Centrifuge casting device

A casting apparatus for casting molten metal into a mold, the casting apparatus comprising:

• a top loadable cylindrical housing defining an interior housing region, said cylindrical housing comprising
• a top opening adapted for passage of materials therethrough between the environment and the interior housing region,
• a bottom surface, and
• a circumferential retaining wall, adapted to minimize the number of projectiles that escape the housing during casting operations;
• a stand adapted to elevate the housing above the ground, the stand comprising
• an upper surface engaged with the bottom surface of the housing, and
• a lower surface adapted for engagement with the ground;
• an electric motor, said motor
• comprising a rotatable drive shaft adapted to rotate and to impart rotation to objects engaged therewith,
• said motor engaged with the housing within the interior housing region, such that the rotatable drive shaft is horizontal;
• a switch adapted to selectably supply electrical power to the electric motor;
• a switch adapted to selectably adjust the angular velocity of the drive shaft within a continuously variable range;
• a system of bevel gears within the interior housing region comprising,
• a vertical bevel gear
• adapted to rotate about a horizontal axis, and
• engaged with the electric motor and adapted to be rotated thereby,
• a horizontal bevel gear
• adapted to rotate about a vertical axis, and
• engaged with the vertical bevel gear and adapted to be rotated thereby;
• where the gear ratio between the vertical bevel gear and the horizontal bevel gear is between about 1:0.5 to 1:15;
• an elongated output shaft within the interior housing region, said elongated output shaft engaged to said horizontal bevel gear and adapted to be rotated thereby,
• oriented such that the axis of elongation of the output shaft is vertical, and
• being adapted to rotate about its own axis of elongation;
• an arm within the interior housing region,
• said arm engaged to the output shaft and adapted to be rotated thereby,
• said arm rotatable about the axis of elongation of the output shaft,
• said arm comprising a counterweight adapted to rotationally balance the arm,
• said arm comprising an articulation,
• said articulation comprising a joint pivotable about a vertical pivot axis;
• said joint formed from overlapping arm portions with a pin extending therethrough;
• a screen defining a barrier between the top opening and the arm, said screen comprising,
• a plurality of apertures;
• a ventilation device comprising,
• a hollow tubular intake extending at least partially around the housing,
• a suction device, and
• a HEPA filter;
• an implement storage container engaged with the exterior periphery of the housing;
• a stabilizer comprising a fastener adapted to engage the stand to the ground;
• a cradle engaged to the arm, said cradle adapted to receive a mold for a dental prosthesis,
• a crucible engaged to said arm, said crucible adapted to support molten metal to be cast into the mold;
• and
• a catch surface disposed between the arm and the bottom surface of the housing,
• said catch surface adapted to collect molten metal that is cast but not received within the mold,
• said catch surface being a generally planar, circular plate of a diameter that approximates the interior diameter of the interior housing region of the cylindrical housing.