Patent ID: 7132077
Filing Date: 2006-11-07
Classification: B22D,C22C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for processing a metallic slurry material, comprising: a vessel for containing the metallic slurry material, said vessel extending along an axis; an automated positioning device configured to selectively position said vessel between a substantially vertical orientation and a substantially horizontal orientation; an electromagnetic stator positioned about said vessel and configured to generate an electromagnetic stirring force acting on the metallic slurry material to stir the metallic slurry material within said vessel; a thermal control device positioned in thermal communication with said vessel to extract thermal energy from said vessel to facilitate formation of the metallic slurry material, and a device adapted to facilitate removal of the metallic slurry material from said vessel when said vessel is in said substantially horizontal orientation, and further comprising a shot sleeve configured to form the metallic slurry material into a shaped part, said automated positioning device configured to align an outlet of said vessel with an inlet of said shot sleeve when said vessel is positioned in said substantially horizontal orientation such that the metallic slurry material may be ejected from said vessel directly into said shot sleeve.