Abstract: The sleeve comprises two tubular rigid strength members (4,5) where one surrounds the other and where they are united by an elastomer body (6) shaped so as to co-operate therewith to form two sealed cavities (7,8) that communicate with each other via a narrow channel (9), the cavities and the channel being completely filled in a liquid, the portion of the elastomer body that defines at least one of the cavities having a generally U-shaped or V-shaped axial section that is outwardly open in a radial direction, and the narrow channel extending along an arc of a circle disposed at an axial end of the sleeve, close to its outer strength member (5). The outer strength member forms an integral portion of a rigid connection arm (11), and the narrow channel is defined in part by a radial flange (16) of a cage (15) received in the outer strength member.

Abstract: A mould chamber including at least one pressing plate is filled by blowing mould sand in through a blowing-in tube ascending at high speed, in which at least some of the blowing-in apertures are adapted to blow the sand in substantially transversely to the ascending movement of the blowing-in tube.

Abstract: In producing casting molds or mold parts by compacting mold sand in a molding chamber between two pattern plates, the volume of the molding chamber is measured and/or computed, such as by using sensors and a timer/controller capable of computing, before and after the compacting step. The values obtained are used to calculate a compaction ratio which is compared with a desired compaction ratio as a basis for making adjustments to the starting conditions, before the next mold or mold part is produced. In this manner it is possible to achieve a continuous correction of the compacting ratio to form correctly sized molds or mold parts in a series.