Abstract: An apparatus for producing elongated rolled products contains a steelmaking station for producing liquid metal having at a first production rate, a rolling mill having a second production rate, and a continuous casting station located between the steelmaking station and the rolling mill. The continuous casting station contains at least two casting lines, each line being operable to produce elongated intermediate products. A first casting line is directly aligned with the rolling mill to feed the rolling mill with casted products, and at least one second casting line not aligned with the rolling mill and not feeding the rolling mill. The apparatus further contains a varying device for varying simultaneously the production rate of the first casting line and the production rate of the at least one second casting line depending on a difference between the steelmaking station production rate and the rolling mill production rate.

Abstract: A safety door automatic opening/closing device is capable of freely (arbitrarily) setting and controlling the opening/closing speed and the open position to shorten a waiting time required to open/close a safety door and capable of eliminating a touch switch; and a method of controlling the same.

Abstract: A safety controller having a total worst case propagation delay, exceeding the required propagation delay required by a safety process, may be used to control the safety process by monitoring actual delays in signal processing in the safety controller and moving to a safety state if a signal delay exceeds an amount less than the total worst case propagation delay.

Abstract: An automatic molding machine has different operational molding stations in which at least two different safety zones are provided for the different molding stations. Such an automated machine includes a mold flask assembly including a drag flask, a cope flask and a pattern plate. An electronic controller controls the molding machine differently when different safety zones are breached.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a system for predicting precipitation kinetics in precipitation-hardenable alloys, such as the 7000 series aluminum alloys, and for optimizing conditions for thermal treatment thereof. The method includes the steps of measuring a real-time temperature of an alloy component during the thermal treatment process, and using a signal in dependence upon the real-time temperature to predict, using executable code, a current state of the alloy component. The executable code includes a series of rate equations and initial parameters for a particular alloy. Optionally, the initial parameters for the particular alloy are provided after the code is in execution. The thermal treatment process is terminated when a predetermined state of the alloy component is predicted.

Abstract: The toy uses metal molding material having a relatively low melting point which produces realistic toy metal objects. The metal is heated in a crucible and poured into a preferably closed, flexible mold made of rubber. The crucible and the mold are mounted to a molding platform held in a fixed position relative to each other with an outlet of the crucible communicating with an inlet of the mold. The molding platform is pivotally mounted in the toy, and both the crucible and the mold are pivoted or tilted to allow liquefied metal in the crucible to flow into the mold. A crank mechanism pivots the molding platform. The toy has a removable inner cover which mounts to the molding platform to cover the crucible and the mold, and a pivotally mounted outer cover which when closed blocks access to the molding platform and the inner cover.

Abstract: Steam explosions can be prevented or mitigated during a metal casting process by the placement of a perforated flooring system in the casting pit. An upward flow of compressed gas through this perforated flooring system is introduced during the casting process to produce a buffer layer between any spilled molten metal and the cooling water in the reservoir. This buffer layer provides a hydrodynamic layer which acts to prevent or mitigate steam explosions resulting from hot, molten metal being spilled into or onto the cooling water.

Abstract: The apparatus for manually interrupting the flow of molten metal from the tundish includes a frame, and elements for removably securing the frame to the tundish adjacent the tundish orifice. The apparatus further includes a plug assembly for blocking the flow of the molten metal through the orifice. Linkage assembly is provided for moving the plug assembly between a flow permitting and a flow blocking position. The plug assembly is supported on the linkage assembly so that the plug assembly may seek a sealing seat in the orifice.

Abstract: The shut-off device includes (1) a stopper capable of blocking a stream of melt flowing in the guide conduit which introduces the melt from a furnace into a tundish therethrough, if the occasion arises, and (2) a receiving plate disposed below a cooling mold so as to receive a leakage melt and having a heat sensor, the heat sensor being adapted to detect the heat of the leakage melt and communicating with a converter for transmitting an operation signals to the stopper. In such a specially designed structure, if the melt breaks out of the cooling mold, the leaked melt is received by the receiving plate and its heat is detected by the heat sensor. According to the detection of the heat, corresponding electric signals are instantly transmitted from the converter to the stopper and thereby the stopper is actuated so as to block the melt flow in the guide conduit.

Abstract: A die casting unit employing plural die members and core members which are used in closed position for die casting shaped articles of unusual configuration and particularly articles which are comprised of two or more subcomponents arranged or joined in interconnected assembly, an example of such shaped article being the slider body and pull chain used on slide fasteners. Movement of at least the die members during the molding cycle is effected by rotation of a ring member carrying structure which cooperates with structure on the die members to slide the die members between their open and closed positions.

Abstract: A low-pressure molten metal casting device comprising a level detector or sensor disposed in a column disposed downstream of the smelting furnace and upstream of the casting leading inlet feed openings of a distribution chamber connected to the moulds. This sensor co-acts with a mechanism controlling the pressure of an inert gas in the furnace for regulating the metallostatic casting overpressure as a function of the selected casting level in order to monitor the furnace pressure and consequently the casting by moving the sensor according to a predetermined law or with the assistance of the gas pressure in the column, so as to reduce any idle periods between successive castings cycles by pre-rising the molten metal by using the level sensor, the latter comprising preferably a pair of staggered electrodes.

Abstract: The following specification describes a safety shield assembly for centrifugal casting apparatus of the type used by hobbyists. The assembly comprises a ring wall encircling the path of rotation of the casting arm carrying the metal charge and mold. A top wall is provided having a central opening through which access is provided for heating the metal and releasing the arm carrying the charge and mold for rotation. The top wall is provided with a fixed wall portion and a lid hingedly secured along a diameter line of the ring wall and foldable into coincident relationship with the fixed top wall portion.An annular bottom wall adapted to be secured to a table top is also provided for the ring wall and a cup shaped housing adapted to be recessed in the table top is fixed to the bottom wall. The housing has a back wall for supporting the centrifugal casting apparatus with arms of the casting apparatus located just above the table top to reduce the height required of the ring wall.

Abstract: A spring action portable centrifugal casting machine having a castor arm freely pivotable at a centrally balanced point has a horizontal pivotable extension arm attached thereto, and a crucible and flask entirely enclosed within a portable shield mounted on said extension arm.

Abstract: A continuous casting system provides with a foreign matter receiving gutter between two adjacent rolls to receive foreign matters dropping during the drawing operation of castings, and a foreign matter removing nozzle to wash away the foreign matter dropped on the gutter. An electromagnetic agitator of the continuous casting system is provided with a proximity switch at least at its inlet side to sense a magnetic substance approaching the agitator thereby to control the operation of the agitator, thus eliminating troubles caused by the vibration of the magnetic substance.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for a press or the like having dies which are movable relative to each other and which define an open area therebetween for receiving an article includes a gate that is pivotable about a primary pivot axis from an open position to expose the open area to a closed position to shield the open area, and a secondary pivot axis that is parallel to and spaced from the primary axis. In the closed position, the gate engages a normally closed switch means and thereby enable the dies to move towards each other. When the gate is in the closed position and an obstruction is aligned with the gate, movement of the dies causes the obstruction to contact the gate which is pivoted about the secondary pivot axis, whereby the switch means closes and movement of the dies is interrupted.