Abstract: A method for producing an ultrafine-crystalline alloy ribbon having a structure in which crystal grains having an average grain size of 1-30 nm are dispersed at a ratio of 5-30% by volume in an amorphous matrix ultrafine, comprising the steps of ejecting an alloy melt onto a rotating cooling roll to quench it; forming an easily windable ribbon having such toughness that it is not fractured when bent to a bending radius of 1 mm or less, before the start of winding around a reel; and changing the forming conditions of the ribbon after the start of winding around a reel, to obtain a structure in which ultrafine crystal grains having an average grain size of 1-30 nm are dispersed at a ratio of 5-30% by volume in an amorphous matrix.

Abstract: Provided is a tilt type gravity molding device which requires no riser, prevents increase in length of a sprue runner, suppresses occurrence of clogging of a molten metal, and facilitates temperature control of the molten metal. The tilt type gravity molding device includes: a mold having defined therein a product forming space for forming a molded product, and configured to receive a molten metal from a pouring gate; a ladle including: a storing section capable of storing the molten metal therein; and a plate-like opening/closing body abutting on the mold, and having an injection port capable of being aligned with the pouring gate; and a gas supplying section for supply gas into the product forming space. The ladle is slidably mounted to the mold, and is slidable between an opening state in which the injection port is aligned with the pouring gate, and a closing state in which the plate-like opening/closing body closes the pouring gate.

Abstract: A method of producing a Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) with uniform surface layers is disclosed. First, a low volume fraction compressible discontinuous ceramic fiber paper is set on the base of a mold cavity. Next, an array of reinforcement preform(s) (1×1, 2×2, 4×4, 2×8, etc) are set in the mold on top of the ceramic fiber paper. A top layer of ceramic fiber paper is next placed on the array of reinforcement preforms and the mold cover seals the mold. The reinforcement porous preform(s) are held to the center of the mold cavity when the sealed mold compresses the top and bottom layers of ceramic fiber paper. The ceramic fiber paper exerts an equal and opposite force on the reinforcement preform(s) within the closed mold centering the preform(s) within the mold cavity. The mold cavity is next infiltrated under pressure with molten metal allowing for metal to penetrate into any open porosity of the ceramic fiber paper, reinforcement preform(s), and areas within the mold cavity that contain open spaces.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods and systems for casting articles. One example of a method includes providing and positioning a thermal blanket within a mold cavity and then introducing a molten material into the mold cavity and into contact with the thermal blanket. The method allows the molten material to remain in a molten state during a dwell time that extends from the introduction of the molten material at least until the mold cavity is filled. In another example, a method of using a thermal blanket includes keeping a molten material in a molten state during a dwell time extending from first introduction of the molten material until pressurization. Systems including a variety of mold types, one or more thermal blankets, and in some cases preforms and/or inserts are also provided. Also described is a novel thermal blanket and method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for controlling a molten metal surface in a mold that are effective to various disturbances are provided. The method and the apparatus for controlling a molten metal surface level in a mold according to the present invention perform the following operations of: measuring the molten metal surface level in the mold of a continuous-casting machine; changing a reference position of oscillation of the mold based on the difference between a molten metal surface setting value set in advance as a desired value of the molten metal surface and a measured value of the molten metal surface level; and making the reference position of oscillation follow molten metal surface fluctuations.

Abstract: There is provided a machine for forming metal bars particularly suitable for melting and the subsequent continuous solidification of precious metal such as gold, silver, precious alloys, as well as other pure metals or different alloys, in the form of powder, grits or swarf of various sizes, for producing ingots having weights varying from 50 g to 50 kg. The machine having six operating stations arranged in succession.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the aluminothermic welding of rails, comprising the steps of: triggering an aluminothermic reaction in a crucible (2), casting the metal derived from said reaction into the mold (1), so as to fill the molding cavity starting from the foot of the rail, after filling of the molding cavity, triggering a second aluminothermic reaction above the rail head, and casting the metal derived from said reaction into said molding cavity in the region of the rail head. The invention also concerns a mold (1) adapted to fit over the two rail ends to form a molding cavity (10), comprising a crucible (4) arranged above the region of the rail head so that it is fed with molten metal from the molding cavity (10) via a secondary channel (42).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for controlling the distribution of liquid metal flows of in a crystallizer for the continuous casting of thin slabs. In particular, the process applies to a crystallizer comprising perimetral walls which define a containment volume for a liquid metal bath insertable through a discharger placed in the middle of the bath. The process includes arranging a plurality of electromagnetic brakes, each for generating a braking zone within said bath, and activating these electromagnetic brakes either independently or in groups according to characteristic parameters of the fluid-dynamic conditions of the liquid metal within the bath.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a energy-saving steel production apparatus, including an hot-rolling production line and a continuous casting equipment (5) for producing semi-manufactured products or billets (10), said production line and said equipment facing one each other and being connected through fast transport means (7) moving said billets (10). The invention also relates to a method for processing energy-saving steel, comprising the following steps: a. taking the steel to a casting temperature; b. casting said steel in suitable moulds for obtaining a semi-manufactured product (10); c. transferring directly said casted semi-manufactured product (10) towards a rolling mill through fast transport means; d. taking said semi-manufactured product (10) to a value of temperature corresponding to a maximum value of plasticity; e. subjecting said semi-manufactured product (10) to a rolling process.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a salt core to be introduced into a foundry mold by casting of parts made of aluminum, aluminum alloy, or light alloys obtained according to casting operations in order to form a foundry preform. The core is a salt powder and undergoes for its shaping an isostatic compression of the salt powder. The core obtained with the desired shapes is then introduced into the foundry mold to make the form to be obtained, and the shape resulting from the foundry operation is a preform including the salt powder core obtained by isostatic compression. The preform is then forged with its core at a pressure ranging between 600 and 700 MPa to obtain the final form of the product to be obtained, and the core subsequently removed.

Abstract: A single-crystal seed, apparatus and process for producing a casting having a single-crystal (SX) microstructure. The seed has a geometry that includes a vertex capable of destabilizing an oxide film that forms at the interface between the seed and a molten metal during the casting process, and thereby promotes a continuous single-crystal grain growth and reduces grain misorientation defects that can initiate from the seed/metal interface.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a forming machine without pattern casting, including: a multi-axis motion system; a cutting system, connected with the multi-axis motion system; a driving system, driving the multi-axis motion system to move; and a machining base, wherein the machining base includes a fixing seat and a turnover mechanism, wherein the turnover mechanism is revolvably connected with the fixing seat. Since the forming machine without pattern casting of the disclosure adopts a tilting type and needs no working platform, most of the waste sand grains generated from cutting fall freely into the shakeout groove arranged below the fixing seat, and will not fly into the multi-axis motion system, and will not cause stop failure; thus the precision and service life of the forming machine without pattern casting are improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electromagnetic stirrer uniformly applying an electromagnetic force to each casting mold. The electromagnetic stirrer of the present invention includes a pair of electromagnetic coils including a casting mold(s) between them, wherein an inner winding is applied to outside of each of two of tooth provided to a core of each of the pair of electromagnetic coils, an outer winding is applied to outside of the inner windings, ways of applying current to be applied to the windings are changed depending on the distance of the electromagnetic coils, and the number of the casting molds n, the external size ?, and the width of each of the electromagnetic coils W are defined as n×?<W.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a monolithic hollow body by means of a casting or injection molding process, the manufacturing method contemplating the steps of: producing at least one lost ceramic core that reproduces the shape of at least one internal cavity of the hollow body, introducing the ceramic core inside a first mold that reproduces in negative the external shape of the hollow body, feeding a molten material inside the first mold by means of a casting or injection molding process, letting the material inside the first mold solidify, extracting the hollow body from the first mold, and destroying and removing the ceramic core located inside the hollow body.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a containerless casting forming machine, including: a multi-axis motion system which at least includes an X-axis motion system, a Y-axis motion system and a Z-axis motion system, and a workbench which is below the multi-axis motion system; and further includes: a moving platform system below the workbench, including a moving bracket which can reciprocate along the direction parallel to the X axis, a lifting device provided on the moving bracket, which is used for lifting and supporting the workbench to enable the linkage between the workbench and the moving bracket. The containerless casting forming machine of the disclosure can move the workbench without a lifting tool, and machine a casting mold with a large size and a complex cavity, and causes little pollution to the environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to pliers for clamping plates used in conjunction with a manipulator arm, comprising a rigid frame connected to a carrier such as a rigid stand or robot, and an articulation sub-assembly connected to the frame and comprising a fixed arm, a mobile arm, and a main actuator for displacing the mobile arm in translation or rotation relative to the fixed arm for closing or opening the pliers and respectively clamping the plate assembly between the arms or releasing said assembly, wherein said pliers belong to a family of pliers comprising C- and X-shaped pliers, the frame having a similar shape and appearance for all the pliers of said family. Application mainly in the family of C- and X-shaped resistance-welding pliers having similar and preferably identical frames.

Abstract: A submerged arc welding system includes a robot having a first arm connected to a second arm, and at least one wire supply. A welding torch is connected to a first end of the second arm of the robot. A wire motor is mounted to a second end of the second arm of the robot. The wire motor moves wire from the wire supply along a wire path to the welding torch. The system further includes a flux supply and a flux delivery system configured to move flux from the flux supply along a flux path to the welding torch.

Abstract: A grain starter for use in solidification of molten metallic material forming an article having a directional grain structure and a method for solidifying an article having a directional grain structure with a substantial absence of stray grains. The grain starter comprises a grain-starting material that initiates grain growth in the molten metallic material in a preselected crystallographic direction. The grain-starting material has a melting temperature higher than the metallic material forming the article lest the grain starter be modified by contact with the molten material. The grain starter further includes a feature that modifies heat transfer characteristics of the metallic material in contact with it in order to produce an article having grains oriented in the preselected crystallographic orientation and modifies the profile of the advancing solidification front. The article is substantially free of stray grains not oriented in the preselected crystallographic direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a refractory metal core for use in forming varying thickness microcircuits in turbine engine components, a process for forming the refractory metal core, and a process for forming the turbine engine components. The refractory metal core is used in the casting of a turbine engine component. The core is formed by a sheet of refractory metal material having a curved trailing edge portion integrally formed with a leading edge portion.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for producing a hardwearing or wear-resistant material. In one aspect, a first group of materials comprising zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and one or both of calcium oxide (CaO) and yttrium oxide (Y2O3) may be mixed, heated, and cooled to yield a first mixture. The first mixture may be used to generate granules that may then be mixed with a second group of materials comprising iron, nickel, manganese, titanium, carbon, chromium, and optionally, a paraffin, to yield a second mixture. The second mixture may then be compressed, cast, cooled, and heat treated to yield the hardwearing or wear-resistant material.