A conveyor furnace system is provided that includes a housing, a conveyor, a vacuum device, and at least one heating element. The housing may have a first end and a second end. The conveyor may be configured to transit one or more component molds from the first end to the second end. The vacuum device may be configured to selectively produce a below atmospheric pressure within the housing. The at least one heating element may be disposed in the housing, and has a first end disposed adjacent the first end of the housing and a second end adjacent the second end of the housing. The at least one heating element is configured to provide a vertically tapered heating exposure in a direction from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing.

Example systems include a vacuum chamber enclosing a pouring cup and a platform configured to support a casting assembly. The casting assembly is configured to hold a plurality of joinable components and a mold defining at least one mating groove configured to join at least two joinable components of the plurality of joinable components when occupied with a metal or an alloy. Each respective mating groove is fluidically connected to a respective surface opening of a plurality of surface openings defined by the mold. The pouring cup and the respective surface opening are movable relative to each other by moving at least one of the pouring cup or the platform supporting the casting assembly to substantially align the pouring cup with the respective surface opening. The pouring cup is configured to pour a respective volume of molten metal or alloy in at least two surface openings.

Example systems include a vacuum chamber enclosing a pouring cup and a platform configured to support a casting assembly. The casting assembly is configured to hold a plurality of joinable components and a mold defining at least one mating groove configured to join at least two joinable components of the plurality of joinable components when occupied with a metal or an alloy. Each respective mating groove is fluidically connected to a respective surface opening of a plurality of surface openings defined by the mold. The pouring cup and the respective surface opening are movable relative to each other by moving at least one of the pouring cup or the platform supporting the casting assembly to substantially align the pouring cup with the respective surface opening. The pouring cup is configured to pour a respective volume of molten metal or alloy in at least two surface openings.

A system and method of manufacturing an aluminum fuel cell cradle are provided. The method comprises providing a negative cast mold having cavities to form the cradle, and comprises providing a feeding mechanism disposed about the mold and in fluid communication with the cavities thereof. The feeding mechanism comprises a plurality of primary risers connected to and in fluid communication with cavities. The method further comprises melting a first metallic material to define a molten metallic material, and comprises moving the mold to a vertical casting orientation about a rotational axis, while feeding molten metallic material through the runner to the cavities. The method further comprises cooling the molten metallic material to define a solidified metallic material. A second solidification time in the risers is greater than a first solidification time in the mold such that shrinkage of the solidified metallic material occurs in the risers away from the mold.

A system and method of manufacturing an aluminum fuel cell cradle are provided. The method comprises providing a negative cast mold having cavities to form the cradle, and comprises providing a feeding mechanism disposed about the mold and in fluid communication with the cavities thereof. The feeding mechanism comprises a plurality of primary risers connected to and in fluid communication with cavities. The method further comprises melting a first metallic material to define a molten metallic material, and comprises moving the mold to a vertical casting orientation about a rotational axis, while feeding molten metallic material through the runner to the cavities. The method further comprises cooling the molten metallic material to define a solidified metallic material. A second solidification time in the risers is greater than a first solidification time in the mold such that shrinkage of the solidified metallic material occurs in the risers away from the mold.

A clutch device includes a pressure plate movable toward or away from a clutch center and rotatable with respect to the clutch center. The pressure plate includes a flange extending radially outward from an outer circumferential edge of a body, pressure-side fitting teeth projecting in a first direction from a front surface of the flange, holding input-side rotating plates and output-side rotating plates, and circumferentially arranged, and a flange-side recessed portion recessed in the first direction from a back surface of the flange. As seen in an axial direction of an output shaft, the flange-side recessed portion at least partially overlaps one of the pressure-side fitting teeth.

A clutch device includes a pressure plate movable toward or away from a clutch center and rotatable with respect to the clutch center. The pressure plate includes a flange extending radially outward from an outer circumferential edge of a body, pressure-side fitting teeth projecting in a first direction from a front surface of the flange, holding input-side rotating plates and output-side rotating plates, and circumferentially arranged, and a flange-side recessed portion recessed in the first direction from a back surface of the flange. As seen in an axial direction of an output shaft, the flange-side recessed portion at least partially overlaps one of the pressure-side fitting teeth.

A clutch device includes a pressure plate movable toward or away from a clutch center and rotatable with respect to the clutch center. The pressure plate includes a flange extending radially outward from an outer circumferential edge of a body, pressure-side fitting teeth projecting in a first direction from a front surface of the flange, holding input-side rotating plates and output-side rotating plates, and circumferentially arranged, and a flange-side recessed portion recessed in the first direction from a back surface of the flange. As seen in an axial direction of an output shaft, the flange-side recessed portion at least partially overlaps one of the pressure-side fitting teeth.

A clutch device includes a pressure plate movable toward or away from a clutch center and rotatable with respect to the clutch center. The pressure plate includes a flange extending radially outward from an outer circumferential edge of a body, pressure-side fitting teeth projecting in a first direction from a front surface of the flange, holding input-side rotating plates and output-side rotating plates, and circumferentially arranged, and a flange-side recessed portion recessed in the first direction from a back surface of the flange. As seen in an axial direction of an output shaft, the flange-side recessed portion at least partially overlaps one of the pressure-side fitting teeth.

This specification discloses an open mould conveyer casting apparatus for forming a metal ingot including: a conveyer for conveying one or more ingot moulds from at least a first location where an ingot mould receives a molten metal having an exposed surface, to a second location where the molten metal has partially or completely solidified into a metal ingot; one or more magnetic field applicators configured to apply a varying magnetic field to the molten metal in the ingot mould between the first location and the second location, the magnetic field being of a magnetic field strength to induce stirring within the molten metal. This specification also discloses an open mould conveyer casting method for forming a metal ingot including: filling an ingot mould with a molten metal, the molten metal in the mould having an exposed surface; solidifying the molten metal to form the metal ingot; and applying a varying magnetic field to the molten metal of a magnetic field strength and frequency to induce stirring within the molten metal during the step of solidifying the molten metal.