EP3814034B1 - Apparatus and method for producing a cast part formed from amorphous or partially amorphous metal, and cast part - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for producing a casting formed from an amorphous or partially amorphous metal, which comprises a casting mold with at least one filling opening for introducing a casting material forming the casting and a device for melting a casting material, which comprises a means for forming at least one arc in at least has a melting range. The invention also relates to a method for producing the cast part and a cast part made from an amorphous or partially amorphous metal.

Amorphous metals are metallic materials that do not solidify in crystalline form. They are also referred to as metallic glasses and have excellent mechanical properties due to their amorphous or partially amorphous structure.

the end US 2015/0096967 A1 there is known an apparatus for producing a shaped article from an amorphous metal, in which a cast material is melted by a resistance heater.

U.S. 2007/0215306 A1 describes a device for producing a shaped body from an amorphous metal, in which a casting material to form an amorphous shaped body is melted by a laser beam or inductively and then introduced into a casting mold.

the end JP 2000 326065 A a device is known in which a melting area has a trough-like depression. An amorphous starting material is inductively melted before it is placed in a casting mold.

At one off U.S. 2016/0271689 A1 known device, a starting material is melted by inductive or resistance heating and then poured into a mold.

the end DE 4116 071 A1 a gravity casting apparatus is known which allows a titanium alloy to be melted by an electric arc and then flow into a casting mold. Gravity casting does not require pressing in with a plunger. DE 4116 071 A1 does not describe a casting plunger.

U.S. 4,919,191A describes a casting device for titanium or other reactive metal, in which a metal pellet 41, which is placed on a casting mold 51 and covers its filling opening (furnace aperture) 32, is melted by an electric arc and the melt can flow into the casting mold by gravity. Shows a casting plunger U.S. 4,919,191A not, however, since those are also off U.S. 4,919,191A known device for gravity casting is provided.

one out U.S. 5,740,854A Known suction casting device 10 for producing a cast part 39 formed from an amorphous metal comprises an arc melting device and a casting plunger which can be pulled out of a casting mold and which can be pulled out of the casting mold to generate a negative pressure, through which molten casting material is sucked into the mold cavity by an arc. A plunger for injecting a melt is disclosed U.S. 5,740,854A not.

the end U.S. 4,842,038 A and U.S. 2,839,800 A die casting machines are known in which molten casting material can be pressed into a casting mold by a casting plunger. An arc melting device only shows U.S. 4,842,038 A . However, that is off U.S. 4,842,038 A known die-casting machine not suitable for the production of an at least partially amorphous cast part, since a melting process takes place in ambient air. Amorphous metals must be in a vacuum or in an inert gas atmosphere, e.g. As argon, melted and processed. Impurities such as oxides lead to nucleation, so that the casting would solidify completely crystalline and no longer amorphous or partially amorphous.

Devices and methods for producing cast parts from amorphous metals are also known from the prior art. For this purpose, a cast material is placed in a crucible inductively heated and pressed into a permanent mold in the die-casting process by means of a casting plunger through a filling opening.

The disadvantage is that the use of a crucible can introduce impurities into the melt, which can cause crystallization during solidification. Advantageous mechanical properties are lost as a result. Furthermore, by inductively heating the casting material in the so-called cold crucible process, only slight overheating of around 50 to 60°C above the melting point of the casting material can be achieved. In order to ensure an amorphous solidification, the cast material must preferably be heated to a temperature well above its melting temperature, in particular between 75 and 1300°C above.

The present invention is based on the object of creating a device for producing a cast part formed from an amorphous or partially amorphous metal, which enables processability.

According to the invention, the object is achieved in that the device comprises a casting piston which is set up for pressing molten casting material into a mold cavity of the casting mold.

In the melting section of the device, the casting material can be melted and superheated up to 1300°C. The energy required for this can be introduced in a very targeted manner into the cast material, which can be in the form of pellets, for example. Surrounding areas or adjacent components of the device are advantageously not thermally stressed. In addition, the casting material can only be melted immediately before it is introduced into the casting mold. Funding from a furnace, where the temperature of the melt can drop sharply, is not required. The high overheating that is possible with the device according to the invention also ensures that a cast part to be produced can solidify amorphously or partially amorphously, in particular predominantly amorphously.

The means for forming the at least one arc expediently comprises at least two electrodes which are arranged at a distance from one another and between which the at least one arc can be formed. The arc can extend from an electrode to the casting material, which is in particular in the form of pellets and is to be melted, and/or can be guided over the surface of the casting material. One will be advantageous The energy input required for melting is specifically introduced into the pellet and surrounding areas are not thermally stressed. If several areas are provided in which a casting material is to be melted, several electrodes can be provided, from each of which at least one arc extends to the casting material to be melted. It is also conceivable that a plurality of arcs are formed to melt a single, preferably pellet-shaped casting material. Particularly high overheating and faster melting of the casting material are possible.

It is also conceivable that the cast material is melted by a laser and/or an electron beam.

In one embodiment of the invention, one of the at least two electrodes is at least partially formed by the cast material. Advantageously, the casting material does not have to be electrically contacted separately. This makes the manufacturing process easier to manage.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one melting area is introduced into the casting mold. For this purpose, the melting area is preferably fluidly connected to a filling opening of the casting mold. Due to the fact that an arc, a laser beam and/or an electron beam is/are preferably used to melt the cast material, an energy input is limited locally to the cast material. Thermal damage to the casting mold is impossible. Advantageously, the casting material can be melted and immediately introduced into the mold through the filling opening. A transport route from a distant melting area to the casting mold is no longer necessary.

If several melting areas are provided, several castings can be produced simultaneously, for example with a single casting mold.

It is also conceivable that several melting areas are provided in order to fill a single mold cavity through several filling openings. Larger castings can advantageously be produced.

The at least one melting area expediently comprises a trough-like indentation and/or a base-like elevation for receiving the casting material, and is preferably arranged at least partially around the at least one filling opening. The casting material can be placed on the base or placed in the recess and be melted. It is also conceivable that a depression is provided which has a receiving base.

Because the filling opening is fluidly connected to the base and/or the depression, the molten casting material can be introduced directly through them into a mold cavity of the casting mold.

The casting material can, for example, be placed in the form of pellets on the filling opening so that it is covered. Due to the high viscosity and/or the high surface tension of a molten, amorphously or partially amorphously solidifying metal alloy, the pellet retains its shape in the molten state and covers the filling opening until it is pressed in using a casting plunger.

In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one melting area is delimited by an end face of the in particular cylindrical plunger and an inner wall of a guide means in which the plunger is guided, the guide means preferably comprising a cylindrical sleeve. The inner wall and an end face of the plunger form a crucible in which the casting material can be melted immediately before it is introduced into the casting mold. It is advantageously possible to fill a casting mold against the direction in which gravity acts (“from below”). If a movement of the plunger is controlled, a mold filling speed or a speed profile can be defined. For this purpose, a control device can be provided, which is provided in particular for the simultaneous movement of the casting plunger and the sleeve in the direction of a filling opening of the casting mold.

The fact that the molten casting material only stays for a very short time in the crucible formed before it is introduced into the casting mold means that contamination is advantageously ruled out.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one in particular cylindrical casting plunger is movable relative to a guide means in which the casting plunger is guided, in particular counter to an effective direction of a restoring force of a restoring means. The restoring means can comprise a spring, for example. Wall sections of the guide means, which is designed as a sleeve, for example, protrude beyond a base surface of the casting plunger, with which it is in contact with a molten casting material. As a result, when the sleeve docks onto the casting mold, a space can be formed which is delimited by the inner walls of the sleeve, the end face of the casting plunger and a casting mold section having the filling opening. by relative movement of the casting plunger to the guide means, the space is reduced and the molten casting material arranged in the space is pressed into the mold. Once the casting material placement is complete, the plunger and sleeve are moved together to an initial position away from the casting mold. The restoring force causes the casting plunger to move into its starting position, in which the space has a maximum volume and a new casting process can be carried out.

In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one melting area is provided for receiving the guide means and in particular has a preferably ring-shaped groove. The annular groove is in particular introduced into the casting mold. This allows the guide means to form a space that the casting material before it is introduced into accommodating the casting mold can be tightly connected to a casting mold section having the filling opening. As a result, the casting material is only introduced into the casting mold when it is pressed in.

A temperature of the casting mold is expediently changeable. The temperature can preferably be adjusted by a control device. The casting mold can be air-, water- and/or oil-cooled, for example. Furthermore, the temperature of the casting mold can be kept constant in a continuous process. This improves the process stability.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a device for venting and/or sucking molten casting material into the casting mold, which can preferably be activated when the casting material is introduced into the mold. As a result, in addition to the pressing force of a plunger, a suction force can be applied, which sucks the molten casting material into the casting mold. This is particularly advantageous when casting molten, high-viscosity alloys. Furthermore, no gas inclusions can be formed in the cast part by venting, ie sucking off a mold gas, which can be, for example, a flushing gas such as argon. A very good casting quality is advantageously possible.

The casting mold is expediently made of at least two parts and preferably made of a particularly heat-conducting material, preferably copper or a copper alloy. In order to prevent undesired crystallization of a metal alloy that solidifies amorphously or partially amorphously, a high cooling rate is required. Casting molds made of copper or copper alloys are particularly suitable. If the casting mold is designed in at least two parts, the mold can be opened and closed and, in particular, used several times as a permanent mold.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the device has an in particular gas-tight housing, in which at least the casting mold and the at least one melting area are introduced. The housing can advantageously be evacuated and/or filled with an inert gas, for example argon or another noble gas, so that there is no longer any oxygen in the interior of the housing. As a result, neither is If the material is still melting when it is being introduced into the casting mold, oxidation of the casting material is possible. Castings of the highest quality can advantageously be produced.

In one embodiment of the invention, a feed device is provided which is set up to introduce the solid casting material into the at least one melting area. This can be a pellet magazine, for example, which introduces a new pellet into the melting area after each casting process. Automation of the manufacturing method according to the invention is advantageously possible.

A means for determining a temperature of the casting material, the molten casting material and/or the casting mold is expediently provided, preferably a pyrometer. Advantageously, a temperature can be monitored at any time, in particular an overheating temperature which is between 75 and 1300°C above the melting temperature of the casting material, preferably up to 800°C.

Fig. 1a-e

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 3

ein Detail einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer besonderen Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 6

Details einer weiteren besonderen Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings relating to the exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1a-e

a schematic representation of a device according to the invention,

2

a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention,

3

a detail of a device according to the invention,

4

a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention,

figure 5

a schematic representation of a particular embodiment of a device according to the invention,

6

Details of another particular embodiment of a device according to the invention.

one inside Fig. 1a-e The device (1) shown schematically in cross section comprises a housing (2) into which a two-part, water-cooled casting mold (3) made of copper is introduced. Each of the two parts (4.5) of the casting mold (3) is by means of a rod (6.7) with each a motor (8,9) mounted outside the housing for moving the rods (6,7). By moving the rods (6, 7), the casting mold (3) can be opened in the direction of the double arrows (10, 11) to remove a casting and closed to produce another casting.

A melting area (13) is introduced on an upper side (12) of the casting mold (3), which has a base (14) which is formed by both parts (4, 5) of the casting mold (3) and on which a casting material pellet (15) is on the hook. A filling opening (16), through which a mold cavity (17) can be filled with the casting material, is completely covered by the pellet (15). A groove (18) is arranged around the base (14) and is intended to receive a cylindrical sleeve (19). The sleeve (19) is designed to guide and surrounds a cylindrical casting plunger (20). The casting plunger (20) and the sleeve (19) can be moved together by a motor (24) in the direction of the double arrow (21) and the casting plunger (20) is relative to the sleeve (19) in its axial direction with or against a restoring force a spring (22) slidably arranged. To introduce a molten casting material (15), which can be superheated up to 1300 ° C, preferably up to 800 ° C, the plunger (20) and the sleeve (19) are moved together in the direction of the casting mold (3) to a lower section (23) of the sleeve (19) engages in the groove (18). A further movement of the casting plunger (20) in the direction of the casting mold (3) takes place against a restoring force of the spring (22). An in 1c The space (27) shown is thereby reduced, so that the molten casting material (15) is pressed into the mold cavity (17) in the vertical direction.

The device also includes a pyrometer (28) which records the temperature of the pellet (15) during melting, and a feed device (29) which is designed as a pellet magazine. As a result, a new pellet (15) can be automatically placed on the base (14) of the melting area (13) after each cast part production.

The casting material pellets (15) are heated by an in Fig. 1b arc (30) shown formed between a tipped (31) tungsten electrode (32) and the pellet (15). The housing (2) and the casting mold (3) and the pellet (15) are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner and form a counter-electrode to the tungsten electrode (32). The tungsten electrode (32) is movably arranged in the housing (2) and can be moved by means of a motor (33) in the direction of the double arrow (34) towards the melting area (13) and, after melting, away from the melting area (13).

It is also conceivable that an in 1 means, not shown, for forming a laser beam and/or an electron beam is provided, which is set up for heating the casting material pellets (15) in the melting region (13).

In addition, a vacuum pump (not shown) is provided, with which the housing (2) can be evacuated, as well as a means (also not shown) for introducing an inert gas such as argon. In addition, inside the housing (2) there is a so-called getter (35), which is designed as a titanium plate and which is heated before the cast material (15) is melted. Due to the very high affinity of titanium for oxygen and the very high solubility of oxygen in titanium, residual oxygen is removed from the housing atmosphere provided with the inert gas. This causes an additional cleaning of the atmosphere.

A casting (36) can be replaced by an in Fig. 1a-e lock (37) shown schematically can be removed. As a result, the entire housing (2) does not have to be evacuated again before each casting process.

• Bewegung der Wolframelektrode (32) aus einer in Fig. 1a gezeigten Ausgangsposition in eine in Fig. 1b gezeigte Endposition über einem zu schmelzenden Gussmaterialpellet (15),
• Evakuierung des Gehäuses (2) sowie Einbringung eines Schutzgases, vorzugsweise Argon,
• Erhitzung eines vorzugsweise aus Titan gebildeten Getters (35) auf eine Temperatur größer 600 °C,
• Ausbildung eines Lichtbogens (30) zwischen der Spitze (31) der Wolframelektrode (32) und dem Pellet (15) zum Schmelzen des Pellets (15) und dessen Überhitzung auf eine Temperatur zwischen 75 und 1300°C oberhalb seiner Schmelztemperatur,
• Ausschalten des Lichtbogens und Bewegung der Wolframelektrode (32) zurück in die in Fig. 1a gezeigte Anfangsposition,
• Bewegung des Gießkolbens (20) und der Hülse (19) in Richtung des Schmelzbereichs (13) bis der untere Abschnitt (23) der Hülse (19) in die Nut (18) eingreift, so dass ein in Fig. 1c gezeigter, das geschmolzene Pellet (15) umschließender Raum (27) zwischen dem Gießkolben (20) und der Einfüllöffnung (16) gebildet wird,
• Eine Relativbewegung des Gießkolbens (20) zur Hülse (19) entgegen einer Federkraft der Feder (22) zur Verkleinerung des Raums (27), wodurch das geschmolzene Gussmaterial (15) durch die Einfüllöffnung (16) in den Formhohlraum (17) der Gussteilform (3) zur Bildung des Gussteils (36) hineingepresst wird. Diese Bewegung ist eine Bewegung des Gießkolbens (20) aus einer in Fig. 1c gezeigten anfänglichen Füllposition in eine in Fig. 1d gezeigte Endposition, in der der Formhohlraum (17) mit dem Gussmaterial (15) befüllt ist,
• Wegbewegung des Gießkolbens (20) und der Hülse (19) in eine in Fig. 1a gezeigte Ausgangsposition oberhalb des Schmelzbereichs (13),
• Auseinanderbewegung der beiden Teile (4,5) der Gussteilform (3) in eine in Fig. 1e gezeigte Gussteilentnahmeposition sowie Entnahme des Gussteils (36) durch die Schleuse (37) hindurch in Richtung des Pfeils (38),
• Schließen der Gussteilform (3) sowie Zufuhr eines neuen Pellets (15) aus dem Pelletmagazin (29) in den Schmelzbereich (13).

Production of the cast part (36) comprises the following method steps, in particular in the order listed below:

• Movement of the tungsten electrode (32) from an in Fig. 1a starting position shown in an in Fig. 1b end position shown above a casting material pellet (15) to be melted,
• Evacuation of the housing (2) and introduction of an inert gas, preferably argon,
• Heating a getter (35), preferably made of titanium, to a temperature greater than 600 °C,
• forming an arc (30) between the tip (31) of the tungsten electrode (32) and the pellet (15) to melt the pellet (15) and overheating it to a temperature between 75 and 1300°C above its melting temperature,
• Turn off the arc and move the tungsten electrode (32) back into the in Fig. 1a shown starting position,
• Movement of the plunger (20) and the sleeve (19) in the direction of the melting area (13) until the lower section (23) of the sleeve (19) engages in the groove (18) so that an in 1c shown, the molten pellet (15) enclosing space (27) is formed between the pouring plunger (20) and the filling opening (16),
• A relative movement of the casting piston (20) to the sleeve (19) against a spring force of the spring (22) to reduce the space (27), whereby the molten casting material (15) through the filling opening (16) into the mold cavity (17) of the casting mold ( 3) pressed in to form the casting (36). This movement is a movement of the casting plunger (20) from an in 1c shown initial fill position to an in Fig. 1d end position shown, in which the mold cavity (17) is filled with the casting material (15),
• Movement away of the casting plunger (20) and the sleeve (19) into an in Fig. 1a starting position shown above the melting area (13),
• Movement of the two parts (4.5) of the casting mold (3) apart into an in Fig. 1e casting removal position shown and removal of the casting (36) through the lock (37) in the direction of the arrow (38),
• Closing the casting mold (3) and feeding a new pellet (15) from the pellet magazine (29) into the melting area (13).

An additional process step is conceivable, in which an activatable at the beginning of pressing in the casting material, in Fig. 1a-e Suction device, not shown, causes a negative pressure, through which the casting mold (3) is vented and the molten casting material (15) is additionally sucked into the casting mold (3).

It is also conceivable that the cast material (15) is melted by a laser beam and/or an electron beam.

It will now open 2 Referenced where the same or equivalent parts with the same reference number as in Fig. 1a-e are designated and the relevant reference number is accompanied by the letter a.

one inside 2 The device (1a) shown differs from that in FIG Fig. 1a-e shown in that two electrodes (32a, 38) are provided, which are adapted to melt a pellet of cast material (15a) by forming two arcs (30a, 39). Faster heating, higher overheating and the processing of large casting material pellets (15a) are advantageously possible.

It will now open 3 Referenced where the same or equivalent parts with the same reference number as in Fig. 1a-e and 2 are designated and the relevant reference number is accompanied by the letter b.

one inside 3 The casting mold (3b) shown in the plan view of a device (1b) according to the invention differs in that in 1 and 2 shown in that two melting areas (13b, 40) are provided with a base on which two pellets (15b) lie, which cover two filling openings (16b, 41) shown in dashed lines. It goes without saying that at least one arc and one in 3 not shown casting plunger with sleeve are required. The two pellets (15b) are in particular melted synchronously and a molten casting material pellet (15b) is pressed into the casting mold (3b) by a preferably synchronized movement of the two plungers and sleeves.

Either a single mold cavity can be filled or several mold cavities at the same time. As a result, either very large castings or several castings can be produced simultaneously with a single casting mold with the device according to the invention.

It will now open 4 Referenced where the same or equivalent parts with the same reference number as in Fig. 1a-e , 2 and 3 and the relevant reference number is accompanied by the letter c.

one inside 4 The device shown (1c) differs from that in 1 shown in that a casting plunger (20c) and a sleeve (19c) are provided to introduce a casting material (15c) from an underside (42) of a casting mold (3c) into this. A particularly laminar filling can advantageously be effected. For reasons of clarity, in 4 neither a feeder for the pellets nor a pyrometer is shown.

A crucible-shaped melting area (13c), in which a pellet (15c) lies, is formed by an end face (25c) of the casting plunger (20c) and an inner wall (26c) of the sleeve (19c). The casting piston (20c) and the pellet (15c) form a counter-electrode to a tungsten electrode (32c), between which and the pellet (15c) an in 4 not shown arc for melting the pellet (15c) can be formed.

It will now open figure 5 Referenced where the same or equivalent parts with the same reference number as in Fig. 1a-e , 2 , 3 and 4 and the letter d is added to the relevant reference number.

one inside figure 5 The device (1d) shown differs in that in Figures 1 to 4 shown in that a suction device (43) is provided which is fluidically connected to a casting mold channel (45) by a suction channel (44). The suction device (43) can be activated and, when a casting plunger (20d) moves, through which a molten casting material (15d) is pressed into a casting mold (3d), additionally sucks in a molten casting material from a side preferably facing away from the casting plunger (20d). the casting mold (3d). This additional suction force can advantageously bring about better casting mold filling.

It goes without saying that the suction device (43) can also be arranged outside the housing (2d). Furthermore, it goes without saying that a transition region from the suction channel (44) to the cast part mold channel (43) is designed in such a way that an opening of a multi-part cast part mold is still possible.

It will now open 6 Referenced where the same or equivalent parts with the same reference number as in Fig. 1a-e , 2 , 3, 4 and 5 and the letter e is added to the relevant reference number.

one inside 6 The two-part casting mold shown (3e) differs from that in Figures 1 to 5 shown casting molds (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d) in that a horizontal filling of a mold cavity (17e) is possible. A melting area (13e) comprises a depression (14e) in a part (5e) of the casting mold (3e), in which an in Figure 6a shown molten casting material pellet (15e).

A sleeve (19e) has an opening (46) in a lower sleeve section (23e) through which the molten casting material (15e) can be introduced into the mold cavity (17e) of the casting mold (3e). Furthermore, an end face (25e) of a casting plunger (20e) is formed obliquely. A normal to this surface points in the direction of a filling opening (16e). When the casting plunger (20e) moves to fill the mold cavity (17e), it is advantageously ensured that the molten casting material pellet (15e) is guided through the filling opening (16e) into the mold cavity (17e). In addition, an outside of a sleeve (19e) and an outside of the casting mold (3e) as well as an end face of the sleeve (19e) and an upper side of the casting mold (3e) form an in Figure 6b sealing surface shown. one inside Figure 6b The casting plunger position shown corresponds to that in 1c shown.

It is conceivable for a plurality of arcs (30; 30a, 39) to be formed between an electrode and a single cast material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e), in particular in pellet form.

It is also conceivable that a casting mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d; 3e) is provided with a plurality of filling openings (16; 16a; 16b, 41; 16c; 16d; 16e) which are of different sizes. It is advantageous if the size of a casting piston (20; 20a; 20b; 20c; 20d; 20e) is related to the size of the filling openings (16; 16a; 16b, 41; 16c; 16d; 16e) and/or the size of the casting pellets ( 15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 16e). In a device (1; 1a; 1b; 1c; 1d; 1e), different sized casting pistons (20; 20a; 20b; 20c; 20d; 20e) can be provided for this purpose, which have different diameters, for example.

Claims (15)

1. Apparatus (1; 1a; 1b; 1c; 1d; 1e) for producing a casting (36) formed from an amorphous or partially amorphous metal, comprising a casting mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d; 3e) having at least one filling opening (16; 16a; 16b, 41; 16c; 16d; 16e) for introducing a casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e), and a device for melting the casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e), which comprises a means for forming at least one electric arc (30; 30a, 39) in at least one melting region (13; 13; 13b; 40, 13c; 13d; 13e),
   characterized in that the apparatus comprises a casting plunger (20; 20a; 20b; 20c; 20d; 20e) arranged for pressing molten casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 25e) into a mold cavity (17; 17a; 17c; 17d; 17e) of the casting mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d; 3e).
2. Apparatus according to claim 1,
   characterized in that the means for forming the at least one electric arc (30; 30a, 39) comprises at least two electrodes (32; 32a, 38; 32b; 32c) arranged at a distance from one another between which the at least one electric arc (30; 30a, 39) can be formed.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2,
   characterized in that one of said at least two electrodes (32; 32a, 38; 32b; 32c) is at least partially formed by said casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e).
4. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that the at least one melting region (13; 13; 13b; 40, 13c; 13d; 13e) is integrated into the casting mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d; 3e).
5. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that the at least one melting region (13; 13; 13b; 40, 13c; 13d; 13e) comprises an in particular trough-like recess (14e) and/or a socket-like ridge (14; 14a; 14c; 14d) for receiving the casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e) which is arranged preferably at least partially around the at least one filling opening (16; 16a; 16b, 41; 16c; 16d; 16e).
6. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that the at least one melting region (13; 13; 13b; 40, 13c; 13d; 14e) is delimited by an end face (25; 25a; 25c; 25d; 25e) of the in particular cylindrical casting plunger (20; 20a; 20b; 20c; 20d; 20e), which is provided for pressing melted casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 25e) into a mold cavity (17; 17a; 17c; 17d; 17e) of the casting mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d; 3e), and an inner wall (26; 26a; 26c, 26d) of a guiding means in which said casting plunger (20; 20a; 20b; 20c; 20d; 20e) is mounted in a guided manner, the guiding means preferably comprising a cylindrical sleeve (19; 19a, 19c; 19d; 19e).
7. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that the at least one in particular cylindrical casting plunger (20; 20a; 20b; 20c; 20d; 20e), which is provided for pressing melted casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e) into a mold cavity (17; 17a; 17c; 17d; 17e) of the casting mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d; 3e), is movable relative to a guiding means (19; 19a; 19c; 19d; 19e) in which the casting plunger (20; 20a; 20b; 20c; 20d; 20e) is mounted in a guided manner, in particular against a direction of action of a restoring force of a restoring means (22).
8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7,
   characterized in that the at least one melting region (13; 13; 13b; 40, 13c; 13d; 13e) is provided for receiving the guiding means and in particular has a preferably annular groove (18; 18a; 18c; 18d).
9. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in that a temperature of the casting mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d; 3e) is changeable.
10. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterized in that the apparatus (1; 1a; 1b; 1c; 1d) comprises a means (43) for venting and/or sucking melted casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e) into the casting mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d; 3e), the means for venting being preferably activatable upon introduction of the casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e) into the casting mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d; 3e).
11. Method of producing a casting (36) formed from a partially amorphous or amorphous metal, comprising the following process steps:

    - Introduction of a casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e) into a melting region (13; 13; 13b; 40, 13c; 13d; 13e), in which the casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e) is heated to a temperature above its melting temperature by an electric arc (30; 30a, 39) and/or an electron beam,

    - Pressing the melted casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e) into a mold cavity (17; 17a; 17c; 17d; 17e) of a casting mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d; 3e) by a casting plunger (20; 20a; 20b; 20c; 20d; 20e),

    - Removing the casting (36) from the mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d; 3e).
12. Method according to claim 11,
    characterized in that the casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e) is heated to a temperature which is up to 1300°C above its melting temperature, at least 75°C, in particular 150°C, preferably 200 to 400°C, especially preferred up to 800°C.
13. Method according to claim 11 or 12,
    characterized in that the casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e) is arranged in the at least one melting region (13; 13; 13b; 40, 13c; 13d; 13e) and in particular at least partially covers a filling opening (16; 16a; 16b, 41; 16c; 16d; 16e) through which the casting mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d) can be filled.
14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13,
    characterized in that the mold cavity (17; 17a; 17c; 17d; 17e) is vented before the melted casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e) is pressed in.
15. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14,
    characterized in that in order to press the melted casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e) into the mold cavity (17; 17a; 17c; 17d; 17e) of the casting mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d; 3e), the casting plunger (20; 20a; 20b; 20c; 20d; 20e) is moved relative to a guiding means (19; 19a; 19c; 19d; 19e) against a restoring force of a restoring means (22), thereby reducing a space (27; 27e) receiving the melted casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e) and filling the melted casting material (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d; 15e) through the filling opening (16; 16a; 16b, 41; 16c; 16d; 16e) into the mold cavity (17; 17a; 17c; 17d; 17e) of the casting mold (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d; 3e) to form the casting (36).

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