Pour ladle for molten metal
A casting apparatus and a method of forming a casting using the casting apparatus is disclosed, the casting apparatus comprising a ladle having a hollow interior adapted to receive a molten material therein; a nozzle in fluid communication with the hollow interior, the nozzle having a first portion disposed outside of the ladle and a second portion disposed within the hollow interio; an additive feeder in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the ladle; and a gas conduit in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the ladle.
1. A casting apparatus comprising:
a ladle having a hollow interior;
a nozzle in fluid communication with the hollow interior, the nozzle having a first portion disposed outside of the ladle and a second portion disposed within the hollow interior;
an additive feeder in communication with the hollow interior of the ladle;
a gas conduit in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the ladle; and
a mechanical or robotic handling device;
wherein the casting apparatus is configured for transport between a furnace and a casting machine by the mechanical or robotic handling device.
2. The casting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the ladle has an opening in fluid communication with the hollow interior.
3. The casting apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a lid disposed on the opening and forming a fluid-tight seal therewith.
4. The casting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the additive feeder is disposed in the lid.
5. The casting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the additive feeder is disposed in the nozzle.
6. The casting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gas conduit is disposed in the lid.
7. The casting apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a contact probe disposed on an exterior of the ladle.
8. The casting apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a dross skimmer formed on an exterior of the ladle adjacent a bottom thereof.
9. The casting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an aperture is formed in a bottom of the ladle.
10. The casting apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a stopper assembly having a stopper rod disposed through the lid with a portion thereof disposed in the hollow interior and a stopper disposed on a first end thereof adapted to selectively plug the aperture.
11. The casting apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising an actuator disposed on the lid connected to a second end of the stopper rod to selectively cause the stopper to plug the aperture.
12. The casting apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor in communication with the hollow interior.
13. A casting apparatus comprising:
a ladle having an opening in fluid communication with a hollow interior thereof and an aperture formed in a bottom thereof, the ladle adapted to receive a molten material therein;
a nozzle in fluid communication with the hollow interior, the nozzle having a first portion disposed outside of the ladle and a second portion disposed within the hollow interior;
a lid disposed on the opening and forming a fluid-tight seal therewith;
an additive feeder in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the ladle;
a gas conduit in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the ladle;
a stopper assembly having a stopper rod disposed through the lid with a portion thereof disposed in the hollow interior and a stopper disposed on a first end thereof adapted to selectively plug the aperture; and
a mechanical or robotic handling device;
wherein the casting apparatus is configured for transport between a furnace and a casting machine by the mechanical or robotic handling device.