With Measuring, Testing, Inspecting, Or Condition Determination Patents (Class 164/4.1)
  • Patent number: 8056603
    Abstract: A method for producing a casting die by simple work without requiring any high work skill in which the working days required for producing the casting die can be shortened greatly. A die model suitably employed in this production method, an NC processing system and a processing robot are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: Kamiita Seiki Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Mold Technical Office Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Omata, Toshio Iwasawa
  • Patent number: 8056604
    Abstract: A test casting is useful for predicting the severity of skin that will form when compacted graphite iron or ductile iron is cast using a selected foundry mix. The mold is made from the foundry mix and has a gating system with at least two ingates, and with a hollow cylindrical shape associated with each ingate. The hollow cylindrical shapes are substantially the same height, but the diameter of each varies by at least 20% from the diameter of any of the other cylindrical shapes. Molten metal poured into the gating system fills each of the hollow cylindrical shapes. When the metal cools and solidifies, a solid cylinder of the metal is produced in each hollow cylindrical shape. The solid metal cylinders, each with a distinct diameter, are cut and inspected to measure the skin formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ask Chemicals L.P.
    Inventors: Flavia Cunha Duncan, Jorg Kroker, Steven Johnston
  • Patent number: 8047258
    Abstract: A die casting method for use with semi-solid metal billets allows the removal of air from portions of the billet as it is compressed and deformed to flow into a cavity of a die. The die is formed in a manner that captures other potential defects and impurities in portions of the finished die cast product that can easily be removed subsequent to the completion of the die casting operation. The air is removed through passages formed in a generally cylindrical rod that extends through a second surface of the die to allow the air to flow from pockets formed by a concavity of the billet and through the air conduit to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Randall J. Zeimet, Mark P. Potratz
  • Publication number: 20110233803
    Abstract: A metal mold holding method includes: rotating a metal mold by a first rotating portion; rotating a holding member by a second rotating portion in the same direction as that of the metal mold such that a difference between a speed of rotation of the holding member and that of the metal mold which rotates is smaller than a difference between the speed of rotation of the holding member and that of the metal mold in a case where the speed of rotation of the metal mold is zero; and holding the metal mold which rotates by the holding member which rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuji HARA
  • Publication number: 20110214830
    Abstract: To produce hollow ingots, at least two consumable electrodes having a diameter of at least 1.0 times the wall thickness of the hollow ingots are melted in a short, water-cooled mold that is flared particularly in a T-shape in the area of the consumable electrodes, wherein the inner wall of the hollow ingot is formed by a mandrel with a conicity of at least 1.5% that is installed in the mold from above, and the level of the liquid heel is maintained below the T-shaped flaring of the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: INTECO SPECIAL MELTING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Harald HOLZGRUBER, Michael BREITLER, Bertram OFNER
  • Publication number: 20110203759
    Abstract: A die casting process using pattern recognition techniques to identify those die castings manufactured under conditions likely to produce a die,casting which would subsequently prove unacceptable for use. By promptly identifying such die castings, they may be discarded before being shipped to a remote facility for further processing. As a result, the rejection rate of die castings at the remote facility may be reduced and the raw materials used to form the discarded die castings may be more readily recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: PACE INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Arnie Fulton, Yan Zhu, Michael Bomar
  • Publication number: 20110198050
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Wagstaff, Aaron David Sinden, Todd F. Bischoff, Eric Ball, Jeff McDermott
  • Patent number: 7984747
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Takeuchi, Mamoru Miyagawa, Ikuo Uwadaira
  • Publication number: 20110174457
    Abstract: A process for optimizing steel fabrication. The process includes optimization of treatment in the ladle based on accurate determination of steel weight, slag carryover and furnace heel. The unification of the dip test process together with ladle profiling using information from the slag, side and bottom regions of the ladle results in the quantitative determination of key factors to optimize steel composition with minimum slag carryover in the absence of scales to determine required masses of metal charge and ladle weight as examples. Caprices of the process include significant improvements in ladle refractory and specification steel quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: EVRAZ INC. NA CANADA
    Inventors: Sunday ABRAHAM, Shaojie CHEN
  • Patent number: 7971627
    Abstract: A process and a device for easily and rapidly producing a metal sample for analysis for determining the content of impurities in a molten metal with high accuracy. More particularly, according to the metal sample production process, a metal sample for high accuracy analysis is produced by solidifying a collected molten metal without segregating impurities contained in a molten metal, by rapidly cooling a collected molten metal using a metal sample production device having a thin-walled mold having a thin sample collection space for collecting a molten metal, and an opening/closing operation part with which the mold can be freely opened/closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuji Kawashima
  • Publication number: 20110139392
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: SMS SIEMAG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Matthias Arzberger, Dirk Lieftucht
  • Patent number: 7958927
    Abstract: A die casting process using pattern recognition techniques to identify those die castings manufactured under conditions likely to produce a die casting which would subsequently prove unacceptable for use. By promptly identifying such die castings, they may be discarded before being shipped to a remote facility for further processing. As a result, the rejection rate of die castings at the remote facility may be reduced and the raw materials used to form the discarded die castings may be more readily recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Pace Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Arnie Fulton, Yan Zhu, Michael Bomar
  • Patent number: 7942987
    Abstract: A digital manufacturing system comprises a build chamber, a build platform disposed within the build chamber, at least one extrusion line configured to heat a metal-based alloy up to a temperature between solidus and liquidus temperatures of the metal-based alloy, a deposition head disposed within the build chamber and configured to deposit the heated metal-based alloy onto the build platform in a predetermined pattern, an umbilical having a first end located outside of the build chamber and a second end connected to the deposition head, and at least one gantry assembly configured to cause relative motion between the build platform and the deposition head within the build chamber, where the at least one gantry assembly comprises a motor disposed outside of the build chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Scott Crump, J. Samuel Batchelder, Timothy Sampson, Robert L. Zinniel, John Barnett
  • Patent number: 7942187
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mold, including steps of (a) expanding a powder mixture containing a water-soluble inorganic salt powder and a water-soluble organic polymer powder in a plane on a table and then selectively spraying a spray liquid containing at least one selected from a water-miscible organic solvent and water through a nozzle on this powder mixture layer to make a bonding strength among particles of the powder mixture in a sprayed region higher than that among particles of the powder mixture in an unsprayed region, (b) further expanding the powder mixture on the powder mixture layer after spraying and then selectively spraying the spray liquid through the nozzle on this powder mixture layer, (c) repeatedly conducting the step (b) over several times to form a mold shaped by the sprayed regions, and (d) taking out the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Tomita Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoji Marutani, Minoru Tomita, Hisaaki Hashimoto, Tomohide Koizumi, Kazuhiko Tamagawa, Akira Ookubo, Nozomu Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20110100578
    Abstract: In production of a mold with the reclaimed spherical molding sand having a sphericity of 0.95 or more and mainly composed of Al2O3 together with the binder containing the acid-hardening resin and the hardening agent (I), at least one of the hardening agents (I) and (II) that is used in production of a mold from which the reclaimed molding sand is obtained contains the organic sulfonic acid, and in the hardening agent, a content of sulfuric acid is not more than 5% by weight and a content of phosphoric acid is not more than 5% by weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Ina, Shigeo Nakai, Toshiki Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20110094697
    Abstract: In the sand core 10, the tar reducing agent is included in at least the second coating layer 13, which is the outermost layer, of the coating layers 12 and 13. Thus, the tar, which may be generated from the core body 11 and the coating layers 12 and 13 which are positioned thereinside, can be decomposed into low molecular gases (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water, and the like) by heat of the molten metal. As a result, generation of the tar from the sand core 10 to the outside can be prevented. In this case, since the layer which includes the tar reducing agent is the second coating layer 13 which directly contacts the molten metal, the second coating layer 13 can directly receive the heat of the molten metal, and the tar generation prevention effects can be thereby remarkably obtained. Therefore, generation of defects in cast products which may be caused by clogging in the gas drain can be prevented, and structures of the gas drain of the die and the surroundings thereof can be simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Ueno, Hiromi Fujita, Keita Yoshiara, Ken Tomeba, Hiroshi Furusawa
  • Publication number: 20110056643
    Abstract: A process for preparing a test casting useful for predicting the severity of skin that will form on a casting made of compacted graphite iron or ductile iron and the test casting prepared by the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Flavia Cunha Duncan, Jorg Kroker, Steven Johnston
  • Publication number: 20110000634
    Abstract: A casting machine system includes a first casting machine and a separate second casting machine, wherein the first casting machine is a metal-casting machine and the second casting machine is a plastic-casting machine, or the first casting machine is a plastic-casting machine and the second casting machine is a metal-casting machine. An associated process produces hybrid metal/plastic articles. The casting machine includes a transfer device for transferring a precursor product, produced by a first casting process in the first casting machine, to the second casting machine, in which a hybrid metal/plastic component is formed from the precursor product by a second casting process, and a temperature-regulating device for regulating the temperature of the precursor product in a controllable manner after its removal from the first casting machine, and before starting the second casting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Oskar Frech GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Erhard, Helmar Dannenmann, Juergen Kurz, Knut Morgenstern, Wolfgang Nendel, Tino Zucker, Bernd Zimmer, Martin Kausch
  • Publication number: 20100307708
    Abstract: Unlike related art in which a variety of recycling aluminum materials are directly inputted into a pre-rolling melting furnace, the present invention provides the step of melting used planographic printing plates roughened by hydrochloric acid-based electrolysis in another melting furnace into a recycled metal ingot having a predetermined shape and weight and the step of using the results obtained by analyzing the recycled metal ingot to determine the mix proportions of the recycled metal ingot, the fresh metal ingot, and the trace metal master alloy to be inputted into the pre-rolling melting furnace. As a result, the amount of CO2 produced at the time of manufacture can be greatly reduced, and an aluminum plate having an aluminum purity of 99.0% or higher, which is required in a hydrochloric acid-based electrolytic roughening, can be manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshio OOKISHI, Naoki Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20100308612
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an axle forged from seamless tubes, with a chemical composition suitable to guarantee high fatigue strength, improved yield strength and tensile strength, and having reduced weight for use on railroad vehicles. The present invention further relates to a process of manufacturing the axle forged from seamless steel tube with high fatigue strength, improved yield strength and tensile strength, and having reduced weight for use on railroad vehicles, which is produced from pig iron or scrap, casting, reheating furnace, perforation of billets, elongation of perforated billets, hollow finishing, forging and finish machining, which includes a supporting and centering chamfer at the inner edge of the inspection bore of the end and smooth recess in the entrance of the threaded bores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Ronaldo Faria Antunes, Jose Antonio Filho
  • Publication number: 20100307707
    Abstract: This invention provides a casting method for a casting of high quality and a press for casting such a casting by controlling the speed of the press that presses a mold in the pressing process, after a upper mold overlaps a lower mold. The invention provides a casting method for a casting and the press for that casting method. They use the lower mold having a concave portion that has a shape of a casting, and the upper mold having a convex portion that has a shape of the casting, which convex portion forms a cavity to produce the casting by overlapping the lower mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Junichi Iwasaki, Yutaka Hagata
  • Publication number: 20100282427
    Abstract: A casting furnace for manufacturing a metal casting comprises an interior chamber and a secondary chamber through which the metal casting passes from the interior chamber into external atmosphere. A seal along the secondary chamber surrounds and seals against the metal casting to separate the interior chamber from the external atmosphere in a manner which allows for an extended period of continuous casting. A force producing mechanism typically forces the seal against the metal casting. Multiple seals may be used sequentially to increase the duration of the sealing capability and the continuous casting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC.
    Inventors: MICHAEL P. JACQUES, KUANG-O YU
  • Publication number: 20100276102
    Abstract: A method of making a steel with low carbon less than 0.035% by weight including steps of preparing a heat of molten steel composition in a steelmaking furnace to a tapping temperature as desired for desulfurization at a VTD, tapping open into a ladle the molten steel composition with an oxygen level between about 600 and 1120 ppm, providing slag forming compound to the ladle to form a slag cover over the molten steel composition in the ladle, transporting the molten steel to a VTD, decarburizing the molten steel composition at the VTD by drawing a vacuum of less than 650 millibars, after decarburizing, transporting the molten steel to an LMF and deoxidizing the molten steel composition, after deoxidizing, returning to the VTD to desulfurize and degas the molten steel composition, and casting the molten steel composition to form a steel with low carbon less than 0.035% by weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary McQuillis, Jerome Jenkins, Neal Ross, Dhiren Panda, David John Sosinsky
  • Patent number: 7814959
    Abstract: A process of making a cast metal product and a product made utilizing this process. A pattern used for casting the metal panel is prepared utilizing computer-aided manufacturing software to which a digital representation of an image is inputted. The software then determines a tool path height for each digital element of the digital representation. A pattern blank is placed on a computer-controlled routing table which routs the blank utilizing the tool path determined by the software program to form a three-dimensional representation of the desired image on the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Matthews Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Karenbauer
  • Publication number: 20100243192
    Abstract: A molten metal casting die having a modified surface, a method for making such dies, and a method for making articles of manufacture from such dies is disclosed. The methods are designed to protect die steel surfaces from corrosion by molten metals substantially containing liquid copper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: NONFERROUS MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
    Inventors: Krishnamurty Balasubramanian, Radha Madhab Mohanty
  • Publication number: 20100243191
    Abstract: In a cylinder block manufacturing method, first and second dies and a liner support are provided to form a liner overcast configuration. The first and second dies are positioned with respect to the liner support and a dummy cylinder liner made of an aluminum alloy such that the first die contacts a pressing section of a first axial end of the liner support and a first axially facing end of the dummy cylinder liner, and the second die contacts a second axial end of the liner support and a second axially facing end of the dummy cylinder liner. The first and second dies are preheated to a prescribed temperature with the dummy cylinder liner positioned on the liner support by injecting molten aluminum alloy into a cylinder block molding cavity to form a dummy cylinder block with the dummy cylinder liner casted in the dummy cylinder block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: AICHI MACHINE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshinori NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20100236743
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Zhi Xie, Zhenwei Hu, Ying Ci, Da Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100230065
    Abstract: An integrated management system for molten aluminum includes a melting process management system, which melts aluminum raw material, taps molten aluminum, and extracts information related to the molten aluminum; a recording medium attached to a high-heat-retention ladle, which is for carrying the molten aluminum, wherein the extracted information is recorded into the recording medium; a portable terminal, which reads the information from the recording medium; and a casting process management system, which manages delivery confirmation and inspection by receiving the information from the transported high-heat-retention ladle via the portable terminal and performs a casting process based on the information. The integrated management system and method ensures improved and efficient process management based on correct molten aluminum information, thereby reducing management costs and time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Eok Soo Kim, Young Myung Hong, Kyung Mook Lim
  • Publication number: 20100147481
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a casted article is presented. The method includes steps of forming a casted article by a liquid metal cooled directional solidification process, removing a metallic material from a surface of the casted article and inspecting the surface of the casted article. The surface of the casted article is inspected for the presence of the metallic material by exposing the surface to a visualization reagent. A system for manufacturing the casted article is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lawrence Bernard Kool, Shyh-Chin Huang, Michael Francis Xavier Gigliotti,, JR., Cheryl Margaret Surman, Andrew Michael Leach, Andrew J. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20100132905
    Abstract: A die casting process using pattern recognition techniques to identify those die castings manufactured under conditions likely to produce a die casting which would subsequently prove unacceptable for use. By promptly identifying such die castings, they may be discarded before being shipped to a remote facility for further processing. As a result, the rejection rate of die castings at the remote facility may be reduced and the raw materials used to form the discarded die castings may be more readily recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: PACE INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Arnie FULTON, Yan ZHU, Michael BOMAR
  • Patent number: 7721784
    Abstract: A method and system for creating an article of jewelry that contains an anatomical image using a digital image of an anatomical body part such as a fingerprint, handprint, footprint, or the like to create a computer numeric controlled (CNC) software program that drives a machine for producing a wax model of the anatomical image. The wax model is used in a lost wax casting process to create a casting that is used in an article of jewelry. The present invention further provides an article of jewelry containing a novel bail assembly for attaching the article of jewelry to a chain or the like in an aesthetically pleasing manner that hides the attachment hole of the casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventors: Todd Philip Lehmann, Malcolm Warren
  • Publication number: 20100078145
    Abstract: A device for determining the integrity of a greensand mold comprising two or more measurement sensors or plates on a support or supports. The support may comprise a frame straddling a mold production line between the mold machine and the pour station. When the production line is stopped, the measurement sensors or plates are extended to contact opposing sides of a mold and determine electrical characteristics of the mold, including capacitance and inductance. By comparing the electrical characteristics of the mold to the electrical characteristics of recently tested molds in the production line, a determination can be made whether the mold should be used at the pour station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: MOHAMED ABDELRAHMAN, Michael Baswell
  • Patent number: 7677295
    Abstract: A die casting process using pattern recognition techniques to identify those die castings manufactured under conditions likely to produce a die casting which would subsequently prove unacceptable for use. By promptly identifying such die castings, they may be discarded before being shipped to a remote facility for further processing. As a result, the rejection rate of die castings at the remote facility may be reduced and the raw materials used to form the discarded die castings may be more readily recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Pace Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Arnie Fulton, Yan Zhu, Michael Bomar
  • Publication number: 20100038048
    Abstract: In a method for guiding a cast material out of a casting chamber of a casting system, the cast material is discharged from a casting chamber by means of a succession of guiding rollers and rolling rollers. A rolling roller exerts a rolling force on the cast material to reduce the thickness of the cast material, whereas a guiding roller, which simply guides, exerts no rolling force on the cast material. At least the rolling rollers are driven by a drive, each drive applied under load. Because the rolling force of at least one rolling roller is detected, and the load of the drive of this rolling roller is controlled according to the detected rolling force, a method can be provided by which the stability of the casting speed is increased, and a significant reduction of the thickness of a cast material is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20100018664
    Abstract: Disclosed is a casting process with use of a lower mold 10 having a hollow corresponding to a partial profile of a casting, and an upper mold 22 supporting a core 24 and defining a mold cavity 12 in cooperation with the lower mold. The process includes: pouring a necessary minimum amount of a molten metal for obtaining a casting into the hollow; moving downwardly the upper mold at a predetermined first speed to a predetermined height level; further moving downwardly the upper mold assembly, from the predetermined height level, at a predetermined second speed by changing the descending speed of the upper mold; detecting a status information of the upper mold in a state when the upper mold is superimposed on the lower mold; and stopping the descending movement of the upper mold after detecting that the status information comes at a predetermined state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicants: SINTOKOGIO, LTD., AISIN TAKAOKA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunihiro Hashimoto, Junichi Iwasaki, Yutaka Hagata, Takeshi Kamasaka
  • Publication number: 20090304542
    Abstract: Methods for producing pigs made of a metal alloy, wherein initially a melt is formed in which a basic material and one or several alloy components are present in the liquid state, from which the pigs are formed. According to the invention, in the course of cooling, energy, which increases the formation of mixed crystals, is briefly introduced into the melt by means of a variable field prior to the formation of the pigs. A pig according to the invention is a cast piece formed from a basic material and one or several alloy components and has been formed from a melt into which energy had been briefly introduced by means of a variable physical field in order to increase mixed crystal formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Evgenij Sterling, Hugo Berger
  • Publication number: 20090288794
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Michael LYNN
  • Patent number: 7618823
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and apparatus for analyzing foam decomposition in contact mode during mold filling in lost foam casting, the foam decomposition having a foam material vapor fraction and the mold filling having a mold filling speed. The method includes providing a plurality of parameter values for casting process parameters as variables of a plurality of predetermined equations, simultaneously solving the plurality of predetermined equations including the parameter values, calculating a vapor value for the fraction of the foam material that decomposes to vapor, an undercut length value designating the amount of coating exposed to gas diffusion, and a speed value for the mold filling speed, and determining whether to adjust at least one of the parameter values based on the results for the vapor value, the undercut length value, or the speed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin R. Barone, David A. Caulk
  • Publication number: 20090229779
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Victor F. Rundquist, Ralph B. Dinwiddie, JR.
  • Patent number: 7578335
    Abstract: A process for powder metal mold casting of three-dimensional parts is disclosed wherein a casting of complex parts is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Hetzner, Frederick J. Rozario
  • Publication number: 20090120604
    Abstract: A method for controlling a flow of molten steel in a mould by applying at least one magnetic field to the molten steel in a continuous slab casting machine. This is achieved by comprising controlling a molten steel flow velocity on a molten steel bath surface, meniscus, to a predetermined molten steel flow velocity by applying a static magnetic field to impart a stabilizing and braking force to a discharge flow from an immersion nozzle when the molten steel flow velocity on the meniscus is higher than a mould powder entrainment critical flow velocity and by controlling the molten steel flow velocity on the meniscus to a range of from an inclusion adherence critical flow velocity or more to a mould powder entrainment critical flow velocity or less by applying a shifting magnetic field to increase the molten steel flow when the molten steel flow velocity on the meniscus is lower than the inclusion-adherence critical flow velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Anders Lehman, Helmut Hackl, Jan-Erik Eriksson, Olof Sjoden
  • Publication number: 20090071620
    Abstract: Die casting of some magnesium alloys may yield castings that are susceptible to corrosion when exposed to salt water or other aggressive oxidizing environments. Such corrosion may result from the existence of different microstructures in a cross-section of the die casting (e.g. between the surface of the part and the center) that produce galvanic couples that are susceptible to such corrosive attack. However, a die temperature may be determined for casting of the part such that a more uniform cross-sectional microstructure is produced in which minimal or negligible galvanic potentials are produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mridula D. Bharadwaj, Yar-Ming Wang, Bob R. Powell, Dusanka Radovic
  • Patent number: 7494609
    Abstract: A clamping system provided with a fixed die plate, a movable die plate, a plurality of tie bars, half nuts able to be coupled with or release coupled parts of a plurality of tie bars, clamping cylinders accommodating pistons of a plurality of tie bars, position sensors detecting positions of pistons, a plurality of direction control valves connected to a plurality of clamping cylinders, and a control unit controlling the plurality of direction control valves so that a difference of movement amounts of pistons among the plurality of tie bars from the time of die contact to the time of the completion of clamping becomes within a predetermined permissible value based on detection results of the position sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Tsuji, Saburo Noda
  • Patent number: 7483558
    Abstract: A vascular implant formed of a compressible foam material has a compressed configuration from which it is expansible into a configuration substantially conforming to the shape and size of a vascular site to be embolized. Preferably, the implant is formed of a hydrophilic, macroporous foam material, having an initial configuration of a scaled-down model of the vascular site, from which it is compressible into the compressed configuration. The implant is made by scanning the vascular site to create a digitized scan data set; using the scan data set to create a three-dimensional digitized virtual model of the vascular site; using the virtual model to create a scaled-down physical mold of the vascular site; and using the mold to create a vascular implant in the form of a scaled-down model of the vascular site. To embolize a vascular site, the implant is compressed and passed through a microcatheter, the distal end of which has been passed into a vascular site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: MicroVention, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Greene, Jr., Robert F. Rosenbluth, Brian J. Cox
  • Patent number: 7475716
    Abstract: A mold handling system for carrying and transporting sand molds comprises a mold handling conveyor with multiple mold exits to provide different outputs for the sand molds. The mold handling system may include flags which can be used to mark selected molds to segregate the sand molds into different groups. A control system responds to flag sensors and tracks the molds to selectively control output of sand molds through the mold exits. Methods of handling sand molds using a mold handling system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Hunter Automated Machinery Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Hunter, William G. Hunter
  • Publication number: 20080308248
    Abstract: A method for designing the location, surface temperature, flow rate, length and type of cooling lines within a mold for a casting process. The method allows the user to optimize each value for each individual cooling line of the mold. The method can utilize one or more parameters of the casting process and the heat load to be carried by each of the cooling lines in designing the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: DIE THERM ENGINEERING LLC
    Inventor: J. Scott Kirkman
  • Publication number: 20080257649
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an oil pan for an internal combustion engine with an integrally formed tube assembly for transporting high pressure oil from an oil pump to an oil filter and back. The oil pan uses a welded tube assembly including two tubes which are placed inside the oil pan during permanent mold casting. The two tubes are individually bent, then welded together, and finally leak tested. As part of the casting process, an end of the tube assembly for the oil pump is printed to a cope of the tool. Another end of the tube assembly for the oil filter includes a threaded fitting screwed into the tube assembly. The fitting prints into the cope of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Michael J. Sameck, Patrick J. Nevin, Robbe R. Campeau
  • Publication number: 20080169074
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunari Sakurai, Hiroshi Onda
  • Patent number: 7399436
    Abstract: A die opening and closing system includes a fixed die plate holding a fixed die, a moveable die plate holding a moveable die able to move in a horizontal die opening and closing direction with respect to said fixed die plate, only one ball-screw feed mechanism moving said moveable die plate in a die opening and closing direction, and only one balance cylinder system reducing a load of said ball-screw feed mechanism and a die opening and closing method related to the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Tsuji, Saburo Noda, Toshiaki Toyoshima
  • Publication number: 20080156451
    Abstract: A die casting process using pattern recognition techniques to identify those die castings manufactured under conditions likely to produce a die casting which would subsequently prove unacceptable for use. By promptly identifying such die castings, they may be discarded before being shipped to a remote facility for further processing. As a result, the rejection rate of die castings at the remote facility may be reduced and the raw materials used to form the discarded die castings may be more readily recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: L&P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Arnie FULTON, Yan ZHU, Michael BOMAR