Abstract: A manufacturing machine includes a group-forming unit for forming filter portion groups, each group having at least two different filter portions aligned axially and contacting at the ends; a winding unit that receives a succession of groups from the group-forming unit, winds a strip of wrapping material about the groups to form a continuous filter rod, and cuts combination filters off the rod by cyclically cutting the rod transversely; and a transfer unit that transfers the groups from the group-forming unit, in which the groups travel transversely, to the winding unit, in which the groups travel axially. The transfer unit has at least one spider that feeds the groups successively into a forming beam of the winding unit, and at least one release drum that releases the groups successively to the spider. The release drum is mounted to move between a work position and a maintenance position.

Abstract: A device for directional solidification of a fused metal, for example a CoCrAlY alloy, which has been poured into a molding shell, by moving the molding shell out of a heating chamber and by immersing the molding shell in a liquid-metal bath serving as a cooling melt with a lower melting-point than the fused metal in the molding shell, for example tin. The liquid-metal bath is enclosed by several current carrying toroidal coils arranged coaxially relative to one another. For the purpose of orienting the stream filament of the agitated fused metal one or more guide plates are arranged in the space between the lateral circumferential surface of the molding shell and the inner wall of the shell containing the liquid-metal bath which is located opposite the molding shell.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine airfoil is cast around a core having a plurality of legs to form matching flow channels in the airfoil. The legs have a tie extending therebetween to maintain alignment. And, the tie is relocated along the core span to reduce differential static pressure of the cooling air across the resulting tie hole formed by the core tie.

Abstract: A multiple stage process for obtaining Ni units from Ni laterite ores and sulfur-bearing Ni concentrates during production of nickel-alloyed iron, nickel-alloyed steel or nickel-alloyed stainless steel in a reactor equipped with top- and bottom-blowing means. Dried Ni laterite ore is charged into an iron/slag bath mixture containing dissolved carbon and a metalloid reductant such as aluminum or silicon. The laterite ore is melted while heat is generated by oxidation of the metalloid and carbon in the reactor. After the laterite ore is melted, top-blowing of pure oxygen and bottom-blowing of an oxygen-containing gas are ceased. Bottom injection of an inert stirring gas is begun. A sulfur-bearing Ni concentrate and aluminum are added to the bath.