METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR BRINGING METAL ALLOY INGOTS, BILLETS AND THE LIKE TO THE SEMISOLID OR SEMILIQUID STATE IN READINESS FOR THIXOTROPIC FORMING

摘要

A method by which ingots (2) of thixotropic metal alloy are brought to the semisolid or semiliquid state comprises the steps of introducing the single solid ingots (2) at ambient temperature into a heat chamber (4), generating air currents within the chamber so that the ingots are heated principally by convection, controlling the temperature of the ingots, and removing them from the chamber after a predetermined temperature has registered and been held steady in the alloy for a duration sufficient to induce the semisolid or semiliquid state; the ingots (2) are supported and conveyed through a circular path internally of the chamber (4) by a set of radial platforms (16) revolving between an infeed zone (5) and an outfeed zone (6).