Patent ID: 6554054
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: B22C,B22D

Abstract:
A method for the centrifugal casting of metal articles, said method comprising the steps ofproviding a rotary mold assembly having a rotating cylindrical mold having an inner mold surface with a longitudinal length and a generally open axial end and an elongated trough containing a dry, binderless refractory material, said trough having a longitudinal opening with a leading edge and trailing edge with respect to a direction of rotation of said mold, and a plowing device coupled to said trough at said leading edge, dispensing a predetermined amount of particles of said dry, binderless milled refractory material onto said inner mold surface while continuously rotating said cylindrical mold at a sufficient speed to distribute said refractory material along said inner mold surface and form a loose layer of said refractory material on said inner mold surface, moving said plowing device toward said inner mold surface and penetrating said loose layer of said refractory material with said plowing device to a predetermined depth without removing said particles from said mold surface while continuously rotating said cylindrical mold and physically redistributing, compacting and densifying said particles of said layer of said refractory material against said mold surface away from said plowing device and said trough and forming a substantially air impervious mold lining; and further comprising a contouring tool for shaping said mold lining, said contouring device being coupled to said trailing edge of said opening of said trough, said method further comprising moving said plowing device to said inoperable position and contacting said contouring device with said compacted mold lining and removing a portion of said particles to form a predetermined contour of said mold lining removing said trough from said mold, rotating said mold at a speed sufficient to cast a molten metal against said inner surface of said mold, and introducing a molten metal onto said substantially air impervious mold lining and molding said metal.