Hunter Automation founder, inventor dies
William Allen “Al” Hunter, founder of Schaumburg-based Hunter Automation who pioneered many of the techniques and machine concepts used in the foundry industry, has died at age 89.
Hunter, who died Oct. 29 in Naples, Fla., developed the matchplate molding machine and mold handling system for sand casting. He and his son, Bill, built the first system in 1964, which changed the way sandcasting was done, the company said in a statement. The first machine was sold to Moline Corp. in St. Charles, a malleable iron foundry. Friends and relatives said Hunter was known for his zest for life and his love of invention.
Born on the family farm in Wilkie, Saskatchewan, July 13, 1922, Hunter left home at 17 to work for a meat packing plant in Edmonton, Alberta. In the spring of 1940, he took a training course in airplane mechanics and then joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at 18.
After being released from the military in 1943, Hunter moved to Toronto to enter the university there, working as a floor molder at John T. Hepburn Foundry to pay for his part-time schooling.
In 1957, Hunter moved his family to America and became chief engineer at Beardsley & Piper in Chicago, a leading builder of machinery for metalcasting and inventors of the SandSlinger technique.
At the end of 1963, he left B&P to develop his concept for an automatic matchplate molding system. In March of 1964, he founded Hunter Automated Machinery Corporation.
During his tenure at the head of the company, Hunter formed partnerships and reciprocal agreements with companies worldwide — a tradition that continues today as Hunter Automated seeks to serve its customers’ needs for sand handling, testing, molding and finishing operations. Hunter developed various concepts used every day in foundry operations, including multi-level mold handling systems and automatic coresetters.
In 1988, Hunter turned over the operations to his son Bill, wishing to devote more time to his design and invention activities.
He was a member of the American Foundry Society since 1960, was presented with the society’s Management Service Citation in 1990 and received the foundry industry’s prestigious Grede Award in 2001. He held over 80 patents.
Hunter is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, whom he married 1943. Suriviors include his children, Bill, Dianne, Linda and Heather; their spouses; 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
The Hunter family asks that interested parties contribute in Hunter’s memory to the Foundry Educational Foundation, c/o AFS, 1695 N. Penny Lane, Schaumburg, IL 60173 or at www.fefinc.com.