Apparatus for casting a mold

An apparatus for casting a part, the apparatus comprising:

• a first housing that defines a first chamber and the first chamber is configured to receive a melt heater and a mold heater;
• a second housing that defines a second chamber, the second housing being configured to move between a first position and a second position such that when the second housing is in the first position, the first housing is open to the atmosphere and configured to have a mold inserted therein and the second housing is open to the atmosphere and when the second housing is in the second position, the second housing and the first housing cooperatively define a third chamber that encompasses the first and second chambers that together define an open volume within the first and second housings, the third chamber being closed to the atmosphere and configured to function both as a melting chamber and a mold chamber;
• a handling system;
• a lift supporting the second housing and operable to move the second housing between the first position and the second position;
• and
• a means for cooling configured to be positioned within the third chamber.