An apparatus and method for filtering molten metal, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy includes at least one ceramic foam filter or any other type of filtration media such as porous tube or alumina balls disposed in a receptacle for the molten metal. A vibrator vibrates at least one of the filter, the receptacle or the metal and may be used to induce priming, filtering and/or drainage of the filter. The vibrator may be retrofitted to an existing filter system and may be adjustable in frequency and amplitude. The vibration may be continuous over a given period or produced in a single shock.

Described are high pressure filter housings and apparatuses that are useful to contain a fluid under high pressure, with example housings including first and second pieces having complimentary tapered joint surfaces that can form a fluid-tight seal without a gasket located between the surfaces, and methods of making and using the high pressure filter apparatuses.

A refractory block configured to surround an outlet modifies, within a refractory vessel, the flow of molten metal passing through the outlet. The block takes the form of a base through which a main orifice passes, and a wall extending upwards around the periphery of the base. Structural features that may be included in the block include a circumferential lip around the exterior of the wall, an interior volume in which the radius decreases downwardly towards the main orifice in a plurality of steps, and flow openings in the wall that are configured to induce swirling in the flow pattern in the interior volume of the block.

Filtration devices are provided with original structural features to allow a better stiffness of the same and prevent the possibility of being distorted and/or driven under the pressure of a flux of liquid metal or an alloy thereof which is passing there through. Said features may consist of a ridge portion extending the periphery of a filtration device, a rim portion provided in double-basket filtration devices, or a particular M shape filtration device.

Filtration devices are provided with original structural features to allow a better stiffness of the same and prevent the possibility of being distorted and/or driven under the pressure of a flux of liquid metal or an alloy thereof which is passing there through. Said features may consist of a ridge portion extending the periphery of a filtration device, a rim portion provided in double-basket filtration devices, or a particular M shape filtration device.

According to another embodiment, a molten metal filter having two opposed plates is provided. At least one hollow elongated member comprised of a porous refractory material is attached at a first end to a first end plate and at a second end to a second end plate. The first end plate has a passage extending through a width of the first end plate and a ledge that receives the first end of the elongated member. The second end plate has an opening receiving the second end of the elongated member. The opening passes through the width of the second end plate and is dimensioned to be larger than a circumference of the elongated member.

According to another embodiment, a molten metal filter having two opposed plates is provided. At least one hollow elongated member comprised of a porous refractory material is attached at a first end to a first end plate and at a second end to a second end plate. The first end plate has a passage extending through a width of the first end plate and a ledge that receives the first end of the elongated member. The second end plate has an opening receiving the second end of the elongated member. The opening passes through the width of the second end plate and is dimensioned to be larger than a circumference of the elongated member.

An apparatus and method for filtering molten metal (M), such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy includes at least one ceramic foam filter or any other type of filtration media such as porous tube or alumina balls disposed in a receptacle (12) for the molten metal (M). A vibrator vibrates at least one of the filter, the receptacle (12) or the metal and may be used to induce priming, filtering and/or drainage of the filter. The vibrator may be retrofitted to an existing filter system and may be adjustable in frequency and amplitude. The vibration may be continuous over a given period or produced in a single shock.

When molding surfaces (50A) of a pair of dies (50) are to be cleaned by air-blowing, air is blown towards the molding surfaces (50A) from blowing nozzles (22A) of a cleaning blowing function portion (22) while a moving body (16) is reciprocatingly moved by driving force of a driving mechanism (18). When a parting agent is to be applied to the molding surfaces (50A) of the pair of dies (50), the mold release agent is jetted out towards the molding surfaces (50A) from spraying nozzles (24A) of a parting agent application function portion (24) while the moving body (16) is reciprocatingly moved by the driving force of the driving mechanism (18). In both of these situations, at the same time as the treatment of the molding surfaces (50A), a cleaning brush (32) reciprocatingly moves together with the moving body (16) and sweeps a device floor surface (12).

Provided is a casting mold with which it is possible to apply air-blow to a bottom part of a groove in a core without moving forward/backward the core relative to the mold body. This casting mold is provided with a first mold and a second mold for forming, between the first mold and the second mold, a cavity used to produce a cast article, wherein the second mold has a second mold body and a core, which protrudes from the second mold body in a first direction toward the first mold and is used to forms a hollow part in the cast article, the core is provided with a groove part that opens in the first direction and is recessed in a second direction opposite from the first direction, and the second mold is provided with an air supply flow passage for supplying air for blowing toward a bottom part of the groove part.