Abstract: A casting machine furnace apparatus that includes a furnace adapted to receive molten metal is described herein. The furnace includes an outer wall structure, a cover adapted to seal the furnace, a source of fluid, and a casting apparatus in fluid communication with the molten metal. The fluid is supplied into the furnace for applying fluid pressure on the molten metal. The application of fluid pressure on the molten metal causes the molten metal to supply the casting apparatus. The outer wall structure of the furnace is provided with a plurality of exhaust ports where the ports are provided in the outer wall structure at predetermined locations. The ports are selectively controllable between a first closed position, where the exhaust ports do not allow air to be exhausted from the furnace, and a second opened position, where the exhaust ports enable air to be exhausted from the furnace.

Abstract: Casting apparatus for the vacuum-assisted casting of a melt includes a vacuum box defining a vacuum chamber and a gas permeable casting mold having a first mold portion confronted by the vacuum chamber and a second mold portion unconfronted by the vacuum chamber. The mold includes a mold cavity and a melt inlet that is disposed in the second mold portion for engaging a source of the melt and supplying the melt to the mold cavity. A refractory shield confronts the second mold portion and includes a melt-engaging portion having a melt inlet in melt flow communication with the melt inlet of the mold. A substantially gas impermeable seal is disposed between the refractory shield and the second mold portion for inhibiting ambient gas flow into the vacuum chamber when the vacuum chamber is evacuated during casting. The seal is protected by the refractory shield from heat from the melt when the melt-engaging portion of the refractory shield is engaged with the melt during casting.

Abstract: A melt is cast into a gas permeable mold having an upstanding fill sprue that supplies melt to a mold cavity via a lateral ingate. Subambient pressure is applied to the mold fill sprue and to the mold cavity when a lower open end of the sprue and an underlying source of the melt are communicated to urge the melt upwardly to fill the sprue and the mold cavity. Thereafter, the pressure applied to the mold sprue is selectively raised relative to the subambient pressure applied to the mold cavity to cause the melt in the sprue to drain therefrom without siphoning the melt from the melt-filled mold cavity. Pressurized gas can be introduced into the mold sprue as the mold is communicated to the melt source to blow floating slag and other debris away from the region of communication between the sprue lower open end and the source to reduce entry of slag into the mold cavity.