Methods for forming a unitized crucible assembly for holding a melt of silicon for forming a silicon ingot are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods involve a porous crucible mold having a channel network with a bottom channel, an outer sidewall channel that extends from the bottom channel, and a central weir channel that extends from the bottom channel. A slip slurry may be added to the channel network and the liquid carrier of the slip slurry may be drawn into the mold. The resulting green body may be sintered to form the crucible assembly.

Methods for forming a unitized crucible assembly for holding a melt of silicon for forming a silicon ingot are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods involve a porous crucible mold having a channel network with a bottom channel, an outer sidewall channel that extends from the bottom channel, and a central weir channel that extends from the bottom channel. A slip slurry may be added to the channel network and the liquid carrier of the slip slurry may be drawn into the mold. The resulting green body may be sintered to form the crucible assembly.

Methods and apparatus are provided for pressure casting ceramic bodies. Methods and apparatus are provided for rapid ejection of cast ceramic bodies from a mold. A mold is described that has an impermeable cavity surface to provide dry release of the cast body. Ceramic bodies produced by the methods and apparatus have smooth, non-tacky surfaces after ejection from the mold.

A slip casting mold is useful for producing a ceramic die cast part. The slip casting mold includes a first mold part with a first main part and a first filtration layer and comprising at least one second mold part with a second main part and a second filtration layer. The first main part is equipped with at least one first dewatering channel with at least one dewatering channel end that opens into a second dewatering channel within the second mold part or into a dewatering channel within an additional dewatering body in a casting position.

A toilet assembly includes a flush engine having a bowl, a sump at a lower portion of the bowl, and a trapway extending from the sump. The toilet assembly further includes a first polymeric layer at least partially surrounding the flush engine, the first polymeric layer comprising a foam. The toilet assembly further includes a second polymeric layer provided on the first polymeric layer, the second polymeric layer comprising resin.

Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing the rate of casting ceramic bodies from a slurry or suspension. Methods and apparatus are successfully used for casting ceramic bodies from micron-sized zirconia ceramic at an accelerated rate. Methods described herein may also be used for casting ceramic bodies from nano-sized zirconia ceramic. The casting apparatus may be configured for use in a plurality of operational modes. Ceramic bodies produced by the methods and apparatus are suitable for use in dental applications.

A toilet assembly includes a flush engine having a bowl, a sump at a lower portion of the bowl, and a trapway extending from the sump. The toilet assembly further includes a first polymeric layer at least partially surrounding the flush engine, the first polymeric layer comprising a foam. The toilet assembly further includes a second polymeric layer provided on the first polymeric layer, the second polymeric layer comprising resin.

A process for manufacturing a composite part includes arranging a fibrous preform in a mold including an impregnation chamber which includes in its lower part a filter by making a first face of the preform rest on the filter, the impregnation chamber being closed by a flexible membrane placed opposite a second face of the preform, the membrane separating the impregnation chamber from a compaction chamber. The process further includes injecting a compression fluid into the compaction chamber so as to apply a first pressure on the membrane and injecting a slurry including ceramic particles into the impregnation chamber with a second pressure while maintaining the injection of the compression fluid, the second injection pressure of the slurry being lower than the first pressure on the membrane.

A plumbing fixture includes an electrical component insert-molded within a portion of the plumbing fixture, the portion formed from an epoxy. The electrical component is offset from and disposed below an outer surface of the plumbing fixture.

Methods for forming a unitized crucible assembly for holding a melt of silicon for forming a silicon ingot are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods involve a porous crucible mold having a channel network with a bottom channel, an outer sidewall channel that extends from the bottom channel, and a central weir channel that extends from the bottom channel. A slip slurry may be added to the channel network and the liquid carrier of the slip slurry may be drawn into the mold. The resulting green body may be sintered to form the crucible assembly.