A vacuum sensor system includes a vacuum pump, vacuum tank, solenoid valve, filters, vacuum block, sensors, and a central processing unit (CPU). The vacuum sensor system monitors the performance of a vacuum system connected to a high pressure die casting machine to ensure that the components cast in the mold or die will have a greater yield of acceptable parts. More specifically, the vacuum sensor system uses sensors to monitor and analyze the vacuum pressure at multiple locations to determine which components are clogging and causing a loss of vacuum pressure in the system. When the CPU detects an anomaly in the pressure, the CPU provides notification in one or more of the following ways: sending a command to shut down the die casting machine; visual notification on the screen of the CPU; an audible warning signal; a visual notification on a semaphore installed on the machine; and/or an electronic notification to one or more users via email, text, or other form of telecommunication.

A metal-injection-molding (MIM) apparatus for making a monolithic precursor test coupon comprises a mold, defining a mold cavity. The mold cavity comprises a first-grip-portion cavity and a second-grip-portion cavity. The mold cavity also comprises an intermediate-portion cavity, interconnecting the first-grip-portion cavity and the second-grip-portion cavity. The mold cavity further comprises runner cavities, directly interconnecting the first-grip-portion cavity and the second-grip-portion cavity and not directly connected to the intermediate-portion cavity. The MIM apparatus additionally comprises an injector, operable to inject feedstock material that comprises a metal powder, into the mold cavity to form the monolithic precursor test coupon.

The casting of metals or salt and products made by casting metals or salts are described. For example, a method for casting metals or salts includes evacuating a mold that is pressurized with an inert gas and coupled to a pressurized source of molten metal or salt, wherein the pressurization of the source is sufficiently high to drive the molten metal or salt into the mold in response to the evacuation.

Provided is a casting device that is able to operate stably while suppressing leakage from a gap between a tip and a sleeve. The casting device comprises: a sliding member in the center of which a rod slides, and in which a gap is formed between the rod and a sleeve; a seal member arranged at the outer periphery of the sliding member; and a suction device for suctioning air inside the sleeve. When the seal member is positioned in a center section closer to a cavity than the pouring hole, and the air in a space between the sliding member and the tip is suctioned, the seal member assumes a first state in which the seal member adheres to the center section, and in the first state the tip advanced toward the cavity.

Provided is a casting device that is able to operate stably while suppressing leakage from a gap between a tip and a sleeve. The casting device comprises: a sliding member in the center of which a rod slides, and in which a gap is formed between the rod and a sleeve; a seal member arranged at the outer periphery of the sliding member; and a suction device for suctioning air inside the sleeve. When the seal member is positioned in a center section closer to a cavity than the pouring hole, and the air in a space between the sliding member and the tip is suctioned, the seal member assumes a first state in which the seal member adheres to the center section, and in the first state the tip advanced toward the cavity.

A light metal injection molding machine includes a melting unit, a material supply device, and an inert gas supplier. The material supply device includes a supply cylinder and a lower shutter. The supply cylinder includes a passage which communicates vertically, a supply opening disposed on an upper side of the passage and to which a molding material is fed, and a discharge opening which is disposed on a lower side of the passage and discharges the molding material to a material supply port of the melting unit. The lower shutter is disposed in the supply cylinder to open and close the passage, and the molding material is placed on the lower shutter when the passage is closed. The lower shutter has at least one vent-hole that allows an inert gas supplied from below the lower shutter to pass when the passage is closed.

A composite casting system for manufacturing a heterogeneous material casting product may include a fixed mold; a movable mold for opening or closing one side of the fixed mold; a slide core pin provided inside the fixed mold or the movable mold, and capable of being protruded to a cavity side, which is formed by a combination of the fixed mold and the movable mold, from the inside of the fixed mold or the movable mold; a high-pressure casting device for injecting high-pressure casting molten metal into the cavity; and a gravity casting device for injecting gravity casting molten metal through a gravity casting hole formed on the fixed mold or the movable mold.

Provided is a system and method for metering an amount of molten amorphous alloy into a mold cavity of an injection system. A melting chamber in the system is heated to or above a solidus temperature of the alloy to form a hot chamber. Both the chamber and mold are maintained in an inert atmosphere. The molten alloy is metered from the chamber using a valve system and injected into the mold cavity for molding into a part. A feed tube may extend from the hot chamber to the valve system. The valve system may use gravity or pressure from a pump to meter a volume of molten alloy. In another case, the valve system may include a plunger and a shot sleeve for injecting alloy into the mold. In one embodiment, the plunger itself meters a volume of the alloy. The shot sleeve and plunger may optionally be heated.

Provided is a system and method for metering an amount of molten amorphous alloy into a mold cavity of an injection system. A melting chamber in the system is heated to or above a solidus temperature of the alloy to form a hot chamber. Both the chamber and mold are maintained in an inert atmosphere. The molten alloy is metered from the chamber using a valve system and injected into the mold cavity for molding into a part. A feed tube may extend from the hot chamber to the valve system. The valve system may use gravity or pressure from a pump to meter a volume of molten alloy. In another case, the valve system may include a plunger and a shot sleeve for injecting alloy into the mold. In one embodiment, the plunger itself meters a volume of the alloy. The shot sleeve and plunger may optionally be heated.

A piston of a die-casting apparatus comprises: a piston head fabricated of a first material; an elongate, inner carrier coupled to the piston head; a generally annular body seated on the carrier adjacent the piston head; and a wear ring disposed on the piston head, the wear ring being fabricated of a second material. The first material has a higher toughness and a lower hardness than the second material.