Methods for forming prosthetic implants, including femoral implants, are discussed. While the methods can include any suitable step, in some cases, they include providing a master negative mold defining an internal space shaped to form a femoral component configured to replace a distal portion of a femur, wherein the femoral component comprises at least one of: an anterior flange that is disposed at an anterior proximal end of the femoral component, and a proximal extension disposed at a proximal portion of a posterior condyle of the femoral component, the proximal extension comprising a concave articulation surface that is configured to articulate against at least one of: a tibial prosthetic component and a tibia; filling the master negative mold with a molding material to form a molded femoral component; and removing at least one of: the anterior flange, and the proximal extension from the molded femoral component to form a modified molded femoral component. Other implementations are described.

Methods for forming prosthetic implants, including femoral implants, are discussed. While the methods can include any suitable step, in some cases, they include providing a master negative mold defining an internal space shaped to form a femoral component configured to replace a distal portion of a femur, wherein the femoral component comprises at least one of: an anterior flange that is disposed at an anterior proximal end of the femoral component, and a proximal extension disposed at a proximal portion of a posterior condyle of the femoral component, the proximal extension comprising a concave articulation surface that is configured to articulate against at least one of: a tibial prosthetic component and a tibia; filling the master negative mold with a molding material to form a molded femoral component; and removing at least one of: the anterior flange, and the proximal extension from the molded femoral component to form a modified molded femoral component. Other implementations are described.

A system (5) and method (800) for unit cell casting of titanium or titanium-alloys is disclosed herein. The system (5) comprises an external chamber (45), a crucible (10) positioned within the external chamber (45), an induction coil (15) positioned around the crucible, an internal chamber (40) positioned within the external chamber (45), and a mold (30) positioned within the internal chamber (40). The external chamber (45) is evacuated and a pressurized gas is injected into the evacuated external chamber (45) to create a pressurized external chamber (45). An ingot (20) is melted within the crucible utilizing induction heating generated by the induction coil (15). The internal chamber (40) is evacuated to create an evacuated internal chamber (40). The titanium alloy material of the ingot (20) is completely transferred into the mold (30) from the crucible (10) using a pressure differential created between the external chamber (45) and the internal chamber (40).

A system (5) and method (800) for unit cell casting of titanium or titanium-alloys is disclosed herein. The system (5) comprises an external chamber (45), a crucible (10) positioned within the external chamber (45), an induction coil (15) positioned around the crucible, an internal chamber (40) positioned within the external chamber (45), and a mold (30) positioned within the internal chamber (40). The external chamber (45) is evacuated and a pressurized gas is injected into the evacuated external chamber (45) to create a pressurized external chamber (45). An ingot (20) is melted within the crucible utilizing induction heating generated by the induction coil (15). The internal chamber (40) is evacuated to create an evacuated internal chamber (40). The titanium alloy material of the ingot (20) is completely transferred into the mold (30) from the crucible (10) using a pressure differential created between the external chamber (45) and the internal chamber (40).

Provided is an intake manifold for an internal combustion engine, the intake manifold including an upstream portion, a first downstream portion, and a second downstream portion. The upstream portion includes a first upstream passage and a second upstream passage. The first downstream portion includes a first downstream passage configured to communicate the first upstream passage with an intake port of a first cylinder head. The second downstream portion includes a second downstream passage configured to communicate the second upstream passage with an intake port of a second cylinder head. The upstream portion, the first downstream portion, and the second downstream portion are provided in a separate manner. In the intake manifold, a flange of the first downstream portion is connected to a flange of the upstream portion, and a flange of the second downstream portion is connected to the flange of the upstream portion.

An apparatus and method for creating openings in a material that solidifies is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rigid board and at least one rigid retainer plate. The rigid retainer plate comprises at least one buoyancy plate to resist the buoyant force of the material that solidifies, at least one hydrostatic plate to resist the hydrostatic force of the material that solidifies, and a retainer tie. The rigid board further comprises retainer plate slots configured to accept the retainer plates. When the apparatus is in use, the retainer plates are inserted into the retainer plate slots and the retainer ties are coupled to formwork panels. The material that solidifies is then poured into the gap between the formwork panels. Once the material is solidified, the formwork panels are removed and the apparatus can be either reused or thrown out. The apparatus may be used with any material that solidifies.

An apparatus and method for creating openings in a material that solidifies is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rigid board and at least one rigid retainer plate. The rigid retainer plate comprises at least one buoyancy plate to resist the buoyant force of the material that solidifies, at least one hydrostatic plate to resist the hydrostatic force of the material that solidifies, and a retainer tie. The rigid board further comprises retainer plate slots configured to accept the retainer plates. When the apparatus is in use, the retainer plates are inserted into the retainer plate slots and the retainer ties are coupled to formwork panels. The material that solidifies is then poured into the gap between the formwork panels. Once the material is solidified, the formwork panels are removed and the apparatus can be either reused or thrown out. The apparatus may be used with any material that solidifies.

The present disclosure relates to flake graphite cast iron having high workability and a preparation method thereof, and more particularly, to flake graphite cast iron with a uniform graphite shape, low chill formability, a high strength such as a tensile strength of 350 MPa or more, and excellent workability and fluidity by controlling each of the contents of manganese (Mn) and sulfur (S) and carbon (C) and silicon (Si) included in the cast iron and a carbon equivalent (CE) to predetermined ratios, and a preparation method thereof.

The present disclosure relates to flake graphite cast iron having high workability and a preparation method thereof, and more particularly, to flake graphite cast iron with a uniform graphite shape, low chill formability, a high strength such as a tensile strength of 350 MPa or more, and excellent workability and fluidity by controlling each of the contents of manganese (Mn) and sulfur (S) and carbon (C) and silicon (Si) included in the cast iron and a carbon equivalent (CE) to predetermined ratios, and a preparation method thereof.

A cast molding method accomplishes the cast molding by a smelting chamber, a casting chamber, a hinge press system and a vacuum system. First, a metallic die is assembled in the casting chamber and then a metallic material is put in the smelting chamber. Next, the metallic material is heated up in a vacuum state and the casting chamber is pre-heated at a same time. After the metallic material in the smelting chamber has been melted down and the casting chamber has been vacuumized, the melted metallic material is filled into the metallic die, and then the hinge press system is turned on to cast mold the metallic die, resulting in a semi-solid product. After the semi-solid product has been cooled down, the product of cast molding is accomplished according to the present invention.