Abstract: A vacuum casting die simpler in configuration and improved in seal performance in vacuum casting using a slide core, provided with a pair of main dies, a sealing member for seamlessly and continuously sealing mating faces around the closed space formed between the main dies, and a slide core housed in the sealed space formed between the main dies sealed by the sealing member.

Abstract: A truss structure well suited for use as an engine strut on a commercial aircraft. The truss structure is cast as a single piece integrally formed component from a titanium alloy or another suitably lightweight, structurally strong material. The truss structure includes a plurality of integrally formed attachment structures which enable the truss structure to be secured to an element of an aircraft such as a wing. A plurality of attachment areas for an element such as an engine is also formed that allows the element (e.g. jet engine) to be secured to the truss structure. The truss structure includes a plurality of elongated rails and truss elements that are arranged to provide redundant load paths to ensure that a failure of any one truss element or elongated rail will not result in a failure of the overall truss structure to support whatever load is required.

Abstract: An automatic molding machine has different operational molding stations in which at least two different safety zones are provided for the different molding stations. Such an automated machine includes a mold flask assembly including a drag flask, a cope flask and a pattern plate. An electronic controller controls the molding machine differently when different safety zones are breached.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a cylinder head having a partition plate for an intake port, there is prepared a partition plate having an intake-side distal end and a cylinder-side distal end. The partition plate is located in a core to form the intake port and molten metal is supplied to a periphery of the partition plate. After solidifying the molten metal, the core is removed. At least the intake-side distal end of the partition plate is located in an expansion-permit space that permits thermal expansion of the partition plate caused by heat of molten metal.

Abstract: A segment roll for use in a continuous casting machine includes a number of roll segments axially spaced apart and supported in bearings on a non-rotating shaft. Each roll segment is a self-contained unit including a sleeve-shaped outer mantle, an internal sleeve disposed coaxially within the outer mantle, and a bearing assembly disposed radially between the outer mantle and the inner sleeve within an annular recess disposed at each end of the roll segment. Each bearing assembly is spaced from an inner envelope surface of the internal sleeve and includes a bearing and a seal, wherein the internal sleeve is in non-rotatable contact with the non-rotating sleeve.

Abstract: A ceramic core for use in casting an article such as for example an airfoil, wherein the ceramic core has a pocket located at or near a region of the core that is otherwise associated with occurrence of a localized casting defect in the cast article. A covering is disposed on the core to cover the pocket and provide core outer surface features.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for casting a part having a complex shape or having a complex shape thereon. The method includes providing a pattern and securing at least one core to the pattern. A conformable material is located about the pattern and the core to create a complementary shape to the pattern and core in the conformable material. The pattern is removed and the core is left behind in the conformable material. The core leaves space, or an empty form, for a negative draw that cannot be formed in known casting methods. A mold is located adjacent the shaped, conformable material. A hardenable material is located between the mold and the shaped, conformable material and into the core. The hardenable material is allowed to harden and then it is removed. A cast part having a complex shape, or having a complex shape integrally formed with the part, results.

Abstract: A moulding apparatus (10) for moulding a strap on to a group of battery plates including a mould block (14) with moulds (24), each of which has an inlet weir (28) and an outlet weir (29). The ridge (30) of these weirs is effectively a knife edge but includes a thermal break. This construction allows rapid processing whilst avoiding the formation of solid tails.

Abstract: A mold for horizontal casting of molten metal comprising a mold body forming an open-ended mold cavity having an inlet end and an outlet end. An annular permeable wall member is mounted in the mold body adjacent the inlet end of the mold cavity with an inner face thereof forming an interior face of the mold. A refractory transition plate is mounted at the inlet end of the mold cavity, this transition plate providing a mold inlet opening having a cross-section less than that of the mold cavity. This provides an annular shoulder at the inlet end of the cavity. Means are provided for feeding molten aluminum through the inlet opening. Separate conduits are also provided for feeding a gas into the shoulder and via the permeable wall means for providing a layer of gas between the metal and the inner face of the mold. A gas that is more reactive with molten aluminum is fed into the shoulder and a less reactive gas is fed via the permeable wall.

Abstract: A method of drying a sand mold mixture containing moisture includes restraining the sand mold mixture and exposing the sand mold mixture to a vacuum. The vacuum flashes off the moisture within the sand mold mixture thereby drying the sand mold mixture to create a solidified sand mold. The restraining member prevents voids from forming in the sand mold during exposure to the vacuum.

Abstract: A machine for vertical casting of metal, including a frame on which casting molds can be mounted and through which cooling water can be supplied during casting. The frame includes a horizontal cantilever arm protruding from a support and being journalled in the support with one end, for vertical pivoting of the frame, said support being rotatable about a vertical axis for horizontal pivoting of the frame.

Abstract: A method of producing metal fibers including melting a mixture of at least a fiber metal and a matrix metal, cooling the mixture to form a bulk matrix comprising at least a fiber phase and a matrix phase and removing at least a substantial portion of the matrix phase from the fiber phase. Additionally, the method may include deforming the bulk matrix. In certain embodiments, the fiber metal may be at least one of niobium, a niobium alloy, tantalum and a tantalum alloy and the matrix metal may be at least one of copper and a copper alloy. The substantial portion of the matrix phase may be removed, in certain embodiments, by dissolving of the matrix phase in a suitable mineral acid, such as, but not limited to, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid.

Abstract: A simple, cost-effective stamping or molding in the nanometer range is enabled using a stamping surface or molding face with a surface layer having hollow chambers that have been formed by anodic oxidation.

Abstract: By determining an amount of a metal to be prepared into a slurry in its liquid state, thereafter applying a motion to the melted metal via a mechanical or physical means when at least a part of the melted metal reaches a temperature below the liquidus temperature and cooling the melted metal in a slurry preparing container to prepare the melted metal into a metal slurry in a semi-solid state, and by concurrently making the semi-solid metal slurry in the slurry preparing container with a shape to be kept almost unchanged, and feeding the semi-solid metal slurry in a state wherein the shape is nearly kept as it is into the shot sleeve/prechamber of the part making machine, a semi-solid metal slurry with the non-dendritic (spherical) primary crystal particles being fine and almost uniform can be fed into the part making machine, with no need of any specifically complex process but with a simple system and plain equipment. Thus, a shaped part with high quality can be produced.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of manufacturing an air conditioning compressor assembly for a vehicle having a front head member. A forming die having a cover half and an ejector half is shaped to define the features of the front head member. A conventional casting process is used to form the front head member. The front head member is cast to include a plurality of sealing surfaces, each concentric with a bore. A fastener passes through the bore to secure the front head member to the compressor housing such that a head portion of the fastener is in sealing engagement with the sealing surface as cast into the front head member to provide a pressure tight seal therebetween.

Abstract: A method of making an investment or lost foam casting assembly of a first part movable with respect to a second part includes making first and second separate wax or foam patterns of portions of the first part. Then, a third wax or foam pattern of the second part is made. Next, ceramic core pieces are made. At least one of the core pieces is mounted on the first pattern to form a subassembly. The subassembly is combined with the third pattern so that the core pieces maintain a separation between the third pattern and the first pattern. The first and second patterns are bonded together to trap the subassembly and to form a complete casting assembly.

Abstract: In a method for the continuous casting of a thin metal strip according to the two-roll method, metal melt is cast into a casting gap formed by two casting rolls of the thickness of the metal strip to be cast, under formation of a melting bath. In order to form a particular texture within the cast metal strip and/or to influence the geometry of the metal strip, continuous casting is carried out by an on-line calculation based upon an arithmetic model describing the formation of the particular texture of the metal and/or the formation of the geometry of the metal strip, wherein variables of the continuous casting method affecting the formation of the texture and/or the geometry are adjusted in an on-line dynamic fashion, i.e. while casting takes place.

Abstract: A diecasting machine comprising a movable and a stationary die half which, when closed, define a die cavity. The diecasting machine further comprises a filling chamber for receiving liquid metal, plunger, a slidingly displaceable inside the filling chamber and mounted on a plunger rod, for ejecting the liquid metal from the filling chamber and for injecting it into the die cavity, and a device for supplying lubricants for the plunger in the filling chamber. At least one pipe or one nozzle having an opening directed towards the plunger is fastened on the plunger rod. The pipe or the nozzle is linked with a reservoir for the lubricant via a supply line. A water-based releasing agent is sprayed into the intermediate space between the plunger rod and the cylindrical inner wall of the filling chamber in the direction of the plunger during a period in which the plunger is at its final lift position after the liquid metal has been injected into the die cavity.

Abstract: The invention is relating to a system for casting metal, the system comprising a holding furnace (3) containing a base metal melt (2), at least one casting crucible (1) mounted inside the holding furnace (3) and situated at least partly in the base metal melt (2), the said casting crucible (1) divided to at least first volume (4) and second volume (5) with a separating wall (6), which separating wall (6) is forming a gap (10) with the casting crucible wall (11) said casting crucible (1) having at least one opening (12) in the wall (11) from the first volume (4) to the base metal melt (2) in holding furnace (3) and having means to import alloying material (7) to the first volume (4) and having at least one casting die (8) in the second volume (5) inserted into the alloyed metal melt (9). The invention also relates to a method of casting metal.

Abstract: A distributor device for use in aluminium casting includes a rigid, substantially bowl-shaped receptacle (2) of a refractory material having a base member (4) and a peripheral wall (6) that extends upwards from the base. The receptacle has an inlet opening (8) towards the upper end thereof and a pair of outlet openings (14) towards the base thereof. The device is constructed and arranged such that, in use, molten aluminium poured into the distributor device through the inlet opening (8) is redirected by the distributor device and flows outwards into the mould through the outlet openings (14).