Abstract: An ingot mold has a body having an open top, a bottom with an opening, and a longitudinal cavity passing through the body. The cavity is defined by a cavity wall extending from the top to the bottom. The cavity wall has a recess adjacent the opening in the bottom of the body. A ceramic insert is positioned within the cavity such that the sidewalls of the ceramic insert are in The recess in the cavity wall.

Abstract: An ingot mold has a body having an open top, a bottom with an opening, and a longitudinal cavity passing through the body. The cavity is defined by a cavity wall extending from the top to the bottom. The cavity wall has a recess adjacent the opening in the bottom of the body. A ceramic insert is positioned within the cavity such that the sidewalls of the ceramic insert are in the recess in the cavity wall.

Abstract: A quick connect sealing and clamping apparatus and method having a pair of oppositely positioned sleeves (12) interconnected by a flexible coupling (14). The pair of oppositely positioned sleeves (12) includes a locking device (16) for locking the oppositely positioned sleeves (12) together when in position. The oppositely positioned sleeves (12) in conjunction with flexible coupling (14), form a passageway (18) into which one free end (20) of device (22) is placed from one side of oppositely positioned sleeve (12). The other free end (24) of device (22), or free end (24) of another device (26), is placed into passageway (18) in the other oppositely positioned sleeve (12). Oppositely positioned sleeves (12) are then rotated in opposite directions so as to wind, twist, and torque flexible coupling (14) around device (22) (device 26) thereby sealing them against contaminants and joining them to quick connect sealing and clamping device (10).