Abstract: A control system is configured to actuate a tubular handling tool. The system includes a fluid source and a tubular handling tool having a plurality of piston cylinders and a plurality of slips configured to engage a tubular string. The system also includes a volume synchronizer having a plurality of first chambers in fluid communication with the fluid source, a plurality of second chambers in fluid communication with the piston cylinders, a piston separating each of the first and second chambers, and a rod member connected to each piston. Pressurized fluid supplied to the first chambers simultaneously moves each of the pistons to simultaneously force pressurized fluid out of the second chambers and into the piston cylinders to actuate the slips into engagement with the tubular string.

Abstract: Molding chamber arrangement (1) for a mold-string plant comprising a molding chamber (2) formed by a chamber bottom (3), a chamber ceiling (4) provided with one or more sand filling openings (22) communicating with a sand-feed system (14), two chamber side walls (5), a pressure plate (6) provided with an exchangeable pressure pattern plate having a pressure pattern (8) and being connected to a movement mechanism (9), a swingable plate (10) provided with an exchangeable swing pattern plate having a swing pattern (12) and being mounted for translational and swinging movement in order to open and close the molding chamber (2), allowing the pressure plate (6) to expel the produced molds, and further comprising means (13) for vertically moving the chamber ceiling (4) and sand-feed system (14) in unison, or the chamber bottom (3), or both, relative to the remainder of the molding chamber arrangement (1), thereby changing the height of the molding chamber.

Abstract: A method for controlling the dewaxing of a ceramic investment casting shell assembly is provided whereby the shells are immersed in a fluid having a relatively low boiling point, e.g., below about 230° F. The fluid must be hot enough to transfer heat though the shell assembly so as to melt the wax pattern, but low enough so as to limit steam generation as a result of moisture in the shell. By controlling the rate of immersion of the shell in the hot fluid bath, shell cracking can be greatly reduced.

Abstract: A casting tool for the production of castings, particularly cores for sand castings, pressure die-castings, and gravity die-castings is provided. The casting tool has a casting tool unit with a casting mold half having a mold recess the contour of which partly defines the shape of the casting, and an ejecting assembly disposed on that side of the casting mold half which faces away from the mold recess. The ejecting assembly has an ejecting rod which extends through an access bore into the mold recess in the casting mold half. An entrainer unit is attached to the ejecting assembly. The entrainer unit and a contact surface provided on the casting tool unit jointly define the maximum distance of the casting tool unit from the ejecting assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a casting tool comprising a bottom mold element (20) having a top-open mold recess (28) defining at least part of the shape of a casting to be produced (8), and comprising an ejector assembly (30) which is displaceable relatively to the first mold element in the direction of a vertical Z-axis and which has at least one ejector rod (34), which can be caused to protrude into the mold recess (28) in said bottom mold element (20) by displacement of said ejector assembly (30) relatively to said bottom mold element (20) wherein a base member (32) of the ejector assembly (30) to which the at least one ejector rod (34) is attached, is disposed in an ejector region (70) below the bottom mold element (20) and at least two force transferring members (40, 44) extending in the direction of the Z-axis are provided which are designed to transfer the forces (90a, 90b) downwardly acting on said mold element to a machine bed (6) of the casting machine disposed beneath said casting mold, at least one ou

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding molds having no flask wherein a match plate is put between an upper and a lower flask having intakes for foundry sand. An upper and a lower molding space are defined by inserting an upper and a lower squeeze device into openings of a pair of the upper and the lower flask having no match plate, and a pair of the upper and the lower flask and the match plate are rotated and moved so that they become perpendicular, and are moved so that the intakes of the flasks move upward. The upper and the lower molding space are filled with the foundry sand. The foundry sand in the molding spaces is squeezed by the squeeze devices. A pair of the flasks and the match plate are rotated so that they become horizontal. Then the match plate is removed. While the preceding processes are being carried out, if necessary a core can be installed between the molds, the flasks are matched to each other, and the molds are removed from the pair of flasks.

Abstract: A method of removing a molded article, which makes it possible to remove easily said molded article without causing deformation and damages thereto and an apparatus for same. The method comprises removing a sand core W which is obtained using a sand core forming mold 12 comprising a fixed and movable molds 21 and 31 from a sand core forming mold 12 by a separating movable mold 31 from the fixed mold 21 to perform a mold opening. The fixed mold 21 is provided with a fixed mold side core 23 having a front end face 23a forming a part of a first molding face 22, which is extendable and retractable in a mold opening direction A1. The movable mold 31 is provided with a movable mold side core 33 having a front end face 33a forming a part of a second molding face 32, which is extendable and retractable in a mold opening direction A1. The relation in which the sand core W is held between both cores 23 and 33 is kept by extending both cores 23 and 33 in a mold opening direction A1.

Abstract: The molding machine comprises a station (1) with a chamber (2) that is closed between a front plate (5) that can move and swivel and a rear plate (8) associated to an extraction piston (9), forming a shell (3) in said chamber (2) by blowing sand through an upper hopper (4). The shell (3) obtained is pushed by the piston (9) until the rear of a row of shells (3?) placed on a conveyor (7) that places them opposite a casting station. The motion of the shell (3) pushed by the extraction piston (9) is independent of the motion of said piston after being incorporated in the row of shells, and is provided exclusively by the conveyor system (7), thereby providing a shorter working cycle while preventing deterioration of the shells as they are not compressed by the piston (9) when it pushes against the rear of the row of shells (3?).

Abstract: A method of separating an electroformed metal substrate from a mandrel includes establishing a parting gap between the electroformed metal substrate and the mandrel, attaching the electroformed metal substrate at a parabolic end of the mandrel to a parting fixture, and introducing a fluid through the parting fixture into an opening of the mandrel to effect separation of the electroformed metal substrate from the mandrel. The parting fixture includes a parabolically shaped outer cup with a fluid inlet tube extending through the bottom thereof. The parting fixture also preferably includes an inner cup for containing the fluid introduced through the fluid inlet tube and a vacuum device to effect attachment of the electroformed metal substrate to the parting fixture.

Abstract: A shell molding apparatus includes a lower die and an upper die. The lower die includes a plurality of shell molding inserts, each having the shape of a halved cylinder, spiny insert receiving recesses which are formed in undercut portions formed by curved surfaces of adjacent shell molding inserts, and spiny inserts retractably provided in the spiny insert receiving recesses, each spiny insert having a curved surface of the same curvature as the curved surface of the shell molding insert and provided with many protrusions on the curved surface. The upper die has a plurality of continuously formed recesses corresponding to the plurality of shell molding inserts of the lower die.

Abstract: A flaskless sand mold is formed in vertically aligned, sand-filled cope and drag flasks having a pattern board arranged between them so that pattern portions mounted upon the board extend upwardly into the cope and downwardly into the drag. The sand in the drag flask is supported upon a vertically guided platen which covers the bottom of the drag flask, and the cope is covered with a squeeze plate. The sand fillings are compressed against the pattern board and the pattern portions by the platen and squeeze plate to form compacted cope and drag sand molds with aligned cavities. Then the platen, supporting the drag sand mold, is lowered a short distance while the drag flask is held immovably against the cope flask. Thereafter, while the platen, with the drag sand mold, continues to lower, the drag frame is simultaneously lowered into a rest position upon a track-like support.

Abstract: A foundry machine for forming molds or cores from a molding material such as sand provides completely automated loading and unloading of tooling elements (24). The tool elements (24) comprising a sand magazine (36), blow plate (34), combined gassing manifold and top ejector unit (32), upper mold box (30), lower mold box (28) and bottom stool (26) are automatically transferred, in stacked, separable relationship, by tracks (40) to a vertically displaceable, work table. Vertical displacement of the work table (42) sequentially elevates the tooling elements (24) to positions within a mainframe (10) where automatically operated clamping means secure the appropriate tooling elements (24) in respective operating positions. The gassing manifold (32) includes an ejector pin assembly (274, 280) mounted therewithin.

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: 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 order to remove a thin-walled wax model adhering to the walls of a first core piece and a second core piece, after solidifying, from a multi-part device for making thin-walled wax models, without damaging the wax model, after the external pressure is released, a mold-opening moment is generated simultaneously and abruptly in axially opposite directions by spring-loaded push-off bolts or directly by leaf springs in the upper parting faces and lower parting faces of the device. As a result, both the lower closing plate and the upper closing plate are separated from the annular casing and the wax model is separated from the core pieces, by a maximum of 3 mm, axially in opposite directions because the adhesion of the wax model to the walls of the core arrangements is overcome simultaneously and abruptly. Subsequently the two core arrangements and the casing are transported away from one another in an axial direction relative to one another, so that the wax model is freed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of cores from fluidized sands in hot boxes comprises individual mechanisms for joining and disjoining top and bottom sections of core boxes, which are placed beyond the confines of the latter. The joining mechanism incorporates at least two spring-loaded grapples mounted on individual shafts, fitted in satellites and positioned on a transport device, so as to carry core boxes. Located at one end of each grapple is a wedging member which co-operates with a wedging member provided on the top section of each core box. The disjoining mechanism includes stops, positioned on a support frame, and rollers mounted on the other end of each grapple for interaction with the stops.

Abstract: A plurality of molding boxes having a common center line are disposed in an aligned manner in a horizontal guideway located, in the direction in which pressure is exerted and expulsion is effected, between a pressure piston and an outwardly pivotable pressing device and the molding devices are displaceable in the guideway. One pattern carrier plate is provided between each of the individual molding boxes, and the pattern carrier plates can be moved in and out when the molding boxes are apart. A tilting device is disposed at the outlet of the machine, which selectively either allows pressed mold bodies to pass by it with the position of their seams unchanged, or tilts the mold bodies, pressed in pairs, by an angle of 90.degree..

Abstract: A core delivery device of a machine for making cores from fluidized sands in hot boxes comprises apparatus for receiving cores and delivering them onto bearing plate bars mounted on a support frame. The apparatus in question is made in the form of a pantograph positioned on a trolley which, in turn, is mounted for reciprocation on the support frame. The pantograph is provided with core receiving bars which are lifted and lowered by an appropriate mechanism.

Abstract: An assembly and method of operation of forming hollow foundry products such as shell molds from a granular material utilizing a substantially automated structure including a mold box assembly having at least two box sections pivotally mounted and supported on a frame wherein each box section has a gas permeable pattern with a preconfigured working surface mounted therein. Each box section is oriented to pivot about a vertically oriented separating plane into and out of sealing engagement with one another so as to expose the interior of the mold box assembly to a catalyst gas, under pressure and in direct communication through the pattern sections with the binder coated sand or granular material in a manner which will cause formation of a core or mold of a predetermined thickness which, during its formation, is disposed directly contiguous the working surface of the pattern section.

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 foundry molding machine for producing mold halves in mold forming assemblies which include a pattern device and mold boxes and operates to separate the formed mold halves from the pattern device through operation of a generally vertically extending main cylinder which includes a piston rod having an extension thereon. The extension includes clamping levers which are arranged in pairs to hold the mold boxes in clamped engagement. At least one auxiliary cylinder is arranged in generally parallel relationship with the main cylinder and is located in a laterally spaced arrangement relative thereto for operation on the opposite side of the clamped mold box. The auxiliary cylinder is operatively associated with the main cylinder to be simultaneously supplied with pressure medium from a common source and acts on the extension to provide support during separation of the mold members from the pattern device.

Abstract: Mold forming apparatus including a pattern device which is composed of pattern plates adapted to be operatively fitted into a pattern plate carrier is operated with the pattern device shifted between a lifting station, at which a formed mold may be removed from the patterns of the pattern plates, and an exchange station where the pattern plates may be separated from the pattern plate carrier for appropriate treatment thereof. The pattern plate carrier is formed in a generally box-like configuration with a bottom member having openings extending therethrough through which extraction pins of a lifting device may extend in order to raise and lower the pattern plates from the pattern plate carrier at the exchange station. A vacuum system is provided which will tend to hold the pattern plate carrier upon a bearing member of the apparatus and which will also tend to hold the pattern plate upon the pattern plate carrier while the finished mold is removed therefrom.

Abstract: A flaskless stack molding machine comprises a frame on which along the production process line a flask molding means and a means for separating flasks from the molds and assembling the molds into stacks are sequentially mounted. The means for separating the flasks from the molds and assembling them into stacks is provided with a stack-assembling bottom carriage mounted for vertical movement on guides attached to the frame and a bottom plate secured over the bottom carriage. The frame also supports a mechanism for transporting the flasks freely placed thereon. The means for separating the flasks from the molds and assembling them into stacks incorporates a top carriage for separating the flasks from the molds, which is for vertical movement on the guides secured on the frame and is arranged between the bottom carriage and the bottom plate. A drive means for vertical motion of the top carriage is secured on the frame and a drive means for the bottom carriage is rigidly affixed on the top carriage.

Abstract: An automatic machine and process for removing semi-shells from a foundry moulding machine for overturning said shells and for disposing them in a work area remote from the foundry moulding machine. Apparatus includes a multi-armed fork mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, the fork carrying flanged shell grasping members and piston-cylinder means for moving the grasping members of the shell into grasping relationship, the fork pivoting after the shells have been grasped to move the shells to an intermediate position in which they are automatically overturned by virtue of the pivotal movement and then horizontally moving the overturned shells from the intermediate position to a position more remote from the foundry machine wherein work can be performed thereon in comfort.

Abstract: A molding machine is disclosed which has a parting line of the molds at an acute angle to the horizontal. A continuous molding machine is disclosed wherein particulate matter such as sand and a binder is used to provide a succession of molds with cavities therebetween into which molten metal is poured to make a casting. The sand mold is constructed using a molding chamber and first and second pattern plates carrying patterns which face in opposite directions relative to the molding chamber. The sand is invested and the mold cured or hardened, then the pattern plates are withdrawn along opposing paths which are non-coincident. The completed sand mold is moved from the molding machine into a core setting area whereat cores are moved along the axis of the cavity which is at an acute angle to the horizontal for easy setting of these cores in prints of the mold cavities. Sprue and vent openings may also be drilled in this core setting area.

Abstract: A foundry molding machine is disclosed wherein a core or mold is molded from moldable material such as sand in first and second mold boxes having a cavity. The cavity is filled with the sand and is then cured to form the mold. The first and second mold boxes are separated so that the mold remains in the first mold box with a downwardly facing cavity. Any of several means may be used to assure that the mold remains in this downwardly facing cavity. A transfer conveyor is then moved to a position closely beneath the mold. The first mold box is then moved upwardly as ejection means acts on the mold to eject it downwardly onto the closely spaced transfer conveyor. The transfer conveyor then moves out from underneath the first mold box to remove the completed mold and the cycle repeats.

Abstract: Automatic sand mold fabricating apparatus and a method for using the apparatus is disclosed. The present invention provides at least a first cope and a first drag. Preferably, first and second copes and first and second drags are used. Where two pairs of copes and drags are utilized, the first pair will be filled at two diametrically opposed stations while the other pair will be positioned at one of two ejection stations that are both 90.degree. spaced apart from the first and second stations. The pairs of copes and drags alternate between the filling stations that are diametrically opposed to each other and the ejection stations which are 90.degree. away.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding, for example, a seamless brake drum female mold having a plurality of radially inwardly extending grooves and ridges. The apparatus includes a generally hollow one-piece distensible and flexible hollow male mold having an annular side wall having a plurality of radially extending projections and undercuts and includes an outer core box positioned around the flexible mold and defining an annular cavity with it. The apparatus further comprises a packing mandrel for supporting the hollow flexible mold while mold material is packed around it and a vacuum mandrel to be inserted within the flexible mold to cause the collapse of the flexible mold so that the molded article can be lifted off the flexible mold despite the radially extending projections.

Abstract: In a machine for the automatic production of flaskless foundry molds by a blow-squeeze method between opposed pattern plates in an opening in a slider which then moves to carry the newly formed mold clear of its point of production, to a point where it is ejected, the slider moves vertically and the point of ejection is vertically below the point of production. Preferably both pattern plates are actuated by a single ram assembly which lies to one side of the slider, being connected to the pattern plate on the other side through tie-rods.

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 on a guideway including a driving section having a reciprocating support plate with apertures to periodically supply compressed air to reduce the friction between the plate and the mould sufficiently to neutralize the driving effect of the plate.