Abstract: A process is provided for forming an airfoil for a gas turbine engine involving: forming a casting of a gas turbine engine airfoil having a main wall and an interior cavity, the main wall having a wall thickness extending from an external surface of the outer wall to the interior cavity, an outer section of the main wall extending from a location between a base and a tip of the airfoil casting to the tip having a wall thickness greater than a final thickness. The process may further involve effecting movement, using a computer system, of a material removal apparatus and the casting relative to one another such that a layer of material is removed from the casting at one or more radial portions along the main wall of the casting.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cast product having a photographic relief image thereon is disclosed. The method includes steps of capturing a photographic image as a digital grayscale image, converting the digital grayscale image to a series of instructions for operating a laser engraving machine; laser engraving a pattern material to provide a pattern having a photographic relief image therein corresponding to the digital grayscale image and having a relief depth of about 0.030 inch to about 0.080 inch, wherein the relief depth refers to the maximum relief distance within the photographic relief image, and wherein the photographic relief image exhibits a true resolution corresponding to at least about 80 dpi; creating a mold cavity in sand using the laser engraved substrate; and casting a metallic material in the mold cavity to provide a cast product having the photographic relief image therein.

Abstract: A casting method and apparatus are provided for casting a near-net shape article, such as for example a gas turbine engine blade or vane having a variable cross-section along its length. A molten metallic melt is provided in a heated mold having an article-shaped mold cavity with a shape corresponding to that of the article to be cast. The melt-containing mold and mold heating furnace are relatively moved to withdraw the melt-containing mold from the furnace through an active cooling zone where cooling gas is directed against the exterior of the mold to actively extract heat. At least one of the mold withdrawal rate, the cooling gas mass flow rate, and mold temperature are adjusted at the active cooling zone as the melt-containing mold is withdrawn through the active cooling zone to produce an equiaxed grain microstructure along at least a part of the length of the article.

Abstract: A method of drying casted slurries that includes calculating drying conditions from an experimental model for a cast slurry and forming a cast film. An infrared heating probe is positioned on one side of the casted slurry and a thermal probe is positioned on an opposing side of the casted slurry. The infrared heating probe may control the temperature of the casted slurry during drying. The casted slurry may be observed with an optical microscope, while applying the drying conditions from the experimental model. Observing the casted slurry includes detecting the incidence of micro-structural changes in the casted slurry during drying to determine if the drying conditions from the experimental model are optimal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a titanium-containing article casting mold composition comprising calcium aluminate and an X-ray or Neutron-ray detectable element. Furthermore, present embodiments teach a method for detecting sub-surface ceramic inclusions in a titanium or titanium alloy casting by combining calcium aluminate, an element more radiographically dense than the calcium aluminate, and a liquid to form a slurry; forming a mold having the calcium aluminate and the radiographically dense element from the slurry; introducing a titanium aluminide-containing metal to the radiographically dense element-bearing mold; solidifying said titanium aluminide-containing metal to form an article in the mold; removing the solidified titanium aluminide-containing metal article from said mold; subjecting the solidified titanium aluminide-containing article to radiographic inspection to provide a radiograph; and examining said radiograph for the presence of the radiographically dense element on or in the article.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing a simulated casting of a light weight alloy component. The simulation includes passing component design data through various computational modules relating to casting designs, process modeling and optimization, material microstructure and defects and product performance. Variations in microstructure and defects across various very small size scales are extended to increasingly larger scales to permit structural performance calculations of the cast component to take such non-uniformities into consideration. At least some of the modules employ an expert system-based approach to achieve the optimized results. The results can be compared to end user needs to determine if redesign of the part geometry or manufacturing process is needed.

Abstract: In a vacuum-die casting machine comprising a casting mold having stationary and movable mold halves defining therebetween a mold cavity, a casting chamber which is in communication with the mold cavity and includes a piston and an evacuation arrangement connectable to the casting chamber for drawing melt from a melt storage into the casting chamber, a control arrangement is provided for controlling the mold cavity pressure depending on the pressure difference between the mold cavity and a cavity pressure and a counter pressure of the metal melt.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method, comprising: forming a part comprising a bulk amorphous alloy, wherein the part comprises a sampling portion; determining a parameter related to the part by detecting by imaging on a surface of the sampling portion presence of crystals of the alloy; and evaluating the part based on the parameter.

Abstract: A rapid manufacturing method includes forming tooling in a rapid manufacturing process. The tooling is coated with a conductive material.

Abstract: A method of serializing a cast part includes providing a mold for a metal casting, with the mold including an inner face partially defining a part cavity; laser engraving a representation of the two-dimensional data matrix into the inner face of the mold; and forming a serialized part by pouring molten metal into the part cavity of the mold, where the molten metal fills the part cavity including the engraved representation of the two-dimensional data matrix. The two-dimensional data matrix being generated by an electronic controller and includes error correcting information and part identifying information.

Abstract: In a process for producing die-cast parts made of an aluminum alloy, the aluminum alloy is exposed to high shearing forces in a mixing and kneading machine, is removed as partially solid aluminum alloy with a predefined solids content, is transferred into a filling chamber of a die-casting machine and is introduced into a casting mold using a piston, wherein a solids content of the aluminum alloy in a working space of the mixing and kneading machine is set to a predefined solids content by cooling and heating the working space in a targeted manner.

Abstract: In a method for thermally controlling a mold, initial measurements of flow versus pressure or pumping speed for a thermal exchange liquid are used to select an achievable flow within a maximum pressure. Subsequently, the system's identity and integrity are verified by repeating at least one measurement before and/or during a process run. An energy exchange rate can be adjusted to a moving average over preceding cycles. Thermal equilibrium can be detected by sensing changes in temperature to or from the process, or in energy exchange rates, from cycle to cycle. An energy exchange rate set point can be set to an initial value during startup, and then reset to an equilibrium value. Energy efficient operating conditions can be determined by comparing circulator energy consumption with thermal energy exchange rates over a range of flow rates and/or temperatures to the process. Cooling flow pulse timing can be graphically adjusted.

Abstract: A cleaning system and method for cleaning die cast metal waste from an interior of a die cast machine riser tube is provided whereby the cleaning system includes a riser tube stand, a heating means, a cleaning tool and leak test materials. The method includes heating the riser tube to a predetermined temperature to melt away the waste and cleaning the remaining residue with the cleaning tool.

Abstract: A novel material used for a bearing ring and a production process thereof is directed to a bimetallic composite pipe and a production process thereof. The aim of the disclosure is to provide a novel material used for a bearing ring and a production process thereof, in which high hardness, high wear resistance and high toughness, high impact toughness are interacted. The novel material used for a bearing ring according to the invention is composed of an annual clad layer and a base layer. The clad layer and the base layer is metallurgy bonded together in radial direction of a ring. The clad layer is made of bearing steel material, and the base layer is made of the material selected from bearing steel, straight carbon steel, high strength low/medium alloy steel or stainless steel.

Abstract: Methods for producing pigs made of a metal alloy, wherein initially a melt is formed in which a basic material and one or several alloy components are present in the liquid state, from which the pigs are formed. In the course of cooling, energy in the form of a variable field, which increases the formation of mixed crystals, is briefly introduced into the melt prior to the formation of the pigs. A pig thereby produced is a cast piece formed from a basic material and one or several alloy components and has been formed from a melt into which energy had been briefly introduced by a variable physical field in order to increase mixed crystal formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for cast-product production line includes a kneader for kneading casting sand for making mold; a mold maker for making a sand casting mold from the casting sand for making mold, the sand casting mold being provided with a molding cavity for forming a singular cast product or plural products; a molten-metal pourer for pouring molten metal into said molding cavity of the sand casting mold; and a mold disassembler for disassembling the sand casting mold having undergone molten-metal pouring. Upon disassembling the sand casting mold by the mold disassembler, the sand casting mold is disassembled in such a state that the cast product is supported by means of a cast-product supporter element.

Abstract: A die casting process using pattern recognition techniques to identify those die castings manufactured under conditions likely to produce a die casting which would subsequently prove unacceptable for use. By promptly identifying such die castings, they may be discarded before being shipped to a remote facility for further processing. As a result, the rejection rate of die castings at the remote facility may be reduced and the raw materials used to form the discarded die castings may be more readily recycled.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a turbine stator component includes a first endwall; a second endwall; a first stator airfoil coupled between the first and second endwalls; and a second stator airfoil adjacent to the first airfoil and coupled between the first and second endwalls. The first stator airfoil has first crystallographic primary and secondary orientations. The second stator airfoil has second crystallographic primary and secondary orientations, the first crystallographic primary and secondary orientations being different from the second crystallographic primary and secondary orientations.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to mold compositions and methods of molding and the articles so molded. More specifically, the disclosure relates to mold compositions and methods for casting titanium-containing articles, and the titanium-containing articles so molded.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a titanium-containing article casting mold composition comprising calcium aluminate and an X-ray or Neutron-ray detectable element. Furthermore, present embodiments teach a method for detecting sub-surface ceramic inclusions in a titanium or titanium alloy casting by combining calcium aluminate, an element more radiographically dense than the calcium aluminate, and a liquid to form a slurry; forming a mold having the calcium aluminate and the radiographically dense element from the slurry; introducing a titanium aluminide-containing metal to the radiographically dense element-bearing mold; solidifying said titanium aluminide-containing metal to form an article in the mold; removing the solidified titanium aluminide-containing metal article from said mold; subjecting the solidified titanium aluminide-containing article to radiographic inspection to provide a radiograph; and examining said radiograph for the presence of the radiographically dense element on or in the article.

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: Systems for predicting casting defects and microstructure in suppliers/vendors' castings for part/system durability analysis without knowing the details of the casting layout and casting gating and riser design as well as casting process parameters are provided. The systems involve the use of an integrated pore growth and interdendritic flow model. Methods of predicting casting defects and microstructures of a part without knowing the details of the casting layout and casting gating and riser design as well as casting process parameters and articles of manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a half-cradle for use in a vehicle frame, comprising a cast end member formed from a first material and first and second tubular cross-member stubs extending from the cast end member. The first and second tubular cross-member stubs are made from a second material. Each of the stubs has an end buried in the cast end member, wherein the buried end is uncapped. Each of the tubular cross-member stubs has an interior that is configured to sealingly receive a core for use in preventing the filling of the stub with molten first material during casting of the cast end member.

Abstract: A method for forming an object, including providing at least a first material having a melting point at a first temperature and a second material having a melting point at a second temperature; heating at least a portion of the first and second materials above the first and second temperatures to form a substantially molten alloy, the molten alloy having a solidifying point at a third temperature, the third temperature being less than the first temperature and the second temperature; and providing substantially solid further material to at least a portion of the molten alloy, the further material having a melting point at a temperature greater than the third temperature.

Abstract: A hot gas path component is provided and includes a body having a surface and being formed to define a cavity, the cavity employing coolant flow through a pin-fin bank with coolant discharge through film-cooling holes defined on the surface, the pin-fin bank including first and second pluralities of pin-fins, the first plurality of pin-fins and the second plurality of pin-fins each being aligned with a determined flow streamline, and any two pin-fins of the first and second pluralities of pin-fins being separated from one another by a gap as a function of a film-cooling hole dimension.

Abstract: A casting method to produce a casting and a press used for the casting method, using a mold which forms a cavity in a shape of a casting, so as to produce a casting by overlapping a lower mold with an upper mold, which molds are molded by a molding method, the casting method comprises the steps of: pouring into the lower mold a quantity of molten metal required to produce a casting; lowering the upper mold at a predetermined first speed until the upper mold reaches a predetermined position just before the upper mold starts contacting a surface of the molten metal; lowering the upper mold at a predetermined second speed after the upper mold is further lowered beyond the predetermined position; detecting and obtaining information on the status of the upper mold which overlaps the lower mold; and stopping the lowering of the upper mold when detecting the information on the status of the upper mold that shows that the predetermined conditions are met.

Abstract: A low-carbon steel slab producing method includes: adding Ti to a molten steel decarbonized to have a carbon concentration of 0.05 mass % or less, and subsequently adding at least one of La and Ce to adjust a constitution, and producing a smelted molten steel; and pouring the smelted molten steel into a casting mold via a tundish; wherein at least one of La and Ce in a total amount of 0.2 to 1.2 times an increased amount of oxygen in the smelted molten steel during contained in the tundish is added to the smelted molten steel in the tundish, so as to obtain a steel slab having inclusions which contain oxides of Ti and at least one of La and Ce as chief components, and so as to make a composition of each of the inclusions have a mass ratio of 0.1 to 0.7, in terms of (La2O3+Ce2O3)÷TiOn (n=1˜2).

Abstract: An integrated management system for molten aluminum includes a melting process management system, which melts aluminum raw material, taps molten aluminum, and extracts information related to the molten aluminum; a recording medium attached to a high-heat-retention ladle, which is for carrying the molten aluminum, wherein the extracted information is recorded into the recording medium; a portable terminal, which reads the information from the recording medium; and a casting process management system, which manages delivery confirmation and inspection by receiving the information from the transported high-heat-retention ladle via the portable terminal and performs a casting process based on the information. The integrated management system and method ensures improved and efficient process management based on correct molten aluminum information, thereby reducing management costs and time.

Abstract: In the sand core 10, the tar reducing agent is included in at least the second coating layer 13, which is the outermost layer, of the coating layers 12 and 13. Thus, the tar, which may be generated from the core body 11 and the coating layers 12 and 13 which are positioned thereinside, can be decomposed into low molecular gases (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water, and the like) by heat of the molten metal. As a result, generation of the tar from the sand core 10 to the outside can be prevented. In this case, since the layer which includes the tar reducing agent is the second coating layer 13 which directly contacts the molten metal, the second coating layer 13 can directly receive the heat of the molten metal, and the tar generation prevention effects can be thereby remarkably obtained. Therefore, generation of defects in cast products which may be caused by clogging in the gas drain can be prevented, and structures of the gas drain of the die and the surroundings thereof can be simplified.

Abstract: Methods of removing material from a defective opening in a glass mold using a laser pulse, repairing a glass mold and a related glass mold for injection molded solder (IMS) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a glass mold including a plurality of solder filled openings; identifying a defective opening in the glass mold; removing material from the defective opening by applying a laser pulse to the defective opening; and repairing the defective opening by filling the defective opening with an amount of solder by: removing a redundant, non-defective solder portion from an opening in the glass mold by applying a laser pulse to the opening, and placing the redundant, non-defective solder portion in the defective opening.

Abstract: The present invention is a banjo tone ring with vertical sides (30) as opposed to the angled design of conventional banjo tone rings (120). The ring (30) of the present invention has specific height (h) to width (w) or thickness ratios and is within specific weight ranges for improved performance It vibrates much freer and thus raises the quality of musical tones from the banjo (10) to much higher aesthetic levels. Other embodiments also modify the musical tones for different sounds. Several novel embodiments of manufacturing methods are also described.

Abstract: A shot tube plunger of a die casting system includes a tip portion and a thermal control scheme at least partially disposed within the shot tube plunger. The thermal control scheme includes a fluid passageway having at least one coiled portion that receives a fluid to adjust a temperature of the shot tube plunger.

Abstract: A die casting process using pattern recognition techniques to identify those die castings manufactured under conditions likely to produce a die casting which would subsequently prove unacceptable for use. By promptly identifying such die castings, they may be discarded before being shipped to a remote facility for further processing. As a result, the rejection rate of die castings at the remote facility may be reduced and the raw materials used to form the discarded die castings may be more readily recycled.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for processing molding sand. In order to provide a method with a simple regulating system to control the compressibility of a reclaimed molding sand, the invention proposes that the molding sand be divided into several charges and the processing parameters, such as the quantity of water, the quantity of new sand and/or the quantity of clay to be added, is corrected on the basis of the difference following processing between the actual compressibility and the reference compressibility of the molding sand, measured for the preceding charge.

Abstract: A method for building a three-dimensional object in a layer-by-layer manner, the method comprising heating a build chamber of a digital manufacturing system, feeding a solid feedstock of a modeling material comprising an amorphous metallic alloy to a liquefier assembly of the digital manufacturing system, heating the modeling material of the solid feedstock in the liquefier assembly to an extrudable state, and depositing the heated modeling material within the heated build chamber in a predetermined pattern to form the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a method of measuring the separation of moving confronting casting surfaces within a casting cavity of a casting apparatus. The method involves attaching at least one separation sensing device to a first one of a pair of confronting casting surfaces outside the casting cavity and then moving the casting surfaces to advance the sensing device(s) through the casting cavity while operating the device(s) to generate signals. The signals are monitored continuously or at regular intervals and converted to distance measurements representing separation of the surfaces at a plurality of positions through the casting cavity. Other exemplary embodiments provide apparatus for carrying out the method, and methods of measuring irregularities of casting belts or the like.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a method of eliminating a shrinkage cavity in a metal ingot cast by direct chill casting. The method involves casting an upright ingot having an upper surface at an intended height. Upon completion of the casting, the lower tip of the spout is maintained below the molten metal near the center of the upper surface. The metal flow through the spout is terminated and a partial shrinkage cavity is allowed to form as metal of the ingot shrinks and contracts. Before the partial cavity exposes the lower tip of the spout, the cavity is preferably over-filled with molten metal, while avoiding spillage of molten metal, and then the flow of metal through the spout is terminated. These steps are repeated until no further contraction of the metal causes any part of the upper surface to contract below the intended ingot height.

Abstract: A method of controlling composition of a molten copper or a molten copper alloy during continuous cast, comprising the steps of determining continuously specific resistance of the molten copper or the molten copper alloy; calculating the composition of the molten copper or the molten copper alloy based on relationships between specific resistance of the molten copper or the molten copper alloy and each constituent which are preliminarily comprehended; and controlling the composition of the molten copper or the molten copper alloy based on the calculated composition. It is possible to consider temperature or content of dissolved oxygen to calculate the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for remelting metal in an electric furnace, wherein material electrodes are melted on by forming a slag bath, and the melted-on metal of the material electrodes solidifies in block form in a crucible apparatus (10) as a result of cooling in such a way that a block growth forms from a block base by means of a progressing solidification process, wherein the block base is heated to influence the cooling process, wherein the block base is heated by applying energy directly to the block base.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mold, including steps of (a) expanding a powder mixture containing a water-soluble inorganic salt powder and a water-soluble organic polymer powder in a plane on a table and then selectively spraying a spray liquid containing at least one selected from a water-miscible organic solvent and water through a nozzle on this powder mixture layer to make a bonding strength among particles of the powder mixture in a sprayed region higher than that among particles of the powder mixture in an unsprayed region, (b) further expanding the powder mixture on the powder mixture layer after spraying and then selectively spraying the spray liquid through the nozzle on this powder mixture layer, (c) repeatedly conducting the step (b) over several times to form a mold shaped by the sprayed regions, and (d) taking out the mold.

Abstract: A method for forming an object, including providing at least a first material having a melting point at a first temperature and a second material having a melting point at a second temperature; heating at least a portion of the first and second materials above the first and second temperatures to form a substantially molten alloy, the molten alloy having a solidifying point at a third temperature, the third temperature being less than the first temperature and the second temperature; and providing substantially solid further material to at least a portion of the molten alloy, the further material having a melting point at a temperature greater than the third temperature.

Abstract: Solder mold plates and methods of manufacturing the solder mold plates are provided herein. The solder mold plates are used in controlled collapse chip connection processes. The solder mold plate includes a plurality of cavities. At least one cavity of the plurality of cavities has a different volume than another of the cavities in a particular chip set site. The method of manufacturing the solder mold plate includes determining susceptible white bump locations on a chip set. The method further includes forming lower volume cavities on the solder mold plate which coincide with the susceptible white bump locations, and forming higher volume cavities on the solder mold plate which coincide with less susceptible white bump locations.

Abstract: A process for producing a copper alloy material from a copper alloy of a precipitation reinforced type, which contains a process to perform individually a dissolution of a pure copper and a dissolution of an additional element or a mother alloy containing the same, comprises the steps of: melting an element and/or a mother alloy at a same time, that is selected from a Ni, a Co, an Si, a Ni—Cu mother alloy, a Co—Cu mother alloy, an Si—Cu mother alloy, a Ni—Si—Cu mother alloy, and a Co—Si—Cu mother alloy with combining therebetween, and melting thereof with an assistance of a generation of a heat of mixing, in a case of forming a high density melt containing at least either one of the Ni or the Co, and the Si, as high density thereof; forming the high density melt as a content of the Ni to be 80 mass % at maximum; and forming an alloy molten metal having a predetermined component and concentration, by adding the melt into a pure copper molten metal to be supplied from another melting furnace.

Abstract: A process for optimizing a core die is provided. By iteratively modifying the ceramic core without changing the core die, it is possible to ascertain an optimum core without modifying the core die every time. In a last step, an optimum core die is produced using the optimum ceramic core.

Abstract: A die casting process using pattern recognition techniques to identify those die castings manufactured under conditions likely to produce a die casting which would subsequently prove unacceptable for use. By promptly identifying such die castings, they may be discarded before being shipped to a remote facility for further processing. As a result, the rejection rate of die castings at the remote facility may be reduced and the raw materials used to form the discarded die castings may be more readily recycled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of predicting surface quality of a thin slab hot rolled coil. The method includes calculating the Cu equivalent (Cu eq.) of molten steel, applying the calculated Cu equivalent of the molten steel into an equation: 120×(Cu equivalent)2?6×(Cu equivalent) to calculate a surface crack index, and predicting the generation of surface defect of the thin slab hot rolled coil by the surface crack index. A method of producing the thin slab hot rolled coil using the same is also provided. The surface crack defect of the thin slab hot rolled coil can be predicted by calculating the Cu equivalent of the molten steel, and thus a thin slab which meets the quality standard demanded by a consumer can be provided, and this results in increased productivity and product reliability.

Abstract: A sheet of a material is disposed in a melt of the material. The sheet is formed using a cooling plate in one instance. An exciting coil and sensing coil are positioned downstream of the cooling plate. The exciting coil and sensing coil use eddy currents to determine a thickness of the solid sheet on top of the melt.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an aluminum alloy including aluminum as a basic component, silicon, copper, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, nickel and the like in a predetermined composition ratio, and a method of manufacturing of a vehicle cylinder liner having excellent wear resistance and heat resistance using the aluminum alloy. The method of manufacturing a vehicle cylinder liner includes the steps of: adding 50˜500 ppm of phosphorus (P) to the aluminum alloy while maintaining a temperature of the aluminum alloy at 700˜800° C. in a holding furnace, stabilizing the molten aluminum alloy including the phosphorus (P) for 30˜60 minutes to reform the molten aluminum alloy, and then continuous-casting the reformed molten aluminum alloy to form a round bar; hot-forging the round bar to forming a cylindrical liner; and machining an internal surface of the cylinder liner, with which a reciprocating piston comes into contact, to allow silicon particles to protrude.

Abstract: A rolling mill for producing rolled rolling stock is operated in a continuous manner by integrally forming the rolling stock during scheduled operation from a supply device which supplies the stock to the rolling mill to one finishing rolling train arranged downstream of the rolling stock supply device by guiding the stock into the finishing rolling train continuously and rolling it to form a first outflow product. The operation is monitored for a deviation from the scheduled operation that influences the rolling process, wherein in case of a deviation measures are taken to examine whether a second outflow product, which is different from the first outflow product, can still be produced. If the second outflow product cannot be produced, the operation of the rolling mill is altered from a continuous operation to a discontinuous operation, whereby production failures caused by undesired process deviations in a rolling mill can be reduced.

Abstract: The teachings provide a fill tube assembly for a casting mold and methods of using the assembly. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular member has a substantially, uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leakproof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations.