Abstract: A rapid manufacturing method includes forming tooling in a rapid manufacturing process. The tooling is coated with a conductive material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a casting article for use in a casting process includes rapidly forming the casting article out of a metallic material. A ceramic coating is applied to an exterior surface of the casting article.

Abstract: A crucible includes a composite of least two materials. The two materials are selected from a group consisting of alumina, calcia, yttria, erbia, gadolinia, magnesia, hafnia, and zirconia in a composition that has better resistance to reaction with hafnium from a molten hafnium-containing alloy than a nominal crucible composition of 70 wt % magnesia and 30 wt % alumina.

Abstract: A hybrid core assembly for a casting process includes a ceramic core portion, a first refractory metal core portion and a first plate positioned between the ceramic core portion and the first refractory metal core portion. The ceramic core portion includes a first trough. A portion of the refractory metal core portion is received in the first trough.

Abstract: A die casting system includes a die, a shot tube, a melting system and a vacuum system. The die includes a plurality of die components that define a die cavity. The shot tube is in fluid communication with the die cavity and is operable to deliver a charge of material to the die cavity. The melting system is positioned adjacent to the die and includes an alloy loader, a melting unit and a crucible. The vacuum system defines a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by an isolation valve. The melting system is disposed within the first chamber, and the die is disposed within the second chamber.

Abstract: A method of forming a cast component includes at least partially surrounding an investment mold in a heat-insulating packing material, feeding a molten alloy into the investment mold to provide a filled investment mold, and agitating the filled investment mold while solidifying the molten alloy.

Abstract: A hollow airfoil and a method for manufacturing a hollow airfoil is provided.

Abstract: A die casting system includes a die, a shot tube, a shot tube plunger and a melting unit. The die includes a plurality of die components that define a die cavity. The shot tube is in fluid communication with the die cavity. A shot tube plunger is moveable within the shot tube to communicate a charge of material into the die cavity. The melting unit is positioned relative to the die and includes a bottom portion having an opening for selectively releasing a charge of material through the bottom portion.

Abstract: A method for die casting a component includes inserting at least one sacrificial core into a die cavity of a die comprised of a plurality of die elements. Molten metal is injected into the die cavity. The molten metal is solidified within the die cavity to form the component. The plurality of die elements are disassembled from the component, and the at least one sacrificial core is destructively removed from the component.

Abstract: An example die casting system includes a die comprised of a plurality of die components that define a die cavity configured to receive a molten metal. One of the die components comprises a material that is not reactive with the molten metal and has a melting temperature above 815 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A crucible includes a composite of least two materials. The two materials are selected from a group consisting of alumina, calcia, yttria, erbia, gadolinia, magnesia, hafnia, and zirconia in a composition that has better resistance to reaction with hafnium from a molten hafnium-containing alloy than a nominal crucible composition of 70 wt % magnesia and 30 wt % alumina.

Abstract: A molding process utilizes a seed with a columnar grain structure for defining a desired grain structure in a completed casting. The seed is received within a seed cavity of a mold. The molten material adopts the orientation of the columns defined within the seed during solidification to form a completed molded article having a desired columnar grain structure.

Abstract: A molding process utilizes a seed with a columnar grain structure for defining a desired grain structure in a completed casting. The seed is received within a seed cavity of a mold. The molten material adopts the orientation of the columns defined within the seed during solidification to form a completed molded article having a desired columnar grain structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a cast component includes at least partially surrounding an investment mold in a heat-insulating packing material, feeding a molten alloy into the investment mold to provide a filled investment mold, and agitating the filled investment mold while solidifying the molten alloy.

Abstract: A hollow airfoil and a method for manufacturing a hollow airfoil is provided.

Abstract: An induction heated furnace assembly for producing a directionally solidified casting includes a susceptor that tailors strength of the magnetic field within the chamber to provide a desired grain structure in a completed cast part. The susceptor proportionally blocks portions of the magnetic field to provide different levels of magnetic stirring within the molten material at different locations within the furnace assembly stirring induced by the magnetic field is controlled and varied throughout the furnace assembly to create the desired grain structures in the completed cast article.

Abstract: A molding process utilizes a seed with a columnar grain structure for defining a desired grain structure in a completed casting. The seed is received within a seed cavity of a mold. The molten material adopts the orientation of the columns defined within the seed during solidification to form a completed molded article having a desired columnar grain structure.

Abstract: A casting system includes a core and a shell positioned relative to the core. A barrier coating is applied on at least one of the core and the shell.

Abstract: Concepts for fabricating improved cores for investment casting are described. The cores are composite which include refractory metal elements and ceramic elements. The refractory metal elements are provided to enhance the mechanical properties of the core and/or to permit the fabrication of cores having shapes and geometries that could not otherwise be achieved. In one embodiment, the entire core may be made of refractory metal components. The cores may be used to investment cast gas turbine superalloy components.

Abstract: Concepts for fabricating improved cores for investment casting are described. The cores are composite which include refractory metal elements and ceramic elements. The refractory metal elements are provided to enhance the mechanical properties of the core and/or to permit the fabrication of cores having shapes and geometries that could not otherwise be achieved. In one embodiment, the entire core may be made of refractory metal components. The cores may be used to investment cast gas turbine superalloy components.