Shot tube for die-cast machine

Abstract

A shot tube includes an inner bore for delivering molten material into a die-cast mold. The shot tube has an outer peripheral surface with at least one surface for receiving a locking member to lock the shot tube into an aperture in a fixed mold portion and an alignment structure for properly aligning the shot tube in the fixed mold portion. An opening receives molten material into the inner bore.

1 . A shot tube comprising:
 an inner bore for delivering molten material into a die-cast mold, said shot tube having an outer peripheral surface with at least one surface for receiving a locking member to lock the shot tube into a fixed mold portion and an alignment structure for properly aligning the shot tube in the fixed mold portion; and   an opening for receiving molten material into the inner bore.   
     
     
         2 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said surface includes a pair of surfaces formed at an outer periphery of the shot tube. 
     
     
         3 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said pair of surfaces are flats. 
     
     
         4 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said shot tube outer periphery is cylindrical, other than at the flats. 
     
     
         5 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said alignment structure includes a notch at a forward end of said shot tube. 
     
     
         6 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said inner bore extends through an entire axial length of said shot tube. 
     
     
         7 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said shot tube includes an inner portion formed of a powdered metal and an outer portion formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         8 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said shot tube outer periphery is cylindrical, other than at the flats. 
     
     
         9 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said alignment structure includes a notch at a forward end of said shot tube. 
     
     
         10 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said inner bore extends through an entire axial length of said shot tube. 
     
     
         11 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said shot tube includes an inner portion formed of a powdered metal and an outer portion formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         12 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said shot tube includes an inner portion formed of a powdered metal and an outer portion formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         13 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said alignment structure includes a notch at a forward end of said shot tube. 
     
     
         14 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said inner bore extends through an entire axial length of said shot tube. 
     
     
         15 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said shot tube includes an inner portion formed of a powdered metal and an outer portion formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         16 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said shot tube includes an inner portion formed of a powdered metal and an outer portion formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         17 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said inner bore extends through an entire axial length of said shot tube. 
     
     
         18 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein said shot tube includes an inner portion formed of a powdered metal and an outer portion formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         19 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said shot tube includes an inner portion formed of a powdered metal and an outer portion formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         20 . The shot tube as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said shot tube outer periphery is cylindrical, other than at the flats.