VIM 02 – 70

Overview

The VIM 02 – 70 is a Vacuum Induction Melting & Casting System from ALD Vacuum Technology GmbH for charge weights from 1 up to 750 kg. ALD designs, engineers and manufactures small VIM systems and has delivered small scale VIM systems to R&D institutes and specialty metal alloy producers worldwide. System sizes and design variations include single-chamber VIMs that share a melting and casting chamber and dual-chamber systems with separate melting and casting chambers arranged either vertically or horizontally. Small scale, single-chamber VIMs are equipped with a single vacuum chamber, induction coil, vacuum pump set, melt power supply, controls and accessories, and dual-chamber systems may include an optional isolation valve that allows loading molds shortly before casting to minimize heat loss and reduce cycle time. The VIM12-HMC is noted as an example configuration (VIM with 12 liter melt volume and Horizontal Mold Chamber). Melting is performed by electromagnetic induction by coupling electrical power into the crucible/material under controlled atmosphere, with subsequent casting under vacuum or controlled inert gas into partly pre-heated molds or by other casting technologies such as continuous casting. The equipment supports production of super-clean metal alloys including Ni-base super-alloys, Fe-, Co-, Cr-base alloys, high alloy steels, magnetic alloys, high purity Cu-, Al- and Mg-alloys, precious metals and their alloy, and refractory metals and their alloys, and can achieve material characteristics such as high purity; low O, N, and H concentrations; precise chemical composition; tight compositional tolerances; and excellent surface quality. The VIM 02 – 70 is used to produce high-quality metal alloys for research and development and for pilot-scale production. It melts, refines and adjusts the chemical composition of starting materials in vacuum or controlled inert gas atmosphere and then casts the molten metal into bar-sticks, electrodes, flakes, wires, foils or bands. The system is applied where manufacture of Ni-based super-alloys, Fe-, Co-, Cr-based and other special alloys is required, and for applications requiring high purity, low O, N, and H concentrations and excellent surface quality; stated markets include the aviation industry, power engineering, electronics and chemical industry, bio-medical engineering and the precious metal industry.