Abstract: A low pressure chill casting method for casting metal components such as cylinder heads or engine blocks of combustion engines or the like, which cast components have wall portions which are locally predominently thinner than in their other regions. In this method, by means of gas pressure, liquid metal is forced from a melt container through a riser tube into a mold. According to the invention, the mold is so arranged that therein the thicker wall portion of the cast component is cast upwardly remote from the gating and the thinner wall portion is cast downwardly in the vicinity of the gating, the liquid metal being introduced at or near the lower region of the mold in the vicinity of the gating into the mold cavity region forming the thinner wall portion.

Abstract: The volume of melt within the ladle dipper is maintained essentially unchanged in its position relative to the volume of melt remaining in the holding crucible during the ladling operation in order to avoid undesirable turbulence and the formation of foam in the melt.