Abstract: An apparatus for reclaiming used foundry and molding sand comprises a container having a cylinder sidewall and at least one bottom wall or tray is arranged on a sand reclamation device for the mechanical cleaning of grains of sand, particularly organically and inorganically bonded molding sands. A central, hollow drive shaft is arranged in the cylinder and is supported for rotation. The bottom walls are firmly attached to the hollow shaft. A slot is formed between the bottom walls and cylinder. By the rotation of the bottom walls a parting plane is formed between the rotating part and the stationary part of the column of sand, in which plane an intensive rubbing of grain against grain takes place. As a result of the cylindrical force, the sand is brought in the direction towards the wall of the cylinder and through the slot, which additionally leads to an intensive rubbing of grain against grain.

Abstract: The machine includes a carriage assembly supporting a shot sleeve and shot cylinder at a fixed angle relative to vertical. The sleeve follows a first straight line path from a remote position to an intermediate position aligned with an aperture of the die casting die and a second path to a position communicating with the aperture. Docking cylinders lift the shot cylinder, sleeve and a docking plate to a position at which the docking plate is aligned with locking cylinders and to bring the sleeve into engagement with the die aperture. Actuation of the locking cylinders moves the docking plate into engagement with a sleeve frame supporting the shot cylinder which is thereafter actuated to eject molten metal from the sleeve engaged to the die aperture.

Abstract: A magnesium or aluminum alloy melt having a composition within maximum solubility limits is poured into a mold at a temperature exceeding the alloy liquidus line, but not higher by more than 30.degree. C., the melt is cooled at a rate of at least 1.0.degree. C./sec to form a billet, the billet is heated at a rate of at least 0.5.degree. C./min in a range bound by the alloy solubility line and the alloy solidus line and further heated to a temperature above the alloy solidus line and is maintained at that temperature for 5 to 60 minutes, thereby spheroidizing primary crystals thereof, the billet is then further heated to a temperature below the alloy liquidus line and the semi-solid billet is shaped under pressure. Alternatively, a hypo-eutectic aluminum alloy melt having a composition at or above maximum solubility limits is poured into a billet-forming mold at a temperature exceeding the alloy liquidus line, but not higher by more than 30.degree. C. and the melt is cooled at a rate of at least 1.0.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for shooting foundry cores or molds with a shooting arrangement (1), a set of tools comprising an upper tool (6) and a lower tool (7), and a tool change mechanism (8) rotatable about a vertical axis (10) and comprising two tool change frames (9), each of the tool change frames (9) being adapted for alternate rotation into and out of the shooting arrangement (1), is designed and constructed for optimal exploitation or utilization such that the tool change frame (9) rotated into the shooting arrangement (1) serves to receive the lower tool (7) carrying the cores (11), and that the lower tool (7) carrying the cores (11) is rotatable out of the shooting arrangement (11) and at the same time the other tool change frame (9) can be rotated into the shooting arrangement (1) with a preferably cleaned lower tool (7).

Abstract: A continuous block caster has a temperature sensor in each of the chilling blocks. The sensor monitor and control temperatures of the chilling blocks in the casting direction (the "x-direction") and the direction transverse to the casting direction (the "y-direction").

Abstract: In an automatically operating molding and casting plant comprising a molding station (01) for producing molds (not shown) by compressing mold sand, a pouring station (05) and an extraction station (10), the main new feature is one or a number of video cameras (03, 09) depicting one or a number of process steps and/or the results of same, transmitting the corresponding image information to central control means (13, 14, 15), in which the image information is compared to "ideal" image information, e.g. image information previously read-in and based on a process step proceeding correctly, and which on the basis of the results of the comparison controls the affected stations in such a manner that undesired operational states or defective castings are avoided.

Abstract: The molding apparatus includes a table movable between an area where molding sand is fed and a mold-producing area for carrying a pattern plate on which a flask is mounted, a cylinder for vertically moving the table, a closing cover having an opening at the lower part thereof, the opening communicating with an upper opening of the flask. The closing cover has a stepped part such that the cross-sectional area of the lower part of the closing cover is smaller than that of the upper part thereof. At least one air-supply pipe communicates with the upper part of the closing cover and an air valve communicates with the air-supply pipe to introduce ambient air into the air-supply pipe. An opening is formed in an upper and side part of the closing cover for communicating with a vacuum source. A press plate is suspended in the closing cover for a vertical movement such that the press plate can be airtightly inserted into the small lower part of the closing cover.

Abstract: An inner bearing is disposed in a cast mold formed by a punch and a die. A molten metal is poured into the die. Pressure is then applied to the molten metal. The socket plate is then knocked out by means of a pin member which passes into the mold to dislodge the socket plate.

Abstract: A pouring tube in the ingot mold of a continuous casting plant for producing thin slabs is replaced by arranging an auxiliary plate (4) on guide rails (9) next to an insert plate (3) of a pouring tube (12) in its operative position (14). A replacement pouring tube (2) is placed next to the auxiliary plate (4) so that the plates (3, 4) form a perfectly planar surface with abutting edges.

Abstract: Ge, Si or a Ge-Si alloy are melt-molded to form, for example an optical lens, by heating Ge, Si or a Ge-Si alloy to at least its melting point, and heating a molding die to a temperature above that melting point. The molten material is injected at a predetermined pressure into a cavity of the heated molding die, and then the melt is cooled at that pressure to a temperature just above a temperature at which the melt solidifies. The pressure on the melt is then decreased, and the melt is cooled to the temperature at which it solidifies. The pressure on the solidified melt is increased, and the solidified melt is cooled. After releasing the pressure on the cooled solidified melt, the optical lens, or other molded article, is removed from the die.

Abstract: A metallic feed initially in a solid state is fed into a cylinder barrel of an injection molding machine. The metallic feed is melted by applying heat to the metallic feed from outside the cylinder barrel and by heat produced from frictional and shearing forces generated by rotation of a screw housed within the cylinder barrel. The cylinder barrel and screw define at least a feed zone, a compression zone and an accumulating zone. After melting and passing through each of the three zones, the metallic feed is injected into a die, to thereby form a shaped part. The temperature of the metallic feed is controlled to be above the liquidus of the metallic feed during the injecting process.

Abstract: The mold has a first chamber defined by a pair of inner and outer peripheral walls circumposed about the axis of the cavity and spaced apart from one another transverse the axis. The first chamber has oppositely disposed end walls that extend transverse the axis and an inlet for the supply of liquid coolant under pressure. The inner peripheral wall has a step which projects into the first chamber. The step has a first surface that extends transverse the axis and a second surface that extends parallel to the axis and coterminates with the first surface to form a corner. A second chamber is formed in the inner peripheral wall at the step. A series of holes open into the first chamber at one of the surfaces of the step to permit coolant to discharge into the second chamber at a reduced pressure. A passage opening discharges the reduced pressure coolant onto a body of metal emerging from the discharge end opening of the cavity.

Abstract: The includes a plurality of squeeze rods (12) and a squeeze plate (14) are used to press molding sand in a flask (16), and wherein the pressure applied to the individual squeeze rods and their individual downward movements are controlled. The device includes a squeeze table (2) on which a pattern plate (1) is mounted, a vertically movable frame (3) disposed above the squeeze table (2) such that the frame can move vertically relative to the squeeze table (2), a squeeze plate (14) mounted on a lower part of the vertically movable frame, a plurality of squeeze rods juxtaposed and penetrating the squeeze plate for vertical sliding movements, a plurality of electric servo-actuators attached to the frame to vertically move the squeeze rods, and a controller for controlling the plurality of the electric servo-actuators.

Abstract: A preformed fiber reinforced metal matrix composite reinforcement insert is clad or covered with a material that is effective to avoid the adverse reactions between the insert/melt and any exposed insert fibers/matrix. The clad insert is suspended in the mold cavity and a melt is introduced into the mold cavity about the clad insert. The melt is solidified about the clad insert to provide a casting of the solidified melt having the clad insert disposed therein to reinforce the casting.

Abstract: An investment casting process which includes: attaching a gate to a pattern made of a plastic to form a pattern assembly; forming a mold by applying a plaster slurry on an outer surface of the pattern assembly; dissolving and removing the pattern assembly in the mold by applying an organic solvent; burning the mold from which the pattern has been removed; casting by pouring a molten metal into the burned mold; and breaking the mold to take out a cast product.

Abstract: Casting equipment for continuous or semi-continuous direct chill casting of metals, in particular the casting of billets or ingots of aluminum, has a mold cavity (4) with an inlet (2) that is upwardly open, an intermediate, inwardly facing and heat insulated overhang or hot-top (8), and an outlet with a vertically movable supporting device (5). A slit (10) supplies water to cool the molted metal. The wall in the mold cavity is wholly or partly constituted by a permeable material, whereby oil and/or gas are supplied through the permeable material to form an oil and/or gas layer between the metal and the wall of the mold to prevent the metal from coming into direct contact with the wall of the mold. The oil and gas are supplied separately through two independent, and, by means of a sealing element (14) or the like, physically separated rings or wall elements (12, 13).

Abstract: An extension is formed directly on an article by dipping a portion or end of the article having an attached integral mandrel into a molten bath of a compatible alloy, followed by withdrawal of the end under controlled conditions sufficient to cause an integral extension to solidify on the article. A ceramic mold is utilized over the dipped end of the article and the integral mandrel with a mold cavity that generally defines the shape of the extension to be formed. The mold may be formed in situ on the mandrel, or preformed and attached to the subject article over the mandrel. The integral mandrel is melted within the mold by dipping the mandrel into the molten alloy. The mandrel acts as a buffer between the molten material and the article while permitting melting of the article end and solidification of the integral extension. Extensions formed by the method of this invention have a microstructure that is continuous and compatible with that of the article.

Abstract: Ingress of gas such as air through the joint of a pour tube and tube holder of a continuous caster is prevented or inhibited by passing an inert gas into a circumferential channel around the orifice and at the interface of the joint; the gas is evenly distributed within the channel over the entire configuration of a porous refractory insert in the circumferential channel; the porous refractory insert assures even distribution of the gas to the desired location in the joint.

Abstract: An extension is formed directly on an article by melting a compatible alloy preform within a ceramic mold, followed by cooling of the end under controlled conditions sufficient to cause an integral extension to solidify on the article. A ceramic mold is attached on the end of the article with a mold cavity that generally defines the shape of the extension to be formed. The mold may be formed in situ on a removable mandrel, or preformed and attached to the subject article. Extensions formed by the method of this invention have a microstructure that is continuous and compatible with that of the article. Such microstructures may include epitaxial growth of the extension from the microstructure of the article. The method establishes a temperature gradient within the article during solidification that may be further controlled by auxiliary heating and/or cooling of the article and/or extension during the practice of the method.

Abstract: An extension is formed directly on an article by melting a portion or end of the article having an attached integral mandrel within a ceramic mold, followed by cooling of the end under controlled conditions sufficient to cause an integral extension to solidify on the article. A ceramic mold is attached on the end of the article over the integral mandrel with a mold cavity that generally defines the shape of the extension to be formed. The mold may be formed in situ on the mandrel, or preformed and attached to the subject article over the mandrel. Extensions formed by the method of this invention have a microstructure that is continuous and compatible with that of the article. Such microstructures may include epitaxial growth of the extension from the microstructure of the article. The method establishes a temperature gradient within the article during solidification that may be further controlled by auxiliary heating and/or cooling of the article and/or extension during the practice of the method.