Method of force-fitting separate member into casting and apparatus therefor

A method of force-fitting a separate member into a casting, comprising the steps of:

• filling a cavity defined by a casting mold with a molten metal in such a condition that a sliding member movable forward and rearward has been moved into the cavity;
• drawing out the sliding member from the cavity when the molten metal is solidified to such a degree as to maintain a certain shape;
• placing the separate member between a distal end of the sliding member drawn out and the cavity;
• and
• moving the sliding member forward so that the separate member is force-fitted into a passage formed in the casting by the sliding member before the casting mold is opened.

An apparatus for force-fitting a separate member into a casting product, comprising:

• a mold having a cavity defining the casting product and a passage into the cavity;
• a sliding member movable between a position at which the same has been moved into the cavity, thereby closing the passage, and a second position at which the same has been withdrawn from the cavity, wherein said sliding member has such a configuration as to abut against the separate member at a position displaced from an axis thereof and is subjected to an axial force at the displaced position, thereby flexing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis;
• and
• means for supplying the separate member into a location between the passage in the cavity and a distal end of the sliding member at the second position;
• and
• means for inserting the separate member and the sliding member into the casting product after the larter has been withdrawn from the cavity.

A method of manufacturing a cast product having a passage therein, comprising the steps of:

• inserting a slidable member into a cavity within a mold, the cavity defining the cast product:
• filling the cavity with molten metal;
• withdrawing the slidable member to create the passage within the cast product;
• and
• using a sliding member for force fitting a member inside the passage before the casting mold is opened.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a mold having a cavity defining a cast product,
• a first means for defining a passage within the cast product when the cavity is filled with molten metal;
• a second means for inserting the first means into the cavity and withdrawing the first means from tile cast product;
• and
• a third means for force-fitting a member inside the passage defined within the cast product, the third means being configured to abut the member at a position displaced from an axis thereof and being subjected to an axial force at the displaced position, whereby the third means flexes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis.