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).

A counter gravity casting apparatus includes a reusable metal mold having a plurality of mold cavities, a feed tube configured to feed molten alloy into the mold, and a vacuum fitting configured to permit a vacuum to be applied to the mold. The mold includes multiple metal sections configured such that adjacent metal sections mate to one another, the metal sections being separable from one another. The metal sections include recesses that form the mold cavities, and the mold includes a sprue and multiple runner passages. The sprue is configured to receive molten alloy from the feed tube, and the multiple runner passages are configured to feed molten alloy from the sprue to the mold cavities. Methods of casting bulk amorphous alloy articles or feedstock is described.

A counter gravity casting apparatus includes a reusable metal mold having a plurality of mold cavities, a feed tube configured to feed molten alloy into the mold, and a vacuum fitting configured to permit a vacuum to be applied to the mold. The mold includes multiple metal sections configured such that adjacent metal sections mate to one another, the metal sections being separable from one another. The metal sections include recesses that form the mold cavities, and the mold includes a sprue and multiple runner passages. The sprue is configured to receive molten alloy from the feed tube, and the multiple runner passages are configured to feed molten alloy from the sprue to the mold cavities. Methods of casting bulk amorphous alloy articles or feedstock is described.

Disclosed is a high-temperature alloy pressure casting mold for an impeller and a guide vane. The high-temperature alloy pressure casting mold includes a casting main pipe, a lower casting pipe, and forming steel mold assemblies, wherein the plurality of forming steel mold assemblies surround the casting main pipe, the casting main pipe is provided with a pressure device, the bottom of the casting main pipe is connected to a casting gate at the bottom of each forming steel mold assembly by means of the lower casting pipe, and casting is carried out using pressure supplied by the main pipe. Further disclosed is a high-temperature alloy pressure casting process for an impeller and a guide vane using the casting mold.

Disclosed is a high-temperature alloy pressure casting mold for an impeller and a guide vane. The high-temperature alloy pressure casting mold includes a casting main pipe, a lower casting pipe, and forming steel mold assemblies, wherein the plurality of forming steel mold assemblies surround the casting main pipe, the casting main pipe is provided with a pressure device, the bottom of the casting main pipe is connected to a casting gate at the bottom of each forming steel mold assembly by means of the lower casting pipe, and casting is carried out using pressure supplied by the main pipe. Further disclosed is a high-temperature alloy pressure casting process for an impeller and a guide vane using the casting mold.

A method of forming a cast heat exchanger plate includes forming at least one hot core plate defining internal features of a one piece heat exchanger plate and at least one first set of interlocking features. At least one cold core plate is formed defining external features of the heat exchanger plate and at least one second set of interlocking features. A core assembly is assembled wherein each hot core plate is directly interlocked to the at least one cold core plate. A wax pattern is formed with the core assembly. An external shell is formed over the wax pattern. The wax pattern is removed to form a space between the core assembly and the external shell. The space is filled with a molten material and cures the molten material. The external shell is removed. The core assembly is removed. A core assembly for a cast heat exchanger is also disclosed.

A method of moulding a settable material includes the steps of: (i) providing a first mould or mould cavity; (ii) providing an outlet from which a settable material is discharged; (iii) aligning the first mould or mould cavity with the outlet; (iv) discharging settable material from the outlet into the first mould or mould cavity; (v) providing a second mould or mould cavity; (vi) displacing the first mould or mould cavity away from the outlet; (vii) aligning the second mould or mould cavity with: (a) the outlet; and (b) the first mould or mould cavity such that the second mould or mould cavity is in fluid communication with the first mould or mould cavity; (viii) discharging settable material from the outlet into the second mould or mould cavity; (ix) permitting a portion of the settable material discharged into the second mould or mould cavity to flow from within the second mould or mould cavity to within the first mould or mould cavity; (x) further displacing the first mould or mould cavity and the second mould or mould cavity away from the outlet; (xii) permitting: (a) the settable material in the first mould or mould cavity to set into a first moulded article; and (b) the settable material in the second mould or mould cavity to set into a second moulded article; and (xiii) severing the first moulded article from the second moulded article.

A method of moulding a settable material includes the steps of: (i) providing a first mould or mould cavity; (ii) providing an outlet from which a settable material is discharged; (iii) aligning the first mould or mould cavity with the outlet; (iv) discharging settable material from the outlet into the first mould or mould cavity; (v) providing a second mould or mould cavity; (vi) displacing the first mould or mould cavity away from the outlet; (vii) aligning the second mould or mould cavity with: (a) the outlet; and (b) the first mould or mould cavity such that the second mould or mould cavity is in fluid communication with the first mould or mould cavity; (viii) discharging settable material from the outlet into the second mould or mould cavity; (ix) permitting a portion of the settable material discharged into the second mould or mould cavity to flow from within the second mould or mould cavity to within the first mould or mould cavity; (x) further displacing the first mould or mould cavity and the second mould or mould cavity away from the outlet; (xii) permitting: (a) the settable material in the first mould or mould cavity to set into a first moulded article; and (b) the settable material in the second mould or mould cavity to set into a second moulded article; and (xiii) severing the first moulded article from the second moulded article.

A stack molding pattern and a shell for manufacturing aircraft turbine engine blades via lost wax casting. The stack molding shell includes a plurality of shell blade elements, each intended for producing a blade, wire elements being arranged within the shell blade elements; and a metal feeder including a plurality of metal outlets, each one radially open towards one of the shell blade elements and connected with the second end portion of the element. The shell includes a protective screen, associated with each second end portion and intended to protect a sensitive portion of the wire elements against the direct impact of a flow of metal from the feeder. The sensitive portion is located in the second end portion, downstream from the protective screen.

A stack molding pattern and a shell for manufacturing aircraft turbine engine blades via lost wax casting. The stack molding shell includes a plurality of shell blade elements, each intended for producing a blade, wire elements being arranged within the shell blade elements; and a metal feeder including a plurality of metal outlets, each one radially open towards one of the shell blade elements and connected with the second end portion of the element. The shell includes a protective screen, associated with each second end portion and intended to protect a sensitive portion of the wire elements against the direct impact of a flow of metal from the feeder. The sensitive portion is located in the second end portion, downstream from the protective screen.