A lead delivery apparatus for a cast on strap machine is arranged to deliver a predetermined volume of molten lead to a mould. The apparatus includes a first needle valve, a second needle valve, and a housing. The housing has a reservoir including an inlet and an outlet. The reservoir inlet is in fluid communication with a molten lead supply. The reservoir is supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir is maintained at a constant height.

A lead delivery apparatus for a cast on strap machine is arranged to deliver a predetermined volume of molten lead to a mould. The apparatus includes a first needle valve, a second needle valve, and a housing. The housing has a reservoir including an inlet and an outlet. The reservoir inlet is in fluid communication with a molten lead supply. The reservoir is supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir is maintained at a constant height.

A lead delivery apparatus for a cast on strap machine is arranged to deliver a predetermined volume of molten lead to a mould. The apparatus includes a first needle valve, a second needle valve, and a housing. The housing has a reservoir including an inlet and an outlet. The reservoir inlet is in fluid communication with a molten lead supply. The reservoir is supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir is maintained at a constant height.

A lead delivery apparatus for a cast on strap machine is arranged to deliver a predetermined volume of molten lead to a mould. The apparatus includes a first needle valve, a second needle valve, and a housing. The housing has a reservoir including an inlet and an outlet. The reservoir inlet is in fluid communication with a molten lead supply. The reservoir is supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir is maintained at a constant height.

A lead delivery apparatus for a cast on strap machine is arranged to deliver a predetermined volume of molten lead to a mould. The apparatus includes a first needle valve, a second needle valve, and a housing. The housing has a reservoir including an inlet and an outlet. The reservoir inlet is in fluid communication with a molten lead supply. The reservoir is supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir is maintained at a constant height.

A lead delivery apparatus for a cast on strap machine is arranged to deliver a predetermined volume of molten lead to a mould. The apparatus includes a first needle valve, a second needle valve, and a housing. The housing has a reservoir including an inlet and an outlet. The reservoir inlet is in fluid communication with a molten lead supply. The reservoir is supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir is maintained at a constant height.

A liquid-resistant direct-drive robotic ladler is provided and may include a drive unit generating rotational force, a drive shaft, and a ladling unit containing a ladling shaft. The drive shaft and ladling shafts may engage through bevel gears transmitting rotational force. The ladling unit may have a plurality of external openings, with each opening sealed with sealing plates. In some embodiments, each sealing plate overlaps the ladling unit casing external openings at all points of contact in an orthogonal, relative to a width-wise plane of the sealing plate. width greater than a thickness of the sealing plate. The direct-drive mechanism, employing closely matched gears, allows high accuracy pouring. In some embodiments, the drive shaft bevel gear is coupled to the ladling shaft bevel gear with a backlash equal to or less than 0.008 inches. The ladler may be at least partially immersible or submersible in liquids, including high-temperature liquid metals.

A molten metal pump assembly and method to fill complex molds with molten metal, such as aluminum. The pump assembly includes an elongated shaft connecting a motor to an impeller. The impeller is housed within a chamber of a base member such that rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the chamber at an inlet and forces molten aluminum through an outlet. A first bearing is adapted to support the rotation of the impeller at a first radial edge and a second bearing adapted to support the rotation of the impeller at a second radial edge. A bypass gap is interposed between the second bearing and the second radial edge. Molten metal leaks through the bypass gap at a predetermined rate to manipulate a flow rate and a head pressure of the molten metal such that precise control of the flow rate is achieved.

A molten metal pump assembly and method to fill complex molds with molten metal, such as aluminum. The pump assembly includes an elongated shaft connecting a motor to an impeller. The impeller is housed within a chamber of a base member such that rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the chamber at an inlet and forces molten aluminum through an outlet. A first bearing is adapted to support the rotation of the impeller at a first radial edge and a second bearing adapted to support the rotation of the impeller at a second radial edge. A bypass gap is interposed between the second bearing and the second radial edge. Molten metal leaks through the bypass gap at a predetermined rate to manipulate a flow rate and a head pressure of the molten metal such that precise control of the flow rate is achieved.

A method for the tilt casting of a component from light metal, in particular of an aluminum alloy, uses a tilt casting mold having a mold cavity. The melt is continuously poured directly into the casting run of the tilt casting mold, which forms the sprue of the component, at the beginning of and during the tilting movement of the tilt casting mold, using a casting ladle or a casting scoop, and flows through the casting run into the mold cavity of the tilt casting mold from the beginning, wherein the casting ladle or the casting scoop continuously tracks the casting mold during the tilting movement.