Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifugal molten metal pump assembly and associated system for controlled delivery of molten metal to molds. The pump assembly comprises a shaft, an impeller coupled to the shaft, a controller to control a rotational speed of the impeller according to a programmable fill profile while delivering the molten metal to the mold. In some embodiments, the pump assembly further comprises a throttle to manipulate a flow rate or pressure of the molten metal relative to a rotational speed of the impeller. The associated system comprises a melting furnace and one or more holding furnaces, each holding furnace including at least one pump assembly therein. Each holding furnace may be of an open configuration to allow for uninterrupted flow of the molten metal from the melting furnace. The system may provide controlled delivery of the molten metal to the mold at a desired flow rate or pressure.

Abstract: A system and method for directionally casting an elongated device are provided. The method includes orienting a mold within a furnace such that a first portion of the mold points downward. The first portion of the mold defines a space within the mold used to form a first end of the device. The first end of the device, when formed, has a greater mass than a second end of the device. The method also includes filling the mold with molten metal and lowering the mold out of the furnace into a liquid metal bath to immerse the first portion of the mold in the liquid metal bath. The method includes concurrently lowering the mold and the liquid metal bath to cool the molten metal.

Abstract: A system and method for directionally casting an elongated device are provided. The method includes orienting a mold within a furnace such that a first portion of the mold points downward. The first portion of the mold defines a space within the mold used to form a first end of the device. The first end of the device, when formed, has a greater mass than a second end of the device. The method also includes filling the mold with molten metal and lowering the mold out of the furnace into a liquid metal bath to immerse the first portion of the mold in the liquid metal bath. The method includes concurrently lowering the mold and the liquid metal bath to cool the molten metal.

Abstract: A molten metal mold and bottom block system, including apparatus and method embodiments, which may include a mold cavity framework with a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, each side including an inner surface and the inner surfaces defining a mold cavity, and wherein one or more of the sides are movably mounted relative to the second side, and are controllably moved during the casting. This system may also include embodiments wherein the castpart produced has a tapered form at one or both of the castpart ends. Aspects of this invention may be considered to be a castpart shrinkage management system or a castpart form or profile control system due to the advantage of increased controls of castpart form during the casting process.

Abstract: The present invention has an object of preventing segregation during the casting of Mg alloy or the like containing additive elements having a great difference of specific gravity to obtain a cast having a good quality. A casting mold 1 having a molten metal received therein is rotated in one direction by a rotary device 7 with the vertical axis as a rotary axis while solidifying the molten metal for a predetermined period of time, and, after the predetermined period of time is lapsed, the casting mold 1 is rotated in the direction opposite the direction of rotation for a predetermined period of time, and the rotation in the opposing directions is repeated so that the molten metal is solidified. The molten metal can be shaken and agitated without roughening the surface of the molten metal to uniformalize the distribution of temperature of the molten metal in the casting mold. The production of segregates can be minimized and a fine homogenous structure can be obtained.

Abstract: In order to produce a steel strip (1), a continuous casting and rolling installation comprises a liquid steel storage device (2), a liquid steel charging device (3), a vertically operating casting device (5) with a revolving mold (6), a reduction device (7) with a plurality of roll pairs (8), a diverting device (9) for diverting the cast steel strip (1) into a horizontal position, a horizontally operating rolling mill (10) and a winding device (11), which are controlled via individual technological control loops (2? to 11?).

Abstract: In a process for producing a cover skin of thermoplastic polyurethane for the instrument panel of a motor vehicle, a preform is produced from thermoplastic polyurethane by extrusion and is thereafter expanded by increased internal pressure in a blow molding mold.

Abstract: A metal mold cooling device capable of employing a cooling pipe having a small diameter insertable into a cooling hole having a small diameter, and capable of performing fine supply control of a cooling liquid to the metal mold for fine temperature control thereto. A cooling pipe is connected to a compressed air source through a pipe and a first change-over valve. Further, the pipe is connected to a branch pipe to which a second change-over valve is connected. A hermetic cooling liquid tank connected to a water source is connected to the second change-over valve. A third change-over valve is provided between the compressed air source and the cooling liquid tank so as to apply pneumatic pressure onto a surface of the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid tank. Since the cooling liquid tank is provided in addition to the water source, pneumatic pressure from the compressed air source can be utilized. The cooling liquid in the cooling liquid tank is compressed and is supplied to the cooling pipe.

Abstract: This invention relates to a casting control system of a die cast machine, and more particularly to a system for controlling a high speed injection real stroke of an injection plunger and controlling valve closing timing for degassing gas in a mold cavity. The high speed injection real stroke is measured by an arithmetic unit from a signal output from a position detector, and the high speed injection real stroke is then compared with a certain preset value. When arithmetic unit determines that the high speed injection real stroke and the preset value do not coincide with each other, a pretest action delay time of the injection plunger is .+-. incrementally or decrementally corrected until both values coincide.

Abstract: In apparatus for measuring injection speed of a die cast machine, there are provided a pulse generator responsive to a movement of an injection plunger for producing a pulse signal, a detector for detecting a width of the pulse signal to produce pulse width data, a memory device successively storing the pulse width data between commencement and termination of injection, and an arithmetic operation circuit for calculating an average speed in a predetermined high speed section of a stroke of the injection plunger based on pulse width data stored in the memory device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame and a crucible having a central axis and a bottom. The crucible is supported and is moved so that the central axis of the crucible describes a substantially conical surface with an apex located substantially on the central axis and spaced from the bottom of the crucible by a distance equal to or less than the crucible height. The crucible is restrained against rotation about its own axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting molten metal in a die casting machine having matching die assemblies movable between open and closed positions, a plunger for injecting molten metal into the die cavity, a vacuum system for evacuating the die cavity during injection of molten metal and a vacuum control valve for opening and closing the exhaust passage through which the air is evacuated. A fluid cylinder is mounted on one die assembly with its piston rod coupled to the valve rod of the vacuum control valve. The fluid cylinder has a solenoid-operated control valve actuated by an electric switch operated by movement of the molten metal injection piston so that the vacuum control valve begins to close at a predetermined point during the injection stroke. The injection plunger also actuates a timer at the same time it actuates the solenoid-operated control valve.

Abstract: Control is provided over the casting of iron pipe in a centrifugal casting machine. The initial flow of molten iron from the pouring ladle into the trough actuates an electric eye. A second electric eye is actuated when the molten iron has flowed to the end of the trough. The centrifugal casting machine is rolled up to surround the trough, the bell end of the pipe to be formed being at the end of the trough. A computer is utilized to determine the velocity of the iron on a real time basis. This iron flow information is analyzed to calculate the bell flag time by a previously determined algorithm which takes into account the casting machine and the pipe size being cast. The bell flag time is the time in which the molten iron is allowed to flow into the bell section of the pipe being cast, before the casting machine is moved away from the trough end to form the rest of the pipe.

Abstract: The method for cooling a plunger tip in a die casting machine of the cold chamber type comprises forcibly cooling the inner hollow space in the plunger tip by applying a flow of cooling fluid into and out of the inner hollow space during the time from about the commencement of the injection of the molten metal into the cavity of the moulds of the die casting machine by the forward stroke of the plunger to the commencement of the return stroke of the plunger, and applying, after terminating the application of the cooling fluid to the inner hollow space of the plunger tip, a flow of pressurized gas into and out of the inner hollow space of the plunger tip during the time at least necessary for expelling the remaining cooling fluid from the inner hollow space of the plunger tip so as to prevent excessive cooling and permit the plunger tip to be subjected to uniform natural cooling by the pressurized gas.

Abstract: A device for detecting a gate in an automatic pouring machine for casting which is located in the vicinity of a horizontal pouring line provided thereon with a plurality of adjacently placed molds intermittently conveyed in one direction and which has a pouring trough provided with a spout for pouring molten metal into the gate of each of the molds and horizontally swingable by a vertical pivot.

Abstract: A molten metal surface level in a mold type continuous casting machine is controlled with an improved responsiveness and high accuracy by means of a novel electrical control system comprising a servo mechanism incorporating a microcomputer or the like, means for processing an input signal thereto from a detector means at the molten metal surface to feedback thereto a controlling output and, optionally, an ITV camera for photographing the molten metal surface portion to produce binary-coded signals through a suitable processing means so that the molten metal surface level can be detected and controlled with higher accuracy.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting a fusible material has a support on which is provided a row of melting burners and a parallel row of warming burners. A crucible holder on the support has a pair of bars forming a plurality of seats each above a respective one of the melting burners and each for a respective crucible. A slide having a plurality of mold holders is displaceable into a position with the mold holders above the warming burners. Once the material in the crucible holders has been melted by the melting burners the entire crucible-holding assembly may be agitated horizontally to homogenize this material. Thereafter the entire crucible-holding assembly is tipped up to pour the contents of the crucibles into the molds which have been preheated by the warming burners. The warming burners are then shut off and jets of compressed ambient-temperature gas are directed at the molds to cool the material therein and solidify same into a tablet or slug suitable for X-ray analysis.

Abstract: The apparatus and method provide an arrangement in which molten babbitt is fed into a spinning cylindrical bearing shell from a stationary molten babbitt tank having a babbitt pump immersed in the tank at an intermediate level, with the pump discharge being connected to piping to discharge molten babbitt into a babbitt trough from which the babbitt feeds to the interior of the spinning shell. The babbitt pump is driven for a controlled time period to feed a specified volume of babbitt into the trough and bearing in a continuous uninterrupted flow so that a carefully metered amount of molten babbitt is fed to the bearing. The apparatus also includes a control system operable to energize and deenergize various operating elements in a sequence including the drive motors, means for admitting a coolant about the hot spinning bearing shell, and the molten babbitt pump.

Abstract: A centrifugal casting machine includes a plurality of split centrifugal molds which are successively brought to a casting station in which the molds are closed, clamped together and rotated rapidly while molten metal is fed through a central sprue to mold cavities therein. For feeding the molten metal, a vacuum chamber is provided at the casting station above the mold, and a feed pipe leading to a reservoir of molten metal extends into the vacuum chamber through a nozzle which discharges into a funnel communicating with the central sprue of the mold. Means are provided to create a vacuum condition within the vacuum chamber, the funnel, nozzle and the mold cavities when the mold is closed and clamped, whereby the molten metal is drawn by a siphoning action through the feed pipe and discharged from the nozzle into the mold cavities. The feed flow of the molten metal is accomplished solely by the vacuum condition which is timed to feed a selected charge of molten metal to the mold cavities.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for producing rigid sand cores from a molding mixture of a refractory granular material such as sand and a hardenable binder. These rigid sand cores then are used in foundries for metal casting. The machine of the present invention is capable of producing several different types of rigid sand cores including hollow shell sand cores, hot box cores and cold box cores. The machine includes means for curing the molding mixture used to produce shell sand cores and hot box cores by applying heat to the molding mixture after it is placed in a core or molding box. Other means are provided in the machine for curing cold box cores by applying a gas catalyst to the molding mixture after it is placed in the core box. The machine of the present invention is automatically controlled by a circuit arrangement which can be programmed by the machine operator.

Abstract: Particulate material, hereinafter called sand, is used in a sand article, such as a mold article, for foundry purposes such as a green sand mold and sand core consisting of sand and a binder and is hardened in a molding box by sucking a catalyst gas from a catalyst gas source through the molding box and the sand article. The molding box is continuously exposed to the action of a reduced pressure source and normally evacuated to the atmosphere. When the pressure has been reduced to a predetermined pressure less than atmospheric pressure, the catalyst gas is briefly supplied to the molding box under slight increase of the absolute pressure, whereupon the molding box is evacuated to the catalyst gas source until the pressure therein is reduced to the predetermined pressure to recycle the unused catalyst gas leaving the molding box to the catalyst gas source.

Abstract: A pouring chute is positioned with its discharge end disposed within an elongated hollow casting mold which is rotatably supported on a plurality of rollers. A molten metal is poured from a ladle into a receiving end of the pouring chute while the casting mold is rotating. A treating agent in wire form is fed by a wire feed mechanism along a guide member positioned adjacent the pouring chute and into the stream of molten metal flowing through the pouring chute adjacent the discharge end thereof for meltably intermixing with the molten metal. The wire feed mechanism and hence the feed rate of the wire is controlled in direct proportion to the flow rate of the molten metal through the pouring chute.

Abstract: The two halves of the core box in a core blowing machine are mounted on a carrier which may be turned 180.degree. between a blowing position in which sand is blown into the closed core box and a discharging position in which the core box halves are separated in the direction of the axis of rotation and the molded core is ejected. A transfer receptacle moves into the discharging zone between the separated core box halves to receive the ejected core and to withdraw it from the discharging zone while the core box is again being closed and simultaneously turned with the carrier into the blowing position.

Abstract: A casting machine including a control circuit which automatically controls ts operation. The casting machine includes a casting chamber which supports an alloy filled open-ended container whose open end faces the sprue hole of an investment casting ring. The control circuit couples a vacuum to the casting chamber while maintaining the casting chamber in its initial upright position. After a first timing interval, the chamber is inverted and the vacuum is decoupled from the casting chamber, and compressed air is applied to the casting chamber. After a second subsequent time interval the casting chamber is automatically returned to its initial upright position, the action of which causes the casting chamber to be automatically vented to the atmosphere.