Abstract: A device including a chain strand where a contact point of a pivoting arm rests and slides on the chain of the chain strand. The pivoting arm is mounted on the shaft. The pivoting arm is coupled with the source of a compressive force in a form of a weight or a torsion spring. The pivoting arm is coupled with the shaft and therefore with the indicator of tension of the chain strand. The compressive force compensates for the change in resistance and lengthening of the chain when the chain conveyor is running, wherein its chain strand has been pre-tensioned by the basic pre-tensioning force induced by the tensioning device. The co-acting of the pre-tensioning force and the compressive force creates the operating tension which is not only indicated but also optimized by the device of the invention depending on a change in resistance in the chain strand.

Abstract: Disclosed are a robot cleaner and a method for controlling the same. The robot cleaner and method of the present invention involve dividing the whole area to be cleaned into sub-areas, and easily calculating a full path using travel paths in the sub-areas and connection points between sub-areas, and in the event the whole area to be cleaned is extended or an area which has not been cleaned is found, do not involve regenerating the whole map for cleaning, but rather easily updating the full path using the pre-stored travel path in the sub-areas and the connection points between sub-areas.

Abstract: Provided are a die change apparatus for use in a flaskless molding machine capable of mounting dies for producing a casting mold on die bases even when the dies have a great thickness, and a die carrying-in device used therein. The die carrying-in device comprises a first movable plate provided so as to be slidable along a die carrying-in direction toward a first die base, and a second movable plate placed so as to face the first movable plate in a standby position. A die drive source causes dies which have been positioned in a height direction to be detached from the movable plates, move toward the die bases, and be supported by clamping elements. An intersection drive source causes at least one of the first movable plate and the second movable plate to move in a direction to intersect the die carrying-in direction independently of the other.

Abstract: An apparatus for cast-product production line includes a kneader for kneading casting sand for making mold; a mold maker for making a sand casting mold from the casting sand for making mold, the sand casting mold being provided with a molding cavity for forming a singular cast product or plural products; a molten-metal pourer for pouring molten metal into said molding cavity of the sand casting mold; and a mold disassembler for disassembling the sand casting mold having undergone molten-metal pouring. Upon disassembling the sand casting mold by the mold disassembler, the sand casting mold is disassembled in such a state that the cast product is supported by means of a cast-product supporter element.

Abstract: Equipment and a method, therefore, for molding a mold with a molding flask, having a device for introducing molding sand that introduces molding sand into a molding flask and a filling frame, using compressed air, the molding flask and the filling frame being mounted on a model plate in a superimposed state; a shielding device having a plurality of feet that can enter the filling frame and can be temporarily held at positions that are spaced apart at predetermined distances from a model part of the model plate, which model part faces the plurality of feet. The equipment further includes a squeezing device provided adjacent to the device for introducing molding sand, which squeezing device squeezes the molding sand in the molding flask and the filling frame, and a transfer device for carrying the model plate, the molding flask and the filling frame into and out of both the device for introducing molding sand and the squeezing device.

Abstract: Alloy products are produced with a waxless casting process. A model of a ceramic casting vessel (34) defining a desired product shape is digitally divided into sections (10, 40, 42). Each section is translated into a soft alloy mater tool (14) including precision inserts (20) where needed for fine detail. A flexible mold (24) is cast from each master tool, and a section of the ceramic casting vessel is cast from the respective flexible mold. The vessel sections are assembled by aligning cooperating precision features (58, 60) cast directly into each section and the alloy part is cast therein. No wax or wax pattern tooling is needed to produce the cast alloy product. Engineered surface features (54) may be included on both the interior and exterior surfaces of the shell sections.

Abstract: In a mold producing foundry machine generally according to the “Disamatic®”-principle a method of compensating for relatively slowly varying compaction properties of the mold particle material without compromising the geometrical requirements for repeatedly fixed placements of the pattern plates defining the mold chamber before the shot, comprises previous establishment of a beneficial set of starting parameters for shot and pressing of the mold to a fix terminating compaction force. The percentual volume reduction from the fixed starting volume to the terminating volume of the compacted mold—yielding the mold compressibility—is compared to the previously established beneficial reference value and the succeeding shots are adaptively controlled to compensate for the realised offset in compressibility by especially regulating the shot pressure, duration and fluidization parameters in a cyclic sequence securing steady reduction of the offset value to be within acceptable margins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing mold parts (5) on a string molding apparatus comprising a molding chamber (1) between a squeeze plate (2) and a pivoted squeeze plate (3) in which both the squeeze plate (2) and the pivoted squeeze plate (3) can move in a direction towards each other and a direction away from one another comprising the steps of introducing a compressible particulate molding material (4) in the molding chamber (1) and then squeezing the molding material (4) by moving the squeeze plate (2) and the pivoted squeeze (3) towards one another wherein the velocity of the squeeze plate and the velocity of the pivoted squeeze plate are controlled independent from one another during the squeezing of the mold part (5).

Abstract: The method of improving the mould quality of a mould-forming machine comprising at least one moulding chamber with oppositely positioned and movable squeeze plates, in which the mould-forming process comprises the steps of a) filling the at least one moulding chamber with compressible mould material, b) pressing the mould material between the squeeze plates, c) opening the moulding chambers(s) by moving at least one of the squeeze plates, d) removing the produced mould or mould parts from the moulding chamber(s) and e) reclosing the moulding chambers(s) by moving at least one of the squeeze plates, ready for a new cycle starting from step (a), by moving at least one squeeze plate in a direction reducing the volume of the moulding chambers(s) during at least part of the filling step a), an improved filling of mould cavities is achieved, which compensates for the reduced filling velocity during start-up of the filling.

Abstract: A sand casting facing composition comprises a dry mixture of about 77% fine sand, 5% binder, 6% green system sand and 12% burned system sand. The fine sand is mulled with 5.8% wt/wt oil per total dry mixture and catalyst at about 0.5% wt/wt. Preferably, fine sand and binder are mulled with oil, catalyst, green system sand and screened burned system. The mulled mixture is rested, mulled again and rested again before use as facing sand for achieving accurate reproduction of the pattern's fine detail. A method of preparing the mold and preserving fine detail comprises riddling the pattern with a thin layer of the facing sand composition, compacting, riddling with dry system sand and riddling with system sand before compacting about the periphery of the pattern. Final layers of system sand are applied and compacted over the entire pattern.

Abstract: A method of making a spray formed rapid tool includes the steps of making a model of a desired tool and constructing a ceramic pattern as the inverse of the model. The method also includes the steps of heating the ceramic pattern and thermally spraying a metal material against the ceramic pattern to form a desired tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the movements of the squeeze plates of a string moulding apparatus, and to an apparatus for carrying out the method. Such an apparatus generally comprises a moulding chamber defined between two squeeze plates. One of the squeeze plates can be pivoted to open the moulding chamber. The production cycle of an apparatus of said kind comprises apart from the charging of the chamber with mould material several movements of the squeeze plates. A movement of one plate commences before the preceding movement of the other plate has finished. The hydraulic system of the apparatus comprises two pumps, one pump for each actuator associated to one of the squeeze plates.

Abstract: An offset conveyor system utilizes a lower conveying section positioned adjacent a pouring station where molten metal is poured into weighted and jacketed sand molds. Molds are transported on carriers along the lower section from a mold loading station to a weight and jacket placement station to the pouring station. After pouring, the carrier with jacketed mold is moved up an incline to an upper conveying section parallel the lower section and may overlap the lower section partially. Molds are transported in an opposite linear direction relative to the lower section to a weight and jacket removal station and to a mold dump station, where the sand mold and casting are removed from the conveyor. The carrier is returned to the lower conveyor section to receive another mold. The weight and jacket removed from the upper section is placed on a mold on the lower section, therefore only a minimum number of weights and jackets are used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of forming a plurality of moulds in a string system is provided by squeeze plates which compress the particulate mould material. One of the squeeze plates is pivotable so that when a pair of squeeze plates are compressed by particulate mould material, the pivotable squeeze plate may be pivoted out of the way to provide a string mould system. In another embodiment of the invention the pivotable squeeze plate is movable laterally to provide bilateral pressing of both of the squeeze plates.

Abstract: In a molding system a box has a pair of oppositely open ends has inner side faces and respective mold plates are engageable in the open ends to close same and have faces defining with the inner side faces a mold cavity. Sand is introduced into the cavity between the faces and is compressed in the cavity to form a mold part. An aerosol mist under superatmospheric pressure and comprised of air and finely divided droplets of a coating liquid is sprayed into the mold cavity when same is closed by the mold plates but before the sand is introduced into the cavity so that the droplets settle on the faces and coat same with the liquid.

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.

Abstract: For a production of foundry moulds, dies are stepwise, cyclically conveyed by a continuous conveyor and, synchronously with the dies, shot hoods are conveyed into a shot station which is common to both the dies and shot hoods, with the shot hoods being displaced with respect to the dies. For this purpose, a cyclically revolving die conveyor is provided for the dies, and a further conveyor is provided for the shot hoods, with the further conveyor revolving synchronously with the die conveyor. At least one shot station may be provided which is common to several dies and may be associated with the die conveyor in which dies and the associated shot hoods are conveyed by the die conveyor in a reciprocally displaced manner.

Abstract: A turbine engine component includes an annular array of airfoils which extend between inner and outer shroud rings. In order to accommodate thermal expansion of the airfoils, space is provided in a shroud ring rail. To provide space in the shroud ring rail, core material is positioned at the ends of the airfoils. The core material may be preformed separetely from the airfoils or may be a coating which is applied to end portions of the airfoils. Wax pattern material partially encloses the end portions of the airfoils and core material. The shroud ring pattern and the core material are covered with ceramic mold material to form a mold. The shroud ring pattern is then removed from the mold to leave the core material disposed in the shroud ring mold cavity at the end portions of the airfoils. As the mold is preheated, bonds between the core material and the airfoils are broken and the core material is gripped between end portions of the airfoils and the ceramic mold material.

Abstract: To permit greater through-put of a mold box filling and compacting system, mold boxes are moved vertically by a lifting table which passes through the station transport turret (10) to place a pattern or mold carrier plate (11, 12) in the mold box, and, upon continued vertical movement, placing a filling frame (14) about the mold box, and, upon further vertical movement, placing the thus formed subassembly in engagement with a sand filling apparatus (15). Upon subsequent lowering, the subassembly is returned to the turret, the turret rotates and places the subassembly in position for alignment with a compacting station, raises the subassembly to the compacting station for compaction of the sand about the model or pattern.

Abstract: A turbine engine component includes an annular array of airfoils which extend between inner and outer shroud rings. In order to accommodate thermal expansion of the airfoils, space is provided in a shroud ring rail. To provide space in the shroud ring rail, core material is positioned at the ends of the airfoils. The core material may be preformed separately from the airfoils or may be a coating which is applied to end portions of the airfoils. Wax pattern material partially encloses the end portions of the airfoils and core material. The shroud ring pattern and the core material are covered with ceramic mold material to form a mold. The shroud ring pattern is then removed from the mold to leave the core material disposed in the shroud ring mold cavity at the end portions of the airfoils. As the mold is preheated, bonds between the core material and the airfoils are broken and the core material is gripped between end portions of the airfoils and the ceramic mold material.

Abstract: A machine and method for making molds and mold cores (126) includes a pair of mold boxes (42a, 42b) removably mounted on a frame (60) for rotation between an upright, molding position in which molding material is introduced into the mold cavity of the mold boxes (42a, 42b) by a carrier (26) and an inverted discharge position in which the mold (126) is removed from the boxes by a mold receiving assembly (76). A pressure head assembly (46) both compresses molding material within the mold cavity and introduces a catalyst gas into the cavity for curing the molding material. A system for removing the spent gas from the mold cavity includes a pair of gas receiving chambers (122a, 122b) integral with the frame (60) which receives gas through the bottom of the mold boxes (42a, 42b) and an exhaust assembly (68, 70) which is selectively coupled with exhaust ports (124a, 124b) in the chambers (122a, 122b).

Abstract: A compaction unit (12) having a frame (14) resiliently mounted to a rigid support (10), the frame rigidly supporting a molding flask (24) therein, and having at least one pair of synchronized motors (A) with eccentric rotors coupled to the frame for vibratory motion therewith. The motor pairs are synchronized in counter rotation so that a given pair produces a net force vector perpendicular to a line joining the motor pair. Preferably, three motor pairs (A, B, C) for driving the frame in three different axis, are controlled by a program which permits sequential specification of the duration and net vector acceleration, over a wide range of values. The motors are maintained in synchronized phase relationship during the changeout of flasks, so that the compaction vectors experienced by each flask begin from the same initial idle condition.

Abstract: A production casting line includes a foam pattern former producing destructible foam patterns for the forming of cast parts. A pattern clusters inventory station is provided immediately adjacent to the process line having a plurality of different preformed foam pattern clusters which are immediately available for introduction and insertion into the production line by interposing of the same into the process line. A substantial number of different patterns are stored. The foam patterns are stable, can be inventoried for long periods and are relatively inexpensive. The versatility with the inventoried patterns increases the operating efficiency and reduce the overall cost of the manufacturing operation. The cast line includes flasks within the pattern clusters and are mounted at a receiving station. Sand is compacted about the foam pattern.

Abstract: A machine for making molds and molding cores (126) includes a pair of mold boxes (42a, 42b) removably mounted on a frame (60) for rotation between an upright, molding position in which molding material is introduced into the molding cavity of the molding boxes (42a, 42b) by a carrier (26) and an inverted discharge position in which the mold (126) is removed from the boxes by a mold receiving assembly (76). A pressure head assembly (46) both compresses molding material within the molding cavity and introduces a catalyst gas into the cavity for curing the molding material. A system for removing the spent gas from the molding cavity includes a pair of gas receiving chambers (122a, 122b) integral with the frame (60) which receives gas through the bottom of the mold boxes (42a, 42b) and an exhaust assembly (68, 70) which is selectively coupled with exhaust ports (124a, 124b) in the chambers (122a, 122b ).

Abstract: A foundry molding machine of the horizontal stack type such as shown in Hatch U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,621 employs a programmable solid state electrical control system operating in conjunction with a closed-loop hydraulic servo-system to obtain greater flexibility of set-up and higher mold uniformity and precision with fewer reject molds. Each of four of the major moving components of the machine may be provided with an encoder or position, velocity and direction monitoring device, such components being the two opposed squeeze rams, the mold traction device, and the pusher. Such monitors not only measure the final position of one squeeze ram, but also enable the calculation or measurement of the mold thickness so that the pusher cylinder can be controlled during its movement to contact a formed cake at a null condition and to move that cake into contact also at a null condition with a horizontally formed stack.

Abstract: A system for handling pattern devices in molding apparatus for producing mold halves in mold boxes includes a rotatable transfer device having a pair of diametrically opposed tables whereby rotation of the transfer device will periodically shift the tables between a waiting position and an operating position located on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the transfer device. A conveyor track system is provided having a portion thereof defined by conveyor track elements located on the tables. The conveyor track system includes an upper track section and a lower track section and the overall conveyor track system is formed to define a closed circulation path for the pattern devices.

Abstract: A system for producing foundry molds providing a device for filling empty mold boxes with mold forming material at a filling station includes a first rotary shifting device and a second rotary shifting device located on opposite sides of the filling station. The first shifting device operates to shift pattern devices from the filling station to a first shifting station while simultaneously moving another pattern device from the first shifting station into position at the filling station. Likewise, the second shifting device moves mold halves from the filling station to a second shifting station while simultaneously moving an empty mold box from the second shifting station to the filling station. The pattern devices are moved to and from the first shifting station by a first conveyor device and the empty mold boxes and the mold halves are moved to and from the second shifting station by a second conveyor device which extends generally parallel to the first conveyor device.

Abstract: When an empty molding box arrives at the molding machine on a roller track extending through the machine, it is placed on a pattern plate carrier with a pattern situated thereon and is lowered thereon on to a transverse roller track on which it is transferred, by means of a thrust drive operating on the carrier, to the empty station of a two-station transporting carriage on which it is then moved, by means of another thrust drive operating on the carriage, to one of the two outer working stations of a three-station roller track, namely a preparation track, parallel to the first-mentioned roller track, where the preparation work is done. As the two-station carriage moves thus, an already prepared molding box and carrier on its other station arrives at the central station of the preparation track and is then drawn back to the molding machine.

Abstract: A method of making sand molds, cores or the like for use in casting foundry pieces. First and second continuous conveyors are utilized, the first conveyor having a number of pattern pieces and flasks attached to it, and the second conveyor for transporting the sand molds, cores or the like from the flasks after deposition thereon by inverting the flasks over the second conveyor. Each flask is filled in turn with sand and binder mixture when in an upright position, the sand-binder mixture is compacted and partial curing thereof is allowed, the flasks are inverted in turn to bring the sand mold into contact with the second conveyor, and the sand mold is released from each flask while it is inverted. Each flask is then brought back into an upright position for receipt of further sand-binder mixture to repeat the process, the process being substantially continuous.

Abstract: In a casting apparatus using a mould which comprises a horizontal series of identical mould parts and presents at least one casting cavity at each joint between successive mould parts, the mould is advanced stepwise through a pouring station with a length of step that equals a multiple of the thickness or axial length of each mould part.

Abstract: In the production of foundry mold parts by the method described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,834, the production rate is increased by employing a foundry sand mix which can be cured by means of a gaseous curing agent and carrying out curing of the pressed mold part while the mold part is supported at the pressing station.