Method of accurately measuring volume of injected metal in forming core elements for lost core molding process

Abstract

An improved method for forming cores to be utilized in a loss core plastic molding process includes the use of a flow meter. The flow meter ensures that sufficient molten metal is delivered into a cavity for the loss core elements. In this way, the present invention eliminates the occurrence of gaps, spaces or cavities in the molded loss core part. Most preferably a magnetic flow meter is utilized which can monitor the amount of molten metal having flown through the flow meter.

1 . A method of forming a loss core part comprising the steps of: 
 1) providing a mold for forming a loss core element, said mold having at least one cavity, said cavity desirably receiving a first amount of molten metal to form said element;    2) delivering molten metal into said cavity; and    3) providing a flow meter on a delivery conduit delivering said molten metal to said cavity, said flow meter monitoring the amount of molten metal flowing into said cavity, and said flow meter acting to compare said amount of metal flowing into said cavity to said first amount of molten metal.    
     
     
         2 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said flow meter controls a nozzle, said nozzle being maintained open until a desired amount of molten metal flows into said cavity, said nozzle then being shut.  
     
     
         3 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said flow meter is magnetic, and said magnetic flow meter monitoring the movement of said molten metal through said conduit.  
     
     
         4 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said core elements are then moved to a plastic loss core molding line, and placed into a plastic mold, plastic then being molded around said core elements.