US 5,143,141 A · Process and apparatus for the controlled-pressure casting of molten metals

Abstract

Controlled-pressure casting of molten metals using a die with an extractable punch and a fixed die, includes positioning and stopping the punch within the die so as to define a casting cavity with a volume greater that that of the part to be obtained. A metered amount of liquid metal is then poured into the casting cavity through a duct which leads into the cavity, and the punch is moved to close inside the die so as to create a pressure suitable for distributing the metal throughout the cavity. A high-pressure compression is then exerted on the metal contained in the cavity and, maintained until the molten metal solidifies, the punch is partially removed from the die, with separation of the punch from the formed part, before finally removing the punch from the die and extracting the part from the die.

Claims18

Dependent claims

Process for the controlled pressure-casting of molten metal, comprising the steps of:

providing an extractable punch and a fixed die;
positioning said punch within said die whereby to define between said punch and said die, a casting cavity,
providing at least one duct leading into said casting cavity;
providing a metered amount of molten metal;
pouring said metered amount of molten metal into said casting cavity through said at least one duct;
moving said punch inside said die whereby to create a pressure sufficient to distribute said metered amount of molten metal throughout said casting cavity;
exerting a compression force on said metered amount of metal contained in said casting cavity;
maintaining said compression force until said metered amount of molten metal solidifies completely, whereby to produce a formed part located on said die in said casting cavity;
separating said formed part from said casting cavity by moving said punch away from said die;
removing said punch from said die, and;
extracting said formed part from said die.

8 more elements

Apparatus for the controlled pressure-casting of molten metal, comprising

at least one die;
a fixed structure supporting said die;
a movable structure which is movable with respect to said fixed structure;
a movable punch connected to said movable structure and being insertable into said die;
control means for activating said movable punch,
a casting cavity defined between said movable punch and said die;
at least one duct provided in said movable structure and communicating with said casting cavity;
first means for compressing molten metal fed into said casting cavity through said at least one duct, said first compression means being slidably and sealingly mounted in said movable structure and controllably activatable to compress metal in said casting cavity with said punch inserted into said die, and
first and second actuation means for moving said punch in at least two directions with preset strokes, said actuation means including;
means for moving said punch to a position whereat said die is partially closed before introduction of molten metal into said casting cavity through said duct,
means for further moving said punch to totally close said die after feeding molten metal into said casting cavity, and;
means for lifting said punch to allow extraction of solidified cast metal from said casting cavity.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Process and apparatus for the controlled-pressure casting of molten metals

Life of this patent

Process and apparatus for the controlled-pressure casting of molten metals

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18