Abstract: The present invention provides an automated device for degassing and/or foaming of metals and their alloys and process thereof. Said automated device for degassing and/or foaming of molten metals and their alloys and a process facilitates in controlled degassing and/or foaming of molten metals and thereby increases tensile strength, impact strength, hardness, malleability, corrosion resistance, conductivity of metals and their alloys and further eliminates the use of harmful chemicals and injectable gases in degasification of metal and alloys. Present automated device mainly comprises of plurality of sonic generator 1, controller 2, first assembly 3, second assembly 4, third assembly 5, fourth assembly 6. Said process comprises of steps including; 1. Selecting the mode of operation and setting parameters; 2. Activating said assemblies and facilitating Formation of ultrasonic cavitation in metal and their alloys; 3. Degassing of the molten metal and their alloys due to formation of micro bubbles.

Abstract: A method of producing an object by sequentially printing layers of construction material one on top of the other, the method comprising: providing the construction material at a first lower temperature; flowing the construction material through a heated flow path in a flow structure to heat the construction material and delivering the heated construction material to a heated reservoir in a printing head; and dispensing the heated construction material from the reservoir to build the object layer by layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a built-up object by melting and solidifying a filler metal to form weld beads on a base surface along a track for a torch and form the built-up object formed by the weld beads is provided. The built-up object includes a bead formation portion where a gravitational influence is maximum. The method includes: forming a supporting bead having a higher viscosity during weld-bead formation than other weld beads in the bead formation portion; and forming the other weld beads overlying the supporting bead.

Abstract: An aircraft bypass turbojet engine lubrication unit includes from three to five superposed pumps, a body housing the pumps and an internal passage in the body for communicating with each of the pumps. The material of the body exhibits a stack of layers in a direction of stacking, the pumps being housed in the said stack of layers. The passage exhibits an end in the direction of stacking of the layers and an internal profile, for example triangular, with two straight lines which form the said end and which are inclined with respect to the stacked layers. The lubrication unit may be manufactured by additive manufacturing in layers.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for printing a 3D printed object (100), the 3D printed object (100) comprising a first type of printed material (1120) having electrically conductive properties and a second type of printed material (2120) having electrically insulating properties, wherein the method comprises: (I) providing printable material (110), wherein the printable material (110) has electrically insulating properties and wherein the printable material (110) is convertible by heat to a material (1110,1120) having electrically conductive properties; (II) printing with a 3D printer (500) said printable material (110) to generate printed material (120); and (III) subjecting to heat part of the printed material (120) after deposition; to provide said 3D printed object (100).

Abstract: A sleeve for insulated electrical cables is made by a generative manufacturing process whereby a stack of annular layers of a shapeless or shape-neutral material at a temperature below a melting point of insulation of the cables is formed on a base to build up thereon a tube. The cable bundle is passed through an opening in the base so that the series of layers built up on the base encloses the cable bundle as the tube. Finally, the tube formed by the stack of layers is cured and solidified layers around the electrical cables and is subsequently fixed to the cable bundle.

Abstract: A molten metal processing device including a molten metal containment structure for reception and transport of molten metal along a longitudinal length thereof. The device further includes a cooling unit for the containment structure including a cooling channel for passage of a liquid medium therein, and an ultrasonic probe disposed in relation to the cooling channel such that ultrasonic waves are coupled through the liquid medium in the cooling channel and through the molten metal containment structure into the molten metal.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of fabricating a three-dimensional (3D) object using a 3D printing system, wherein the 3D printing system controls one or more parameters of the 3D printing system to fabricate the 3D object, the method comprising: sensing a characteristic of a component of the 3D printing system, wherein the characteristic of the component of the 3D printing system changes over time; and based on sensing a change in the characteristic of the component of the 3D printing system, calibrating a first parameter of the one or more parameters used to fabricate the 3D object.

Abstract: A damper for a gas turbine engine is provided. The damper comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a surface. The second portion angularly extends from the first portion to define an interior corner therebetween. The surface bounds the first portion, the second portion, and the interior corner. The damper further comprises a grain composition containing columnar grains and equiaxed grains. The equiaxed grains are disposed adjacent to the surface such that a volume of the columnar grains is less than a volume of the equiaxed grains in the grain composition.

Abstract: A method for casting a reactive material PVD target, as well as targets thus obtained and a mold for casting. The method includes providing a mold defining an opening, placing a reactive material ingot in to a reservoir (140) proximate the mold, forming a vacuum and melting the reactive material in the reservoir, heating the mold to above a casting temperature and forming a vacuum therein, introducing molten reactive material from the reservoir into the opening and cooling the mold to form the PVD target.

Abstract: A method of producing steel with reduced internal stress concentrations is disclosed. In an embodiment, hot steel is shaped by a rolling mill. The resultant steel product is bundled as soon as practicable and the bundle is allowed to cool. Vibration energy is applied to the bundle of steel product so that internal stress concentrations within the steel product are relieved. In an embodiment, a plurality of bundles are stored on a rack and the rack is vibrated, the vibrations being transmitted to the plurality of bundles so that undesired internal stress concentrations within the steel products are relieved. Alternatively, magnetics may be used to relieve the undesired internal stress concentrations within the steel products. Thus, improved steel is produced as well as improved steel that can be produced more rapidly than known techniques.

Abstract: There are provided an aluminum alloy casting free from crack-causing needle-shaped crystallized substances and an apparatus and a method for producing a slide member excellent in mechanical properties such as abrasion resistance. A melt of an iron-containing aluminum alloy poured into a vessel in the completely liquid state is vibrated by a vibrating needle of a vibration applying unit, and then a core is inserted into the melt to cool the melt, whereby the aluminum alloy casting is produced as a sleeve of a slide member. The vibrating step is carried out at a frequency of 20 to 1000 Hz, and is continued until just before the melt is cooled to the solid-liquid coexisting temperature region.

Abstract: A method for making an equiaxed investment casting. The method utilizes an ultrasonic generator to send an ultrasonic pulse into molten metal in an investment casting mold. The investment casting mold is positioned within a working zone of furnace having low output induction coils for generating a convection current in molten metal. The ultrasonic pulse separates dendrites growing from the face of the mold inward into the molten metal. Instead, equiaxed grains can nucleate within the molten metal. In addition, the ultrasonic pulse and the low output induction coils circulate the molten metal as solute is rejected from solidifying equiaxed grains. The mixing reduces the effects of segregation in the solidifying alloy and assists in nucleating equiaxed grains.

Abstract: A method of forming a cast component includes at least partially surrounding an investment mold in a heat-insulating packing material, feeding a molten alloy into the investment mold to provide a filled investment mold, and agitating the filled investment mold while solidifying the molten alloy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to composite metal foams comprising hollow metallic spheres and a solid metal matrix. The composite metal foams show high strength, particularly in comparison to previous metal foams, while maintaining a favorable strength to density ratio. The composite metal foams can be prepared by various techniques, such as powder metallurgy and casting.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a method of manufacturing a bearing ring (101) for a rolling element bearing, wherein the bearing ring comprises a bearing race (102) made of a bearing grade steel and an overmoulded part (106) that is preferably made of a lightweight metal such as aluminium or a thermoplastic material such as polyamide. According to the invention, the method comprises a step of hardening at least a raceway surface (103) of the bearing race prior to a step of joining the overmoulded part (106) to the bearing race (102) in a moulding process. In a further development, the method comprises a step of temperature control, to ensure that the temperature of the raceway surface (103) is kept below a predetermined value during the moulding process.

Abstract: Disclosed are a bonded product, and a manufacturing method and manufacturing device therefor. To obtain a bonded product formed of a solidified material of a molten metal which has been poured into a forming mold with a workpiece, all or part of which is already held therein, or formed of a semi-solidified slurry which is contained in the forming mold together with the workpiece, the semi-solidified slurry or the molten metal is relatively made to flow on the end faces of the workpiece while friction sufficient to break the passive state existing at the surface of the molten metal or the semi-solidified slurry is generated between the workpiece and the semi-solidified slurry or the molten metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a bubbled metal foam, wherein adjusting the size of the bubbles takes place simultaneously with forming the bubbles by means of oscillations induced by longitudinal waves within the formation region of the bubbles. In this way, a decrease in bubble size which can be effected in an uncontrolled way after said bubbles had been created can be avoided.

Abstract: By blocking an angular extent of an annular skimming trap used for semi-solid injection, a notable reduction in lenticular defects and porosity are observed. The blocking can be performed by a ring having dimensions to completely occlude a prior art annular skimming trap throughout the angular extent, and providing complete and/or partial flow across the ring throughout the rest of the angular extent. Preferably an outlet to the ring trap includes a chamfered edge and/or a deflector for encouraging flow of the contaminated semi-solid material into the trap.

Abstract: The invention is related to the foundry practice. According to this invention, the method for making castings by directed solidification from a selected point of the melt toward the periphery of the casting comprises forming a casting in a mold having thermodynamic characteristics that allow uniform volume cooling of the melt to be effected to a temperature at which natural solidification processes are completed. To improve the structural isotropy of the casting formed, the cooling is effected at a rate not exceeding 0.5° C./sec. The casting is formed in a nonuniform field of force. The nonuniform field of force is set up by ultrasonic waves focused on a selected point of the melt to form therein a localized elevated pressure zone and to direct the solidification front from the zone toward the periphery of the casting. The nonuniform field of force is sustained in the mold until the cooling casting reaches a temperature at which the natural melt solidification processes are completed as the melt cools.

Abstract: A twin roll caster and a method for operating a machine of this type. The machine comprises two casting rolls that delimit a casting gap between them on its longitudinal sides; two side plates that delimit the casting gap on its narrow sides; and at least one oscillation device, which moves the side plate in an oscillating manner about an axis of oscillation extending substantially axially parallel to the axes of rotation of the casting rolls. The degrees of freedom of the side plate movements are increased because the oscillation device comprises two actuators which are articulatedly coupled to the respective side plate and each apply a torque rotating about the respective axis of oscillation on the side plate and a control device that emits control signals, upon which the actuators individually or together with each other, carry out adjustment movements aligned against one another or parallel to one another.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a compressor slider includes a slider preform manufacturing step, a resin coating step, and a machining step. In the slider preform manufacturing step, an iron slider preform in which at least one property selected from the tensile strength and the tensile modulus of elasticity is greater than that of flake graphite cast iron is manufactured using a prescribed mold. In the resin coating step, the slider preform is not machined, but the resin coating layer is formed on all or a part of the slider preform. In the machining step, only the resin coating layer is machined, and a completed slider is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to composite metal foams comprising hollow metallic spheres and a solid metal matrix. The composite metal foams show high strength, particularly in comparison to previous metal foams, while maintaining a favorable strength to density ratio. The composite metal foams can be prepared by various techniques, such as powder metallurgy and casting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a casting mold having a molten metal received therein which is rotated in one direction by a rotary device with the vertical axis as a rotary axis while solidifying the molten metal for a predetermined period of time, and, after the predetermined period of time is lapsed, the casting mold is rotated in the direction opposite the direction of rotation for a predetermined period of time, and the rotation in the opposing directions is repeated so that the molten metal is solidified. The molten metal can be shaken and agitated without roughening the surface of the molten metal to uniformalize the distribution of temperature of the molten metal in the casting mold.

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: A system, apparatus, and method, are provided to deposit conductive bonding material into cavities in a mold. A fill head is placed in substantial contact with a mold that includes cavities. The fill head includes a sealing member that substantially encompasses an entire area to be filled with conductive bonding material. The conductive bonding material is forced out of the fill head toward the mold. The conductive bonding material is provided into at least one cavity of the cavities contemporaneous with the at least one cavity being in proximity to the fill head.

Abstract: Solid free form fabrication techniques such as fused deposition modeling and three-dimensional printing are used to create a shell or die used in the manufacture of a dental restoration. Three-dimensional printing includes ink-jet printing a binder into selected areas of sequentially deposited layers of powder. Each layer is created by spreading a thin layer of powder over the surface of a powder bed. Instructions for each layer may be derived directly from a CAD representation of the restoration. The area to be printed is obtained by computing the area of intersection between the desired plane and the CAD representation of the object. All the layers required for an aesthetically sound shell can be deposited concurrently slice after slice and sintered/cured simultaneously.

Abstract: A metal matrix nanocomposite is formed by heating a metal above its liquidus temperature, adding nanoparticles, and then agitating the mixture with high-frequency (and preferably ultrasonic) vibration. The mixture can then be cooled below the liquidus of the metal to a semisolid state, and placed in a mold to form it into some desired shape. The formed mixture can then be quenched or otherwise allowed to cool to provide an article in finished (or nearly so) form.

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: A method and apparatus for casting wherein molten metal is treated to create conditions of whole volume solidification in the mold. The treating of the molten metal can include the application of vibration in specified manner under specific frequency and amplitude for causing multiple sites of crystallization throughout the mold, or the treating can be by use of activators which are formed during casting, either directly from the molten metal stream by dispersion or from a mineral which concurrently with casting is milled, to a finely ground powder, dehydrated and fed into the molten metal throughout the metal to speed solidification and crystallization at multiple sites. Solidification speed can be more than doubled while eliminating pouring defects and improving the cast metal structure. The methods are applicable to various methods of casting including continuous casting and the methods of vibrating and use of activators can be combined with improved results.

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 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: By determining an amount of a metal to be prepared into a slurry in its liquid state, thereafter applying a motion to the melted metal via a mechanical or physical means when at least a part of the melted metal reaches a temperature below the liquidus temperature and cooling the melted metal in a slurry preparing container to prepare the melted metal into a metal slurry in a semi-solid state, and by concurrently making the semi-solid metal slurry in the slurry preparing container with a shape to be kept almost unchanged, and feeding the semi-solid metal slurry in a state wherein the shape is nearly kept as it is into the shot sleeve/prechamber of the part making machine, a semi-solid metal slurry with the non-dendritic (spherical) primary crystal particles being fine and almost uniform can be fed into the part making machine, with no need of any specifically complex process but with a simple system and plain equipment. Thus, a shaped part with high quality can be produced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a metal component from a non-dendritic, semi-solid metal alloy slurry involves the use of a graphite agitator that is functionally equivalent to conventional metal rod agitators, and has the additional advantage of having a very low surface wettability, whereby labor and expenses associated with removing a metal alloy skin formed after withdrawal of the agitator from a metal slurry is eliminated or at least substantially reduced. The invention also provides an improved process and apparatus for producing a metal component from a non-dendritic semi-solid metal slurry by transferring the slurry to a cooling vessel for subsequent cooling and raising of the solids content without agitation after the slurry has been formed with agitation in a first vessel, whereby more rapid cooling of the slurry and increased production rates are achievable.

Abstract: A method of shaping a semisolid metal to provide shaped parts which are produced in a convenient, easy and inexpensive manner, without relying upon the conventional mechanical or electromagnetic agitation. The method includes feeding, without using a cooling jig, into an insulating vessel, a molten alloy containing an element for promoting generation of crystal nuclei and being held to be superheated to less than 100° C. above a liquidus temperature of the alloy; maintaining the molten alloy in the insulating vessel for 5 seconds to 60 minutes as the alloy is cooled at a cooling rate of 0.01° C./s to 3.0° C./s thereby crystallizing fine primary spherical crystals in an alloy solution containing a specified liquid fraction; and feeding the alloy solution into a forming mold for shaping the alloy under pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel mold is vibrated at a frequency within a range of 0.1 to 10,000 Hz during a casting process. The vibration reduces the solidification time needed to form a wheel casting while improving the tensile strength of the wheel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the semisolid forming of alloys to enable shaped parts having a fine-grained, spherical thixotropic structure to be produced in a convenient, easy and inexpensive manner without relying upon the conventional mechanical or electromagnetic agitation. In the method, a molten alloy having crystal nuclei at a temperature not lower than the liquidus temperature or a partially solid, partially molten alloy having crystal nuclei at a temperature not lower than a molding temperature is fed into an insulated vessel and is maintained in the insulated vessel for 5 seconds to 60 minutes as it is cooled to the molding temperature where a specified liquid fraction is established, thereby crystallizing fine primary crystals in the alloy solution, and the alloy is fed into a forming mold, where it is shaped under pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for fabricating of continuous castings with fine and uniform microstructure, which can be used as feedstock for secondary processing routes, such as thixoforming, forging and machining or direct application in industry. An overheated liquid alloy is fed into a high shear device (for example, a twin-screw extruder) and sheared intensively to produce a sheared liquid alloy or a semisolid slurry, wherein the sheared liquid alloy is at a temperature close to its liquidus and the semisolid slurry is then transferred to a shaping device for production of continuous castings with fine and uniform microstructures through a solidification process. The shaping device is any device capable of forming continuous (i.e.

Abstract: A device for the continuous casting of metal includes a lifting platform which can be driven in an oscillating fashion by a drive device, a continuous casting mold received on the lifting platform, and a stationarily arranged support frame provided with guiding or bearing elements for the lifting platform. The guiding or bearing element is an elastic spring system including two spring legs arranged angularly relative to one another and extending perpendicularly to the oscillation direction. The two spring legs are formed like a tuning fork and respectively overlapping upper and lower ends of the two spring legs form the support surface for the lifting platform or the connecting surface with the stationarily arranged support frame. The spring system, in addition to the force in the oscillation direction, compensates by load balancing disturbing forces in directions perpendicular to the oscillation direction.

Abstract: A predetermined amount of molten metal 12 is supplied to a heat-insulating crucible 18. After that, a chill block 46, which is cooled to a predetermined temperature of not more than a temperature of the molten metal 12, is immersed and rotated in the molten metal 12. Accordingly, the molten metal 12 is agitated while being cooled to give no directivity of cooling. It is possible to obtain semisolidified metal 20 which is formed into slurry uniformly and effectively as a whole. The semisolidified metal 20 is discharged from the heat-insulating crucible 18, and it is supplied to a forming machine 22 to apply a forming treatment thereto. Accordingly, it is possible to produce the desired slurry efficiently and economically.

Abstract: An injection molding system includes a feeder in which a metal is melted and a first chamber into which a desired amount of melted metal is introduced. A piston in a second chamber first retracts to create suction, assisting in drawing in the melted metal into the second chamber from the first chamber and evacuating gas. A ram then pushes some melted metal remaining in the first chamber into the second chamber, forcing out gas present in the second chamber. The piston then injects the melted metal out of the second chamber into a mold. The melted metal is preferably maintained in a liquid state throughout the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a metal formed product comprises a molten metal-holding furnace; a semisolidified metal-producing mechanism; a cooling member-restoring mechanism arranged adjacent to the semisolidified metal-producing mechanism, for applying a restoring treatment so that chillers have a desired function; a forming machine for forming semisolidified metal to have a predetermined shape; and an articulated robot capable of transporting a crucible to the molten metal-holding furnace, the semisolidified metal-producing mechanism, and the forming machine. The semisolidified metal-producing mechanism includes first to third agitators. The cooling member-restoring mechanism includes first to third treating sections. These components are arranged in a direction of back and forth movement of the articulated robot. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently obtain the metal formed product having a high quality.

Abstract: A die casting system includes a vessel defining a reservoir with a controlled heater and an agitator for maintaining the bath of semi-solid metal in a homogeneous isothermal state, a transfer system capable of transferring a known quantity of metal in its semi-solid state to a mold cavity in a die casting machine, the transfer system including a heated suction tube, a vacuum source for vacuum ladling semi-solid metal from the bath to a die, and a plunger tip providing a path for free air flow to allow evacuation of the suction tube during casting and a metal replacement system for replacing the known quantity of transferred metal with a similar amount of liquid metal so that a stable homogeneous isothermal bath of semi-solid metal is controllably maintained to be available for die casting operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for producing semi-solid material and directly casting the semi-solid material into a component wherein the semi-solid material is formed from a molten material and the molten material is introduced into a container. Semi-solid is produced therefrom by agitating, shearing, and thermally controlling the molten material. The semi-solid material is maintained in a substantially isothermal state within the container by appropriate thermal control and thorough three-dimensional mixing. Extending from the container is a means for removing the semi-solid material from the container, including a temperature control mechanism to control the temperature of the semi-solid material within the removing means.

Abstract: An image display apparatus including a metal outer housing for which a filling process in a thixotropic forming method has been improved. On a reference surface of an upper housing composing the outer housing of a projection display apparatus, there are formed convex sections, and a supporting rib, the foregoing convex sections extending in the direction where a semimolten metal flows, and the foregoing supporting rib intersecting with the foregoing convex sections. Furthermore, protrusions are formed protruding from the reference surface, and flowing ribs are independently formed on base sections of the protrusions. These convex sections, supporting rib, and flowing ribs are formed in the upper housing for guiding the semimolten metal in the thixotropic forming method, and thereby ensuring filling characteristics of the semimolten metal into individual molds.

Abstract: A method of operating a hot-chamber diecasting machine is provided in which, after the filling of the mold, a compressional vibration is generated which prevents the molten metal from rapidly solidifying at least in the narrowest cross-section of the feed orifice between the ascending bore and the mouthpiece and the mold. In this manner, it becomes possible to increase the afterpressure upon the molten metal in the mold in comparison to conventional hot-chamber diecasting processes in order to achieve cast parts of a higher quality.

Abstract: A metal material is placed on a lower mold of a press metal mold which has an upper mold and the lower mold not having engagement portions. The metal material is fused by a high energy heat source, and obtained molten metal over a melting point is pressed with the press metal mold and transformed into a predetermined configuration. The molten metal is cooled at a rate over a critical cooling rate simultaneously with or after the transformation, and the molded product of amorphous metal in predetermined configuration is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for producing a semi-solid material suitable for directly casting into a component wherein the semi-solid material is formed from a molten material and the molten material is introduced into a container. Semi-solid is produced therefrom by agitating, shearing, and thermally controlling the molten material. The semi-solid material is maintained in a substantially isothermal state within the container by appropriate thermal control and thorough three dimensional mixing. Extending from the container is a means for removing the semi-solid material from the container, including a temperature control mechanism to control the temperature of the semi-solid material within the removing means.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for directional solidification of molten metal using a general horizontally oriented mold initially positioned in a casting furnace. The mold is filled with molten metal through a mold pour cup located on an upper region of the mold and a pour cup runner that enters the mold at location proximate a grain selection passage. The melt filled mold initially is withdrawn from the casting furnace to solidify the molten metal at the location where the pour cup runner enters the mold. The melt filled mold then is withdrawn while the mold is rotated about its horizontal axis to reduce segregation of alloying elements in the solidifying molten metal. Initial solidification of molten metal at the entry of the pour cup runner to the mold prevents molten metal from flowing out of the mold through the pour cup when the mold is subsequently rotated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for directional solidification of molten metal employs a generally horizontally oriented mold initially positioned in a casting furnace. The mold residing on a chill is filled with molten metal through a mold pour cup located on an upper region of the mold. The mold is withdrawn from the casting furnace to effect directional solidification. As the molten metal filled mold is withdrawn, the mold is oscillated about a general horizontal axis within an angular range of up to about 180 degrees. Such limited angle oscillation during mold withdrawal reduces segregation of alloying elements in the solidifying molten metal and prevents molten metal from leaving the mold through the pour cup.