Abstract: An apparatus and process is disclosed for the preparation by molding of composite materials formed of a metallic or organic matrix and at least one reinforcing element which includes a mold having an axis of revolution, the mold being equipped with a rotator allowing it to rotate about its axis, with a device for feeding liquid matrix material and with a device for feeding a reinforcing element. The reinforcing element feeding device opens into the feed device of the matrix material-feeding device which causes turbulence. The feed device can be a shoot, a casting channel, a feed pipe, a funnel or another equivalent device.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for a centrifugal casting machine having an articulated mold that is mounted for rotation in a cantilevered manner on a drive shaft. The positioning apparatus includes a pair of pillow block bearings having arcuate bearing races that operate to allow the drive shaft to be tilted within a predetermined angular range relative to its longitudinal axis. In addition, the positioning apparatus includes a plurality of locking pins each of which are mounted to cooperate respectively with one of a plurality of positioning members mounted on a rotatable mold-supporting face plate of the casting machine. Operation of the lock pins into engagement with the positioning members moves the face plate into a predetermined position relative to its axis of rotation, following a casting cycle of the machine, so that segments of the centrifugal mold can be radially stripped from an article cast therein without unduly distorting the cast article.