Machine for forming metal bars

A method for forming a precious metal ingot having specified dimensions and weight from solid precious metal powder, grits or swarf of various sizes, the specified dimensions of said precious metal ingot includes a dimensionally specified ingot upper limit, said method employing a machine including an ingot mold and a cover for closing said ingot mold, said ingot mold having an interior comprising a first lower volume configured to the specified dimensions of the precious metal ingot, a second upper volume configured to facilitate depositing into said ingot mold of an amount of said solid precious metal powder, grits or swarf of various sizes to form said precious metal ingot, and an upper end comprising an upper abutting edge of said ingot mold, said cover comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion including a rim adapted to engage the upper abutting edge of said ingot mold to close and hermetically seal said ingot mold when said precious metal ingot has been formed in said ingot mold first lower volume, said lower portion configured to project into the interior of said ingot mold so as to rest on said amount of solid precious metal powder, grits or swarf ov various sizes deposited in said ingot mold to form said precious metal ingot, said cover lower portion having a dimension such that on engagement of said cover upper portion rim with the ingot mold upper abutting edge, the cover lower portion delineates an upper limit to the ingot mold first lower volume corresponding to the precious metal ingot dimensionally specified upper limit, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) depositing into said ingot mold through said second upper volume thereof said amount of solid precious metal powder, grits or swarf of various sizes to form said precious metal ingot;
• b) positioning said ingot mold cover for closing said ingot mold such that the cover lower portion projects into the interior of said ingot mold so as to rest on said amount of precious metal powder, grits or swarf of various sizes deposited in said ingot mold, and the cover upper portion rim remains raised with respect to the upper abutting edge of said ingot mold;
• c) compacting said solid precious metal powder, grits or swarf of various sizes deposited in said ingot mold by compressing the same during a melting step by the resting of said ingot mold cover on said solid precious metal powder, grits or swarf;
• and
• d) progressively lowering said ingot mold cover during the compacting and compressing of said solid precious metal powder, grits or swarf during said melting step until the cover upper portion rim engages the upper abutting edge of said ingot mold closing and hermetically sealing said ingot mold whereby, because of said cover lower portion dimension, the cover lower portion delineates the ingot mold first lower volume upper limit corresponding to the dimensionally specified upper limit of said precious metal ingot.