Abstract: A method for producing a casting core including: producing a casting core insert having a side surface section that is equal to a corresponding section of a side surface of the casting core from a casting core molding material; positioning the casting core insert in a mold cavity of a core box with the side surface section of the casting core insert in the place of the corresponding section of the side surface of the finished casting core, wherein a parting plane intersects the side surface section; introducing a casting core molding material into the mold cavity of the core box to form the remainder of the casting core, wherein the introduced casting core molding material comes into contact with the casting core insert; and solidifying the casting core molding material, thereby forming a shape-fit and/or material-fit connection between the introduced casting core molding material and the casting core insert.

Abstract: A method of forming a cast heat exchanger plate includes forming at least one hot core plate defining internal features of a one piece heat exchanger plate and at least one first set of interlocking features. At least one cold core plate is formed defining external features of the heat exchanger plate and at least one second set of interlocking features. A core assembly is assembled where each hot core plate is directly interlocked to at least one cold core plate. A wax pattern is formed with the core assembly with an external shell formed over the wax pattern. The wax pattern is removed to form a space between the core assembly and the external shell. The space is filled with a molten material. Once the molten material has solidified, the external shell and the core are removed.

Abstract: A ball for a ball-chute in a turbine component, the turbine component, and a method of using the ball, are provided. A ball may include a ball body made of a pre-sintered preform (PSP) material. The ball body has an opening defined therethrough having a first cross-sectional area. A hollow member is fixed within the opening defined through the ball body. The hollow member has a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area of the opening, and is made of a material having a melt temperature higher than a melt temperature of the PSP material. The method includes positioning the ball and brazing the ball in place. The hollow member maintains fluid communication through the ball after the brazing, and allows customized metering of the coolant flow therethrough.

Abstract: A method for image analysis of medical test results, comprising receiving, at a server, information from a mobile device regarding test results from a test performed using a testing device, wherein the testing device includes an alignment target disposed on the testing device and a plurality of immunoassay test strips, receiving at the server an image of the testing device from the mobile device, determining by the server RGB values for a plurality of pixels of the image, normalizing by the server the RGB values into a single value, comparing by the server the single value to a control value stored on the server, and providing by the server a risk indicator, wherein the risk indicator indicates a likelihood of a presence of a medical condition.

Abstract: A core forming method is provided for forming a core. The core forming method includes forming one or more mold parts of water-soluble polymer (WSP), each mold part including a bond area and a part forming area, moistening the bond areas, bonding the mold parts together with the bond areas moistened and the part forming areas aligned to form a cavity shaped as a negative of the core, injecting a slurry, which is non-reactive with the WSP, into the cavity and removing the WSP with water once the slurry is cured.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a first support member including a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion supporting a first axle receiver, a first bellows mounted to the first end of the first support member, a second bellows mounted to the second end of the first support member, a second support member including a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate section supporting a second axle receiver, a third bellows mounted to the first end portion of the second support member, a fourth bellows mounted to the second end portion of the second support member, a first drive unit including a first transmission mounted to the first support member, and a first electric motor connected to the first transmission, and a second drive unit including a second transmission mounted to the second support member, and a second electric motor connected to the second transmission.

Abstract: An exemplary method for making a metal matrix composite vehicle component includes: using a mold including male and female die portions having mold surfaces and a plurality of spacers; heating the mold to a casting temperature; placing a ceramic preform on the plurality of spacers, the ceramic preform being spaced apart from at least one of the mold surfaces by the spacers; closing the mold to form a mold cavity between the mold surfaces of the male and female die portions, the ceramic preform being disposed within the mold cavity; providing molten metal into the mold cavity; and pressurizing the molten metal to a casting pressure for a casting duration to infiltrate the ceramic preform thereby forming the metal matrix composite vehicle component.

Abstract: A method of forming an airfoil, includes forming a hybrid skin core, a tip flag core, and a trailing edge core. The hybrid skin core, tip flag core, and trailing edge core are connected to form a first core portion. A leading edge core and a serpentine core are formed. The first core portion, the leading edge core, and the serpentine core are assembled together to form an airfoil core. An airfoil is formed around the airfoil core.

Abstract: A method of forming an airfoil includes the steps of depositing material to form an airfoil in a first layer, and then depositing material in a second layer on the first layer. The first and second layers have distinct densities. An airfoil is also disclosed. The method provides powerful design advantages.

Abstract: Brake calipers, molds and method of producing brake calipers are disclosed including a brake caliper mold for molding a brake caliper, the brake caliper mold comprising: a first mold section; a second section half; a core member configured to form a piston bore, the core member comprising: a tower configured to form a tower window in a bridge of the brake caliper and a piston bore extension to form a piston bore of the brake caliper; and four locator forming surfaces located on the tower, each of the four locator forming surfaces configured to form a separate lateral data reference surface on the brake caliper, the lateral data reference surfaces capable of being used for subsequent machining of the brake caliper to predetermined tolerances.

Abstract: A casting apparatus includes: a mold including a first mold segment and a second mold segment; and a transfer device that is configured to transfer a core to the first mold segment and place the core in the first mold segment, and to receive and transfer a casting. The transfer device includes a support part, a robot arm, a core grasping mechanism being provided on the support part, and a casting receiving part being provided on the support part. The transfer device is configured such that the robot arm moves the core grasping mechanism so as to place the core in the first mold segment, and moves the casting receiving part so as to receive the casting by the casting receiving part.

Abstract: An engine has a cylinder block with a deck face and at least one cylinder liner with a cylinder axis. The block has a first fluid jacket about the liner, a second fluid jacket about the liner, and a third fluid jacket about the liner. The first, second, and third fluid jackets are fluidly independent from one another and spaced apart from one another along the cylinder axis. A method for forming the engine includes using an insert to provide each of the fluid jackets. The insert has a lost core material surrounded by a metal shell.

Abstract: A water-cooled mold for low-pressure casting of an aluminum alloy wheel includes an upper mold, a lower mold and a side mold which surround a cavity of aluminum alloy, in which a cooling insert is embedded into a side mold frame of the side mold; an upper parting surface, a lower parting surface and a side parting surface of the cooling insert are respectively in contact parting with the side mold frame, the side parting surface includes a front zone and a rear straight zone, and a gap of 1.5-2.5 mm is formed between the rear straight zone and the side mold frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a feeder system. The feeder system includes a rotary device configured to grip a container containing a material; and a controller electrically connected to the rotary device and configured to send a first rotation instruction to the rotary device so that the rotary device rotates the container. The rotary device is configured to rotate by a predetermined angle in response to the first rotation instruction sent by the controller, so that the material in the container is poured.

Abstract: A trailing arm device (1) of a drivable torsion beam axle (2) is described. The trailing arm device (1) has a housing (5) in which a drive-train (8) can be arranged and is connected to a trailing arm (4). The housing (5), as fitted into position within a vehicle, has a sidewall (11) formed integrally with a central housing region (9) on a side facing toward a wheel. The sidewall delimits a housing interior space (10) that accommodates, at least partially, the drive-train (8). On the side facing away from the wheel, the housing interior space (10) is delimited by at least one cover element (14) that can be detachably connected to the central housing region (9).

Abstract: An injection molding tool for producing a molded part and a corresponding method are disclosed. The injection mold tool comprises a first tool mold half and a second tool mold half, which together with a first slider and at least one second slider define a free space for the molded part to be produced. A lever which is pretensioned with an elastic element is assigned to an end switch such that a movable and free end of the lever cooperates with the end switch due to a movement of the first slider.

Abstract: A method for producing a feeder (10) that is intended for use in a casting mold used for the casting of metals and comprises a feeder body (11), which encloses an inner cavity (25) as a feeder volume, consists of an exothermic and/or insulating material, has at least one lateral wall region (12) and a bottom region (13) with a feeder opening (14) arranged therein for connecting the inner cavity (25) of the feeder body (11) to the mold cavity of the casting mold during the casting operation and has a mesh-like fabric consisting of a refractory material covering over the feeder opening (14) therein, is characterized in that, in the course of the production of the feeder in a core shooter, a piece of fabric (21) of the mesh-like fabric is positioned in a pattern device (17) forming the shape of the feeder (10) in a core box (30) of the core shooter, in such a way that the peripheral region (22) of the piece of fabric (21) positioned in the bottom region (13) of the later feeder (10) is at least partially bent up

Abstract: An integrally-formed metal-casting mold loaded with a solid-metal ingot in an ingot-cup portion thereof is heated in a furnace under vacuum to a temperature sufficient to melt the solid-metal ingot. The ingot-cup portion is operatively coupled to a component-mold portion of the mold via a funnel portion thereof, either directly or through a riser portion operatively coupled to a base of the component-mold portion, which provides for feeding molten metal melted from the ingot to cast a part in the component-mold portion. Molten metal in excess of what is needed to cast the part flows either into the riser portion, or into a fluid conduit that extends above the component-mold portion. The molten metal may be fed to the component-mold portion through a molten-metal filter to reduce flow rate or remove contaminants. The mold may be formed either as an investment mold or directly by additive manufacturing.

Abstract: In a method for producing a riser for inserting into a casting mold used for casting metals, the riser includes a riser body (31) surrounding an inner cavity (36) as a riser volume and is composed of an exothermic and/or insulating riser material (30). To produce a single-piece riser body (31) in a two-part core box (10), a cavity (14) reproducing the outer contour of the riser body (31) is formed and, in order to produce the inner cavity (36), a reversibly expandable king (15) is set in the cavity (14) in such a way that, in the shooting of the riser body (31), the wall region (32), the cup region (33), and the base region (34) of the riser body are formed by the riser material (30) introduced into the intermediate space (41) between the expanded king (15) and the inner wall (40) of the cavity (14).

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for integrating a VCR engine with a CVT transmission. Responsive to a driver demand, a controller may determine whether to maintain a current compression ratio or transition to an alternate compression ratio based on the fuel economy benefit of the transition and further based on any engine limitations that may be incurred at the engine speed-load following the transition. To improve the net fuel economy benefit while addressing the engine limitation, a compression ratio transition may be combined with a CVT adjusted engine speed-load regime, while maintaining engine power output.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bolster of a railway car truck includes providing a drag portion and a cope portion of a mold. In a main body section of the mold, a parting line that separates the drag portion from the cope portion is substantially centered between portions of the mold that define brake window openings in sides of the bolster. One or more cores are inserted into the mold and a molten material is poured into the mold to thereby case the bolster.

Abstract: A turbine blade has a blade geometry defined in a coordinate system and at least one cavity which is open to the outside and which has a blade internal surface. At least one planar detection surface, which is accessible for the measuring head of a coordinate measuring device, is formed in the blade internal surface, wherein the at least one planar detection surface is assigned a defined design position and/or a defined design orientation with respect to the coordinate system in which the blade geometry is defined.

Abstract: Method for casting a turbine component body including; providing a mould defining the external geometry of the component body and providing a core defining an internal geometry of the component body. The core includes a main body defining an internal chamber of the component body and an array of pedestals extending between opposing walls of the internal chamber. A molten material is cast between the mould and the core and the core is then removed after the molten material has solidified. The core is provided using a core die which has an inlet for receiving fluid core material. The core die is configured such as to provide a gradient of injection pressure which decreases from a first position proximal to the inlet to a second position distal to the inlet. The pedestal array is arranged such that the separation of the pedestals increases between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder head casting device includes a casting mold and a port core. The casting mold includes dies that define a cavity corresponding to an outer shape of a cylinder head. The port core includes body parts for forming the ports, and a base part connecting the body parts. A lower die has intake and exhaust hole formation surfaces on the combustion chamber side of the port, and a port core support surface corresponding to the mounting surface of the cylinder head. Side dies have a port core pressing surface that faces the port core support surface. The port core is supported inside the cavity by distal ends of the body parts contacting the air intake and exhaust hole formation surfaces. A lower surface of the base part contacts the port core support surface, and an upper surface of the base part contacts the port core pressing surface.

Abstract: Provided is a casting mold including a lower mold 4 fixed on a base 3, a plurality of horizontal sliding molds 5 to 8 which slide freely on the base 3 between a mold-opening position and a mold-closing position, an upper mold 9, and sliding mechanisms 12, 25 which slide the horizontal sliding molds 5 to 8 in the sliding directions. When sliding the horizontal sliding molds from the mold-opening position to the mold-closing position, the sliding mechanisms 12, 25 cause force to act on a lower section of the horizontal sliding molds 5 to 8 and prevent force from acting on an upper section of the horizontal sliding molds 5 to 8.

Abstract: An arrangement for use in the production of a separable casting mold, preferably of a vertically separable casting mold is disclosed. The arrangement can include (i) a mold plate and/or a mold pattern, (ii) a feeder system having a feeder element and having a feeder insert, wherein feeder element and feeder insert delimit a feeder cavity for receiving liquid metal. The arrangement also includes one or more tipping prevention elements which are designed to counteract tipping of the feeder system out of the opening axis about the first end of the feeder element when, in the event of the feeder system being acted on with a force acting parallel to the opening axis and in the direction of the first end, the side wall deforms and the spacing between the first and second ends is reduced, wherein the one or more tipping prevention element(s) are/is spaced apart from the opening axis.

Abstract: A conduction riser additively manufactured onto thin metal parts, the conduction riser extending in a build direction of the thin metal part and traversing the thin metal part as the conduction riser extends in the build direction. The conduction riser transferring heat from the upper layers of additively manufactured part during manufacturing, preventing thermal deflection of the part.

Abstract: Investment casting of an engine part using a pair of core members having respective opposed faces spaced apart by a first distance, a face of a first core member of the pair being provided with one or more protrusions thereon and a face of the second core member of the pair being provided with one or more respective open recesses therein, each protrusion facing a respective open recess, wherein during a casting procedure the first and second core members are maintained positioned relative to each other so major portions of the opposed faces of the first and second core members assume mutual spacing equaling a corresponding predetermined thickness of a portion of a resulting cast wall of the first distance; and at least a head portion of the protrusion is located within the respective open recess to define a minor portion of the resulting cast wall.

Abstract: A component according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a platform and a feed cavity that feeds a cooling fluid inside of the platform. The feed cavity includes a leg portion and a main body portion that extends from the leg portion inside of the platform. A cooling cavity is inside the platform and in fluid communication with the feed cavity.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a crankshaft assembly includes configuring a crankshaft with a crankpin journal having a cavity extending at least partially from a first axial side to a second axial side of the crankpin journal, and opening at at least one of the first axial side and the second axial side. The method includes disposing a core plug in the cavity. The crankshaft has a first density and the core plug may have a second density which may be less than the first density. A crankshaft assembly includes the crankshaft and the core plug.

Abstract: The invention relates to a turbomachine bearing support (1) supporting at least one bearing and extending according to a longitudinal principal axis of the turbomachine and comprising: a truncated part (11) having a diameter increasing from upstream to downstream; a flange part (12) which extends from the truncated part (11) as far as the bearing (5, 6) to which it is fixed by an axial flange (121), and having at its downstream end a radial internal flange (17) fixed to an oil inlet cover defining with the bearing (5, 6) an oil inlet container (170); oiled air clearance ducts (71) projecting downstream relative to the flange part (12) and on the oil inlet container (170) and to the other side upstream of the flange part (12) directly radially externally relative to the axial flange (121).

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a pulsating pressurized fluid jet are disclosed. One disclosed example includes a line system having at least one nozzle with at least one nozzle orifice from which a pulsating fluid jet of pressurized fluid emerges, and a chamber having a pressure wave generating device to generate fluid pressure waves, where the chamber is in fluid communication with the line system through an outlet opening for the generated fluid pressure waves. The disclosed example also includes a setting device for controlling the amplitude of the fluid pressure waves in the line system upstream of the at least one nozzle orifice where the setting device sets a quotient of a path length of the fluid pressure waves between the outlet opening and the at least one nozzle orifice, and the wavelength of the fluid pressure waves in the line system.

Abstract: A device for producing a cylinder crankcase using a low-pressure casting method or a gravity casting method. The device includes an outer casting mold which includes at least one mold part which, in an assembled state, forms a mold cavity that reproduces, for casting purposes, an outer contour of the cylinder crankcase. A region of the mold cavity forms a cylinder space of the cylinder crankcase. A dosing furnace contains a liquid metal. At least one gate is arranged geodetically below the mold cavity and via which the dosing furnace can be fluidically connected to the mold cavity. Sprue bushings project into the region of the mold cavity that forms the cylinder space of the cylinder crankcase. Each of the at least one gate is connected to one of the sprue bushings.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a piston may include a casting mold having an axially open cavity defining a surrounding cavity wall, the cavity wall being profiled to receive an annular core to define a cooling duct geometry. A core holding device may be adjustable in an axial direction for introducing the core into the casting mold. The core holding device may include a gripping device for gripping the core. The gripping device may include a plurality of spreadable first grippers. The plurality of first grippers may be adjustable at least between a first position, in which the plurality of first grippers are arranged in a radially inner position, and a second position, in which the plurality of first grippers transition radially outwards in relation to the first position and support the core.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a method for producing a concrete component (1), wherein a plurality of layers of a dry mixture consisting of at least one silicate former and one hydraulic binder are deposited one atop another on a base (7), wherein after applying each layer the respective layer is mixed with water, wherein the contour of the area that is mixed with water correlates with the desired shape of the concrete component (1) at the level of the respective layer to be applied.

Abstract: A cast metal plate segment for a refiner of lignocellulosic material or a disperser of comminuted paper or packaging products, the plate segment including a front side with a front surface configured to refine the lignocellulosic material or disperge the comminuted paper or packaging products, and a back side, opposite to the front side, including a corner or edge, wherein the corner or edge comprises a casted surface between machined planar surfaces adjacent the corner or edge.

Abstract: A caliper body of a floating-type disk brake includes a cylinder-part constituent part including a cylinder bore into which a piston pressing brake pads against a disk rotor is disposed, a bridge part extending from the cylinder-part constituent part and including a through-hole, and a claw-part constituent part formed on a leading end side of the bridge part and disposed so as to be opposite to the cylinder-part constituent part. In a method of manufacturing the caliper body of the floating-type disk brake, a mold in which sprues are provided in at least two places spaced apart from each other in a disk rotor circumferential direction on a region corresponding to the claw-part constituent part is prepared. Molten metal is poured from the sprues of the at least two places of the mold, and starts to solidify from a side of the cylinder-part constituent part.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing railcar yokes includes providing a cope mold portion having internal walls defining at least in part perimeter boundaries of at least two upper yoke mold cavities. The method further comprises providing a drag mold portion having internal walls defining at least in part perimeter boundaries of at least two lower yoke mold cavities. A slab core is positioned within the drag mold portion. The slab core is configured to define at least in part perimeter boundaries of the at least two upper yoke mold cavities and the at least two lower yoke mold cavities. The cope and drag mold portions are closed with the slab core therebetween. The method also comprises at least partially filling the at least two upper and at least two lower yoke mold cavities with a molten alloy to form a first, second, third, and fourth yoke.

Abstract: A cylinder block including a water jacket for maintaining an engine at a proper temperature during operation thereof may include a plurality of cylinders formed within the cylinder block so that a number of pistons are respectively inserted into the cylinders, and a heat sink formed in the water jacket provided to enclose side surfaces of the plural cylinders.

Abstract: A guide carriage is configured for use with an guide rail. The guide carriage has at least one row of rolling bodies received in a circulatory channel. The circulatory channel has a load-bearing section and a return channel connected together at their ends by a deflection channel. The load-bearing section is delimited by a carriage raceway on the guide carriage and a rail raceway on the guide rail. At least one sealing lip is arranged in sealing engagement with the guide rail when the guide carriage is mounted on the guide rail. At least one separate rolling-body guide part, composed in one piece of an elastomer, has two deflection sections, between which at least one guide section, extending longitudinally, is arranged. An associated sealing lip is arranged on the guide section. At least one radially inner deflection surface of a deflection channel is arranged on each deflection section.

Abstract: In a method for producing a brake carrier for a disc brake of a vehicle braking system, wherein the brake carrier has at least one guiding shaft for guiding a brake lining in a guiding direction in relation to a receiving region for a brake disc, first a brake carrier blank is produced in a casting step and then the brake carrier blank is reworked. In the casting step, the brake carrier blank forms two converging tapers, facing the receiving region, in the region in which the guiding shaft is formed and, during the reworking, material is removed in the region of the tapers to produce the at least one guiding shaft, with the effect that the receiving region for the brake disc has a predetermined clear width transversely in relation to the guiding direction.

Abstract: A method of producing a trailing arm of a torsion beam axle in which an integrated drive unit of a wheel-adjacent electric drive has an electric machine and a transmission. By using the method, the trailing arm is produced in the form of a casting with a box profile. The contours for producing the area that accommodates the transmission, the connection point to the vehicle body, the bore that receives the cross-member which connects the two trailing arms to one another, the U-profile of the trailing arm, the box profile and the area that accommodates the electric machine, are modeled by cores such that the contours for producing the connection point of the trailing arm to the vehicle body, the bore that receives the cross-member and the U-profile of the trailing arm are modeled by one core.

Abstract: A metal casting riser sleeve system includes a cope mold portion and an outer riser sleeve portion positioned in the cope mold portion. The outer riser sleeve portion encloses a central outer riser sleeve portion passageway between an outer riser sleeve portion bottom end and top end. The system also includes an inner riser sleeve portion that forms a central inner riser sleeve portion passageway between an inner riser sleeve portion bottom end and top end. The inner riser sleeve portion is slidably positioned within the outer riser sleeve portion passageway. The inner riser sleeve portion is operable to slide upward such that the inner riser sleeve portion top end is above the outer riser sleeve portion top end and such that a riser sleeve system passageway is formed between the inner riser sleeve portion top end and the outer riser sleeve portion bottom end.

Abstract: Provided herein are various embodiments of systems for casting thin metal plates and sheets. Typical embodiments include layers of mold cavities that are oriented vertically for casting the metal plates. In some embodiments, the mold cavities include a beveled edge such that the plates that are cast have a beveled edge. In some embodiments, the mold cavities are filled with a molten metal through an open horizontal edge of the cavity. In some embodiments, the mold cavities are filled through one or more vertical feed orifices. Further disclosed are methods for forming a thin cast metal plate or sheet where the thickness of the cast part is in a range from 0.005 inches to 0.2 inches, and the surface area of the cast part is in a range from 16 square inches to 144 square inches.

Abstract: A method for the production of a hollow body from die casting aluminum in a die casting machine with a die casting die having mould parts with a stationary mould part and with at least two movable mould parts. The movable mould parts are guided in at least one further movable mould part of the die, so that, in the closed position of the die, the movable mould parts are blocked at least by way of an interlock which is attached to the stationary mould part.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a mostly linearly displaceable sleeve for forming at least one piston pin bore and at least one slider that can be displaced at least mostly linearly and diagonally to the sleeve for forming at least one recess under a ring zone of the piston. The sleeve and the slider are at least indirectly coupled, such that the sleeve at least partially carries the slider when displaced. A method for opening and/or closing a casting device for a piston for an internal combustion engine, wherein a mostly linearly displaceable sleeve at least partially carries a slider that can be displaced mostly linearly and diagonally to the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a golf club head can include: creating a mold of the golf club head; forming two or more portions of a model of the golf club head using the mold, each of the two or more portions of the model include a part of a body of the golf club head and at least one first alignment mechanism; assembling the model of the golf club head using the at least one first alignment mechanism of each of the two or more portions of the model to align the two or more portions of the model, the model comprises the body of the golf club head and a joined alignment mechanism, the joint alignment mechanism comprises the at least one first alignment mechanism of each of the two or more portions of the model; using the model of the golf club head to create a cast for the golf club head; removing the model of the golf club head from the cast; and using the cast of the golf club head to create the golf club head with the joined alignment mechanism; and removing the joined alignment mechanism from the golf club he

Abstract: A caliper body of a floating-type disk brake includes a cylinder having a cylinder bore into which piston pressing brake pads are disposed against a disk rotor, a bridge extending from the cylinder part including a through-hole, and a claw part formed on a leading end side of the bridge and disposed opposite to the cylinder part. The caliper body of the floating-type disk brake is made in a mold with sprues provided in at least two places spaced apart from each other in a disk rotor circumferential direction on a region corresponding to the claw part. Molten metal is poured from the sprues in at least two places of the mold, and starts to solidify from a side of the cylinder part.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of crankshafts includes positioning a single core within a cavity of a mold having a first half and a second half together forming an exterior shape of the plurality of crankshafts. The exterior shape of each of the plurality of crankshafts produced thereby includes a plurality of pin bearing journals and a plurality of main bearing journals. The method also includes introducing via a mechanism into the cavity a molten metal to form the plurality of crankshafts. As the molten metal flows into the cavity and around the single core, a hollow section extending through at least one of the plurality of pin bearing journals and at least one of the plurality of main bearing journals of each of the plurality of crankshafts is formed. A system for simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of reduced mass crankshafts using the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a half-cradle for use in a vehicle frame. The half-cradle includes a cast end member formed from a first material and first and second tubular cross-member stubs extending from the cast end member. The first and second tubular cross-member stubs are made from a second material. Each of the stubs has an end buried in the cast end member, wherein the buried end is uncapped. Each of the tubular cross-member stubs has an interior that is configured to sealingly receive a core for use in preventing the filling of the stub with molten first material during casting of the cast end member.