Abstract: A decompression path conductance factor calculation device 110 obtains a cavity pressure change characteristic representing a pressure change characteristic of a cavity portion 30 from an exhaust speed of a decompression device 70, a cavity conductance factor, an overflow conductance factor, a decompression path conductance factor, and respective volumes of inside spaces of a cavity portion 30, an overflow portion 50, and a decompression path 60, obtains a decompression path pressure change characteristic representing a pressure change characteristic of the decompression path 60 from the exhaust speed of the decompression device 70, the volume of the inside space of the decompression path 60, and the decompression path conductance factor, and obtains the decompression path conductance factor such that a difference between respective approximate curves representing the obtained cavity pressure change characteristic and the obtained decompression path pressure change characteristic becomes a threshold value or

Abstract: A laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing system for producing a part by creating a power map that is an intelligent feed forward model to control the laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing for producing the part and using the power map to control the laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing for producing the part. This includes an apparatus for producing a part including a powder bed, a laser that produces a laser beam, a proportional integral derivative controller that creates a power map that describes laser power requirements as the laser moves along a path, wherein the laser power requirements prevent defects in the part.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic casting device for a lens monomer and a process thereof. When the lens monomer within a mold cavity reaches a liquid level monitoring point P, the cavity is exactly 50% filled with the lens monomer. The remaining of the casting process will be precisely controlled based on the obtained data from the past process to ensure an exact 100% monomer filling into the cavity.

Abstract: A vacuum sensor system includes a vacuum pump, vacuum tank, solenoid valve, filters, vacuum block, sensors, and a central processing unit (CPU). The vacuum sensor system monitors the performance of a vacuum system connected to a high pressure die casting machine to ensure that the components cast in the mold or die will have a greater yield of acceptable parts. More specifically, the vacuum sensor system uses sensors to monitor and analyze the vacuum pressure at multiple locations to determine which components are clogging and causing a loss of vacuum pressure in the system. When the CPU detects an anomaly in the pressure, the CPU provides notification in one or more of the following ways: sending a command to shut down the die casting machine; visual notification on the screen of the CPU; an audible warning signal; a visual notification on a semaphore installed on the machine; and/or an electronic notification to one or more users via email, text, or other form of telecommunication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabrication of objects retaining nano-scale characteristics. A composition is provided comprising grain growth inhibitor particles in solution with a binding agent in a molten phase. An electric field and a magnetic field are generated with a combined extraction electrode. The composition is electrosprayed from a nozzle with the electric field to form a stream of droplets. The electric field drives the droplets toward a moving stage holding an object comprising successive deposition layers. The magnetic field limits dispersion of the stream of droplets. The stage is moved laterally as the stream of droplets impacts the object to form a current deposition layer of the object. The stage is moved vertically as necessary to maintain a target stand-off distance between the nozzle and a previous deposition layer of the object, based on profile data of the previous deposition layer.

Abstract: A die cast machine for producing a manufactured part includes a fixed die maintaining a fixed position in the die cast machine. The fixed die has an internal fixed die surface. A movable die moves from a first position to a second position in the die cast machine. The movable die has an internal movable die surface. A sprayer applies a die release agent to the internal fixed die surface and the internal movable die surface before operation of the die cast machine. A first thermal imaging apparatus takes thermal images of the fixed die, and a second thermal imaging apparatus takes thermal images of the movable die. Application of die release agent is controlled by the temperatures of the fixed and movable dies as determined by the thermal images.

Abstract: A method for hot-dip coating of a steel strip running in a bath of liquid metal such as zinc, or metal alloy contained in a pan is provided. Dross which are formed during the coating and float at the surface of the bath are moved away from the surface of the strip by at least one inductor. Each inductor produces a sliding electromagnetic field oriented along a given direction and generates a magnetomotive force, and the magnetomotive forces displaced the dross towards a container intended to collect them and/or towards an area of the surface of the bath from which they are discharged. For at least one of the inductors, the direction of the respective sliding electromagnetic field is reversed intermittently so as to modify the flows of the dross inside the pan. A hot dip coating facility is also provided.

Abstract: A method and a machine that account for changes in material properties of molten plastic material during an injection run. If viscosity of the molten plastic material changes during an injection run, a controller alters an injection pressure to ensure that molten plastic material fills a mold cavity within a correct amount of time to prevent part flaws such as short shots or flashing.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a steel strip (1) including a) providing a functional relationship in a machine controller (8) between a slab casting speed (v) or the mass flow as a product of casting speed and strip thickness or as a product of strip speed and strip thickness and the strip temperature (t) downstream of the last rolling stand (7) for a different number (n) of active rolling stands (7) and different final thicknesses, b) determining or specifying the casting speed (v) or the mass flow (v×H) and feeding the determined value into the machine controller (8), and c) determining the optimum number of active rolling stands (7) and the final thicknesses and thickness reductions which can be rolled with them in the rolling train using the functional profiles.

Abstract: A continuous casting plant in particular for long steel products is provided with a mould (1), from which a cast strand (2) is continuously cast. The cast strand (2) is guided along a, in particular curved, guideway formed by guide rollers (11, 12, 13, 14) arranged one after the other, and at the same time in a cooling chamber having spray members. The guide rollers (12, 13, 14) and/or the spray members are contained in a plurality of centring modules (10) or spray modules (3) arranged one after the other and are adjustable in a controlled manner substantially concentrically with respect to the desired axis of the cast strand. As a result, on the one hand, the risk of thermally overloading the rollers and damaging the strand surface is considerably reduced and symmetrical cooling is ensured.

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 method of controlling the operation of an apparatus for making an upper and a lower mold and the apparatus therefore that prevents a mold from having a wrap or a match plate from being damaged. The apparatus controls the forward movement of an upper and a lower squeeze member such that when each moves forward to the match plate by a squeeze device, the difference in the squeeze forces imparted to the upper squeeze member and the squeeze force imparted to the lower squeeze member, is kept within the predetermined tolerance.

Abstract: A hydraulic power unit 15 of a match-plate molding machine comprises a hydraulic pump 20 for supplying oil, a piping system 21, 25, and 26 that fluidly communicates with first and second hydraulic cylinder systems 7 and 10 for supplying the oil from the hydraulic pump 20 to them to perform a squeeze step, an accumulator 22 that is provided within the piping system, first and second electromagnetic directional control valves 23 and 24 for controlling the flow of the oil from the hydraulic pump 20 to the first and second hydraulic cylinder systems 7 and 10, first and second pressure sensors 27 and 28 for measuring pressures of the oil of the first and second hydraulic cylinder systems 7 and 10, and for generating output signals that correspond to the measured value, and a controller 29 for receiving the output signals from the first and second pressure sensors 23 and 24, and for controlling the turns of the first and second electromagnetic directional control valves 23 and 24 based on the output signals and the

Abstract: A molding machine able to stably detect an abnormality of a squeeze pin, for example, a die cast machine having a squeeze pin able to apply pressure to a melt of a cavity repeatedly performing a molding cycle including a pressing process making the squeeze pin advance and applying pressure to the melt of the cavity in a state where the melt is filled in the cavity and a spray process making the squeeze pin advance and performing at least one of lubrication and cooling of the squeeze pin in the state where the melt is not filled in the cavity, and, in the spray process, detecting a stroke of the squeeze pin and detecting an abnormality of the squeeze pin based on a comparison of the detection result about the stroke and a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing molten material into a desired shape comprises a die or mold forming a cavity to receive molten material and to allow its solidification within the cavity. A source of vacuum is connectable to the cavity for sucking air out. A hollow after-pressure cylinder is in communication with the cavity so as to receive a portion of the material. The after-pressure cylinder has a first end for connection to the cavity, and a second, opposite end. In the region of the second end is a connection opening for connecting the vacuum source. An after-pressure piston is moveable in the after-pressure cylinder to press its portion of material into the cavity to compensate for any shrinkage of the material in the cavity. There is a drive for moving the after-pressure piston in its after-pressure cylinder into three different positions, i.e.

Abstract: A die casting machine obtain to obtain a suitable reduced pressure and reliably prevent the entry of molten metal into a valve when reducing the pressure in a cavity and injecting and filling it with a molten metal for casting, provided with the valve for opening and closing an exhaust path, a position detector for detecting an open/closed state of the exhaust path by the valve, an injection apparatus, a position detector for detecting the position of the injection plunger, and a control apparatus for controlling the injection. The control apparatus outputs a control instruction for making it close the exhaust path to the valve when the detected position of the injection plunger reaches a valve closing position set before the speed switching position and stops the drive of the injection plunger when not detecting completion of closure of the exhaust path when the injection plunger reaches the speed switching position.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention utilizes a computer and at least one pressure transducer for monitoring vacuum parameters in the operation of a die casting machine. A profile of the vacuum measurements are generated as a function of time and are graphically displayed on a shot monitor. The computer is optionally programmed with operator defined traces for comparison with acquired data profiles to segregate parts based on the comparison values.

Abstract: A mold spraying system for emitting one or more sprayable materials onto portions of a mold, such as a die-cast mold, while the mold is located in a molding machine. The spraying system has an emitter, such as a spray head, for directing the one or more materials onto portions of each half of the mold when the mold is in an opened position between molding cycles of the molding machine. The spray head is connected to a manipulator for positioning the spray head between the mold halves. A pressure boosting unit is employed to ensure that the sprayable materials are supplied to the spray head at a sufficient pressure, notwithstanding any system pressure losses and/or the high frequency of spraying operations required to be performed as a result of a short molding machine cycle.

Abstract: The venting valve assembly for casting moulds comprises a venting valve for closing a venting channel. The venting valve comprises a valve housing in which a closure member is received that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The closure member can be frictionally locked in its open position and simultaneously biased in closing direction. For frictionally locking the closure member, a chamber is provided that can be put under a hydraulic overpressure. The chamber has a wall portion that bulges towards the closure member in response to the overpressure. The wall portion is resilient such that it moves back to a position releasing the closure member once the overpressure in the chamber is reduced. For reducing the pressure in the chamber, a release valve is provided which is controlled by a sensor detecting any casting material penetrating into the venting channel. The biasing of the closure member in closing direction is performed pneumatically.

Abstract: A die-casting machine provided with a sleeve through which molding material is injected into a cavity formed by a pair of mold dies, an injection plunger slidably mounted in the sleeve, an injection cylinder having an injection piston connected through a piston rod with the injection plunger, and a boost cylinder formed with an inner diameter larger than that of the injection cylinder and mounted adjacent to the injection cylinder thereon in a side opposite to the piston rod, wherein the injection cylinder and boost cylinder are communicated with a conduit connected to each hydraulic chamber on a piston rod side of the cylinders and connected to a flow rate control valve arranged on a side of meter out with respect to the cylinders, thereby controlling a speed of the injection plunger in accordance with a flow rate of pressurized oil flowing in said valve, wherein the machine further provides a switching valve for supplying pressurized oil to the boost cylinder when reaction forces acting on the injection plu

Abstract: When casting e.g. aluminium alloy in a mould (2), that may be one of a string of moulds extending at right angles to the plane of the drawing, the pressure used for filling the mould (2) against gravity by a pressurizing device (4) is controlled according to a predetermined pressure/time programme having previously been read into a control unit (22), e.g. a digital computer, at least one of a number of sensors sensing pressure (8), levels (9,10) and full level (11) being used to supply inputs to the control unit (22). Sensors are chosen according to need for each particular casting programme.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a low-pressure die casting machine wherein the pressure within the dies more accurately tracks the desired recipe pressure. The control system senses pressure in the dies and compares the sensed pressure to desired pressure. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure be indicative of a problem in the casting operation, subsequent casting cycles are prevented. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure be indicative of a potential catastrophic failure, the current casting cycle is immediately terminated, thereby minimizing the possibility of catastrophic failure. The control system has commercially available and easily replaceable components and, thus, can be quickly repaired to reduce machine downtime should any component fail.

Abstract: A multiple-slide die-casting machine is equipped with improved mechanical structure and unique injection control system to improve the quality of molded products, to achieve flash free castings of improved surface finish. The clamping assemblies are mounted on one side of a base plate of the machine for applying clamping force to the mold sections in a preloaded state. A reinforcement ring interconnects the clamping assemblies to inhibit deflection of the base plate and the brackets which support the clamping assemblies so that an accurate parting line between the contacting surfaces of mold sections is insured.

Abstract: Spraycasting method involves directing an atomized metal or alloy spray at a collector disposed in a spray chamber and controlling temperature of the spray in flight in the spray chamber and of the atomized metal or alloy as it is deposited on the collector by a spray chamber pressure control technique that involves in-situ evacuation of the spray chamber during spray deposition to a maintain spray chamber gas partial pressure less than about 400 torr. Such low spray chamber gas partial pressure provides a higher temperature of the atomized spray in flight in the spray chamber and of the sprayed material as it is deposited on a collector in the spray chamber effective to reduce deposit porosity, reduce grain layering or banding, and provide a uniform grain through the thickness of the deposit.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a low-pressure die casting machine wherein the pressure within the dies more accurately tracks the desired recipe pressure. The control system senses pressure in the dies and compares the sensed pressure to desired pressure. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure be indicative of a problem in the casting operation, subsequent casting cycles are prevented. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure by indicative of a potential catastrophic failure, the current casting cycle is immediately terminated, thereby minimizing the possibility of catastrophic failure. The control system has commercially available and easily replaceable components and, thus, can be quickly repaired to reduce machine downtime should any component fail.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a low-pressure die casting machine wherein the pressure within the dies more accurately tracks the desired recipe pressure. The control system senses pressure in the dies and compares the sensed pressure to desired pressure. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure be indicative of a problem in the casting operation, subsequent casting cycles are prevented. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure be indicative of a potential catastrophic failure, the current casting cycle is immediately terminated, thereby minimizing the possibility of catastrophic failure. The control system has commercially available and easily replaceable components and, thus, can be quickly repaired to reduce machine downtime should any component fail.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a low-pressure die casting machine wherein the pressure within the dies more accurately tracks the desired recipe pressure. The control system senses pressure in the dies and compares the sensed pressure to desired pressure. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure be indicative of a problem in the casting operation, subsequent casting cycles are prevented. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure be indicative of a potential catastrophic failure, the current casting cycle is immediately terminated, thereby minimizing the possibility of catastrophic failure. The control system has commercially available and easily replaceable components and, thus, can be quickly repaired to reduce machine downtime should any component fail.