A casting device and a diecasting method, preferably a vacuum die-casting method, includes a casting chamber having a filling opening, and a casting piston that can be moved in the casting chamber and is connected with a casting drive by way of a casting piston rod. The device also includes a feed line, by way of which casting material can be filled into the casting chamber through the filling opening. The casting chamber is disposed, at least in part, in a sleeve that is mounted so as to rotate.

An investment-diecasting mold has a thin inner investment casting ceramic layer surrounded by a thicker outer metallic diecasting material. The two layers, inner ceramic and outer metallic, provide a hybrid mold for the fabrication of near-to-net or near net shape amorphous alloy composed parts. The inner ceramic layer being appropriate for thermoconductivity and the casting of intricately designed parts, and the outer metallic diecasting mold for support of the inner investment casting layer and as a heat sink for quench of the molten amorphous alloys during use.

An investment-diecasting mold has a thin inner investment casting ceramic layer surrounded by a thicker outer metallic diecasting material. The two layers, inner ceramic and outer metallic, provide a hybrid mold for the fabrication of near-to-net or near net shape amorphous alloy composed parts. The inner ceramic layer being appropriate for thermoconductivity and the casting of intricately designed parts, and the outer metallic diecasting mold for support of the inner investment casting layer and as a heat sink for quench of the molten amorphous alloys during use.

A PISTON FOR COLD-CHAMBER INJECTION MACHINES comprising a support (2) and an external body (3) with a sealing ring (5), joined by a bayonet lock ring (6) independent of the external body (3) and divided into two parts (6a) fitted onto a groove (21) in the support (2) and connected by long screws (7) inserted into threaded holes (61). The piston preferably includes a spring bush (4) as a part that adjusts to the container, independent of the external body (3) and of the bayonet lock ring (6), under which a conical spring ring (8) is included which exerts pressure on the two parts that form the bush (4), tending to expand the same. The piston also includes alternating transverse grooves (81) along the edges thereof for receiving conical metal tips (9) inserted through holes (63) in the bayonet lock ring (6).

A PISTON FOR COLD-CHAMBER INJECTION MACHINES comprising a support (2) and an external body (3) with a sealing ring (5), joined by a bayonet lock ring (6) independent of the external body (3) and divided into two parts (6a) fitted onto a groove (21) in the support (2) and connected by long screws (7) inserted into threaded holes (61). The piston preferably includes a spring bush (4) as a part that adjusts to the container, independent of the external body (3) and of the bayonet lock ring (6), under which a conical spring ring (8) is included which exerts pressure on the two parts that form the bush (4), tending to expand the same. The piston also includes alternating transverse grooves (81) along the edges thereof for receiving conical metal tips (9) inserted through holes (63) in the bayonet lock ring (6).

A die cast part, such as an electric drive unit, a high pressure die casting system, and a method of forming a die cast part. The high pressure die casting system includes a shot sleeve including a pour hole, a launder connected to the pour hole, a furnace connected to the launder, a mold cavity connected to the shot sleeve by a sprue post, and a heating system including at least one proximal channel located under the pour hole under the shot sleeve. The feedstock is melted in the furnace and transferred by a launder into the preheated shot sleeve through a pour hole. The feedstock is injected into a mold cavity, wherein the temperature of the feedstock is above the solidus temperature of the feedstock upon entering the mold cavity.

A die cast part, such as an electric drive unit, a high pressure die casting system, and a method of forming a die cast part. The high pressure die casting system includes a shot sleeve including a pour hole, a launder connected to the pour hole, a furnace connected to the launder, a mold cavity connected to the shot sleeve by a sprue post, and a heating system including at least one proximal channel located under the pour hole under the shot sleeve. The feedstock is melted in the furnace and transferred by a launder into the preheated shot sleeve through a pour hole. The feedstock is injected into a mold cavity, wherein the temperature of the feedstock is above the solidus temperature of the feedstock upon entering the mold cavity.

A pressure die casting piston assembly has a pressure die casting piston. The die casting piston has a front head, a substantially cylindrical side wall extending upwardly from the front head in fixed position relative thereto. A cup-shaped chamber is defined by the front head and the side wall. The side wall is closed by the front head. The die casting piston has a coolant channel passing through the side wall to allow a coolant to pass through the side wall and within the side wall.

New aluminum casting alloys having 8.5-9.5 wt. % silicon, 0.8-2.0 wt. % copper (Cu), 0.20-0.53 wt. % magnesium (Mg), and 0.35 to 0.8 wt. % manganese are disclosed. The alloy may be solution heat treated, treated in accordance with T5 tempering and/or artificially aged to produce castings, e.g., for cylinder heads and engine blocks. In one embodiment, the castings are made by high pressure die casting.

New aluminum casting alloys having 8.5-9.5 wt. % silicon, 0.8-2.0 wt. % copper (Cu), 0.20-0.53 wt. % magnesium (Mg), and 0.35 to 0.8 wt. % manganese are disclosed. The alloy may be solution heat treated, treated in accordance with T5 tempering and/or artificially aged to produce castings, e.g., for cylinder heads and engine blocks. In one embodiment, the castings are made by high pressure die casting.