Abstract: Molds (1) with annular mold parts (2, 3) divided by at least one plane of division (E—E) and forming a plurality of cavities (8) disposed at least substantially radially to a centrifugation axis (A—A), serve for the production of precision castings by centrifugal casting, especially of parts made of materials containing titanium for internal combustion engines, the molds (1) and a casting system being contained in a closed chamber. To automate production, at least one mold part (2, 3) is made to rotate in its own rotational guide, and two mold parts (2, 3) together with the corresponding rotational guides are brought to a closed position for the casting and solidification and to an open position for the removal of the precision castings. When cast, the precision castings are preferably joined together at their radially inward pointing ends by a circumferential ring of the solidified metal and thus a circle of castings can be removed from the opened mold by a manipulating system.

Abstract: A furnace chamber (2) has a lock (14) provided with two sealing plates (18, 22), a melting furnace (3), and a casting mold carrier (25), which can be moved horizontally through the lock (14) in the horizontal direction into a casting position (34) in the furnace chamber. An outer sealing plate (22) is mounted on a first truck (21), carrying a first rail segment (23) for a second truck (24) on the other side of the sealing plate (22), the casting mold carrier (25) being mounted on this second truck. A horizontal drive (27) is used to move the second truck (24) with respect to the first (21), and in the interior of the furnace chamber (2) there is a second rail segment (32) to which the casting mold carrier (25) is transferred from the first rail segment (23). A heating chamber (8) can be raised and lowered above the casting position (34) in the furnace chamber, which is equipped with a filling hole (12) and with heating elements (35, 36, 37).

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a bottom tap opening in a vacuum induction melting and casting furnace with a movable closing body, a plug rod for example, and a drive unit for the displacement of the closing body, the closing body being made of ceramic material and connected by levers to a coupling element, which has a compression spring to limit the maximum closing force of the closing body, and is displaceable by an electric motor drive.

Abstract: A crucible (9) surrounded by an induction coil (10) is housed for tilting about a first tilt axis within a gas-tight furnace chamber (2) which has a closable opening (40a) for transferring the melt (31) into a receiving vessel (36, 63). The furnace chamber (2) is in turn tiltable about a second tilt axis (A2) between a melting position and a position in which the start of the pouring of the melt is immediately imminent by an angle which corresponds to the range of the tilting angle of the crucible (9). The opening (40a) for transferring the melt is surrounded by a first sealing flange (41) which, after the tilting path of the furnace chamber (2) has been traveled, comes sealingly into contact with a second sealing flange (38, 64) of an additional gas-tight chamber (35, 61) in which the receiving vessel (36, 63) for the melt is situated.

Abstract: A furnace chamber contains a chassis to which a closure plate for said chamber is removably fixed. A tilting frame is borne by said chassis in a pair of coaxial tilting bearings, one of which incorporates a rotary lead through for power lines and cooling lines to an induction coil surrounding a crucible on the tilting frame. The chassis includes a pair of rails which are movable horizontally on wheels mounted to the floor of the furnace chamber.