Standard
CAP · single spout
The standard coreless press-pour: one pouring spout feeds a single flask with a precise, slagless stream, under full computerized control.
2–25 t · one flaskCAP · Coreless Automatic Press-Pouring Furnace
The CAP Coreless
Automatic Press-Pouring
Furnace.
The CAP is the world's first automatic coreless press-pouring furnace with heated siphons. Precise, repeatable pouring, from 2 to 25 t, up to 1 MW.
2 to 25 tCapacity
200 kW to 1 MWPower
Since 1976CIME original
Coil bodyPress chamberTap-out
CIMECAP · DWG 01Scale 1:20Turin
Capacity2–25 tSizes · 2·4·8·10·15·25 t
Power200–1000 kW
Superheat0 °C/h
Bath emptying0%Fast alloy changes
01 · The principle · how the CAP works
Metal goes in molten.
It comes out poured.
Molten metal is fed in through the charge siphon; the elliptical coil holds the sealed bath and heats both siphons, so the ducts never freeze. Inert pressure pushes the melt up the pouring siphon, where a stopper-rod meters a precise pour straight onto the line. The world's first automatic press-pouring furnace with heated siphons, engineered by CIME in 1976.
0%Freeze in feed ducts
100%Bath emptied, hydraulic back-tilt
24/7Without stopping the line
CAP · press-pouring · section
02 / 06
CAP vs. channel & unheated systems
Why every duct is heated.
In a channel press-pour the siphons are not directly heated; in an unheated pouring system the metal bath cools. The CAP heats the entire metal area, siphons included, by induction. That difference cascades into correct pouring temperature and slag control.
Property
CIME CAP
Channel press-pour
Unheated pouring system
Duct / siphon heating
Induction-heated, self-cleaning
Siphons not directly heated
None, bath cools
Slag in ducts
Stays fluid, easy deslag
Builds up in siphons and heating channel
Cold-metal & slag inclusion
Ductile (nodular) iron
100% reliable · no fading
Difficult, clogging
Mg fading risk
Heel required
None, empties 100% by hydraulic back-tilt
Yes
No
Grade change
Fast, full empty
Hard
Yes
Weekend / holiday shutdown
Yes
No
Yes
03 / 06
Control & automation
The key points.
OPTICAL · electro-optical pour control
A camera focuses on the mould pouring cup, feeding a continuous signal to the stopper-rod control. Pour rate adjusts to each mould's filling profile in real time.
Fully computerized process
Pouring curves, metal poured per mould, remaining bath, pattern memory file and diagnostics, all pre-programmed for complete automatic furnace control.
Interfaced with the moulding line
The metal-feeding system is process-controller adjusted and synchronised to the line: immediate start-up, no wait for metal, automatic inoculation with alloy injection into the pouring stream.
Always ready, never wasted
A buffer of liquid metal at correct analysis and temperature is always on the line, no solidification during unplanned mould-line stops, with rapid superheat up to 100 °C/h when needed.
04 / 06
Technical specifications
Engineered to your requirements.
CAP · technical data
Furnace typeCoreless Automatic Pouring (CAP)
Capacity2 · 4 · 8 · 10 · 15 · 25 t
Power rating200 – 1000 kW · IGBT-ready
Frequency50 – 200 Hz
Max temperatureup to 1650 °C · at steel
CoilElliptical induction coil · heats charge & discharge ducts + crucible
Pouring• Optical (camera-guided, automatic)
• Teach-in (automatic repeat of a manual pour)
• Manual
AtmosphereAir or inert gas
Rapid superheatup to 100 °C/h
RefractoryDry-vibrated refractory powder
ControlComputerized + OPTICAL electro-optical pour control
MetalsGrey & ductile iron, steel, copper alloys, aluminium & light alloys
ShutdownWeekend / holiday · solidified charge can be remelted
ComplianceCE · ISO 9001
Standard capacities · tonnes
2 t
4 t
8 t
10 t
15 t
25 t
Each size is engineered to the foundry's moulding-line cadence and metallurgy. Custom capacities and retrofits available on the 700+ install base.
05 / 06
Configurations · single & double spout
One bath. One or two pours.
Bibecco
CAP Bibecco · double stopper rod
A double-spout arrangement that pours two different flasks directly, under full computerized control.
2–25 t · two flasks?
FAQ · operational
Operational questions, straight answers.
Which metals and alloys can the CAP pour?
Any ferrous or non-ferrous alloy. The CAP pours grey cast iron, ductile iron with 100% reliability, steel, copper-based alloys (bronze and brass), and light alloys including aluminium. For ductile iron in particular, nitrogen pressurisation maintains magnesium content, and lower treatment temperatures improve metallurgical quality and reduce the amount of alloy required.
What capacities and power ratings are available?
Standard capacities are 2, 4, 8, 10, 15 and 25 tonnes, with power ratings from 200 up to 1000 kW at 50 to 200 Hz. Each unit is engineered to the foundry's moulding-line cadence; custom sizes and retrofits are available.
Does the CAP avoid slag build-up in the ducts?
Yes. Unlike channel furnaces, the CAP's elliptical coil heats both ducts by induction. They do not freeze and the slag stays fluid and easy to remove from the top surface: the ducts are effectively self-cleaning.
Can it be shut down over the weekend?
Yes. The CAP can be de-energized and restarted either from a cold charge or with metal already molten. It can be shut down over weekends or during non-production periods. Rapid superheat of up to 100 °C/h brings it back to pouring temperature quickly.
How is pouring controlled?
By a fully computerized system (pouring curves, metal poured per mould, remaining bath and pattern memory) combined with OPTICAL, an electro-optical device that watches the mould pouring cup and molten stream and feeds a continuous signal to the stopper-rod control, adjusting to each mould in real time.
Is a heel required, and can grades be changed quickly?
No ballast heel is required. The furnace empties 100% by hydraulic back-tilting, so switching from one alloy to another is fast and clean. The special lining and induction-heated ducts support frequent alloy changes.
Built around your foundry.
Whether you need a furnace engineered to your process from the ground up, or want to bring an existing installation up to date with our components and controls, the CIME engineering team is ready to define the right solution for your foundry.