Abstract: A system and method for continuous casting. The system includes a melt chamber, a withdrawal chamber, and a secondary chamber therebetween. The melt chamber can maintain a melting pressure and the withdrawal chamber can attain atmospheric pressure. The secondary chamber can include regions that can be adjusted to different pressures. During continuous casting operations, the first region adjacent to the melt chamber can be adjusted to a pressure that is at least slightly greater than the melting pressure; the pressure in subsequent regions can be sequentially decreased and then sequentially increased. The pressure in the final region can be at least slightly greater than atmospheric pressure. The differential pressures can form a dynamic airlock between the melt chamber and the withdrawal chamber, which can prevent infiltration of the melt chamber by non-inert gas in the atmosphere, and thus can prevent contamination of reactive materials in the melt chamber.

Abstract: A process in direct chill casting wherein molten metal is introduced into a casting mold and cooled by impingement of a liquid coolant on solidifying metal in a casting pit including a movable platen and an occurrence of a bleed-out or run-out is detected the process including exhausting generated gas from the casting pit; and introducing an inert gas into the casting pit, the inert gas having a density less than a density of air; reducing any flow of the liquid coolant.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system including a casting pit; a mold including a reservoir and a cavity; a coolant feed operable to introduce a coolant to a periphery of a metal emerging from the mold cavity; an array of water vapor exhaust ports about at least the top periphery of the casting pit; a mechanism to introduce an inert fluid into the coolant feed. A method for a direct chill casting including, after detecting a bleed out, exhausting generated gas from the casting pit at a flow volume rate that is enhanced relative to a flow volume rate prior to detecting bleed out or run out; introducing an inert gas into the casting pit; and introducing an inert fluid into a coolant feed to the casting mold.

Abstract: A vacuum induction melting and strip casting equipment for rare earth permanent magnetic alloy includes a vacuum induction melting and strip casting chamber, a material receiving heat preservation treatment chamber, a cooling chamber and an isolation valve. The isolation valve is located between the material receiving heat preservation treatment chamber and the cooling chamber, the vacuum induction melting and strip casting chamber is located above the material receiving heat preservation treatment chamber, an outlet of a material guiding tube of the vacuum induction melting and strip casting chamber is corresponding to the material receiving heat preservation treatment chamber. Water-cooled electrodes, a vacuum pumping device, an inert gas introduction pipeline, a temperature measurement mechanism, a pressure gauge, a vacuum gauge and a safety valve are provided on the vacuum induction melting and strip casting chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a die casting apparatus which pumps up molten metal from a molten metal holding furnace through an electromagnetic pump pipe provided with an electromagnetic pump, supplies the pumped-up molten metal to an injection sleeve through the molten metal supply pipe connected with the electromagnetic pump pipe, and a cavity of a die is charged with the molten metal by injecting the molten metal by using an injection tip. An upper end side of the electromagnetic pump pipe and an upper end side of the molten metal supply pipe are connected with each other. The upper end side of the electromagnetic pump pipe is inserted into the upper end side of the molten metal supply pipe, and extends inside the molten metal supply pipe.

Abstract: Provided is a compact casting apparatus capable of producing a high-quality casted product. While the internal pressures of a mold and a hopper are directly reduced by depressurizing means through a pipe and a branch pipe, the mold and the hopper are gradually tilted to fill the mold with a molten metal accommodated in the hopper. After the filling is completed, an open-close gate closes a runner. The molten metal is solidified with only the mold being directly pressured by pressurizing means through the pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum die-casting system and a method for operating a vacuum die-casting system.

Abstract: A molding device for vacuum casting a metal ingot is provided. The mold includes a mold cavity defined by an ingot mold, a core and a bottom. The mold is arranged inside a vacuum-cast enclosure and includes a source of introducing molten metal at the upper portion thereof. A distribution device for receiving and distributing molten metal, which is suitable for receiving the molten steel introduced into the vacuum-cast enclosure and for redistributing the molten metal in the mold cavity, is arranged at the upper portion of the mold cavity. The molten metal is introduced into the enclosure so as to form a first jet of molten steel under a vacuum, in order to pour the molten metal over the distribution device and to form at least one second jet of molten steel under a vacuum, which originates with the distribution device and terminates in the mold cavity so as to fill the mold cavity with molten metal.

Abstract: A system for producing cast components from molten metal. One form of the present invention includes a system for the precision pouring of molten metal within a casting mold. The precision pouring system is driven by a pressure differential.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum die-casting system and a method for operating a vacuum die-casting system.

Abstract: A casting device includes a covered crucible having a top opening and a bottom orifice, a lid covering the top opening, a stopper rod sealing the bottom orifice, and a reusable mold having at least one chamber, a top end of the chamber being open to and positioned below the bottom orifice and a vacuum tap into the chamber being below the top end of the chamber. A casting method includes charging a crucible with a solid material and covering the crucible, heating the crucible, melting the material, evacuating a chamber of a mold to less than 1 atm absolute through a vacuum tap into the chamber, draining the melted material into the evacuated chamber, solidifying the material in the chamber, and removing the solidified material from the chamber without damaging the chamber.

Abstract: A casting device includes a covered crucible having a top opening and a bottom orifice, a lid covering the top opening, a stopper rod sealing the bottom orifice, and a reusable mold having at least one chamber, a top end of the chamber being open to and positioned below the bottom orifice and a vacuum tap into the chamber being below the top end of the chamber. A casting method includes charging a crucible with a solid material and covering the crucible, heating the crucible, melting the material, evacuating a chamber of a mold to less than 1 atm absolute through a vacuum tap into the chamber, draining the melted material into the evacuated chamber, solidifying the material in the chamber, and removing the solidified material from the chamber without damaging the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for casting liquid metals into molds in a casting furnace comprising a controlled environment melt chamber and a mold lock chamber. A mold is supplied to the controlled environment melt chamber for a pour, and removed from the same chamber via a mold lock chamber. A mold transport system moves the mold through the mold lock chamber. The mold transport system comprises a rotary screw drive, a cylinder screw drive, or hydraulic drive located external to the furnace. Alternatively the mold transport system comprises a rack and worm screw drive.

Abstract: A system for producing cast components from molten metal. One form of the present invention includes a system for the precision pouring of molten metal within a casting mold.

Abstract: A seal for a continuous casting furnace having a melting chamber with a mold therein for producing a metal cast includes a passage between the melting chamber and external atmosphere. As the cast moves through the passage, the cast outer surface and the passage inner surface define therebetween a reservoir for containing liquid glass or other molten material to prevent the external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. Particulate material fed into the reservoir is melted by heat from the cast to form the molten material. The molten material coats the cast as it moves through the passage and solidifies to form a coating to protect the hot cast from reacting with the external atmosphere. Preferably, the mold has an inner surface with a cross-sectional shape to define a cross-sectional shape of the cast outer surface whereby these cross-sectional shapes are substantially the same as a cross-sectional shape of the passage inner surface.

Abstract: A diecast machine comprises: a sleeve extending in the vertical direction; a plunger moving upward in the vertical direction inside the sleeve; a mold disposed above an upper side of the sleeve; a case member constituted of a nonconductive member, which covers at least a lower end of the sleeve and forms a closed space including the lower end of the sleeve; a communicating pipe connecting the inside of the closed space to the outside of the closed space; and high-frequency induction coil configured to heat metal material disposed on the plunger from the outside of the case member and melt the metal material.

Abstract: A casting furnace for use in melting and molding metals. The furnace has a mold insertion and withdrawal system attached thereto and incorporates an offset mold elevator for moving a mold up and down from a mold chamber to a furnace chamber while eliminating the need for a pit. The furnace further includes a readily removable chill plate on which the mold rides. An overhead material feed system is also provided.

Abstract: A die casting machine injecting and filling a molten metal into a cavity formed between a pair of dies so as to cast a product, comprising an ejecting pin for ejecting a casting by its front and sticking out inside the cavity and a powder feeder for feeding a powder release agent for promoting release of the casting from the dies, the ejecting pin including a release agent feed path for guiding powder release agent fed from the powder feeder to a front end of the ejecting pin and feeding it to the cavity.

Abstract: A casting furnace for use in melting and molding metals. The furnace has a mold insertion and withdrawal system attached thereto and incorporates an offset mold elevator for moving a mold up and down from a mold chamber to a furnace chamber while eliminating the need for a pit. The furnace further includes a readily removable chill plate on which the mold rides. An overhead material feed system is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for continuously casting a uranium rod so that impurities generated in melting the metallic substance reduced from nuclear spent fuel are easily removed, the molten metal is easily degassed, the oxidation of uranium is prevented, and the molten metal does not remain in a crucible, thereby completely removing the noxious gas, improving the safety of work, allowing the workers to be close to the apparatus, reducing the consumption rate of the inert gas, completely preventing the oxidation of uranium, and being remotely controlled.

Abstract: The present invention proposes an apparatus for casting dental prosthesis capable of preventing troubles or delay of work caused by the breaking of crucibles due to the aging. A management code representing a management number is printed on the upper part of each crucible for melting the casting material. In advance of burning a ring, the crucible paired with the ring is set in a holder 70. The holder 70 with the crucible is rotated by a motor 70, and the management code on the crucible is scanned with a optical sensor 73. Then, the scanned code is decoded into the management number and fed to a crucible identifier 751, which retrieves the cumulative usage count of the crucible from the table held in a usage history record 752. A usage count determiner 753 determines whether or not the usage count is equal to or greater than a preset value.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for continuously casting a uranium rod so that impurities generated in melting the metallic substance reduced from nuclear spent fuel are easily removed, the molten metal is easily degassed, the oxidation of uranium is prevented, and the molten metal does not remain in a crucible, thereby completely removing the noxious gas, improving the safety of work, allowing the workers to be close to the apparatus, reducing the consumption rate of the inert gas, completely preventing the oxidation of uranium, and being remotely controlled.

Abstract: The vacuum induction melting system is designed to be operated in a continuous or semi-continuous manner for extended periods of time for increased efficiency, and makes it possible to easily and quickly remove the induction furnace from the melt chamber when it becomes necessary to replace and rebuild the furnace. The melting system includes a melt chamber which forms an airtight enclosure, with an induction furnace located within the melt chamber. A charging chamber is communicatively connected to the melt chamber adjacent its upper end. The charging chamber includes a door providing access to the interior of the charging chamber so that a charge of raw materials can be placed therein. An isolation valve is located between the melt chamber and the charging chamber and is movable between open and closed positions.

Abstract: The present invention proposes an apparatus for casting dental prosthesis designed to save labor and costly malformations. In a form of the invention, a first arm mechanism 20 for conveying a ring and a second arm mechanism 30 for conveying a crucible are provided to slide along the same guide 27. A ring-placing platform C and a burning unit G are placed across the guide 27, and so are a crucible-placing platform D and a casting unit H. When the arm mechanism 20 places a ring on a lifting stage 44, the lifting stage 44 moves upward to contain the ring in a furnace 41, where the ring is heated to bum off the wax inside. Meanwhile, the arm mechanism 30 places the crucible in a container 50, where alloy ingots are melted. After completing the melting of the alloy ingots and the burning of the ring, the arm mechanism 20 conveys the ring onto the top of the crucible in the container 50.

Abstract: A gravity pour vacuum casting method and apparatus providing uniform set-up provisions for gas permeable molds regardless of mold size, shape, or mold type employed in accordance with the present invention. Apparatus includes a sprue-forming device that when combined with a disposable foundry patter and subsequently invested together as a unit forms a gas permeable mold in accordance with the present invention, and further includes a vacuum chamber configured to match corresponding counterparts of said sprue-forming device.

Abstract: A vacuum induction melting system includes a melt chamber which forms an airtight enclosure, with an induction furnace located within the melt chamber. A mold tunnel is connected to the melt chamber adjacent its lower end, with the mold tunnel including a pour opening which communicates with the melt chamber and through which molten metal poured from the furnace can enter the mold tunnel. A mold carriage is positioned within the mold tunnel for receiving and carrying one or more molds adapted for receiving molten metal. An isolation valve is located between the melt chamber and the mold tunnel for isolating the mold tunnel from the melt chamber to allow for removing the mold carriage from the mold tunnel for loading or unloading of molds thereon. A mold transport assembly is provided for moving the mold carriage from a pouring position within the mold tunnel to a loading position located outside of the mold tunnel.

Abstract: An inlet/outlet pipe extending downward from a bottom face of a body for a ladle is bent at its tip end into an S-shape in an intermediate portion of the pipe, and its tip end is located at a level higher than that of the bent portion. When a negative pressure in the ladle body is increased, a height of range of a molten metal is increased before and after an occurrence of disturbance in the ladle body, so that the negative pressure in the ladle body is made balance with a weight of the molten metal. Thereby, the molten metal is measured and held at a constant volume in the ladle body.

Abstract: A gas permeable ceramic investment mold is disposed in a casting chamber and filled with melt to be solidified via a mold melt inlet, such as for example a mold pour cup adapted to receive the melt from a melting crucible in the casting chamber. After the melt is cast into the hot investment mold in the vacuum casting chamber, a pressure cap is positioned in sealing engagement with the mold melt inlet, and gas pressure is introduced through the pressure cap to provide selective or local gas pressure on the melt in the mold without pressure cracking or other damage to the relatively fragile investment mold, while the casting chamber is maintained under relative vacuum or a different pressure from that in the mold.

Abstract: A metal or alloy is melted in a vaccuum chamber disposed about an end of a shot sleeve. The opposite end of the shot sleeve is communicated to a die cavity between first and second dies which are disposed in ambient air atmosphere. The dies have one or more vacuum seals therebetween extending about the die cavity to isolate the die cavity from the ambient air atmosphere when the dies are closed. A vacuum thereby is provided in the die cavity through the shot sleeve when the vacuum chamber is evacuated despite the dies being disposed in ambient air atmosphere. The first and second dies are opened after the metal or alloy is die cast in the die cavity for ready removal of the cast component from the die cavity directly to the ambient air atmosphere and then to an optional quenchant medium proximate the dies.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing metal matrix composites, each including a porous preform infiltrated with molten metal, includes a programmable, automated arrangement for handling preforms for sequential introduction into a die caster of the system. A preform loader includes a reciprocable loading head which receives each preform from an associated stack, and delivers each preform to a horizontally reciprocable carrier of a preform shuttle. The preform shuttle effects indexed movement of each preform along a substantially horizontal path, through a preheating furnace, and into the die caster. Efficient operation of the system is promoted, while undesirable damage to the relatively brittle porous preforms is avoided.

Abstract: The process serves to produce a directionally solidified casting (20) and uses an alloy located in a casting mold (12). The casting mold (12) is guided from a heating chamber (4) into a cooling chamber (5). The heating chamber (4) is here at a temperature above the liquidus temperature of the alloy, and the cooling chamber (5) is at a temperature below the solidus temperature of the alloy. The heating chamber (4) and the cooling chamber (5) are separated from one another by a baffle (3), aligned transversely to the guidance direction, having an opening (7) for the casting mold (12). When carrying out the process, a solidification front (19) is formed, beneath which the directionally solidified casting (20) is formed. The part of the casting mold (12) which is guided into the cooling chamber (5) is cooled with a flow of inert gas. As a result, castings (20) which are practically free of defects are achieved with high throughput times.

Abstract: A system for die casting including a die having a die cavity. There is also a vacuum chamber and a device for creating a vacuum in the vacuum chamber. The die casting system further includes an injection device for introducing a fluidically based material, such as molten metal, into the die cavity from the vacuum chamber. The injection device is in fluidic communication with the die cavity and is at least partially disposed within the vacuum chamber. The die casting system also includes a device for providing the fluidically based material into the injection device. The providing device is separated from the injection device and is preferably disposed within the vacuum chamber. A method of die casting includes the step of providing, such as by pouring, fluidically based material into an injection device within the vacuum chamber. Then, there is the step of forcing the fluidically based material into the die cavity with the injection device.

Abstract: The casting apparatus has a case defining a casting chamber having an open front provided with a door, and a crucible locatable in the chamber for containing metal loads to be cast. An electrode extends through a wall of the chamber and is connectable to a power source for the formation of an electric arc between the electrode and the load in the crucible. A coupling connects the inside of the chamber to a source of pressurized inert gas or to a vacuum pump. A tubular element for containing a mold is removably accommodatable in the chamber at an opening, which is connected to the atmosphere by a vent valve. A fluid-activated jack is provided for tilting the case for pouring molten metal, from the crucible to the mold contained in the tubular element.

Abstract: A method of making a directionally solidified casting by casting a melt in a mold cavity of an investment mold having a core therein to form an internal casting surface feature involves evacuting the mold cavity while the investment mold is disposed on a chill member with the mold cavity communicating to the chill member, and introducing the melt into the evacuted mold cavity about the core so that the melt contacts the chill member for unidirectional heat removal and directional solidification. Then, gaseous pressure is applied to the melt cast in the mold cavity rapidly enough after introduction in the mold cavity to reduce localized void regions present in the cast melt as a result of surface tension effects between the melt and the core.

Abstract: A method for pressure infiltration casting is provided wherein steps of preheating and evacuating a mold cavity and infiltrant charge are carried out in a separate vessel from a pressure vessel wherein the mold cavity is filled, allowing for rapid finished article throughput. An apparatus for pressure infiltration casting is also provided.

Abstract: A furnace chamber (2) has a lock (14) provided with two sealing plates (18, 22), a melting furnace (3), and a casting mold carrier (25), which can be moved horizontally through the lock (14) in the horizontal direction into a casting position (34) in the furnace chamber. An outer sealing plate (22) is mounted on a first truck (21), carrying a first rail segment (23) for a second truck (24) on the other side of the sealing plate (22), the casting mold carrier (25) being mounted on this second truck. A horizontal drive (27) is used to move the second truck (24) with respect to the first (21), and in the interior of the furnace chamber (2) there is a second rail segment (32) to which the casting mold carrier (25) is transferred from the first rail segment (23). A heating chamber (8) can be raised and lowered above the casting position (34) in the furnace chamber, which is equipped with a filling hole (12) and with heating elements (35, 36, 37).

Abstract: Metal is cast by melting it in a crucible over a hole too small to enable gravity to make the molten metal pass through the hole and with a diameter to length ratio greater than one, after which increased pressure is applied to the metal to drive it through the hole into a mold.

Abstract: A vacuum casting apparatus includes a molten metal passage for delivering molten metal into a sprue of a casting die encapsulated in a enclosure, a cylindrical stoke for communicating the molten metal passage with a reservoir tank, a stoke connecting member for biasing the stoke to a member on which the molten metal passage is formed, an auxiliary flange positioned around the stoke connecting member and contacting a surface of said enclosure, and a flexible plate member for air tightly closing a space between the stoke connecting member and the auxiliary flange.

Abstract: A vacuum-assisted gravity pour casting apparatus (10) has a vacuum housing (12) with a fixed top portion (14) and a moveable bottom portion (16). A lower portion (80) of a filling vessel (62) extends through an opening (30) in the top portion (14) and seals the opening (30) against leakage. The bottom housing portion (16) is supported on a scissors-lift mechanism (48) which lowers and raises the bottom portion (16) to open and close the chamber (20) for cycling molds into and out of the chamber (20). A stopper rod (86) controls the flow of molten metal (M) through a bottom nozzle (70) and into the mold.

Abstract: Metal is cast by melting it in a crucible over a hole too small to enable gravity to make the molten metal pass through the hole, after which increased pressure is applied to the metal to drive it through the hole into a mold.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the repair of single-crystal drive blades, such as turbine blades, in which a sound portion of the blade is inserted into an open bottom of a casting mold in communication with a casting cavity in the mold adopted to the shape of the blade. The molten metal is then cast into the mold to unite with the sound portion and an epitaxial single-crystal solidification of the melt is produced on the sound portion to form the entire blade. A part of the sound portion has an outer surface layer thereof removed to expose a core region which is constituted of substantially pure single crystal material prior to casting. The sound part is secured in a holder which is coupled to the casting mold for only a matter of seconds before the molten metal is cast into the mold.

Abstract: A melting and casting plant for operation at least under a vacuum and having a vacuum chamber. A wall of the vacuum chamber of the plant is angularly fashioned and is composed of a stationary part and of a swivellable part, the swivellable part being hinged to the stationary part. A door (ingot mold door) is provided in the swivellable part. The shape of the chamber wall and a linking axis of the swivellable part are fashioned or arranged, such that, when the chamber is opened, articles situated in the interior of the chamber are readily accessible. In comparison to the prior art, improved operations of the system, particularly regarding the chamber, is possible.

Abstract: Molds for making metallic nuclear fuel rods are provided which present reduced risks to the environment by reducing radioactive waste. In one embodiment, the mold is consumable with the fuel rod, and in another embodiment, part of the mold can be re-used. Several molds can be arranged together in a cascaded manner, if desired, or several long cavities can be integrated in a monolithic multiple cavity re-usable mold.

Abstract: A closed mold assembly having a mold cavity therein, an ingate extending from the mold cavity through the mold assembly with an opening having an outer wall for immersion into a bath of molten metal, and an expendable cap fitting around the outer wall of the ingate having a continuously upward tapering dimension to urge the top larger of the molten metal in a bath away from the ingate opening during the immersion process to minimize impurity inclusion in the mold. The expendable cap is preferably made from a non-contaminating sacrificial material intended to be melted after immersion into the molten metal bath without being detrimental to the quality of the workpiece.

Abstract: The bottom of a solid metal charge melts to fill a form below the charge. During melting, usually, the metal that enters the form remains continuous with an unused solid part of the charge. After cooling, the formed metal is removed together with the unused part of the charge--and usually with the form too. They are separated later or in a different operation, and another charge is positioned immediately for melting into another form, so the useful duty cycle is very high. A preferred form of the invention uses an upper melting chamber and a lower forming chamber, separated by a horizontal wall but communicating by an aperture through the wall. The charge and form are placed against the wall from below to block the aperture. The charge preferably extends up through the aperture into or toward the melting chamber, where an arc electrode or other heater melts the top of the charge, particularly near its center.

Abstract: A metallic mold (1) comprises two mold halves (3,4) which define between them a mold cavity connected to blowing means (56). The mold (1) is vertically movably mounted on a chassis (18) rigidly supporting an aspiration channel (16). To aspirate the metal, the mold is sealingly applied against the channel which is immersed in the bath (62). After filling of the mold cavity, the material solidifies in a constriction (26) of the channel. This permits raising the chassis (18) without the mold cavity emptying. Then, the mold (1) is raised relative to the channel (16) to break the material in the constriction and to let fall back into the bath the material (68) which was in the channel. Demolding is effected by separating the mold halves from each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for the vacuum-assisted, countergravity casting of thin-walled metal parts includes a plurality of expendable casting molds supported on a top side of a reusable drag slab. Each casting mold includes a mold cavity and a mold ingate passage extending from the mold cavity into registry with a respective underlying slab ingate passage that extends between the top side and a bottom side of the drag slab and that optionally includes a molten metal filter therein. When the bottom side of the drag slab is immersed in an underlying molten metal pool with the mold cavities evacuated, the molten metal is drawn upwardly through each slab ingate passage and the molten metal filter therein and then through each mold ingate passage registered therewith into each mold cavity. The molten metal filter in each slab ingate passage removes inclusion-forming impurities from the molten metal as it is drawn upwardly into each mold cavity.

Abstract: A vacuum countergravity casting apparatus includes a vacuum chamber and a gas permeable mold sealingly mounted in the mouth of the chamber and comprising a gas permeable upper mold member and a lower mold member held in sealing engagement at a mold parting plane without glue. To this end, the upper mold member includes an exterior mold surface confronted by the vacuum chamber and a plurality of vacuum passages extending between the exterior mold surface and a bottom parting surface thereof to expose an effective area of the lower mold member to subambient pressure in the chamber sufficient to urge the lower mold member into sealing engagement with the upper mold member at the mold parting plane. The vacuum chamber includes a mold-engaging stop member for engaging the upper mold member and limiting movement of the upper mold member inwardly of the vacuum chamber away from the lower mold member as the latter is urged into sealing engagement therewith.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing an investment casting from molten material by filling a cavity in a mold with the molten material utilizing at least one porous member in the inlet conduit system of the mold, the porous member enabling evacuation of the mold cavity, through the inlet conduit system and the porous member, and having a structure including pores small enough subsequently to support the molten material upon the porous member by surface tension, with the molten material closing off essentially all atmospheric communication between the inside and the outside of the mold cavity, to thereby prevent passage of the molten material into the mold cavity until the method and apparatus subsequently raises the pressure outside the mold to provide a higher pressure outside the mold cavity and create a differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the mold cavity sufficient to overcome the surface tension and urge the molten material to pass through the pores of the porous member and fill the

Abstract: Melting furnace (1) for the production of strand-cast ingots (17, 18) in a protective gas atmosphere, has a charging apparatus (8) for feeding starting material (11) into a melting area (14). Within a melting chamber provided with a chamber floor (2d) and at least one energy source (4,5) there is situated a strand-casting mold (15) for the transformation of the melt to an ingot (17, 18) and underneath the strand-casting mold is disposed an offbearing apparatus (25) for offbearing the ingot, and an offbearing chamber enveloping the ingot and the offbearing apparatus. To solve the problem of operating such a melting furnace virtually continuously, the strand-casting mold (15) together with at least one additional strand-casting mold (16) is disposed in the chamber flow (2d) in such a manner that each of the strand-casting molds (15, 16) can be brought into the drop path of the melt by a preferably horizontal relative movement.