Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the production of piston castings, and, in particular, a die construction and method of use thereof are described, the die having a crown forming part (18) separable from a skirt forming part (12). In the method, when solidification of the casting occurs to an extent at least enabling the separation of the skirt forming die part therefrom to be allowed, and the die parts (20, 22) are separated, the casting is retained by the crown forming part (18) of the die. After a subsequent process step, such as the solidification of the remainder of the piston casting, and or the cooling of the piston casting by an air blast (64), the solidified piston is removed from the crown forming part of the die.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for controlling the rate of pouring of molten metal. Examples are given of pouring metal onto a steel strip to form a coating having a uniform controlled thickness thereon. The method comprises the use of an intermediate holding dish having pouring means in the form of a generally vertical slot. The metal head presented to the slot is variable in response to signals from sensors measuring, for example, total strip thickness and the metal level within the holding dish. Signals from the sensors are also used to generate control signals to vary the rate of pouring from a holding furnace into the dish.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for controlling the rate of pouring of molten metal. Examples are given of pouring metal onto a steel strip to form a coating having a uniform controlled thickness thereon. The method comprises the use of an intermediate holding dish having pouring means in the form of a generally vertical slot. The metal head presented to the slot is variable in response to signals from sensors measuring, for example, total strip thickness and the metal level within the holding dish. Signals from the sensors are also used to generate control signals to vary the rate of pouring from a holding furnace into the dish.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a so-called knock-out or shake-out system for foundries comprises a beam which may be resiliently suspended by a stirrup and bellows. A pair of tubular frames depend from the ends of the beam and a pair of rectangular clamp frames are vertically slidable in the tubular frames. A mold box comprising a pair of box-frames and containing a metal casting in a sand mold is located between the two pairs of frames. Two sets of bellows one associated with each clamp frame are inflated to raise the clamp frames and clamp the box between the lower crosspiece of these frames and some other part of the structure such as the lower cross-piece of the tubular frames. The mold is vibrated by vibrators so that the sand and casting are shaken out of the box.