IP Library Granted Patent US 7,331,373
Granted Patent B2
US 7,331,373 · App. 11/366,513 · Granted Feb 19, 2008

Semi-solid and squeeze casting process

Assignees: Contech U.S., LLC; Contech Operating UK, Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,331,373
App. No.
11/366,513
Filed
Mar 3, 2006
Granted
Feb 19, 2008
Kind
B2
Art Unit
1725
USPC
164/113
Abstract

A method of making a cast product, includes heating an alloy to a temperature between about 1210 and 1470° F. so that the alloy is in a liquid state, injecting the alloy into a vertical die casting machine cavity, injecting the alloy into a mold having a gated configuration, wherein the injecting further comprises a shot velocity between 3-8 inches per second and a pressure between 5,000 and 14,000 psi, cooling the alloy in the mold, and forming the cast product, wherein the cast product is selected from a group consisting of suspension components, knuckles, control arms, transmission input housings, bed plates, swash plates, air conditioning compressor pistons, engine valve bodies, engine bed plates, transmission valve bodies, master cylinders, brake calipers, ABS braking components, shock mounts, engine bedplates, engine valve bodies and pump housings.

Claims (50)

1. A method of making a cast product, comprising:

heating an alloy to a temperature between about 1210 and 1470° F. so that the alloy is in a liquid state;

injecting the alloy into a vertical die casting machine cavity;

injecting the alloy into a mold having a gated configuration, wherein the injecting further comprises a shot velocity between 3-8 inches per second and a pressure between 5,000 and 14,000 psi;

cooling the alloy in the mold; and

forming the cast product, wherein the cast product is selected from a group consisting of suspension components, knuckles, control arms, and transmission input housings.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alloy is AlSiCu.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the alloy is a hypoeutectic AlSi alloy.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the alloy is a hypereutectic AlSi alloy.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the gated configuration is a gate plate.

6. A method of making a cast product, comprising:

heating an alloy to a temperature between about 1210 and 1470° F. so that the alloy is in a liquid state;

injecting the alloy into a vertical die casting machine cavity;

injecting the alloy into a mold having a gated configuration, wherein the injecting further comprises a shot velocity between 3-8 inches per second and a pressure between 5,000 and 14,000 psi;

cooling the alloy in the mold; and

forming the cast product, wherein the cast product is selected from a group consisting of bed plates, swash plates, and air conditioning compressor pistons.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the alloy is AlSiCu.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the alloy is a hypoeutectic AlSi alloy.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the alloy is a hypereutectic AlSi alloy.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the temperature is between about 1210 and 1250° F.

11. A method of making a cast product, comprising:

heating an alloy to a temperature between about 1210 and 1470° F. so that the alloy is in a liquid state;

injecting the alloy into a vertical die casting machine cavity;

injecting the alloy into a mold having a gated configuration, wherein the injecting further comprises a shot velocity between 3-8 inches per second and a pressure between 5,000 and 14,000 psi;

cooling the alloy in the mold; and

forming the cast product, wherein the cast product is selected from a group consisting of engine valve bodies, engine bed plates, and transmission valve bodies.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the alloy is AlSiCu.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the alloy is a hypoeutectic AlSi alloy.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the alloy is a hypereutectic AlSi alloy.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the temperature is between about 1360 and 1390° F.

16. A method of making a cast product, comprising:

heating an alloy to a temperature between about 1210 and 1470° F. so that the alloy is in a liquid state;

injecting the alloy into a vertical die casting machine cavity;

injecting the alloy into a mold having a gated configuration, wherein the injecting further comprises a shot velocity between 3-8 inches per second and a pressure between 5,000 and 14,000 psi;

cooling the alloy in the mold; and

forming the cast product, wherein the cast product is selected from a group consisting of master cylinders, brake calipers, and ABS braking components.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the alloy is AlSiCu.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the alloy is a hypoeutectic AlSi alloy.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the alloy is a hypereutectic AlSi alloy.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the pressure is between about 5,000 and 8,000 psi.

21. A method of making a cast product, comprising:

heating an alloy to a temperature between about 1210 and 1470° F. so that the alloy is in a liquid state;

injecting the alloy into a vertical die casting machine cavity;

injecting the alloy into a mold having a gated configuration, wherein the injecting further comprises a shot velocity between 3-8 inches per second and a pressure between 5,000 and 14,000 psi;

cooling the alloy in the mold; and

forming the cast product, wherein the cast product is selected from a group consisting of shock mounts, engine bedplates, engine valve bodies and pump housings.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the alloy is AlSiCu.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the alloy is a hypoeutectic AlSi alloy.

24. The method of claim 21 , wherein the alloy is a hypereutectic AlSi alloy.

25. The method of claim 21 , wherein the pressure is between about 10,000 and 14,000 psi.

Assignments (11)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE TO 'RELEASE' PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 030062 FRAME 0906. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE DOCUMENT. Recorded Feb 12, 2014
From: ICON AGENT, LLC
To: CONTECH CASTINGS, LLC; METAVATION, LLC
Reel/Frame 032252/0816 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2013
From: ICON AGENT, LLC
To: CONTECH CASTINGS, LLC; METAVATION, LLC
Reel/Frame 030062/0906 →
TERM LOAN, GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 15, 2012
From: CONTECH CASTINGS, LLC
To: ICON AGENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 027712/0831 →
CAPEX LOAN, GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 15, 2012
From: CONTECH CASTINGS, LLC
To: ICON AGENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 027712/0725 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2012
From: LBC CREDIT PARTNERS II, L.P.
To: CONTECH CASTINGS, LLC; MPI, LLC; METAVATION, LLC
Reel/Frame 027709/0775 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2010
From: CONTECH CASTINGS, LLC; MPI, LLC; METAVATION, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC
Reel/Frame 024850/0007 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 27, 2010
From: MPI, LLC; METAVATION, LLC; CONTECH CASTINGS, LLC
To: LBC CREDIT PARTNERS II, L.P., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 024741/0386 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 15, 2010
From: CONTECH U.S. LLC
To: CONTECH CASTINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 024686/0656 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 3, 2007
From: MAG OPERATING U.S., LLC; MAG OPERATING UK, LTD.
To: CONTECH U.S., LLC; CONTECH OPERATING UK, LTD
Reel/Frame 019640/0453 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 27, 2007
From: SPX CORPORATION
To: MAG OPERATING U.S., LLC; MAG OPERATING UK, LTD.
Reel/Frame 019617/0029 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 6, 2006
From: DASGUPTA, RATHINDRA; HOLLACHER, ROBERT; MUSSER, MARK; XIA, YUN; SZYMANOWSKI, RICHARD B.
To: SPX CORPORATION (A DELAWARE CORP.)
Reel/Frame 017742/0726 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 1103506200 · Jan 14, 2005
Related Publication 20060213633A1 · Sep 28, 2006