There is provided a melting device including a melting cylinder that is heated to a predetermined temperature, melts a molding material supplied from a material supply port, and generates a molten material; an inert gas supply device configured to supply an inert gas onto a melting surface of the molten material and form an inert gas layer; and a low specific gravity gas supply device configured to supply a low specific gravity gas which is a gas having a different type from the inert gas and form a low specific gravity gas layer on the inert gas layer, wherein the low specific gravity gas layer has a lower specific gravity than the inert gas layer.

There is provided a melting device including a melting cylinder that is heated to a predetermined temperature, melts a molding material supplied from a material supply port, and generates a molten material; an inert gas supply device configured to supply an inert gas onto a melting surface of the molten material and form an inert gas layer; and a low specific gravity gas supply device configured to supply a low specific gravity gas which is a gas having a different type from the inert gas and form a low specific gravity gas layer on the inert gas layer, wherein the low specific gravity gas layer has a lower specific gravity than the inert gas layer.

An injection device of light metal injection molding machine and an injection control method thereof are provided, in which a melt in a supply unit is supplied into an injection unit through a communication passage, a plunger of the injection unit is retracted to measure the melt, the communication passage is closed, and the plunger is advanced to inject the melt into a mold device through an injection nozzle of the injection unit. After the injection and before the measurement, the plunger is advanced under a pressure at which the melt does not come out from the injection nozzle to make the melt in the injection unit flow back into the supply unit through the opened communication passage.

An injection device of light metal injection molding machine and an injection control method thereof are provided, in which a melt in a supply unit is supplied into an injection unit through a communication passage, a plunger of the injection unit is retracted to measure the melt, the communication passage is closed, and the plunger is advanced to inject the melt into a mold device through an injection nozzle of the injection unit. After the injection and before the measurement, the plunger is advanced under a pressure at which the melt does not come out from the injection nozzle to make the melt in the injection unit flow back into the supply unit through the opened communication passage.

A bit for drilling a wellbore includes: a shank having a coupling formed at an upper end thereof; a body mounted to a lower end of the shank; and a cutting face forming a lower end of the bit. The cutting face includes: a blade protruding from the body; a cutter including: a substrate mounted in a pocket formed in the blade; and a cutting table made from a superhard material, mounted to the substrate, and having a non-planar working face with a cutting feature; and a cutter orienting system including: a keyway formed in the substrate and angularly located opposite from the cutting feature; and a key formed in or mounted to the pocket and engaged with the keyway.

A method of manufacturing a component includes additively manufacturing a crucible; directionally solidifying a metal material within the crucible; and removing the crucible to reveal the component. A component for a gas turbine engine includes a directionally solidified metal material component, the directionally solidified metal material component having been additively manufactured of a metal material concurrently with a core, the metal material having been remelted and directionally solidified.

A method of manufacturing a component includes additively manufacturing a crucible; directionally solidifying a metal material within the crucible; and removing the crucible to reveal the component. A component for a gas turbine engine includes a directionally solidified metal material component, the directionally solidified metal material component having been additively manufactured of a metal material concurrently with a core, the metal material having been remelted and directionally solidified.

A manufacturing method includes providing a material that includes a plurality of particles and a binder that is uncured. The method also includes forming a first article from the material including curing the binder to bind a collection of the particles together into the first article. Furthermore, the method includes encasing at least a portion of the first article with an outer member. The outer member defines an internal cavity that corresponds to the first article. Additionally, the method includes heating the outer member and the first article to melt the collection of particles into a molten mass within the internal cavity of the outer member. Moreover, the method includes solidifying the molten mass within the outer member to form a second article. The second article corresponds to at least a portion of the internal cavity of the outer member.

In one aspect, methods of making freestanding metal matrix composite articles and alloy articles are described. A method of making a freestanding composite article described herein comprises disposing over a surface of the temporary substrate a layered assembly comprising a layer of infiltration metal or alloy and a hard particle layer formed of a flexible sheet comprising organic binder and the hard particles. The layered assembly is heated to infiltrate the hard particle layer with metal or alloy providing a metal matrix composite, and the metal matrix composite is separated from the temporary substrate. Further, a method of making a freestanding alloy article described herein comprises disposing over the surface of a temporary substrate a flexible sheet comprising organic binder and powder alloy and heating the sheet to provide a sintered alloy article. The sintered alloy article is then separated from the temporary substrate.

In one aspect, methods of making freestanding metal matrix composite articles and alloy articles are described. A method of making a freestanding composite article described herein comprises disposing over a surface of the temporary substrate a layered assembly comprising a layer of infiltration metal or alloy and a hard particle layer formed of a flexible sheet comprising organic binder and the hard particles. The layered assembly is heated to infiltrate the hard particle layer with metal or alloy providing a metal matrix composite, and the metal matrix composite is separated from the temporary substrate. Further, a method of making a freestanding alloy article described herein comprises disposing over the surface of a temporary substrate a flexible sheet comprising organic binder and powder alloy and heating the sheet to provide a sintered alloy article. The sintered alloy article is then separated from the temporary substrate.