(19)

(11)

EP 1 163 067 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/51 (21) Application number: 00906851.1 (22) Date of filing: 31.01.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B22D 41/015, B22D 41/62 (86) International application number: PCT/SG0000/012 (87) International publication number: WO 0045/980 (10.08.2000 Gazette 2000/32)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 02.02.1999 SG 9900057 (71) Applicant: Singapore Polytechnic Singapore 139651 (SG)	(72) Inventor: LOH, Peng, Chum Singapore 139651 (SG) (74) Representative: Riederer Freiherr von Paar zu Schönau, Anton  Lederer, Keller & Riederer, Postfach 26 64 84010 Landshut 84010 Landshut (DE)