Abstract: A system for casting electrodes includes a row of stationary, adjacent, plate casting molds flanked by a launder containing molten metal and a walking beam conveyor. One or two travelling carriages straddle the molds, launder and conveyor. A travelling carriage comprises a pair of rotary dippers, a pair of tipping/dispensers and electrode lifting device. Each dipper scoops a predetermined amount of molten metal from the launder and, while rotating, discharges it into a dispenser. When filled, the dispensers simultaneously tip to fill a mold from both sides of a mold center line over substantially the full length of parallel sidewall portions of the mold, whereby wave action is dampened and molten metal solidifies with even thickness and without flash. The bottom of the mold is water-cooled during casting.

Abstract: A molding process and an apparatus wherein the molds produced in a molding machine are sent past a casting apparatus where casting takes place. Thereafter, the molds with the molding boxes surrounding them, pass through a primary cooling line, at the end of which molds and molding boxes are separated. The molding boxes are returned to the molding machine, while the sand molds with the castings pass through a secondary cooling zone for further cooling. The process allows for a substantially smaller number of molding boxes than previously known molding processes.

Abstract: A charge of melt in an amount sufficient to cast only one mold is admitted to a casting basin from a melt-holding chamber. A casting mold is immersed in the freshly admitted charge and the charge is countergravity cast into the mold by establishing a suitable differential pressure between the mold and the charge. After casting, insufficient charge is left in the casting basin to cast the next mold whereupon the casting basin is supplied with the next fresh charge of the melt for casting the next mold. In this way, a fresh charge of melt is cast into each mold in a series of molds. Each charge of melt may be treated (e.g. nodularized) in-situ in the casting basin such that each mold is filled with a freshly treated (nodularized) charge of melt having an effective concentration of the alloyant therein.

Abstract: A mold casting process comprises, after pouring of a molten metal into a mold, rapidly cooling that surface layer of a cast product which is in contact with a mold, and releasing the resulting product from the mold when the surface layer thereof has been converted into a shell-like solidified layer. Such process is used for casting a mechanical part blank and apparatus for carrying out the process is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a die casting machine in which a plurality of mold opening and closing units each having a pair of metal molds are positioned in suitable positions in the outer periphery of a rotary table and the rotary table is intermittently rotated so as to stop the mold opening and closing units in positions in alignment with associated operation stations.

Abstract: A rotary take-off system comprising an apparatus for removing manufactured objects such as cast metal anodes from a first work station and transporting these objects to a second work station. The first station, at which the object is manufactured, may preferably be a mold located upon a rotatable casting wheel, while the second work station is preferably a quenching medium for cooling and temporarily holding the manufactured object. After the object is manufactured at the first work station it is then transported through an arc of approximately 180.degree. by a pair of rotatable arms to the second work station for further processing. The arms are coupled to a motor which is operated in order to cause the rotation thereof. Within the quenching medium, a pair of pivotably connected hydraulic push arms is positioned, which accept the anode as it drops from the rotatable arms and which thereafter facilitate the sliding and stacking of the completed anodes to a rear portion of the quenching medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production casting of molten metal. In such casting, the molten metal being poured into one cavity may be splashed or overflowed into another adjacent cavity. The invention provides a splash guard which defines a barrier to the molten metal and prevents such inadvertent introduction of the molten metal into an adjacent cavity. The splash guard preferably comprises a substantially solid object made of a material, such as graphite, that retains its structural integrity at high temperatures and upon contact with molten metal, but which does not strongly adhere or bond to the molten metal upon cooling. The invention can be embodied in both manual and automatic casting lines. In a manual casting line, the splash guard may physically contact a surface of the mold to create the molten metal barrier between the cavities.

Abstract: Sand molds stored in a prepour storage system are retrieved and conveyed to a pouring station with a total mold cavity capacity equal to the amount of molten metal to be poured. Despite the fact that the mold cavities vary in size they are delivered to the pouring station in a sequence that accomodates delivery of the molds having variable metal capacity to one of a plurality of cooling conveyor lines so that each cooling line conveys molds which require variable lengths of time to cool before such molds can be conveyed into a punchout where the cope flask is stripped and the sand mass and castings are pushed up from the drag flask and onto a shakeout which conveys sand to a reclaim system and castings to a processing area where the castings are shot blasted, gates and risers are removed, the castings are inspected, flame washed, welded (as needed), ground, chipped, heat treated and then blast cleaned a second time before final grinding, chipping, gauging, final inspection, assembly and storage.

Abstract: Discloses the use of an invertable, double-cavity mould for use in casting anodes to be electro-processed.

Abstract: A plurality of identical green sand molds are sequentially formed by horizontal compaction on automatic mold making machinery. Each mold has a front and back vertical face with a recess formed in the front face and a plurality of down runners formed in the back face. A mold piece insert is formed of a mixture of green sand and a chemical bonding agent, preferably a resin binder and cold set in a pattern box to form the cavities for the cast articles. The mold piece insert is received flush in the mold front face recess with the cavities opening to the front face. A plurality of molds, with inserts, are adjoined in front-to-back relationship with the down runners overlapping the cavities for feeding the molten pour thereto.

Abstract: A production casting line includes a foam pattern former producing destructible foam patterns for the forming of cast parts. A pattern clusters inventory station is provided immediately adjacent to the process line having a plurality of different preformed foam pattern clusters which are immediately available for introduction and insertion into the production line by interposing of the same into the process line. A substantial number of different patterns are stored. The foam patterns are stable, can be inventoried for long periods and are relatively inexpensive. The versatility with the inventoried patterns increases the operating efficiency and reduce the overall cost of the manufacturing operation. The cast line includes flasks within the pattern clusters and are mounted at a receiving station. Sand is compacted about the foam pattern.

Abstract: A method of making a casting comprising the steps of, at a casting station, feeding molten metal from a primary source of molten metal into a mould cavity through an ingate below the top of the mould cavity, placing the cavity out of feeding relationship with the primary source by changing the orientation of the cavity relative to the direction of gravity to prevent flow of molten metal from the cavity towards the primary source and to permit of flow of metal from a secondary source to the cavity, the cavity being continuously connected to the primary source during said change of orientation, transferring the mould cavity to a cooling station spaced from the casting station and, at the cooling station, permitting molten metal to flow to the cavity from the secondary source while the metal in the cavity solidifies.

Abstract: A horizontal casting technique and mold for use specifically with shell molds and runner feeder sections. The runner feeder sections are assembled within the shell molds such that the ends of the runner feeder section protrude from the mold and can be flow connected to a runner feeder of an adjacent assembly. A plurality of these assemblies constitute the horizontal mold having a horizontal runner feeder and a plurality of shell molds in spaced, side-by-side relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a particular atmosphere above a predetermined portion of a train of closely spaced open top containers mounted on an endless conveyor chain, comprises a cover plate located at a predetermined distance above a number of such containers and extending before and after such predetermined portion. The cover plate has a predetermined number of ports therein for feeding a gas through the cover plate to progressively develop a particular atmosphere in the containers as they approach the predetermined portion of the endless conveyor and to maintain such atmosphere in the containers as they pass such predetermined portion.

Abstract: Process for the continuous casting of metal from a substantially stationary vessel wherein molds having elongated pouring basins are filled in increments via a plurality of serially arranged and sequentially actuated pouring spouts.

Abstract: Castings are produced by sandwiching a central mould part 10 between two outer mould parts 36, 38 during the casting process. The central mould part 10 is then transfered sequentially from between the outer mould parts 36, 38 and subsequently re-located between the outer mould parts in a vacant, relatively cool, and dry condition for the production of a further casting. In one embodiment a plurality of central mould parts are transferred sequentially from the outer mould parts to a removal station 45, a quenching station 50, and a drying station 70, before being returned to the central mould parts.

Abstract: A method of casting metal straps on lugs of battery cell elements utilizes an electrically heatable mold having a strap cavity section and comprises introducing strap metal into the cavity section, conducting electrical current through the mold for heating the mold to a predetermined temperature in excess of the melting temperature of the strap metal, immersing the element lugs into the cavity, cooling the mold to a temperature below the solidification temperature of the strap metal and removing the element lugs from the cavity with straps cast thereon.

Abstract: For the purpose of pouring a stepwise advanced casting mould consisting of identical, flaskless mould parts having vertical joints at which there are provided inlets or chutes extending from the top surface of the mould to its casting cavities, use is made of a pouring tundish having a slitlike bottom outlet adapted to cover three or more inlets temporarily blocked by an obstruction. After an additive has been fed to the tundish this is being filled with the necessary amount of molten iron which prior to removal of the obstruction gets the opportunity of being merged uniformly with the additive, and possible slag products may at the same time rise to the surface. The pouring tundish may meanwhile be advanced one or more steps together with the casting mould while being in firm contact with its top face.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting parts comprising an open-faced mold which is displaced under a ladle. As the mold cavities, defined in the face of the mold, pass beneath the ladle, each is filled with molten material via a sprue in the bottom of the ladle. The ladle includes a venting conduit positioned within the sprue so that as the molten material empties into a mold cavity from the ladle, the air trapped within the mold cavity is vented through the sprue via the venting conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting straps onto the plate lugs of battery cell elements. The apparatus includes a rotatably indexable table having a plurality of mold and element carrying stations which each are successively indexed through a plurality of operating stations, including an element loading station, an element lug alignment station, a molten-metal pouring station, a lug fluxing station, a casting station, a plurality of mold cooling stations, and an element unloading station. The mold of each table station is adapted for efficient and precisely controlled electrical resistance heating and forced-air cooling during each cycle of operation. In the illustrated embodiment, each table-station mold is successively heated from electrical sources at a plurality of operating stations upon indexing of the respective table station to such operating stations and is cooled by directing air through air-direction tubes mounted on each table station in close proximity to the respective mold.

Abstract: A casting apparatus for casting a spherical metal lumps which includes a plurality of casting molds provided around an intermittent rotary member so as to radially outwardly extend from the rotary member, a control member to successively close the casting molds at an upper position and a position before the upper position in the rotational path of the casting molds and to open the casting molds at a lower position of the rotational path, and a molten metal pouring funnel provided at the upper position for pouring molten metal into the casting molds.

Abstract: For transporting a train (15) of flaskless molds using a simply designed system along a storing, teeming and cooling run or part of a conveyor in a foundry so that the castings are made highly true to size, the forces needed for speeding up and slowing down the mold train (15) are caused to take effect at a desired level on the mold train (15) and, together with the forces acting oppositely to the thermal expansion of the molds (7) within the mold train (15), the forces are transmitted to the full length of the mold train only by the molds (7) themselves.

Abstract: A low pressure casting process using a furnace of the channel-type induction for heating, the furnace power being automatically controlled by direct temperature measuring of the molten metal bath according to the desired casting temperature. The feeding chamber of the furnace is of pressure-type and has a protective gas with a slight over-pressure. The furnace is filled via a syphon-shaped feeding chamber whereby metal is inserted below the level of molten metal in the feeding chamber and the protective gas therein is not affected. An operator starts the casting process whereby a casting mold is closed and assumes a casting position over the casting nozzle from the furnace and metal is forced into the mold. The mold, one of several on a carousel is moved to a station wherein the casting is automatically discharged to a conveyor belt. The mold next moves to an immersion bath where it is treated, and then to a preparation station wherein it may be cleaned and cores inserted.

Abstract: An improved method is utilized to make an improved mold for forming a plurality of small objects, such as piston rings. The mold is made by stacking a plurality of mold sections formed of gas permeable material, such as CO.sub.2 sand, resin bonded sand or green sand. The stacked mold sections are then clamped together to hold them against movement relative to each other. A wet coating of liquid ceramic material is then applied over the stack of mold sections. This liquid ceramic mold material is dried to form a rigid gas permeable ceramic casing which encloses the stack of mold sections. The rigid casing of ceramic material holds the mold sections against movement relative to each other to prevent break-out of metal from between the mold sections when a flow of molten metal is directed into the mold cavities. Due to the gas permeable construction of both the rigid ceramic casing and the mold sections, gas can readily escape from the mold as the molten metal enters the mold cavities.

Abstract: A method for producing "dogbone" filament fibers having nodules at each end comprising rotating a heat extracting disk having an edge tapering to a narrow peripheral surface and having the peripheral surface notched at intervals with each notch comprising a leading edge, connected to a trailing flat surface, the trailing flat surface supporting an expanded land on the peripheral edge; introducing the rotating disk into the surface of a pool of molten material to form a film of the material on the edge; and removing heat from the film and at least partially solidifying the film on the edge. By the method, the segmented filament fiber products which are produced have a nodule formed on the leading end, a nodule formed on the trailing end, and continuous fiber inbetween, with the general appearance of a dogbone.

Abstract: An ingot casting apparatus having an open top ingot moulds hinged to an endless hauling chain of a conveyer. The conveyer is inclined so that the upper descending branch of the endless chain with the ingot moulds placed thereon is inclined to the horizontal at an angle of 30.degree.-60.degree. . Each ingot mould is formed by a bottom, two longitudinal walls and a single transverse wall. The transverse wall of each ingot mould is provided with an opening for passage of the molten metal. With such an arrangement the cavities of the ingot moulds communicate with one another by means of openings provided in the transverse wall of each ingot mould. Mounted above the ingot moulds arranged on the upper descending branch of the endless chain of the conveyer, below the zone where the molten metal is poured into the ingot moulds, is a water-cooled plate adjoining tightly to the top ribs of the walls of the ingot moulds passing under the plate after the molten metal has been poured into them.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing high strength flexure hinges having use in accelerometers. A source of metal material is splat-cooled after it has been heated to a molten state. An induction heater heats the metal material to the molten state and the molten metal is rapidly cooled while being pressed between two water cooled wheels. The wheels are provided with indentations and protuberances on their surfaces to produce flexure hinges and strengthening beams. A chute is provided to catch the flexures as they leave the wheels preventing damage to them.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous casting of an anode plate into low-rimmed, open molds at the periphery of a rotating wheel, which apparatus comprises a casting ladle fitted adjacent to the molds for pouring molten metal into the molds, a feeding member for filling the casting ladle with molten metal between castings, measuring devices for determining the total weight of the casting ladle before and during casting, and control members for regulating the casting cycle on the basis of the measured total weight of the casting ladle, the casting ladle being fitted to swivel around a substantially vertical shaft between two positions so that the spout of the casting ladle moves with the mold below during the casting cycle and then back to a position above the next mold before the next casting cycle.

Abstract: A novel "cast-on" method and apparatus are disclosed wherein in the preferred embodiment only one major moving part is provided which is indexed through various positions to cast a group or element from a battery plate stack engaged thereby. In the preferred embodiment, a mold carriage block having a plurality of mold voids formed therethrough slidingly reciprocates along a base plate on which are defined fluxing (loading), casting and part-release positions. In the casting position, lead gravitationally siphons into the mold voids defined in the mold carriage through molten lead supply orifices defined in the base plate along which the carriage slides. Once the casting operation is completed, sliding the carriage out of the casting position effectively seals the molten lead supply orifices. The apparatus and method are particularly suited for use by a single operater who manually loads stacks into the apparatus and subsequently unloads completed groups or elements from the apparatus.

Abstract: A foundry for automatically making sand castings, in which a metal casting and sand cake are transferred to a container after partial cooling and are carried with the container to a storage zone to cool for a time independent of any restrictions imposed by the conveying path, conveying speed, or cooling time required by other castings being processed. During handling and cooling, the integrity of the sand cake about the casting is maintained to provide cooling characteristics desirable for complex castings with variations in wall thickness. Specific structures handle and convey the sand cake and casting efficiently and reliably. Associated structure fabricates the sand molds and pours the castings, all in a continuous process.

Abstract: A method for producing flake particles by projecting a continuing stream of molten material upon the surface of a rotating generally circular, heat extracting drum, having a serrated edge with each serration comprising a radial surface and an angularly disposed connecting surface from the base of one radial surface to the peripheral extremity of the adjacent radial surface; and rotating the heat extracting drum at a speed relative to the size and shape of the serrations and relative to the rate of molten material projection to form a discrete flake particle on each angularly disposed surface; followed by removing each particle from the surface after each particle is at least partially solidified; and cooling the particles in a surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A novel "cast-on" method and apparatus are disclosed wherein in the preferred embodiment only one major moving part is provided which is indexed through various positions to cast a group or element from a battery plate stack engaged thereby. In the preferred embodiment, a mold carriage block having a plurality of mold voids formed therethrough slidingly reciprocates along a base plate on which are defined fluxing (loading), casting and part-release positions. In the casting position, lead gravitationally siphons into the mold voids defined in the mold carriage through molten lead supply orifices defined in the base plate along which the carriage slides. Once the casting operation is completed, sliding the carriage out of the casting position effectively seals the molten lead supply orifices. The apparatus and method are particularly suited for use by a single operator who manually loads stacks into the apparatus and subsequently unloads completed groups or elements from the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for manufacturing silicon astings or moldings, having a columnar structure of single-crystal regions of crystal with a preferential crystallographic orientation, and which can be manufactured cheaply and in large numbers in a semi-continuous mode of production. Liquid silicon is cast in a casting station, under an inert gas and preferably under reduced pressure, preferably in graphite molds which are exposed to a temperature gradient of 200.degree. to 1,000.degree. C. After cooling, the silicon is withdrawn automatically via a transport chamber connected to the casting station into special cooling stations, while the casting station is reloaded with an empty mold for repeating the process. The silicon blocks which have preferably been produced by this procedure are use as basic material for inexpensive solar cells having efficiencies of more than 10%, after they have been sawn into individual small wafers and have been doped and lead-bonded.

Abstract: A method for producing metal flake of small length-to-width ratio or small length-to-thickness ratio directly from a pool or like source of molten metal or molten inorganic compound, or from an unconfined drop of molten metal or an unconfined drop of molten inorganic compound having a surface tension and viscosity similar to that of molten metal, consisting of forming such products by the application of a rotating, generally circular serrated edge, heat-extracting disk-like member to the surface of the pool of molten material so as to form the material into discrete flake particles by extracting the flake particles from the supply of molten material; and controlling the final shape of the product by the physical shape of the member, the temperature and material composition of the melt, as well as the velocity of the member in contact with the melt.

Abstract: Gas permeable shell molds and methods of using them for vacuum/inert gas casting of metal are disclosed. The single or multiple cavity gas permeable shell mold described has a riser passage with an open lower end and one or more mold cavities connected to the riser passage by gate passages each having a novel stabilizing screen member with a multiplicity of openings therein extending across it. The screen is preferably in a slanted plane with the bottom portion thereof nearer to the mold cavity.

Abstract: A series of chill mold sections each including a pair of opposed joinder faces each having a partial mold cavity defined therein are arranged to move in an endless path upon a conveyor device during casting. A teeming station and a mold emptying station are located at different points along the endless path of the mold sections and the conveyor device operates to join together the joinder faces of adjacent molds to form a mold cavity therebetween during at least a part of the travel of the mold sections along the endless path including the teeming station with the mold sections being separated from each other by operation of the conveying device during another portion of the endless path including the emptying station.

Abstract: Method for casting a metal. In this method, means is provided for casting the metal melted therein. Means for dispensing the metal to the casting means includes means for receiving a predetermined amount of the metal in its solid state, means for the passage of the metal from the receiving means, and means associated with the receiving means and operable generally for depositing the metal through the passage means into the casting means. Means is also provided for moving the casting means to a metal casting position when the metal therein is melted.

Abstract: A mould for use in the casting of molten metal, comprises one or more generally vertically disposed mould cavities with an ingate to the or each mould cavity, the ingate communicating with a part of the mould adapted to form part of a runner-feeder and the said part of mould adapted to form part of the runner-feeder being so formed as to provide a weir, whereby with several moulds secured in side-by-side relationship, adjacent said parts of the moulds combine to form a generally horizontal runner-feeder, with a weir between longitudinally successive adjacent ingates, the weir being of a height such that the minimum vertical cross-sectional area of the runner-feeder is not less than the cross-sectional area of the ingate or the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the ingates associates with one mould, and the top of the weir is above the uppermost part of the or each mould cavity, so that with molten metal poured into the runner-feeder, molten metal flows into the well associated with a first mould from where

Abstract: A method and apparatus for grouping metal ingots of predetermined shape into ingot groups each consisting of four ingots and stacking these ingot groups in tiers to form a stack. In the method and apparatus, two kinds of ingot groups of different patterns are automatically alternately stacked in tiers utilizing the movement of a conveyor conveying the ingots, so that dangerous relative sliding movement of the ingots in the stack may not occur during transportation.

Abstract: An improved reinforcing material for concrete is manufactured by causing molten steel to impinge upon a relatively cold metal surface of great cooling capacity, moving rapidly substantially across the direction of delivery of the molten steel, to form at least one discrete relatively thin flake-shaped layer of molten steel on the metal surface, causing the layer to solidify on said metal surface to form a steel flake, and mutually adjusting the parameters which determine the shape and the dimensions of the steel flakes so as to give the flakes a shape tapering towards the ends of the flake and a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, a maximum width of at least about ten times the thickness but at least about 2 mm, and a length of at least about 100 times the thickness.

Abstract: In a casting apparatus using a mould which comprises a horizontal series of identical mould parts and presents at least one casting cavity at each joint between successive mould parts, the mould is advanced stepwise through a pouring station including a pouring sow, the bottom of which rests on the top surface of the mould and has at least one outlet to successively communicate with the inlets of the casting cavities of the mould during the stepwise advance thereof.

Abstract: Molten metal is mold or die cast by contacting the molten metal-contacting surface of the mold or die with a die lubricant or parting agent in the vapor form and in the substantial absence of added liquid lubricant or parting agent prior to introducing the molten metal into contact with the mold or die surface. The contacting of the molten metal-contacting surface of the mold or die with the vaporous lubricant or parting agent is carried out under conditions such that the vaporous lubricant or parting agent applied to or contacting the molten metal-contacting surface of the mold or die undergoes thermal decomposition thereon. The mold or die surface may be a metal or graphite surface and the applied vaporous lubricant or parting agent may be a normally liquid, thermally decomposable organic compound, such as an alkyl phosphate or an aryl phosphate, e.g., tributyl phosphate and tricresyl phosphate.

Abstract: In casting molten metal into open recesses in moving molds for forming plate-shaped metal parts, the molds extend between and are supported on individual links of a pair of laterally spaced link chains forming a conveyor having an upper run and a lower run and trained over a pair of spaced rolls. The upper run of the conveyor in which the molten metal is poured and cooled, travels in a rectilinear horizontal path. The links are supported on hinge pins and rollers mounted on the hinge pins ride along guide rails. Each pair of adjacent molds abut at a joint located in a vertical plane which passes through the hinge pin interconnecting the links supporting the mold. Each mold plate has a transversely arranged separating edge defining a spacer between the recesses in adjacent molds. The separating edge can be located at the end of the mold or at a location intermediate its ends.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of casting molten nonferrous metal ingots, skimming scum foaming on the surface of the molten metal in each mold, cooling the molds to release ingots therefrom, stacking the ingots released from the molds to form ingot stacks each comprising a plurality of layers of ingots arranged in vertically stacked relation alternately in two different patterns, weighing the ingot stacks, and tightly binding the weighed ingot stacks with steel bands.

Abstract: A plurality of conveyorized molds, having nugget cavities which are deep compared to their width, are passed beneath a continuously pouring stream of non-ferrous molten metal at a rate of speed such that the cavities are only partially filled to prevent bridging over and freezing together of nuggets in consecutive cavities. Bridging over is further prevented by providing a knife edge surface between consecutive cavities wherein the stream is split between said cavities in such a manner that it is received substantially all within the mold cavities, there being little or no accumulation of metal on the surface of the mold cavities. This apparatus and method of pouring minimizes wetting of the vertical wall portions of the cavities, whereby uniformly shaped nuggets are formed without attendant formation of undesirable risers, sprues or tails which cannot be easily or inexpensively removed from the nuggets.

Abstract: A foundry mold conveyor system for the intermittent movement or indexing of pallets or other mold carriers successively first past a mold receiving station where a foundry sand mold is placed on each empty pallet, then to and through a jacket transfer station where a conventional jacket is placed on each palletized mold, then past a pouring station where each palletized and jacketed mold is poured with molten metal, then back to and through the jacket transfer station where the jacket is lifted from each poured palletized and jacketed mold, then past a mold discharge station where the poured mold is pushed from each pallet, and finally back through the mold receiving station where a fresh sand mold is again placed on each empty pallet.

Abstract: Seamless tubular products made of metal, particularly steel, by the apparatus and method are manufactured by casting molten metal into a round, downwardly converging mold cavity having a coaxial removable cooled core of substantially uniform diameter throughout and which is less than the cavity's minimum diameter, the metal solidifying initially where it contacts the cavity wall and the core with solidification proceeding upwardly with incidental possible formation of pipe in the upper portion of the casting. Prior to the resulting casting cooling below a forging temperature, the core is removed and replaced by a mandrel having a flaring portion and which is pressed into the casting under pressure forging the casting radially outwardly and upwardly against the mold cavity wall with consequent closing and welding of any pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus for pouring metals having a reciprocatory ladle car with two tiltable cradles for removably carrying ladles. The ladles in the two cradles are mirror-inversed and have their pouring spouts directed substantially in the same direction and substantially transverse to the direction of travel of the car. The tilting shafts of the cradles are substantially colinear with the center line of the spouts of the ladles placed in the cradles.