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<big><big>[[Tools/castingcrucible|Casting Crucible]] Induction</big></big>
{{inductioninfo}}
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* The possibility of designing, 3D printing, Casting and then finishing on the boxford.
* Printing out a mold, carving a mold for wood, high surface finish needed
Getting set up
* Casting must only be done outdoors, and only in good weather
* Getting out the casting try
* Using the dry sand for safety
* Getting out the crucible and setting it up in the casting tray
* Choosing your metal and checking it over carefully
* Keeping the gas bottle well away from the burners
* Burners are self-lighting and have auto-shutoff
Making the mold
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* Tapping and releasing the mold
* Touching up any defects, large defects mean starting again
* cutting Sprus and risers if they weren't molded in
* Piercing gas holes to release steam and other gasses
* Reassembling the mold
* Using the casting cup
Safety equipment and hazards
* Hazards
** Any water getting into molten metal WILL EXPLODE, so can't cast on days with even the slightest chance of rain. Drinks must be kept well away from the crucible. Check your metal stock carefully for liquids or voids as voids will also explode on heating. Check the sand in the casting tray is dry
** Sand tends to make melt stop and set, it'll run long distances on other surfaces and start fires at considerable distances
** Burns are an obvious hazard, basic information about burns treatment and when to call an ambulance
** Fumes coming from metal are both acutely and chronically toxic
** Beware of concrete and stone spalling in case of spill▼
** Fire hazard, does everyone know how to use extinguishers?, remember - NO WATER!
*** Get extinguishers out and ready
*** Check all gas equipment for any leaks
** Sudden temperature changes causing cracking/shattering, Cold metal should never directly touch hot, pre-warm stuff
** Risks of bystanders - Let people at rLab know, no-one who is not directly involved should be within 5m of the casting equipment
* Safety equipment
** Overalls required - NON-SYNTHETICS ONLY!!▼
** Jeans are good▼
** Shoes Leather or natural fabric, NO SYNTHETICS, Steelies preferred. - Trainers NOT acceptable▼
** MIG Welding gloves should be used, nothing else, no others have sufficient insulation and are non-melting▼
** Googles AND face shield when pouring, remember face-mask will burn if there is an accident▼
** Dust masks▼
** You can get specialized foundry versions of all of this kit, all of which are very effective and very expensive▼
Starting to melt
* How the burner works, it's self-lighting, the crucible tips to pour and the burner goes out.
* The burner forms a flame vortex around the crucible to heat the metal
* The crucible is made of clay/graphite composite, it's expensive (£100) and delicate and only lasts a few casts, so we ask for contribution to cover cost of replacement.
▲Overalls required - NON-SYNTHETICS ONLY!!
* Inspect the crucible before starting, a cracked crucible will be become very dangerous on heating
▲Jeans are good
* Remember metal expands as it heats, that will break the crucible if it's packed in tight or gets sideways inside it
▲Shoes Leather or natural fabric, NO SYNTHETICS, Steelies preferred. - Trainers NOT acceptable
* When cold metal touches hot it can cause local freezing of the hot metal, that can cause large forces that will break the crucible
▲MIG Welding gloves should be used, nothing else, no others have sufficient insulation and are non-melting
* This means that before metal goes into the crucible it must be pre-warmed around the outside of the forge, and then only added in small amounts so it doesn't radically cool the crucible. Little and often is the way to add metal.
▲You can get specialized foundry versions of all of this kit, all of which are very effective and very expensive
* Additions must be made carefully to avoid splashing.
▲Googles AND face shield when pouring, remember face-mask will burn if there is an accident
* The maximum capacity of the crucible is about 3Kg of aluminium, or 10Kg of copper. That equates to the crucible being about 75% full.
▲Dust masks
▲Beware of concrete spalling in case of spill
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The crucible should be used outside, and should not be used in the rain. There is a steel tray that should be placed outside and then filled with sand. Place the crucible furnace on the tray and then connect it up to the butane, ensuring that all of the pipes and the regulator are fitted tightly and correctly. Once the butane is connected correctly, connect up the mains lead, and turn on the butane. <process for melting ali..... I assume the metal goes in cold?)
cleaning up
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Once everything is cool, put the crucible away on the shelf, and then put the sand back into the bin. Put away the tray tidily and sweep any spilt sand up.
[[Category:Inductions]]
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