Abstract: A fine metal particle producing mechanism has a metal holder for housing a body of magnesium, a tube for supplying an argon gas to the body of magnesium, an argon gas flow rate controller for controlling a rate at which the argon gas is supplied to the tube, and an argon gas heating controller for heating the argon gas supplied to the tube to a predetermined temperature.

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: A method and an apparatus for machining a mold material to produce a mold. By casting based on a cast mold model (15), a mold material (20) is produced in a form having a work margin. Thereafter, a shape of the mold material (20) is measured by a measuring device (16), and measurement data and an envelope model (M2) generated based on the measurement data are stored in a storage unit (12A) of a computer (12). Thereafter, a mold model (M1) based on mold design data and an envelope model (M2) are displayed on a display unit (12C), and the envelope model (M2) is linearly moved in direction of three axes X, Y and Z orthogonal to one another respectively and rotated around the three axes to bring a product forming plane (M2B) of the envelope model (M2) into close proximity of a product forming plane (M1B) of the mold model (M1).

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: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling temperature of a plant comprising plural temperature control zones, wherein an effective control parameter for a first zone for which a signal representing measured temperature is available is produced according to an algorithm relating measured temperature, a desired temperature and a control parameter associated with a device affecting temperature in the first temperature control zone, the effective control parameter is summed with an offset value representing a proportional offset of the effective control parameter of a second temperature control zone relative to the effective control parameter of the first temperature control zone and the result is applied to control a device affecting temperature in the second temperature control zone.

Abstract: To provide a monitoring system for remotely monitoring the operation of a molding apparatus or an air-flow and press molding apparatus. The monitoring systems for monitoring a molding apparatus and an airflow and press molding apparatus include sensors, a local unit, and a remote unit. The local unit transmits the signals associated with the required attributes, which are measured by the sensors, of the molding apparatus to the remote unit via the communication network. The remote unit is designed so that it receives the signals transmitted from the local unit; thereby the user can monitor the molding apparatus or the air-flow and press molding apparatus remotely at the production and operation by them.

Abstract: A method (300) and a system (100) for controlling a casting process are described herein. The system (100) generally includes a die casting device (110) and a measuring device (120). The die casting device (110) includes a mold (130) configured to produce molded parts (140). The measuring device (120) may determine a position of the mold (130) within the die casting device (110) in a casting cycle. The measuring device (120) may determine an incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140) associated with the casting cycle. Based on the incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140), the measuring device (120) may provide a notification in response to a trigger event. The measuring device (120) may also reset the die casting device (110) for another casting cycle based on the incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140).

Abstract: A mold spraying system for emitting one or more sprayable materials onto portions of a mold, such as a die-cast mold, while the mold is located in a molding machine. The spraying system has an emitter, such as a spray head, for directing the one or more materials onto portions of each half of the mold when the mold is in an opened position between molding cycles of the molding machine. The spray head is connected to a manipulator for positioning the spray head between the mold halves. A pressure boosting unit is employed to ensure that the sprayable materials are supplied to the spray head at a sufficient pressure, notwithstanding any system pressure losses and/or the high frequency of spraying operations required to be performed as a result of a short molding machine cycle.

Abstract: A die casting process uses information derived from analysis of a prior casting to modify the process producing a subsequent casting. An aluminum alloy casting is manufactured at a first location. During the manufacture thereof, plural physical parameters are measured and recorded in an entry in memory. Further during the manufacture thereof, the casting is marked with a unique identifier which is stored, with the plural physical parameters, in the entry. The castings are then shipped to a second location, remotely located relative to the first location, for chrome plating. The chrome plated castings are examined for defects and, using the unique identifier on the casting, the casting is associated with the entry containing the physical parameters under which it was manufactured. The physical parameters may then be adjusted so that the subsequent castings are manufactured under conditions less likely to produce defects.

Abstract: A die casting process using pattern recognition techniques to identify those die castings manufactured under conditions likely to produce a die casting which would subsequently prove unacceptable for use. By promptly identifying such die castings, they may be discarded before being shipped to a remote facility for further processing. As a result, the rejection rate of die castings at the remote facility may be reduced and the raw materials used to form the discarded die castings may be more readily recycled.

Abstract: A die casting system for manufacturing die castings configured for measuring plural physical parameters during the forming of each die casting and to associate the measured physical parameters with the specific die casting manufactured under those conditions and any defect information subsequently acquired for that die casting. By enabling a die casting manufacturing system to associate such types of information, control over the manufacturing process may be enhanced.

Abstract: A a process for producing slabs from steel, in which the strand leaves a permanent mold with liquid melt enclosed by the strand shell and, in a downstream strand guiding assembly, the gap between guide rollers mounted in stands is set infinitely variably by adjusting elements connecting lower and upper frames, characterized by the following steps: a) the gap(s) is changed by an oscillation about a predeteminable center line (c) of the gap in such a way that the dynamic influences on the guide rollers are negligible, and no plastic deformation of the strand shell occurs; b) the current gap (s) is recorded, c) at the same time, the actuating force (F) of the adjusting elements and the amplitude (A) of the actuating force are determined, and d) with increasing amplitude (A) of the actuating force (F), the gap (s) is set to a predeterminable value and/or is pressure-controlled by at least one adjusting element.

Abstract: A method and a system are for the control of a gas-containing hidden flow of molten metal in a space defined by a tubular device. From measurements in at least one predetermined layer of the metal flow in the space, an indication is obtained of the appearance of the flow which is compared with stored values. The result of the comparison is used for controlling at least one flow-affecting parameter in such a manner that a desired type of flow is provided at least in the layer.

Abstract: To provide a monitoring system for remotely monitoring the operation of a molding apparatus or an air-flow and press molding apparatus. The monitoring systems for monitoring a molding apparatus and an air-flow and press molding apparatus include sensors, a local unit, and a remote unit. The local unit transmits the signals associated with the required attributes, which are measured by the sensors, of the molding apparatus to the remote unit via the communication network. The remote unit is designed so that it receives the signals transmitted from the local unit; thereby the user can monitor the molding apparatus or the air-flow and press molding apparatus remotely at the production and operation by them.

Abstract: A closed system and method that includes a source of pressurizeable molten lead connected to a mold having a mold cavity therein with the mold maintainable at sufficiently low temperature so that a charge of molten lead located in the mold cavity solidifies to thereby form a solidified casting in the mold cavity. A housing having a runner, is maintainable at sufficiently high temperature to maintain the molten lead in a molten state so that the mold cavity can be refilled with a fresh charge molten lead when a solidified casting is removed therefrom without introducing air to the closed system. A shut-off valve, having an open position to allow a charge of molten lead to flow into the mold cavity and a closed position to prevent molten lead from flowing out of the runner as the molten lead in mold cavity solidifies with the shut-off valve configurable to intensify the pressure of the lead in the mold cavity.

Abstract: A heat shield for a casting furnace (e.g., a directional solidification or single crystal casting furnace) includes a plurality of heat insulating plates (e.g., 6 plates), each with a leading edge. The plurality of heat insulating plates are arranged, for example, in an overlapping layout, such that at least a portion of their leading edges define a discharge opening (e.g., a hexagonal discharge opening in the case of a heat shield with 6 heat insulating plates) circumscribed by the heat insulating plates. The heat insulating plates are moveable in a manner that adjusts (i.e., increases or decreases) the size of the discharge opening. The heat shield also includes a rotatable disk operatively coupled to the heat insulating plates such that when the rotatable disk is rotated in one direction, the heat insulating plates are moved in a manner which decreases the size of the discharge opening.

Abstract: A die-casting machine provided with a sleeve through which molding material is injected into a cavity formed by a pair of mold dies, an injection plunger slidably mounted in the sleeve, an injection cylinder having an injection piston connected through a piston rod with the injection plunger, and a boost cylinder formed with an inner diameter larger than that of the injection cylinder and mounted adjacent to the injection cylinder thereon in a side opposite to the piston rod, wherein the injection cylinder and boost cylinder are communicated with a conduit connected to each hydraulic chamber on a piston rod side of the cylinders and connected to a flow rate control valve arranged on a side of meter out with respect to the cylinders, thereby controlling a speed of the injection plunger in accordance with a flow rate of pressurized oil flowing in said valve, wherein the machine further provides a switching valve for supplying pressurized oil to the boost cylinder when reaction forces acting on the injection plu

Abstract: In a process and in a device (10) for preparing the mold walls (12a, 12b) of a mold (12, 12) for the molding or shaping of a molded part after completion of the molding cycle and after removal of the molded part from the mold (12) to make the mold walls ready for the next molding cycle, the tempering of the mold walls (12a, 12b) and the coating of the walls with mold wall treatment agent are carried out independently of each other, i.e., without any time overlap, and in a controlled manner, preferably in a program-controlled manner. To apply the coating, preferably a spray element with centrifugal atomization and air control is used, the mold walls preferably being coated with essentially solvent-free mold wall treatment agent.

Abstract: A method and a device for continuous or semi-continuous casting of metal. A primary flow (P) of hot metallic melt supplied into a mold is acted upon by at least one static or periodically low-frequency magnetic field to brake and split the primary flow and form a controlled secondary flow pattern in the non-solidified parts of the cast strand. The magnetic flux density of the magnetic field is controlled based on casting conditions. The secondary flow (M, U, C1, C2, c3, c4, G1, G2, g3, g4, O1, O2, o3, o4) in the mold is monitored throughout the casting and upon detection of a change in the flow, information on the detected change monitored flow is fed into a control unit (44) where the change is evaluated and the magnetic flux density is regulated based on this evaluation to maintain or adjust the controlled secondary flow.

Abstract: A method for detecting an at least partly arched roller in a continuous casting machine in which the machine includes a plurality of rollers forming upper and lower tracks and arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the tracks, with the rollers being rotatably mounted in supporting members to transport elongated material produced in the machine. The method includes measuring the reaction forces resulting in the supporting members by counteracting the weight of the roller and the load from the material and any dynamic forces exerted by the material on the roller, with the measuring being made at least two times during a rotation of the roller and at at least one of the supporting members of the roller. The presence of an at least partly arched roller is established based on a considerable fluctuation of the reaction force value during a rotation of the roller.

Abstract: A method for detecting an at least partly bulging portion of an elongated material produced in a continuous casting machine in which the machine has a plurality of rollers arranged in two tracks converging towards each other to transport the material, with the rollers being divided into at least two roller portions each rotatably mounted in supporting members. The method involves measuring the radial load exerted by the material on each supporting member of the roller portions of a roller, comparing the radial load values of the supporting members arranged in the ends of roller portions facing away from each other with those of the supporting members arranged in the ends of the roller portions facing each other to ascertain a divergence, and establishing that an at least partly bulging portion of the material exists where the divergence exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: To provide a monitoring system for remotely monitoring the operation of a molding apparatus or an air-flow and press molding apparatus. The monitoring systems for monitoring a molding apparatus and an air-flow and press molding apparatus include sensors, a local unit, and a remote unit. The local unit transmits the signals associated with the required attributes, which are measured by the sensors, of the molding apparatus to the remote unit via the communication network. The remote unit is designed so that it receives the signals transmitted from the local unit; thereby the user can monitor the molding apparatus or the air-flow and press molding apparatus remotely at the production and operation by them.

Abstract: A method and system using a molding apparatus with frames by which the amount of molding sand that overflows the molding apparatus and that must be taken out of a mold that is prepared by a molding operation is minimized, and by which the density of the mold within a frame is substantially uniform. The molding sand filling cavity is defined by a pattern plate, a molding frame that can be put on the pattern plate, a filling frame that can be put on the molding frame, and a covering apparatus having a plurality of squeezing feet. The squeezing feet can enter the filling frame and can be temporarily held at certain positions where certain distances are kept between the lower ends of the squeezing feet and surfaces of the patterns on the pattern plate that are opposed to the lower ends. Molding sand is supplied to the molding sand filling cavity. Then, the molding sand is compressed by the squeezing feet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold plug activation system and bleedout protection system, which stops the flow of metal during predetermined conditions, such as during the initial introduction of molten metal to the molds or in the event a bleedout is detected in the mold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for increasing production efficiency of mold lines where molten metal or other material requiring a cooling period is poured sequentially into moving molds. The invention particularly comprehends the tracking of individual molds and the individualized control of the cooling time of the molds from beginning to end of the line in the presence of random line stoppages and variant mold size.

Abstract: Surface defects in rolled steel are remedied by quenching a surface layer of the strand immediately downstream of the caster by transversely differential quenching to match the transverse temperature profile of the strand. The flow rate of the quench spray is differentially adjustable across the width and optionally the length of the strand. An array of spray nozzles controlled by groups provides the quench spray.

Abstract: A multiple-slide die-casting machine is equipped with improved mechanical structure and unique injection control system to improve the quality of molded products, to achieve flash free castings of improved surface finish. The clamping assemblies are mounted on one side of a base plate of the machine for applying clamping force to the mold sections in a preloaded state. A reinforcement ring interconnects the clamping assemblies to inhibit deflection of the base plate and the brackets which support the clamping assemblies so that an accurate parting line between the contacting surfaces of mold sections is insured.

Abstract: In a casting furnace employing a liquid metal bath to allow directional solidification of an article from a melt, and a method of operating such a furnace, a system is provided for lowering the mold from within a heating chamber into a liquid metal bath situated immediately beneath the heating chamber. An automated system is provided for automatically maintaining the level of the liquid metal bath at a relatively constant position immediately beneath the heating chamber, wherein simultaneously upon the level of the bath having risen due to immersion of the mold within the bath, the bath is lowered to thereby permit the level of the liquid metal bath to be maintained in a substantially fixed position.