A hybrid casting process for structural components uses a re-usable metallic mold rather than a sand mold to produce more consistent cast components. The hybrid casting process uses a metallic mold coupled to a core mold to produce the near net shape of the cast component. Machining operations are performed on the near net shape cast component to produce a final component that meets tolerances and other specifications of the structural component.

A hybrid casting process for structural components uses a re-usable metallic mold rather than a sand mold to produce more consistent cast components. The hybrid casting process uses a metallic mold coupled to a core mold to produce the near net shape of the cast component. Machining operations are performed on the near net shape cast component to produce a final component that meets tolerances and other specifications of the structural component.

A mold assembly for manufacturing molded articles includes a plurality of mold portions that are comprised of a polymer and form a mold cavity. In embodiments, the polymer has a thermal conductivity (k) of less than about 0.5. Although, some embodiments may have higher conductivity values. In embodiments, the polymer comprises polycarbonate. Methods for making and using polymer mold portions and assemblies are also disclosed.

Zonal heating and cooling during the production of matrix drill bits may be achieved with a system that includes a cavity defined within a mold assembly having a central axis; reinforcing particles and a binder material disposed within the cavity; and a plurality of induction coils about a periphery of the mold assembly, each induction coil being spaced from each other along the height of the mold assembly, wherein a first induction coil of the plurality of induction coils is arranged proximal to a portion of mold assembly containing a portion of the reinforcing particles and a second induction coil of the plurality of induction coils is arranged proximal to a portion of the mold assembly containing a portion of the binder material.

Provided is a press forming method for a semi-solid material, including: a semi-solid material carrying step of carrying a semi-solid material into a lower die; a first press forming step of regulating, under a Z-direction regulation state in which a change in the Z direction's dimension corresponding to a pressing direction is regulated by an upper die, a change in one of the dimensions in X and Y directions by compressing the material with a transverse punch so that the one becomes equal to a dimension of the product, and then stopping the punch at a position of the compression; and a second press forming step of moving, under a state in which the change in the one is regulated in the above step, the upper die in the pressing direction to compress the material so that the Z direction's dimension becomes equal to the product's dimension.

Provided is a press forming method for a semi-solid material, including: a semi-solid material carrying step of carrying a semi-solid material into a lower die; a first press forming step of regulating, under a Z-direction regulation state in which a change in the Z direction's dimension corresponding to a pressing direction is regulated by an upper die, a change in one of the dimensions in X and Y directions by compressing the material with a transverse punch so that the one becomes equal to a dimension of the product, and then stopping the punch at a position of the compression; and a second press forming step of moving, under a state in which the change in the one is regulated in the above step, the upper die in the pressing direction to compress the material so that the Z direction's dimension becomes equal to the product's dimension.

The present invention relates to a method for the layer-by-layer production of a cured three- dimensional shaped body, wherein the method comprises at least: (i) providing a binder comprising at least the following components: a) monomeric furfuryl alcohol and optionally a resin component comprising at least a furan resin, wherein about 60% by weight to 100% by weight of monomeric furfuryl alcohol, based on the sum of monomeric furfuryl alcohol and resin component are present in the binder, and b) a hardener component selected from methanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, and mixtures thereof, (ii) providing a layer of a refractory molding material to provide a molding material layer, (iii) selectively applying a component a) or b) of the binder separately from the refractory molding material to at least a part of the molding material layer, (iv) applying the other component of the binder separately from the component mentioned in step (iii), wherein step (iv) can be carried out before or after step (iii), or step (iv) can be combined with step (ii), and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii), (iii), and (iv) once or several times. Shaped bodies obtainable thereby as well as their use are disclosed as well.

The present invention relates to a method for the layer-by-layer production of a cured three- dimensional shaped body, wherein the method comprises at least: (i) providing a binder comprising at least the following components: a) monomeric furfuryl alcohol and optionally a resin component comprising at least a furan resin, wherein about 60% by weight to 100% by weight of monomeric furfuryl alcohol, based on the sum of monomeric furfuryl alcohol and resin component are present in the binder, and b) a hardener component selected from methanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, and mixtures thereof, (ii) providing a layer of a refractory molding material to provide a molding material layer, (iii) selectively applying a component a) or b) of the binder separately from the refractory molding material to at least a part of the molding material layer, (iv) applying the other component of the binder separately from the component mentioned in step (iii), wherein step (iv) can be carried out before or after step (iii), or step (iv) can be combined with step (ii), and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii), (iii), and (iv) once or several times. Shaped bodies obtainable thereby as well as their use are disclosed as well.

A number of variations may include at least one mold portion that may define a first cavity, a circular gating system, and at least one sprue. The circular gating system may surround the first cavity and define a continuous in-gate from the circular gating to the first cavity. The at least one sprue and at least one vent may be in fluid communication with the circular gating system and the first cavity.

A number of variations may include at least one mold portion that may define a first cavity, a circular gating system, and at least one sprue. The circular gating system may surround the first cavity and define a continuous in-gate from the circular gating to the first cavity. The at least one sprue and at least one vent may be in fluid communication with the circular gating system and the first cavity.