Machine for forming metal bars

A machine (100) for forming metal bars into the form of ingots having mass varying from 50 g to 50 kg adapted for melting and the subsequent continuous solidification of precious metal, including gold, silver, precious alloys, as well as other pure metals or different alloys, in the form of solid metal powder, grits or swarf of various sizes, said machine having six operating stations arranged in succession and including a pushing device (3) for moving ingot molds (1) over the machine operating stations, said machine operating stations comprising:

• a) a first loading station (101) including a pouring element (A) for depositing the solid metal into each of said ingot molds (1), a first dosage element (B) adapted to add a first specific chemical additive which interacts with the crystalline structure of the metal, a positioner for a cover (4) for closing each of said ingot molds (1), and a spacer (2) formed of refractory material for maintaining a predetermined distance between ingot molds (1);
• b) a second melting station (102) including a melting furnace where the metal contained in the ingot molds (1) is melted according to predefined temperature/time parameters;
• c) a third station (103) including a second dosage element (C) adapted to add a second chemical additive on the melted metal contained in the ingot molds (1);
• d) a fourth solidification station (104) including a cooling channel or a cooling bath where the solidification of the metal in the ingot molds (1) occurs according to the predefined temperature/time parameters;
• e) a fifth cooling station (105) adapted for cooling the ingot molds (1) including as required a vat containing a cooling fluid, and adapted for collecting the ingots when completely cooled;
• and
• f) a sixth unloading station (106) for unloading the ingot molds (1) containing ingots or for unloading the ingot molds (1) from which ingots were removed for cooling in the cooling fluid vat of said fifth cooling station (105).