Abstract: Disclosed is a method for electric clamping, which performs a clamping process in parallel with a core-drawing-in process, avoiding damages of molds and core mechanisms and enabling secure clamping.

Abstract: A molding technique is utilized to form the cooling channels in an airfoil for a gas turbine engine. The cooling channels are formed by lost core mold plugs, which are leached away after metal has been molded around them. At least one of the mold plugs is provided with a cone which will extend into the airfoil. The cone forms an opening in a wall of the airfoil, and the size of this opening is indicative of the thickness of the wall. By comparing the size to expected sizes, a determination can be made of whether the wall is of an acceptable thickness at locations where it is difficult to otherwise measure the wall.

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.

Abstract: A method to detect the distribution of service temperatures in a technological process that includes the automatic and programmable performance of explorative excursions done by means of an adjustable equipment (1) connected to a structure (2) provided with shutter (3) which contains a pointer device (5) and a radiations sensor (4), which after having detected the thermologic parameters of the process, sends them to computer (9) which processes, visualizes and registers them to control and regulate the distribution of the service temperatures in the course of the process.

Abstract: Material is incrementally deposited using material directed toward a deposition zone. The scan path of the directed material is controlled according to a path plan derived to reduce derivation from an ideal uniform temperature profile for the deposition during the deposition process. A path plan having angled scan passes that intersect (or overcross one another), for example in a mirrorbox path plan, is preferred.

Abstract: Parameters specifying properties of the materials used in the lost foam casting process are input at an input step. Numerical methods may be used to simultaneously solve a set of coupled equations relating thermal properties, flow properties, and other physical properties of the metal and foam. A profile number ? and an engulf number E may be evaluated using the values of physical quantities determined during the numerical solution step. Once values for the profile number ? and engulf number E have been determined, these values may be checked to see if they lie within appropriate ranges.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and apparatus for analyzing foam decomposition in gap mode during mold filling in lost foam casting, the casting process in gap mode characterized by a bubble flux and the mold filling having a mold filling speed. The method includes providing a plurality of values for casting process parameters as variables in a plurality of predetermined equations, simultaneously solving the plurality of predetermined equations including the parameter values, calculating a flux value for the bubble flux, a gap value for the gap width, and a speed value for the mold filling speed, and determining whether to adjust at least one of the parameter values based on at least one result for the bubble flux, mold filling speed, or gap width.

Abstract: Described herein is a device for pattern building in layers, which has a frame (1), a vertically movable and interchangeable workpiece platform (17), and a material feeder with a spreader (4), whereby the spreader (4) serves to feed material from a storage bin situated in the workspace above the workpiece platform (17), and the workpiece platform (17) is fixed at least when building a pattern. The workpiece platform (17) is accordingly loaded into the device from one side and unloaded from the other side of the device.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for inspecting objects. The method includes obtaining a structural model of a first object, the model providing dimensions and material properties for the first object, inspecting a second object to provide inspection data for at least two views of a structure of the second object, comparing inspection and predicted data based on the structural model of the first object and a simulation of the inspection process, reconstructing stereographic data for the second object based on the structural model of the first object and contributions of the inspection data of the second object. In another embodiment, where there is a structural model of an object, the object can be subjected to a dynamic process and the object is inspected throughout the process.

Abstract: In a method for the continuous casting of a thin metal strip according to the two-roll method, metal melt is cast into a casting gap formed by two casting rolls of the thickness of the metal strip to be cast, under formation of a melting bath. In order to form a particular texture within the cast metal strip and/or to influence the geometry of the metal strip, continuous casting is carried out by an on-line calculation based upon an arithmetic model describing the formation of the particular texture of the metal and/or the formation of the geometry of the metal strip, wherein variables of the continuous casting method affecting the formation of the texture and/or the geometry are adjusted in an on-line dynamic fashion, i.e. while casting takes place.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing heat-resistant casting molds from molding sand containing binder, particularly for producing an inner contour of casting molds for prototypes, large volumes and deep grooves often being produced especially in the machining of molds for rapid production of prototypes from casting materials. To increase efficiency, in a first step blocks of molding material are produced whose dimensions correspond to a mold cavity depth typically of 300 mm to 400 mm. The inner contour of the mold is then produced oversized with spacing close to the contour of the inner wall of the mold cavity by means of a roughing tool (4) that has an effective cutting diameter of 12 mm to 35 mm. The mold cavity is then machined by fast milling away of the oversize material following the contour, with a finishing cutter (3) that has a diameter-to-length ratio between 1:10 and 1:30.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for manufacturing models layer by layer. The inventive device comprises a frame (1), a vertically adjustable and exchangeable workpiece platform (17)m and a device for feeding the material comprising a coating applicator (4). Said coating applicator (4) serves to feed material from a storage container to a process zone above the workpiece platform (17), said workpiece platform (17) being fixed in the device at least during manufacturing of a model. The workpiece platform (17) is introduced on the one side of the device and extracted on the other side of the device.

Abstract: Molds are fabricated having a substrate of high density, high strength ultrafine grained isotropic graphite, and having a mold cavity coated with a refractory metal such as W or Re or a refractory metal carbide such as TaC or HfC. The molds may be made by making the substrate (main body) of high density, high strength ultrafine grained isotropic graphite, by, for example, isostatic or vibrational molding, machining the substrate to form the mold cavity, and coating the mold cavity with titanium carbide via either chemical deposition or plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition, magnetron sputtering or sputtering. The molds may be used to make various metallic alloys such as nickel, cobalt and iron based superalloys, stainless steel alloys, titanium alloys and titanium aluminide alloys into engineering components by melting the alloys in a vacuum or under a low partial pressure of inert gas and subsequently casting the melt in the graphite molds under vacuum or low partial pressure of inert gas.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for machining a mold material to produce a mold. By casting based on a cast mold model (15), a mold material (20) is produced in a form having a work margin. Thereafter, a shape of the mold material (20) is measured by a measuring device (16), and measurement data and an envelope model (M2) generated based on the measurement data are stored in a storage unit (12A) of a computer (12). Thereafter, a mold model (M1) based on mold design data and an envelope model (M2) are displayed on a display unit (12C), and the envelope model (M2) is linearly moved in direction of three axes X, Y and Z orthogonal to one another respectively and rotated around the three axes to bring a product forming plane (M2B) of the envelope model (M2) into close proximity of a product forming plane (M1B) of the mold model (M1).

Abstract: A system for incrementally depositing material includes a delivery system for directing a material toward a deposition zone (5), a monitoring system for monitoring a parameter of the deposited (a) material and a processing system (11) arranged to obtain a monitored value for the parameter, derive a predicted future parameter value for the monitored parameter, compare the predicted value with a reference parameter value for the monitored parameter, and produce a control output based on the comparison of the predicted value with the reference value, the control output being capable of modifying operation of the system. The parameter monitored has the tendency to vary over time (and space), and the processing means ensure that control output is not based upon the difference between an originally monitored parameter value and a reference value but rather between a prediction generated value (accounting for passage of time or spacital difference) and the reference value.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for inspecting a surface, in particular the surface of a mill roll, comprising a housing wherein are arranged means for transmitting and receiving a light beam, and an optical coupling device arranged on the outer surface of a front wall of the housing. The optical coupling device comprises: (a) a component (5), called fluid dispenser, (b) a hollow cylindrical nozzle (11), and (c) a mobile tubular component (16), successively traversed by the light beam. The mobile tubular component (18) is arranged partly inside the cylindrical nozzle (11), so as to be able to slide inside said cylindrical nozzle, and partly exits therefrom in the extension thereof, towards the surface to be inspected (2). Different cross-sections (shoulders 14, 19) are provided in the cylindrical nozzle (11) and in the mobile tubular component (16), in particular for limiting said sliding movement.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling stresses in a spray form process makes use of one dimensional modeling in which characteristics of a geometrical point are quantified by iterative detection, such as taking a surface temperature reading using a pyrometer. This temperature information is used in a one dimensional simulation to predict characteristics for a column from the point down through a spray-formed article to an interface with a substrate. The modeling technique can used with a plurality of geometrical points to model the whole article, and the one dimensional simulation can be integrated with robotic spray-forming controls to minimize residual stress in the spray-formed article.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a spray-forming process incorporating time, temperature, and transformation dependent stress relief techniques involves the manipulation of both temperature and time for strategic phase changes that result in a specific and planned volumetric increase. This manipulation is made based on controlling ongoing spray parameters to spray-form an article having a mixed-phase and interspersed makeup of metallic phases that minimizes residual stress in the article.

Abstract: A method of controlling a continuous steel strip casting process based on customer-specified requirements includes a general purpose computer in which product specifications of steel product ordered by a customer is entered. The computer is configured to automatically map the product specifications to process parameters/set points for controlling the continuous steel strip casting process in a manner to produce the customer ordered product, and in one embodiment produces a process change report detailing such process parameters/set points for operator use in physically implementing such process parameters/set points in the strip casting process. Alternatively, the computer may provide the process parameters/set points directly to the strip casting process for automatic control thereof in producing the customer ordered steel product.

Abstract: A fugitive pattern of an article to be investment cast wherein the pattern includes a plurality of locator embossments disposed in an array to provide a datum reference system by which the pattern can be held and positioned by a manipulator, such as for example a gripper device to a computer controlled robotic device, for assembly with another component of the pattern assembly. The datum embossments are located on a portion of the pattern that will be removed from the final metallic casting made to replicate the pattern. The casting includes integral cast datum embossments thereon by which the casting can be held and positioned.

Abstract: A method for implementing post-heat treatment during spray forming to achieve stress control in the manufacture of a spray formed metallic tool involves applying a metallic spray-forming material onto a mold substrate and causing substantially homogenous metallic phase transformations from the austenite phase, for example, via manipulation of either or both of the substrate temperature and the spray forming cell environment temperature.

Abstract: A method (300) and a system (100) for controlling a casting process are described herein. The system (100) generally includes a die casting device (110) and a measuring device (120). The die casting device (110) includes a mold (130) configured to produce molded parts (140). The measuring device (120) may determine a position of the mold (130) within the die casting device (110) in a casting cycle. The measuring device (120) may determine an incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140) associated with the casting cycle. Based on the incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140), the measuring device (120) may provide a notification in response to a trigger event. The measuring device (120) may also reset the die casting device (110) for another casting cycle based on the incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140).

Abstract: A method of automatically placing a core package (301) in a mold (505) is provided. Locators (501) and a cavity (503) designed to receive at least a part of the core package (301) are formed in the mold (505). The mold (505) is positioned such that the locators (501) may be illuminated and one or more images are obtained of the locators (501). The images are processed to determine a target location for the core package (301) in the cavity (503), and an automated device (303) places the core package (303) in the mold (505) at the target location.

Abstract: A method for sizing an overflow chamber (46) in a mold (32) for the die casting of metals is disclosed. The method includes the steps of simulating a pressure of molten metal (30) in a main cavity (42) of the mold (32) and calculating the volume of the overflow chamber (46) from parameters yielded by the pressure simulation. A mold (32) defining overflow chambers (46) is also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: An alarm system for a casting mold is provided, which includes an alarm electrically connected to the casting mold; and at least one sensing unit electrically connected to the alarm, and spaced apart by a predetermined gap from a cast to be drawn from the casting mold. During a drawing process, if the cast is formed with failure in appearance such as deformation, burr edges or uneven thickness, the cast drawn out of the casting mold would come into contact with the sensing unit and thereby induce the alarm to generate an alarm signal to notify an operator who may immediately solve any operational problems.

Abstract: Casting mold for metal casting, in particular precision casting of fine parts of steel, wherein at least the main part of the casting mold is comprised of porous ceramic with a high thermal coefficient of expansion which corresponds to the metal, and produced by generative rapid prototyping process, as well as generative rapid prototyping processes and coated powders particularly suitable therefore, as well as uses of the casting mold for tools and their components, in particular of steel.

Abstract: A method for implementing pre-heat treatment before spray forming begins to achieve stress control in the manufacture of a spray formed metallic article involves preheating either or both of a spray forming cell environment and a mold substrate, initiating application of the metallic spray forming material onto the mold substrate, and causing substantially homogenous initial metallic phase transformations from the austenite phase via a predetermined relationship between the initial application temperature of the spray-forming material and the initial temperature of either or both of the preheated cell environment and the preheated mold substrate.

Abstract: A process for producing aluminum sheet product having a controlled grain structure and texture using a continuous caster to cast molten aluminum into a slab comprising the steps of providing a source of molten aluminum and continuously casting the molten aluminum into a slab using a continuous caster; continuously rolling the slab into a sheet product and continuously annealing the sheet product in a controlled temperature range; measuring grain structure and texture of the sheet product to provide a grain structure and texture related signal on a continuous basis; and relaying the signal to a controller. In the controller, comparing the signal to previous signals reflecting grain structure and texture of the sheet product to provide a comparison; and in response to the comparison, maintaining or changing heat input to the process upwardly or downwardly to increase or decrease the temperature to produce aluminum sheet having the desired grain structure and texture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a possibility to evaluate cooling curves recorded in near-eutectic cast iron melts. The curves are evaluated by generated in the melt in the center of the sample to the melt as a function of time. This information is then used to identify the part of the centrally recorded cooling curve that can be used as a basis for determining the amount of structure-modifying agent that must be added to produce compacted graphite cast iron, and/or spheroidal graphite cast iron, and to identify the part of said curve that is associated with formation of primary austenite.

Abstract: A die casting process uses information derived from analysis of a prior casting to modify the process producing a subsequent casting. An aluminum alloy casting is manufactured at a first location. During the manufacture thereof, plural physical parameters are measured and recorded in an entry in memory. Further during the manufacture thereof, the casting is marked with a unique identifier which is stored, with the plural physical parameters, in the entry. The castings are then shipped to a second location, remotely located relative to the first location, for chrome plating. The chrome plated castings are examined for defects and, using the unique identifier on the casting, the casting is associated with the entry containing the physical parameters under which it was manufactured. The physical parameters may then be adjusted so that the subsequent castings are manufactured under conditions less likely to produce defects.

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.

Abstract: A casting machine is provided for producing an as-cast product by using horizontally split type metal molds, which are closed and held horizontally to define a cavity, and by pouring molten metal from a holding furnace into the cavity. The casting machine includes a metal drag held horizontally at a fixed position; a plurality of upwardly-facing cylinders disposed around the metal drag and mounted on a floor or a base, each cylinder having a cylinder rod that extends and retracts; and a cope die base mounted for vertical movement on the distal ends of the cylinder rods of the upwardly-facing cylinders for horizontally holding a metal cope at a position above the metal drag so that the metal cope is mated with the metal drag to define the cavity when the cope die base is lowered by the upwardly-facing cylinders.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a dental prosthesis comprising: obtaining three-dimensional digital data relating to a patient's dentition; designing a virtual prosthesis for the dentition using the three-dimensional digital data; transmitting digital data corresponding to the virtual prosthesis to an automated prototyping system; producing a prototype of the dental prosthesis with the automated prototyping system, the prototype made of a material that can be ablated; covering at least the prototype with a hardening material and removing the prototype from within said hardening material to produce a mold for the dental prosthesis; casting the dental prosthesis by filling the mold with a metal and removing the hardening material.

Abstract: A method (300) and a system (100) for controlling a casting process are described herein. The system (100) generally includes a die casting device (110) and a measuring device (120). The die casting device (110) includes a mold (130) configured to produce molded parts (140). The measuring device (120) may determine a position of the mold (130) within the die casting device (110) in a casting cycle. The measuring device (120) may determine an incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140) associated with the casting cycle. Based on the incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140), the measuring device (120) may provide a notification in response to a trigger event. The measuring device (120) may also reset the die casting device (110) for another casting cycle based on the incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140).

Abstract: Molds are fabricated having a substrate of high density, high strength ultrafine grained isotropic graphite, and having a mold cavity coated with pyrolytic graphite. The molds may be made by making the substrate (main body) of high density, high strength ultrafine grained isotropic graphite, by, for example, isostatic or vibrational molding, machining the substrate to form the mold cavity, and coating the mold cavity with pyrolytic graphite via a chemical deposition process. The molds may be used to make various metallic alloys such as nickel, cobalt and iron based superalloys, stainless steel alloys, titanium alloys and titanium aluminide alloys into engineering components by melting the alloys in a vacuum or under a low partial pressure of inert gas and subsequently casting the melt in the graphite molds under vacuum or low partial pressure of inert gas.

Abstract: The fluidized bed is formed of particulate material suspended in a flow of gas. A flow of particulate suspended in gas is conducted between a lower end portion of the fluidized bed and an upper end portion of the fluidized bed to cool the upper end portion of the fluidized bed. The flow of particulate suspended in gas may be conducted from a lower end portion of the fluidized bed to an upper end portion of a fluidized bed. Alternatively, the flow of particulate suspended in gas may be conducted from the upper end portion of the fluidized bed to the lower end portion of the fluidized bed. If desired, the flow of particulate suspended in gas may be conducted to the upper end portion of the fluidized bed from a location spaced from the fluidized bed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a casting method comprising the steps of obtaining a thermal distribution of mold sand for a casting, and determining a mold wall thickness profile based at least partially on the mold sand thermal distribution.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a dental prosthesis comprising: obtaining three-dimensional digital data relating to a patient's dentition; designing a virtual prosthesis for the dentition using the three-dimensional digital data; transmitting digital data corresponding to the virtual prosthesis to an automated prototyping system; producing a prototype of the dental prosthesis with the automated prototyping system, the prototype made of a material that can be ablated; covering at least the prototype with a hardening material and removing the prototype from within said hardening material to produce a mold for the dental prosthesis; casting the dental prosthesis by filling the mold with a metal and removing the hardening material.

Abstract: A system for producing a die includes means for generating a reference CAD model of a die of desired dimensions and a production facility arranged to produce an oversized casting of the die from a mould thereof. The system includes, further means for measuring the actual dimensions of the oversized casting, a comparator for comparing the measured dimensions of the oversized die against the reference CAD model, and a machining facility operable to machine the oversized casting until its dimensions are substantially the same as those of the reference CAD model.

Abstract: A process for producing pistons for a reciprocating internal combustion engine by casting, the process including the steps of determining for at least a first piston of a casting process batch, a volume Vactual formed by a surface of the piston that faces a combustion chamber of the engine, comparing the volume Vactual with a desired nominal volume Vnominal, and, based on this comparison, fixing a compression height KH so that its deviation from a set point ensures that, subsequently Vactual=Vnominal within tolerance limits.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the distance between two surfaces injects pressurized fluid (e.g., air) between the surfaces. The pressurized fluid passes through two flow restrictors prior to reaching the surfaces to be measured. The fluid pressures between the flow restrictors and between the downstream flow restrictor and the surfaces are compared to yield the distance between the two surfaces. An accurate distance measurement can be obtained even where the surfaces to be measured are located in a hostile environment which would destroy many other types of sensors.

Abstract: A bar code identification stencil for uniquely identifying a plurality of articles. The stencil includes a carrier strip, which carries an identification code or symbology. The identification code or symbology is formed of a plurality of spaced apart data cells, or data cells, which are used to form a machine readable bar code. The stencil will be made of materials compatible to the manufacturing processes, which make the articles to be marked, and compatible to the materials out of which the articles to be marked are made. The stencil is scalable in size and shape, as are the data cells, or data cells, scalable in size and shape—all as required by the specifications of the data symbology to be directly marked on the part, or article. The bar code is unique for each of the plurality of articles to be identified.

Abstract: Method and apparatus incorporating an infrared sensor, in the form of a two-wavelength imaging pyrometer into a metallic spray form process for providing real-time measurement of the surface temperature distribution of a steel billet thereby formed. The steel billets may be advantageously used as tools in metal forming processes, injection molding, die casting tooling and other processes that require hard tooling, such as in the automotive industry. The steel billet is formed based on a goal of uniform surface temperature distribution thereby minimizing thermal stresses induced within the steel article thereby produced.

Abstract: A method for imaging inclusions in metal or metal alloy castings is described. One embodiment of the present method first involves casting a metal or metal alloy article using an investment casting mold where the mold facecoat, and perhaps one or more of the mold backup layers, comprises an imaging agent distributed substantially uniformly throughout in amounts sufficient for imaging inclusions. The facecoat preferably comprises an intimate mixture of a refractory material and the imaging agent. Intimate mixtures can be produced in a number of ways, but a currently preferred method is to cocalcine the refractory material, such as yttria, with the imaging agent, such as gadolinia. The facecoat also can comprise plural mold-forming materials and/or plural imaging agents. The difference between the linear attenuation coefficient of the article and the linear attenuation coefficient of the imaging agent should be sufficient to allow imaging of the inclusion throughout the article.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of improving the die casting process by the application of the inventor's mathematics and physics stored in a computer to control the injection speed and the timing of the excitation of an intensifier. Using either data from a die surface temperature for a selected location detected by a pyrometer, the last instant before the die is closed, or the alloy-die interface boundary data from a thermocouple, the inventor's equations loaded in a computer calculate and graph the solidification pattern for the casting wall and the quantity of heat remaining in the alloy wall vs. time above the dynamic solidus thereby establishing parameters for control of facets of the injection phase. The unique properties of the boundary's transient temperature during solidification have been shown by the inventor's mathematics to be of vital import to the determination of the solidification pattern used to control injection.

Abstract: A method for imaging inclusions in metal or metal alloy castings is described. One embodiment of the present method first involves casting a metal or metal alloy article using an investment casting mold where the mold facecoat, and perhaps one or more of the mold backup layers, comprises an imaging agent distributed substantially uniformly throughout in amounts sufficient for imaging inclusions. The facecoat preferably comprises an intimate mixture of a refractory material and the imaging agent. Intimate mixtures can be produced in a number of ways, but a currently preferred method is to cocalcine the refractory material, such as yttria, with the imaging agent, such as gadolinia. The facecoat also can comprise plural mold-forming materials and/or plural imaging agents. The difference between the linear attenuation coefficient of the article and the linear attenuation coefficient of the imaging agent should be sufficient to allow imaging of the inclusion throughout the article.

Abstract: A device and method for the early detection of a rupture in a continuous casting plant, in which liquid metal is cast into a chill (2) and is withdrawn from the chill (2) in the form of a billet (1), the temperature of the chill (2) being measured, and the temperature of the chill (2) being simultaneously presented with reference to the location at which the temperature was measured and the time over which the temperature was measured.

Abstract: A sampling device for thermal analysis of solidifying metal, comprising at least one container intended to contain a sample quantity (30) of liquid metal during analysis, and at least one sensor (40, 220, 240) for thermal analysis, said sensor(s) being intended to be at least partly immersed in the solidifying metal sample quantity during analysis. The container comprises an inner wall (50), with an interior surface (60) intended to face the sample quantity during analysis, and an exterior surface (70); an outer wall (80), with an exterior surface (100) intended to face the ambient atmosphere, and an interior surface (90); said walls being joined at the mouth of the container whereby the exterior surface (70) of the inner wall (50) and the interior surface (90) of the outer wall (80) together define an essentially closed space (110).

Abstract: A method for imaging inclusions in metal or metal alloy castings is described. One embodiment of the present method first involves casting a metal or metal alloy article using an investment casting mold where the mold facecoat, and perhaps one or more of the mold backup layers, comprises an imaging agent distributed substantially uniformly throughout in amounts sufficient for imaging inclusions. The facecoat preferably comprises an intimate mixture of a refractory material and the imaging agent. Intimate mixtures can be produced in a number of ways, but a currently preferred method is to cocalcine the refractory material, such as yttria, with the imaging agent, such as gadolinia. The facecoat also can comprise plural mold-forming materials and/or plural imaging agents. The difference between the linear attenuation coefficient of the article and the linear attenuation coefficient of the imaging agent should be sufficient to allow imaging of the inclusion throughout the article.