Piston for an internal combustion engine and method for its production

A method for the production of a piston for an internal combustion engine, having a cast piston head, at least one ring insert cast into the piston head, and a circumferential cooling channel at the level of the ring insert, in the piston head, having the following method steps:

• a) resting a ring-shaped salt core against a radial inner surface of a ring-shaped ring insert or ring insert blank, at least in part;
• b) disposing the ring insert or ring blank and said ring-shaped salt core in a positioning device and bringing said ring insert or ring blank and said ring-shaped salt core into contact;
• c) heating together the ring insert or ring insert blank and said ring-shaped salt core so that said ring-shaped salt core and the ring insert or ring insert blank are connected with one another;
• d) placing the resulting component of ring insert or ring insert blank and said ring-shaped salt core in a casting mold;
• and
• e) surrounding the resulting component by casting material in the casting mold.