Tapered hearth

摘要

A casting system and method. The casting system can include an energy source and a hearth, which can have a tapered cavity. The tapered cavity can have a first end portion and a second end portion, and the tapered cavity can narrow between the first and second end portions. Further, the tapered cavity can have an inlet at the first end portion that defines an inlet capacity, and one or more outlets at the second end portion that define an outlet capacity. Where the cavity has a single outlet, the outlet capacity can be less than the inlet capacity. Where the cavity has multiple outlets, the combined outlet capacity can match the inlet capacity. Further, the cross-sectional area of the tapered cavity near the inlet can be similar to the cross-sectional area of the inlet.

主权项

1. A casting system, comprising:
a hearth, comprising:
a sidewall;an inlet defining an inlet cross-sectional area, the inlet defined through the sidewall;a plurality of outlets, wherein each outlet defines an outlet cross-sectional area, and wherein each outlet is defined through the sidewall; anda cavity between the inlet and the plurality of outlets, wherein the cavity tapers from the inlet toward the plurality of outlets; and a plurality of molds, wherein each mold is aligned with one of the outlets of the hearth.