Apparatus for the casting and autogenous welding of small metal loads in an inert atmosphere

Casting apparatus, comprising:

• a metallic box-like case defining a melting and casting chamber and having at least one side wall and two end walls and mounted for rotation between a loading position, in which said two end walls are substantially aligned horizontally, and a casting position, in which one of said end walls constitutes a bottom and the other one of said end walls constitutes a ceiling of said chamber;
• at least one opening/closing door for said chamber;
• a crucible located inside said chamber for accommodating a metal load to be cast;
• at least one electrode extending hermetically through a wall of said chamber and externally connectable to a source of electric power for form an electric arc between the electrode and the load in the crucible;
• a coupling means for connecting the inside of said melting and casting chamber either to a source of a pressurized inert gas or to a source of vacuum;
• a tubular element for containing a mold, said tubular element being removably insertable in said chamber;
• engagement means for an end of the tubular element that is directed toward said bottom of the chamber;
• means for forming a seal between said engagement means and said end of said tubular element that is engaged by said means;
• and
• at least one opening that passes through at least one of the walls of said chamber and through which the inside of said tubular element can be connected to the outside of said chamber by virtue of a check or vent valve.