Abstract: The apparatus for casting comprises a pressure vessel and a device for evacuating and pressurizing the vessel. The evacuating and pressurizing device is in fluidic connection with the vessel. The apparatus is also comprised of a chamber disposed in the pressure vessel within which material is melted. There is a mold with a passage such that the melted material in the chamber can be forced down into the mold through the passage as the pressurizing device pressurize the vessel. The passage contains a filter such that the melted material is prevented from entering the interior of the mold prior to pressurization. Additionally, the apparatus is comprised of a device for heating material in the chamber and the mold such that material is melted in the chamber and stays melted as it is forced down into mold while the pressurizing device pressurizes the vessel. The heating device is disposed in the vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for countergravity casting of molten metal with exclusion of air in a gas-pervious mold sealed in an evacuable chamber having a free end of a fill pipe for the mold cavities projecting therefrom. The fill pipe is moved relative to an enclosed crucible containing the molten metal under an air-free atmosphere of inert gas to project the fill pipe free end into the crucible enclosure to a position below the molten metal so that evacuation of the chamber produces filling of the mold. Entry of air into the crucible enclosure is prevented by maintaining the surface of the molten metal and the ambient atmosphere a sufficient distance apart prior to insertion of the fill pipe to prevent circulating air currents from drawing air down to the metal or by blocking entry into the crucible enclosure. Entry of air can be further prevented by maintaining a sufficient pressure of inert gas in the crucible enclosure and by sealing the upper portion of the fill pipe between the chamber and the mold.

Abstract: A body frame for a motor bicycle includes a main frame, a head tube provided at a front end of the main frame and down tubes extending rearward from the main frame. The main frame, head tube and down tubes are cast with a light alloy into an integral form of a hollow and thin-wall structure. A production process of the body frame, wherein an integrally-formed core, which is formed into a shape similar to that of the body frame, is hollow and has good permability. A molten metal is charged into the mold and a vacuum is applied to the interior of the core. The molten metal is charged into a cavity defined between the core and the molding surface of the mold by a low-pressure casting method, and the molten metal is solidified so as to cast the body frame.

Abstract: A metallic mold (1) comprises two mold halves (3,4) which define between them a mold cavity connected to blowing means (56). The mold (1) is vertically movably mounted on a chassis (18) rigidly supporting an aspiration channel (16). To aspirate the metal, the mold is sealingly applied against the channel which is immersed in the bath (62). After filling of the mold cavity, the material solidifies in a constriction (26) of the channel. This permits raising the chassis (18) without the mold cavity emptying. Then, the mold (1) is raised relative to the channel (16) to break the material in the constriction and to let fall back into the bath the material (68) which was in the channel. Demolding is effected by separating the mold halves from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for sand molding composite articles formed of a light alloy metal and fibrous insert. A sand mold is formed containing a fibrous preform separated from the walls of the mold cavity. The mold is fed by means of a tube dipping into a liquid metallic bath therebelow. In the molding process, the pressure in the mold cavity and above the bath are reduced, and the pressure above the bath is increased to create a positive pressure differential .DELTA.P, thereby forcing molten metal from the bath into the mold cavity. The pressure in the mold cavity and above the bath are then increased to above atmospheric, and the pressure differential .DELTA.P is maintained until the metal in the mold cavity solidifies.

Abstract: A light metal alloy such as an aluminum alloy is cast into a casting such as an automobile engine cylinder head under low pressure. A fluid pressure is applied to the surface of a light metal alloy stored in a closed container to introduce the light metal alloy from the closed container through a transfer tube and a sprue into a mold cavity defined in a mold assembly. The introduced molten metal alloy is brought into contact with molds of the mold assembly which have different thermal conductivities, respectively. The time in which the molten metal alloy is solidified is controlled by the molds of different thermal conductivities. The molds may forcibly be cooled by a cooling medium passing therethrough or cooling blocks mounted thereon.

Abstract: A countergravity casting process involves holding an inherently unstable mass of particulate mold material in an open bottom container around a destructible pattern therein by exerting external fluid pressure, such as atmospheric pressure, on a bottom side of the particulate mass in excess of internal pressure in the container. The container and an underlying molten metal pool are relatively moved to place the bottom side of the particulate mass in the pool. Molten metal is drawn through an ingate to the pattern to destroy and replace the pattern in the particulate mass. When the container and pool are relatively moved to extract the bottom side from the pool after casting, the particulate mold material is held in the container around the metal replacing the pattern by the external/internal pressure differential between the bottom side of the particulate mass and interior of the container.

Abstract: A low-pressure die casting process in which gaseous pressure is applied to molten metal in a bath (C) in three stages from three pressure applying circuits. The first circuit applies pressure to lift molten metal to the charging aperture of the die. When the presence of the metal at that die is detected by a sensor (8), a datum pressure is established and the further application of gaseous pressure to the molten metal is taken over by a second circuit. When the pressure applied to the molten metal differs from the datum pressure by a predetermined amount, an after pressure is applied to the molten metal by the third circuit.

Abstract: Immersion-type vacuum countergravity casting apparatus having a vacuum chamber including spring means for pressing the mold portions sealingly together and/or resisting destructive inward flexure of the mold. A split vacuum chamber, including a floating lower skirt portion, avoids the creation of stress concentration sites between the chamber and the mold.

Abstract: Apparatus for the vacuum countergravity casting of metal in shell molds including a gas-permeable upper shell mold portion secured to a bottom mold portion and together secured to the mouth of a vacuum box by a plurality of threadable mounting sites engaged by self-tapping threads on the ends of rotatable shafts reciprocally slidable through the ceiling of the box. Each shaft has a stop fixed thereto at a predetermined distance above the threads for pressing the upper shell mold portion into sealing engagement with the bottom mold portion in order to eliminate the need to glue the upper and lower mold portions together.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for counter-gravity casting of molten metal, in a gas permeable mold with a fill passage upper end above the lateral communication of the passage with other mold cavities. The mold is filled by low pressure in a chamber sealed about the mold while the mold fill passage is communicated with the molten metal. Provision is made for maintaining, during filling, the upper part of the mold fill passage at a lower pressure than that in the chamber external to the mold.

Abstract: Molds are mounted on a front platen and a moving platen. A plurality of ball screws are mounted between the front platen and the rear platen at equal distances from centers of the molds and at predetermined angular intervals. Ball nuts threadedly engaged with the plurality of ball screws, respectively, are mounted on the moving platen. A servo motor drives to move the moving platen in the axial direction of the ball screws through the ball screws and the ball nuts. A mold clamping force is generated by a stress occurring in the ball screws when the molds are closed.

Abstract: A method of making a casting comprising the steps of, at a casting station, feeding molten metal from a primary source of molten metal into a mould cavity through an ingate below the top of the mould cavity, placing the cavity out of feeding relationship with the primary source by changing the orientation of the cavity relative to the direction of gravity to prevent flow of molten metal from the cavity towards the primary source and to permit of flow of metal from a secondary source to the cavity, the cavity being continuously connected to the primary source during said change of orientation, transferring the mould cavity to a cooling station spaced from the casting station and, at the cooling station, permitting molten metal to flow to the cavity from the secondary source while the metal in the cavity solidifies.

Abstract: A sleeve assembled in a casting apparatus through which a molten metal is fed into a die cavity, characterized in that at least part of said sleeve on which the molten metal impinges or flows fast under high pressure is made of cemented carbide consisting essentially of a hardening phase of WC, part of which may be substituted by TaC, NbC, TiC, etc., and 10-20 weight % based on the cemented carbide of a binder phase comprising Co, Ni, Cr, and optionally Mo, a weight ratio of Cr+Mo to the binder phase being 0.1-0.2 and a weight ratio of Mo to Cr being up to 3. This sleeve, when assembled in a die-casting apparatus or a low-pressure casting apparatus, enjoys an extremely long life because of its high resistance to oxidation and washing.

Abstract: A casting furnace is fed an inert gas under pressure through a feed line with the pressure being regulated by a melt level control device. When the pressure is reduced, the inert gas is exhausted from the casting furnace by an exhaust line, the feed line having a check valve to prevent gas which is contaminated by magnesium from entering the feed line. An oxidizing gas, preferably pressurized air, is periodically fed into the exhaust line by an oxidizing gas line for cleaning the drain line and the pressure-controlling aperture therein by oxidizing the magnesium.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for casting under pressure light metal alloys in which, under the action of a pressure difference, the molten metal from a furnace, disposed in a hermetically sealed chamber, is displaced via a feed tube for molten metal and fills the cavity of a casting mold, disposed in another hermetically sealed chamber, wherein before the filling of the cavity of the casting mold with molten metal, the latter is subjected to a temperature and a metallurgical pretreatment in two furnaces, which are then in succession brought in position of casting and, at the same time or later, the casting mold is brought to desired temperature parameters, the process of casting is performed, the cast body is removed from the casting mold and the cycle is repeated. The temperature of the casting mold, before and after its filling with molten metal, is regulated by controlling the powers of the cooling and the heating systems arranged within the casting mold.

Abstract: Apparatus for the countergravity, shell-mold casting process comprising a gas-permeable shell mold sealed in the mouth of a vacuum chamber and a hollow, expendable, gas-permeable, thermally degradable, core disposed with the molding cavity for engulfment and retention by the metal being cast. The core defines a central evacuation cavity and an unobstructed vent for exhausting the evacuation cavity into the vacuum chamber such that the pressure in the evacuation cavity is substantially equal to that in the vacuum chamber during casting.

Abstract: A die casting metal hald mold comprising a front wall incorporating a die casting area, side walls extending rearwardly from the front wall, a backing member closing the base of said side walls, means to fasten the backing member to the bottom of said side walls, the front wall, side walls and backing member forming a high pressure heat exchange cavity, a valve for introducing fluid under pressure into said high pressure heat exchange cavity and a valve for releasing gas under pressure from said high pressure heat exchange cavity.

Abstract: A foundry mould for low pressure moulding of metal parts is constructed of a mould chamber (14) with a bottom surface (17) having an opening (31) through which molten casting metal can ascend. A peripheral pressure chamber (15) surrounds the side walls of the chamber (14) and a suction bell (18, 19) connected to a suction duct (23) covers the top of the mould chamber and pressure chamber. Communicating apertures (20, 21) provide gas flow paths from the mould chamber and pressure chamber to the suction bell. Patterns of gasifiable expanded polystyrene are located in the mould chamber and are supported therein by a masking device, such as a masking shell (28), by means of pattern appendages (26) connected to tubular supporting members (27) of the masking shell. A sleeve (34) is locked to the opening (31) and supports the masking device. Compacted, binderless, sand fills the remaining volume of the mould chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for differential pressure, counter gravity, casting of metal in a gas-permeable mold having a vertical passage with a lower open end for introducing molten metal into its mold cavity means. A crucible is provided for holding molten metal with its surface positioned beneath the mold. The crucible and the mold are relatively movable toward and away from one another for introducing molten metal into the lower open end of the mold, and pressure means is provided for applying a differential pressure to the mold and crucible to cause molten metal to fill the mold cavity means through the vertical passage. A rigid, permanently crimpable fill pipe is sealingly connected to the lower open end of the vertical mold passage with its lower end extending vertically downwardly toward the crucible.

Abstract: Unitary, rigid, self-supporting, gas permeable, low temperature bonded, sand grain molds having peripheral side surfaces extending between vertically spaced upper and lower surfaces with mold cavity means spaced therebetween connected to gate passage means having lower open ends exposed at said lower surface, adapted to be filled with molten metal through the gate passage means by applying reduced pressure to the top surface of the mold while its lower surface with the gate passage means lower open ends are submerged in molten metal, are provided with enclosed gas collection void means adjacent to and spaced from each of the mold cavity means, the gate passage means and the upper and lower mold surfaces for collecting gases from the cavity means and gate passage means during filling of the cavity means for controlled removal of gases from the void means through the upper mold surface by application of reduced pressure thereto.

Abstract: Liquid metal M in a casting ladle 1 located under a mold A is cast uphill under low pressure into the mold cavity 10 through a vertical shaft 3. The metal is treated by a soluble inoculation wire 13 suspended down through the cavity over a length L greater than the height h of the mold with its lower part H submerged in the liquid metal filling the shaft. The ladle pressure is maintained until the wire is fully dissolved, and then raised to fill the mold cavity with the inoculated liquid metal.

Abstract: A low pressure mold system includes a pouring-in core with a bore which is inserted into the upper part of a foundry mold. The bore is connected by an overflow channel and a drop channel with the hollow space of the mold which is to be filled. Melt is forced from below into the pouring-in channel of the casting mold. The core forms a channel in the shape of a siphon, permitting emptying of the pouring-in channel immediately after the filling process.

Abstract: A mold which can be used for low-pressure casting, in particular, and has at least two mold parts, comprises a feeder channel which is clamped between the two mold parts at an attachment flange thereof, which is parallel to the parting plane of the mold parts. On a side of the feeder channel provided with inlet channels, which lead from the feeder channel to the mold cavity, the attachment flange of the feeder channel is connected to one of the two mold parts in such a way that it seals against the mold, while having an edge area of the flange which is unconnected and can, therefore, expand under the action of heat.

Abstract: With low-pressure or die-casting methods there frequently occur leaks during the transfer of the molten metal from the metal containing basin or vessel to the mold. These leaks often lead to serious accidents and related operating interruptions. According to the invention these problems are solved by a casting method, wherein all movements of the mold occur in a vertical plane. With a preferred embodiment of apparatus for the performance of the method the mold is placed in a positive or form-locking manner with its casting or pour opening upon the casting hole of the metal containing vessel or basin and pressed against the latter in a fluidtight fashion by means of a pneumatic lifting cylinder. This affords the advantage of a simple connection of the mold with the basin and without requiring a coupling mechanism, and, additionally, the heating of the riser or up tube and/or immersion tube can be omitted, which otherwise conventionally was performed by gas heating.

Abstract: A multiple casting die assembly, useful for receiving injected molten metal under pressure, is disclosed. Plural pairs of mating die members are abuttingly arranged in series; the parting plane for each pair of die members is generally arranged to bisect each of the casting cavities resulting in mating cavity portions that meet at the parting plane. Means are provided for clamping the die members in series and for forceably separating the die members which automatically severs the sprue. The clamping force is reduced to that needed for only one casting cavity and cycle time is decreased for withdrawal and ejection of sound die cast bodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for pressure die casting of metals and alloys involving the action of increased gas pressure on the solidifying melt. In this apparatus, the gas is pressurized automatically during the stroke of the press and pressurized gas at elevated pressure is applied to molten metal in the die cavity immediately after the closing of the die. For this purpose, the apparatus comprises a hydraulic press including a cylinder and a piston slidably mounted therein, which piston divides the cylinder into a first and second chamber. The first chamber is in communication with a source of pressurized liquid and the second chamber is in communication with a gas retaining cavity disposed in the piston rod of the piston. A press plate and die having at least one die cavity is rigidly mounted on the piston rod. The cavity of the die is connected by means of corresponding valves to a supply reservoir with gas under low pressure.

Abstract: A low-pressure molten metal casting device comprising a level detector or sensor disposed in a column disposed downstream of the smelting furnace and upstream of the casting leading inlet feed openings of a distribution chamber connected to the moulds. This sensor co-acts with a mechanism controlling the pressure of an inert gas in the furnace for regulating the metallostatic casting overpressure as a function of the selected casting level in order to monitor the furnace pressure and consequently the casting by moving the sensor according to a predetermined law or with the assistance of the gas pressure in the column, so as to reduce any idle periods between successive castings cycles by pre-rising the molten metal by using the level sensor, the latter comprising preferably a pair of staggered electrodes.

Abstract: A casting apparatus for low-pressure or counterpressure casting of nonferrous metals comprises a casting mold which is fed with the melt by a siphon tube opening upwardly into the mold and communicating with an intermediate crucible for molten metal. The siphon tube has an elbow lying above the level of the molten metal in the intermediate crucible which is connected to a main crucible by a conduit whose inlet into the intermediate crucible can be blocked by a bell. Gas from an inert-gas supply can be applied under pressure to the crucible and the elbow.

Abstract: A valve for use in an apparatus for supplying molten metal by means of a siphon to a furnace. A valve formed by a tube provided with two flanges is placed at the upper part of the siphon, this tube extending by a certain length below the level of the flanges, so as to form an annular space with each of the branches of the siphon in which the gas is trapped during decanting, which prevents the gaskets from being in contact with the molten metal.

Abstract: A low pressure die casting machine for light alloys, of the type in which a charge of molten alloy is received in a charging chamber which is then closed and pressurized to drive the molten alloy into a die chamber formed by a plurality of separable die elements, in which the problems due to head metal and casting sprue in the casting passages and gates is minimized by forming these latter, as well as the charging chamber, as recesses in cooperating faces of two of the die elements, these recesses being so shaped that upon separation of the two die elements the casting sprue and head metal are exposed and can be ejected still attached to the casting without fouling any part of the die casting machine and without leaving any solidified head metal behind which might cause blockage problems unless it were maintained in a molten state.

Abstract: Molten metal is poured, in at least two successive operations, from a container having an interior closed off substantially gas-tightly and provided with a pour-out conduit which has an inlet communicating with the interior of the container and which has an outlet pouring opening located outside the container above the highest level to which molten metal in the container interior is permitted to rise. The metal in the conduit is established at a predetermined starting level prior to the start of the first pouring operation by feeding pressurized gas into the space above the molten metal in the container interior. Thereafter, each pouring operation is effected by boosting the gas pressure in such space by an amount requisite to effect pouring out through the pouring opening of the quantity of molten metal to be dispensed.

Abstract: A method of low pressure die casting in which molten metal in a furnace is forced up a riser tube into the die by gas pressure applied to the surface of the molten metal in the furnace by a pressure circuit, wherein as the level of the metal in the furnace falls after each successive die filling operation, the resultant increase in the time taken to exhaust the furnace pressure is utilised to produce compensatory incremental changes in the pressure applied in the circuit. The die casting apparatus for carrying out the method includes a remotely controlled pressure control valve which is controlled by a pressure adjusting means operable during the exhausting period of the furnace to apply the incremental changes in pressure to said valve. The apparatus may employ a single or a two-stage pressurisation.