Abstract: A method of forming a component by investment casting includes disposing at least a portion of an investment casting pin within a core. The investment casting pin includes a ceramic base pin having a perimeter and a length extending perpendicular to the perimeter and a sacrificial coating disposed about the perimeter of the ceramic base pin along at least a portion of the length of the ceramic base pin. A metal casting is formed around the core. The core and the sacrificial coating are leached with a leaching solution and the investment casting pin is removed from the metal casting.

Abstract: A method of forming a headrest assembly includes providing a first mold that encloses a first cavity in a closed condition. A support is positioned in the first cavity. A first material is blow molded into the first cavity and around a portion of the support to form a core part. The core part and support are removed from the first mold. A second mold encloses a second cavity in a closed condition. The core part and the support are placed into the second mold in an open condition. A fluid is injected into the core part through the support. The second mold is converted to the closed condition. A second material is injection molded into the second cavity and around the core part to form an outer shell around the core part. A fluid is withdrawn from the core part through the support.

Abstract: A dental restoration model including a positive model (15) of a dental restoration piece. The positive model (15) defines at least the outer contour (36) of a dental restoration piece to be made using lost wax technology and is provided with a locating pin region which is defined especially according to a given optimization process. The locating pin region is provided with a guiding element (30) which accommodates and/or guides a material feeder (22, 24, 26 and 28).

Abstract: An article produced using, among other techniques, free-form fabrication having a binder matrix and particles can be supported during a temperature processing, such as burn-out of the binder matrix, with a support composition to maintain geometry and/or alleviate changes in geometry of the article. The support composition can take a variety of forms such as foams, two phase materials, plastic powders, carbon powders, etc. The support material is sacrificed during the thermal processing, such as through decomposition. Such a decomposition can occur when the support composition evolves into a carbonaceous structure. The support composition can also oxidize to a gas, melt, or vaporize, among other types of sacrificial action.

Abstract: In various embodiments, digital manufacturing of jewelry items is provided, including a physical process and software automation for implementing the physical process. Further, models formed during the process, as well as the resultant jewelry items, are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises forming a digital model of the jewelry item, forming a physical model of the jewelry item based on the digital model, and manufacturing the jewelry item in a lost wax process using the physical model.

Abstract: A mold for producing a part, such as a turbomachine blade model, by injecting wax into a cavity, the cavity including at least two cavity elements, each of which is supported in a cavity block. The two cavity blocks are mobile relative to one another between a closed position for injecting the wax and an open position for removing the part following the injection of the wax. The two cavity blocks are mobile in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A lightweight metal mold having a necessary hardness is realized. A plurality of bar-shaped members formed of an evaporative material and a plurality of connecting members formed of an evaporative material are prepared. Each of the connecting members has a spherical shape, and ends of a plurality of the bar-shaped members can be connected to each connecting member. Since a fixing angle of each bar-shaped member with respect to the connecting member can be adjusted freely, a three-dimensional mesh structure having various shapes can be formed. By combining the plurality of bar-shaped members and the plurality of connecting members, an evaporative pattern including the three-dimensional mesh structure can be assembled. By adjusting the shape of the three-dimensional mesh structure, the hardness necessary for the metal mold can be obtained, and the metal mold can be made lighter.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cast product having a photographic relief image thereon is disclosed. The method includes steps of capturing a photographic image as a digital grayscale image, converting the digital grayscale image to a series of instructions for operating a laser engraving machine; laser engraving a pattern material to provide a pattern having a photographic relief image therein corresponding to the digital grayscale image and having a relief depth of about 0.030 inch to about 0.080 inch, wherein the relief depth refers to the maximum relief distance within the photographic relief image, and wherein the photographic relief image exhibits a true resolution corresponding to at least about 80 dpi; creating a mold cavity in sand using the laser engraved substrate; and casting a metallic material in the mold cavity to provide a cast product having the photographic relief image therein.

Abstract: An injection mold producing a model of a turbine engine blade, including: a top surface that folds onto a bottom surface, both surfaces including long rods for supporting a core generating cooling cavities inside the blade, wherein the long rods of the bottom surface are configured to contact a first surface of the airfoil at bearing points, and the long rods of the top surface are configured to contact a second surface of the airfoil at clamping points; at least one short rod extending from one of the surfaces of the mold and pointing towards a false point located on one of the surfaces of the airfoil, the length of the short rod being shorter than the distance between the surface of the mold and the surface of the blade at the false point, and the difference between the length and the distance being equal to tolerance in relation to positioning of the false point in event of deformation of the core.

Abstract: A casting core assembly includes a metallic core and a ceramic core. A protuberant portion of a metallic core is received in a compartment of the ceramic core.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing mold manufacturing method for manufacturing of a mold including a vent mechanism, and a tire vulcanizing mold manufactured using such method are disclosed. Blades each with anchor portions are mounted on a plaster mold with only the anchor portions embedded in the plaster mold. A portion of each blade mounted on the plaster mold is covered with a cover layer made of a destructible fire-resistant material. Molten metal is poured over a surface of the plaster mold to cast a mold to which the shape of the surface is transferred and in which each blade is buried. The anchor portions protruding from the surface of the mold are removed, and the cover layer is removed to form a slit around the blade. A vent opening forming member is removed to form a vent opening. The slit and the vent opening communicate with each other.

Abstract: A fugitive pattern assembly is made by preforming one or more fugitive patterns of an article to be cast, placing the preformed patterns in an injection die, and injecting fluid gating material into the die to form gating connected to the patterns. The fugitive patterns are disposed in end-to-end and/or side-by-side relation and are interconnected by the gating.

Abstract: A root portion 7a of a sipe blade 7 that protrudes from a surface 12a of a plaster casting mold 12 is coated with a coating layer 10 of an easily collapsible refractory material. A string-shaped exhaust hole forming member 11 of a casting refractory material is attached to the sipe blade 7 so as to be in contact with the coating layer 10. Molten metal M is poured onto the surface 12a of the plaster casting mold 12 in this state so as to cast a mold with the shape of the surface 12a transferred thereon and with the root portion 7a of the sipe blade 7 cast therein. The coating layer 10 is thereafter removed to form a slit around the root portion 7a of the sipe blade 7. The exhaust hole forming member 11 is also removed to form an exhaust hole communicating with the outside of the piece. Therefore, the slit and the exhaust hole communicate with each other. In this way, a mold provided with an exhaust mechanism can be simply produced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a pattern of an item of manufacture, the method and apparatus including the use of a mold frame, mold, mold core, injection frame and injection core to create patterns of items of manufacture for investment casting.

Abstract: A liner for a die body is presented. The liner includes a flexible base material characterized in that reinforcements with lower stretchability compared to the base material are bonded along the extent of the liner. A tool which includes the liner is also provided. The reinforcements may include glass fibers or carbon fibers.

Abstract: A sprue for use in investment casting may comprise a pin and a shell enclosing a part of the pin. A method for creating a sprue may comprise partially enclosing a pin in a shell.

Abstract: An investment casting core combination includes a metallic casting core and a ceramic feedcore. A first region of the metallic casting core is embedded in the ceramic feedcore. A mating edge portion of the metallic casting core includes a number of projections. The first region is along at least some of the projections. A number of recesses span gaps between adjacent projections. The ceramic feedcore includes a number of compartments respectively receiving the metallic casting core projections. The ceramic feedcore further includes a number of portions between the compartments and respectively received in the metallic casting core recesses.

Abstract: A foam material comprises a liquid polymer and a liquid isocyanate which is mixed to make a solution that is poured, injected or otherwise deposited into a corresponding mold. A reaction from the mixture of the liquid polymer and liquid isocyanate inside the mold forms a thermally collapsible foam structure having a shape that corresponds to the inside surface configuration of the mold and a skin that is continuous and unbroken. Once the reaction is complete, the foam pattern is removed from the mold and may be used as a pattern in any number of conventional casting processes.

Abstract: If a refractory metal core (RMC) is punched, the punching asymmetry may be reflected in an asymmetry of the cast article features cast by the punched features. The punched features may have a shear zone and a fracture zone. The shear zone of the RMC will cast a relatively narrow portion of the post near one end; whereas the fracture zone will cast a relatively broader portion near the other end. The broader portion will also have a relatively shallow transition to the adjacent face of the slot-like passageway cast by the RMC. Where there is a stress asymmetry in the cast article in-use, the punching direction may be chosen so that the relatively broad portions of the post fall along the relatively higher stress face of the passageway.

Abstract: A sprue former of the type used to produce a casting mold includes a generally hollow body or a body having hollow sections. The body includes an inlet forming member and at least one first interface member. The inlet forming member is configured to provide an inlet cavity in the casting mold to enable casting material to enter the casting mold. The first interface members are configured to couple to casting patterns. The casting patterns represent items to be cast. The body can also includes a reservoir forming member and at least one connecting member coupling the reservoir forming member to the inlet forming member.

Abstract: In an investment casting procedure using microwave energy as the heat source virgin wax models are attached to a spree of wax-type pattern material incorporating a susceptor, the spree having a pour cup also of a wax-type pattern material, the pour cup material having a higher percentage of the susceptor than the material of the spree. In use the pour cup will melt first and the spree second, unblocking the path of the virgin wax so that its expansion will not crack ceramic with which it has been coated.

Abstract: A process of making a cast metal product and a product made utilizing this process. A pattern used for casting the metal panel is prepared utilizing computer-aided manufacturing software to which a digital representation of an image is inputted. The software then determines a tool path height for each digital element of the digital representation. A pattern blank is placed on a computer-controlled routing table which routs the blank utilizing the tool path determined by the software program to form a three-dimensional representation of the desired image on the pattern.

Abstract: An investment casting core combination includes a metallic casting core and a ceramic feedcore. A first region of the metallic casting core is embedded in the ceramic feedcore. The metallic casting core includes a plurality of body sections. The first region is along at least some of the body sections. The metallic casting core includes a plurality of springs spanning gaps between adjacent body sections and unitarily formed therewith.

Abstract: A method involves forming a core assembly. The forming includes molding a first ceramic core over a first refractory metal core to form a core subassembly. The subassembly is assembled to a second ceramic core.

Abstract: Dental appliances including multiple components and a system and method for constructing the same are disclosed herein. The dental components are designed to fit together to form the dental appliance. The components of the dental appliance are electronically modeled, printed, and pressed sequentially, separately, or as a unitary piece. Forming the dental appliance from multiple components enables each component of the dental appliance to be formed from a different material, each material having different features associated with it. In various embodiments, different materials have different colors, textures, opacities, and transformation factors associated with them. Furthermore, each component can be formed from multiple components. In some other embodiments, a support structure is designed and constructed in order to minimize deformation of a dental component during fabrication of the component.

Abstract: The pattern has a pattern material and a casting core combination. The pattern material has an airfoil. The casting core combination is at least partially embedded in the pattern material. The casting core combination comprises a metallic casting core and at least one additional casting core. The metallic casting core has opposite first and second faces. The metallic core and at least one additional casting core extend spanwise into the airfoil of the pattern material. In at least a portion of the pattern material outside the airfoil of the pattern material, the metallic casting core is bent transverse to the spanwise direction so as to at least partially surround an adjacent portion of the at least one additional casting core.

Abstract: The pattern has a pattern material and a casting core combination. The pattern material has an airfoil. The casting core combination is at least partially embedded in the pattern material. The casting core combination comprises a plurality of metallic casting cores. Each metallic casting core has opposite first and second faces and a respective portion along the trailing edge of the airfoil. At least two of the metallic cores have sections offset between the pressure side and the suction side.

Abstract: An investment casting core combination includes a metallic casting core and a ceramic feedcore. A first region of the metallic casting core is embedded in the ceramic feedcore. A mating edge portion of the metallic casting core includes a number of projections. The first region is along at least some of the projections. A number of recesses span gaps between adjacent projections. The ceramic feedcore includes a number of compartments respectively receiving the metallic casting core projections. The ceramic feedcore further includes a number of portions between the compartments and respectively received in the metallic casting core recesses.

Abstract: A method for producing a casting die by simple work without requiring any high work skill in which the working days required for producing the casting die can be shortened greatly. A die model suitably employed in this production method, an NC processing system and a processing robot are also provided.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, substrate-supported linear arrays are formed by the steps of adhering a thin layer of polymer between a pair of substrates and separating the substrates perpendicular to the layer. The polymer layer separates to form substrate-supported polymer gratings on both substrates, each grating having a period proportional to the thickness of the layer. The process has been used to make gratings with periods in the sub-micron range or larger over areas covering square centimeters.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a replica diffraction grating includes the steps of: forming a metal thin film on a grating surface of a master diffraction grating, adhering a replica substrate to the metal thin film via an adhesive, and removing the replica substrate so that the metal thin film in a reverse state is adhered on the replica substrate. In the method, before forming the metal thin film on the grating surface of the master diffraction grating, the grating surface is coated with a fluorine surface treating agent as a release agent. Then, the metal thin film is formed with vacuum vapor deposition.

Abstract: A challenge of the present invention is to develop a method for repeatedly forming a reverse transferred pattern in a simple and efficient manner onto the surfaces of Zr based, Ti based, Cu based, Ni based and Fe based metallic glass that have supercooled liquid temperatures of not lower than 400° C. and are also required to be molded at not lower than 400° C. (a) An image pattern is converted into bitmap data being mirror reversed with respect to a real image, (b) high energy density light 15 is repeatedly flashed, and the surface of a mold 20 is scanned while one of dot holes 24 is formed by one-time irradiation, to form an image pattern as dots assembled pattern 21 onto the surface of the mold 20 in accordance with the bitmap data, and (c) the dots assembled pattern 21 is reverse-transfer molded onto a metallic glass 1 within a supercooled liquid temperature range Tg-Tx by means of the mold 20 which is for dots assembled pattern formation.

Abstract: An investment casting core combination includes a metallic casting core and a ceramic feedcore. A first region of the metallic casting core is embedded in the ceramic feedcore. The metallic casting core includes a plurality of body sections. The first region is along at least some of the body sections. The metallic casting core includes a plurality of springs spanning gaps between adjacent body sections and unitarily formed therewith.

Abstract: A wax or similar material may be molded to a base plate of an investment casting shelling fixture. The molding may provide for enhanced positioning of wax patterns or may provide a precise surface shape for the shell.

Abstract: In an investment casting procedure using microwave energy as the heat source virgin wax models are attached to a spree of wax-type pattern material incorporating a susceptor, the spree having a pour cup also of a wax-type pattern material, the pour cup material having a higher percentage of the susceptor than the material of the spree. In use the pour cup will melt first and the spree second, unblocking the path of the virgin wax so that its expansion will not crack ceramic with which it has been coated.

Abstract: Lost foam pattern assemblies formed by gluing together a plurality of EPS foam pattern segments with a polystyrene-like glue comprising an aromatic resin that has a molecular weight less than 10,000 and thermally degrades at temperatures no greater than said EPS. The glue contains sufficient first plasticizer, miscible with the resin, to impart a viscosity of about 0.1 to 5 PaS @ about 100-135° C. to the glue. The glue may optionally include a second, limited-miscibility, plasticizer to accelerate the hardening rate and increase the ultimate rigidity of the glue.

Abstract: A numbering device is disclosed for marking molded cast parts, the device including a plurality of concentric cylinders having indicia disposed on an end thereof, the cylinders being rotatingly indexable to cause the indicia to move as desired to form the desired mark, the mark is then impressed into a sand mold and subsequently reproduced on the cast part.

Abstract: A wax pattern for use in making a golf club head has a shell wall which defines a hollow region and which includes a front portion, a rear displacement portion and a dividing line extending between the front and rear displacement portions. The wax pattern has a profile conforming to that of the golf club head. A metal blank having the same shape and size as the wax pattern is made by using the wax pattern. The blank is then cut along a dividing line to remove a rear displacement portion thereof so as to form a metal part for making the golf club head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the dispersion of molten metal in a mold cavity is disclosed, the control facilitated by a localized densification of foam in a lost foam casting operation for producing metal castings, wherein the filling of regions of the mold cavity which do not lend themselves to castability is maximized, an amount of backfill and casting defects are minimized, and a flow pattern of molten metal and material properties of the resulting casting are optimized.

Abstract: Pattern for the lost foam casting process including a pouring-basin-foming portion, a sprue-forming portion, a runner-forming portion, a gate-forming portion, and a riser-forming portion. The sprue-forming portion forms an inverted conical sprue having a blade-lightener therein for quickly filling, and substantially simultaneously firing, the gates. A glue joint may be used between the pouring- basin-forming portion and the sprue-forming portion to increase the residence time of the melt in the pouring basin. The runners formed by the pattern each have an inline riser through which melt flows during pouring and in which melt is stored to feed the casting with melt during shrinkage of the casting A sand dam surrounds the mouth of each gate and traps particulates from a liquid styrene layer that precedes the melt front in the riser.

Abstract: A wax runner is provided having risers along the edge of the surface which is melted to attach the wax gates of wax patterns to the wax runner. The risers prevent the flow of molten wax over the edge of the wax runner. In addition to the risers or separately, at least one locator extends from both ends of the wax runners, the locators are aligned with one another and assure a constant distance between the ends of the wax runner and the wax pattern being affixed to it. The locators further provide a fixed reference point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to delay the application of pressure on a molten metal front to equalize a pressure gradient present at the molten metal front during pressurized lost foam casting processes, or other pressurized casting processes. A pressure equalization member is placed over a pouring cup to divert the direct application of pressure to molten metal present in the pouring cup. The pressure equalization member allows for increased pressurization rates in such processes, facilitating interdendritic feeding while reducing microporosity and metal penetration defects.

Abstract: A fugitive pattern of an article to be investment cast wherein the pattern includes a plurality of locator embossments disposed in an array to provide a datum reference system by which the pattern can be held and positioned by a manipulator, such as for example a gripper device to a computer controlled robotic device, for assembly with another component of the pattern assembly. The datum embossments are located on a portion of the pattern that will be removed from the final metallic casting made to replicate the pattern. The casting includes integral cast datum embossments thereon by which the casting can be held and positioned.

Abstract: A fugitive pattern of an article to be investment cast wherein the pattern includes a plurality of locator embossments disposed in an array to provide a datum reference system by which the pattern can be held and positioned by a manipulator, such as for example a gripper device to a computer controlled robotic device, for assembly with another component of the pattern assembly. The datum embossments are located on a portion of the pattern that will be removed from the final metallic casting made to replicate the pattern. The casting includes integral cast datum embossments thereon by which the casting can be held and positioned.

Abstract: A full mold casting process in which a complete, positive model made of a thermally decomposable material is placed in a molding box and filled with sand; the sand is hardened by shaking. Casting metal is poured on the thermally decomposable model and the model is decomposed by the casting heat. In order to fill up the cavities of the model and mold moldings with crucial cavities, reliably with the molding sand, the model is provided with pass-through apertures. By introducing the flow-through holes into the casting model, preferably through the flange and button sides, all cavities of the casting model are completely filled with sand and the latter is compressed against the model. The rising of the sand in the model cavity is facilitated by the fact that the filling level of the molding sand is kept nearly constant near the model cavity to be filled until the cavity is completely filled.

Abstract: A method of making a spray formed article includes the steps of providing a sand pattern and spraying metal material toward the sand pattern to form the desired article. The sand pattern is made from a sand molding composition comprising refractory materials and binder. The refractory material comprises at least about 15 weight percent alumina, based on the total weight of the refractory material.

Abstract: A machine for forming and fitting core support pins into wax (70) surrounding a core (68) prior to covering the wax (70) with a frit (76), includes one or more punch devices (30), (82) within its structure, so as to enable the forming of one or more indentations in each pin, intermediate its ends, thereby providing a designed weakness in the pin to cause it to more reliably follow slight relative movement which occurs between the pins and the part being cast, thus reducing stresses in the surface of the part.

Abstract: A fingerprint jewelry includes any jewelry with a person's fingerprints cast in relief onto its surface. It is made by pressing a finger on a sheet of pliable wax medium to imprint it with fingerprints in relief. In a first embodiment, the wax medium is comprised of a soft wax medium soft enough to be imprinted at room temperature. In a second embodiment, the wax medium is comprised of a soft wax medium supported on a hard wax medium. The imprinted wax medium is positioned in a hollow form. A mold is created around the wax medium by pouring a mold material into the hollow form. An oven is used to harden the mold material and melt away the wax to leave a mold cavity. Molten precious metal is cast into the mold cavity with a casting machine to produce a casting with the fingerprints in relief. The casting is freed by breaking the mold. Additional work may be performed on the casting to produce a finished piece of jewelry.

Abstract: A fugitive pattern of an article to be investment cast wherein the pattern includes a plurality of locator embossments disposed in an array to provide a datum reference system by which the pattern can be held and positioned by a manipulator, such as for example a gripper device to a computer controlled robotic device, for assembly with another component of the pattern assembly. The datum embossments are located on a portion of the pattern that will be removed from the final metallic casting made to replicate the pattern. The casting includes integral cast datum embossments thereon by which the casting can be held and positioned.

Abstract: A fugitive pattern of an article to be investment cast wherein the pattern includes a plurality of locator embossments disposed in an array to provide a datum reference system by which the pattern can be held and positioned by a manipulator, such as for example a gripper device to a computer controlled robotic device, for assembly with another component of the pattern assembly. The datum embossments are located on a portion of the pattern that will be removed from the final metallic casting made to replicate the pattern. The casting includes integral cast datum embossments thereon by which the casting can be held and positioned.