Thixo-molding shot located downstream of blockage
Disclosed is a metal molding process, including passing, through a conduit passageway, a volume of molten metal located downstream of a passageway blockage formable in the conduit passageway. Also disclosed is a molded article having a body made by a metal molding process, including passing, through a conduit passageway, a volume of molten metal located downstream of a passageway blockage formable in the conduit passageway.
1. A metal molding process, comprising:
supplying a molten metal to a metal hot runner assembly ( 401 ) from a metal injection unit ( 403 B) via a nozzle ( 403 C);
supplying the molten metal from a metal hot runner assembly ( 401 ) to a mold cavity ( 412 ) of a metal molding system ( 403 A), the metal hot runner assembly ( 401 ) includes a metal molding conduit assembly ( 400 ) with a conduit passageway ( 402 ), the conduit passageway ( 402 ) defined by a conduit body member ( 408 ) that forms a central passageway configured to receive molten metal from the metal injection unit ( 403 B) and a plurality of drops ( 410 A, 410 B) leading to the mold cavity ( 412 );
forming a metal plug ( 406 ) in the central passageway configured to receive molten metal from the metal injection unit ( 403 B); and
catching the metal plug ( 406 ) in a plug catcher ( 430 ) so that the metal plug ( 406 ) does not disrupt flow of molten metal into the plurality of drops ( 410 A, 410 B) leading to the mold cavity ( 412 ).
2. The metal molding process of claim 1 , wherein:
the mold cavity ( 412 ) is defined by a mold ( 424 ) including a movable mold half ( 426 ) and a stationary mold half ( 428 ).
3. The metal molding process of claim 1 , further comprising:
liquefying the metal plug ( 406 ) caught in the plug catcher ( 430 ) by applied heating.
4. The metal molding process of claim 1 , further comprising:
forming respective metal plugs ( 416 A, 416 B, 416 C) in the plurality of drops ( 410 A, 410 B) leading to the mold cavity ( 412 ).
5. The metal molding process of claim 4 , further comprising:
heating the metal volumes ( 420 A, 420 B) downstream of the means ( 418 B, 418 C) for forming respective metal plugs ( 416 A, 416 B, 416 C) in the plurality of drops ( 410 A, 410 B) leading to the mold cavity ( 412 ).
6. The metal molding process of claim 4 , wherein:
the plurality of drops ( 410 A, 410 B) leading to the mold cavity ( 412 ) comprise respective egresses downstream of the means ( 418 B, 418 C) for forming respective metal plugs ( 416 A, 416 B, 416 C) configured to stop the respective metal plugs ( 416 A, 416 B, 416 C) from moving into the mold cavity ( 412 ).
7. The metal molding process according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein:
forming a metal plug ( 406 ) includes cooling or heating.