Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system and equipment assembly for the manufacture of three-dimensionally printed articles is provided. The equipment assembly includes a three-dimensional printing build system, an optional liquid removal system and an optional harvester system. The build system includes a conveyor, plural build modules and at least one build station having a powder-layering system and a printing system. The equipment assembly can be used to manufacture pharmaceutical, medical, and non-pharmaceutical/non-medical objects. It can be used to prepare single or multiple articles.

Abstract: [Problem to Be Solved] A pouring control method for controlling an automatic pouring device with a tilting-type ladle is provided. By the method, a lip of a pouring ladle approaches a sprue of a mold without striking any object located within the range of its movement. Also, by the method, the molten metal that runs out of the ladle can accurately fill the mold.

Abstract: A method for forming an object, including providing at least a first material having a melting point at a first temperature and a second material having a melting point at a second temperature; heating at least a portion of the first and second materials above the first and second temperatures to form a substantially molten alloy, the molten alloy having a solidifying point at a third temperature, the third temperature being less than the first temperature and the second temperature; and providing substantially solid further material to at least a portion of the molten alloy, the further material having a melting point at a temperature greater than the third temperature.

Abstract: A method for building a three-dimensional object in a layer-by-layer manner, the method comprising heating a build chamber of a digital manufacturing system, feeding a solid feedstock of a modeling material comprising an amorphous metallic alloy to a liquefier assembly of the digital manufacturing system, heating the modeling material of the solid feedstock in the liquefier assembly to an extrudable state, and depositing the heated modeling material within the heated build chamber in a predetermined pattern to form the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A method for forming an object, including providing at least a first material having a melting point at a first temperature and a second material having a melting point at a second temperature; heating at least a portion of the first and second materials above the first and second temperatures to form a substantially molten alloy, the molten alloy having a solidifying point at a third temperature, the third temperature being less than the first temperature and the second temperature; and providing substantially solid further material to at least a portion of the molten alloy, the further material having a melting point at a temperature greater than the third temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed are an inoculant feeding method and apparatus, wherein a desired amount of inoculants can be fed into a molten metal poured into a mold by an automatic molten metal pouring machine, and an automatic molten metal pouring machine using the apparatus. An inoculant feeding apparatus (1) feeds inoculants into a molten metal poured into a mold (2) from an automatic molten metal pouring machine (20), at a predetermined proportion corresponding to the amount of the poured molten metal which gradually varies. The apparatus (1) is provided with a hopper (8) which is attached to a truck (6) and which stores the inoculants, a screw conveyor (9) attached to a lower end of the hopper, a drive mechanism (10) which is attached to a base end of the screw conveyor and which drives the screw driver, and a controller (30) which controls the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A die casting machine that suppresses the occurrence of surge pressure, prevents the occurrence of burrs and spouting of molten metal, and further minimizes variations in the quality of a molded product on site. The die casting machine comprises a mold (101) that cast-molds a product, an injection cylinder (102) for injecting molten metal (15) to the mold, and a hydraulic device (103) for pressing under high pressure the injection cylinder. The hydraulic device comprises a piston ACC (20) that supplies hydraulic oil to press under pressure a piston (13) of the injection cylinder (102) and an injection cylinder inlet valve (31). The piston ACC comprises a high pressure fast pressure-raising piston accumulator (22, 322) and a low-pressure injection piston accumulator (21, 321).

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for moulding battery group straps. Moulding apparatus, generally indicated at (10), includes a centrally cooled mould block (11) which defines two laterally displaced sets (12, 13) of longitudinal spaced mould cavity (14) and respective lead feed block (15) and (16) having appropriate feed channels. A sensor, in the form of an electrically conducting rod (25), is disposed so that its tip forms one part of the bottom of the mould cavity (14). This can detect as soon as lead enters into the cavity and that detection is used to control the pour time for the lead to a predetermined period, so that the lead entering the cavities is of a constant quantity on each cycle.

Abstract: A chalcogenide compound synthesis method includes homogeneously mixing solid particles and, during the mixing, imparting kinetic energy to the particle mixture, heating the particle mixture, alloying the elements, and forming alloyed particles containing the compound. Another chalcogenide compound synthesis method includes, under an inert atmosphere, melting the particle mixture in a heating vessel, removing the melt from the heating vessel, placing the melt in a quenching vessel, and solidifying the melt. The solidified melt is reduced to alloyed particles containing the compound. An alloy casting apparatus includes an enclosure, a heating vessel, a flow controller, a collection pan and an actively cooled quench plate. The heating vessel has a bottom-pouring orifice and a pour actuator. The flow controller operates the pour actuator from outside the enclosure. The quench plate is positioned above a bottom of the collection pan and below the bottom-pouring orifice.

Abstract: A molten metal sensing and automation system for use with or in a metal casting mold. Aspects of the invention include a molten metal automation system which may include a bleedout detection system which provides an automated response, and an automated system for the preparation of the starting blocks for casting.

Abstract: In a mold producing foundry machine generally according to the “Disamatic®”-principle a method of compensating for relatively slowly varying compaction properties of the mold particle material without compromising the geometrical requirements for repeatedly fixed placements of the pattern plates defining the mold chamber before the shot, comprises previous establishment of a beneficial set of starting parameters for shot and pressing of the mold to a fix terminating compaction force. The percentual volume reduction from the fixed starting volume to the terminating volume of the compacted mold—yielding the mold compressibility—is compared to the previously established beneficial reference value and the succeeding shots are adaptively controlled to compensate for the realised offset in compressibility by especially regulating the shot pressure, duration and fluidization parameters in a cyclic sequence securing steady reduction of the offset value to be within acceptable margins.

Abstract: An injection system of a die casting machine giving the necessary casting pressure without adjusting the accumulator side, provided with an injection cylinder including an injection piston linked with the injection plunger and a booster piston arranged behind the injection piston, an accumulator for supplying a pressurized liquid of a predetermined pressure, a liquid pressure circuit for supplying the pressurized liquid from the accumulator to the injection cylinder, driving the injection piston, then driving the booster piston, a control valve for controlling a flow rate of the pressurized liquid discharged from the front side of the injection piston of the injection cylinder so as to control a flow rate of the injection piston, and controlling the pressure of the pressurized liquid at the front side of the injection piston by the timing of closing the control valve to determine the final value of the casting pressure.

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: A diecasting machine capable of realizing highly precise injection of molten metal at high-speed without using an accumulator is provided, which includes: an injection cylinder for loading molten metal into a mold cavity by injection; a single two-way hydraulic pump driven by a driving motor for supplying hydraulic fluid to the injection cylinder in two directions; a hydraulic circuit for driving the injection cylinder by controlling supply of hydraulic fluid from the two-way hydraulic pump to the injection cylinder and discharge of hydraulic fluid from the injection cylinder which proceeds in accordance with movement of a piston of the injection cylinder; and a hydraulic controller for controlling rotational speed of the driving motor associated with the two-way hydraulic pump in injection/loading the molten metal and controlling torque of the driving motor in dwelling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for manufacturing models layer by layer. The inventive device comprises a frame (1), a vertically adjustable and exchangeable workpiece platform (17)m and a device for feeding the material comprising a coating applicator (4). Said coating applicator (4) serves to feed material from a storage container to a process zone above the workpiece platform (17), said workpiece platform (17) being fixed in the device at least during manufacturing of a model. The workpiece platform (17) is introduced on the one side of the device and extracted on the other side of the device.

Abstract: A die casting machine or an injection molding machine comprises a pressure member, such as a casting piston in a shot sleeve or extruder screw in an extruder barrel. A control unit is associated to this pressure member and/or to a filling system for filling the shot sleeve or the barrel. Moreover, an evacuation device is provided which includes a vacuum valve that communicates with the cavity of the die or mold, on the one hand, and a vacuum conduit on the other hand. This vacuum valve may be moved from an open position interconnecting the cavity and the vacuum source, and a closed position. There is a control connection between the control unit and the valve. The positions of the valve can be controlled by a material sensor located in its region and associated to it, the sensor supplying a closure signal to the valve through an output line. This output line, however, is also coupled to the control unit for influencing and controlling at least one of its controlled parts, i.e.

Abstract: A control assembly for controlling reciprocal motion of a stopper used with a tundish dish including a shaft movably guided within a guiding assembly and connected to the stopper and wherein a motor is movable between a first postion wherein output from the motor is disengaged from a motion converting device connected to the shaft and a second position wherein the motor is drivingly engaged with the motion converting device. A linking device is also provided to secure the motor relative to the motion converting device in the second position thereof.

Abstract: A molten metal sensing and automation system for use with or in a metal casting mold. Aspects of the invention include a molten metal automation system which may include a bleedout detection system which provides an automated response, and an automated system for the preparation of the starting blocks for casting.

Abstract: The venting valve assembly for casting moulds comprises a venting valve for closing a venting channel. The venting valve comprises a valve housing in which a closure member is received that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The closure member can be frictionally locked in its open position and simultaneously biased in closing direction. For frictionally locking the closure member, a chamber is provided that can be put under a hydraulic overpressure. The chamber has a wall portion that bulges towards the closure member in response to the overpressure. The wall portion is resilient such that it moves back to a position releasing the closure member once the overpressure in the chamber is reduced. For reducing the pressure in the chamber, a release valve is provided which is controlled by a sensor detecting any casting material penetrating into the venting channel. The biasing of the closure member in closing direction is performed pneumatically.

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 diecasting machine capable of realizing highly precise injection of molten metal at high-speed without using an accumulator is provided, which includes: an injection cylinder for loading molten metal into a mold cavity by injection; a single two-way hydraulic pump driven by a driving motor for supplying hydraulic fluid to the injection cylinder in two directions; a hydraulic circuit for driving the injection cylinder by controlling supply of hydraulic fluid from the two-way hydraulic pump to the injection cylinder and discharge of hydraulic fluid from the injection cylinder which proceeds in accordance with movement of a piston of the injection cylinder; and a hydraulic controller for controlling rotational speed of the driving motor associated with the two-way hydraulic pump in injection/loading the molten metal and controlling torque of the driving motor in dwelling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for casting ferrous or heavy metal articles in vertically parted sand moulds of a mould string plant through an inlet below or aside the mould cavity, by filling the moulds with molten metal by counter-gravity delivery using a source of pressure. The pressure is varied during the filling procedure to steer the flow speed and impact on the mould of the molten metal upon complete filling of the mould cavity is reduced.

Abstract: Spray form cell including a two-wavelength imaging pyrometer adapted to provide real-time measurement of the surface temperature distribution of a metal billet thereby formed. The steel billets may be advantageously used as tools in metal forming processes, injection molding, die casting tooling and other processes that require hard tooling, such as in the automotive industry. The steel billet is formed based on a goal of uniform surface temperature distribution thereby minimizing thermal stresses induced within the steel article thereby produced.

Abstract: A continuous extrusion machine has a chassis (1) supporting a wheel (2) for rotation by a motor. An endless groove (7) extends around the periphery of the wheel (2). A shoe (3) is mounted in the chassis (1) and has an enveloping surface shaped to closely envelop an arc of the wheel (2) periphery so that the groove (7) co-operates with the shoe (3) to form a passage. An abutment is mounted on the shoe (3) to extend into the passage at a downstream end. Tooling is mounted in the shoe (3) including a die such that a material such as aluminium or copper bar fed into the groove (7) is extruded through the die as a consequence of the energy transfer via friction from the rotating wheel (2). A gap (12) exists between the enveloping surface and the wheel (2). The gap (12) is used to provide the orifice of a sonic gap (12) sensor whereby the size of the gap (12) can be accurately and directly measured.

Abstract: A multiple-slide die-casting machine (20) 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 (52A, 52B, 52C, 52D) are mounted on one side of a base plate (22) of the machine for applying clamping force to the mold sections in a preloaded state. A reinforcement ring (56) interconnects the clamping assemblies to inhibit deflection of the base plate and the brackets (72) which support the clamping assemblies so that an accurate parting line between the contacting surfaces of mold sections is insured.

Abstract: When casting e.g. aluminium alloy in a mould (2), that may be one of a string of moulds extending at right angles to the plane of the drawing, the pressure used for filling the mould (2) against gravity by a pressurizing device (4) is controlled according to a predetermined pressure/time programme having previously been read into a control unit (22), e.g. a digital computer, at least one of a number of sensors sensing pressure (8), levels (9,10) and full level (11) being used to supply inputs to the control unit (22). Sensors are chosen according to need for each particular casting programme.

Abstract: In a die-casting machine having an injection cylinder device (10) for injecting molten material to a casting die and a boost cylinder device (20) for boosting a hydraulic oil supplied to the injection cylinder device (10), back-pressure of the injection cylinder device (10) and back-pressure of the boost cylinder device (20) are synchronously controlled by a flow-rate control valve (17) capable of continuously adjusting flow-rate of the hydraulic oil discharging channel (16). Accordingly, boosting characteristic can be made in accordance with burr critical boost curve, thereby avoiding burr occurrence in die-casting products in advance. Therefore, high-quality die-casting products without burrs can be manufactured even in a high-speed casting method or using low-accuracy dies.

Abstract: In a die-casting machine having an injection cylinder device (10) for injecting molten material to a casting die and a boost cylinder device (20) for boosting a hydraulic oil supplied to the injection cylinder device (10), back-pressure of the injection cylinder device (10) and back-pressure of the boost cylinder device (20) are synchronously controlled by a flow-rate control valve (17) capable of continuously adjusting flow-rate of the hydraulic oil discharging channel (16). Accordingly, boosting characteristic can be made in accordance with burr critical boost curve, thereby avoiding burr occurrence in die-casting products in advance. Therefore, high-quality die-casting products without burrs can be manufactured even in a high-speed casting method or using low-accuracy dies.