Abstract: Thin wall lightweight panels which are subjected to high temperature solutioning and rapid quenching to impart high strength properties without distortion, warping or oil-canning. The panels are produced by casting in a mold cavity having an interconnected recess network which surrounds thin wall-forming areas and distributes molten metal uniformly thereto. The recess network forms a waffle pattern reinforcing rib network surrounding the thin-wall areas, lending strength and dimensional stability thereto during the heat treatment and quenching steps, to prevent distortion, warping and oil-canning.

Abstract: A process for producing multipiece complementary tooling castings is disclosed in which hollow internal surfaces are cast in a mold having a soft, low strength sand core piece to define such hollow portions and external surfaces are cast against hard, resin-bonded sand mold surfaces. The castings are removed from their respective molds while still warm and nested and pressed together to bring their working surfaces into conformance with each other. The result of this practice is a set of tool pieces that require little machining and display high accuracy in their as-cast condition.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing a wax replica of a dental prosthesis is disclosed. The method of the invention is carried out by preparing a composite dental model which includes a base portion, an odontal die projecting from the base portion having a cavity in which the dental prosthesis is to be implanted, and an index pin embedded within the composite dental model. A complementary dental model having an odontal projection defining an occlusal surface for engaging the odontal die is also prepared. The index pin includes an anchor shank portion embedded within the odontal die, an alignment shank portion embedded in the base portion and a radially projecting collar portion disposed in the interface of the base portion and the odontal die. The odontal die and embedded index pin are removed from the base portion of the composite dental model and a die spacer is placed around the alignment shank portion of the index pin.

Abstract: The invention relates to floats and to a process for manufacturing floats for the continuous casting of metal alloys and particularly aluminum and alloys thereof, said floats being formed by assembling machined parts of compressed panels of alumino-silicate ceramic fibers having a voluminal mass above 0.45 g/cm.sup.3, in which the surfaces which come into contact with the molten metal alloy are coated with a suspension of metallic oxides in a mineral hardener.

Abstract: A segmented mold assembly is utilized to cast a turbine engine component having an annular inner wall and an annular outer wall which are interconnected by a plurality of struts or vanes. The mold assembly includes a plurality of sections which are formed of a ceramic mold material and are interconnected at flange joints. A pair of mold sections are advantageously formed simultaneously by repetitively dipping a single pattern in a slurry of liquid ceramic mold material to form a wet coating on the pattern. This wet coating of ceramic mold material is then dried. After a covering of the desired thickness has been built up by repetitively dipping and drying the coatings on the wax pattern, the wax pattern is destroyed. To facilitate separating the mold sections after destroying the wax pattern, at least some of the wet coatings are wiped away in an area between portions of the wet coatings which will eventually form the mold sections.