Abstract: A mold system and method for forming a casting article for investment casting is disclosed. The mold system includes a mold for receiving therein a selected core chosen from a plurality of varied cores. The mold includes a plurality of separable mold portions that are coupleable together to create the mold and configured to form a sacrificial material from a sacrificial material fluid about the selected core. At least one selected separable mold portion of the plurality of separable mold portions includes a set of varied interchangeable versions of the at least one selected separable mold portion. Each varied interchangeable version of the selected separable mold portion is configured to accommodate a different core of the plurality of varied cores. A number of systems for controlling a temperature of the mold are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixer is disclosed including a sealed mixing chamber having an interior, and a rotating mixing bowl within the interior of the sealed mixing chamber. A stand operatively supports the sealed mixing chamber. The stand includes: a foundation, a mixing chamber base movably coupled to the foundation and positioning the sealed mixing chamber at an angle relative to horizontal, and a linear actuator system configured to move the mixing chamber base relative to the foundation in at least one linear direction. A rotating mixing head is operatively positioned and sealingly disposed within the sealed mixing chamber, the rotating mixing head rotating within the rotating mixing bowl. The mixer and a related method provide for ceramic suspension mixing with reduced cooling and possibly without cooling the suspension.

Abstract: A mixer is disclosed including a sealed mixing chamber having an interior, and a rotating mixing bowl within the interior of the sealed mixing chamber. A stand operatively supports the sealed mixing chamber. The stand includes: a foundation, a mixing chamber base movably coupled to the foundation and positioning the sealed mixing chamber at an angle relative to horizontal, and a linear actuator system configured to move the mixing chamber base relative to the foundation in at least one linear direction. A rotating mixing head is operatively positioned and sealingly disposed within the sealed mixing chamber, the rotating mixing head rotating within the rotating mixing bowl. The mixer and a related method provide for ceramic suspension mixing with reduced cooling and possibly without cooling the suspension.

Abstract: A mixer is disclosed including a sealed mixing chamber having an interior, and a rotating mixing bowl within the interior of the sealed mixing chamber. A stand operatively supports the sealed mixing chamber. The stand includes: a foundation, a mixing chamber base movably coupled to the foundation and positioning the sealed mixing chamber at an angle relative to horizontal, and a linear actuator system configured to move the mixing chamber base relative to the foundation in at least one linear direction. A rotating mixing head is operatively positioned and sealingly disposed within the sealed mixing chamber, the rotating mixing head rotating within the rotating mixing bowl. The mixer and a related method provide for ceramic suspension mixing with reduced cooling and possibly without cooling the suspension.

Abstract: A core for forming a casting article including a sacrificial material about the core is disclosed. The casting article is used for forming a mold for investment casting a component. The core may include a body having an external shape to form at least a section of an internal structure of the component during the investment casting; and a closed loop, core thermal conducting conduit inside a portion of the body. The closed loop, core thermal conducting conduit defines a path for a temperature controlled thermal fluid to pass through the portion of the body to control a temperature of the portion during forming of the casting article. A system may include the core and a thermal fluid controller for controlling the temperature of the thermal fluid. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Vibration systems and systems including vibration systems for filling incomplete components with slurry material are disclosed. The vibration systems may include a vibration platform, and a component retention plate releasably coupled to the vibration platform. The component retention plate may include a plurality of component holders positioned on the component retention plate. Each of the plurality of component holders may receive a distinct, incomplete component in a predetermined orientation. The vibration systems may also include a motor operatively coupled to the vibration platform to vibrate the vibration platform at a predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency may be based on characteristic(s) of each of the incomplete components.

Abstract: An injection mold system for injecting slurry into an internal portion of an injection mold component core is disclosed. The system may include a fill clip for injecting slurry into an internal portion of an injection mold component core including a fill member for injecting slurry into the internal portion of the injection mold component core, and a latch member for removably coupling the fill member with the injection mold component core. The system may also include a fill reservoir for collecting excess slurry from the internal portion of the injection mold component core. The fill reservoir may also redistribute the excess slurry back into the internal portion of the injection mold component core.

Abstract: A core for forming a casting article including a sacrificial material about the core is disclosed. The casting article is used for forming a mold for investment casting a component. The core may include a body having an external shape to form at least a section of an internal structure of the component during the investment casting; and a closed loop, core thermal conducting conduit inside a portion of the body. The closed loop, core thermal conducting conduit defines a path for a temperature controlled thermal fluid to pass through the portion of the body to control a temperature of the portion during forming of the casting article. A system may include the core and a thermal fluid controller for controlling the temperature of the thermal fluid. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mold system and method for forming a casting article for investment casting is disclosed. The mold system includes a mold for receiving therein a selected core chosen from a plurality of varied cores. The mold includes a plurality of separable mold portions that are coupleable together to create the mold and configured to form a sacrificial material from a sacrificial material fluid about the selected core. At least one selected separable mold portion of the plurality of separable mold portions includes a set of varied interchangeable versions of the at least one selected separable mold portion. Each varied interchangeable version of the selected separable mold portion is configured to accommodate a different core of the plurality of varied cores. A number of systems for controlling a temperature of the mold are also disclosed.

Abstract: Vibration systems and systems including vibration systems for filling incomplete components with slurry material are disclosed. The vibration systems may include a vibration platform, and a component retention plate releasably coupled to the vibration platform. The component retention plate may include a plurality of component holders positioned on the component retention plate. Each of the plurality of component holders may receive a distinct, incomplete component in a predetermined orientation. The vibration systems may also include a motor operatively coupled to the vibration platform to vibrate the vibration platform at a predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency may be based on characteristic(s) of each of the incomplete components.

Abstract: A mixer is disclosed including a sealed mixing chamber having an interior, and a rotating mixing bowl within the interior of the sealed mixing chamber. A stand operatively supports the sealed mixing chamber. The stand includes: a foundation, a mixing chamber base movably coupled to the foundation and positioning the sealed mixing chamber at an angle relative to horizontal, and a linear actuator system configured to move the mixing chamber base relative to the foundation in at least one linear direction. A rotating mixing head is operatively positioned and sealingly disposed within the sealed mixing chamber, the rotating mixing head rotating within the rotating mixing bowl. The mixer and a related method provide for ceramic suspension mixing with reduced cooling and possibly without cooling the suspension.

Abstract: An injection mold system for injecting slurry into an internal portion of an injection mold component core is disclosed. The system may include a fill clip for injecting slurry into an internal portion of an injection mold component core including a fill member for injecting slurry into the internal portion of the injection mold component core, and a latch member for removably coupling the fill member with the injection mold component core. The system may also include a fill reservoir for collecting excess slurry from the internal portion of the injection mold component core. The fill reservoir may also redistribute the excess slurry back into the internal portion of the injection mold component core.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a plurality of plates (7, 9, 11, 13) each having first (15, 19) and second (17, 21) heat transfer surfaces on reverse sides. The plates are arranged in a stack with spacings between mutually facing heat transfer surfaces of adjacent plates. Alternate spacings in the stack providing respectively, a first fluid path (51, 52) for a first fluid and a second fluid path (57, 59) for a second fluid. The plates are arranged in a plurality of groups, each comprising at least two plates. Pin means are provided in the form of a plurality of groups of pins (23). The pins of each pin group are arranged to bridge plates of a respective plate group.