Importance

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Abstract

The bottom of a solid metal charge melts to fill a form below the charge. During melting, usually, the metal that enters the form remains continuous with an unused solid part of the charge. After cooling, the formed metal is removed together with the unused part of the charge--and usually with the form too. They are separated later or in a different operation, and another charge is positioned immediately for melting into another form, so the useful duty cycle is very high. A preferred form of the invention uses an upper melting chamber and a lower forming chamber, separated by a horizontal wall but communicating by an aperture through the wall. The charge and form are placed against the wall from below to block the aperture. The charge preferably extends up through the aperture into or toward the melting chamber, where an arc electrode or other heater melts the top of the charge, particularly near its center. A molten core soon extends fully through the charge to the bottom, acting as a self-valve to release metal to the form. The charge and form ideally seal the aperture hermetically; gas pressure is applied to enhance rapid and thorough filling of the form by the molten metal. Removal is by downward motion from the aperture.

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First Claim