Embodiments of the invention are directed to a rotor for a molten metal pump and a molten metal pump including the rotor. The rotor has a main body and a top comprised of a material that is at least twice as hard as the main body. The top, among other things, may form a first portion of each rotor blade wherein the first portion directs molten metal into a pump chamber or other structure in which the rotor is mounted.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a rotor for a molten metal pump and a molten metal pump including the rotor. The rotor has a main body and a top comprised of a material that is at least twice as hard as the main body. The top, among other things, may form a first portion of each rotor blade wherein the first portion directs molten metal into a pump chamber or other structure in which the rotor is mounted.

An injection device and method for producing at least one metallic glass part, in which a vertical piston is able to move in a vertical direction, a top end portion of the piston being suitable for being engaged in an injection chamber of a mould linked to a cavity of this mould and open at the bottom; the piston having a top end face on which an element made from metallic glass to be introduced into said chamber can be positioned, the top face of the piston having a concave shape suitable for receiving a bottom portion of the element made from metallic glass. A heating means situated under the mould comprises induction coils, such that, when the piston is in an intermediate position, the majority of the metallic element is situated in the space surrounded by the induction coils.

An injection device and method for producing at least one metallic glass part, in which a vertical piston is able to move in a vertical direction, a top end portion of the piston being suitable for being engaged in an injection chamber of a mould linked to a cavity of this mould and open at the bottom; the piston having a top end face on which an element made from metallic glass to be introduced into said chamber can be positioned, the top face of the piston having a concave shape suitable for receiving a bottom portion of the element made from metallic glass. A heating means situated under the mould comprises induction coils, such that, when the piston is in an intermediate position, the majority of the metallic element is situated in the space surrounded by the induction coils.

An injection device of a light metal injection molding machine includes: a first inert gas storage part creating an inert gas atmosphere around a plunger insertion portion of an injection cylinder; a second inert gas storage part housing surplus molten metal in a melting cylinder and creating an inert gas atmosphere above the molten metal; and a first pressure adjustment part adjusting a pressure in the first inert gas storage part to a pressure equal to or less than a pressure obtained by adding a pressure, which is determined based on a value obtained by multiplying a specific gravity of the molten metal by a height difference between a highest position and a lowest position of the molten metal in a part that includes the inside of the injection cylinder and communicates with the inside of the injection cylinder, and a pressure in the second inert gas storage part.

An injection device of a light metal injection molding machine includes: a first inert gas storage part creating an inert gas atmosphere around a plunger insertion portion of an injection cylinder; a second inert gas storage part housing surplus molten metal in a melting cylinder and creating an inert gas atmosphere above the molten metal; and a first pressure adjustment part adjusting a pressure in the first inert gas storage part to a pressure equal to or less than a pressure obtained by adding a pressure, which is determined based on a value obtained by multiplying a specific gravity of the molten metal by a height difference between a highest position and a lowest position of the molten metal in a part that includes the inside of the injection cylinder and communicates with the inside of the injection cylinder, and a pressure in the second inert gas storage part.

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 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.

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.