Apparatus for molding metals
AssigneeThixomat, Inc.
InventorsRon Akers, Ralph E. Vining, D. Matthew Walukas, Raymond F. Decker, Chris Pedder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for molding a metal material. The apparatus includes a vessel with portions defining a passageway through the vessel. An inlet is located toward one end and a member or agitation means is located within the passageway. A plurality of heaters are located a length of the vessel. The first of the heaters is located immediately downstream of the inlet and is a low frequency induction coil heater whereby the temperature gradient through the vessel's sidewall is minimized.
Claims20
A method of heating a metal material for subsequent molding comprising the steps of:
- introducing the metal material into a vessel having a member located within the vessel;
- locating the metal material about the member;
- heating the metal material with low frequency induction heating at an operating frequency of less than 1000 Hz to achieve a temperature for molding;
- maintaining a temperature gradient of less than 100° C. through a wall thickness section of the vessel;
- and
- ejecting the metal material from the vessel.
A method of heating a metal material for subsequent molding comprising the steps of:
- introducing the metal material into a vessel having a member located within the vessel;
- locating the metal material about the member;
- heating the metal material through low frequency induction heating at an operating frequency of less than 1000 Hz to achieve a temperature for molding;
- maintaining a temperature gradient of less than 100° C. through the thickness of a wall section of the vessel;
- and
- ejecting the metal material from the vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.