Abstract: Spray nozzle systems and methods of use are described herein. The spray nozzle system may include a stationary tube, a rigid rotor, and a sub-medium supply source. The stationary tube may be in fluid communication with a pressurized air source. The substantially rigid rotor is in fluid communication with the pressurized air source. The substantially rigid rotor includes a substantially rigid conduit that is in fluid communication with the passages of the stationary tube and the rotor. A portion of the conduit is substantially arched such that an outlet of the conduit is offset a radial distance in a radial direction from the rotor axis. Pressurized air ejected from the outlet produces directional components of the pressurized air in the direction of rotation about the rotor axis; and during use, the pressurized air rotates the rotor and sucks sub-medium from the sub-medium supply source into the stationary tube passage.

Abstract: A chute assembly may include a chute having an inlet and an outlet and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism may be used to move the chute to adjust the outlet: forward to back with respect to a spinner disc; and/or, (2) side to side with respect to the spinner disc in order to change the spreading characteristics.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device includes an electrostatic discharge protection system. Accumulation and discharge of electrostatic energy created by operation of the device is reduced or prevented by the electrostatic discharge protection system without an earth ground connection. The electrostatic discharge protection system may include a number of features, such as a static wick, nonconductive components that electrically isolate the spray tip of the device, nonconductive isolation barriers, nonconductive fluid reservoir and suction tube components, a nonconductive coating of a control valve component, and a nonconductive spring retainer of the control valve.

Abstract: A discharging device for discharging liquids includes an outer housing encompassing an inner chamber, a liquid storage receptacle, a discharge orifice, a delivery device for delivering liquid from the storage receptacle to the discharge orifice, a cap that covers the discharge orifice when present on the outer housing in a safety position, and a manual actuator adapted to actuate the delivery device and which is movable relative to the outer housing between a neutral relative position and an actuated relative position. The cap and the manual actuator cooperate so that displacement of the manual actuator is mechanically blocked when the cap is in its safety position. A locking element that is movable in relation to the outer housing is constrainedly coupled with the movement of the manual actuator and extends in the actuated position through a hole in the outer housing to a region that the cap blocks when mounted in its safety position.

Abstract: To provide an accumulation valve which is stable and moves sensitively, where the number of parts has been reduced, and an accumulator trigger sprayer assembled with the same. The present invention is an accumulation valve S used in an accumulator trigger sprayer 100 which imparts pressure to liquid in a cylinder by a piston portion 11 to spray liquid from a nozzle portion 5a to the outside, the accumulation valve S including a piston valve portion 21, a spring portion 22 for pressing the piston valve portion 21 to a piston valve seat, and a mounting portion 23 for mounting the spring portion 22 to the piston portion 11, wherein the piston valve portion 21, the spring portion 22 and the mounting portion 23 are formed integrally.

Abstract: A system for treating surfaces of objects, in particular for painting objects, in particular vehicle body parts, comprising a treatment booth, which defines a treatment space. The objects are conveyed into and back out of the treatment space by means of a conveying device. The conveying device comprises a conveying element, by means of which a first surface having a first retaining device for at least one object and at least one second surface having a second retaining device for at least one object are provided. The first and the second surface are arranged in such a way that the first or the second surface bounds the treatment space at least in some areas depending on the position of the conveying element.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a gantry system supported by the housing, a movement mechanism coupled to the gantry system, and a dispensing unit coupled to the movement mechanism and configured to deposit material. The dispensing unit assumes an increasing angle of tilt by manipulating the movement mechanism. Embodiments of the movement mechanism are further disclosed.

Abstract: A material deposition system is configured to deposit material on an electronic substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame and configured to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and two deposition heads coupled to the gantry. Each deposition head includes a needle, with the deposition heads being movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The material deposition system further includes a needle cleaner assembly movable on a needle cleaner gantry, with the needle cleaner assembly being configured to clean needles of the deposition heads. The material deposition system further includes a controller configured to control the operation of the needle cleaner assembly to perform a needle cleaning operation.

Abstract: A cleaning and detection system for automatic paint sprayer is provided, comprising a compressed air supplying device, a solvent supplying device, a diaphragm pump connected to the solvent supplying device for pumping a solvent from the solvent supplying device at a predetermined pressure, and a plurality of conduits for enabling the solvent and compressed air to access to the solvent valve, triple valve and spray gun of the automatic paint sprayer for cleaning thereof. In the meantime, the solvent discharged from the sprayer is returned to the solvent supplying device for recycling. The system takes use of the working principle of the sprayer and cleans the valves and spray gun with a mixture of compressed air and solvent, achieving a perfect cleaning effect. The system can also be used to detect whether the valve core is damaged or misplaced by observing the movement and possible leakage of the valve core.

Abstract: A jet device includes a base container in which a cover plate is mounted to define a chamber. A fan having blades is rotatably received in the chamber and includes internal magnetic elements mounted thereto. A drive unit including an electric motor is mounted externally to the base container and includes external magnetic elements that are driven by the electric motor to rotate about an axis. The internal and external magnetic elements correspond to each other and magnetic attraction forces are generated therebetween to drive the internal magnetic elements to rotate in unison with the external magnetic element so that the fan is rotate to induce a flow of liquid in the chamber. The flow liquid is guided to pass through holes formed in the cover plate to form jets of liquid above the cover plate. A top housing is mounted to the base container to confine the liquid jets.

Abstract: An applicator device applies at least one liquid to a first side of a flexible web, such as a web of carpet material. A pair of application stations each comprises at least a pair of parallel rollers each driven by a roller motor arrangement. A platen directs the web between the rollers. Two dams are each laterally adjustable with respect to a top roller and conform to the shape of the top roller at a forward end thereof. Each of the dams, the top roller, and the web define a puddle area to which one of the at least one liquid is applied for application to the web as the web moves between the pair of rollers. A rigid frame fixes a first application station in a substantially horizontal orientation, and a second of the application stations in a substantially vertical orientation, with a turning roller situated therebetween.

Abstract: A dispensing module and method of dispensing an adhesive includes a dispenser body having a valve element and a nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle member, a sealing zone, and a valve seat. The nozzle member includes a liquid passageway having a bore, a cylindrical surface, a second converging surface, and a shoulder. The sealing zone is defined by the cylindrical surface and extends from the bore toward the shoulder and engages the valve element to close a first volume of the liquid passageway from the inlet. The valve seat is defined by the shoulder and the second converging surface and has a circular line of contact that engages the valve element to close a second volume of the liquid passageway from the inlet. The first volume reduces to the second volume as the valve element moves distally along the sealing zone for discharging the adhesive.

Abstract: An adhesive dispensing system is configured to automatically reduce the temperature of adhesive material to reduce degradation of the adhesive caused by holding the adhesive at an application temperature during periods of low throughput. To this end, a controller of the system operates a heater unit to maintain a unit set point temperature to heat and melt adhesive until a set threshold time has elapsed since the most recent supply of adhesive to the system by a fill system. Once the time elapsed since the most recent supply of adhesive exceeds the set threshold time, the heater unit is reduced in temperature to reduce the temperature of adhesive. This reduction is temperature is large enough to minimize degradation and outgassing but small enough to enable rapid warm-up times after a new supply of adhesive occurs.

Abstract: The subject matter discloses a painting apparatus comprising a paint bag containing paint; a paint port through which paint flows from the paint bag; an air bag to receive gas configured to apply pressure to the paint bag as it receives air; an air port through which the gas enters the air bag; wherein the air bag and the paint bag are located within the painting apparatus, such that expansion of the air bag by pumping of the gas into the air bag forces the paint from the paint bag via the paint port.

Abstract: Provided is a forming apparatus which forms an upper surface of adhesive substance to adhere tiles to a laying surface in a ridge-and-groove shape so as to prevent a wavy surface or unintended inclination. The forming apparatus includes tongue forming means having a plurality of tongues and a tongue securing portion; grasping means; and contact means. The tongues have gaps therebetween, and a free end protruding from a base end located on a bottom defining line in the protrusion direction perpendicular to the bottom defining line on a tongue existence plane. The base end of the tongues is attached to an edge portion. The grasping means is directly or indirectly attached to the tongue securing portion. The contact means has at least two contact points on a virtual plane perpendicular to the protrusion direction. The two contact points or legs thereof exist on a contact defining line.

Abstract: A conductive coupling frame (CF) having two ends, forming an open loop, disposed surrounding and closely adjacent a transponder chip module (TCM), and substantially coplanar with an antenna structure (AS, LES) in the transponder chip module (TCM). A metal card body (MCB) having a slit (S) extending from a module opening (MO) to a periphery of the card body to function as a coupling frame (CF). The coupling frame (CF) may be thick enough to be non-transparent to RF at frequencies of interest. A switch may be provided to connect ends of the coupling frame (CF) across the slit (S). The transponder chip module (TCM) may comprise a laser-etched antenna structure (LES) and a non-perforated contact pad (CP) arrangement.

Abstract: A nano-imprinting system may be configured to at least one of transport, emboss, coat and slit an optical media according to operational parameters. A control system may be configured to detect one or more attributes of the optical media that result from at least one of the embossing and coating of the optical media, and to adjust at least one of the operational parameters based on the detected one or more attributes.

Abstract: A method of producing a structure containing a phase-separated structure, including applying a neutralization film to a substrate to form a layer of a neutralization film; applying a block copolymer having a plurality of polymers bonded thereto, and a weight average molecular weight of 150,000 or more to the layer of the neutralization film, so as to form a layer containing the block copolymer and having a coating film thickness of 23 nm or less; and phase-separating the layer containing the block copolymer.

Abstract: A new method for durably bonding layers of a functional material to surfaces physically and chemically bonds solid layer lubricants and other functional coatings to a substrate surface by first applying a bond layer of a selected substantially binder-free soft material onto the substrate surface by, for example, burnishing, and then applying the functional layer onto the bond layer. Example soft materials for the bond layer include soft oxides such as antimony trioxide and example solid layer lubricants include graphite, molybdenum disulfide and mixtures of such lubricants. The new method is a major improvement over conventional bonding or coating methods. The process is non-vacuum at ambient temperatures and requires no binders, adhesives, curing or baking. Lubricant performance is enhanced by orders of magnitude compared to conventional approaches. The method is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, applicable to almost any substrate material and scalable.

Abstract: A system and a method provide a coating on an interior surface of a tire. A valve connects to the interior of the tire. The method connects a source of coating material to the valve, propels the coating material through the valve, and applies the coating material to the interior of the tire. The system has a source of a coating material connected to the valve. A propellant causes delivery of the coating material through the valve into the tire. Another method coats an interior of a tire mounted on a rim. The method connects a first end of a tube to a source of coating material and inserts the second end of the tube into the interior of the tire encircling the rim. The coating material moves through the tube into the tire. The tube is withdrawn from the tire moving along the interior circumference of the tire.

Abstract: A method of lining container closures is provided. The method includes providing a liner machine base including a number of fluid dispensing apparatus fixed in a stationary position on the base, conveying a plurality of container closures to the fluid dispensing apparatus using a conveying assembly, manipulating each of the container closures with respect to a corresponding one of the fluid dispensing apparatus as the fluid dispensing apparatus remains stationary and dispenses a sealant, lining a plurality of the container closures with said sealant, and, discharging the container closures from the liner machine.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer includes: a conductive substrate in which a first trench is formed, and which includes an electrode connection unit surrounded by the first trench; a membrane provided on the conductive substrate; an upper electrode provided on the membrane to contact an upper surface of the electrode connection unit; a first electrode provided on a lower surface of the conductive substrate to contact a lower surface of the electrode connection unit; and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode and provided to contact the lower surface of the conductive substrate.

Abstract: Switchable micromachined transducer arrays are described where one or more switches, or relays, are monolithically integrated with transducer elements in a piezoelectric micromachined transducer array (pMUT). In embodiments, a MEMS switch is implemented on the same substrate as the transducer array for switching operational modes of the transducer array. In embodiments, a plurality of transducers are interconnected in parallel through MEMS switch(es) in a first operational mode (e.g., a drive mode) during a first time period, and are then interconnected through the MEMS switch(es) with at least some of the transducers in series in a second operational mode (e.g., a sense mode) during a second time period.

Abstract: There is provided a vibration generating apparatus including a vibration transferring member transferring vibrations to outside the vibration generating apparatus, an elastic member having one or more end portions fixed to the vibration transferring member, a mass body vibrating in response to vibrations of the elastic member, and a piezoelectric element installed on one surface of the elastic member so as to be disposed to face the mass body. A lower surface of the mass body has step parts in order to prevent contact between the mass body and the piezoelectric element. The lower surface of the mass body in which the step parts are formed and the piezoelectric element are disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method of controlling the vibration of a vibratory separator, the method including providing a vibratory separator having a frame and a plurality of force generators coupled to the frame and a control unit operatively connected to each of the plurality of force generators, and independently controlling each of the plurality of force generators. Independently controlling each of the plurality of force generators controls a motion profile of the vibratory separator.

Abstract: A system for processing core wheels and associated method are disclosed. A sorting station is configured to allow sorting of a source of wheels according to a first set of criteria. A first conveyor is configured to receive a plurality of wheels conforming to the first criteria and to a first inspection station, disposed along the first conveyor. The first inspection station is configured to allow examination of the wheels to determine whether the wheels conform to a second criteria. A diverter mechanism, downstream of the first inspection station, is configured to divert wheels conforming to the second criteria from the first conveyor. A second conveyor is configured to receive the diverted wheels and to direct the diverted wheels to a second inspection station, whereby the diverted wheels may be inspected at the second inspection station to confirm that the diverted wheels conform to the second criteria.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus for sorting piece goods (12), having at least a first moving transport unit (22) for transporting at least one piece good (12) in a main transport direction (18), the first transport unit (22) has a chassis (38) for the movement, a transfer unit (32) which moves the piece good (12) in a transfer direction (50), and a drive unit (34) fixed to the first transport unit (22) for driving the piece good (12) in the transfer direction (50). The sorting apparatus has a coupling device (62) for coupling the chassis (38) to the drive unit (34) at least for a period of time.

Abstract: A brush for dislodging impurities on steam relief screen basket within an operating vessel including at least one brush that includes an elongated support column with a brush attached to a first end of the elongated support column extends out of a seal located on a removable vessel cover of the vessel. The steps using the brush to dislodge impurities on steam relief screen basket include locating the brush comprised of a plurality of bristles adjacent to the steam relief screen basket, contacting the brush with the screen basket, extending the elongated support column through the seal, closing the removable vessel cover of the vessel to avoid pressure drop inside the vessel, and moving the brush from a first location on the screen basket to a second location on the screen basket to dislodge impurities attached to the screen basket.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning system that includes an electrical power supply, and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers coupled in parallel, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic transducers are coupled to the electrical power supply. The ultrasonic cleaning system also includes a transducer fault indicator coupled between the electrical power supply and the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, wherein the transducer fault indicator consists essentially of a current sensing portion configured to detect electrical current, and an alarm mechanism coupled to the current sensing portion. Additionally, the alarm mechanism is configured to provide a signal, indicating a failure of the ultrasonic transducer, based on the magnitude of electrical current detected by the current sensing portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for cleaning and disinfecting allograft material. In an embodiment, the system includes a sterile bag and a motorized paddle blender. The sterile bag having an outer wall configured to withstand blending forces, at least one paddle contact section, and a free-floating mesh bag configured to retain the allograft material. The motorized paddle blender having at least one paddle configured to apply blending forces on the sterile bag on the at least one paddle contact area, a motorized portion to actuate the at least one paddle, and a door component configured to hold the sterile bag adjacent the at least one paddle. The at least one paddle and the allograft retaining section are configured to prevent the paddle from contacting the allograft material when the blending forces are applied on the sterile bag on the at least one paddle contact area.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the sight glass tube used in determining level of the contents of a vehicle mounted vacuum tank is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cleaning fluid tank holding a quantity of cleaning fluid mounted to the vacuum tank vehicle, a cleaning fluid vacuum line running between the sight glass tube and the cleaning fluid tank, and a control valve for opening and closing the cleaning fluid vacuum line whereby opening the cleaning fluid line will draw a quantity of cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank through the cleaning fluid vacuum line and through the sight glass tube and thereby cleaning the sight glass tube.

Abstract: Keg washers and locking mechanisms for keg washers are disclosed. The keg washers may include a base assembly, a cleaning head, a head mechanism, and a locking mechanism configured to secure the keg to the base assembly. The locking mechanism may include a holder mechanism and a neck holder fixedly mounted to the holder mechanism. The neck holder may include a first opening and a second opening. The holder mechanism may be configured, when the cleaning head is moved from a retracted position toward an extended position, to move the neck holder from a first position in which a first neck portion of a keg is received in the first opening but a second neck portion is not received in the second opening, to a second position in which the first neck portion is received in the first opening and the second neck portion is received in the second opening.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning an interior wall of a container includes a rotatable driveshaft which is supported in a nozzle head mounted for rotation about an axis extending transversely to the driveshaft. A nozzle holder is mounted on the driveshaft has an arm for holding a nozzle for ejecting a liquid under pressure. The driveshaft and/or the nozzle head are reversibly pivotable via a gear mechanism, with an auxiliary drive connected to the gear mechanism for driving the nozzle holder.

Abstract: A display surface cleaning system which includes a display surface cleaning assembly which can be utilized discrete from or coupled proximate a user interactive display surface of a device and methods of using such display surface cleaning assembly.

Abstract: A superhydrophobic and oleophobic thermoplastic article has a surface with a multiplicity of re-entrant structures extending from the article's surface where a conformal coating comprising a perfluoroalkane covers at least the distal portion of the re-entrant structures. The thermoplastic article can be prepared by contacting a heated thermoplastic and a mold with voids with a sufficient pressure to cause the thermoplastic to extend into the voids to form features that upon removal of the mold results in re-entrant structures. The surface having the re-entrant structures is conformally coated with a compound comprising a perfluoroalkane. Alternately microparticles or nanoparticles and a resin can be deposited on substrate and cured to adhere or mechanically fix the particles where a portion thereof forms re-entrant structures.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating soil and ground water containing organic contaminants and metal compounds. It comprises the steps of first treating such soils and ground water with an effective amount an aqueous solution containing a peroxide and a water soluble chelating agent for a time sufficient to have the water soluble chelating agent chelate at least one of the metals of the metal compounds present in the soil and ground water. Next, the chelated metals are brought into contact with the peroxide to catalytically convert the peroxide to an oxidizing agent and hydroxyl ion. The hydroxyl ion converts the halogenated organic compound into environmentally safe, non-toxic compounds. Gases that are produced from this reaction, and from the oxidation of organic compounds, are used to diffuse solution into the soil to chelate calcium and magnesium, thereby causing the sodium to be dislodged from the soil and reduce sodicity in the soil.

Abstract: A method for producing a motor vehicle axle component includes the method steps of providing a metal strip made of a hardenable steel material, hot rolling the metal strip and subsequent cold rolling with more than 4% rolling reduction degree, annealing at 600 to 800° C., in particular at 650 to 750° C. for a time period between 10 and 20 hours, in particular 13 to 17 hours, cutting the heat treated metal strip to cut sheet metals, forming the metal cut into a motor vehicle axle component, austenizing and quenching the motor vehicle axle component, wherein the motor vehicle axle component has at least in a surface region a grain size characteristic value according to ASTM-E 112 of greater than 9.

Abstract: A roll-forming machine has a stand (11) and a row of forming stations (12), which comprise frames (14, 15) for carriers (17, 18) of pair of rollers laterally displaceably mounted on the stand. An intermediate piece (16) is pivotally mounted on each frame for being pivoted about a vertical axis, and two carriers of a pair of rollers are separately laterally displaceably mounted on each intermediate piece. Each carrier of a pair of rollers comprises two axle pins for carrying a forming roller each and the two carriers of a pair of rollers have their axle pins directed towards each other.

Abstract: A method of and device for manufacturing a hollow anchor with a radial, helical contour on its outer surface is provided. The contour is preferably a raised external contour or helix that is formed on the outer wall of the anchor and is suitable for tapping a thread in masonry. The hollow anchor formed by the method has an internal cavity that can receive another member and an outer surface with a raised external contour that is suitable for tapping a thread in a blind bore in a masonry member.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a single piece sheet metal design incorporating two individual hem bend configurations forming the door/drawer front, a functional door/drawer handle, and a gasket protecting barrier.

Abstract: A product including a top surface part, a vertical wall part connected to an end of the top surface part and a corner part interposed between the top surface part and the vertical wall part is manufactured by flowing a material of the corner part toward the top surface part while applying a pressing force on a workpiece.

Abstract: There is provided a hot press-formed product, including a thin steel sheet formed by a hot press-forming method, and having a metallic structure that contains bainitic ferrite at 70% to 97% by area, martensite at 27% by area or lower, and retained austenite at 3% to 20% by area, the remainder structure of which is at 5% by area or lower, whereby balance between strength and elongation can be controlled in a proper range and high ductility can be achieved.

Abstract: There is provided a hot press-formed product, including a thin steel sheet formed by a hot press-forming method, and having a metallic structure that contains retained austenite at 3% to 20% by volume, whereby balance between strength and elongation can be controlled in a proper range and high ductility can be achieved.

Abstract: By controlling the temperature (TS) of a surface portion (11a) of an ingot (11) in a contact region (16) between a mold (2) and the ingot (11) and/or a passing heat flux (q) from the surface portion (11a) of the ingot (11) to the mold (2) in the contact region (16), the thickness (D) in the contact region (16) of a solidified shell (13) obtained by the solidification of molten metal (12) is brought into a predetermined range. Consequently, an ingot having a good casting surface state can be cast.

Abstract: A centrifugal casting method for producing a casting of a metallic material comprises positioning a rotatable assembly comprising a plurality of gates and a plurality of cavities positioned about a sprue chamber. The plurality of gates and the plurality of cavities are positioned to receive molten metallic material from the sprue chamber in a general direction of centrifugal force. Each of the plurality of gates is coupled to one of the plurality of cavities, and at least two of the plurality of cavities are stacked. The method further comprises rotating the rotatable assembly. The method further comprises delivering a supply of molten metallic material to the sprue chamber.

Abstract: Processes for die casting metals are provided, which are more energy efficient and less expensive than the current metal die casting processes. The die casting processes discussed herein utilize a water-soluble die release fluid and hydraulic equipment which uses water-insoluble hydraulic fluid. By doing so, the hydraulic fluid and die release fluid present in the waste collected from the die casting process can be collected via separation techniques. One or both of the collected hydraulic fluid and die release fluid may then be re-used in the same die casting process, another die casting process, or other processes altogether.

Abstract: A centrifugal casting apparatus including: a lower half-mold (10) mounted on a support (12) provided with driver for rotation about a substantially vertical central axis (14), the lower half-mold (10) being a solid of revolution having a first central cavity (36); an upper half-mold (16) facing the lower half-mold (10), the upper half-mold (16) being a solid of revolution having a second central cavity (56); and a device for causing the axial movement of the half-molds (10, 16) towards and away from each other. The lower half-mold (10) and the upper half-mold (16) each have at least one passage (46, 66) which puts the respective central cavity (36, 56) into communication with the outside through an outlet aperture through which the central axis (14) does not pass.

Abstract: A method of component forming according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, positioning a metal powder in a mold cavity, melting the metal powder within the mold cavity, and cooling the melted metal powder to form a component.

Abstract: A method comprising introducing a first casting material into a casting mold; applying directional solidification to the first casting material in the casting mold; introducing a second casting material into the casting mold, the second casting material having a different chemical composition than the first casting material; applying directional solidification to the second casting material in the casting mold; and forming a molded article, wherein the molded article comprises a first region.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispersing particles within a molten material in a mold-less casting process comprises a primary electromagnet for generating an AC magnetic field and a secondary electromagnet adjacent to the primary electromagnet for generating an independent DC magnetic field. Each of the primary and secondary electromagnets comprises a coil and at least one of the electromagnets is positioned about a common longitudinal axis. A heat source may be positioned at a first end of the common longitudinal axis for forming a melt to be exposed to the AC and DC magnetic fields, and a particle injection device is positioned at one or more positions about the common longitudinal axis for injecting particles into the melt during magnetic field exposure. The apparatus does not include a solid body for containing the melt prior to solidification.