Abstract: An extrusion die includes: a cylindrical mandrel, the mandrel having a circumferential groove formed therein; a cylindrical die plate, the mandrel and the die plate being coupled together; and a shrink ring disposed in the circumferential groove of the mandrel.

Abstract: A tool steel composition for a component of a die-casting apparatus or of an extrusion press, comprises, in weight percentage: from about 0.35% to about 0.40% carbon (C); from about 0.32% to about 0.50% silicon (Si); from about 4.50% to about 5.50% chromium (Cr); from about 3.75% to about 4.75% molybdenum (Mo); from about 0.80% to about 1.00% vanadium (V); and iron (Fe).

Abstract: A die assembly for a vacuum assisted die casting apparatus includes: a cover die half supporting a cover die, the cover die having a first chill vent surface; a moveable ejector die half supporting an ejector die, the ejector die half being configured to be moved along a first axis; and a moveable slide die supported by the ejector die. The slide die is configured to be moved along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the slide die having a second chill vent surface.

Abstract: A shot sleeve for a die casting apparatus has a piston bore, and includes: an elongate body fabricated of a first material, the body having an axial bore extending therethrough; a first sleeve insert fabricated of a second material, the first sleeve insert being accommodated in the axial bore and defining a first surface of the piston bore; and a second sleeve insert fabricated of a third material, the second sleeve being accommodated in the axial bore and defining a second surface of the piston bore, the third material having a higher ductility than the second material.

Abstract: A container for use in a metal extrusion press has a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis being oriented generally horizontally and dividing the container into an upper portion and a lower portion when the container is in the use position. The container comprises: a mantle comprising an elongate body having an outer surface and an axial bore therein; an elongate liner accommodated within the axial bore, the liner comprising a longitudinally extending passage therein through which a billet is advanced; a first fluid channel adjacent an outer surface of the mantle, the first fluid channel being configured to direct a first fluid therethrough for cooling a first end of the container; and a second fluid channel adjacent an outer surface of the mantle, the second fluid channel being configured to direct a second fluid therethrough for cooling a second end of the container.

Abstract: A piston of a die-casting apparatus includes: a piston tip having a generally cup-shaped body having an inner front face and an inner cylindrical surface, the inner front face having a plurality of grooves formed therein for conveying cooling fluid; and an inner piston carrier coupled to the piston tip, the carrier comprising an elongate forward portion matingly engaging the piston tip.

Abstract: A container for use in a metal extrusion press comprises: a mantle having an elongate body comprising an axial bore; an elongate liner accommodated within the axial bore. The liner comprises a longitudinally extending passage through which a billet is advanced, and an elongate slot adjoining the passage. The container also comprises a vacuum conduit in fluid communication with the passage for removal of gases from the passage during extrusion.

Abstract: A wear ring for a piston of a die-casting apparatus comprises an annular body having a gap extending therethrough, the gap being configured to define at least two circumferentially offset pairs of circumferentially spaced apart facing surfaces. The annular body comprises an axial end face having at least one arc-shaped recess formed therein.

Abstract: A container for use in a metal extrusion press has a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis being oriented generally horizontally and dividing the container into an upper portion and a lower portion when the container is in the use position. The container comprises: a mantle comprising an elongate body having an outer surface and an axial bore therein; an elongate liner accommodated within the axial bore, the liner comprising a longitudinally extending passage therein through which a billet is advanced; a first fluid channel adjacent an outer surface of the mantle, the first fluid channel being configured to direct a first fluid therethrough for cooling a first end of the container; and a second fluid channel adjacent an outer surface of the mantle, the second fluid channel being configured to direct a second fluid therethrough for cooling a second end of the container.

Abstract: A container for use in a metal extrusion press comprises: a mantle having an elongate body comprising an axial bore; an elongate liner accommodated within the axial bore. The liner comprises a longitudinally extending passage through which a billet is advanced, and an elongate slot adjoining the passage. The container also comprises a vacuum conduit in fluid communication with the passage for removal of gases from the passage during extrusion.

Abstract: A piston of a die-casting apparatus comprises: a piston head fabricated of a first material; an elongate, inner carrier coupled to the piston head; a generally annular body seated on the carrier adjacent the piston head; and a wear ring disposed on the piston head, the wear ring being fabricated of a second material. The first material has a higher toughness and a lower hardness than the second material.

Abstract: A dummy block for a metal extrusion press comprises: a generally cylindrical base having a forward surface and an outwardly extending circumferential flange; an expandable collar coupled to the base, the collar having an inwardly extending circumferential rib abutting the circumferential flange; a collar support coupled to the base and abutting the collar; and a moveable plunger coupled to the base and accommodated by the collar. The plunger has a rear surface configured to abut the forward surface of the base.

Abstract: A container for use in a metal extrusion press includes a mantle having an elongate axial bore therein, the bore having a first transverse axis orthogonal to a second transverse axis, and a plurality of longitudinally extending heating elements accommodated by the mantle adjacent the bore. The heating elements are individually controllable for controlling a thermal profile within the container. The container also includes a plurality of temperature sensors configured to measure the thermal profile within the container. The temperature sensors include a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor positioned on opposite sides of the first transverse axis, and a third temperature sensor and a fourth temperature sensor positioned on opposite sides of the second transverse axis.

Abstract: A shot sleeve for a die-casting apparatus is described. The shot sleeve has a piston bore, and comprises an elongate body having an axial bore, and a sleeve liner formed on a surface of the axial bore. The sleeve liner defines a surface of the piston bore.

Abstract: A die casting machine includes a stationary die half, an ejector holder block, and die core pieces that extend through the ejector holder block, defining a die cavity when closed. An ejector box backstops the closed ejector holder block and die core pieces. Melt is injected into the die cavity. After a first dwell time, the ejector box is retracted away from the ejector holder block while a closing force is simultaneously applied to maintain the ejector holder block closed on the stationary die half, and the die core pieces are retracted out of the die cavity. After a second dwell time, the melt completely freezes and the ejector block is separated from the stationary die half, opening the die cavity from which the resulting die cast block can be retrieved.

Abstract: A piston of a die-casting apparatus comprises: a piston head fabricated of a first material; an elongate, inner carrier coupled to the piston head; a generally annular body seated on the carrier adjacent the piston head; and a wear ring disposed on the piston head, the wear ring being fabricated of a second material. The first material has a higher toughness and a lower hardness than the second material.

Abstract: A liner for an extrusion press container that includes an elongate body having a longitudinally extending passage therein through which a billet is advanced, the passage having a generally rectangular cross-sectional profile. The liner further comprises at least one first longitudinally extending heating element accommodated by the body adjacent a first side of the passage, and at least one second longitudinally extending heating element accommodated by the body adjacent a second side of the passage. The first and second heating elements are individually controllable for controlling a thermal profile within the liner.

Abstract: A method of pre-heating an extrusion die comprises heating an extrusion die using a first group of heating elements and a second group of heating elements; and then heating the extrusion die using only the first group of heating elements to bring the extrusion die to a desired pre-heat temperature, or heating the extrusion die using the first and second groups of heating elements, the second group of heating elements being operated at reduced power, to bring the extrusion die to a desired pre-heat temperature.

Abstract: A tool steel composition for a component of a die-casting apparatus or of an extrusion press, comprises, in weight percentage: from about 0.35% to about 0.40% carbon (C); from about 0.32% to about 0.50% silicon (Si); from about 4.50% to about 5.50% chromium (Cr); from about 3.75% to about 4.75% molybdenum (Mo); from about 0.80% to about 1.00% vanadium (V); and iron (Fe).