Abstract: A method of forming a ceramic-metal composite part is described herein. The method includes maintaining molten metal in an interior of a housing in a liquefied state, the interior including a first chamber, a second chamber, and a port defined therebetween. The method further includes sealing the port such that the molten metal in the first chamber is maintained at a first liquid level, suspending a part at a height within the first chamber above the first liquid level, forming a pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber, unsealing the port such that molten metal from the second chamber flows into the first chamber, and resealing the port when the molten metal in the first chamber reaches a second liquid level such that the ceramic part is submerged in the molten metal.

Abstract: A method of forming a ceramic-metal composite part is described herein. The method includes maintaining molten metal in an interior of a housing in a liquefied state, the interior including a first chamber, a second chamber, and a port defined therebetween. The method further includes sealing the port such that the molten metal in the first chamber is maintained at a first liquid level, suspending a part at a height within the first chamber above the first liquid level, forming a pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber, unsealing the port such that molten metal from the second chamber flows into the first chamber, and resealing the port when the molten metal in the first chamber reaches a second liquid level such that the ceramic part is submerged in the molten metal.

Abstract: A melting furnace system includes a conveyor for moving a stack of ingots toward an ingot melting station. The conveyor has a platform and a raised part extending from the platform for engaging an underside of the stack. The conveyor automatically transfers the stack to a bucket located at a downstream end of the conveyor. The bucket includes a bottom wall, a back wall and a pair of sidewalls, and is sized to receive the stack of ingots. The bottom wall of the bucket is configured to receive the raised part of the conveyor such that the stack is initially positioned above the bottom wall of the bucket via the raised part. A carriage provided at the downstream end of the conveyor engages the bucket and includes a lifting mechanism for raising the bucket together with the stack of ingots toward the ingot melting station.

Abstract: A melting furnace system includes a conveyor for moving a stack of ingots toward an ingot melting station. The conveyor has a platform and a raised part extending from the platform for engaging an underside of the stack. The conveyor automatically transfers the stack to a bucket located at a downstream end of the conveyor. The bucket includes a bottom wall, a back wall and a pair of sidewalls, and is sized to receive the stack of ingots. The bottom wall of the bucket is configured to receive the raised part of the conveyor such that the stack is initially positioned above the bottom wall of the bucket via the raised part. A carriage provided at the downstream end of the conveyor engages the bucket and includes a lifting mechanism for raising the bucket together with the stack of ingots toward the ingot melting station.