Abstract: The present invention discloses a same-cavity integrated vertical high-speed multistage superfine pulverizing device and method for walnut shells. The same-cavity integrated vertical high-speed multistage superfine pulverizing device for walnut shells includes a double-channel sliding type feeding device and a same-cavity integrated vertical pulverizing device. The same-cavity integrated vertical pulverizing device includes a material lifting disc and a same-cavity integrated vertical pulverizing barrel. A first-stage coarse crushing region, a second-stage fine crushing region, a third-stage pneumatic impact micro pulverizing region and a fourth-stage airflow mill superfine pulverizing region are disposed in the same-cavity integrated vertical pulverizing barrel.

Abstract: An axial cyclone air filtration apparatus integrated with a bipolar-charged agglomeration includes a pre-charge region and an axial cyclone coagulation dust separation apparatus, and the pre-charge region is arranged on an air inlet side of the axial cyclone coagulation dust separation apparatus. Suspended particles in air are charged with charges of different polarities in the pre-charge region before entering the axial cyclone coagulation dust separation apparatus. The organic combination of electric coagulation technology and axial cyclone dust separation technology improves the filtering efficiency for ultra-fine particles in air.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a separation device for separating a fluid, said fluid comprising multiple components, into at least two components comprising: a support structure; at least one conduit mounted on or within said support structure for rotation about an axis; at least one inlet for introducing a flow of said fluid into said at least one conduit; and at least one outlet for outputting at least one of said components therefrom; wherein the said at least one conduit is configured such that, in use, when said flow of said fluid is applied thereto, said conduit is thereby caused to rotate on or within said support structure about said axis, thereby separating said fluid into at least two components.

Abstract: Diffuser of an active liquid agent, for the treatment of a fluid environment, be it at the gaseous or liquid state, of the type including a container (1) of the active agent, closed by grid element apt to maintain in position the active agent and to allow the emanation of fluids of the same, the grid element being covered by a barrier film, peelable at the time of the first use to make operative the grid element, wherein the container (1) is closed by a single multilayer film (2, 3a, 3b) including at least one external barrier layer (3a) and at least another inner sealing layer (2) apt to maintain in position the active agent and to form the grid element, at the time of the first use of the container, following the simultaneous removal of the barrier film and of predefined portions of the sealing layer.

Abstract: A spray applicator is disclosed. The spray applicator can include a carrier body including a number of contact surfaces and at least two nozzle bodies. Each nozzle body can be fastened on one of the contact surfaces and have a spray slit for producing a spray jet fanned out transversely to a center plane. the center planes can cross one another along a straight line. The straight line can extend outside the carrier body. The contact surfaces can face the straight line and be offset with respect to one another in the direction of the straight line.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a dispensed fluid jet with an oscillation nozzle, comprising a main channel and at least one secondary channel surrounding the main channel, wherein the nozzle has an inlet and an outlet for an air flow defining a flow axis running centrally through the main channel, characterized in that the secondary channel comprises a drill hole.

Abstract: An exposed secondary showerhead system configured to be supported by a conventional shower enclosure. The illustrative showerhead system includes an overhead conduit fluidly coupled to a conventional shower inlet pipe and to at least one showerhead.

Abstract: A water outlet device includes a ball component. The ball component comprises an arc ball rod and a ball. Two water ports and a water channel located between the two water ports are formed in the arc ball rod. An angle is formed between the directions of the two water ports. The ball is arranged on at least one water port. The water channel penetrates through the ball. The two water ports having an angle formed between water flow directions thereof are formed in the water channel of the arc ball rod, so that the water outlet direction of the water outlet device can be adjusted to be upward, and the water outlet angle can be adjusted to some extent.

Abstract: A process for coating a carrier material with an active material for production of an electrode foil of a battery cell with a Laval nozzle, wherein the Laval nozzle has at least one converging first portion, one second portion having a smallest flow cross section, and one diverging third portion arranged one after the other along a flow direction.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and probes used to dispense flowable materials from a packaged source, such as a bag in box container. The probes are adapted to engage with one or more dispensing components, for example, spouts, faucets, caps, bags, boxes, or other dispensing components. The disclosure also provides methods of using the probe, including connecting the probe to one or more dispensing components, for example flip caps, and methods of dispensing the packaged flowable material.

Abstract: A method of assembling a trigger sprayer assembly includes providing an engine having a piston chamber and a fluid passage that is fluidly coupled to the piston chamber, the fluid passage extending from an input portion to an output portion. The method further includes inserting a piston component into the piston chamber, and coupling a trigger lever to the engine and the piston component. Pivoting the trigger lever relative to the engine pushes and pulls the piston component within the piston chamber to drive fluid from the input portion to the output portion of the fluid passage. The method further includes coupling a shroud to the engine, where the coupling comprises positioning a rail protrusion of the engine within a corresponding recess formed in the shroud, and inserting a shelf extending from an interior surface of the shroud into a pair of receiving clips extending from the engine.

Abstract: A spray gun system includes a spray gun, a pressure sensor, and a controller. The spray gun is configured to distribute a mixture of air and fluid onto a working surface. The pressure sensor is fluidly connected to the spray gun and is configured to measure fluid pressure within the spray gun system. The controller is electrically connected to the pressure sensor and is configured to calculate pressure error based on the measured pressure and a pressure set-point. The controller is further configured to increment a counter if the pressure error exceeds an error threshold, perform a flow control to adjust the pressure set-point to achieve a target flow rate in response to determining that the increment counter exceeds a count threshold, and perform a pressure control loop to adjust the fluid pressure within the spray gun system to achieve the pressure set-point.

Abstract: A sprayer support including a housing for a high-voltage unit or plug, a guiding member for at least one coating product hose, a retention member for air hoses, a first fastening member for fastening to a robot, and a second fastening member for fastening to a sprayer. The housing, the guiding member, the retention member, the first fastening member, and the second fastening member are formed from a single part.

Abstract: A showerhead assembly including a handheld showerhead and a mounting bracket configured to be fluidly coupled to a water source. One of the handheld showerhead and the mounting bracket includes a magnet or a magnetically attractable material, and the other of the handheld showerhead and the mounting bracket includes a magnet or a magnetically attractable material. The magnet of the one of the handheld showerhead or the mounting bracket, or the magnet or the magnetically attractable material of the other of the handheld showerhead or the mounting bracket, is moveable relative to the handheld showerhead or the mounting bracket to which it is included by attraction of the magnet of the one of the handheld showerhead and the mounting bracket to the magnet or the magnetically attractable material of the other of the handheld showerhead and the mounting bracket.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a swing structure and a corresponding water outlet device. A water passing chamber in a body of the swing structure is equipped with a swing member, and an upper end of the swing member is provided with a recess facing a water inlet hole of the water passing chamber. The water flow impacts the recess to drive the swing member to swing to one side randomly. After a lower end of the swing member is out of range of a water outlet hole of the water passing chamber, the upper and lower ends of the swing member are adjacent to or abut against a wall of the water passing chamber, so that the swing member can swing back and forth.

Abstract: A spray head for atomising fluid ejected from a fluid conduit, the spray head comprising: a body having a longitudinal bore for receiving the fluid conduit such that a distal tip of the fluid conduit extends to a distal end of the longitudinal bore, the body being configured to direct a balanced flow of gaseous medium over the distal tip of the fluid conduit, when received within the longitudinal bore, so as to promote atomisation of the fluid as it is ejected from the distal tip of the fluid conduit, wherein the body comprises at least two radially separable segments, each of which defines part of the longitudinal bore, said at least two segments when combined forming said body having a longitudinal bore, whereby the fluid conduit is received within the longitudinal bore by locating said at least two segments around the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A humidification system of a dispensing head of a dosing machine of fluid products, where the dispensing head includes a closing device having a cup, which can be moved between a distal inoperative position and an operative position where the dispensing head is isolated from the environment. The humidification system automatically generates a humid environment inside the cup, in the proximal position of the closing element, by means of a Peltier cell inserted in a forced flow duct of ambient air. The condensed and/or frosted water from the Peltier cell is fed from a collecting tank to the cup of the closing element automatically through a control unit.

Abstract: An electric blower is configured to blow air. The blower includes a body configured such that a sprayer attachment is attachable thereto. The body is configured to be carried integrally with the sprayer attachment with the sprayer attachment attached to the body. The sprayer attachment includes a container, a nozzle and a liquid supply passage. The container is configured to store a liquid. The nozzle has a discharge opening. The liquid supply passage is connected to the container and the nozzle to lead the liquid.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system and method for dispensing a floor coating in a specified ratio of multiple components is disclosed. The system and method may set and maintain a desired ratio of the multiple components by controlling, with a controller, a drive rate of respective pumps configured for propelling the components from a reservoir to a mixer or a dispenser. The controller may be responsive to at least one of a measured actual drive rate, an environmental condition, an actual usage of each component, and an operational parameter of the system, for adjusting a drive rate of the respective pumps to compensate for discrepancies that may affect the ratio of the multiple components.

Abstract: A handheld applicator for delivery of post-treatment coating following application of a conversion coating includes a first vessel extending longitudinally and containing SOCOSURF PACS™ solution, a second vessel extending longitudinally and containing hydrogen peroxide, a pH indicator contained in one of the first or second vessels, a mixing region configured to combine the SOCOSURF PACS™ solution, hydrogen peroxide, and pH indicator.

Abstract: Provided is a mask manufacturing method which includes preparing a mask sheet and a frame, stretching the mask sheet, and fixing the stretched mask sheet to the frame, and forming cell openings in the mask sheet fixed to the frame.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an electrode slurry-discharging shim, and a coating die comprising same, the present technology allowing superbly even coating to be assured even when the electrode slurry coating is at a high load level. In one example, the present technology provides a coating shim for electrode slurry discharge according to the present invention having a step portion configured to be formed at an end of an electrode slurry discharge flow path and to increase a width of the discharge flow path, and the step portion is formed at opposite sides in a width direction of the electrode slurry discharge flow path.

Abstract: An applicator head for a vacuum coating system includes a manifold shell having opposing shell plates, each including a conduit attachment coupled to a shell aperture. An applicator manifold is affixed to each shell plate. Each applicator manifold includes two coupled manifold plates, with one including a manifold aperture, and each is affixed to the respective shell plate so that each manifold aperture aligns with the respective shell aperture. An applicator channel is formed between the manifold plates of each applicator manifold, and the applicator channel is fluidically coupled to the manifold aperture of each respective applicator manifold. Each applicator channel forms an applicator port at a leading edge of each respective applicator manifold, and each leading edge is configured to be complementary in shape to an edge of a workpiece to be coated. First and second face plates are disposed over the leading edges of the applicator manifolds.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for forming a magnetic pigment pattern on an article. The apparatus includes: a magnetic pattern mold having nonmagnetic pattern grooves engraved in a predetermined pattern and providing predetermined magnetic field lines on a pattern-forming object surface of an article by generating magnetism in areas outside the nonmagnetic pattern grooves; and a spray unit spraying an adhesive resin composite containing a ferromagnetic pigment onto the pattern-forming object surface of the article. A predetermined magnetic pigment pattern is formed while the magnetic pigment of the adhesive resin composite that is applied to the pattern-forming object surface of the article is rearranged along magnetic field lines generated by the magnetic pattern mold.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing of a multilayer PVC semi-finished product, in particular a multilayer PVC synthetic leather or a multilayer PVC foam sheet, the method comprising the steps of: a. Coating a coated or uncoated carrier web with a PVC plastisol, whereby a carrier web coated with an ungelled plastisol layer is obtained; thereafter b. Gelling the ungelled plastisol layer, whereby a carrier web coated with a gelled plastisol layer is obtained; and thereafter c. Cooling the carrier web coated with the gelled plastisol layer; characterized in that the coating comprises coating the carrier web with at least two PVC plastisols one above the other, simultaneously or in immediate succession. A corresponding apparatus is further described.

Abstract: Described are micromachined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs) with convex or concave electrodes, which have enhanced pressure amplitude and frequency response behavior when driven at fundamental and harmonic frequencies, as well as methods of making the same.

Abstract: A granular material manipulation device may include an upper handle and a lower handle. One or more upper arms may be coupled to the upper handle so that the upper arms may extend away from the upper handle. One or more lower arms may be coupled to the lower handle so that the lower arms may extend away from the lower handle. A positioning pivot may be configured to enable the device to be movable between a first and a second position. The lower arms may be positioned relatively closer to the upper arms in the first position, and the lower arms may be positioned relatively farther from the upper arms in the second position. Preferably, the device may be biased to the first position. A plate may be pivotally coupled to the first upper arm and/or to the second upper arm via one or more plate pivots.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to fume hoods, and more particularly to systems and methods for controlling a fume hood airflow using an image (e.g., an optical image, an acoustic image, etc.) of a fume hood opening. A system for controlling a fume hood may include an image capture sensor, a configurator and a controller. The image capture sensor may be positioned to have a field of view that includes at least a portion of a fume hood opening, and may be configured to capture an image that includes at least part of the fume hood opening and/or a person working at the hood. The controller may then provide a control signal to a ventilation device for providing a desired airflow in the fume hood. The control signal may depending on the current size of the fume hood opening as captured by the image capture sensor.

Abstract: Techniques for depowdering in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, techniques are provided that separate powder from parts by directing gas onto, or near to, the powder. While fragile green parts, such as green parts produced by binder jetting, may be fragile with respect to scraping or impacts, such parts may nonetheless be resistance to damage from directed gas, even if directed at a high pressure. Techniques for depowdering through directed application of gas may be automated, thereby mitigating challenges associated with manual depowdering operations.

Abstract: A system to perform multi-stage cleaning of material from a space suit worn by an astronaut in a deep space environment includes one or more discharge units installed external to an interior volume of a facility in the deep space environment. Each of the one or more discharge units releases one or more substances. The one or more substances includes water or air and the interior volume of the facility is defined by an interior hatch that is separated from an exterior hatch leading to the deep space environment by an airlock. One or more collection units installed external to the interior volume. Each collection unit traps released material that is released from a space suit based on the multi-stage cleaning to prevent the released material from entering the interior volume.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a tank's inner side includes a tank-mountable frame, a frame-mounted support drivable with respect to the frame about a first rotation axis, a support-mounted nozzle drivable with respect to the support about a second rotation axis transverse to the first axis. The nozzle's spraying direction faces away from the second axis. A controller of the apparatus drives the support and the nozzle, such that the nozzle is rotated about the second axis alternatingly from a start position to a stop position by a predefined cleaning angle smaller than one revolution and from the stop position to the start position. The nozzle angular velocity with respect to the support is smaller than the support angular velocity with respect to the frame within the cleaning angle and smaller than the nozzle angular velocity with respect to the support during movement from the stop position to the leaning start position.

Abstract: A sticker for spacing wood is extruded from an aluminum alloy. The sticker can have different configurations. In a first configuration, the sticker has a width about the same as its height, with longitudinal ridges on all sides that grip wood when wood is stacked on the sticker. In a second configuration, the sticker has a width significantly greater than its height, with longitudinal ridges on the top and bottom surfaces, and with smooth side surfaces. The longitudinal ridges have a height within a specified range and are spaced at a distance peak-to-peak within a specified range. The ridges provide good grip of lumber stacked on the sticker yet do not easily plug with wood fibers through repeated use. The extruded aluminum sticker is very rugged and can be used for hundreds or even thousands of drying cycles.

Abstract: A system and method for an improved material flow through an extrusion machine by altering the material properties in a magnetic field are provided. The electromagnetic extrusion system includes a ram that is moved into a chamber containing an extrusion material to force the extrusion material out of an opening defined, at least in part, by a die to create an extrusion with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the predetermined shape of the opening. An electromagnetic winding of electrically conductive material is embedded within a tool retainer block surrounding the container and is helically wound about the chamber and carries a DC electrical current to generate a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density of at least 2 Tesla within the extrusion material to dissipate dislocation defect structures in the extrusion material being extruded via the magnetoplasticity effect. The magnetic field therefore provides for reduced flow stress on the tooling.

Abstract: Provided is a blank made of a steel and comprising at least two protruding regions (313) having an outer edge (311) protruding outward in in-plane directions, in which a softened part (320) is formed at least partially in the protruding regions (313) and the softened part (320) is formed in at least a part of the outer edge of the protruding regions (313), a Vickers hardness of the softened part (320) is lower than a Vickers hardness of a main portion region (310), and the blank comprises at least two of the protruding regions (313) having the softened part (320).

Abstract: After an annular plate is blanked from a metal flat plate in a blanking step, an inner peripheral portion of the annular plate is deformed upward in a burring step. As a result, a hat-shaped intermediate product having an upstanding tubular portion and an annular plate portion is formed. After that, an outer peripheral portion of the annular plate portion is folded step by step toward an inner peripheral side of the annular plate portion. As a result, a folded portion composed of a first folded portion and a second folded portion is formed, whereby a connection portion having a second flange portion is formed.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped steel object is provided. The method includes cutting a blank from an alloy composition including 0.05-0.5 wt. % carbon, 4-12 wt. % manganese, 1-8 wt. % aluminum, 0-0.4 wt. % vanadium, and a remainder balance of iron. The method also includes heating the blank until the blank is austenitized to form a heated blank, transferring the heated blank to a press, forming the heating blank into a predetermined shape to form a stamped object, and decreasing the temperature of the stamped object to a temperature between a martensite start (Ms) temperature of the alloy composition and a martensite final (Mf) temperature of the alloy composition to form a shaped steel object comprising martensite and retained austenite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotating-layering mold whereby a punched sheet is rotated according to a prescribed angle and layered by an upper mold and a lower mold working in tandem, and provides a press apparatus comprising the rotating-layering mold. A rotating-layering mold comprises a squeeze ring in which is provided a holding hole for holding a punched sheet, the squeeze ring being capable of rotating with respect to a lower mold so that an upper outer circumferential surface of the squeeze ring lies along an inner circumferential surface of the lower mold. The rotating-layering mold further comprises a first thrust bearing, a second thrust bearing, and a radial bearing in order to support the rotation of the squeeze ring with respect to the lower mold.

Abstract: An adjustable joining machine is provided. In another aspect, a workpiece-joining apparatus includes a punch and/or die with an automatically adjustable joining position. A further aspect employs a workpiece-clinching or piercing apparatus including an automatically adjustable punch and/or die. A method of clinching or piercing workpiece sheets includes changing a position of a punch and/or die based on a sensed workpiece characteristic.

Abstract: For producing a welded ring, a band of a length corresponding to the circumference of the ring is bent into a ring and its two ends are welded together. The band ends to be welded together have an offset in the circumferential direction of the ring, the offset lying in the plane of the band. The welding is performed from both lateral edges of the ring, from the outside to the inside up to the offset. Welding having an overall improved welding quality and a higher tensile strength is thus obtained.

Abstract: A pressing step of forming a press-formed product includes: a primary formed product forming step of forming a primary formed product having an intermediate wall portion which will be a part of a convex-side wall part, and an intermediate flange continuous with the intermediate wall portion; and a secondary formed product forming step of forming a secondary formed product having a wall part which will be the convex-side wall part by extending at least a portion, on the intermediate wall portion side, of the intermediate flange formed in the primary formed product forming step such that the portion is aligned with the intermediate wall portion. In the primary formed product forming step, the intermediate wall portion is formed such that a boundary valley line between the intermediate wall portion and the intermediate flange is deeper at a large-curvature section than at a small-curvature section.

Abstract: A method for producing a ball raceway on a workpiece includes providing the workpiece, machining a preliminary thread profile on the workpiece and providing a thread rolling tool. The thread rolling tool has a tool shank, and the tool shank has a free end with a tool head having a roller profile. The method also includes clamping the workpiece into the thread rolling tool, rotating the workpiece about an axis of rotation, moving the tool shank longitudinally along the workpiece, and rolling the roller profile on the preliminary thread profile to generate a final thread profile.

Abstract: The disclosure describes example systems and techniques for controlling microstructure of a superalloy substrate by controlling temperature during forging and using multiple die forging stages to formation of grain boundary phases of the superalloy, and components formed by such example systems and techniques. The method includes heating a substrate to within a forging temperature range. The substrate includes a nickel-based superalloy, and the forging temperature range is below an eta phase solvus temperature of the substrate. The method includes applying a plurality of die forging stages to the substrate to form a component preform. The method includes maintaining the substrate within the forging temperature range during application of the plurality of die forging stages and cooling the component preform.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cartridge-type rivet feeding mechanism of a flow drill screwing device including a rivet box, a magazine for storing rivets from the rivet box, a rivet pulling mechanism including a rivet pulling block, a rivet pulling block guide housing and a linear driving unit connected with the rivet pulling block, a blowing mechanism including a curved connecting tube and a third air inlet, the rivet pulling block is defined with a T-shaped through hole capable of accommodating a rivet and configured for transferring the rivet from the first connecting tube to the second connecting tube. The first air inlet and the second air inlet are both configured for introducing compressed air to push the rivet to move towards the riveter head.

Abstract: A high-strength stainless steel rotor and a method for preparing the same, are provided. The high-strength stainless steel rotor, including the following element components by mass percentage: C: 0.03-0.050%, Cr: 14.90-15.80%, Ni: 5.00-5.70%, Cu: 2.20-2.80%, (Nb+Ta): 0.35-0.44%, Mo: 0.45-0.54%, V: 0.06-0.10%, Si: 0.20-0.60%, Mn: 0.40-0.80%, P?0.010%, S?0.010%, O?0.003%, and the balance of iron and inevitable impurities.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of profiled hose nipples. The invention was based on the object of providing a method and an apparatus which allow hose nipples of the type outlined in the introduction to be produced in a simple manner such that the formation of burrs is avoided and there is no reduction in diameter. This object is achieved in that during the forming of pipe portions (1) in the apparatus (2, 7, 9) according to the invention in the region of the subsequent ring-shaped webs (4) of the nipple profile (3), the material of the pipe portion (1), at its outwardly pointing end (4), does not come into contact with the tool in the region of the parting joints (6) of the apparatus (2, 7). This can be realized by additional cavities (14) in the tool (2, 7).

Abstract: A method of preparing a casting article for use in manufacturing a gas turbine engine part according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, communicating a powdered material to an additive manufacturing system and preparing a casting article that includes at least one trunk and a skin core that extends from the at least one trunk out of the powdered material. A casting article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aluminum alloy wire includes: forming a rough drawing wire composed of an aluminum alloy containing aluminum, an additive element, and unavoidable impurities, the additive element including Si and Mg; obtaining an aluminum alloy wire by performing a treatment on the rough drawing wire, wherein the treatment includes at least one or more wire drawing treatments; forming a first solution treatment material by forming a solid solution of the aluminum and the additive element and then performing a quenching treatment on the solid solution, wherein the first solution treatment is performed directly before the last of the one or more wire drawing treatments is performed; a second solution treatment that forms a second solution treatment material by forming a solid solution of the aluminum and the additive element and then performing a quenching treatment on the solid solution.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an event detection system that captures data associated with events while a DC casting system forms an ingot, determines characteristics of the events, and improves the casting system based on the events. Example systems and methods may include initiating a casting operation using one or more pieces of equipment of a casting system including a casting apparatus; capturing sensor data associated with one or more acoustic signals captured relative to the one or more pieces of equipment performing the casting operation; comparing the sensor data with a set of acoustic profiles; determining whether a particular type of event has occurred; causing an adjustment to the casting system or to the casting operation based on whether the particular type of event has occurred; and initiating a second casting operation using the adjusted casting system or casting operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a casting furnace featuring submerged, mechanical control of liquid level, which relates to continuous casting and solves the problem of low billet productivity. The casting furnace featuring submerged, mechanical control of liquid level includes a melting furnace, a holding furnace, and a crystallizer, the crystallizer including a chamber for accommodating metal liquid, the holding furnace communicating with the melting furnace and the chamber, respectively, a traction head being provided on the crystallizer, the chamber maintaining communication with the holding furnace, the holding furnace including a liftable immersion device, the immersion device being submerged in the metal liquid to elevate liquid level height in the chamber; the crystallizer having a liquid level detecting device, lift height of the immersion device being adjusted based on a detection signal of the liquid level detecting device such that the liquid level in the chamber is maintained at a preset height.

Abstract: A monitoring system may monitor a gap between an ingot and a bottom block of a mold. The monitoring system may include a camera and a computer system. The camera may be positioned to capture or detect optical data associated with one or more molds positioned in a casting environment and send the optical data to the computer system. The computer system may compare the optical data with a baseline profile. Based on the comparison between the optical data and the baseline profile, the computer system may determine if the ingot has separated from the bottom block and the height of the separation. The computer system may generate operating instructions based on the separation. The operating instructions may be used to adjust the casting process.