Abstract: In a system comprising a gripper (9) and a number of gripping objects (7), and with fluid-communication couplings for establishing temporary fluid communication between the gripper (9) and the gripping object (7) being gripped, the novel feature consists in that the coupling comprise at least one tubular member (30) with at least one open end being adapted to be pressed against and to make fluid-tight contact with a plane surface (37) on the gripping object (7) having fluid-transfer openings (39) with somewhat smaller diameter than the open ends of the tubular member (30). With this arrangement, the risks of damage and other problems associated with previous coupling arrangements based on the male-female principle are avoided.

Abstract: In a gripper with two pivotable jaws (5,6) for engaging a core mask (7) or the like in an automated foundry plant, each jaw is actuated by a knee-joint linkage (18,22a and 19,22b respectively) with a common member (22) driven by a single hydraulic cylinder (24). By arranging the actuating mechanism as shown, it is possible(a) to move the two jaws between their gripping positions shown and their position of rest (not shown) by a single hydraulic cylinder or equivalent motor, and(b) to move the two jaws between said positions without risk of the jaws colliding with each other, as during the movement to the position of rest (not shown), the lower jaw (5) is swung into the gripper housing (9) before the upper jaw (6).

Abstract: In a method of operating an apparatus with a mold chamber (8) being supplied with fluidized mold sand (2) from a supply chamber (1) under air pressure applied through suitable air channels (3), and in which the pressure in the supply chamber (1) is increased gradually from a low to a high value to avoid turbulences in the initial filling stage and ensuing weak spots in the molded article, while at the same time achieving a short total filling time and a high degree of compaction during the final stage, the new feature is that vacuum is applied through air-permeable mold chamber walls (9,10), preferably before increasing the pressure in the supply chamber (1), thus avoiding the formation of air pockets in depressions in the mold chamber walls, that could otherwise cause reduced compactness and density in protruding parts of the shaped body (not shown) being formed in the mold chamber (8).

Abstract: A core setter for use in setting one or more cores in the mould impression in the rearmost of a number of mould parts placed face to face during conveyance towards a pouring line. The setter consists of an essentially L-shaped swingable arm (1), which is pivotally journalled around a vertical axis (2) and at its free end, opposite the pivot, is provided with a core-retaining device (10), designed to accept cores in a position outside the moulding system and to deliver these into the mould impressions by a translational movement of the core-retaining device in the direction of conveyance of the mould parts.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a shared pattern carrier (1), to which an upper and a lower half pattern (2, 3) are secured. Moulding chambers (4, 5) are provided above and below the pattern carrier (1), the moulding chambers having movable squeeze plates (6, 7) for post-compacting of the moulding material and forming top and bottom, respectively, in the moulding chambers. The moulding chambers (4, 5) can be impulsively subjected to vacuum for sucking in moulding material (8) through the squeeze plates (6, 7). The moulding material (8) is fed to the lower moulding chamber (5) through an essentially L-shaped down pipe (9), whose upper end (12) is connected with a materials container (10) above the moulding chambers (4, 5), and whose lower end (11) is connected with the squeeze plate (7) in the lower moulding chamber (5). The lower corner (14) of the L-shaped down pipe (9) is provided with at least one air intake opening (13).

Abstract: A apparatus for making mould parts with a horizontal parting face consists of a container (1) in which is kept moulding material (2), preferably moulding sand, a moulding chamber (3) which may be subjected to vacuum and which may be defined at the bottom by a pattern plate (4) and at the top by a squeeze plate (5). Moulding material (2) is impulsively sucked into the moulding chamber (3) through the squeeze plate (5) and is post-compacted in it by advancing the squeeze plate (5) with the pattern plate (4), which carries a half pattern. The moulding material (2) is sucked into the moulding chamber (3) through a slot (6) placed centrally in the squeeze plate (5). The container (1) is tapered in V-shape at the bottom (7) in the direction of the slot (6) in its entire longitudinal direction. One or more air intake openings (8) are provided on the tapered side faces of the container (1).

Abstract: A moulding system for making mould parts by compacting sand or other like material between a vertical squeeze plate (12) and a vertical swingable plate (8), which form movable end walls in a squeeze chamber (6). The swingable plate is designed to swing away to allow the mould part to pass from the squeeze chamber (6) by advancing the squeeze plate (12) additionally after complete compaction. The swingable plate (8) is journalled in a foremost yoke (4), which connects with a pull yoke (2), placed behind squeeze chamber (6), by means of a rigid frame structure parallel with the longitudinal axis of the chamber.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for replacing pattern plates in a moulding plant for making boxless mould parts of sand or other like material is characterized by the use of a revolving table (1), which is provided with e.g. four symmetrically placed arms (1), in which are suspended pattern plates (2,3). The revolving table is designed for sequential conveying of the pattern plates (2,3) for placing these on a squeeze plate (PP) and a counter-pressure plate (MTP), respectively, in the moulding chamber of a moulding plant (suggested only on the drawing). The pattern plates (2,3) are placed in the respective arms (1) when the latter are just opposite the changing position. From the changing position, the pattern plates (2,3) are conveyed into a moulding chamber by a transverse sliding movement in an essentially known manner.

Abstract: In the production of frozen moulds (12) or cores the freezing process is accelerated by drawing the liquefied freezing agent, such as nitrogen, used for freezing the water in the mould bodies, into or through the bodies by the application of a vacuum.

Abstract: A manoeuvering system for a foundry plant for the automatic manoeuvering of heavy implements includes two carrier pins located on the same side of each implement. A carriage is movably mounted to a frame and a gripper including two jaws as attached to the carriage. This gripper is rotatably mounted to the carriage so that the implement can be rotated as well as moved longitudinally.

Abstract: In the production of frozen moulds (12) or cores the freezing process is accelerated by drawing the liquefied freezing agent, such as nitrogen, used for freezing the water in the mould bodies, into or through the bodies by the application of a vacuum.

Abstract: For the purpose of pouring a stepwise advanced casting mould consisting of identical, flaskless mould parts having vertical joints at which there are provided inlets or chutes extending from the top surface of the mould to its casting cavities, use is made of a pouring tundish having a slitlike bottom outlet adapted to cover three or more inlets temporarily blocked by an obstruction. After an additive has been fed to the tundish this is being filled with the necessary amount of molten iron which prior to removal of the obstruction gets the opportunity of being merged uniformly with the additive, and possible slag products may at the same time rise to the surface. The pouring tundish may meanwhile be advanced one or more steps together with the casting mould while being in firm contact with its top face.

Abstract: In a plant for the production of vertically divided casting moulds consisting of flaskless mould parts, produced successively in a pressing chamber having pressing plates carrying exchangeable pattern boards. Carriers are arranged laterally of the pressing chamber with a view to allowing a quick changing of said pattern boards, one of the carriages serving to automatically feed and insert "new" pattern boards while the other one picks up and pulls away "used" pattern boards. The various operations are controlled by an electronic control system in dependence on a code on the pattern boards whereby to reduce waste of time to a minimum and avoid risk involving manual operations.

Abstract: In a conveyor for the stepwise advance of a vertically parted boxless mould through a pouring and cooling zone of a guideway each side of this guideway is composed of mutually reciprocable rods or rails, at least some of which are operative to carry along the mould in its advance step and which during the advance movement as well as during the periods of standstill keep the mould permanently compressed in its transverse direction to the benefit of the accuracy of the castings produced. For the purpose of limiting the effect of possible expansion forces on the castings before full hardening thereof, at least some of the guideway rods may comprise aligned sections which in case of longitudinal expansion of the mould may be drawn apart against spring resistance.

Abstract: To produce frozen casting moulds or core boxes the binder is cooled till freezing at least partly before or during the moulding process. This allows the production rate to be increased to such a level that the working rate of automatic machines for the production of casting moulds and core boxes can be fully obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing one or more hollow sand cores suitable for casting moulds using a bipartite core box defining a mould cavity into which sand and a catalyst or a curing agent are introduced. The method includes the steps of establishing a pressure gradient which decreases from the interior to the exterior of a non-heated core box of porous material; introducing sand and a catalyst or a curing agent into the mould cavity defined by the non-heated core box; and directing the introduced sand and catalyst or curing agent against the interior surface of the non-heated core box, which step of directing, at least in part, is obtained by the pressure gradient established between the interior and exterior of the non-heated core box. The apparatus provides structure for accomplishing the above described method.

Abstract: The invention concerns the technical problem of providing a simple and reliable apparatus for separating castings from moulds of sand or similar material at the end of a guiding track, on which the moulds with the enclosed castings are advanced step by step towards a knocking-out station. With a view hereto the apparatus comprises a number of possibly interchangeable claws equipped with vibrators which, when moved into the row of moulds, can penetrate the mould sand and be caused to enclose and pinch the outermost casting, whereafter the claws are shifted back to the initial position in which the pair of tongs formed by the claws can open in order to deliver the casting for further treatment. The claws can be specially formed so as to retain possible core sand in the castings.

Abstract: In an apparatus for producing casting mould parts and comprising a pressure or squeeze chamber with movable end walls formed by a pressure plate and a counter-pressure plate, the hydraulic drive units for the said plates are constituted by piston/cylinder devices, in which the piston members are stationary, while the cylinder members are connected with the plates and dimensioned so as to stand up to any bending stresses exerted by said plates.

Abstract: A travelling grate conveyor for advancing a mould consisting of juxtaposed identical mould parts is associated with an endless mould supporting belt or conveyor formed by a plurality of closely spaced and interconnected rod members extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of the conveyor. The upper run of the belt rests on and is advanced by the travelling grate walking wacking beam conveyor.

Abstract: For the purpose of separating castings from the sand or similar material forming a string of moulds, each of the castings proper together with a lump of heat damaged mould material totally surrounding the casting is separated from the mould string. After having been subjected to an appropriate degree of cooling, the castings are separated from the lump material which, after sufficient regeneration, may be re-used together with the non-damaged material of the moulds.