Abstract: A one-piece steering wheel is formed as a unitary casting from an alloy that includes 11.5% to 14% by weight silicon, and 350 to 450 parts per million strontium. Preferably the steering wheel mold is rotated during casting at relatively high rotational speeds exerting 100 g to 250 g force on the wheel. An optimum rotational speed is disclosed. A one-piece steering wheel formed according to the invention exhibits minimal length ferro-silicon hair-like strands, and thus exhibits reduced brittleness.

Abstract: A centrifugal vacuum assist ambient air casting apparatus and method to fill a casting flask having a mold with a pour opening in communication with the pour opening of a casting crucible filled with molten metal and ceramics comprising: centrifugally spinning the casting flask and casting crucible with their pour openings aligned such that the resulting centrifugal forces empty the contents of the casting crucible into the casting flask, while simultaneously applying a directional vacuum to the casting flask in alignment with the resultant centrifugal forces to evacuate trapped gases from the mold and assist in drawing in the molten metal and ceramics into the mold.

Abstract: A pile driving ram for driving piles into subaqueous ground, during which a heavy piston operating as a hammer is each time lifted by fuel explosion in a cylinder, comprises a considerable and expensive cylinder piece, which has inlet and outlet ports and which comprises at least two guide girdles for supporting guide members co-operating with at least one guide stay of a guide frame. In order to increase the lifetime of the cylinder piece, the core is moulded from precious steel according to the fling moulding method.

Abstract: A lined bearing is made by tinning at least the radially inner surface of a bearing ring, providing an atmosphere of water vapour adjacent the tinned surface to which a flux is also supplied, and centrifugally casting on the lining material. Tinning can be achieved by applying a slurry of tin powder in a flux solution, e.g. an aqueous zinc chloride solution, followed by heating at least to a tinning temperature. Further flux solution can be sprayed onto the hot tinned surface in the centrifugal casting machine to form the desired atmosphere and to disperse the flux as fine particles. Quenching by spraying on cold water preferably commences immediately after casting of the white metal or other lining material begins.

Abstract: An improved investment casting process for producing dental restorations, particularly a dental crown, comprising the steps of fixing a wax pattern onto a truncated cone in a metallic ring having a lining of a cushioning material, pouring an investment material into the space around the wax pattern in the metallic ring, drying the resultant product, melting out the invested wax pattern, curing the resultant product at a temperature of 700.degree. to 950.degree. C for 20 to 150 minutes to give a mold, fixing the mold thus obtained to a centrifugal casting machine and casting a molten chromium-cobalt and/or nickel alloy in the mold maintained at a temperature of 100.degree. to 500.degree. C.