Abstract: The invention is a method of removing lithium from aluminum-lithium alloys. Aluminum-lithium alloys (64) and a metal halide flux (68) are fed into a rotary furnace (10) at a raised and cool end thereof. The temperature at the cool end is above that of the melting point of the flux (68) and below that of the melting point of the alloy (64). The flux is thus melted as it enters the furnace. It coats the solid alloy and the furnace refractory lining (46) to prevent contact between the refractories and the molten metal unitl the lithium content of the aluminum has been reduced to an acceptable level. A rotation of the furnace moves the alloy (64) and molten flux (68) toward a lower and hotter end at which the temperature is such to melt the aluminum. At this time the lithium is removed from the alloy (64) and is absorbed within the flux (68). The aluminum (70) is then drained from the furnace at its lower end.

Abstract: A three-point, air-bending sheet metal bender comprising a pair of elongated U-shaped finger dies mounted parallel to one another is disclosed. The elongated finger dies are mirror images of one another (when appropriately aligned) and, prior to bending, are spaced from each other by an amount generally equal to the thickness of the sheet of metal to be bent. The elongated finger dies are laterally position adjustable such that the "finger" of one die is alignable with the "palm" of the other die and vice versa; i.e., the finger of each die is alignable with the palm of the other die. During bending, the "finger" die remains fixed and the "palm" die rotates. As the palm die rotates, sheet metal located between the two dies is bent. The direction of bending, with respect to the plane of the sheet of metal prior to bending, is determined by the die that is chosen to rotate.