Abstract: A piston of a die-casting apparatus includes: a piston tip having a generally cup-shaped body having an inner front face and an inner cylindrical surface, the inner front face having a plurality of grooves formed therein for conveying cooling fluid; and an inner piston carrier coupled to the piston tip, the carrier comprising an elongate forward portion matingly engaging the piston tip.

Abstract: A wear ring for a piston of a die-casting apparatus comprises an annular body having a gap extending therethrough, the gap being configured to define at least two circumferentially offset pairs of circumferentially spaced apart facing surfaces. The annular body comprises an axial end face having at least one arc-shaped recess formed therein.

Abstract: A piston of a die-casting apparatus comprises: a piston head fabricated of a first material; an elongate, inner carrier coupled to the piston head; a generally annular body seated on the carrier adjacent the piston head; and a wear ring disposed on the piston head, the wear ring being fabricated of a second material. The first material has a higher toughness and a lower hardness than the second material.

Abstract: A dummy block for a metal extrusion press comprises: a generally cylindrical base having a forward surface and an outwardly extending circumferential flange; an expandable collar coupled to the base, the collar having an inwardly extending circumferential rib abutting the circumferential flange; a collar support coupled to the base and abutting the collar; and a moveable plunger coupled to the base and accommodated by the collar. The plunger has a rear surface configured to abut the forward surface of the base.

Abstract: A container for use in a metal extrusion press includes a mantle having an elongate axial bore therein, the bore having a first transverse axis orthogonal to a second transverse axis, and a plurality of longitudinally extending heating elements accommodated by the mantle adjacent the bore. The heating elements are individually controllable for controlling a thermal profile within the container. The container also includes a plurality of temperature sensors configured to measure the thermal profile within the container. The temperature sensors include a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor positioned on opposite sides of the first transverse axis, and a third temperature sensor and a fourth temperature sensor positioned on opposite sides of the second transverse axis.

Abstract: A shot sleeve for a die-casting apparatus is described. The shot sleeve has a piston bore, and comprises an elongate body having an axial bore, and a sleeve liner formed on a surface of the axial bore. The sleeve liner defines a surface of the piston bore.

Abstract: A wear ring for a piston of a die-casting apparatus comprises an annular body having a gap extending therethrough, the gap being configured to define at least two circumferentially offset pairs of circumferentially spaced apart facing surfaces. The annular body comprises an axial end face having at least one arc-shaped recess formed therein.

Abstract: A piston of a die-casting apparatus comprises: a piston head fabricated of a first material; an elongate, inner carrier coupled to the piston head; a generally annular body seated on the carrier adjacent the piston head; and a wear ring disposed on the piston head, the wear ring being fabricated of a second material. The first material has a higher toughness and a lower hardness than the second material.

Abstract: A liner for an extrusion press container that includes an elongate body having a longitudinally extending passage therein through which a billet is advanced, the passage having a generally rectangular cross-sectional profile. The liner further comprises at least one first longitudinally extending heating element accommodated by the body adjacent a first side of the passage, and at least one second longitudinally extending heating element accommodated by the body adjacent a second side of the passage. The first and second heating elements are individually controllable for controlling a thermal profile within the liner.

Abstract: A method of pre-heating an extrusion die comprises heating an extrusion die using a first group of heating elements and a second group of heating elements; and then heating the extrusion die using only the first group of heating elements to bring the extrusion die to a desired pre-heat temperature, or heating the extrusion die using the first and second groups of heating elements, the second group of heating elements being operated at reduced power, to bring the extrusion die to a desired pre-heat temperature.

Abstract: A dummy block for a metal extrusion press comprises a base having a first surface; an expandable collar seated against the base; a moveable plunger coupled to the base and accommodated by the collar, the plunger having a second surface configured to abut against the first surface of the base; and an outer connecting ring coupling the collar to the base. The connecting ring comprises at least one feature engaging the base and a plurality of fingers engaging the collar.

Abstract: A container for use in a metal extrusion press comprises a mantle having an elongate body comprising an axial bore, an elongate liner accommodated within the axial bore, the liner comprising a longitudinally extending passage through which a billet is advanced, and a fluid channel in thermal communication with the mantle through which a fluid for cooling the container flows.

Abstract: A dummy block for a metal extrusion press comprises: a generally cylindrical base having a forward surface and an outwardly extending circumferential flange; an expandable collar coupled to the base, the collar having an inwardly extending circumferential rib abutting the circumferential flange; a collar support coupled to the base and abutting the collar; and a moveable plunger coupled to the base and accommodated by the collar. The plunger has a rear surface configured to abut the forward surface of the base.

Abstract: A shot sleeve for a die-casting apparatus is described. The shot sleeve has a piston bore, and comprises an elongate body having an axial bore, and a sleeve liner formed on a surface of the axial bore. The sleeve liner defines a surface of the piston bore.

Abstract: A wear ring for a piston of a die-casting apparatus comprises an annular body having a gap extending therethrough. The gap is configured to define at least two circumferentially offset pairs of circumferentially spaced apart facing surfaces. The facing surfaces of each pair are angled and configured to contact each other in a flush manner when the wear ring is circumferentially compressed.

Abstract: A die pre-heating system comprises at least one die oven, a robotic hoist and processing structure in communication with the hoist and the at least one die oven. The processing structure is configured to control the hoist to permit an extrusion die to be loaded into the at least one die oven and to be unloaded from the at least one die oven. The processing structure is also configured to cause the at least one die oven to operate according to a production formula for pre-heating an extrusion die loaded therein.

Abstract: A die pre-heating system comprises at least one die oven, a robotic hoist and processing structure in communication with the hoist and the at least one die oven. The processing structure is configured to control the hoist to permit an extrusion die to be loaded into the at least one die oven and to be unloaded from the at least one die oven. The processing structure is also configured to cause the at least one die oven to operate according to a production formula for pre-heating an extrusion die loaded therein.

Abstract: A container for use in a metal extrusion press comprises a mantle having an elongate axial bore therein, the bore having a first transverse axis orthogonal to a second transverse axis, and a plurality of longitudinally extending heating elements accommodated by the mantle adjacent the bore. The heating elements are individually controllable for controlling a thermal profile within the container. The container also comprises a plurality of temperature sensors configured to measure the thermal profile within the container. The temperature sensors comprise a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor positioned on opposite sides of the first transverse axis, and a third temperature sensor and a fourth temperature sensor positioned on opposite sides of the second transverse axis.

Abstract: A dummy block for a metal extrusion press comprises a base having a first surface; an expandable collar seated against the base; a moveable plunger coupled to the base and accommodated by the collar, the plunger having a second surface configured to abut against the first surface of the base; and an outer connecting ring coupling the collar to the base. The connecting ring comprises at least one feature engaging the base and a plurality of fingers engaging the collar.

Abstract: A wear ring for a piston of a die-casting apparatus comprises an annular body having a gap extending therethrough. The gap is configured to define at least two circumferentially offset pairs of circumferentially spaced apart facing surfaces. The facing surfaces of each pair are angled and configured to contact each other in a flush manner when the wear ring is circumferentially compressed.