Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide apparatus and methods for melting materials while controlling uniformity and temperature of the melt, and for containing the molten materials within a melt zone during melting without using a gate for physical blocking.SOLUTION: An apparatus may include: a vessel configured to receive a material for melting therein; a load induction coil positioned adjacently to the vessel to melt the material therein; and a containment induction coil positioned in line with the load induction coil. The material in the vessel can be heated by operating the load induction coil at a first RF frequency to form a molten material. The containment induction coil can be operated at a second RF frequency to contain the molten material within the load induction coil. Once the desired temperature is achieved and maintained for the molten material, operation of the containment induction coil can be stopped and the molten material can be ejected from the vessel into a mold through an ejection path.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for creating an integral assembly formed from a transparent member and a housing formed at least in part of a bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy. The methods and systems create integral transparent member and amorphous metal alloy-containing parts using thermoplastic molding techniques in which the amorphous metal is molded to the transparent member in a thermoplastic, not liquid, state.
Abstract:
Various embodiments provide methods and apparatus for forming bulk metallic glass (BMG) articles using a mold having a stationary mold part and a movable mold part paired to form a mold cavity. A molten material can be injected to fill the mold cavity. The molten material can then be cooled into a BMG article at a desired cooling rate. While injecting and/or cooling the molten material, the movement of the movable mold part can be controlled, such that a thermal contact between the molten material and the mold can be maintained. BMG articles can be formed without forming an underfilled part. Additional structural features can be imparted in the BMG article during formation. At least a portion of the formed BMG article can have an aspect ratio (first dimension/second dimension) of at least 10 or less than 0.1.