Abstract: A trough assembly for degassing molten aluminum. The trough assembly comprises a trough adapted for a stream of molten aluminum to flow trough. The trough comprises a central section in which the stream slows down. Removable agitators are adapted to be inserted in the central section of the trough, and used to degassing the molten aluminum. The trough is tiltable to be emptied. In the stream flowing position, the trough is laid over a heating bed to ensure that the aluminum remains liquid. The trough may be equipped with a flexible extension adapted to remain secured thereto when emptying the trough.

Abstract: An AI system is adapted to receive at least one parameter to be optimized for an article or its production. The AI system processes the to-be-optimized parameter and generates an operating condition for a first phase of production. The AI system processes the operating condition, and generates an AI operating parameter for processing the aluminum. The production equipment associated with the first phase processes the aluminum accordingly, wherein there is an operating parameter for obtaining aluminum having an optimized quality characteristic at the end of the first phase, and wherein having the production equipment performing the AI parameter generates a deviation. Through the deviations over the different phases, the general production is prioritized over the phases of productions.

Abstract: An automated guided vehicle (AGV) including a frame, ground-contacting elements connected to the frame for supporting the AGV and a heat shield is used in an automated sow casting facility. AGVs are adapted to get hold of, to move and to release moulds used for producing sows. A method of operating the casting facility involving AGVs to move moulds between stations is also described.

Abstract: The present document describes a machine for compacting a ramming paste inside a gap between cathodes of an electrolytic cell. The machine comprises a guiding rod for providing a static pressure in a longitudinal axis which is coincident with the guiding rod; a vibration generator attached to the guiding rod for providing an oscillatory pressure; and a compaction tool attached to one of the guiding rod and the vibration generator for transmitting the static pressure and the oscillatory pressure to the ramming paste inside the gap.

Abstract: The present document describes a method and confinement unit for stopping a chemical reaction involving hot metal dross and a gas in the surrounding environment. The method comprises transferring the hot metal dross in a dross pan and placing the dross pan with the metal dross therein in the gastight chamber. Then, the dross pan is sealed with the hot metal dross therein into a gastight chamber of a fixed interior volume. The chemical reaction occurring inside the gastight chamber depletes a limited amount of gas present inside the gastight chamber, thereby stopping once the gas is completely depleted. The gastight chamber is shaped and sealed to withstand a pressure differential created by the depleting of the gas in the fixed interior volume, until the hot dross is cooled and the chemical reaction has stopped.