Abstract: Method and apparatus for compacting support particulates media around ceramic shell molds and around fugitive patterns wherein the mold or pattern is placed in a container and the container is filled with support particulates media. The container is set to rotating and vibrating while it is tilted. The combination of rotation and tilting cause voids at the wall of the mold or pattern to be constantly and methodically reoriented so that the free surface of the support media in the voids is moved past its dynamic angle of repose and is caused to flow into those voids by the combined action of the vibration and the constantly changing orientation of the voids relative to the gravity vector.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compacting support particulates media around ceramic shell molds and around fugitive patterns wherein the mold or pattern is placed in a container and the container is filled with support particulates media. The container is set to rotating and vibrating while it is tilted. The combination of rotation and tilting cause voids at the wall of the mold or pattern to be constantly and methodically reoriented so that the free surface of the support media in the voids is moved past its dynamic angle of repose and is caused to flow into those voids by the combined action of the vibration and the constantly changing orientation of the voids relative to the gravity vector.

Abstract: A fugitive pattern, such as wax or other meltable pattern material, residing inside of a refractory mold, which can be unsupported or supported in a particulates bed, is removed by discharging steam or other condensable vapor that may include a surfactant inside the mold to contact and melt the pattern while an exterior of the mold is subjected to a non-condensing gas atmosphere such as air outside of the mold. Regardless of whether the condensable vapor includes surfactant or not, the mold can be tilted relative to gravity and rotated while it is tilted to improve the pattern removal. Condensable vapor is condensed inside the mold where the vapor has contacted the pattern while the exterior of the mold remains free of condenate. The condensed vapor and melted pattern material are drained out of the mold with the surfactant, if present, improving drainage.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing a fugitive pattern, such as wax or other meltable pattern material, residing inside of a refractory mold by discharging condensable vapor such as steam inside the mold to contact and melt the pattern while an exterior of the mold is subjected to a non-condensing gas atmosphere such as air outside of the mold wherein the condensable vapor inside the mold and the atmosphere outside of the mold are at substantially the same pressure. Condensable vapor is condensed inside the mold where the vapor has contacted the pattern while the exterior of the mold remains free of condenate. The condensed vapor and melted pattern material are drained out of the mold. The condensed vapor can be discharged initially inside a hollow sprue of a fugitive pattern assembly to melt the sprue and then inside the mold to melt the patterns of the pattern assembly.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing a fugitive pattern, such as wax or other meltable pattern material, residing inside of a refractory mold by discharging condensable vapor such as steam inside the mold to contact and melt the pattern while an exterior of the mold is subjected to a non-condensing gas atmosphere such as air outside of the mold wherein the condensable vapor inside the mold and the atmosphere outside of the mold are at substantially the same pressure. Condensable vapor is condensed inside the mold where the vapor has contacted the pattern while the exterior of the mold remains free of condenate. The condensed vapor and melted pattern material are drained out of the mold. The condensed vapor can be discharged initially inside a hollow sprue of a fugitive pattern assembly to melt the sprue and then inside the mold to melt the patterns of the pattern assembly.

Abstract: A thermally efficient method for the heating a gas permeable wall of a bonded refractory mold wherein the mold wall defines a mold cavity in which molten metal or alloy is cast. The mold wall is heated by the transfer of heat from hot gas flowing inside of the mold cavity to the mold wall. Hot gas is flowed from a hot gas source outside the mold through the mold cavity and gas permeable mold wall to a lower pressure region exterior of the mold to control temperature of an interior surface of the mold wall.

Abstract: A thermally efficient method for the heating a gas permeable wall of a bonded refractory mold wherein the mold wall defines a mold cavity in which molten metal or alloy is cast. The mold wall is heated by the transfer of heat from hot gas flowing inside of the mold cavity to the mold wall. Hot gas is flowed from a hot gas source outside the mold through the mold cavity and gas permeable mold wall to a lower pressure region exterior of the mold to control temperature of an interior surface of the mold wall.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for countergravity casting a melt employs a particulate mass disposed in a container about a mold having a mold cavity, an ingate passage communicated to the mold cavity for supplying the melt to the mold cavity, and a separate, preformed riser-forming member connected to the mold so as to communicate to an isolated and/or enlarged region of the mold cavity needing additional melt supply during solidification in the mold. The mold ingate passage and a source of the melt are communicated to conduct the melt through the ingate passage to the mold cavity to fill the mold cavity with the melt and form a riser of melt in the particulate mass. The riser of melt provides a source of additional melt for supply, as necessary, to the isolated and/or enlarged region during solidification of the melt in the mold cavity to accommodate melt shrinkage thereat.

Abstract: The casting apparatus and method include a magnetically responsive valve disposed in the molten metal inlet passage of the mold for movement between an open position during mold filling and a closed position after mold filling and during removal of the mold from the underlying molten metal pool to prevent run-out of molten metal from the metal-filled mold cavity. The valve is moved to the closed position by a magnetic force exerted thereon by permanent magnets or an electromagnet disposed around the inlet passage below the valve.