Abstract: A mould structure for producing metal castings by solidifying molten metal, in particular for producing a light-alloy engine crank-case, which includes a plurality of cores defining a mould cavity and a primary inlet aperture for feeding the molten metal into the bottom region of the mould cavity through the walls of one of the said cores, which includes: a metal containment structure, open at the top, with a bottom wall and side walls having a plurality of reference elements which have surface portions which complement surface portions of the said cores, the said cores being assembled inside the containment structure so that they are engaged with each other and with the said reference elements, and being shaped so as to define interstices between their surfaces facing outwardly of the mould cavity and the walls of the containment structure; and at least one cover element made of a highly heat-conductive material, supported by the side walls of the containment structure and by some of the said cores and servi

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of die casting which reduce waste, by providing heated channels to feed solidification shrinkage. The channels are heated to a temperature which prevents solidification in the channels, thus allowing the channels to be substantially smaller than conventional risers. An insulating layer in the mold prevents excessive heat loss from the channels to the mold cavity area.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wheel rim for a motor vehicle, including cutting off a section of an extruded cylindrical tube to produce a hollow cylindrical rim blank, and subjecting the blank to two successive deformation steps. During the first step, only the central section of the blank is deformed radially inwardly, the diameter of the end sections remaining substantially unchanged. In the second step, only the edge portions of each end section are deformed radially outwardly, so that the region between each edge portion and the central section is unchanged in diameter. Also, the outermost part of each edge of the blank is bent into a U-shape. The rim is then gauged to finish it. The first deformation step is performed by a pair of cooperating rollers having central sections shaped to deform the central section of the blank.

Abstract: An automatic unit for hot molding, e.g., forging or stamping, and subsequent trimming of metal parts. A molding press and a trimming press are served by two robot pairs. One robot of one pair delivers hot ingots to the molding press, the other pair of robots moves the part being molded step-by-step through successive stampings, and the other robot of the first pair delivers the fully molded part to the trimming press. The robots of the second pair move in mirror-image relation. The ends of the robot arms of the second pair are accommodated by depressions in the molds during the various stamping operations.

Abstract: System for recovering latent and sensible heat of effluent gases from a cupola for cast iron production or other similar melting installation consequent intermittent operation thereof, for obtaining heat energy or potential electric energy in the form of hot water and/or steam, comprising a thermal unit including an air burner and combustion chamber for burning the effluent gases to form hot combustion gases, two vertical waste heat boilers disposed in series along a flow path downstream of the combustion chamber, the first being a water tube boiler and the second being a fire tube boiler, both having vertical tubes arranged so that the hot gases pass upwardly through the water tubes, thereby licking such tubes, and upon flow reversal thence pass downwardly through the fire tubes, thereby enhancing the self-cleaning thereof, an economizer and optionally a combustion air preheater downstream of the second boiler, and a chimney for the fumes at the end of the flow path, as well as a common external steam separa