Method and apparatus for electrically-heated refractory moulds and mandrels

Abstract

The present concept is an electrically heated refractory mandrel which includes a mandrel shell including a top surface, side surfaces and a bottom surface. An interior frame work is mounted within the mandrel shell and defines a number of openings. Heater panels are dimensioned to fit within the openings defined within the interior frame work wherein each heater panel includes heater elements for heating preselected surfaces of the mandrel shell.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An electrically heated refractory mandrel comprising:
 a) a mandrel shell including a top surface, side surfaces and a bottom surface,   b) an interior frame work mounted within the mandrel shell defining a number of openings,   c) heater panels dimensioned to fit within the openings defined within the interior framework wherein each heater panel includes heater elements for heating preselected surfaces of the mandrel shell.   
     
     
         2 . The electrically heated refractory mandrel claimed in  claim 1  further including a hopper detachably mounted onto the mandrel for discharging refractory material onto the top surface of the mandrel.