Abstract: A method including preheating a set of N shell molds for lost-wax casting, where the method can comprise: individually charging shell molds into n unit electric furnaces, each of which has previously been preheated to an initial loading temperature; starting a predefined preheating cycle for each shell mold charged in the unit electric furnaces, with a preheating cycle comprising raising the temperature of the furnace in compliance with a predefined ramp up to a predetermined setpoint temperature, and holding the furnace at the setpoint temperature for a predetermined duration; and at the end of each preheating cycle, unloading the shell mold in question and repeating the two preceding operations for another non-preheated shell mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preheating a set of N shell molds (12) for lost-wax casting, the method comprising the following successive steps: individually charging shell molds into n unit electric furnaces (100), each of which has previously been preheated to an initial loading temperature; starting a predefined preheating cycle for each shell mold charged in the unit electric furnaces, with a preheating cycle comprising raising the temperature of the furnace in compliance with a predefined ramp up to a predetermined setpoint temperature, and holding the furnace at the setpoint temperature for a predetermined duration; and at the end of each preheating cycle, unloading the shell mold in question and repeating the two preceding steps for another non-preheated shell mold.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing at least one single-crystal seed that can be used as a starter seed in the manufacture of a single-crystal high-pressure turbine nozzle, with at least one vane between two platforms, by metal casting, is disclosed. The process includes producing a wax pattern that includes a pattern for the nozzle, a pattern for the starter seed, and a pattern for a crude seed; forming a ceramic shell mold from the wax pattern; incorporating a starter seed into the mold; pouring metal into the mold; directionally solidifying the metal in the mold from the starter seed; and separating the crude seed from the nozzle. The starter seed and the crude seed each include a flat face for localizing the crystalline orientations. The crude seed has the same crystallographic structure as the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing at least one single-crystal seed that can be used as a starter seed in the manufacture of a single-crystal high-pressure turbine nozzle, with at least one vane between two platforms, by metal casting, wherein: a wax pattern is produced which comprises: a first element forming the pattern for the nozzle, a second element forming the pattern for the starter seed, including a flat face for localizing the crystalline orientations, and at least a third element incorporating a pattern for the crude seed with a flat face for localizing the crystalline orientations; a ceramic shell mold is formed from said wax pattern and a starter seed, including said flat face for localizing the crystalline orientations, is incorporated into the mold; a metal is poured into the mold; the metal undergoes directional solidification in the mold from the starter seed, so that the crude seed obtained has the same crystallographic structure as the part; and the crude seed o