PRODUCT COMPRISING RECYCLED ALUMINUM WHEEL FRAGMENTS AND AN ALLOY SUPPLEMENT, AND METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

Abstract

A product comprising recycled metal fragments and an alloy supplement, and methods and systems for producing the same. In some examples, the product comprises a container, shot-peened aluminum alloy wheel pieces, and an alloy supplement. In some examples, the product also comprises an indication on the container of an estimated composition of the combined shot-peened pieces and alloy supplement. In other examples, the indication and / or the alloy supplement may be provided by a company in the business of supplying alloy supplements.

Description

PRODUCT COMPRISING RECYCLED ALUMINUM RIM FRAGMENTS AND AN ALLOY SUPPLEMENT, AND METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME Related request This application claims the benefit of priority of United States Patent Application No. 62 / 883,742 filed on August 7, 2019 and United States Patent Application No. 62 / 946,119 filed on December 10, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Field of invention The methods described refer to the field of recycling, in particular, to the field of recycling scrap metal and supplementing the scrap metal with alloys during the recycling process. Background of the invention Recycling what would otherwise be waste materials to form new materials or objects is important in modern waste management. Many different materials can be recycled, for example, wine, paper, cardboard, metal, plastic, tires, textiles, batteries, and electronic products. The typical method for recycling waste material includes collection, sorting, cleaning, and processing. Metals are of particular value for recycling. Unlike other materials, metals can be recycled into products of substantially similar quality to their feed material. Slight differences in elemental composition can result in vastly different material properties. Certain high-value alloys have very specific elemental compositions. Metals supplied for recycling may have differences in the elemental composition of the desired high-value alloys. Brief description of the invention This brief description is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicant's training, but it does not define any of the specific methods. In general, one or more methods for recycling scrap metal are described herein. In a first aspect, some embodiments of the invention provide a method for recycling aluminum alloy rails. The method comprises: providing a feed of aluminum alloy rails; fragmenting the aluminum alloy rails into a plurality of fragments; subjecting the plurality of fragments to shot blasting to remove surface impurities from the plurality of fragments to produce a plurality of shot-blasted pieces; determining an estimated mass of the plurality of shot-blasted pieces; determining an estimate of the aggregate composition for the plurality of shot-blasted pieces, the estimate of the aggregate composition comprising a plurality of element concentration estimates, each comprising an element concentration estimate for each element in a plurality of elements.Based at least partially on the aggregate composition estimate, a selected target alloy is selected; the selected target alloy has a plurality of element ranges comprising one element range for each. MA / a / ¿U¿l / Ul ófOf element in the plurality of elements. A discrepancy estimate is determined by determining, for each element in the plurality of elements, a discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element, wherein the discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for at least one element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element is not zero.Based on the discrepancy estimate and the estimated mass of the plurality of shot-peened pieces, an alloy supplement is determined, having a supplement mass and composition to be included with the plurality of shot-peened pieces to change the aggregate composition estimate to an adjusted composition estimate where, for each element in the plurality of elements, the element concentration estimate of the adjusted composition estimate for that element is within the element range of the target alloy for that element. Provide, for use in the manufacture of a component fabricated from the selected target alloy, i) the alloy supplement, from a source other than the feed of the aluminum alloy, and ii) the plurality of shot-peened pieces. According to certain aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, the selection of the target alloy and the determination of the discrepancy estimate comprise determining a comparison of the aggregate composition estimate for each target alloy in a plurality of target alloys, including determining the discrepancy estimate for the selected target alloy. Each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys has a plurality of element ranges, comprising one element range for each element in the plurality of elements. The selection of the target alloy is further based on this comparison. According to certain aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, determining the comparison comprises, for each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys, determining an alloy-specific discrepancy estimate for that target alloy. The alloy-specific discrepancy estimate for that target alloy comprises, for each element in the plurality of elements, a discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of that target alloy for that element. For each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys, the discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for at least one element and the element range of that target alloy for that element is not zero. The discrepancy estimate is the alloy-specific discrepancy estimate for the selected target alloy. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, the method further comprises maintaining the source of the alloy supplement by, for each element of at least some elements in the plurality of elements, maintaining the dispenseable quantities of that element such that the mass quantities of that element are dispensed with an accuracy within plus or minus one percent of the dispensed mass. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, at least some elements in the plurality of elements comprise at least one of silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium, strontium, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, and tin. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, the method further comprises providing a minimum dispensing increment of at least one of silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium, strontium, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, and tin; and jointly controlling the minimum dispensing increment and the estimated mass of the plurality of shot-blasted pieces such that the minimum dispensing increment is smaller than the amount necessary to increase the composition of the dispensed element from a minimum composition value of the dispensed element for the target alloy to a maximum composition value of the dispensed element for the target alloy for the given estimated mass of the plurality of shot-blasted pieces. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, maintaining the source of the alloy supplement comprises maintaining a supply of aluminum for inclusion in the alloy supplement. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, an indication of the estimated adjusted composition of the selected target alloy is provided with the alloy supplement and the plurality of shot-peened pieces. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, i) the alloy supplement, ii) the plurality of shot-peened pieces, and iii) the indication of the adjusted composition estimate for the selected target alloy are provided, comprising sealing the alloy supplement and the shot-peened pieces in a shipping container and preventing contamination during shipping, and providing the indication of the adjusted composition estimate and / or the selected target alloy on the container. According to certain aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, the method further comprises storing, for each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys, the plurality of element ranges for that target alloy in a non-transient, electronically readable memory in electronic communication with the computer processor. Determining the estimated aggregate composition for the plurality of shot-peened pieces comprises operating a computer processor to determine the estimated aggregate composition from the plurality of material composition measurements of the plurality of shot-peened pieces.Determining the comparison of the aggregate composition estimate with each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys comprises operating the computer processor to determine the comparison based on the aggregate composition estimate and the plurality of element ranges for that target alloy obtained from the non-transient electronically readable memory. Determining the discrepancy estimate comprises operating the computer processor to determine the discrepancy estimate based on the comparison, and for each element in the plurality of elements, a discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element. Determining the alloy supplement having the mass and composition of the supplement comprises operating the computer processor to determine the mass and composition of the supplement. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, the method MA / a / ZUZl / Ul ¿fOf further comprises operating the non-transient electronically readable memory to store: i) value information including, for each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys, a value per unit mass of that target alloy; and ii) cost information including, for at least some elements in the plurality of elements, a cost per unit mass of that element included in the alloy substance. The selection of the selected target alloy from the plurality of target alloys comprises operating the computer processor to select the selected target alloy based at least partially on the discrepancy estimate, and the value and cost information received from the non-transient electronically readable memory. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, determining the aggregate composition estimate for the plurality of shot-blasted pieces comprises determining a plurality of material composition measurements of the plurality of shot-blasted pieces. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a system is provided for producing an aluminum alloy product. The system comprises: an aluminum alloy rim transfer mechanism for feeding a plurality of aluminum alloy rims; an aluminum alloy rim processor for fragmenting the plurality of aluminum alloy rims into a plurality of fragments, and then cleaning the plurality of fragments to produce a plurality of clean fragments; and a non-transient, electronically readable memory for storing, for each target alloy in a plurality of target alloys,a plurality of element intervals comprising one element interval for each element in the plurality of elements; a composition analyzer for measuring the composition of at least some of the plurality of clean fragments to determine a plurality of composition measurements; a scale for determining the mass of the plurality of clean fragments; and a computer processor in electronic communication with the non-transient electronically readable memory, the scale, and the composition analyzer. In the operation, the computer processor receives the plurality of composition measurements from the composition analyzer and determines an aggregate composition estimate for the plurality of clean fragments.The aggregate composition estimate comprises a plurality of element concentration estimates, each comprising an element concentration estimate for each element in the plurality of elements. Based at least partially on the aggregate composition estimate, a selected target alloy is selectable by the computer processor. The selected target alloy has a plurality of element ranges, each comprising an element range for each element in the plurality of elements. In the operation, the computer processor determines a discrepancy estimate by determining, for each element in the plurality of elements, a discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element.where the discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for at least one element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element is not zero. Based on the discrepancy estimate and the estimated mass of the plurality of shot-peened pieces, the operating computer processor determines an alloy supplement having a mass and composition of supplement to be included with the plurality of shot-peened pieces to change the aggregate composition estimate to an adjusted composition estimate where, for each element in the plurality of elements, the element concentration estimate of the adjusted composition estimate for that element is within the element range of the target alloy for that element. In some variants of the system for providing an aluminum alloy product, the computer processor, in operation, further determines a comparison of the aggregate composition estimate for each target alloy in a plurality of target alloys, each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys comprising a plurality of element intervals comprising an element interval for each element in the plurality of elements, wherein selecting the selected target alloy is further based on the comparison. In some variants of the system for providing an aluminum alloy product, determining the comparison comprises, for each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys, determining an alloy-specific discrepancy estimate for that target alloy comprising, for each element in the plurality of elements, a discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of that target alloy for that element, wherein the discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for at least one element and the element range of the target alloy for that element is not zero, and the discrepancy estimate is the alloy-specific discrepancy estimate for the selected target alloy. In some variations of the system for producing an aluminum alloy product, the non-transient electronically readable memory stores value information, which includes, for each target alloy in a plurality of target alloys, a value per unit mass of that target alloy; and cost information, which includes, for at least some elements in the plurality of elements, a cost per unit mass of that element induced in the alloy substance. During operation, the computer processor selects the target alloy based, in part, on the discrepancy estimate and the value and cost information received from the non-transient electronically readable memory. In some variants of the system for providing an aluminum alloy product, the system further comprises a user interface to communicate the selected target alloy and the mass and composition of the alloy supplement to a user / operator; the user interface is in electronic communication with the computer processor. According to certain aspects of certain embodiments of the present invention, a product is provided. The product comprises a sealed container to prevent contamination of the container interior from the container exterior; a plurality of shot-peened aluminum alloy rim pieces inside the container; and an alloy insert inside the container, the alloy insert excluding any of the aluminum alloy rim pieces. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, a mass of the alloy supplement is less than 5% of a mass of the plurality of shot-blasted aluminum rim pieces. MA / a / ZUZl / Ul ófOÍ According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, a mass of the alloy supplement is less than 1% of a mass of the plurality of shot-peened aluminum rim pieces. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, at least 50% of the mass of the alloy supplement is composed of silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium and / or strontium. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, at least 80% of the mass of the alloy supplement is composed of silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium and / or strontium. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, the product includes an indication on the sealed container of an estimate of the composition of the combined shot-blasted parts and the alloy supplement. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, the alloy supplement comprises an alloy ingot in which at least two elements of the plurality of elements are mixed and fused together. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, there is a method for providing an alloy supplement. The method comprises: (1) receiving a mass measurement, the mass measurement being a mass measurement of a plurality of shot-peened pieces of aluminum alloy rims; (2) receiving an aggregate composition estimate for the plurality of shot-peened pieces, the aggregate composition estimate comprising a plurality of element concentration estimates comprising an element concentration estimate for each element in a plurality of elements;(3) based at least partially on the composition estimate of aggregates and a selected target alloy, the selected target alloy having a plurality of element ranges comprising an element range for each element in the plurality of elements, determine a discrepancy estimate by determining, for each element in the plurality of elements, a discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element, wherein the discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for at least one element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element is not zero;(4) Based on the discrepancy estimate and the estimated mass of the plurality of shot-peened pieces, determine an alloy supplement having a supplement mass and composition to be included with the plurality of shot-peened pieces to change the aggregate composition estimate to an adjusted composition estimate wherein, for each element in the plurality of elements, the element concentration estimate of the adjusted composition estimate for that element is within the element range of the target alloy for that element; and (5) provide the alloy supplement for use in combination with the plurality of shot-peened pieces to manufacture a component made of the selected target alloy. According to certain aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, the alloy supplement is supplied to a third-party foundry. In some embodiments, an instruction is provided with the alloy supplement to associate the alloy supplement with the plurality of shot-peened parts to be received at the third-party foundry from a source other than a source of the alloy supplement. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, the method further comprises, based at least partially on aggregate composition estimation, selecting a selected target alloy, the selected target alloy having a plurality of element ranges comprising an element range for element in the plurality of elements. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, selecting the chosen alloy and determining the discrepancy estimate comprises determining a comparison of the aggregate composition estimate for each target alloy in a plurality of target alloys, which includes determining the discrepancy estimate for the selected target alloy. Each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys has a plurality of element ranges comprising an element range for each element in the plurality of elements, and selecting the chosen target alloy is further based on this comparison. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, the alloy supplement comprises at least two of silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium, strontium, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, and tin. According to some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, the alloy supplementation proportion comprises melting and mixing quantities of at least two elements into the plurality of elements to provide at least one alloy ingot. Brief Description of the Figures These and other advantages of the present invention will be more fully and completely understood in conjunction with the following detailed description of the embodiments and aspects of the present invention with reference to the following figures, in which: Figure 1, in a flowchart, illustrates a method for recycling scrap metal parts; Figure 2, in a flow diagram, illustrates a method for recycling aluminum alloy rails; Figure 3, in a flowchart, illustrates the method for recycling aluminum alloy rims from Figure 2 with additional, optional steps; Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a system for recycling aluminum alloy rims; Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a product produced by an aluminum rim recycling method; Figure 6, in a flowchart, illustrates a method for providing an alloy supplement. Detailed Description of the Invention It will be appreciated that numerous specific details are presented in order to provide a complete understanding of the exemplary modalities described herein. However, those of ordinary experience with the technique will understand that the modalities described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the modalities described herein. Furthermore, this description and the figures are not to be considered as limiting the scope of the modalities described herein in any way, but rather simply illustrate the implementation of the various modalities described herein. First, reference is made to Figure 1, which shows a method 100 for recycling scrap metal parts. Method 100 begins by providing a feed of scrap metal parts 102. The scrap metal parts provided in step 102 are of a particular alloy type. For example, the feed of scrap metal parts might be composed of aluminum alloys.In other examples, the scrap metal feed may be a scrap metal feed composed of any of bismuth alloys, bronze alloys, cobalt alloys, copper alloys, gallium alloys, gold alloys, indium alloys, iron alloys, lead alloys, magnesium alloys, mercury alloys, nickel alloys, potassium alloys, silver alloys, steel alloys, tin alloys, titanium alloys, zinc alloys, zirconium alloys, etc. In some examples of Method 100, although each scrap metal piece in the feed may be made of the same alloy type, its composition may differ from the composition of at least one of the other pieces in the feed. In some examples, a piece may be a composition of two different compositions present in the feed. In other examples, a scrap metal piece may have a composition of any number of different compositions present in the scrap metal feed. The batch of scrap metal pieces has an aggregate or batch composition based on the different compositions of the different scrap metal pieces, as well as the relative masses of those scrap metal pieces. For example, if all the scrap metal pieces were melted and blended to provide a homogeneous aggregate or mixture, then this aggregate or batch composition would have the composition of that homogeneous mixture.This batch composition of the scrap metal feed may be unknown when the scrap metal parts are initially supplied. This scrap metal feed can originate from the same class of components being recycled. For example, a feed of aluminum alloy rails of a particular alloy, such as A356.2 aluminum alloy. Although all the rails are of a particular alloy type, they may nevertheless differ slightly in composition. Material properties can vary significantly with slight variations in composition. Alloys with certain specific elemental compositions can result in material properties that are much more desirable than alloys with slightly different elemental compositions. These material properties can include mechanical strength, chemical resistance, corrosion resistance, and other properties.For example, certain specific elemental compositions can result in a measurably greater resistance to mechanical deformation in tension. In step 104, the scrap metal pieces are fragmented into a plurality of fragments. In some examples, the fragments can be produced by passing the scrap metal pieces through a fragmentation unit. A fragmentation unit can be a shredder. Any suitable shredder known in the art can be used. For example, the scrap metal pieces can be fed into a hopper of a conventional shredder, such as the SSI Series 45H Shredder available from SSI Shredding Systems Inc. at 9760 SW Freeman Drive, Wilsonville, Oregon, 970709286, USA. This shredder can include a cutter box housing cutters, which can be mounted on parallel shafts rotating horizontally in opposite directions. The feed hopper can be located above the cutter box.Due to the force of gravity, the edges placed in the feed hopper can then be fed downwards to the appropriate location where they can be engaged by the cutters and broken or cut into pieces. In step 106, the fragments are shot-peened. The scrap metal pieces provided in step 102 can be coated with a variety of materials, such as paint, electroplating, ceramic coatings, or plastic coatings. Similarly, the external surfaces of the scrap metal pieces can be characterized by corrosion or environmental contamination. After the fragmentation process 104, the surfaces or fragments that were previously external surfaces of the scrap metal pieces can still be coated, corroded, or otherwise contaminated. The newly exposed surfaces created by the fragmentation process 104 can be substantially free of coatings. When scrap metal parts or fragments created from scrap metal parts are provided for recycling, the recycling process may include melting the parts into a bulk or aggregate batch. The composition of the aggregate batch may include elements present in any coatings or surface contamination on the external surfaces of the provided scrap metal parts, skewing the aggregate batch composition away from the composition of the provided base alloys. This is undesirable, as material properties are sensitive to elemental composition. It is desirable to remove external surface coatings, corrosion, and surface contamination, leaving behind a bare metal surface free of contamination, coatings, or corrosion. During the 106 shot blasting process, abrasive particles are projected in fragments at high speed. The abrasives impact the surfaces of the fragments. These impacts can dislodge coatings, corrosion, contamination, and debris deposited on the surface of the fragments, resulting in fragments with largely bare metal surfaces free of coatings, corrosion, environmental contamination, and debris. Shot blasting can be conducted in any suitable shot blasting apparatus. For example, the apparatus may be a centrifugal shot blaster, such as the Flexbel model (FB-4 / 28 / E / MR) system available from BCP Wheelabrator of 1219 Corporate Drive, Burlington, Ontario, L7L 5V5, Canada, which is suitable for blast cleaning small parts. Abrasives may include steel shot, alumina materials, silica, and other abrasives of any size. Preferably, S330 steel shot of half an inch or larger, also available from BCP Wheelabrator, may be used. In step 106, the abrasives can impact the fragments with sufficiently high energy that the individual fragments separate into multiple shot-peened pieces. In some instances, the fragments can be separated into shot-peened pieces that are substantially the same mass. For example, a single fragment can be separated into two shot-peened pieces during the shot-peening process. These two pieces can each be approximately half the mass of the fragment from which the shot-peened pieces were formed. In other instances, a single fragment can be separated into two pieces, where one piece is substantially the same mass as the fragment from which the shot-peened pieces were formed, and the other piece is of a significantly smaller mass. In still other instances, a single fragment can be separated into a plurality of pieces of varying masses.In some forms, step 106 can produce shot-blasted pieces much smaller than any fragment in the plurality of fragments produced in step 104. In step 106, some fragments may be impacted with abrasives and remain intact. For example, a single fragment may be impacted with abrasives during the shot blasting process. Only one shot-blasted piece is produced during this operation. The resulting shot-blasted piece may be substantially the same mass as the fragment that produced it. Any discrepancy in mass may be attributed to the removal of any surface coatings, corrosion, contamination, and debris present on the fragment's surface prior to the shot blasting operation, as well as the absence of a relatively thin layer of base metal material that may have been removed during the blasting process. Additional steps may be carried out after the shot blasting process 106 to remove abrasive particles and debris produced during the blasting process. These steps may include washing or rinsing with a pressurized fluid, such as air, water, or mineral oil, to clean the abrasive particles and debris from the blasted parts, or screening or vibrating the blasted parts on a screen, mesh, or grid, or, when the shot is made of a suitable material such as steel, using a magnet to extract the shot from the blasted parts. In step 108, an estimated mass for the plurality of shot-blasted parts is determined. In some examples, the mass of shot-blasted parts can be measured individually. The mass of each individual shot-blasted part can then be summed, resulting in a total mass for the plurality of shot-blasted parts. In other examples, a bulk batch of shot-blasted parts can be measured together to determine a total mass for the plurality of parts blasted in a single operation. Any method known in the art for measuring the mass of objects may be used, including, but not limited to, mechanical spring scales, mechanical balance scales, hydraulic scales, electronic scales based on strain gauges, or electronic scales based on load cells. In step 110, an estimate of the aggregate composition is determined for the plurality of shot-peened pieces. These measurements can be used to estimate the aggregate composition of the plurality of shot-peened pieces. Statistical methods can be used to determine the aggregate composition estimate from a plurality of composition measurement samples. Any statistical method known in the art can be used to estimate the attributes of a larger population from a smaller sample population. Statistical methods can also be used to provide uncertainty values ​​for the aggregate composition estimates. In some embodiments of Method 100, determining the aggregate composition estimate for the plurality of shot-peened pieces involves determining a plurality of material composition measurements from the plurality of shot-peened pieces.For example, in some methods, the composition of at least 50% of the shot-blasted pieces is measured, and the aggregate composition estimate is based on this plurality of composition measurements. In another method, the composition of at least 80% of the shot-blasted pieces is measured, and the aggregate composition estimate is based on this plurality of composition measurements. In yet another method, the composition of at least 95% of the shot-blasted pieces is measured, and the aggregate composition estimate is based on this plurality of composition measurements. Any method known in the art may be used to measure the composition of a material sample. In some examples, a laser scanner may be used to measure the composition of a plurality of shot-peened pieces. This may involve using a laser to heat the material at a point on the surface of the shot-peened piece to a temperature at which that material will emit characteristic radiation as it cools. A sensor may then be operated to detect that characteristic radiation to provide a spectrum of signal magnitudes at different frequencies. This spectrum of signal magnitudes at different frequencies may then be analyzed by a computer processor to infer the relative concentrations of different elements within the alloy, as described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 10,220,418, incorporated herein by reference. In an example of Method 100, a Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) composition analyzer manufactured by Laser Distance Spectrometry can be adapted as a laser sensor and scanner. The LIBS composition analyzer can include a radiation emitter, such as an Nd:YAG laser. The laser can operate at a frequency ranging from 1 to 20 hertz, raising the temperature of the fragments at the point of contact between the blasted part and the laser to over 30,000 degrees Celsius and generating plasma. The plasma can be rapidly cooled, returning the energized ions to a low-energy state. Upon returning to this low-energy state, the ions can emit characteristic radiation. The LIBS composition analyzer can contain one or more sensors that detect this characteristic radiation.Next, a processor can analyze the readings obtained from the sensors and determine the concentration of the components contained in the material undergoing the temperature change. The processor can be located within the composition analyzer. Alternatively, the processor can be a remote processor. Other suitable composition analyzers may include those that use laser spectroscopy or other systems that rely, among other methods, on inducing the characteristic radiation emitted by a material from each shot-peened piece onto a surface of that piece and detecting and analyzing that characteristic radiation to determine the material's composition. Composition analyzers can detect the characteristic radiation using any suitable sensor; for example, suitable sensors may include supplementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), high-density short-channel metal-oxide semiconductor (HMOS), charge-coupled device (CCD), and other types of sensors. Suitable composition analyzers can use, for example, radiation emitters such as plasma, electron beam, or any other suitable radiation emitter to heat a portion of the material from each fragment at at least one point on its surface to a point where the material will emit a sufficient quantity and quality of characteristic radiation as it cools. This allows a sensor to detect that characteristic radiation and enables a processor to determine the material's composition from it. The composition analyzer can be adapted to withstand continuous use, as well as the typical conditions that may be present in a particular aluminum alloy rim recycling operation. These conditions may include vibrations resulting from the operation of the aluminum alloy rim transfer mechanisms and dust and other particles produced during the recycling process. In step 112, a target alloy is selected. Specifications for a plurality of potential target alloys may be considered when making this selection. Each of the potential target alloys may have a different elemental composition. Small variations in elemental composition can result in large variations in material properties. Some sets of material properties may be more desirable than others. More desirable properties may translate into a material with a higher economic value. Target alloys may be selected based on material properties, economic value, market demand, urgent requests from customers such as foundry operators, or other attributes. In some embodiments, the target alloys may be selected at least partially based on the aggregate composition estimate performed in step 110. In step 114, a discrepancy estimate is determined. For each element in the plurality of elements measured to provide the composition estimate in step 110, a discrepancy is estimated between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element. This discrepancy is considered an estimate because it is measured between the specific target elemental composition values ​​of the target alloys and the aggregate composition estimate of the plurality of shot-peened pieces obtained in step 110. The composition values ​​of the selected target alloy can be expressed as a range. For example, a specific alloy might have an acceptable silicon composition range of 9.8–10.4 wt%.The discrepancy estimate can be based on the difference between the nearest end of the selected target alloy composition range and the estimated aggregate composition. Using the previous example, the estimated aggregate composition includes 9.6 wt% silicon. Therefore, the discrepancy estimate for silicon might be 0.2%, measured by the difference between the estimated composition and the nearest end of the selected target alloy composition range. For example, the discrepancy estimate can also be based on the difference between the far end of the selected target alloy composition range and the estimated aggregate composition. Again, using the selected target alloy as an example, the estimated aggregate composition might include 9.6 wt% silicon.Therefore, the discrepancy estimate for silicon might be 0.8%, measured by the discrepancy between the estimated composition and the far end of the composition range of the selected target alloy. In other examples, the discrepancy estimate might be based on the discrepancy between the midpoint of the selected target alloy's composition range and the estimated aggregate composition. Using the target alloy example above, the estimated aggregate composition might include 9.6 wt% silicon. The discrepancy estimate for silicon would then be 0.5%, as this is the discrepancy between the estimated composition of 9.6 wt% silicon and the midpoint of the selected target alloy's composition range of 10.1 wt% silicon.Using a midpoint discrepancy measure can be advantageous in situations where the aggregate composition estimate is uncertain, with a relatively symmetric uncertainty (i.e., similar uncertainty in both the positive and negative directions). Using a farther or nearer extreme discrepancy measure can be advantageous in situations where the uncertainty of an aggregate composition estimate is asymmetric and there is a greater likelihood of inaccuracy in a particular direction. In step 116, an alloy supplement is determined. This alloy supplement can be determined based on the estimated mass of the plurality of shot-peened pieces determined in step 108 and the discrepancy estimate determined in step 114. The quantities of each element in the alloy supplement can be determined such that when combined with the plurality of shot-peened pieces, the overall aggregate composition of the combination of the plurality of shot-peened pieces and the alloy supplement is within the specification of the selected target alloy. For example, let's say the selected target alloy, chosen in step 112, is EccomeltMR356.2. EccomeltMR356.2 has the following elemental composition requirements: Si: 6.5%-7.5%, Cu: 0%-0.02%, Fe: 0%-0.14%, Mg: 0.25%-0.4%, Zn: 0%-0.018%, Mn: 0%-0.03%, Ni: 0%-0.008%, Cr: 0%-0.03%, Sn: 0%-0.01%, Ti: 0%-0.15%, Sr: 0%-0.02%, Al: 91.674% minimum. In step 110, the following aggregate composition estimate is determined for a set of shot-blasted pieces: Si: 6.312%, Cu: 0.015%, Fe: 0.13%, Mg: 0.312%, Zn: 0.015%, Mn: 0.015%, Ni: 0.004%, Cr: 0.021%, Sn: 0.008%, Ti: 0.02%, Sr: 0.019%, Al: 91.721%, Other: 1.408%. In step 114, a discrepancy estimate is determined. The concentration value of Si does not conform to the EccomeltMR356.2 specification. All other element concentration values MA / a / ZUZl / Ul ¿fOf are within the EccomeltMR specification. Measuring to the nearest extreme, the Si value is 0.188 percentage points too low. In step 108, the total mass of the plurality of shot-blasted pieces was estimated at 1000 pounds. Using this value, along with the aggregate composition estimates determined in step 110, the mass of each constituent element in the composition can be estimated. In the current example, each estimated composition percentage can be multiplied by the total estimated mass of 1000 pounds. For example, 6.312% silicon * 1000 pounds = 63.12 pounds of silicon in the batch. Repeating this calculation for each constituent element yields the following values: Si: 63.12 pounds, Cu: 0.15 pounds, Fe: 1.3 pounds, Mg: 3.12 pounds, Zn: 0.15 pounds, Mn: 0.15 pounds, Ni: 0.04 pounds, Cr: 0.21 pounds, Sn: 0.08 pounds, Ti: 0.2 pounds, Sr: 0.19 pounds, Al: 917.21 pounds, Other: 14.08 pounds. The alloy supplement is determined to adjust the composition to meet the specifications of the target alloy. In the following example, for the sake of practicality, let's say the alloy supplements are to be dispensed in one-pound increments. In other examples, other increments of supplements may be specified. That is, in other examples, minimum increments of half a pound or other amounts of alloy supplements may be added to the batch. The alloy supplement can be calculated using the following equation: t * m — cX“ 1 - t Where X = the mass of the supplement, t = target composition ratio, m = total mass of the batch, yc = actual mass of the supplement element. Substituting the following values: t = 0.065, m = 1000 yc = 63.12. By inserting the values ​​given above into this equation, a minimum silicon supplement quantity of 2.01 pounds is obtained. In the current example, since the minimum dispensing increment is one pound, a 2.00-pound supplement would be insufficient. A 3-pound supplement is required. In other examples, where a smaller minimum dispensing increment is required, a smaller supplement size can be supplied. For example, if the minimum dispensing increment is half a pound, the supplement can be 2.5 pounds. If the minimum dispensing increment is 0.1 pounds, the supplement can be 2.1 pounds. This can be economically advantageous, as the amount of silicon required for the supplement is less, thus reducing the material cost. For some elements and alloys, there may be no minimum percentage composition requirements, only maximum ones. For example, EccomeltMR356.2 specifies maximum percentages, but not minimum percentages, for copper, iron, zinc, manganese, nickel, and tin. Unless a target alloy requires a non-zero minimum percentage of an element, there would be no need to add that element to shot-peened parts that store it, and therefore it is necessary to store it. For target alloys that have non-zero minimum percentage requirements for certain elements, when supplementing these elements, in certain batch sizes, a minimum dispensing increment of one pound may be too large. That is, it may be impossible to dispense the amount required to provide an actual element composition within a specified element range. For example, the magnesium composition specification for EccomeltMR356.2 is 0.25%-0.4%. In a 500-pound batch size, let's say the magnesium composition is 0.22%, for a total mass of 1.1 pounds. This is not within specifications. Magnesium must be supplemented. However, the smallest possible magnesium supplement of 1 pound would result in a total magnesium mass of 2.1 pounds, in a total batch mass of 501 pounds. Dividing 2.1 by 501 results in a magnesium composition of 0.42%. This now exceeds the EccomeltMR specification. In this example, a smaller supplement dispensing increment must be used, or additional supplementation of other elements must be carried out (e.g., more aluminum is supplemented afterward to compensate for the excess magnesium) to achieve an acceptable composition (or the total batch mass must be increased). Given a particular target alloy, for each element that has a specific non-zero minimum percentage requirement for that alloy, a larger minimum acceptable dispensing increment can be determined. This increment depends on the acceptable composition percentage range of the element for that particular target alloy and the total batch size. For example, the largest minimum acceptable dispensing increment must be small enough so that the amount of that element included in the alloy supplement can be calibrated to provide an aggregate composition of that element above the minimum composition value and below the maximum composition value. The largest minimum acceptable dispensing increment may vary with the total batch mass and the difference between the upper and lower composition limits for a given element. Remember EccomeltMR356.2 has the following elemental composition requirements: Si: 6.5%–7.5%, Cu: 0%–0.02%, Fe: 0%–0.14%, Mg: 0.25%–0.4%, Zn: 0%–0.018%, Mn: 0%–0.03%, Ni: 0%–0.008%, Cr: 0%–0.03%, Sn: 0%–0.01%, Ti: 0%–0.15%, Sr: 0%–0.02%, Al: 91.674% minimum. For EccomeltMR356.2, only silicon, magnesium, and aluminum have specified non-zero composition minimums and, therefore, higher minimum acceptable dispensing increments. There are no situations in which it is necessary to supplement any of the other elements of interest in EccomeltMR356.2 to correct the batch composition. This minimum acceptable dispensing increment can be calculated using the following equation: r * mX(1-Ό In this equation, X = largest minimum acceptable increment [mass], yr = element proportion range (the upper limit of the proportion or ratio of that element's mass to the total mass minus the lower limit), and ym = total initial mass size [mass]. For EccomeltMR356.2, silicon has a lower composition limit of 6.500% and an upper composition limit of 7.500%, 7.500% - 6.500% = 1.000%, or a ratio of 0.01. For a batch size of 1000 pounds, the following values ​​can be substituted into the equation above: r = 0.01, m = 1000. A resulting largest minimum acceptable dispensing increment of 10.101 pounds can then be calculated. Corresponding values ​​can be calculated for each element that must be included in the alloy. For a batch mass of 1000 pounds of EccomeltMR356.2, each of the elements has the following largest minimum acceptable dispensing increment: Si: 10.101 pounds, Mg: 1.502 pounds, Al: 90.822 pounds. Other target alloys may have different composition specifications. This will affect which elements have higher acceptable dispensing increments and which supplemental elements must be maintained. Aural2 has the following elemental composition requirements: Si: 9.800%–10.400%, Cu: 0%–0.030%, Fe: 0.160%–0.200%, Mg: 0.270%–0.350%, Zn: 0%–0.030%, Mn: 0.470%–0.550%, Ni: 0%–0.030%, Cr: 0%–0.030%, Sn: 0%–0.030%, Ti: 0.050%–0.080%, Sr: 0.015%–0.025%, Al: 88.245%–89.235%. Aural2 has specified minimum composition values ​​for the following elements: silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium, strontium, and aluminum. Therefore, only these elements need to be reserved to supply alloy supplements. Elements not specified above, for which the minimum percentage composition requirement is zero, do not need to be added to the batch to adjust the composition. This minimum acceptable dispensing increment can be calculated once again using the following equation: r * mX(1-Ό In this equation, X = largest minimum acceptable increment [mass], r = element proportion range (the upper limit of the proportion or ratio of that element's mass to the total mass minus the lower limit), and m = total initial mass size [mass]. For Aural2, iron has a lower composition limit of 0.160% and an upper composition limit of 0.200%. 0.200% - 0.160% = 0.040%, or a proportion of 0.0004. For a batch size of 1000 pounds, the following values ​​can be substituted into the equation above: r = 0.0004, m = 1000. The resulting largest minimum acceptable dispensing increment is 0.400 pounds, according to the equation above. This value can be calculated for each element that must be included in the alloy. For a batch mass of 1000 pounds of Aural2, each of the elements has the following largest minimum acceptable dispensing increment: Si: 6.036 pounds, Fe: 0.400 pounds, Mg: 0.801 pounds, Mn: 0.801 pounds, Ti: 0.300 pounds, Sr: 0.100 pounds, Al: 9.999 pounds. Note that the largest acceptable minimum dispensing increment will vary if the total batch mass is changed. In some examples, the batch may be replenished in several iterations, with the total batch mass increasing with each iteration. The largest acceptable minimum dispensing increment may increase with each iteration. This equation can also be applied to cases where the composition of a particular element is too high and another element must be added to lower the composition to an acceptable level. For example, if the silicon composition is too high and the batch needs to be supplemented with aluminum to correct this, the previous equation can be applied, using the range value for silicon, but the largest acceptable minimum dispensing increment corresponds to the element added to compensate for the high silicon concentration, which in this case is aluminum. Consider again the previous example where the total mass of the plurality of shot-blasted pieces is estimated at 1000 pounds, composed as follows: Si: 63.12 pounds, Cu: 0.15 pounds, Fe: 1.3 pounds, Mg: 3.12 pounds, Zn: 0.15 pounds, Mn: 0.15 pounds, Ni: 0.04 pounds, Cr: 0.21 pounds, Sn: 0.08 pounds, Ti: 0.2 pounds, Sr: 0.19 pounds, Al: 917.21 pounds, Other: 14.08 pounds. For these 1000 pounds of shot-blasted parts, an alloy supplement of 3 pounds of silicon is determined, to the nearest pound. After adding 3 pounds of silicon, the total mass of the batch increases by 3 pounds, to a total batch of 1003 pounds. The resulting mass of each constituent element is: Si: 66.12 pounds, Cu: 0.15 pounds, Fe: 1.3 pounds, Mg: 3.12 pounds, Zn: 0.15 pounds, Mn: 0.15 pounds, Ni: 0.04 pounds, Cr: 0.21 pounds, Sn: 0.08 pounds, Ti: 0.2 pounds, Sr: 0.19 pounds, Al: 917.21 pounds, Other: 14.08 pounds. After adding the alloy supplement, the composition values ​​must be recalculated. For example, the new mass of silicon is 66.12 pounds, in a total batch mass of 1003 pounds. Dividing 66.12 pounds by 1003 pounds results in a silicon composition percentage of 6.592%. This calculation can be repeated for each element present in the batch. The resulting recalculated composition values ​​for the batch are: Si: 6.592%, Cu: 0.015%, Fe: 0.13%, Mg: 0.311%, Zn: 0.015%, Mn: 0.015%, Ni: 0.004%, Cr: 0.021%, Sn: 0.008%, Ti: 0.020%, Sr: 0.019%, Al: 91.447%, Other: 1.404%. As seen above, the addition of a single-element alloy supplement can skew the composition of all other elements. Due to the small size of the alloy supplement compared to the total batch mass (3 pounds in a total batch of 1003 pounds) and the relatively small amounts of some elements, the changes in composition percentages may be small. However, elements in the batch with relatively high masses, such as aluminum, may be significantly skewed in percentage by the addition of an alloy supplement. After the addition of the alloy supplement used for the first time, the composition percentages can be compared again to the target alloy specifications to ensure that the final batch is within the target alloy specifications. In the example above, the final aluminum composition is 91.447%. According to the EccomeltMR356.2 specification, the aluminum composition must be above 91.674%. The resulting discrepancy is 0.227 percentage points. The composition must be corrected again to ensure it is within the target alloy specification. An additional alloy supplement must be determined. Since the aluminum composition is too low, an aluminum supplement must be added to the batch. This can be determined, using the previously defined equation, to the nearest pound, which is 24 pounds. The supplement must be rounded to the nearest pound, since the minimum dispensing increment is one pound. In other examples, a smaller minimum dispensing increment may be used. After the addition of 24 pounds of aluminum, the total mass of the batch is now 1027 pounds. The total mass of aluminum is now 941.21 pounds. Using this value, the aluminum composition of the batch can be calculated once again by dividing the mass of aluminum contained in the batch by the total mass of the batch. 941.21 pounds divided by 1027 pounds results in a final aluminum composition of 91.674%. This is within the specification of Eccomelt MR356.2 (minimum Al composition of 91.674%). Since the addition of the alloying supplement can skew the composition of all other elements, the composition of all elements must be recalculated. Using the known masses of each element in the batch and the new total mass (1027 bps), the batch composition can be calculated. Dividing the mass of each element by the total mass yields the percentage composition of each element. Performing this operation yields the following composition values ​​for the following example: Si: 6.438%, Cu: 0.015%, Fe: 0.127%, Mg: 0.304%, Zn: 0.015%, Mn: 0.015%, Ni: 0.004%, Cr: 0.020%, Sn: 0.008%, Ti: 0.019%, Sr: 0.019%, Al: 91.647%, Other: 1.371%. After the previous alloy supplementation, the silicon composition has been reduced below the minimum threshold defined by the EccomeltMR356.2 specification. The silicon composition is now 6.438%, which is 0.062 percentage points below the minimum value according to the EccomeltMR356.2 specification (6.500%). Once again, an alloy supplement for silicon must be calculated to correct the batch composition according to the target alloy composition specification. This can be done according to the silicon supplement determination operation described earlier. Again, this may bias other elements, such as aluminum, which must then be supplemented. After a finite number of iterations, the composition will converge to one that matches the target alloy composition specification. For the following example, after this iterative process is carried out, a total supplement of 8 pounds of silicon and 83 pounds of aluminum results in a composition that meets the target alloy composition specification. The total mass of the batch is now 1091 pounds. The mass composition of each element is as follows: Si: 71.12 pounds, Cu: 0.15 pounds, Fe: 1.3 pounds, Mg: 3.12 pounds, Zn: 0.15 pounds, Mn: 0.15 pounds, Ni: 0.04 pounds, Cr: 0.21 pounds, Sn: 0.08 pounds, Ti: 0.2 pounds, Sr: 0.19 pounds, Al: 1000.21 pounds, Other: 14.08 pounds. The composition value of each element can be determined by dividing the mass of each element in the batch by the total batch mass of 1091 pounds. Performing this calculation yields the following compositions: Si: 6.519%, Cu: 0.014%, Fe: 0.119%, Mg: 0.286%, Zn: 0.014%, Mn: 0.014%, Ni: 0.004%, Cr: 0.019%, Sn: 0.007%, Ti: 0.018%, Sr: 0.017%, Al: 91.678%, Others: 1.291%.These values ​​comply with the EccomeltMR356.2 specification as described above. The example presented by the inventors was carried out with a minimum dispensing mass of one pound. In other examples, where smaller dispensing masses are available, the alloy supplement may differ. It may be economically advantageous to use a smaller dispensing mass, as the amount of alloy supplement can be reduced, thus lowering the cost of the process. In some examples, certain elements may exceed the maximum value specified for the target alloy. For example, in step 110, the following estimated composition can be determined: Si: 6.741%, Cu: 0.021%, Fe: 0.13%, Mg: 0.39%, Zn: 0.015%, Mn: 0.015%, Ni: 0.004%, Cr: 0.021%, Sn: 0.008%, Ti: 0.02%, Sr: 0.019%, Al: 91.721%, Other: 0.895%. The target alloy in this example is Eccomelt MR356.2. The total batch mass is estimated at 1000 pounds. In this example, the copper composition value is too high. The discrepancy with the maximum allowable amount is 0.001 percentage points. Removing elements from an alloy can be difficult and expensive. An alternative The easiest and least expensive way is to increase the mass of at least some of the other elements in the batch to reduce the copper ratio so that it is within an acceptable range. In these cases, several processes can be used to determine the optimum alloy supplement. For example, the titanium composition is 0.13 percentage points below the maximum allowable amount. Additionally, the aluminum composition is above the minimum aluminum composition value; however, aluminum has no maximum composition value according to specification EccomeltMR356.2. Either of these elements (or any of the other elements below the maximum composition of the target alloy, such as tin) can be used to supplement the bulk alloy to adjust the batch composition to the target alloy specifications. Certain alloys may be more desirable for supplementation. The economic value of the final product provided in step 118 is equivalent to the economic value of the target alloy. Therefore, the final value can be fixed.Other aspects of the method can be optimized for profit, such as reducing the cost of the process. To maximize benefits, alloy supplements can be selected to minimize costs. In this example, titanium or aluminum can be used to supplement the batch in order to adjust its composition to match the target alloy's composition specifications. Aluminum is significantly less expensive per unit mass than titanium. Therefore, it is preferable to adjust the composition using an alloy supplement that is primarily aluminum. In other examples, different elements can be used for supplementation. The amount of alloy supplement must be determined. In the current example, the aluminum is distributed in one-pound increments. The alloy supplement can be calculated using the following equation: c X — — mt Where X = the mass of the supplement, t = target composition ratio of the excess element, m = total batch mass, and c = actual mass of the excess element. Recall that the maximum copper composition for EccomeltMRes is 0.02%, while the copper percentage in the shot-peened pieces is 0.021%. Substituting the following values: t = 0.0002, m = 1000 lb, and c = 0.210 lb, it is calculated that, to the nearest pound, the aluminum supplement required to reduce the copper concentration to meet the target alloy composition specification is 50 lb. After the addition of the alloy supplement, the batch has a total mass of 1050 lb. After adding this aluminum, the mass composition of each element of interest in the batch is as follows: Si: 67.41 lbs, Cu: 0.21 lbs, Fe: 1.3 lbs, Mg: 3.9 lbs, Zn: 0.15 lbs, Mn: 0.15 lbs, Ni: 0.04 lbs, Cr: 0.21 lbs, Sn: 0.08 lbs, Ti: 0.2 lbs, Sr: 0.19 lbs, Al: 967.21 lbs, Other: 8.950 lbs. The mass of each constituent element can be divided by the total mass of the 1050 pound batch to determine the following composition percentages: Si: 6.420%, Cu: 0.020%, Fe: 0.124%, Mg: 0.371%, Zn: 0.014%, Mn: 0.014%, Ni: 0.004%, Cr: 0.020%, Sn: 0.008%, Ti: 0.019%, Sr: 0.018%, Al: 92.115%, Other: 0.852%. MA / a / ZUZl / Ul ófOÍ As can be seen, adding 50 pounds of aluminum skews the composition of all other elements. Therefore, these composition elements must be compared again to the target alloy's composition specification to determine whether or not they meet the specification. Comparing the above composition to the EccomeltMR356.2 specification, it can be seen that the silicon composition value is 0.080 percentage points too low. An additional alloy supplement must be added to determine the correct alloy supplement. This can be calculated once again using the following equation: t * m — cX1 —t In this equation, X = the mass of the supplement, t = target percentage, m = total batch mass, and c = actual mass of the supplement item. Substituting the following values: t = 0.065, m = 1050 pounds, and c = 67.410 pounds, the final value obtained is 0.898 pounds. Rounding this to the nearest pound results in a supplement of 11 pounds. The value is rounded to the nearest pound in accordance with the minimum supplement dispensing increment of one pound. Adding the silicon supplement 11b to the batch results in a total batch mass of 1077 pounds. The mass of each element of interest is as follows: Si: 68.41 pounds, Cu: 0.21 pounds, Fe: 1.3 pounds, Mg: 3.9 pounds, Zn: 0.15 pounds, Mn: 0.15 pounds, Ni: 0.04 pounds, Cr: 0.21 pounds, Sn: 0.08 pounds, Ti: 0.2 pounds, Sr: 0.19 pounds, Al: 967.21 pounds, Other: 8.950 pounds. The mass of each constituent element can be divided by the total mass of the 1051 pound batch to determine the following composition percentages: Si: 6.509%, Cu: 0.020%, Fe: 0.124%, Mg: 0.371%, Zn: 0.014%, Mn: 0.014%, Ni: 0.004%, Cr: 0.020%, Sn: 0.008%, Ti: 0.019%, Sr: 0.018%, Al: 92.028%, Other: 0.852%. Comparing the previous composition with the EccomeltMR356.2 specification confirms that the composition now conforms to the EccomeltMR356.2 specification. In the previous example, while the silicon value was originally within specification, adding another element in sufficient quantity to correct the copper composition skewed the composition so that the silicon composition was no longer within specification. Therefore, silicon supplementation was also required. In some cases, the alloy supplementation can be optimized to minimize the cost of the supplement elements, taking this deviation into account. For example, aluminum can be added to reach the silicon threshold value. For instance, aluminum is supplemented until the silicon composition reaches 6,500%, the threshold amount allowed according to the target alloy specification. At that point, both silicon and aluminum can be added to the batch in specific proportions until the copper composition reaches an acceptable level.Depending on the cost of each supplemental element and the minimum dispensing quantities of each element, it may be economically advantageous to supplement the alloy in this way. For example, if aluminum is available at a lower cost per unit mass than silicon, it may be desirable to supplement the batch composition in this way to minimize the amount of silicon required. In another example, the target alloy selected in step 112 is Aural2. Aural2 has the following elemental composition requirements: Si: 9.800%-10.400%, Cu: 0%-0.030%, Fe: 0.160%-0.200%, Mg: 0.270%-0.350%, Zn: 0%-0.030%, Mn: 0.470%-0.550%, Ni: 0%-0.030%, Cr: 0%-0.030%, Sn: 0%-0.030%, Ti: 0.050%-0.080%, Sr: 0.015%-0.025%, Al: 88.245%-89.235%. In step 110, let's say the following aggregate composition estimate is determined for a batch of shot-blasted pieces: Si: 9.846%, Cu: 0.015%, Fe: 0.2%, Mg: 0.35%, Zn: 0.03%, Mn: 0.5%, Ni: 0.004%, Cr: 0.021%, Sn: 0.008%, Ti: 0.075%, Sr: 0.01%, Al: 88.941%, Other: 0%. In step 114, a discrepancy estimate is determined. The Sr concentration value does not meet the Aural2 specification. All other element concentration values ​​are within the Aural2 specification. Measuring to the nearest extreme, the Sr value is 0.005 percentage points too low. In step 108, the total mass of the plurality of shot-blasted pieces was estimated at 1000 pounds. Using this value, along with the aggregate composition estimates determined in step 110, the mass of each constituent element in the composition can be estimated. In the current example, each estimated composition percentage can be multiplied by the total estimated mass of 1000 pounds. For example, 0.010% strontium * 1000 pounds = 0.100 pounds of strontium in the batch. Repeating this calculation for each constituent element yields the following values: Si: 98.46 pounds, Cu: 0.15 pounds, Fe: 2 pounds, Mg: 3.5 pounds, Zn: 0.3 pounds, Mn: 5 pounds, Ni: 0.04 pounds, Cr: 0.21 pounds, Sn: 0.08 pounds, Ti: 0.75 pounds, Sr: 0.1 pounds, Al: 889.41 pounds, Other: 0 pounds. The alloy supplement is determined to adjust the composition to meet the specifications of the target alloy. In the following example, for process practicality, the alloy supplements should be dispensed in one-pound increments. In other examples, other increments of supplements may be specified. In other examples, minimum increments of half a pound or other amounts of alloy supplements may be added to the batch. The alloy supplement can be calculated using the following equation: t * m — cX= ^T Where X = the mass of the supplement, t = target percentage, m = total mass of the batch, and c = actual mass of the supplemental element. Substituting the following values: t = 0.00015, m = 1000, and c = 0.100. Calculating the equation using the substitution values ​​results in a supplemental mass of 0.05 pounds. In previous examples, a minimum dispensing increment of one pound was used. This is not a viable increment for the following case. To illustrate, adding a one-pound supplement results in a total Sr mass of 1.1 pounds in a batch mass of 1001 pounds. Expressed as a percentage, the composition would be 0.110%. This far exceeds the maximum allowable amount of strontium in the composition (0.025%). In this example, a minimum dispensing mass of 0.01 pounds is selected. The alloy supplement in this case, using the value calculated above, is 0.05 pounds. Adding this supplement to the batch results in a total strontium mass of 0.15 pounds in a batch mass of 1000.05 pounds. The total mass of each element of interest in the batch is as follows: Si: 98.46 pounds, Cu: 0.15 pounds, Fe: 2 pounds, Mg: 3.5 pounds, Zn: 0.3 pounds, Mn: 5 pounds, Ni: 0.04 pounds, Cr: 0.21 pounds, Sn: 0.08 pounds MA / a / ZUZl / Ul ¿fOf pounds, Ti: 0.75 pounds, Sr: 0.15 pounds, Al: 889.41 pounds, Others: 0 pounds. Since the addition of alloy supplements can skew the composition of all other elements, the percentage compositions must be re-estimated using the new total batch mass. However, because the supplemental mass is relatively small compared to the masses of elements present in the batch, the proportion of most elements changes only slightly. The percentage composition can be calculated by dividing the mass of each element present in the batch by the total batch mass of 1000.05 pounds. This calculation yields the following values: Si: 9.846%, Cu: 0.015%, Fe: 0.2%, Mg: 0.35%, Zn: 0.03%, Mn: 0.5%, Ni: 0.004%, Cr: 0.021%, Sn: 0.008%, Ti: 0.075%, Sr: 0.015%, Al: 88.937%, Other: 0%. All these values ​​are within the Aural2 specification. No further composition adjustments are required. In step 118, the plurality of shot-peened pieces and the alloy supplement are provided to manufacture a metallic alloy component. In some embodiments, an indication of the adjusted composition estimate or the selected target alloy may be provided with the alloy supplement and the plurality of shot-peened pieces. When the plurality of shot-peened pieces and the alloy supplement are melted into a homogeneous aggregate to manufacture a new component by a known process (such as casting), the homogeneous aggregate may have the composition of the adjusted composition estimate. The alloy supplement may be selected so that the composition of the bulk aggregate formed by combining the alloy supplement and the plurality of shot-peened pieces is similar in composition to a selected target alloy.Instead of an estimate of the specific composition of the combination of the shot-peened plurality of parts and the alloy supplement, an indication of the selected target alloy could be provided. The homogeneous aggregate composition of the shot-peened plurality of parts and the alloy supplement would then be within the specification of the elemental composition of the selected target alloy. By providing an alloy supplement along with a plurality of shot-peened parts for the manufacture of a metal component, the alloy composition from which the final component is produced can be specifically tailored. This is advantageous because the material properties of an alloy can vary greatly with slight variations in elemental composition. Adjusting the aggregate composition by adding the alloy supplement can modify the material properties so that the alloy composition is more desirable for a particular application. For example, the alloy supplement can correct the homogeneous aggregate composition so that it aligns with the composition specification for the Eccomelt MR356.2 aluminum alloy.This alloy may possess material properties favorable for certain applications. For example, the yield strength may be increased compared to the yield strength of the aggregate composition of the shot-blasted parts alone. This can increase the economic value of the final product. In other instances, customers may require specific alloys or elemental compositions for a particular product. Due to this specific demand, if a food product can be supplied with a specific alloy to produce goods, greater economic value can be extracted from the recycling process. Without providing an alloy supplement, this may not be possible without additional processing. With reference to Fig. 2, Method 200 for recycling aluminum alloy wheels is shown. Method 200 for recycling aluminum alloy wheels is an example of an application of Method 100 for recycling metal parts. Consequently, any of the examples presented below can be applied to Method 100, and any example presented above with reference to Method 100 can be applied to Method 200. Furthermore, the approach below is not intended to limit the methods described herein to the recycling of aluminum alloy wheels. For example, the methods described herein can be applied to a method for recycling objects made of steel alloys, copper alloys, or any other suitable metal. In step 202 of Method 200, a feed of aluminum wheels of a particular alloy is provided. In step 204, the wheels are fragmented into a plurality of fragments.In step 206, the fragments are shot-peened to remove surface impurities and produce a plurality of shot-peened pieces. In step 210, an estimate of the aggregate composition is made for the plurality of shot-peened pieces. In step 212, a selected target alloy is chosen. In step 214, a discrepancy estimate is determined. In step 216, an alloy supplement is determined. In step 218, the shot-peened pieces and the alloy supplement are provided for the manufacture of an aluminum alloy component. With reference to Fig. 3, a method 300 for recycling aluminum alloy rails is shown. Method 300 for recycling aluminum alloy rails is an example of an application of method 100 for recycling metal parts. Consequently, any of the examples presented below can be applied to method 100, and any example presented above with reference to method 100 can be applied to method 300. Furthermore, the approach below is not intended to limit the methods described herein to the recycling of aluminum alloy rails. For example, the methods described herein can be applied to a method for recycling objects made of steel alloys, copper alloys, or any other suitable metal. In step 302 of method 300, a feed of aluminum rails of a particular alloy is provided. In step 304, the rails are fragmented into a plurality of fragments.In step 306, the fragments are shot-peened to remove surface impurities and produce a plurality of shot-peened pieces. In step 310, an aggregate composition estimate is determined for the plurality of shot-peened pieces. In step 314, a discrepancy estimate is determined, and a selected target alloy is chosen. In some examples, the target alloy selection is based on a comparison of the composition estimate and the composition ranges of the target alloy. In some examples, this may involve selecting the target alloy that has a set of composition ranges with which the composition estimate is most closely aligned or requires the least amount of adjustment. In other examples, this may take the form of economic optimization. Alloy supplements cost a certain amount per unit mass. Target alloys have a certain value per unit mass. The target alloy can be chosen to optimize the value of the target alloy, while minimizing the cost of the supplementary alloy. In step 316, an alloy supplement is determined. In step 318, the shot-peened parts and the alloy supplement are provided for the manufacture of an aluminum alloy component. In some examples of Method 300, a supply of alloy supplement is maintained so that aluminum is available for inclusion in the alloy supplement. In some examples of Method 300, a source of alloy supplements is maintained. In some examples, the alloy supplements may include the following elements: silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium, strontium, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, and tin. In some examples, the supplements are kept in quantities such that the elements can be dispensed with an accuracy of plus or minus one percent of the dispensed mass. In some examples, the supplements may be provided as one or more ingots, composed of at least two elements from the plurality of elements on the supplement list that are melted and blended together. With reference to Fig. 4, a block diagram of a system for providing an aluminum alloy product is shown. As shown, the system 400 for providing an aluminum alloy product may include an aluminum alloy rim transfer mechanism 402, an aluminum alloy rim processor 404, a scale 406, a composition analyzer 408, memory 410, and a processor 412. In some examples, there may also be a user interface 414. The transfer mechanism 402 can provide a feed of scrap metal parts, such as, for example, without limitation, aluminum alloy rails of a particular alloy. The scrap metal parts can be loaded into the transfer mechanism 402 by any suitable means (for example, without limitation, by a truck dumping scrap metal parts into a hopper connected to one end of the transfer mechanism 402 or manually by workers placing scrap metal parts onto the conveyor). In some examples of the 400 system, the rim processor 404 can receive scrap metal from the transfer mechanism 402. The rim processor 404 can fragment the scrap metal into multiple fragments. In some examples, the fragmentation unit of the rim processor 404 can be a shredder or a cutter, and multiple blades can be used to cut the scrap metal into multiple fragments. In other examples, the fragmentation unit can be a waterjet cutter. A shot blasting chamber is also located within the 404 rim processor. The shot blasting chamber can be fed with fragments from the fragmentation unit. Inside the blasting chamber, abrasives such as shot can be projected against the fragments to clean their surfaces (shot blasting). The impact of the shot on these surfaces can remove coatings, corrosion, environmental contamination, and debris. In some 400 system examples, the shot blasting chamber may be a centrifugal blasting unit. Half-inch or larger S330 steel shot can be used. The centrifugal shot blasting apparatus in the 404 steel processor may include a housing that completely encloses a conveying means consisting of a plurality of vanes extending transversely between endless chains to travel along a predetermined path. This housing may be divided into four compartments, including an inlet chamber, two shot blasting chambers, and a shaking chamber. The vanes in the shot blasting chambers may be made of shot-resistant manganese rods, while the vanes in the inlet and shaking chambers may be made of a lighter and less expensive material. Debris extracted from the scrap metal parts may be removed from the system in the shaking chamber, and the spent abrasive may be recirculated back to the shot blasting wheel. During the shot blasting process in the 404 rim processor, the abrasives can impact fragments with enough energy to separate them into multiple shot-blasted pieces that are smaller in mass than the original fragment. These shot-blasted pieces can be of varying sizes. In some examples of the 400 system, the 406 scale can receive a feed of clean aluminum fragments. The 406 scale can use any method known in the art to determine the mass of the received clean aluminum fragments. Any method known in the art can be used to determine the mass of the clean aluminum pieces using the 406 scale, including, but not limited to, mechanical spring scales, mechanical balance scales, hydraulic scales, electronic scales based on strain gauges, or electronic scales based on load cells. In some examples of the System 400, the System 400 composition analyzer 408 can be used to detect the plurality of clean aluminum fragments produced by the Rim Processor 404 to determine a plurality of material composition measurements of the clean aluminum fragments. The composition analyzer 408 can use any method known in the art to measure the composition of material samples. The 400 system contains a non-transient, electronically readable memory 410. Information relating to a plurality of target alloys can be stored in memory 410. Along with this information for each target alloy, composition ranges for each alloy can also be stored in memory 410. The processor 412 is in electronic communication with the memory 410, the composition analyzer 408, and the scale 406. The processor can receive composition measurements from a plurality of samples from the composition analyzer 408. Using these composition samples, an aggregate composition estimate can be calculated. In some examples, statistical methods can be employed to determine an aggregate composition estimate from a plurality of samples. In some embodiments of the 400 system, determining the aggregate composition estimate for a plurality of shot-peened pieces involves determining a plurality of material composition measurements from the plurality of shot-peened pieces. The processor 412, in communication with memory 410, can compare the aggregate composition estimate with the composition ranges associated with the target alloys stored in memory 410. Using these comparisons, the processor 412 can calculate a composition discrepancy estimate. Based at least partially on the aggregate composition estimate, the 412 processor selects a target alloy. In some examples, the selected target alloy may be chosen because its composition range is more closely aligned with the aggregate composition estimate, or some other similar attribute. In some examples, the discrepancy between the aggregate composition and the target alloy composition range for at least one element may be non-zero. The processor 412 can calculate an alloy supplement based on the estimated mass determined by the scale 406, the previously calculated discrepancy, and the target alloy composition ranges stored in memory 410, of the selected target alloy. In some examples of System 400, memory 410 stores value information for a plurality of target alloys, including a unit mass value for each target alloy, and cost information, including the unit mass cost of some elements of interest for the target alloys. Processor 412 can then select the target alloy based, at least in part, on discrepancy estimates, value information, and cost information stored in memory 410. For example, based on known target alloy unit values, alloy element costs, and aggregate composition discrepancies, processor 412 can select a target alloy to maximize the benefit produced by the process carried out by System 400. This may include an optimization process, in which cost is minimized while the selected target alloy maximizes value.From a plurality of possible target alloys, an optimal choice can be selected. In some examples of the 400 system, the system may further comprise a user interface 414. The user interface may communicate the selected target alloy and complete alloy masses calculated by processing 412 to the user or operator of the 400 system. With reference now to Fig. 5, it shows a product 500. The product 500 comprises a container 502. In some embodiments, the container 502 may be sealed. Within the container 502, the product may comprise a plurality of shot-peened aluminum alloy 504 ribs, and an alloy 506 supplement. The alloy 506 supplement may exclude any part of the aluminum alloy 504 ribs. Some embodiments of product 500 may include an indication 508 in container 502 of the estimated composition of the combination of alloy supplement 506 and the plurality of shot-peened aluminum alloy 504 rim pieces. In some examples, the indication 508 may take the form of the total elemental composition percentages by weight of each element of significant quantity present in the combination of alloy supplement 506 and the plurality of shot-peened aluminum alloy 504 rim pieces. In some examples, a significant quantity may be defined as including any element present in amounts greater than 0.01% of the total mass of the combination of alloy supplement 506 and the plurality of shot-peened aluminum alloy 504 rim pieces. In some examples, these composition values ​​may be accompanied by uncertainty values.In some examples, the designation 508 may take the form of a named selected target alloy. For example, the designation 708 may specify that the combination of alloy supplement 506 and a plurality of shot-peened pieces of aluminum alloy 504 has a composition such that the elemental ranges are within the specifications of the aluminum alloy EccomeltMR356.2. In some examples, the designation 508 may additionally include the total mass of the combination of alloy supplement 506 and the plurality of shot-peened pieces of aluminum alloy 504. The alloy supplement may consist of multiple different alloying elements. For example, the supplement may include iron and manganese. The mass of the alloy supplement may be divided into subcomponents, allowing the mass of each supplement category to be determined. In some examples of product 500, the mass of alloy 506 supplement is less than 5% of the mass of the shot-peened aluminum 504 rim pieces. In some examples of product 500, the mass of alloy 506 supplement is less than 1% of the mass of the shot-peened aluminum 504 rim pieces. In some examples of product 500, at least 50% of the mass of alloy supplement 506 is composed of silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium, and / or strontium. In some examples of product 500, at least 80% of the mass of alloy supplement 506 is composed of silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium, and / or strontium. In some examples of Product 500, the alloy supplement 506 may be provided in the form of one or more ingots. The ingot or ingots may comprise at least two elements from the plurality of elements of supplement 506 that are mixed and melted together. In some examples of Product 500, the alloy supplement 506 may be a single alloy ingot in which each element of the plurality of elements is mixed and melted together. With reference to Figure 6, a method for providing a supplement of alloy 600 is shown therein. Method 600 begins with the receipt of a mass measurement in step 602. The mass measurement received in step 602 may be a mass measurement of a plurality of shot-blasted aluminum alloy rim pieces. The next step in method 600, step 604, involves receiving an aggregate composition estimate for the plurality of shot-blasted pieces. The aggregate composition estimate received in step 604 includes a plurality of element concentration estimates, comprising an element concentration estimate for each element in a plurality of elements. In some embodiments of the invention, the shot-blasted aluminum alloy rim pieces may be supplied to a recycling station by a first party.This first part could be, for example, a company that recycles aluminum alloy wheels. This first part could also determine the estimated composition of aggregates. The company of. MA / a / 4ÍU¿l / Ul ófOf Aluminum Alloy Riñes Recycling can then send both the mass measurement of the plurality of shot-blasted aluminum alloy rim pieces and the aggregate composition estimate to a second party, such as a company engaged in supplying alloy supplements. This second party could receive both the mass measurement of the plurality of shot-blasted aluminum alloy rim pieces and the aggregate composition estimate in steps 602 and 604 respectively, as described above. With reference to Figure 6, after step 604, a discrepancy estimate can be determined in step 606. The discrepancy estimate can be based at least partially on the aggregate composition estimate received in step 604 and a selected target alloy. The selected target alloy can include a plurality of element ranges, comprising one element range for each element in the plurality of elements. Determining the discrepancy estimate also includes determining, for each element in the plurality of elements, the discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element. In some embodiments, the discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for at least one element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element is non-zero. In step 608 of method 600, based on the discrepancy estimate determined in step 606 and the estimated mass of the plurality of shot-peened pieces received in step 602, an alloy supplement can be determined. The alloy supplement can have a supplement mass and composition. The alloy supplement can be mixed with the plurality of shot-peened pieces to change the aggregate composition estimate to an adjusted composition estimate. For each element in the plurality of elements, the element concentration estimate of the adjusted composition estimate for that element can be adjusted to be within the element range of the target alloy for that element by mixing the alloy supplement with the plurality of shot-peened pieces. In step 610 of Method 600, the alloy supplement may be provided for use in combination with the plurality of shot-peened parts to manufacture a component made from the selected target alloy. In some embodiments, the alloy supplement may be provided to a third-party foundry. In this embodiment, Method 600 further comprises providing, with the alloy supplement, an instruction to associate the alloy supplement with the plurality of shot-peened parts to be received at the third-party foundry from a source other than a source of alloy supplement.For example, the shot-blasted parts may be received by a third party from the first party described above (e.g., the aluminum alloy scrap recycling company), while the alloy supplement may be received by a third party from the second party described above (e.g., a company that supplies alloy additives). In some cases, the third party may receive multiple batches of shot-blasted parts from the first party, and each batch may have its own composition and selected target alloy. Therefore, the second party providing an indication to associate the alloy supplement with a particular set of shot-blasted parts, i.e., a particular batch, helps the third party allocate and mix the alloy supplement with the appropriate batch to obtain the target alloy. In some forms of Method 600, a target alloy can be selected. The target alloy can be selected based, at least in part, on the estimated aggregate composition. The selected target alloy can be defined as having a composition such that, for each element in a plurality of elements, the concentration of that element within the composition falls within an element range for that element in the plurality of elements. In this way, the selected target alloy can be defined in terms of a plurality of element ranges comprising, for each element in the plurality of elements, the element range for that element. In some embodiments of Method 600, the selected alloy can be chosen from a plurality of target alloys. Each target alloy can be defined in terms of a specific plurality of element ranges within that target alloy. Selecting the target alloy and determining the discrepancy estimate can involve comparing the aggregate composition estimate for each target alloy within the plurality of target alloys, including determining the discrepancy estimate for the selected target alloy. Each target alloy within the plurality of target alloys has a plurality of element ranges, comprising one element range for each element within the plurality of elements. In this embodiment of Method 600, in step 610, the selection of the target alloy can be further based on this comparison.For example, and as described above, the selected target alloy can be selected based on the unit mass value of that target alloy, as well as the cost of the alloying elements needed to adjust the aggregate composition to be within acceptable ranges for that selected target alloy. In some embodiments of method 600, in step 610, providing the alloy supplement comprises melting and mixing quantities of at least two elements in the plurality of elements to provide at least one alloy ingot. In some forms of the 600 method, the alloy supplement comprises at least two of silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium, strontium, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, and tin. The present invention has been described herein by way of example only. Different modifications and variations to these exemplary embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for recycling aluminum alloy rails, the method comprising: providing a feed of aluminum alloy rails; fragmenting the aluminum alloy rails into a plurality of fragments; subjecting the plurality of fragments to shot blasting to remove surface impurities from the plurality of fragments to produce a plurality of shot-blasted pieces; determining an estimated mass of the plurality of shot-blasted pieces; determining an aggregate composition estimate for the plurality of shot-blasted pieces, the aggregate composition estimate comprising a plurality of element concentration estimates comprising an element concentration estimate for each element in a plurality of elements;based at least partially on the aggregate composition estimate, select a selected target alloy, the selected target alloy having a plurality of element ranges comprising an element range for each element in the plurality of elements; determine a discrepancy estimate by determining, for each element in the plurality of elements, a discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of the selected target alloy for the element, wherein the discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for at least one element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element is not zero;Based on the discrepancy estimate and the estimated mass of the plurality of shot-peened pieces, determine an alloy supplement having a mass and composition to be included with the plurality of shot-peened pieces; change the aggregate composition estimate to an adjusted composition estimate where, for each element in the plurality of elements, the element concentration estimate of the adjusted composition estimate for that element is within the element range of the target alloy for that element; provide, for use in the manufacture of a component fabricated from the selected target alloy, i) the alloy supplement, from a source other than the aluminum alloy feed, and ii) the plurality of shot-peened pieces.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein selecting the selected alloy and determining the discrepancy estimate comprises determining a comparison of the aggregate composition estimate to each target alloy in a plurality of target alloys, including determining the discrepancy estimate for the selected target alloy, each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys having a plurality of element ranges comprising an element range for each element in the plurality of elements, wherein selecting the selected target alloy is further based on the comparison.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein determining the comparison comprises, for each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys, determining an alloy-specific discrepancy estimate for that target alloy which comprises, for each element in the plurality of elements, a discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of that target alloy for that element; for each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys, the discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for at least one element and the element range of that target alloy for that element is not zero; and, the discrepancy estimate is the alloy-specific discrepancy estimate for the selected target alloy.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising maintaining the source of the alloy supplement by maintaining, for each element of at least some elements in the plurality of elements, the dispensable quantities of that element such that the mass quantities of that element are distinguishable with an accuracy within plus or minus one percent of the dispensed mass.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the at least some elements in the plurality of elements comprise at least one of silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium, strontium, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, and tin.

6. The method according to claim 5 further comprising providing a minimum dispensing increment of at least one of silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium, strontium, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, and tin; and jointly controlling the minimum dispensing increment and the estimated mass of the plurality of shot-blasted pieces such that the minimum dispensing increment is smaller than an amount necessary to increase the composition of the dispensed element from a minimum composition value of the dispensed element for the target alloy to a maximum composition value of the dispensed element for the target alloy for the given estimated mass of the plurality of shot-blasted pieces.

7. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein maintaining the source of the alloy supplement comprises maintaining a supply of aluminum for inclusion in the alloy supplement.

8. The method according to claim 3, wherein the indication of the adjusted composition estimate or the selected target alloy is provided with the alloy supplement and the plurality of shot-peened pieces.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein providing i) the alloy supplement, i) the plurality of shot-peened pieces, and i) the indication of the adjusted composition estimate for the selected target alloy, comprises sealing the alloy supplement and the shot-peened pieces in a shipping container and preventing contamination during shipping and providing the indication of the adjusted composition estimate and / or the selected target alloy on the container.

10. The method according to claim 3 further comprising storing, for each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys, the plurality of element ranges for that target alloy in an electronically readable, non-transient memory in electronic communication with the computer processor; wherein determining the aggregate composition estimate for the plurality of shot-peened pieces comprises operating a computer processor to determine the aggregate composition estimate from the plurality of material composition measurements of the plurality of shot-peened pieces;Determining the comparison of the aggregate composition estimate for each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys comprises operating the computer processor to determine the comparison based on the aggregate composition estimate and the plurality of element ranges for that target alloy obtained from the non-transient electronically readable memory; determining the discrepancy estimate comprises operating the computer processor to determine the discrepancy estimate based on the comparison, and for each element in the plurality of elements, a discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element; determining the alloy supplement having the mass and composition of the supplement comprises operating the computer processor to determine the mass and composition of the supplement.

11. The method according to claim 10 further comprising operating the non-transient electronically readable memory to store value information including, for each target alloy in a plurality of target alloys, a value per unit mass of the target alloy; and cost information including, for at least some elements in the plurality of elements, a cost per unit mass of the element included in the alloy substance, wherein selecting the selected target alloy from the plurality of target alloys comprises operating the computer processor to select the selected target alloy based at least partially on the discrepancy estimate, and the value information and cost information received from the non-transient electronically readable memory.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein determining the aggregate composition estimate for the plurality of shot-blasted pieces comprises determining a plurality of material composition measurements of the plurality of shot-blasted pieces.

13. A system for providing an aluminum alloy product, the system comprising: an aluminum alloy flake transfer mechanism for providing a feed of a plurality of aluminum alloy flake; an aluminum alloy flake processor for fragmenting the plurality of aluminum alloy flake into a plurality of fragments, and then cleaning the plurality of fragments to provide a plurality of clean fragments; a non-transient electronically readable memory for storing, for each target alloy in a plurality of target alloys, a plurality of element ranges comprising an element range for each element in the plurality of elements; a composition analyzer for measuring a composition of at least some of the plurality of clean fragments to determine a plurality of composition measurements; a scale for determining a mass of the plurality of clean fragments;a computer processor in electronic communication with the electronically readable non-transient memory, the scale, and the composition analyzer, to, in operation, receive the composition plurality measurements from the composition analyzer and determine an aggregate composition estimate for the plurality of clean fragments, the aggregate composition estimate comprising a plurality of element concentration estimates comprising an element concentration estimate for each element in the plurality of elements; based at least partially on the aggregate composition estimate, select a selected target alloy, the selected target alloy having a plurality of element ranges comprising an element range for each element in the plurality of elements;determine a discrepancy estimate to determine, for each element of the plurality of elements, a discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element, wherein the discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for at least one element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element is not zero;Based on the discrepancy estimate and the estimated mass of the plurality of shot-peened pieces, determine an alloy supplement having a supplement mass and composition to include with the plurality of shot-peened pieces to change the aggregate composition estimate to an adjusted composition estimate, wherein, for each element of the plurality of elements, the element concentration estimate of the adjusted composition estimate for that element is within the element range of the target alloy for that element.

14. The system as defined according to claim 13, wherein, in the operation, the computer processor further determines a comparison of the aggregate composition estimate to each target alloy in a plurality of target alloys, each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys having a plurality of element ranges comprising an element range for each element in the plurality of elements, wherein the selection of the selected target alloy is further based on the comparison.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the determination of the comparison comprises, for each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys, determining an alloy-specific discrepancy estimate for that target alloy comprising, for each element in the plurality of elements, a discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of that target alloy for that element, wherein the discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for at least one element and the element range of that target alloy for that element is not zero, and the discrepancy estimate is the alloy-specific discrepancy estimate for the selected target alloy.

16. The system according to claim 15 wherein the non-transient electronically readable memory stores value information including, for each target alloy in a plurality of target alloys, a value per unit mass of the target alloy; and cost information including, for at least some elements in the plurality of elements, a cost per unit mass of that element included in the alloy substance; wherein, in operation, the computer processor selects the selected target alloy based at least partially on the discrepancy estimate, and the value information and cost information received from the non-transient electronically readable memory.

17. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a user interface for communicating the selected target alloy and the mass of the supplement and the alloy supplement composition to a user / operator, the user interface being in electronic communication with the computer processor.

18. A product comprising a sealed container to prevent contamination of the container interior from the container exterior; a plurality of shot-peened aluminum alloy rim pieces within the container interior; and an alloy supplement within the container interior, the alloy supplement excluding any of the aluminum alloy rim pieces.

19. The product according to claim 18, wherein a mass of alloy supplement is less than 5% of a mass of the plurality of shot-peened aluminum rim pieces.

20. The product according to claim 18, wherein a mass of the alloy supplement is less than 1% of a mass of the plurality of shot-peened aluminum rim pieces.

21. The product according to claims 19 or 20, wherein at least 50% of the mass of the alloy supplement is composed of silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium and / or strontium.

22. The product according to claim 21, wherein at least 80% of the mass of the alloy supplement is composed of silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium and / or strontium.

23. The product according to claim 18, further comprising providing an indication on the sealed container of an estimated composition of the combined shot-blasted parts and alloy supplement.

24. The product according to claim 18, wherein the alloy supplement comprises an alloy ingot wherein at least two elements in the plurality of elements are mixed and melted together.

25. A method for providing an alloy supplement, the method comprising: receiving a mass measurement, the mass measurement being a measurement of the mass of a plurality of shot-peened pieces of aluminum alloy cores; receiving an aggregate composition estimate for the plurality of shot-peened pieces, the aggregate composition estimate comprising a plurality of element concentration estimates comprising an element concentration estimate for each element in a plurality of elements;based at least partially on the composition estimate of aggregates and a selected target alloy, the selected target alloy having a plurality of element ranges comprising an element range for each element in the plurality of elements, determining a discrepancy estimate by determining, for each element in the plurality of elements, a discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for that element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element, wherein the discrepancy between the element concentration estimate for at least one element and the element range of the selected target alloy for that element is not zero;Based on the discrepancy estimate and the estimated mass of the plurality of shot-peened pieces, determine an alloy supplement having a mass and composition of the supplement to be included with the plurality of shot-peened pieces to change the aggregate composition estimate to an adjusted composition estimate wherein, for each element of the plurality of elements, the element concentration estimate of the adjusted composition estimate for that element is within the element range of the target alloy for that element; and, provide the alloy supplement for use in combination with the plurality of shot-peened pieces to manufacture a component made of the selected target alloy.

26. The method according to claim 25 wherein the alloy supplement is provided to a third-party foundry; and, the method further comprises providing with the alloy supplement, an indication for associating the alloy supplement with the plurality of shot-peened pieces to be received at the third-party foundry from a source other than a source of the alloy supplement.

27. The method according to claim 25 further comprising, based at least partially on the estimation of aggregate composition, selecting a selected target alloy, the selected target alloy having a plurality of element ranges comprising an element range for each element in the plurality of elements.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein selecting the selected alloy and determining the discrepancy estimate comprises determining a comparison of the aggregate composition estimate with each target alloy in a plurality of target alloys, including determining the discrepancy estimate for the selected target alloy; each target alloy in the plurality of target alloys has a plurality of element ranges comprising an element range for each element in the plurality of elements; and selecting the selected target alloy is further based on the comparison.

29. The method according to claim 25 wherein the alloy supplement comprises at least two of silicon, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium, strontium, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, and tin.

30. The method according to claim 25 wherein providing the alloy supplement comprises melting and mixing quantities of at least two elements into the plurality of elements providing at least one alloy ingot.