Abstract: A method for producing a cast workpiece includes the following method steps: providing a mold having at least one mold core arranged in the mold; inserting a metal melt into the mold; waiting for a period of time until at least the outer contour of the metal melt has solidified and the workpiece has been formed from the metal melt; removing the workpiece from the mold; shattering the mold core, wherein this method step is carried out before the workpiece has entirely cooled down from the casting process. For shattering the mold core, a hammer head is applied on a defined energy transmission surface of the workpiece and the energy transmission surface is acted on, in particular hit on, by the hammer head.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program wherein the apparatus comprises:a plurality of quantum dot-graphene field effect transistors; circuitry configured to provide an individual drain-source bias voltage to each of a plurality of quantum dot-graphene field effect transistors, wherein different individual drain-source bias voltages have different parameters, to enable the plurality of quantum dot-graphene field effect transistors to detect light from a user of an apparatus; and circuitry configured to obtain output signals from each of a plurality of quantum dot-graphene field effect transistors where the output signal is dependent upon both the light detected by the quantum dot-graphene field effect transistor and the parameters of the drain-source bias voltage to enable the obtained output signals to be used as a scrambled identification signal of the user of the apparatus.

Abstract: A material processing system includes: an offsetter configured to receive a stack of material and including a lifting bar configured to lift a portion of the stack of material; and a processing station operably connected to the offsetter. A method of processing a material includes: loading a stack of material on an offsetter, the stack of material including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion positioned above the second portion and separated from the second portion by at least one cross tie, the stack of material including a first end and a second end distal from the first end; lifting the second portion away from the first portion by a lifting bar of the offsetter pushing upward on the second end; and removing the cross tie.

Abstract: A process and tools for forming spherical metal balls is described incorporating molds, injection molded solder, a liquid or gaseous environment to reduce or remove metal oxides and an unconstrained reflow of metal in a heated liquid or gas and solidification of molten metal in a cooler liquid or gas.

Abstract: A decoring method and system is provided. The method includes the steps of providing the casting having a core material disposed in the internal passage; providing the decoring apparatus configured to selectively oscillate the casting and selectively rotate the casting; securing the casting in the decoring apparatus; introducing a quantity of shot into the internal passage of the casting; oscillating the casting; and rotating the casting. A decoring apparatus configured to selectively oscillate the casting along a first axis, rotate the casting about a second axis, and rotate the casting about a third axis, is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring metal solidified in blind cavities is described incorporating a first flexible tape having blind cavities, a second flexible tape having adhesive regions, rollers for guiding respective tapes and means for moving respective tapes. Also a conveyor belt having blind or through cavities, rollers and a vibration transducer or pressurized gas is described to release solidified metal in the cavities.

Abstract: There are provided an aluminum alloy casting free from crack-causing needle-shaped crystallized substances and an apparatus and a method for producing a slide member excellent in mechanical properties such as abrasion resistance. A melt of an iron-containing aluminum alloy poured into a vessel in the completely liquid state is vibrated by a vibrating needle of a vibration applying unit, and then a core is inserted into the melt to cool the melt, whereby the aluminum alloy casting is produced as a sleeve of a slide member. The vibrating step is carried out at a frequency of 20 to 1000 Hz, and is continued until just before the melt is cooled to the solid-liquid coexisting temperature region.

Abstract: A process and tools for forming and/or releasing metal preforms, metal shapes and solder balls is described incorporating flexible molds or sheets, injection molded metal such as solder and in the case of solder balls, a liquid or gaseous environment to reduce or remove metal oxides prior to or during metal (solder) reflow to increase surface tension to form spherical or substantially spherical solder-balls.

Abstract: A method for making an equiaxed investment casting. The method utilizes an ultrasonic generator to send an ultrasonic pulse into molten metal in an investment casting mold. The investment casting mold is positioned within a working zone of furnace having low output induction coils for generating a convection current in molten metal. The ultrasonic pulse separates dendrites growing from the face of the mold inward into the molten metal. Instead, equiaxed grains can nucleate within the molten metal. In addition, the ultrasonic pulse and the low output induction coils circulate the molten metal as solute is rejected from solidifying equiaxed grains. The mixing reduces the effects of segregation in the solidifying alloy and assists in nucleating equiaxed grains.

Abstract: A method for loosening a jacket includes the steps of pouring a molten metal into a mold having a jacket attached on its outer surface, while conveying the mold; cooling the mold after pouring while conveying the mold, after the step of pouring; and applying vibration to the jacket after the step of cooling.

Abstract: A decoring method and system is provided. The method includes the steps of providing the casting having a core material disposed in the internal passage; providing the decoring apparatus configured to selectively oscillate the casting and selectively rotate the casting; securing the casting in the decoring apparatus; introducing a quantity of shot into the internal passage of the casting; oscillating the casting; and rotating the casting. A decoring apparatus configured to selectively oscillate the casting along a first axis, rotate the casting about a second axis, and rotate the casting about a third axis, is also provided.

Abstract: A twin roll caster and a method for operating a machine of this type. The machine comprises two casting rolls that delimit a casting gap between them on its longitudinal sides; two side plates that delimit the casting gap on its narrow sides; and at least one oscillation device, which moves the side plate in an oscillating manner about an axis of oscillation extending substantially axially parallel to the axes of rotation of the casting rolls. The degrees of freedom of the side plate movements are increased because the oscillation device comprises two actuators which are articulatedly coupled to the respective side plate and each apply a torque rotating about the respective axis of oscillation on the side plate and a control device that emits control signals, upon which the actuators individually or together with each other, carry out adjustment movements aligned against one another or parallel to one another.

Abstract: There are provided an aluminum alloy casting free from crack-causing needle-shaped crystallized substances and an apparatus and a method for producing a slide member excellent in mechanical properties such as abrasion resistance. A melt of an iron-containing aluminum alloy poured into a vessel in the completely liquid state is vibrated by a vibrating needle of a vibration applying unit, and then a core is inserted into the melt to cool the melt, whereby the aluminum alloy casting is produced as a sleeve of a slide member. The vibrating step is carried out at a frequency of 20 to 1000 Hz, and is continued until just before the melt is cooled to the solid-liquid coexisting temperature region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a casting mold having a molten metal received therein which is rotated in one direction by a rotary device 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 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.

Abstract: A method for controlling the retention time of a casting retained in a mold comprises providing a vibratory shakeout conveyor having a conveying surface, placing the mold on the conveyor; and imparting a vibratory force to the conveyor at a predetermined angle to the conveying surface whereby the predetermined angle determines the retention time of said casting in said mold. A plurality of sensors for detecting mold position and media breakdown may also be employed to detect appropriate mold retention time.

Abstract: A device for removing sand from a work by vibration which vibrates a molding (work) molded by casting such as an auto part to thereby remove core sand remaining on a hollow portion of the work and in which the work is held against a vibration plate and the vibration plate is vibrated with a single vibration motor to remove the sand. The device for removing sand from a work 1 by vibration which removes sand remaining on the work 1 by vibration, the device comprising a base 3, a vibration plate 5 mounted on the base 3 via elastic support members 4, a work holder 6 provided on the vibration plate 5, and a vibration motor 7 connected to the vibration plate; wherein the work is held with the holder 6, and the vibration motor 7 is then actuated to vibrate the vibration plate 5, thereby applying vibration to the work 1 held with the holder 6 to remove the sand from the work 1.

Abstract: A decoring method and system is provided. The method includes the steps of providing the casting having a core material disposed in the internal passage; providing the decoring apparatus configured to selectively oscillate the casting and selectively rotate the casting; securing the casting in the decoring apparatus; introducing a quantity of shot into the internal passage of the casting; oscillating the casting; and rotating the casting. A decoring apparatus configured to selectively oscillate the casting along a first axis, rotate the casting about a second axis, and rotate the casting about a third axis, is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary drum and vibratory conveyor system including a single walled rotary drum positioned above a vibratory conveyor assembly. The rotary drum may be segmented with each segment having end flanges that are connected to an adjoining segment with bolts. A section or sections of the rotary drum have perforations covered by a dust hood that allow sand and media to fall from the drum through a funnel structure onto the conveyor assembly. The vibratory conveyor assembly includes upper and lower conveyors, where the upper conveyor collects the media falling from the drum and passes the sand to the lower conveyor. The media may be redirected back to the drum inlet to be reused.

Abstract: Oscillating table for blooms or billets production plants, comprising pairs of bars, lying on at least one horizontal plane, which constitute the elastic support elements of the crystalliser, thus permitting an optimal guidance of the oscillation thereof exclusively in the casting direction, said pairs of bars constituting a tie rod-strut system working in bending that confers to the table very high torsional and lateral stiffness. It allows a high precision in guiding crystalliser thus consenting it wide oscillations in the axial casting direction only.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting wherein molten metal is treated to create conditions of whole volume solidification in the mold. The treating of the molten metal can include the application of vibration in specified manner under specific frequency and amplitude for causing multiple sites of crystallization throughout the mold, or the treating can be by use of activators which are formed during casting, either directly from the molten metal stream by dispersion or from a mineral which concurrently with casting is milled, to a finely ground powder, dehydrated and fed into the molten metal throughout the metal to speed solidification and crystallization at multiple sites. Solidification speed can be more than doubled while eliminating pouring defects and improving the cast metal structure. The methods are applicable to various methods of casting including continuous casting and the methods of vibrating and use of activators can be combined with improved results.

Abstract: Oscillating table in which the oscillation drive, comprising a hydraulic actuator, transmits the oscillating motion to the mould via a spring subject to bending stress, for example a fitted rod. The body of the hydraulic actuator is also anchored to the floor by means of a fitted spring subjected to bending stress. Thus thanks to the absence of any mechanical bearings in the drive mechanism, all disadvantageous movements caused as a result of bearing play, which increases at high oscillation frequencies, are eliminated. Moreover, the use of mould guide elements having a much simpler design and consisting of straightforward bars, also ensures greater guidance precision and enables a reduction in the oscillation marks on the cast product, a reduction that is even more noticeable when working at higher oscillation frequencies. Advantageously, the presence of an anti-roll device, consisting of two or more pairs of bars, for example two pairs, ensures good torsional rigidity of the table.

Abstract: In a mold oscillating apparatus according to the present invention, a connecting plate for interconnecting a moving bearing housing rotated by eccentric rotation of an eccentric shaft and a mold table oscillated by rotation of the moving bearing housing is supported by the mold table from one end of an upper end part thereof to the other end, and supported by the moving bearing housing from one end of a lower end part thereof to the other end. By such a configuration, torsional deformation of the connecting plate is prevented and a stress generated in the connecting plate is eased.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compacting support particulates media around ceramic shell molds and around fugitive patterns wherein the mold or pattern is placed in a container and the container is filled with support particulates media. The container is set to rotating and vibrating while it is tilted. The combination of rotation and tilting cause voids at the wall of the mold or pattern to be constantly and methodically reoriented so that the free surface of the support media in the voids is moved past its dynamic angle of repose and is caused to flow into those voids by the combined action of the vibration and the constantly changing orientation of the voids relative to the gravity vector.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel mold is vibrated at a frequency within a range of 0.1 to 10,000 Hz during a casting process. The vibration reduces the solidification time needed to form a wheel casting while improving the tensile strength of the wheel.

Abstract: A casting 31 is fixed to a support member 23, and the casting 31 is hit by a hammer 43 while vibrating the support member, so that vibrations of different properties are applied to the casting to shake out the sand.

Abstract: On spray-forming metals onto a substrate from which the sprayed coating is to be detached, unwanted adhesion may occur, even to a smooth substrate. Conversely, if the coating is meant to adhere, it may accidentially delaminate, even from a roughened substrate.By vibrating the substrate, marginally adherent splats will be encouraged to detach themselves while, on the other hand, well adherent splats will not be affected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying multidirectional vibrations to a resilient support. The excentric of the unidirectional vibration generator cooperates with a spherical shaped member mounted for free rotation on the lower face of the vibrating table connected to the base through springs. The unidirectional vibration generator is carried by a plate parallel to the vibrating table and which is rotated about an axis X--X which is perpendicular thereto, under the action of a motor. This rotation of the unidirectional vibration generator ensures the application of multidirectional vibrations to said table.

Abstract: A variably unbalanced rotating mechanism comprising a frame, a main shaft having a longitudinal axis and supported on the frame for rotation about the longitudinal axis, a drive for rotating the main shaft, first and second eccentric weights mounted for rotation coaxially with the main shaft, and a mechanism for rotating the weights in common with the main shaft and for selectively rotating the weights in opposite directions relative to each other and relative to the main shaft and independently of main shaft rotation.

Abstract: A variably unbalanced rotating mechanism comprising a frame, a main shaft having a longitudinal axis and supported on the frame for rotation about the longitudinal axis, a drive for rotating the main shaft, first and second eccentric weights mounted for rotation coaxially with the main shaft, and a mechanism for rotating the weights in common with the main shaft and for selectively rotating the weights in opposite directions relative to each other and relative to the main shaft and independently of main shaft rotation.

Abstract: According to the invention, a vibratory apparatus is provided having a deck resiliently mounted relative to a surface bearing the vibratory apparatus, a clamp support for a casting on the deck, and a piston freely movably mounted relative to the deck. Vibration imparting structure vibrates the deck to shake out and to loosen foreign matter adhered to the casting supported on the deck and simultaneously reciprocates and ricochets the piston relative to the deck to further shake out and loosen foreign matter on the casting. A hammer plate is provided on the deck in the path of the piston. As the vibration imparting structure is operated, the piston is intermittently forcibly driven against the hammer plate to set up a different frequency of vibration than the frequency of the primary vibratory apparatus which enhances the shake out and cleaning function of the structure.

Abstract: A vibratory stress relief apparatus is provided and has a resiliently supported base and an adjustable rate vibratory member on the base. A housing having a support plate and spaced side walls is resiliently supported on the base. A casting rests in the housing with a closure secured to the support plate in spaced relation to the casting. Shims are provided for positioning the closure a predetermined distance from the casting whereby the vibratory member will vibrate the housing and the casting and will hammer and rattle the casting between the closure and the support plate to relieve stresses in the casting and to clean sand and other impurities from the internal and external surfaces of the casting.

Abstract: An oscillator for a continuous casting mold includes a rotatable drive shaft having first and second portions which are eccentric with respect to one another. A sleeve for inducing oscillatory motion of the mold rotatably surrounds the second shaft portion and is eccentric with reference to the latter as well as the first shaft portion. The sleeve is coupled to the housing of a gear reducer having a gear assembly which is rotatable relative to the housing and is coupled to the drive shaft for rotation therewith. The housing is, in turn, connected with the casing of a motor having an output shaft which is rotatable relative to the casing and is coupled to the gear assembly. This motor constitutes an auxiliary motor which is operable independently of a primary motor for the drive shaft. During normal operation, the auxiliary motor is deactivated and the sleeve, gear reducer and auxiliary motor all rotate with the drive shaft as this induces reciprocation of the mold through the agency of the sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus usable for cleaning foreign material from the internal and external surfaces of a part, including a container of particulate media, a vibration generator for the container which creates an amplitude and frequency which will fluidize the media, and means for suspending the part in the fluidized media. The suspending means is vibrated at an amplitude and frequency different from the amplitude and frequency of the container whereby the fluidized media will clean the foreign material from the internal and external surfaces of the part.

Abstract: A machine for repeatedly impacting metal castings in order to clean the castings of debris, such as sand, is formed of a wheel-like frame which is rotatably mounted upon a horizontal axle. The frame is divided into four equally spaced apart compartments which provide two pair of opposed compartments. The radially innermost wall of each compartment is formed of a metal plate arranged parallel to the axle so that the plate of the uppermost compartment is horizontal and forms a floor-like support for the casting which is then located in that compartment. Each plate is loosely supported upon springs and has an exposed end portion that extends transversely outwardly of the frame. An impact hammer is arranged to repeatedly apply blows that are directed radially towards the axle against the exposed end portion of the uppermost plate for vibrating the plate and for transmitting the forces of the blows to the casting for loosening debris clinging thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a so-called knock-out or shake-out system for foundries comprises a beam which may be resiliently suspended by a stirrup and bellows. A pair of tubular frames depend from the ends of the beam and a pair of rectangular clamp frames are vertically slidable in the tubular frames. A mold box comprising a pair of box-frames and containing a metal casting in a sand mold is located between the two pairs of frames. Two sets of bellows one associated with each clamp frame are inflated to raise the clamp frames and clamp the box between the lower crosspiece of these frames and some other part of the structure such as the lower cross-piece of the tubular frames. The mold is vibrated by vibrators so that the sand and casting are shaken out of the box.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining an ingot wherein elastic oscillations are directed on metal being crystallized over a broad frequency range and at high intensity in the form of powerful pulses generated by a high-voltage spark discharge in liquid. One form of the apparatus of the invention comprises a discharge chamber filled with liquid in contact with a mould or with melt. The discharge chamber is provided with a system of electrodes connected to a pulse current generator. Upon feeding high-voltage current pulses to the electrodes, high pressure, impulse flows, cavitation and surge waves are built-up in the liquid resulting in the appearance of elastic oscillations acting on the molten metal.

Abstract: Liquid amorphous metal alloy is manufactured into shaped laminations ready for assembly in an inductive component in one process. The rotating chill surface to which the melt is delivered has high thermal conductivity metal in a pattern corresponding to the shaped lamination and is surrounded by thermally insulating material. Melt coming in contact with the high thermal conductivity metal becomes amorphous and that contacting the thermally insulating areas cools more slowly and becomes crystalline. The brittle crystalline scrap is broken away from the strip of laminations and is collected and recycled to the melt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for multi-strand continuous casting wherein a plurality of strands may be spaced apart from each other by a distance only dependent upon the dimensions of a copper plate and water-cooling jacket of a mold because a multi-strand mold oscillation mechanism may be installed independently of the spacing between the adjacent strands and the amplitude of oscillation of each mold may be suitably adjusted depending upon the casting conditions but independently of each other. Cast products emerging from the molds are withdrawn through a multi-strand roll apron or bending unit, a multi-strand casting bow, a multi-strand straightener and a multi-strand table by a multi-strand-pinch-roll stand consisting of a plurality of coaxial multi-pinch-roller assemblies, the individual pinch rollers in each assembly being driven independently of each other.

Abstract: A device for oscillating ingot moulds in continuous casting plants, the oscillations being in a linear or curvilinear course comprising in reciprocal coordination and cooperationA lever (16) extending laterally to ingot mould (29) and having two arms (18) disposed symmetrically with respect to ingot mould (29);Two vertical uprights (25) positioned laterally to ingot mould (29), and hinged (21) onto arms (18) of lever (16) and both extending upwards to surface (24) supporting the ingot mould and being rigidly fixed to surface (24);Guide surfaces (33) geometrically defined by the course of the ingot mould (29) and secured to the vertical uprights (25);Roller guides (34-35) for each vertical upright (25), anchored to the carrying structure and cooperating with guide surfaces (33), andElastic adjustable traction means (31-32) extending above lever (16) and located laterally to the ingot mould, guide surfaces (33) being anchored near surface (24) supporting the ingot mould and lever (16) being positioned below the

Abstract: An oscillatory or reciprocating continuous casting mold having a hollow mold cavity which is curved or arc-shaped in the direction of travel of the strand for cooling an essentially rectangular steel strand which is forming, the mold comprising a first cooling device for the indirect cooling of the strand and a second cooling device equipped with strip-shaped support surfaces and intermediately located cooling water channels, these cooling water channels being provided with water infeed means. Between the first cooling device and the second cooling device there is arranged an intermediate space which is open at all sides. In the second cooling device the course of the cooling water channels in both of the mold walls associated with the straight or planar sides of the strand in the direction of travel of the strand follows the arc of the hollow mold cavity.

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: In a continuous casting plant for metals comprising a fixed frame, a first table fastened to said fixed frame, vertical guide means secured to said first table for supporting and guiding a second table for reciprocating movement in a vertical plane, and a mold supported by said second table, a mold rocking device comprising a motor secured to said first table, a crank keyed on the output shaft of said motor, a horizontal lever fulcrumed at an intermediate position to a frame secured to said first table, a first connecting rod articulated at one end to said crank, and at its other end to one end of said lever, and a second connecting rod articulated at one end to the second end of said lever and at its other end to a pin carried by said second table.

Abstract: The curved roll rack receiving partly solidified metal from the mold in an operating continuous casting installation and defining a path guiding the stream of metal from a substantially vertical into a substantially horizontal direction of movement has two sections consecutively arranged along the path. Pivots secure respective, contiguously adjacent, terminal portions of the sections to a common support for angular movement about horizontal axes while bearings interposed between the remote terminal portions of the two sections permit sliding movement of the remote portions on the support in planes parallel to the associated horizontal axes when the rack thermally expands and contracts.

Abstract: In a continuous casting installation, a casing wherein a primary roller apron section is mounted for guiding the cast metal strand is mounted on a framework for displacement in a direction transverse to the axis along which molten metal is cast from an ingot mold to form the strand. A curvilinear secondary roller apron section is axially aligned with the primary apron section and includes a support for the rollers of this section for further guiding the cast metal strand. The two sections are coupled together between an upper part of the secondary apron section support and an element of the casing in such a manner as to provide self-alignment of the two apron sections upon a relative displacement between the casing and the secondary roller apron section.