computer with a WiFi connection If you don't have your own equipment, two computers are available in our library area that you may use to access the internet.

Types of Courses

Are CMI courses offered at locations other than AFS/CMI Headquarters in Schaumburg/Chicago? [back to top]
Yes, CMI offers courses at many regional locations around the US and Canada. Many of these courses come at the request of our local chapters. Others are hands-on laboratory courses that are held at colleges and universities that have foundry or metalcasting programs.

Does CMI offer hands-on laboratory classes? [back to top]
Yes, CMI still offers hands-on laboratory courses. These courses are held at universities, colleges and tech schools that have foundry facilities and programs. For a complete list of the schools that are affiliated with CMI, please click on CMI Affiliated Schools

Can I take a CMI course via the internet? [back to top]
Yes, many of the courses offered by CMI can be taken on the internet, at your own pace. CMI has partnered with Mohawk College and Banu Learning Systems, LLC to provide quality web-based training programs. Please check our Course Schedule for upcoming internet courses.

Does CMI offer any specialty courses? [back to top]
Yes, in addition to traditional lecture and laboratory courses, CMI offers several metalcasting-related seminars each year. These seminars are held throughout the year and often focus on more specialized subject matter or hot button issues.

Chapter Cosponsored Courses

How do I get a CMI course scheduled in my chapter area? [back to top]
CMI Chapter co-sponsored courses are scheduled at the request of the local AFS Chapter. To request a course offering, contact your chapter education chairman. Click here for contact information for chapter officers.

Can an AFS Chapter cosponsor a CMI laboratory course? [back to top]
CMI can conduct laboratory courses as chapter co-sponsored programs provided there is a school or private facility within the chapter area with the necessary laboratory equipment.

Course Registration

Who do I need to contact to register for a CMI course? [back to top]
To register for a CMI course, contact Jennifer Head at CMI. She can be reached by phone at (800) 537-4237 ext 244, or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Can I register on-line or via the computer? [back to top]
Yes, course registration can be done completely on-line. Just find the course that you want to attend on the CMI website schedule. Click on the course to open the appropriate page. Then simply click on the Add to Cart button and follow the on-screen directions.

Will I get a receipt/confirmation of my registration? [back to top]
Yes. After you have paid for the course, an invoice will be sent to you showing a zero balance. This may take up to 2 weeks. A confirmation letter will also be faxed or e-mailed to you. This letter will contain all of the pertinent information specific to the course including course name, dates, location, start and end times, hotel information and any other important information about the course.

Is there a registration limit for CMI courses? [back to top]
Most CMI courses do not have limits on the maximum number of attendees. However, there may be times when registration is limited by available classroom or laboratory space. It is advisable to register as early as possible to ensure that you have a spot.

What is the last day to register for a course? [back to top]
Course registrations can be taken up until the start of the class, or even in person at the class. Again, it is recommended that you register early in order to guarantee that you receive all course materials, etc.

Hotel Information for Courses Held at AFS Headquarters

What hotel does CMI use for courses held at AFS Headquarters? [back to top]
Quality Inn
600 N. Martingale
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 517-7737

What hotels are close to AFS Headquarters? [back to top]
Quality Inn 847/517-7737
LaQuinta Inn 847/517-8484
Homestead Inn 847/882-6900
Spring Hill Suites 847/995-1500
Wingate Inn 847/882-5000
Amerisuites 847/330-1060
Hampton Inn 847/619-1000
Wyndham Garden 847/605-9222
Hawthorn Suites 847/706-9007
Country Inn Suites 847/839-1010
Comfort Suites 847/330-0133
Marriott 847/995-1500

How do I get to AFS Headquarters from the hotel? [back to top]
From Quality Inn
Exit to Higgins Rd. (West)
Right onto Plum Grove Rd. (North)
You will cross Woodfield, Golf, Remington and State Parkway
Right onto Penny Lane (AFS is second drive on right)
Click here for map

What time do I get the bus from the hotel to AFS Headquarters? [back to top]
The bus leaves the hotel at 8:00 a.m.

Will the hotel pick-up/drop-off at O'Hare International Airport? [back to top]
No, the hotel does not provide shuttle service to O'Hare or Midway Airports. All Star Cab - 847/621-1700. Ask for the AFS Corporate rate.

How do I get to the hotel from Midway Airport? [back to top]
The easiest way is by taxi. Contact information is 847/621-1700.

Directions to CMI

I have never been to CMI Headquarters before. How do I get to your facility? [back to top]

From the North (Milwaukee, Green Bay, etc):
Take I-294 (Tri State Tollway) to I-90 West. Follow I-90 West to Roselle Road exit. At the traffic light, make a left turn onto southbound Roselle Road. At the third traffic light, make a left turn onto Commerce Drive. Follow Commerce Drive to the stop sign at Plum Grove Road. Make a right (south) onto Plum Grove Road. Penny Lane is the first left off of Plum Grove Road. CMI is the second driveway on the right side. Please use the glass entrance door on the west end of the building, next to the brown garage door.

From the South (Bloomington, Peoria, Southern Illinois, etc):
Follow I-55 north to I-355N to IL-53 N. Follow IL-53 North to the exit for IL-72, Higgins Road. At the traffic light, make a left (west) onto Higgins Road. Follow Higgins Road to Plum Grove Road. Make a right (north) onto Plum Grove Road. Follow Plum Grove Road north through two traffic lights. Continue north through two stop signs. After the second stop sign, Penny Lane will be the first street on the right. CMI is the second driveway on the right side. Please use the glass entrance door on the west end of the building, next to the brown garage door.

From the East (Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, etc):
Take I-80/94 west to I-294 (Tri-State Tollway) North. Take I-294 North to I-90 West (Rockford). Follow I-90 West to Roselle Road exit. At the traffic light, make a left turn onto southbound Roselle Road. At the third traffic light, make a left turn onto Commerce Drive. Follow Commerce Drive to the stop sign at Plum Grove Road. Make a right (south) onto Plum Grove Road. Penny Lane is the first left off of Plum Grove Road. CMI is the second driveway on the right side. Please use the glass entrance door on the west end of the building, next to the brown garage door. Please use the glass entrance door on the west end of the building, next to the brown garage door.

From the Northwest (Rockford, Madison, etc):
Take I-90 East to the exit for IL-59. At the light, make a left (north) onto IL-59. Follow IL-59 about 7/10 of a mile north to IL-72 East. Take IL-72 East approximately 5 miles to IL-58 (Golf Road). Make a left (east) onto IL-58, Golf Road. At the 6th traffic light, Make a left (north) onto Plum Grove Road. Continue north through two stop signs. After the second stop sign, Penny Lane will be the first street on the right. CMI is the second driveway on the right side. Please use the glass entrance door on the west end of the building, next to the brown garage door.

From the West (Quad Cities, Iowa, etc)
Take I-80 East to I-55 North to I-355 N to IL-53N. Follow IL-53 North to the exit for IL-72, Higgins Road. At the traffic light, make a left (west) onto Higgins Road. Follow Higgins Road to Plum Grove Road. Make a right (north) onto Plum Grove Road. Follow Plum Grove Road north through two traffic lights. Continue north through two stop signs. After the second stop sign, Penny Lane will be the first street on the right. CMI is the second driveway on the right side. Please use the glass entrance door on the west end of the building, next to the brown garage door.

Is a map available of the Schaumburg area showing where CMI Headquarters is located? [back to top]
A map showing where Schaumburg is within the Chicagoland area is available by clicking here.

An interactive map showing where CMI is located is available by clicking here.

Course Materials for Purchase

I would like to attend an upcoming CMI course, but my schedule will not allow it. Can I purchase the course materials without attending the class? [back to top]
Some of the textbooks that are used for CMI classes are available for purchase through AFS Publications. However, items like class notes, compilations of handouts, etc are not generally available since they are the work and property of the particular author or presenter.

Certification Programs & Scholarships

What are the requirements for a CMI certification? [back to top]
CMI currently offers four different certification programs based on a students specific interest in casting technology. Each of the four programs contains five individual courses and a post-exam. To view a detailed list of courses that will be accepted for each certification program, please click on this link:

CMI Certification Program

What are the areas that I can be certified in? [back to top]
The four certifications currently offered by CMI are as follows:

General Foundry Technology
Mold & Coremaking Technology
Nonferrous Metals Technology
Ferrous Metals Technology

PLEASE NOTE: These certification programs have built-in flexibility, and will enable students to take courses that will best serve their needs.

How long do I have to complete a certification program? [back to top]
All courses and exam must be completed within a five year period of time.

Do internet, in-plant, or video conference courses count towards a certification? [back to top]
Yes, any course taken through CMI will count as long as it falls within the curriculum for that certification.

Do classes I took a long time ago count towards certification? [back to top]
If the course was taken more than five years before completion of the certification program, it will not count.

Are there any additional expenses involved in obtaining certification? [back to top]
There is a $100 testing and administration fee that will be due only at the end of the certification program, once all courses have been completed.

What organizations have utilized the CMI Certification Programs? [back to top]
Here is a sample of some of the companies that have taken advantage of CMI's Certification Programs:

Lodge Manufacturing
Caterpillar Inc.
Joy-Mark
Bay Engineered Castings
Teksid Aluminum Foundry
US Filter
AFS Wisconsin Chapter
Corpus Christi Army Depot
Unimin Corp.
Sparta Foundry
Benton Foundry
Superior Aluminum
Elkhart Brass
Hayes-Lemmerz Cadillac
Bremen Castings
Kohler Co.
Hickman Williams & Co.

Scholarships

Who is eligible for a scholarship? [back to top]
Scholarships are available to any person who is currently working for a foundry or foundry supplier who wishes to take CMI courses, and pursue a certification program through the institute. The person must work for a North American based organization.

What expenses do the scholarships cover? [back to top]
A scholarship through CMI will cover the cost of course tuition for up to 5 courses or through completion of one certification program. Travel expenses associated with these courses are not covered under scholarship programs.

How long does a scholarship last? [back to top]
Scholarships are awarded on a one year basis starting July 1 of each year, and ending on June 30 of the following year. A scholarship renewal form may be completed prior to the expiration of the scholarship. If sufficient progress towards the certification program of choice has been made, a one year renewal may be granted. Scholarship students are encouraged to complete their certification program within two years.

How do I apply for a scholarship? [back to top]
Click on the link for a .PDF version of the scholarship application form. Completed applications will be accepted via standard mail, email, or fax, and should be sent to the attention of Mark Nagel ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Please submit applications by March 31 to be eligible for a scholarship beginning in July.

Contact Information

Can I contact CMI via the internet? [back to top]
For a complete staff directory, click here.

Who do I contact for course information? [back to top]
For additional information, contact Jennifer Head at 800/537-4237 x244.

CMI Hotline

New Metalcasting Process Video Available from CMI

Enter the CMI Course Competition