Abstract: Firing of ceramic cores (1) is important in order to achieve manufacturing processes. These ceramic cores (1) are generally formed in a “green” state which has limited mechanical strength and may be distorted during the firing process by non-uniform thermal effects, etc. By providing a tube or containment 2 which is located on a saggar base 3 and surrounded by firing media 4, it is possible to achieve an initial pre-firing step whereby the “green” state core 1 is located through a stem 1a in an initial partial depth 5 of firing media 4 in the tube or containment 2 until it achieves a sufficient mechanical strength to enable positional adjustment. Thus, the green core will be pre-fired in a kiln solely supported through the stem 1a and then the core adjusted using a tool such as an engineering rule.

Abstract: Removal of a soluble part of a core allows provision of relatively complex three-dimensional geometric shapes in a component. Unfortunately previous leaching arrangements have been relatively erratic such that it is difficult to provide consistency of component form over a batch of components formed. By providing a tank combination which comprises typically a number of dip tanks, it is possible to provide consistency in terms of leach solution efficiency upon cores. Generally leaching solution held within the tanks is adjusted through either a prior calibrating adjustment tank or through agitation or other means in the tank such that the effects of saturation ageing of the leaching solution can be homogenised across all cores subject to the leaching process.