Described herein is a method of selectively depositing molten bulk metallic glass (BMG). In one embodiment, a continuous stream or discrete droplets of molten BMG is deposited to selected positions. The deposition can be repeated as needed layer by layer. One or more layers of non-BMG can be used as needed.

Described herein is a method of selectively depositing molten bulk metallic glass (BMG). In one embodiment, a continuous stream or discrete droplets of molten BMG is deposited to selected positions. The deposition can be repeated as needed layer by layer. One or more layers of non-BMG can be used as needed.

A melting unit for melting down casting materials and a method for producing molten material for casting.

A melting unit for melting down casting materials and a method for producing molten material for casting.

A system and method for melting a raw material. The raw material is fed into an electrically conductive vessel. A plasma arc torch melts at least some of the raw material within the vessel to thereby create a molten material. An inductor, physically disposed adjacent the vessel, and electrically disposed in series with the vessel in operation, effects electromagnetic stirring of the molten material by interacting with the current of the plasma arc torch.

A system and method for melting a raw material. The raw material is fed into an electrically conductive vessel. A plasma arc torch melts at least some of the raw material within the vessel to thereby create a molten material. An inductor, physically disposed adjacent the vessel, and electrically disposed in series with the vessel in operation, effects electromagnetic stirring of the molten material by interacting with the current of the plasma arc torch.

An apparatus for producing a semi-solidified metal has a heating device which heats a metal material, a vessel, a cooling device which cools the vessel, and a pouring device which pours the metal material into the vessel. The vessel has a hollow member which configures a wall of the vessel and is opened at both of the upper and lower ends and into which the metal material is poured from the upper opening, and a bottom member which closes the lower opening of the hollow member and configures the bottom of the vessel. The cooling speed of the metal material by the bottom member is faster than the cooling speed of the metal material by the hollow member.

An apparatus for producing a semi-solidified metal has a heating device which heats a metal material, a vessel, a cooling device which cools the vessel, and a pouring device which pours the metal material into the vessel. The vessel has a hollow member which configures a wall of the vessel and is opened at both of the upper and lower ends and into which the metal material is poured from the upper opening, and a bottom member which closes the lower opening of the hollow member and configures the bottom of the vessel. The cooling speed of the metal material by the bottom member is faster than the cooling speed of the metal material by the hollow member.

An arc melting and tilt casting apparatus having a casing provided with a vacuum chamber for housing a hearth having a melting trough and pouring means, arc-melting electrode means passing through the casing in the chamber, a mold having a melt receiving orifice, vacuum generating means, sealing means for maintaining the vacuum in the chamber and tilting means for tilting the apparatus to cause the melt to flow from the melting trough via the pouring means in the mold through the mold orifice. The hearth and mold are connected together and moveable as a single unit in the vacuum chamber and out from the chamber.

An arc melting and tilt casting apparatus having a casing provided with a vacuum chamber for housing a hearth having a melting trough and pouring means, arc-melting electrode means passing through the casing in the chamber, a mold having a melt receiving orifice, vacuum generating means, sealing means for maintaining the vacuum in the chamber and tilting means for tilting the apparatus to cause the melt to flow from the melting trough via the pouring means in the mold through the mold orifice. The hearth and mold are connected together and moveable as a single unit in the vacuum chamber and out from the chamber.