A metallurgical system for producing metals and metal alloys includes a fluid cooled mixing cold hearth having a melting cavity configured to hold a raw material for melting into a molten metal, and a mechanical drive configured to mount and move the mixing cold hearth for mixing the raw material. The system also includes a heat source configured to heat the raw material in the melting cavity, and a heat removal system configured to provide adjustable insulation for the molten metal. The mixing cold hearth can be configured as a removal element of an assembly of interchangeable mixing cold hearths, with each mixing cold hearth of the assembly configured for melting a specific category of raw materials. A process includes the steps of providing the mixing cold hearth, feeding the raw material into the melting cavity, heating the raw material, and moving the mixing cold hearth during the heating step.

A crucible lifting device includes a vacuum chamber, a vacuum chamber lower seat and a crucible lifting assembly. The vacuum chamber lower seat is arranged orthogonally at the bottom of the vacuum chamber, the vacuum chamber lower seat including a plurality of coupling parts arranged orthogonally at the vacuum chamber lower seat and on a side away from the vacuum chamber. The crucible lifting assembly is arranged on the vacuum chamber lower seat and on the side away from the vacuum chamber. The crucible lifting assembly includes a plurality of multi-rotation angle guides, one end of each multi-rotation angle guide connected to each coupling part; a plurality of guide rods, one end of each guide rod connected to the other end of each multi-rotation angle guide; and a plurality of guide rod accommodating parts, each guide rod accommodating part configured to correspond to each guide rod.

A crucible lifting device includes a vacuum chamber, a vacuum chamber lower seat and a crucible lifting assembly. The vacuum chamber lower seat is arranged orthogonally at the bottom of the vacuum chamber, the vacuum chamber lower seat including a plurality of coupling parts arranged orthogonally at the vacuum chamber lower seat and on a side away from the vacuum chamber. The crucible lifting assembly is arranged on the vacuum chamber lower seat and on the side away from the vacuum chamber. The crucible lifting assembly includes a plurality of multi-rotation angle guides, one end of each multi-rotation angle guide connected to each coupling part; a plurality of guide rods, one end of each guide rod connected to the other end of each multi-rotation angle guide; and a plurality of guide rod accommodating parts, each guide rod accommodating part configured to correspond to each guide rod.

In an aspect, a method of manufacturing a high purity copper-based alloy comprises providing in a melting furnace a feedstock and melting the feedstock. The method additionally includes bubbling an inert gas into the molten copper-based alloy to form the high purity copper-based alloy. Aspects are also directed to an apparatus and a method of fabricating an apparatus for manufacturing the high purity copper-based alloy.

In an aspect, a method of manufacturing a high purity copper-based alloy comprises providing in a melting furnace a feedstock and melting the feedstock. The method additionally includes bubbling an inert gas into the molten copper-based alloy to form the high purity copper-based alloy. Aspects are also directed to an apparatus and a method of fabricating an apparatus for manufacturing the high purity copper-based alloy.

An induction furnace for heating a workpiece includes a chamber and an insulation cylinder positioned therein, with the insulation cylinder including a base cover movable between first and second positions, and the first position positioning the workpiece within a heating zone and the second position positioning the workpiece within a cooling zone. A translation system in the furnace includes a first member coupled to the base cover of the insulation cylinder and extending through a wall of the chamber, an actuator coupled to the first member, the actuator configured to translate the first member to move the base cover of the insulation cylinder between the first and second positions, and an expansion member encircling a portion of the first member and configured to hermetically seal an interior volume of the chamber from an environment volume external to the chamber.

An induction furnace for heating a workpiece includes a chamber and an insulation cylinder positioned therein, with the insulation cylinder including a base cover movable between first and second positions, and the first position positioning the workpiece within a heating zone and the second position positioning the workpiece within a cooling zone. A translation system in the furnace includes a first member coupled to the base cover of the insulation cylinder and extending through a wall of the chamber, an actuator coupled to the first member, the actuator configured to translate the first member to move the base cover of the insulation cylinder between the first and second positions, and an expansion member encircling a portion of the first member and configured to hermetically seal an interior volume of the chamber from an environment volume external to the chamber.

A structure of composite crucibles and a high temperature adiabatic method in an arc heating process are disclosed. The structure may include a conventional water-cooled copper platform on which one or more graphite platform(s) are disposed and the topmost graphite platform is configured for disposing one or more metallic specimen(s). When arc smelts the metallic specimen(s) in the furnace in vacuum, and the heat of the metallic specimen(s) is transferred to the graphite platform, the graphite platform can reduce heat loss and improve heat preservation so as to cause the metallic specimen(s) to remain stable for the process of heating and melting to complete. The heat of the graphite platform is further transferred to the copper platform for lowering the temperature of the graphite platform.

A structure of composite crucibles and a high temperature adiabatic method in an arc heating process are disclosed. The structure may include a conventional water-cooled copper platform on which one or more graphite platform(s) are disposed and the topmost graphite platform is configured for disposing one or more metallic specimen(s). When arc smelts the metallic specimen(s) in the furnace in vacuum, and the heat of the metallic specimen(s) is transferred to the graphite platform, the graphite platform can reduce heat loss and improve heat preservation so as to cause the metallic specimen(s) to remain stable for the process of heating and melting to complete. The heat of the graphite platform is further transferred to the copper platform for lowering the temperature of the graphite platform.

A vacuum arc remelting (VAR) system for forming an ingot from an electrode is disclosed. The system includes a crucible assembly configured to accommodate the electrode and the ingot. The system includes a primary electromagnetic energy source arranged about the crucible assembly. The primary electromagnetic energy source and the crucible assembly are configured to move relative to one another along a longitudinal axis of the crucible assembly. The system includes a secondary electromagnetic energy source arranged about an upper end portion of the crucible assembly. The secondary electromagnetic energy source is stationary and fixed to the upper end portion of the crucible assembly.