Core making method and apparatus

摘要

A ceramic mixture is shaped to form a ceramic core having a configuration which corresponds to the configuration of a cavity in an airfoil. The ceramic core is positioned between a plurality of arrays of burners. Flames from the burners burn organic material contained in the ceramic core. During burning of the organic material, the core is upright with a longitudinal central axis of the core in a generally vertical orientation. The ceramic core may be dipped in a ceramic material after having performed the step of burning organic material and prior to additional heat treatment of the ceramic core.

主权项

1. A method of making a core for use in casting an airfoil having an internal cavity, said method comprising the steps of shaping a ceramic mixture to form a ceramic core having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the cavity in the airfoil, positioning the ceramic core between a plurality of arrays of burners and on a holder with a first end portion of the ceramic core engaging a first support surface and with a second end portion of the ceramic core engaging a second support surface, the second support surface being disposed above the first support surface, directing flames from the arrays of burners against surfaces on opposite sides of the ceramic core with the first end portion of the core engaging the first support surface and the second end portion of the core engaging the second support surface, and burning organic material contained in the ceramic core while flames from the arrays of burners are directed against surfaces on opposite sides of the ceramic core.