Alotech Limited, LLC

Sylatech Limited

Alcan International Limited

John Campbell

John R Grassi

George W Kuhlman

Michael Grassi

Michael J Grassi

Christopher Shaw

J Fred Major

William Benjamin Shaw

John Grassi

An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming an item in a mould using a casting process, typically a counter gravity casting system. Heating assembly, transfer assembly and mould filling assembly can be used in combination. The transfer assembly includes apparatus and method for removing sedimentation from the liquid metal and/or metal alloy received from the heating assembly and extracting the same prior to the metal and/or metal alloy reaching the mould filling assembly at which the same is supplied to fill a cavity of a mould and which, once filled, can be slid to a location to cool and thereby make available the mould filling assembly for the next mould to be filled. This apparatus and method provide an efficient, high throughput system, along with high quality cast items.

Apparatus and method for use in casting of metals and/or metal alloys

A process for the manufacture of metal products includes the steps of providing a mold including a first portion made of an aggregate and a binder, delivering a molten metal into the mold, removing a first portion of the mold with a fluid and solidifying at least one targeted portion of the molten metal which will form the metal product with the fluid. A flow of fluid to the mold is stopped for a period of time. Subsequently, a remaining portion of the molten metal is solidified to form the metal product. The at least one targeted portion of the metal product has better mechanical properties than does a remaining portion of the metal product. A unitary, one-piece aluminum alloy component with differing mechanical properties is also disclosed.

Ablation casting process

A quiescent melt handling system includes a melting furnace and a holding furnace communicating with the melting furnace for holding a molten metal melt. The holding furnace has a relatively large surface area and a relatively shallow depth, having a width to depth ratio in the range of 4-100 to 1. Also provided is structure in the holding furnace for separating inclusions from the melt in the holding furnace. A mold communicates with the holding furnace. A counter gravity casting system, which might comprise a vacuum assisted casting system, draws the melt into the mold.

Integrated quiescent processing of melts

A process for the casting of metals includes the steps of providing a mold, delivering a molten metal into the mold, solidifying the molten metal, and removing at least a portion of the mold. The step of removing at least a portion of the mold begins before the step of solidifying the molten metal has been finished. An apparatus to deliver a solvent to a mold is also provided.

Mold-removal casting method and apparatus

A mold for the casting of metals including an aggregate comprising a refractory particulate material and a soluble binder which provides for minimal heat transfer between the mold and the molten metal during filling. The aggregate preferably includes at least a proportion of particulate material having a heat diffusivity at least as low as silica sand to reduce the chilling effect of the mold. The mold is removed from the casting the action of a solvent, which simultaneously cools and solidifies the casting at a maximum rate. Processes for forming the mold and the casting of metals using the mold are also disclosed.

Chemically bonded aggregate mold

A method and apparatus for the lost pattern casting of metals employs an erodable mold including a particulate material and a binder. An erodable backing or coating may be used to support the erodable mold. After a molten metal casting is poured in the mold, the erodable backing and the mold are contacted with a solvent. This cools the molten metal so that it at least partially solidifies to form a casting. At least a part of the mold is removed. Also, the coating or backing may be removed.

Lost pattern mold removal casting method and apparatus

A method and apparatus for the lost pattern casting of metals is disclosed. In the method, a pattern is formed from a material and a mold is formed around at least a portion of the pattern. The mold includes a particulate material and a binder. The pattern is removed from the mold and molten metal is delivered into the mold. The mold is contacted with the solvent and the molten metal is cooled such that it at least partially solidifies to form a casting. The step of cooling includes contacting a shell of solidifying metal around the molten metal with the solvent. An apparatus is also disclosed.

An apparatus for dispensing a molten material from a reservoir of molten material includes a dispensing chamber in communication with the reservoir and a first valve adapted to regulate communication of the dispensing chamber with the reservoir. A riser communicates with the dispensing chamber for dispensing the molten material, and a second valve is adapted to regulate communication of the riser with the dispensing chamber. Also disclosed is a method for reducing the inclusion of oxides in a casting of a molten metal.

Dispensing apparatus and method

Apparatus for dispensing a liquid material from a reservoir (12), the apparatus comprising a first vessel (11) which forms an intermediate chamber and which is arranged to receive material from the reservoir (12), a second vessel (10) which forms a dispensing chamber and which is arranged to receive material from the intermediate chamber (11), first pressurizing means whereby the intermediate chamber (11) can be pressurized, second pressuring means whereby the dispensing chamber (10) can be pressurized, first valve means (13) operable to permit material to be admitted into the intermediate chamber (11) from the reservoir (12), second valve means (14) operable to permit material to be admitted into the dispensing chamber (10) from the intermediate chamber (11) and a duct (19) extending from within the dispensing chamber (10) whereby material can be dispensed through the duct (19) from the dispensing chamber (10) by pressurization of the dispensing chamber (10)

Growing community of inventors

West Malvern, United Kingdom

John Campbell