Abstract: Provided herein are an apparatus and method for continuous casting of metal, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method to reduce macrosegregation through a mechanism for controlling the position of a spout tip or diffuser during the casting process to maintain the spout tip or diffuser near the solidification front, location of transition between liquid metal and solid metal in the cast part. An apparatus may include: a mold frame supporting a mold defining a mold cavity; a liquid diffuser; and an actuator configured to move at least one of the mold frame and the liquid diffuser relative to one another, wherein the actuator is configured to move at least one of the mold frame and the liquid diffuser relative to one another in response to a signal from at least one sensor.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus has a control apparatus for monitoring a cooling apparatus for a power electronics arrangement. The control apparatus has an input and an output, which input is configured to receive a temperature signal from a temperature sensor, and to determine a temperature value depending on the temperature signal, and which output is configured to output an output signal. The control apparatus performs the following steps: ascertaining at least twice a temperature value and a time value assigned to the temperature value, ascertaining a difference quotient of the change in the temperature values to the change in the assigned time values, determining the state of the cooling apparatus of the power electronics arrangement depending on the ascertained difference quotient, outputting the output signal depending on the state in order to influence the power electronics arrangement.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object includes detecting, with a thermographic camera, a temperature of a control point within at least one zone of the build material bed, and adjusting a power level supplied to at least one of the lamps of the array of lamps if the detected temperature of the control point of the at least one zone of the build material bed is not equal to a set temperature.

Abstract: A casting mold including a copper plate and a plurality of optical fibers, having a plurality of temperature measuring points for the copper plate while casting. Molten metal is cast into the mold along an axis of, the optical fibers built-in the plate. A method for detecting temperature distribution of a molten metal in a casting mold having at least one copper plate, including determining by calculation or measurement an ideal molten flow of the metal, building-in a plurality of optical fibers into the copper plate based on flow, arranging the optical fibers inside at least the upper part of the copper plate, receiving the measurements of temperatures, and comparing the measurements of temperatures with a calculated/measured distribution of an ideal molten flow.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to control a power system with an energy generator and a hybrid energy storage system. The system includes two or more energy storage system, each with different energy storage capacity and energy discharge capacity. The system includes developing data for one or more control variables refined from expert knowledge, trials and tests; providing the control variables to a fuzzy logic controller with a rule base and membership functions; and controlling the energy generator and the hybrid energy storage system using the fuzzy logic controller.

Abstract: An production apparatus of a semi-solidified metal has a vessel and a cooling device. The vessel into which a liquid-state metal material M is poured has a hollow member which is opened in up and down directions, and a bottom member which can close the lower opening of the hollow member and can be separated from the hollow member. The cooling device can cool the bottom member more than the hollow member.

Abstract: A computer executing a software algorithm may be used to detect a depression in a temperature profile. The temperature profile may be smoothed to eliminate noise. Next, the temperature profile's center may be extracted. A polynomial may be fitted to extracted data. An algorithm used to fit the polynomial may guarantee that the fitted curve's peak may be below the actual temperature data's peak. Next, residuals may be calculated by subtracting the fitted curve from the actual data. If there is a dip at the center, then the residuals in the center may be less than zero. The software algorithm executing on the computer may then make a decision based on a sign of the residuals. For example, residuals less than zero may indicate bar porosity. Residuals above zero may indicate no porosity. The magnitude of the residuals may then be used to classify a size of a detected defect.

Abstract: A casting mold (260) comprises a shell (262) extending from a lower end (264) to an upper end (266) and having: an interior space (280) for casting metal; and an opening (268) for receiving metal to be cast. A plurality of thermocouples (900) are vertically-spaced from each other on the shell.

Abstract: A method for measuring the temperature in a mold by a fiber-optic measurement method and a correspondingly designed mold. For this purpose, light waveguides, through which laser light is conducted, are arranged in grooves in the outside surface of the copper mold plate. The temperature at several measurement points along the measurement fiber is determined by a temperature detection system. In particular, the method makes it possible to achieve much greater local resolution of the temperature measurements than that achieved by thermocouples.

Abstract: A device for die-casting metal material, including a screw unit for bringing the material into a thixotropic state and a cylinder/piston unit fed by the screw unit for applying pressure to the thixotropic material for the die casting, wherein a thermally controllable valve is arranged between the screw unit and the cylinder/piston unit.

Abstract: A system and method for directionally casting an elongated device are provided. The method includes orienting a mold within a furnace such that a first portion of the mold points downward. The first portion of the mold defines a space within the mold used to form a first end of the device. The first end of the device, when formed, has a greater mass than a second end of the device. The method also includes filling the mold with molten metal and lowering the mold out of the furnace into a liquid metal bath to immerse the first portion of the mold in the liquid metal bath. The method includes concurrently lowering the mold and the liquid metal bath to cool the molten metal.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing high-purity aluminum by directional solidification, comprising the steps of: providing 4N to 5N aluminum as raw material, heating the same to a temperature of 670° C. to 730° C., maintaining the temperature for 7 minutes to 80 minutes, cooling the bottom of chamber (3) to allow the aluminum liquid crystallizing in a direction from the bottom to top of the chamber (3) for 1 hour to 8 hours to obtain a crystalline ingot, during the crystallization process of a finished product of crystalline ingot, stifling and heating the aluminum liquid, maintaining a particular temperature gradient of the aluminum liquid, and removing a portion of the crystalline ingot from one end of the ingot, the remaining portion being the high-purity aluminum. Also provided is a smelting furnace, comprising a shell (1), a heating device (2), a chamber (3), a temperature measurement device, a stirring device and a cooling device (6).

Abstract: A system (1) for injecting semisolid metal (3) into a mould (2), comprises —a mould (2) which comprises a mould chamber (16) suitable to receive the metal through a mould injection mouth (17); —at least one press device (4) for pressure-injecting metal (3) in said mould (2); —said at least one press device comprises a cylinder (5) having a substantially vertical axis (X-X) and a mouth (15) for coupling to the injection mouth (17) of said mould (2) and a thrust piston (6) accommodated within said cylinder, defining with said cylinder an injection chamber (7) suitable to contain molten metal (10); —said cylinder (5) having passageways (8) to receive cooling fluid (9) for cooling said molten metal (10) poured into said injection chamber (7) in semisolid metal (3); —a cup (18) for drawing the molten metal (10) and pouring the latter into said injection chamber (7); —a positioning device (11); —said positioning device (11) supporting a blending device (12), said blending device (12) having an active portion (14) a

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for producing motor vehicle chassis parts which can be subjected to tensile stress, compressive stress and torsion and the mechanical strength of which can be adjusted over the respective cross-section, and which furthermore have high ductility and temperature stability and are made of an AlSiZnMg alloy by means of permanent mould casting.

Abstract: A system and method for directionally casting an elongated device are provided. The method includes orienting a mold within a furnace such that a first portion of the mold points downward. The first portion of the mold defines a space within the mold used to form a first end of the device. The first end of the device, when formed, has a greater mass than a second end of the device. The method also includes filling the mold with molten metal and lowering the mold out of the furnace into a liquid metal bath to immerse the first portion of the mold in the liquid metal bath. The method includes concurrently lowering the mold and the liquid metal bath to cool the molten metal.

Abstract: During continuously casting metal strip, delivering molten metal supported on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls, and counter rotating the casting rolls to form metal shells on the casting surfaces brought together at the nip to deliver cast strip downwardly with a controlled amount of mushy material between the metal shells, determining at a reference location downstream from the nip a target temperature for the cast strip corresponding to a desired amount of mushy material between the metal shells of the cast strip, sensing the temperature of the cast strip cast downstream from the nip at the reference location and producing a sensor signal corresponding to the sensed temperature, and causing an actuator to vary the gap at the nip between the casting rolls in response to the sensor signal received from the sensor and processed to determine the temperature difference between the sensed temperature and the target temperature.

Abstract: A computer executing a software algorithm may be used to detect a depression in a temperature profile. The temperature profile may be smoothed to eliminate noise. Next, the temperature profile's center may be extracted. A polynomial may be fitted to extracted data. An algorithm used to fit the polynomial may guarantee that the fitted curve's peak may be below the actual temperature data's peak. Next, residuals may be calculated by subtracting the fitted curve from the actual data. If there is a dip at the center, then the residuals in the center may be less than zero. The software algorithm executing on the computer may then make a decision based on a sign of the residuals. For example, residuals less than zero may indicate bar porosity. Residuals above zero may indicate no porosity. The magnitude of the residuals may then be used to classify a size of a detected defect.

Abstract: A shot tube plunger of a die casting system includes a tip portion and a thermal control scheme at least partially disposed within the shot tube plunger. The thermal control scheme includes a fluid passageway having at least one coiled portion that receives a fluid to adjust a temperature of the shot tube plunger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mould for casting metal, having a plurality of temperature measuring devices (300) that are arranged in a wall (100) of the mould in order to detect the temperature distribution at that location. In order to make it easier to install the plurality of temperature measuring devices in the wall and in order to increase the reliability of the measurement results from said devices, it is proposed according to the invention to arrange the temperature measuring devices (300) such that they are positioned fixedly with respect to one another in a module (400), such that the temperature measuring devices together with the module form a structural unit which can be preassembled before the mould is installed. The structural unit is then fastened in or to the wall of the mould as the mould is being assembled.

Abstract: In a twin roll continuous caster, the contour of the strip cast is controlled during casting by regulating the temperature of temperature-regulating medium circulated through temperature-regulating passages in the casting rolls spaced inward of cooling passages in the circumferential portion adjacent the casting surfaces. The temperature-regulating passages may be positioned in the circumferential portion or in the inner portion of the casting rolls, or both.

Abstract: The method for reducing interstitial elements in alloy castings which comprises the following steps: pouring the alloy for the formation of a casting; and allowing said alloy to cool. According to the method, at least a peripheral region of the casting is heated, so that the flux of interstitial elements is caused towards the at least one peripheral region. The method is achieved where most of the interstitial elements concentrate in at least one region in the surface region of the casting. At later stages these elements can be easily eliminated from the respective regions by means of a thermal surface treatment or surface machining of the casting.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for measuring the temperature field on the surface of casting billet/slab, including: a thermal imager, an infrared radiation thermometer, a mechanical scanning unit, an image and data processing system; the thermal imager, the infrared radiation thermometer and the mechanical scanning unit are respectively connected to the image and data processing system; the infrared radiation thermometer is installed on the mechanical scanning unit and can measure the temperature of casting billet/slab surface by scanning; the thermal imager can measure the temperature of a certain area on the surface of casting billet/slab by thermal imaging.

Abstract: System and method for fusing a chaplet to a casting. The method includes placing the chaplet on an upper surface of a mold; distributing a heater around the chaplet such that the heater is not exposed to the casting; placing a core on the chaplet such that the mold and the core define a component of a machine; heating the chaplet with the heater to a predetermined temperature; and pouring the casting in the mold, around the core and the chaplet, when the chaplet is at the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of direct chill casting a composite metal ingot. The method involves sequentially casting two or more metal layers to form a composite ingot by supplying streams of molten metal to two or more casting chambers within a casting mold of a direct chill casting apparatus. Inlet temperatures of one or more of the streams of molten metal are monitored at a position adjacent to an inlet of a casting chamber fed with the stream, and the inlet temperatures are compared with a predetermined set temperature for the stream to determine if there is any difference. A casting variable that affects molten metal temperatures entering or within the casting chambers (e.g. casting speed) is then adjusted by an amount based on the difference of the compared temperatures to eliminate adverse casting effects caused by the difference of the inlet temperature and the set temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mould for casting metal, having a plurality of temperature measuring devices (300) that are arranged in a wall (100) of the mould in order to detect the temperature distribution at that location. In order to make it easier to install the plurality of temperature measuring devices in the wall and in order to increase the reliability of the measurement results from said devices, it is proposed according to the invention to arrange the temperature measuring devices (300) such that they are positioned fixedly with respect to one another in a module (400), such that the temperature measuring devices together with the module form a structural unit which can be preassembled before the mould is installed. The structural unit is then fastened in or to the wall of the mould as the mould is being assembled.

Abstract: A control method for supplying an inert gas from an inert gas source to a storage container for a molten metal through a gas feed path provided with a flow sensor for monitoring the gas flow rate and a solenoid valve for opening and closing the gas feed path for use with metal molding. The control method includes steps of turning off the solenoid valve if a temperature of the storage container is lower than a preset temperature, and turning off the flow sensor; otherwise turning on the solenoid valve and turning on the flow sensor; and stopping the output of the heater of the storage container when the gas flow rate is lower than the preset amount; these steps are controlled in accordance with a command signal from a controller.

Abstract: The invention presents a method for measuring the temperature in a mold by means of a fiber-optic measurement method and a correspondingly designed mold. For this purpose, light waveguides, through which laser light is conducted, are arranged in grooves in the outside surface of the copper mold plate. The temperature at several measurement points along the measurement fiber is determined by a temperature detection system. In particular, the method makes it possible to achieve much greater local resolution of the temperature measurements than that achieved by thermocouples.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for measuring the temperature field on the surface of casting billet/slab, including: a thermal imager, an infrared radiation thermometer, a mechanical scanning unit, an image and data processing system; the thermal imager, the infrared radiation thermometer and the mechanical scanning unit are respectively connected to the image and data processing system; the infrared radiation thermometer is installed on the mechanical scanning unit and can measure the temperature of casting billet/slab surface by scanning; the thermal imager can measure the temperature of a certain area on the surface of casting billet/slab by thermal imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining the hot tearing susceptibility of metallic melts, comprising a casting mould, which has a first subvolume and a second subvolume, the second subvolume being formed as a tubular portion with a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the first subvolume, comprising a measuring element, which extends into the second end of the tubular portion, and comprising a measuring device for recording a force on the measuring element and/or a change in position of the measuring element in the direction of extent of the tubular portion, the measuring device being coupled with the measuring element. The object of allowing an improved quantitative and qualitative determination of hot tearing susceptibility is achieved by the cross-sectional area of the tubular portion being reduced in the direction of the second end in each and every subportion of the tubular portion that may be selected substantially over the entire length.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wall (100) of a casting die for casting a molten metal. Die walls comprising a front plate (110) with a pocket borehole (112) and a rear plate (120) with a transversal borehole (122) aligned with the pocket borehole, on the cold side of the die front plate, are known in prior art. The aim of the invention is prevent the entrance of cooling liquid from the transition region (115), between the front plate (110) and the rear plate (120), into the pocket borehole (112) or the transversal borehole (122). To this end, a sealing element (140) having a longitudinal borehole is arranged in the transition region (115) in such a way that the longitudinal borehole of the sealing element is at least approximately aligned with the transversal borehole (122) in the rear plate of the die and the pocket borehole (112) in the front plate of the die.

Abstract: A casting method and apparatus are provided capable of producing high-quality castings having extremely few defects attributable to entrainment of gas, oxide film and the like both economically and while conserving energy. Namely, a sealing plate having a seal, an opening and a pressure reduction vent is arranged between a gate of a die cavity and a feeding tube, and the die cavity is depressurized by sealing the gate. Next, the inside of the feeding tube is depressurized through the pressure reduction vent provided in the lower surface of the sealing plate to suck a molten metal, the opening of the sealing plate is moved to between the gate and the feeding tube when the molten metal has entered the pressure reduction vent, and the molten metal is filled into the die cavity due to the pressure difference between the die cavity and the molten metal in the feeding tube. A consumable seal made of a material similar to the molten metal can also be used for the gate seal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing metal bars or ingots. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: To provide a casting mold manufacturing apparatus using steam heating. The apparatus includes a forming die having a cavity, a resin-coated sand supply section for supplying a resin-coated sand into the cavity, a steam supply section for supplying steam into the cavity, and a steam discharge section for discharging the steam from the cavity. At least a portion of the forming die is composed of a porous material having pores with an average diameter smaller than an average particle diameter of the resin-coated sand. At least a portion of the steam is supplied into the cavity through the porous material. Since it is possible to uniformly supply the steam into the cavity, a homogeneous casting mold can be manufactured.

Abstract: A computer executing a software algorithm may be used to detect a depression in a temperature profile. The temperature profile may be smoothed to eliminate noise. Next, the temperature profile's center may be extracted. A polynomial may be fitted to extracted data. An algorithm used to fit the polynomial may guarantee that the fitted curve's peak may be below the actual temperature data's peak. Next, residuals may be calculated by subtracting the fitted curve from the actual data. If there is a dip at the center, then the residuals in the center may be less than zero. The software algorithm executing on the computer may then make a decision based on a sign of the residuals. For example, residuals less than zero may indicate bar porosity. Residuals above zero may indicate no porosity. The magnitude of the residuals may then be used to classify a size of a detected defect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a metal strip (1) by continuous casting. According to said method, a slab (3), preferably a thin slab, is initially cast in a casting machine (2), said slab being deviated from a vertical direction (V) into a horizontal direction (H), and in the direction of transport (F) of the slab (3) arranged behind the casting machine (2), the slab (3) is subjected to a milling operation in the milling machine (4), in which at least one surface of the slab (3), preferably two surfaces which are opposite to each other, are milled. In order to obtain a high economic viability and improved machining parameters when the strips are rolled, the slab (3) is milled as a first mechanical machining step after the slab (3) is deviated in the horizontal direction (H). The slab (3) is cast with a thickness (d) of at least 50 mm and the slab (3) is cast with a mass flow, which is the product of the casting speed and the slab thickness (v×d), of at least 350 m/min×mm.

Abstract: A system and method for injection molding conductive bonding material into a plurality of cavities in a non-rectangular mold is disclosed. The method comprises aligning a fill head with a non-rectangular mold. The non-rectangular mold includes a plurality of cavities. The fill head is placed in substantial contact with the non-rectangular mold. Rotational motion is provided to at least one of the non-rectangular mold and the fill head while the fill head is in substantial contact with the non-rectangular mold. Conductive bonding material is forced out of the fill head toward the non-rectangular mold. The conductive bonding material is provided into at least one cavity of the plurality of cavities contemporaneous with the at least one cavity being in proximity to the fill head.

Abstract: A solidification analysis method of a cast that can predict a molten temperature drop history with fine precision is disclosed. The analysis is performed by considering different latent heat emitting patterns according to the differences of the cooling speeds. An analysis model having a plurality of elements is used. A cooling speed is calculated in each element by performing a calculation of heat transfer between the elements adjacent to each other. A temperature fluctuation range is revised in each element when a temperature fluctuates from emission of solidification latent heat based on the calculated cooling speed and a predetermined fraction solid-temperature curve of a molten alloy. A solidification analysis of the analysis model is performed by using the revised temperature fluctuation range.

Abstract: A model-based strategy is provided for determining casting roll operating temperature in a continuous thin strip casting process. A first temperature sensor produces a first temperature signal indicative of the temperature of cooling liquid supplied to the casting rolls and a second temperature sensor produces a second temperature signal indicative of the temperature of cooling liquid temperature exiting the casting rolls. A computer determines a heat flux value as a function of the first and second temperature signals, and computes the operating temperature of the casting rolls as a function of the heat flux value, the second temperature signal and a number of constants defined by fixed-valued operating parameters of the continuous thin strip casting process. A control strategy is also provided to modify one or more operating parameters of the continuous thin strip casting process as a function of the casting roll temperature.

Abstract: In a battery post burning apparatus, the majority of the heat is supplied to the lead via the mold in which the finished post is being formed. The mold material in contact with the lead has a low thermal mass and high electrical and thermal resistance.

Abstract: A model-based strategy is provided for determining casting roll operating temperature in a continuous thin strip casting process. A first temperature sensor produces a first temperature signal indicative of the temperature of cooling liquid supplied to the casting rolls and a second temperature sensor produces a second temperature signal indicative of the temperature of cooling liquid temperature exiting the casting rolls. A computer determines a heat flux value as a function of the first and second temperature signals, and computes the operating temperature of the casting rolls as a function of the heat flux value, the second temperature signal and a number of constants defined by fixed-valued operating parameters of the continuous thin strip casting process. A control strategy is also provided to modify one or more operating parameters of the continuous thin strip casting process as a function of the casting roll temperature.

Abstract: Spray form cell including a two-wavelength imaging pyrometer adapted to provide real-time measurement of the surface temperature distribution of a metal billet thereby formed. The steel billets may be advantageously used as tools in metal forming processes, injection molding, die casting tooling and other processes that require hard tooling, such as in the automotive industry. The steel billet is formed based on a goal of uniform surface temperature distribution thereby minimizing thermal stresses induced within the steel article thereby produced.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for casting a continuous metal strand, in particular steel, in a continuous casting apparatus having strand parts disposed opposite one another and being fitted with bearings in which guide rollers are mounted, and having actuators by which a gap between respective opposed rollers can be set infinitely variable, and which method includes sensing a value representing a compressive force which occurs in the bearings and feeding said value to a computing unit; comparing the individual measured force values of a roller or of a pair of oppositely disposed rollers with respect to a level of the force; and utilizing at least the relating highest value measured as a command variable for controlling the gap and/or the casting rate and/or the amount of cooling water and/or the melt feed and/or the casting powder feed and/or the mold oscillation.

Abstract: A device for thermal analysis of molten metals comprising two thermocouples is described. It comprises a mould (1) with a spherical cavity (2), the one thermocouple (3) being placed such that it extends over the central portion of the cavity (2), a cylindrical duct (5) which communicates with the cavity (2) and a cylindrical part (7) which communicates with the lower portion of the cavity (2), the other thermocouple (6) being placed in the transition between the cavity (2) and the cylindrical part (7). A process for thermal analysis of molten metals with the aid of the device is also described. The difference in temperature (11) in the temperature/time curve for the thermocouple which is centrally placed and the lower themocouple which is peripherally placed when the solidus temperature determined by means of the centrally placed thermocouple (3) has been reached is used as a measure of the thermal conductivity.

Abstract: In the operation of a horizontal strip casting facility, each lengthwise segment of a metal strip is continuously scanned in a fan shape across the entire width of the metal strip, immediately after emerging from a mold associated with a furnace. An infrared scanner is used to perform the scan, and passes temperature values, taking into consideration the emissivity values corresponding to the material being cast, to a computer. In the computer, on the basis of those temperature values, a color-graded graphic diagram and/or a temperature profile diagram depicting the temperature over the width of the metal strip are created and displayed on at least one monitor. The speed of the metal strip, the volumes of cooling water for the mold, the withdrawal parameters, and the melt temperature in the furnace are controlled as a function of the temperature profile that is ascertained.

Abstract: A casting apparatus for direct chill casting of molten metal includes a mold having an inlet to receive molten metal, a side wall and an outlet for withdrawal of a casting from the mold, a water spraying device positioned to direct water sprays which impinge directly on an outer surface of the casting emerging from the outlet and an infra-red detector positioned adjacent a region in which the water sprays impinge directly upon the outer surface of the casting being withdrawn from the outlet of the mold. The detector is thus exposed to radiation from this region as the casting is cooled by the water sprays, and any molten metal bleeding out from the casting in this region immediately exposes the infra-red detector to high temperature radiation.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively predicting and consequently minimizing the amount of critical phases such as eutectic Al2Cu formed during solidification of Al—Si—Cu alloys used in a vehicle engine component comprises developing a micromodel to simulate microstructure evolution in cast Al—Si or Al—Cu alloys. The micromodel is calibrated using experimental thermal analysis cooling curves and an optimization process. Microstructure evolution and cooling curves are simulated for a casting using the calibrated micromodel. Precipitation of critical phases such as Al2Cu in the casting is predicted as a function of solidification conditions. The model allows casting process variables to be varied with predictable results so that the casting process can be controlled via the micromodel.