Abstract: In the vertical die casting device of this invention, the molten metal is poured from the gate into the sleeve with the cavity gate closed by the counter tip; and when filling the cavity with the molten metal, the plunger tip and the counter tip are lowered at the same speed so as not to pressurize the molten metal held between the tips to prevent the temperature reduction of molten metal so that when the counter tip opens the cavity gate with the plunger tip continuing to move down the molten metal can smoothly flow into the cavity.

Abstract: A method of casting including the steps of closing gates with a counter tip after lower and upper molds heated to a predetermined temperature have been clamped, pouring melt into a sleeve in which a plunger tip is lifted a predetermined distance, lowering the plunger tip while displacing the counter tip to a predetermined position to open the gates, which are formed such that the ratio of the volume of products to the cross-sectional area of the gates is 20-40 (i.e. the volume of products/(CM.sup.3) cross-sectional area of gates (CM.sup.2)=20-40), to allow the melt to flow into cavities via the gates by the force of gravity alone with the plunger tip reaching the upper surface of the melt the moment a percentage of the melt placed in the cavities has reached a value between 30 and 70%, and pressure-filling the cavities with the melt by the plunger tip with the melt passing through the gates at 0.4-0.8 m/sec.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for inspecting the quality a casting produced by a die-casting machine, wherein a variety of the operating conditions are monitored in each casting process and thereby the quality of the casting can be judged immediately after the casting.

Abstract: A hyper-eutectic aluminum-silicon based alloy for castings has an essential disadvantage in its poor strength. The present invention provides an alloy comprised of 16-25% Si, 3.0-5.5% Cu, 0.2-0.8% Mg, 0.3-0.8 Mn, not more than 0.25% Ti and not more than 0.3% Fe to remove the above mentioned disadvantage. Another provided alloy containing 0.5-1.5% Zn in addition to the above mentioned ingredients not only removes the above mentioned disadvantage but also improves machinability. A still further provided alloy containing 0.3-2.0% Pb in addition to the first mentioned ingredients not only removes the above essential disadvantage but also improves machinability as well as additionally enhancing the wear resistance. In the disclosed alloys the content of iron as one of the impurities is restricted to a low level, because iron destroys the effect of the invention to remove said disadvantage.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy piston for an internal combustion engine, which has been made wear and seizure resistant by forming an adherent coating on at least the skirt of said piston, by applying thereto an iron-carbon powder containing less than 0.3% by weight of C, the balance being substantially all iron. A film of manganese phosphate may be subsequently applied to said skirt.