Abstract: A method of controlling a manufacturing process having a machine to form a material in to a component. The method comprises the steps of establishing an initial set of operating parameters for the machine, producing an initial component from the machine, inspecting the component to determine its acceptability relative to a desired component, determining a variation in the operating parameters to improve the acceptability of the component, effecting changes in the operating parameters and inspecting subsequent components to determine their acceptability.

Abstract: The present invention is a casting machine for casting parts in a mold out of a metal using a metal feedstock. The machine feeds solid metal feedstock into a processing cylinder formed in a thermally conductive block and a heater elevates the temperature of the feedstock as it passes along the said processing cylinder first and second ends, the first end of the processing cylinder being configured to receive. The feedstock becomes more liquid and is transferred to an injector cylinder formed in the thermally conductive block adjacent the processing cylinder. The injector cylinder has a shooting pot coupled to the second end of the processing cylinder by a passage configured to permit feedstock to pass from the processing cylinder into the shooting pot from where is it injected into a mold.

Abstract: A method of controlling a manufacturing process having a machine to form a material in to a component. The method comprises the steps of establishing an initial set of operating parameters for the machine, producing an initial component from the machine, inspecting the component to determine its acceptability relative to a desired component, determining a variation in the operating parameters to improve the acceptability of the component, effecting changes in the operating parameters and inspecting subsequent components to determine their acceptability.

Abstract: A hot-runner system, comprising: a melt flow modular assembly having a gate melt flow control apparatus; and a Lorentz force actuator assembly being coupled to the gate melt flow control apparatus. A valve gate drive controller for control of the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system. An injection plastic molding apparatus devised to mold plastic articles, and the injection plastic molding apparatus having the hot-runner system. A method comprising operating the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system. A melt flow modular assembly for use with the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system.

Abstract: The present invention is a casting machine for casting parts in a mold out of a metal using a metal feed stock. The machine feeds solid metal feedstock into a processing cylinder formed in a thermally conductive block and a heater elevates the temperature of the feedstock as it passes along the said processing cylinder first and second ends, the first end of the processing cylinder being configured to receive. The feedstock becomes more liquid and is transferred to an injector cylinder formed in the thermally conductive block adjacent the processing cylinder. The injector cylinder has a shooting pot coupled to the second end of the processing cylinder by a passage configured to permit feed stock to pass from the processing cylinder into the shooting pot from where is it injected into a mold.

Abstract: A hot-runner system, comprising: a melt flow modular assembly having a gate melt flow control apparatus; and a Lorentz force actuator assembly being coupled to the gate melt flow control apparatus. A valve gate drive controller for control of the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system. An injection plastic molding apparatus devised to mold plastic articles, and the injection plastic molding apparatus having the hot-runner system. A method comprising operating the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system. A melt flow modular assembly for use with the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system.

Abstract: A casting machine includes a processing cylinder formed in a thermally conductive block. The cylinder has a processing chamber, a first end configured to receive the metal feed stock and a second end. An injector cylinder formed in the thermally conductive block has a shooting pot coupled to the second end of the processing cylinder by a passage configured to permit feed stock to pass from the processing cylinder into the shooting pot. A nozzle is coupled to the injector cylinder and to the mold. A processing drive drives the feed stock from the first end of the processing cylinder through the passage into the shooting pot. A heater is thermally coupled to the processing cylinder to heat the feed stock. An injector plunger coupled to an injector actuator for driving the plunger sufficiently to force the metal from the shooting pot through the nozzle and into the mold.

Abstract: The present invention is a casting machine for casting parts in a mold out of a metal using a metal feed stock. The machine includes a processing cylinder formed in a thermally conductive block, said processing cylinder having a processing chamber and opposite first and second ends, the first end of the processing cylinder being configured to receive the metal feed stock. The machine further includes an injector cylinder formed in the thermally conductive block adjacent the processing cylinder, the injector cylinder having a shooting pot coupled to the second end of the processing cylinder by a passage configured to permit feed stock to pass from the processing cylinder into the shooting pot, a nozzle coupled to the injector cylinder configured to couple to the mold. The device includes a processing drive for driving the feed stock from the first end of the processing cylinder through the passage into the shooting pot and a heater thermally coupled to the processing cylinder.

Abstract: Described is a device for conditioning a comminuted light alloy feedstock to heat and remove impurities from the feedstock. The conditioner device includes a reaction chamber having a substrate feed port for feeding the comminuted light alloy feedstock into the reaction chamber and a discharge port for allowing the conditioned feedstock to exit the reaction chamber. A scrubber gas baffle is positioned at one end of the reaction chamber and coupled to a scrubber gas injector which is configured to inject a scrubber gas through the scrubber gas baffle at a volume and rate of flow sufficient to fluidize the feedstock in the reaction chamber. A scrubber gas heater is also provided for heating the scrubber gas to a temperature sufficient to condition the feedstock as desired.

Abstract: The invention is a device for conditioning a comminuted light alloy feedstock to heat and remove impurities from the feedstock. The conditioner device includes a reaction chamber having a substrate feed port for feeding the comminuted light alloy feedstock into the reaction chamber and a discharge port for allowing the conditioned feedstock to exit the reaction chamber. A scrubber gas baffle is positioned at one end of the reaction chamber and coupled to a scrubber gas injector which is configured to inject a scrubber gas through the scrubber gas baffle at a volume and rate of flow sufficient to fluidize the feedstock in the reaction chamber. A scrubber gas heater is also provided for heating the scrubber gas to a temperature sufficient to condition the feedstock as desired.

Abstract: The present invention is a casting machine for casting parts in a mold out of a metal using a metal feed stock. The machine includes a processing cylinder formed in a thermally conductive block, said processing cylinder having a processing chamber and opposite first and second ends, the first end of the processing cylinder being configured to receive the metal feed stock. The machine further includes an injector cylinder formed in the thermally conductive block adjacent the processing cylinder, the injector cylinder having a shooting pot coupled to the second end of the processing cylinder by a passage configured to permit feed stock to pass from the processing cylinder into the shooting pot, a nozzle coupled to the injector cylinder configured to couple to the mold. The device includes a processing drive for driving the feed stock from the first end of the processing cylinder through the passage into the shooting pot and a heater thermally coupled to the processing cylinder.