Abstract: The present invention relates to a casting die device and a casting method used to obtain a cast product in which an inner bore, at least one end of which is open, is formed. The casting die device has a core pin for forming the inner bore in the cast product, and a vibration-transmitting member for transmitting vibrations from a vibrator of a micro-vibration machine to the core pin. When casting is being performed, vibrations from the vibrator are imparted to the core pin by way of the vibration-transmitting member. The vibrations also propagate to sites surrounding the core pin, in molten metal that has been poured into a cavity.

Abstract: A method of forming a material includes the steps of: vibrating a molten material at an ultrasonic frequency while cooling the material to a semi-solid state to form non-dendritic grains therein; forming the semi-solid material into a desired shape; and cooling the material to a solid state. The method makes semi-solid castings directly from molten materials (usually a metal), produces grain size usually in the range of smaller than 50 ?m, and can be easily retrofitted into existing conventional forming machine.

Abstract: A method for electrohydroblasting of castings in a liquid medium with a view to removing core and molding sand, according to which castings are subjected to a series of electrohydraulic shocks and at the same time set in reciprocating motion. The reciprocating frequency of the castings and the length of their stroke are sufficient to produce a flow of liquid in the internal channels of the castings and thus remove core and molding sand therefrom. The method is carried out with the aid of an apparatus which comprises a casting-reciprocating mechanism interacting with an electrode-positioning mechanism so that the movement of the castings is synchronized with that of the electrode.