A modular micro mill for manufacturing steel long product from scrap metal using an induction melting furnace is disclosed. Scrap or pre-refined metal is delivered and melted in the induction melting furnace, the melted steel then being transferred by a preheated tundish to a casting station for producing billets. From the caster the billets are transferred directly to a billet staging station and stored in queue for delivering to main conveyor leading directly to the rolling mill without being cooled to ambient. The bars produced by the rolling mill are then quenched to impart desired metallurgical properties within the finished product. A control system runs the operation of the production line of the modular micro mill, the control system specifically adapting production rates, conveyor speeds, temperatures, etc. of components upstream within the production line based on the specific requirements and/or dimensions of the finished product exiting the production line.

A metal component is produced using a casting-and-forming tool by casting a melt of a metal alloy into the casting-and-forming tool, wherein the melt is poured from above into a base part or reservoir of the casting-and-forming tool at a first pressure, applying pressure to the melt between the base part and an upper part while the melt is solidifying to a component, wherein the solidifying melt is pressurized at a second pressure, which is larger than the first pressure, when the melt is at least partly, i.e., mostly solidified to form a component compressing the component by relative movement of the base part to the upper part so as to compress the component with a third pressure, which is higher than the second pressure.

A manufacturing system is provided. The manufacturing system may include a manufacturing apparatus and a dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus may be configured to dispense a support material to act as a temporary fixture to support a component during manufacturing operations conducted thereon. The dispensing apparatus may dispense the support material in a liquid phase, and the support material may thereafter transition to a solid phase to support the component. After completion of the manufacturing operations, the component may be returned to the dispensing apparatus, wherein the component may be dipped in a heat transfer fluid that may cause the support material to transition back to the liquid phase for reuse. Related apparatuses and methods are also provided.