Disclosed are embodiments of a vessel configured to contain a secondary magnetic induction field therein for melting materials, and methods of use thereof. The vessel can be used in an injection molding apparatus having an induction coil positioned adjacent to the vessel. The vessel can have a tubular body configured to substantially surround and receive a plunger tip. Longitudinal slots or gaps extend through the thickness of the body to allow and/or direct eddy currents into the vessel during application of an RF induction field from the coil. The body also includes temperature regulating lines configured to flow a liquid within. The temperature regulating lines can be provided to run longitudinally within the wall(s) of the body between its inner bore and outer surface(s). A flange may be provided at one end of the body to secure the body within an injection molding apparatus.

In a die casting apparatus, during feeding of molten metal by an electromagnetic pump, a molten metal level sensor repeatedly detects a during-feeding level of the molten metal stored in a molten metal holding furnace; a control unit corrects a molten metal feeding voltage to a during-feeding voltage based on the repeatedly detected during-feeding level of the molten metal such that an amount of the molten metal fed by the electromagnetic pump coincides with a prescribed amount; the control unit applies the during-feeding voltage to the electromagnetic pump to cause the electromagnetic pump to feed the molten metal from the molten metal holding furnace into a plunger sleeve; and casting is performed through an injecting operation in which the molten metal fed into the plunger sleeve is extruded by a plunger tip to be injected into a cavity.

In a die casting apparatus, during feeding of molten metal by an electromagnetic pump, a molten metal level sensor repeatedly detects a during-feeding level of the molten metal stored in a molten metal holding furnace; a control unit corrects a molten metal feeding voltage to a during-feeding voltage based on the repeatedly detected during-feeding level of the molten metal such that an amount of the molten metal fed by the electromagnetic pump coincides with a prescribed amount; the control unit applies the during-feeding voltage to the electromagnetic pump to cause the electromagnetic pump to feed the molten metal from the molten metal holding furnace into a plunger sleeve; and casting is performed through an injecting operation in which the molten metal fed into the plunger sleeve is extruded by a plunger tip to be injected into a cavity.

The present technology includes a hydraulic die-casting machine with electric motor actuated by an inverter, which provides an energy saving evaluation system with respect to a die-casting machine without inverter. The hydraulic die-casting machine includes an injection assembly provided with an injection piston for pressurizing case metal poured into a die and a hydraulic circuit for actuating the injection piston, a hydraulic pump for feeding the hydraulic circuit through a delivery line, an electric motor for actuating the hydraulic pump and an inverter for actuating the electric motor, and an evaluation system for evaluation of the energy savings provided by the present technology.

The present technology includes a hydraulic die-casting machine with electric motor actuated by an inverter, which provides an energy saving evaluation system with respect to a die-casting machine without inverter. The hydraulic die-casting machine includes an injection assembly provided with an injection piston for pressurizing case metal poured into a die and a hydraulic circuit for actuating the injection piston, a hydraulic pump for feeding the hydraulic circuit through a delivery line, an electric motor for actuating the hydraulic pump and an inverter for actuating the electric motor, and an evaluation system for evaluation of the energy savings provided by the present technology.

Various embodiments provide an apparatus and methods for containing the molten materials within a melt zone during melting. The apparatus may include a vessel configured to receive a material for melting therein and an induction coil with unevenly spaced turns along its length. Induction coil can have a series of turns acting as a first (e.g., load) induction coil and a series of turns acting as a second (e.g., containment) induction coil. The material in the vessel can be heated and contained by the separated turns of the induction coil. A plunger can also assist in containing material during melting. Once the desired temperature is achieved and maintained for the molten material, operation of the induction coil can be stopped and the molten material can be ejected from the vessel into a mold using the plunger.

Various embodiments provide an apparatus and methods for containing the molten materials within a melt zone during melting. The apparatus may include a vessel configured to receive a material for melting therein and an induction coil with unevenly spaced turns along its length. Induction coil can have a series of turns acting as a first (e.g., load) induction coil and a series of turns acting as a second (e.g., containment) induction coil. The material in the vessel can be heated and contained by the separated turns of the induction coil. A plunger can also assist in containing material during melting. Once the desired temperature is achieved and maintained for the molten material, operation of the induction coil can be stopped and the molten material can be ejected from the vessel into a mold using the plunger.

A method of determining the position of at least one opening (9, 10) in a casting chamber (6) of a die-casting machine (1), wherein a casting plunger (7) is contained in the casting chamber (8), The casting plunger (7) is movable into a position in which communication between the opening (9, 10) and the casting chamber (6) is no longer possible. It is determined, on the basis of the vacuum in the connecting line (14, 15), when the casting plunger (7) has reached the position in which communication, between the opening (9, 10) and the casting chamber (6), is no longer possible. A method of operating a vacuum die-casting machine, wherein a casting curve, for performing a casting cycle, is determined by specified and/or experimentally determined characteristic values of the die-casting machine by a computer program for operating the die-casting machine, and to a corresponding computer program product.

A method of determining the position of at least one opening (9, 10) in a casting chamber (6) of a die-casting machine (1), wherein a casting plunger (7) is contained in the casting chamber (8), The casting plunger (7) is movable into a position in which communication between the opening (9, 10) and the casting chamber (6) is no longer possible. It is determined, on the basis of the vacuum in the connecting line (14, 15), when the casting plunger (7) has reached the position in which communication, between the opening (9, 10) and the casting chamber (6), is no longer possible. A method of operating a vacuum die-casting machine, wherein a casting curve, for performing a casting cycle, is determined by specified and/or experimentally determined characteristic values of the die-casting machine by a computer program for operating the die-casting machine, and to a corresponding computer program product.

In a die casting apparatus, during feeding of molten metal by an electromagnetic pump, a molten metal level sensor repeatedly detects a during-feeding level of the molten metal stored in a molten metal holding furnace; a control unit corrects a molten metal feeding voltage to a during-feeding voltage based on the repeatedly detected during-feeding level of the molten metal such that an amount of the molten metal fed by the electromagnetic pump coincides with a prescribed amount; the control unit applies the during-feeding voltage to the electromagnetic pump to cause the electromagnetic pump to feed the molten metal from the molten metal holding furnace into a plunger sleeve; and casting is performed through an injecting operation in which the molten metal fed into the plunger sleeve is extruded by a plunger tip to be injected into a cavity.