Abstract: A metal alloy is heated to a molten state and then poured into a shallow shot chamber defined by a shot sleeve and a shot piston of a vertical die cast press. A homogenizing member having L-shape arms projecting outwardly from a vertical shaft is inserted into the molten metal, and the shaft and arms are simultaneously rotated and orbited by a six axes robot for moving more solidified semi-solid metal cooled by the shot sleeve and shot piston into a more liquified semi-solid metal within a central portion of the shot chamber to form a homogenizing slurry. The force required to move the homogenizing member is used to determine the solid fraction of the slurry and to stop the homogenizing process after a predetermined force is detected. A hydraulic cylinder actuates the piston to transfer the semi-solid slurry upwardly from the shot chamber into a die cavity.

Abstract: A positioning plate of this invention comprises an outer side plate of a torus shape having an outer side plate hole formed eccentrically of the outer circumference, and an inner side plate of a torus shape having such an inner side plate hole eccentrically of the outer circumference that a leading end portion is fitted. The outer side plate is fitted in a stationary die hole, and the inner side plate is fitted in the outer side plate hole of the outer side plate.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus having a simple configuration and capable of opening and closing dies and clamping the dies, which includes a base frame; a fixed die plate; a movable die plate; a rack fixed with respect to the base frame and extending in a die opening and closing direction; a pinion pivotally supported by the movable die plate and meshing with the rack; a motor provided in the movable die plate, driving and rotating the pinion, and moving the movable die plate toward the die opening and closing direction; a tie bar having a jointed portion; a joint portion provided on the movable die plate and capable of engaging and disengaging the jointed portion of the tie bar; and a clamping cylinder provided on the fixed die plate and imparting tension to the tie bar with the joint portion and the jointed portion jointed to generate clamping force.

Abstract: A supply apparatus supplies a semi-solid metal to a molding apparatus having an injection sleeve formed with an opening portion and a plunger provided progressively/regressively at an inner portion of the injection sleeve. The supply apparatus includes a crucible in a shape of a cylinder containing a semi-solid metal, a carry arm for grabbing to move the crucible, and a control apparatus for controlling the carry arm. The control apparatus inserts a front end portion of a gutter mounted to the crucible into the opening portion of the injection sleeve by a predetermined angle to inject the semi-solid metal to a side of a direction of advancing the plunger more than at a position formed with the opening portion at inside of the injection sleeve.

Abstract: A screw and method for processing metal, metallic alloys, and metal matrix composites in a plastic injection molding machine is disclosed. The screw includes shank with a screw shaft extending from the shank. The screw shaft includes a rear portion proximate to the shank, a middle portion proximate the rear portion, and a front portion proximate the middle portion. Flights extend from the rear portion of the screw shaft for advancing material through the plastic injection molding machine into the middle portion of the screw shaft. Flights may optionally be included in the front portion of the screw.

Abstract: A controller for at least one heater utilized in an injection molding system, which includes a regulated voltage supply that is electrically connected to the at least one heater utilized in an injection molding system, at least one sensor operatively associated with at least one heater and utilized in an injection molding system, at least one digital signal processor that is operatively connected to the at least one heater utilized in an injection molding system, the regulated voltage supply and the sensor operatively associated with the at least one heater utilized in an injection molding system based on feedback from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A sprue apparatus for use in a molding apparatus for connecting the melt duct of a molding machine nozzle with a runner system of a molding apparatus. The sprue apparatus includes a plurality of thermal regulators that regulate a plurality of thermal zones that segment the length of the sprue apparatus for the purpose of localized temperature control in support of a molding process. The plurality of zones may be thermally regulated such as to enable a substantially leak-free junction between the machine nozzle and the molding apparatus. The sprue apparatus may include an isolating coupler that substantially isolates a heated sprue bushing from carriage force. The invention has been found particularly useful when injecting metal alloys such as magnesium based alloys when in the thixotropic state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a metallic-molding-material runner system that includes a collection of branches. The collection of branches is configured to substantially equilibrate flow of a metallic-molding material from a molding system into a mold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a die casting machine. A molten metal (melted liquid) is supplied into a evacuated casting space that is formed by a combination of a movable mold and a fixed mold. The molten metal is first moved in a horizontal direction along a molten metal injection pipe and is then injected into a chamber located at the bottom of the casting space. Thereafter, the molten metal is moved in a vertical direction by means of a follower plunger and is then inserted into the casting space. Therefore, since occurrence of a turbulent flow of the molten metal injected into a mold is prevented, a product of a high quality with no minute bubbles can be obtained.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a die casting apparatus and method evidencing increased apparatus output including the ability of using multiple die tools. The invention includes an indexing assembly removably engaged with at least one die block assembly for transporting between four stations, including an injection station, a cooling station, an ejection station, and a recovery station. The injection station includes a frame, a clamp assembly attached to the frame for clamping and releasing the die block assembly, a shot sleeve assembly engaged with the die block assembly for receiving molten material, such as metal, from a furnace means and injecting the molten material into the die block assembly, and a shot cylinder releasably coupled with the shot sleeve assembly for controlling the injection of molten material.

Abstract: Disclosed is (i) a molding-material handling component of a metal molding system, (ii) a metal molding system having a molding-material handling component, and/or (iii) a method, and (iv) a hot runner having a molding-material handling component.

Abstract: A seal for a check valve for a metal molding machine. The seal is provided by the combination of a peripheral groove in an outer surface of the check valve and a helically wound core in the groove. The helically wound coil is expandable into sealing engagement with a cylindrical wall of the molding machine. The helically wound coil may be movable laterally in the groove between a melt channel open position and a melt channel closed position to open or seal the melt channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure casting method of a magnesium alloy. In the method, a molten magnesium alloy is cooled to form a partially molten state containing a solid-phase, and the partially molten state is further cooled to form a solid-phase granularly crystallized solid material. The solid material is partially-melted and pressure cast into a mold by a molding machine. A ratio of primary crystals in said solid material is set to 55 to 65%. The solid material is partially-melted in a solid-phase and liquid-phase coexisting state at a selected heating temperature so that a semi-solid having thixotropic properties and having the size of a main solid phase of 50 to 250 ?m and a solid-phase ratio of 30 to 70% is formed. The semi-solid is pressure cast into a mold through a nozzle while maintaining the semi-solid state to form metal products having a ratio of primary crystals of 20 to 50%.

Abstract: A SOD (slurry-on-demand) casting method and charge is provided for casting a low-solid-fraction, namely 10 to 30% solid-fraction, alloy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metallic alloy slurry dispenser. The dispenser includes a dispensing body that defines an outlet. The dispenser also includes an outlet cover that cooperates with the outlet, and the outlet cover is configured to cooperate with the outlet more than once. The metallic alloy slurry dispenser may be used in any one of a metallic alloy slurry molding machine, a metallic alloy slurry molding assembly, a metallic alloy slurry hot runner assembly and any combination thereof.

Abstract: Method for inductive heating of a material located in a channel, the material having a melting range between a solidus temperature and a liquidus temperature. The method includes providing an internal inductive heating assembly in the material in the channel, and supplying a signal to the assembly to generate a magnetic flux in at least one of the assembly and material. The magnetic flux generates inductive heating of the assembly and/or the material and a physical agitation which lowers the solidus temperature of the material to a reduced solidus temperature.

Abstract: A block for use in a die casting or molding system receives manufacturing material for distribution into a runner system of a die or mold and cooling fluid for transferring heat away from the block. The block comprises a single-piece body and a plurality of cooling bores. The single-piece body includes features for distributing the manufacturing material, and has a first face, a second face and a plurality of side surfaces disposed between the first face and second face. The plurality of bores are positioned between the side faces and form cooling channels for receiving the cooling fluid.

Abstract: According to the present invention, between the mold-clamping process S1 in which the mold 1 is closed and the injection-pressure increase (solidifying) process S3, the gate-melting process for heating the hot runner 21 to melt the plug (metallic material) of the gate 27, the mold-lubricant coating process for spraying the lubricant onto the wall surface of the cavity 10, and the material-metering process are simultaneously carried out in parallel to each other. Thus, the molding cycle time can be reduced to a great extent.

Abstract: Disclosed, amongst other things, is: (i) a seal of a metal molding system; (ii) a runner system of a metal molding system including a seal; (iii) a barrel assembly of a metal molding system including a seal; (iv) a metal molding system including a seal; and (v) a method of configuring a seal of a metal molding system, amongst other things.

Abstract: Disclosed is: (i) a metal-molding-system valve, (ii) a metal-molding system having a metal-molding-system valve, and (iii) a method of a metal-molding-system valve.

Abstract: There is provided a mold clamping apparatus which has a space-saving apparatus construction and can easily carry out mold replacement.

Abstract: A diecasting machine is provided with a mold and an injection plunger to inject and fill molten metal in the mold by an advancement of the injection plunger. The diecasting machine includes an electric servomotor and a hydraulic drive source. The electric servomotor is usable as a first drive source capable of driving the injection plunger at an advancing speed lower than 1 m/sec, while the hydraulic drive source is usable as a second drive source capable of driving the injection plunger at an advancing speed not lower than 1 m/sec.

Abstract: In an injection mold including at least two mold sections which are movable relative to one another for opening and closing the injection mold and an electronic counter with an actuator and a sensor element supplying, influenced by the actuator, a signal indicative of the number of closings of the injection mold, the sensor element is disposed in a first housing and the electronic counter is disposed outside the first housing and connected to the sensor element via an electrical communication line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the preparation of a semi-solid material in a mixing sleeve of a casting apparatus, the semi-solid material formed from a molten material after a mixing and a cooling thereof in the mixing sleeve wherein a handling of the semi-solid material is minimized.

Abstract: A metal alloy is heated to a molten state, and a grain refiner may be added. The molten alloy is poured into a shallow chamber of a shot sleeve of a vertical die cast press and on top of a shot piston. The shot sleeve is transferred to an injection station while the molten alloy cools to a semi-solid slurry with a globular, generally non-dendritic micro structure. An inner portion of the shallow slurry is injected upwardly by the piston through a gate opening into a die cavity while an outer more solid portion of the slurry is entrapped in an annular recess. After the slurry solidifies, the shot piston retracts, and the shot sleeve is transferred to a position where the residual biscuit is removed. The shot piston may have internal grooves to provide a large heat transfer area for cooling water to absorb heat from the molten alloy.

Abstract: An automated reciprocator for applying lubricant to the cavity of a die casting system having a safety bar for preventing the reciprocator from injuring a person or damaging equipment which may be present in the reciprocator travel path. The safety bar is movably carried on the lower side of the reciprocator and includes a sensor to detect relative movement between the safety bar and the reciprocator. The proximity sensor is coupled to a control system. If the safety bar contacts an object as the reciprocator is moving down, the sensor signals the control system and the reciprocator is stopped.

Abstract: A die casting machine 100 to fill by injecting molten metal into a die cavity 24 includes a variable displacement pump 16 driven by a servo motor 17 for discharging hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid tank 40, an injection cylinder 11 with a slidable piston 12 assembled therein, hydraulic fluid pipes a and c for supplying hydraulic fluid discharged by the variable displacement pump 16 to the injection cylinder 11, hydraulic fluid pipes d, e1, g and a logic valve 14 connected to hydraulic fluid pipe c for supplying hydraulic fluid ejected from the injection cylinder 11 to hydraulic fluid pipe c with the piston 12 slid by the hydraulic fluid supplied to the injection cylinder 11.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a melt furnace and a metal supply system located in the melt furnace. The metal supply system includes a pump. The injection molding apparatus also includes a first metal inlet from the melt furnace to the metal supply system and a vertical injection mechanism adapted to inject liquid metal into a die system. The injection molding apparatus also includes a second metal inlet from the metal supply system to the vertical injection mechanism.

Abstract: A movable die is fastened to a stationary die, a relationship between a contact force of an injection nozzle to an injection hole of the stationary die and a closeness is investigated, the injection nozzle is brought into press contact with the injection hole of the stationary die by a contact force achieving a predetermined closeness, and a lubricant is coated by a predetermined pressure. At this occasion, one end portion of a cavity is opened or air is exhausted from the end portion as necessary. The lubricant is coated as mist by being mixed with a compressed gas. Further, the lubricant is coated by maintaining constant a pressure difference between a pressure applied to the lubricant and an inner pressure of the cavity and a pressure difference between a pressure of the compressed gas and the inner pressure of the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a shaped part has a shot sleeve. A melt can be fed into the shot sleeve. The melt can be forced into a die by means of an injection plunger. The apparatus is provided with a drive unit for actuating the plunger rod. Moreover, the apparatus has an oscillation generator, by means of which the plunger rod can be set in longitudinal oscillations. The plunger rod is moveably connected to the drive unit.

Abstract: A cast aluminum base frame of a movable guide for a timing chain in an internal combustion engine is produced by a die in which the parting lines are located so that the shoe-engaging surface of the base frame and the pivot shaft-receiving hole are each formed by a continuous surface of the die, without oppositely pitched drafts.

Abstract: A molten material supply unit includes a heating cylinder. The heating cylinder may receive and heat the material in a substantially vacuum condition. A molding apparatus may include a pressurizing and charging unit in addition to the molten material supply unit. The pressurizing and charging unit is adapted to receive the melted material from the molten material supply unit and to charge the melted material into a die under pressure.

Abstract: An engine block die-casting apparatus of the present invention includes a stationary element, an ejector holder block adapted to be operatively movable to and from the stationary element, and an ejector box. The apparatus also includes a pair of side slide cores and at least one bank core slide assembly that is slidably mounted and mechanically actuated within the ejector holder block. The stationary element, the ejector holder block, the pair of side slide cores, and the bank core slide assembly are adapted to be moved proximate each other so as to create a closed die-cast cavity and to be drawn apart from one another to allow extraction of the cast engine block.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing molten material into a desired shape comprises a die or mold forming a cavity to receive molten material and to allow its solidification within the cavity. A source of vacuum is connectable to the cavity for sucking air out. A hollow after-pressure cylinder is in communication with the cavity so as to receive a portion of the material. The after-pressure cylinder has a first end for connection to the cavity, and a second, opposite end. In the region of the second end is a connection opening for connecting the vacuum source. An after-pressure piston is moveable in the after-pressure cylinder to press its portion of material into the cavity to compensate for any shrinkage of the material in the cavity. There is a drive for moving the after-pressure piston in its after-pressure cylinder into three different positions, i.e.

Abstract: Deoxidation casting machine, in which a deoxidizing compound reacts with a molten metal so as to deoxidize an oxide film formed on a surface of the molten metal. The machine includes a casting die having a molten metal inlet, a cavity into which a molten metal is poured from the molten metal inlet and a feeder head provided between the molten metal inlet and the cavity. A rate of cooling the molten metal in the feeder head is lower than that in the cavity.

Abstract: Made up of a step of preparing a map expressing a correlation between solid phase percentage and viscosity of a slurry-form semi-solid metal (27) for a given metal composition; a step of setting a target viscosity corresponding to a target solid phase percentage using this map; a viscosity measuring step of measuring the viscosity of a semi-solid metal in a vessel (13) while cooling it; and a step of carrying out cooling until this viscosity reaches the target viscosity, by these steps being carried out in from the preparation of the map expressing the correlation between solid phase percentage and viscosity of the semi-solid metal to the end of cooling of the semi-solid metal the solid phase percentage of the semi-solid metal is made to match the target solid phase percentage.

Abstract: A shot tube for the introduction of molten metal into a die cavity has a casing with a first end, a second end and a bore extending through the casing. The first end is adapted to be connected to the die cavity and a sleeve protrudes from the second end of the casing. The sleeve has a pour opening for the introduction of molten metal. A hard lubricious coating may also be applied to the interior surface of the shot tube to reduce sticking of cooled metal within the shot tube. A method for producing the shot tube described above is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhanced gravity casting wherein a portion of the mold is maintained in pressure contact with molten metal as it solidifies to allow the mold surface to follow the contraction of the solidifying metal. A further feature of the invention is the use of an air clearance between mold parts that is sufficient to allow air to escape but insufficient to allow molten metal to flow therepast.

Abstract: A diecast machine comprises: a sleeve extending in the vertical direction; a plunger moving upward in the vertical direction inside the sleeve; a mold disposed above an upper side of the sleeve; a case member constituted of a nonconductive member, which covers at least a lower end of the sleeve and forms a closed space including the lower end of the sleeve; a communicating pipe connecting the inside of the closed space to the outside of the closed space; and high-frequency induction coil configured to heat metal material disposed on the plunger from the outside of the case member and melt the metal material.

Abstract: A multi metal base thermal resistance alloy and a mold with the multi metal base thermal resistance alloy layer are provided. The weight percent of each element in this alloy is less than 45%. The structure of the alloy is an amorphous structure and the phonon thermal conductivity of the amorphous structure is intrinsically low. Therefore, the alloy is a metal material with low thermal conductivity coefficient and high thermal stability, which can increase the heat retaining property of the die casting mold, enhance the forming yield and stability of a metal sheet with a low fusion point, and is suitable to be used as a thermal-resistance coating material on die casting molds.

Abstract: In a motor drive injection unit and a motor drive injection method, which can obtain an injection speed suitable for a molding material having fast solidifying speed as well as can securely carry out pressure keeping for a predetermined period of time while making a position of an injection piston unmovable after injection and filling are completed, a molding material in a cylinder is injected into a metal mold by converting a rotational motion of an electric servo motor into a reciprocating motion of an injection piston in the cylinder through a plunger with a ball screw, a surge pressure control means is provided for placing the injection piston in the cylinder in an unmovable state when at least a predetermined amount of a load is applied to the injection piston by the molding material in the cylinder, the surge pressure control means includes a combination of rotation control means of the electric servo motor and an upward movement suppression mechanism of the injection piston, and further, an injection s

Abstract: A method of forming a material includes the steps of: vibrating a molten material at an ultrasonic frequency while cooling the material to a semi-solid state to form non-dendritic grains therein; forming the semi-solid material into a desired shape; and cooling the material to a solid state. The method makes semi-solid castings directly from molten materials (usually a metal), produces grain size usually in the range of smaller than 50 ?m, and can be easily retrofitted into existing conventional forming machine.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a die casting apparatus and method evidencing increased apparatus output including the ability of using multiple die tools. The invention includes an indexing assembly removably engaged with at least one die block assembly for transporting between four stations, including an injection station, a cooling station, an ejection station, and a recovery station. The injection station includes a frame, a clamp assembly attached to the frame for clamping and releasing the die block assembly, a shot sleeve assembly engaged with the die block assembly for receiving molten material, such as metal, from a furnace means and injecting the molten material into the die block assembly, and a shot cylinder releasably coupled with the shot sleeve assembly for controlling the injection of molten material.

Abstract: A lubricant oil feeder 2 of a due casting machine 1 is made up of a lubricant oil feed passage 19 for feeding a lubricant oil into a clearance between the inner peripheral surface of a sleeve 7 and the outer peripheral surface of an injection piston 9, a lubricant oil feed valve 20 for opening or closing the lubricant oil feed passage, an air feed passage 16 for feeding air into a clearance between the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve and the outer peripheral surface of the injection piston, and an air feed valve 18 for opening and closing the air feed passage, and the arrangement is such that the lubricant oil feed valve is initially opened to feed the lubricant oil into the clearance between the sleeve and the injection piston and the air feed valve is then opened to pump the lubricant oil by the air. It is possible to spread the lubricant oil extensively and quickly, and accordingly, the useful life of the sleeve and the injection piston can be improved with a reduced quantity of lubricant oil.

Abstract: A die casting machine capable of reducing the pressure in a die cavity to a lower level such as a substantially perfect vacuum, having a movable die and a fixed die, a vacuum pump for reducing pressure in a cavity formed between the dies, and an injection apparatus for injecting and filling molten metal into the cavity with reduced pressure, at least one of the dies having an evacuation path connected with the vacuum pump and communicated with the cavity, a valve element for opening and shutting the evacuation path, and an electromagnetic driving means for making the valve element move linearly in the opening and shutting direction by electromagnetic force.

Abstract: A method for sizing an overflow chamber (46) in a mold (32) for the die casting of metals is disclosed. The method includes the steps of simulating a pressure of molten metal (30) in a main cavity (42) of the mold (32) and calculating the volume of the overflow chamber (46) from parameters yielded by the pressure simulation. A mold (32) defining overflow chambers (46) is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a metal molding machine provided having a tilt to a clamping device with an injection unit which is constituted by a liquid metallic material reservoir in which a cylinder having a nozzle portion at the tip portion equipped with a heating device at the outer periphery and an injection plunger having advance or retreat freely in the inside, and the injection cylinder at the rear portion, the metallic material feeding to the above liquid metallic material reservoir is performed in liquid by melt to the temperature of above the liquidus temperature in a melting cylinder standing the liquid metallic material reservoir to liquid metallic material surface from a feeding pipe having a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the cylinder. The melting and feeding of metallic material is performed at an atmosphere of an inert gas such as argon.

Abstract: In a method for making a cast product by squeeze casting using an AZ91D alloy, the AZ91D alloy is heated to a liquid state, a shot sleeve is filled with the liquid AZ91D alloy, and a seal is formed between the shot sleeve and a die. In addition, the liquid alloy is injected into the die with an injection unit at a pressure of greater than about 69 Mega Pascal (Mpa) and a gate velocity of less than about 500 millimeters per second (mm/sec) and the AZ91D alloy is solidified in the die to generate the cast product.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention is an injection molding apparatus of a type adapted to cool a molten metal under shearing by an extrusion screw in a substantially vertical chamber into a semi-solidified slurry and then inject the semi-solidified slurry discharged from a discharge port at the lower end of a channel into molding plates, in which a clamping device is adapted to open or close a movable plate relative to a stationary plate in the horizontal direction, and a connection member having, at the inside, a vertical first channel and a second channel extending in the horizontal direction from the lower end of the first channel and in communication with the stationary plate is connected to the discharge port at the lower end of the chamber. Since this can inject and mold light metal molding products of high quality with less pore or shrinkage without excessively enlarging the size for the height of the apparatus, casting products of high quality can be obtained at a reduced cost by injection molding.

Abstract: A casting member comprising hot-die steel or high-speed steel as base material and having coating layers at least on its working plane, wherein the outermost layer among the coating layers consists essentially of at least one nitride, oxinitride or carnonitride composed mainly of V, and another coating layer comprising at least one nitride, oxinitride or carnonitride composed mainly of Cr is formed as a layer just above the base material. If necessary, an intermediate layer comprising at least one nitride, oxinitride or carnonitride composed mainly of V and Cr may be formed as a coating layer on the boundary surface between the outermost layer and the layer just above the base material. The thickness of the outermost layer is preferably 0.5 to 5.0 ?m, the thickness of the layer just above the base material is preferably 0.5 to 3.0 ?m, and the thickness of the intermediate layer is preferably 1.0 ?m or less.