Abstract: Methods for forming a unitized crucible assembly for holding a melt of silicon for forming a silicon ingot are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods involve a porous crucible mold having a channel network with a bottom channel, an outer sidewall channel that extends from the bottom channel, and a central weir channel that extends from the bottom channel. A slip slurry may be added to the channel network and the liquid carrier of the slip slurry may be drawn into the mold. The resulting green body may be sintered to form the crucible assembly.

Abstract: Methods for forming a unitized crucible assembly for holding a melt of silicon for forming a silicon ingot are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods involve a porous crucible mold having a channel network with a bottom channel, an outer sidewall channel that extends from the bottom channel, and a central weir channel that extends from the bottom channel. A slip slurry may be added to the channel network and the liquid carrier of the slip slurry may be drawn into the mold. The resulting green body may be sintered to form the crucible assembly.

Abstract: A method includes disposing fibrous material with a first mandrel, a second mandrel and a first mold section, the first mandrel including a first base, the second mandrel including a second base, and the first mold section including a support surface; arranging the first base on the support surface; arranging the second base on the support surface adjacent a first side of the first base, the arranging including moving the second base along a first trajectory that is substantially coincident with a corner between the first side of the first base and the support surface; arranging a second mold section with the first mold section to provide a mold, where the first mandrel and the second mandrel are between the first and the second mold sections; injecting resin into the mold to engage the fibrous material; and curing the resin to form a composite component.

Abstract: An automated matchplate molding machine includes a cope flask, a pattern plate and a drag flask for creating formed sand molds. The mold machine incorporates linear-motion slides and/or rodless cylinders to move the cope flask, drag flask, sand hopper, and/or other components of the mold machine.

Abstract: A flask for containing mold sand within it prevents any mold shifting or mold dropping. Each of an upper flask 2 and a lower flask 3 includes a body that defines an opening in which a sand mold is to be molded. The body has at least one inlet 101 for introducing the mold sand into the opening. Two flanges 102 are extended from the body such that they are opposed to each other across the opening. Each flange has a through bore. The flask also includes engaging members for engaging an actuator in the outside of the flask such that a force or forces from said actuator could be transmitted to the flask. An upper flask 104 and a lower flask 105 are opposed to each other across a pattern plate 107. They are integrally assembled to make a flask unit by means of a pair of connecting rods 106 that are fitted in each bore.

Abstract: An automated matchplate molding machine includes a cope flask, a pattern plate and a drag flask for creating formed sand molds. A lock is provided to lock the drag flask to the platen table of the molding machine during desired stages of an individual sand molding sequence. The lock between the drag flask and the platen table may include actuated pins which engage corresponding detent structures such as tapered holes integral with the drag flask and prevent lateral migration of the drag flask relative to the platen table. Additionally, cope flask actuators are provided which vertically support and are operable to raise the cope flask relative to the squeeze head to facilitate release the cope mold from the cope flask.

Abstract: An automated matchplate molding machine includes a cope flask, a pattern plate and a drag flask for creating formed sand molds. A lock is provided to lock the drag flask to the platen table of the molding machine during desired stages of an individual sand molding sequence. The lock between the drag flask and the platen table may include actuated pins which engage corresponding detent structures such as tapered holes integral with the drag flask and prevent lateral migration of the drag flask relative to the platen table. Additionally, cope flask actuators are provided which vertically support and are operable to raise the cope flask relative to the squeeze head to facilitate release the cope mold from the cope flask.

Abstract: A register system is provided for making molds for metal casting which reduces flaws attributable to parting line shift. This is accomplished by urging the cope mold flask (11) against two fixed stops (50, 52) on the long axis, and one fixed stop (54) on the short axis of the flask. This same register principle is applied in the drag mold making station 18, where the drag flask (15) is urged against two fixed stops (100, 102) on the long axis, and one fixed stop (90) on the short axis of the flask. At the closer station (24), where the mold halves are assembled, they are again urged against two fixed stops (134, 136) on the long axis, and one fixed stop (142) on the short axis of the flasks. Thus the flasks are properly aligned to the patterns at the mold making stations, and again properly aligned to each other at the closer station, so as to eliminate parting line shift problems of the mold halves.

Abstract: A die assembly includes relatively movable first and second dies, and a plurality of guide pin assemblies mounted on the first die and an equal plurality of aligning passageways formed in the second die for receiving the respective guide pin assemblies. Each of the guide pin assemblies includes a first section mounted within the first die, and a second aligning pin section connected to the first section. Each aligning pin section extends above the surface of the first die for entering one of the plurality of aligning passageways for aligning the first and second dies. Each aligning pin section is detachably connected to a first section and is detached after the first and second dies have been aligned and are ready to be used. In this manner, when the first and second dies are differentially heated during use, the problem of scoring or damaging the aligning pin sections is avoided.

Abstract: A vacuum control valving apparatus for a vacuum sealed molding apparatus. The control valving apparatus is located between a pair of mold members, one stacked upon the other, and a mating surface on a rail conveyor truck. The valving apparatus provides a controlled communication of a first vacuum source to an evacuation chamber on the mold members. The valving arrangement also effects a connection of the evacuation chambers on each of the mold members to a second vacuum source connection of the rail conveyor truck when the mold members are vertically stacked one on the other and in the appropriate location on the rail conveyor truck.