Methods and apparatus for moving a molten metal are provided in which the electromagnetic inductor includes at least two pairs of electromagnetic pole pairs and in which a first magnetic field component is generated between one pole in a first electromagnetic pole pair and a second pole in a different electromagnetic pole pair, and in which a second magnetic field component is generated between the two poles in one or more electromagnetic pole pairs, the second magnetic field component thereby generating one or more eddy currents in the molten metal. Those eddy currents are generally parallel to the surface of the molten metal and so have greater magnitude and extent that eddy currents perpendicular to the surface. Such eddy currents provide useful additional movement to the molten metal, for instance for stirring purposes, particularly when the depth of molten metal is small.

A process for electric induction heating of large billets to a tapered cross sectional heating profile by inductively scan heating the axial circumference of the large billet with a single induction coil prior to hot working the large billet in an extrusion or forging process is provided.

A process for electric induction heating of large billets to a tapered cross sectional heating profile by inductively scan heating the axial circumference of the large billet with a single induction coil prior to hot working the large billet in an extrusion or forging process is provided.

A tapping device and method using induction heat for melt comprises melting furnace made of steel; heating unit disposed in the upper part in the melting furnace and made of graphite material; induction coil wound around the heating unit; insulator disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the lower part of the melting furnace; supporter disposed outside the insulator; and firebricks disposed on the bottom surface of melting furnace and outside the supporter.

A tapping device and method using induction heat for melt comprises melting furnace made of steel; heating unit disposed in the upper part in the melting furnace and made of graphite material; induction coil wound around the heating unit; insulator disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the lower part of the melting furnace; supporter disposed outside the insulator; and firebricks disposed on the bottom surface of melting furnace and outside the supporter.

Casting a metallic object by constructing a plurality of production layers with mold regions and object regions within the mold regions, includes a mold construction unit, a Preparation-Deposition-Post treatment (PDP) unit, a build table; and a movable unit to move the PDP unit with respect to the build table. The PDP unit includes: a holder; induction heater(s) having hole(s) therein, the heater(s) to heat previously-deposited metal in the object region; a molten metal depositor to provide a melt flow through the hole and into the object region; powder introduction unit(s) to deliver an allocated amount of at least one cast-property modifying powder through the hole and into said object region; the holder to hold the molten metal depositor, the heater(s) and the powder introduction unit(s) together in pre-defined locations for combined movement above the top surface.

Casting a metallic object by constructing a plurality of production layers with mold regions and object regions within the mold regions, includes a mold construction unit, a Preparation-Deposition-Post treatment (PDP) unit, a build table; and a movable unit to move the PDP unit with respect to the build table. The PDP unit includes: a holder; induction heater(s) having hole(s) therein, the heater(s) to heat previously-deposited metal in the object region; a molten metal depositor to provide a melt flow through the hole and into the object region; powder introduction unit(s) to deliver an allocated amount of at least one cast-property modifying powder through the hole and into said object region; the holder to hold the molten metal depositor, the heater(s) and the powder introduction unit(s) together in pre-defined locations for combined movement above the top surface.