Abstract: An example system includes a first tote handling assembly having a wiper bar, a first plurality of actuators connected to and moveable with the first wiper bar, and a first tab associated with a first actuator of the first plurality of actuators. The system may also includes a second tote handling assembly disposed substantially adjacent and substantially parallel to the first tote handling assembly. The second tote handling assembly includes a second wiper bar, a second plurality of actuators connected to and moveable with the second wiper bar, and a second tab associated with a second actuator of the second plurality of actuators. In such a system, movement of the first wiper bar in a first direction along a transverse axis of the first tote handling assembly, while the first tab is engaged with a tote disposed on the first tote handling assembly, transfers the tote from the first tote handling assembly to the second tote handling assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding sand molds from multiple sand mold forming stations to a common metal pouring station. The method and apparatus of this invention utilize walking-beam-type conveyors having spaced apart fixed outboard rails and a central reciprocating rail. Transfer devices are provided for moving the sand molds onto and off of the conveyors.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding sand molds from multiple sand mold forming stations to a common metal pouring station. The method and apparatus of this invention utilize walking-beam-type conveyors having spaced apart fixed outboard rails and a central reciprocating rail. Walking-beam conveyors are disposed in perpendicular directions with a junction therebetween that allows for a perpendicular change in direction. The method and apparatus of this invention allow multiple parallel walking-beam conveyors to feed sand molds to a single junction for transfer to a metal pouring station.

Abstract: An improved a sand casting line where in sand molds are carried on cars along at least a first and second linear parallel yet opposing paths, including an endless loop conveyor positioned proximal a discharge end of one of the linear paths and a loading end of the other of the linear paths, with a plurality of car supporting elements carried thereon, such that a car can be discharged from the discharge end on to a supporting element simultaneously with a second car being loaded from a supporting element onto the loading end.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding sand molds from multiple sand mold forming stations to a common metal pouring station. The method and apparatus of this invention utilize walking-beam-type conveyors having spaced apart fixed outboard rails and a central reciprocating rail. Walking-beam conveyors are disposed in perpendicular directions with a junction therebetween that allows for a perpendicular change in direction. The method and apparatus of this invention allow multiple parallel walking-beam conveyors to feed sand molds to a single junction for transfer to a metal pouring station.

Abstract: Reinforced moulds for a casting machine include a wall for containing a cast article, the wall including a lip region. The lip region includes a reinforcing element cast internally in the lip region. The reinforcing element provides enhanced resistance to tensile tearing and cracking of the moulds. Methods of making and using the reinforced moulds also are provided.

Abstract: A two tiered mold handling system for use in a sand mold casting machine which comprises a two tiered conveyor for pouring and cooling, or a two tiered conveyor for cooling only. The two-tiered conveyor has an upper linear track and a lower linear track disposed at a lower vertical elevation. The tracks carry a plurality of mold pallets along an endless path around the upper and lower linear tracks. The application is directed toward several concepts including two tiered pouring conveyors in combination with two tiered cooling conveyors, two tiered combination pouring and cooling conveyors, and one tiered pouring conveyors in combination with two tiered cooling conveyors to provide a lower pouring elevation.

Abstract: A method of casting has a mold assembled on a base plate. The finished mold is rotated by approximately 180° around a horizontal rotational axis. A casting container with an upwardly positioned aperture end, removed from the mold, is filled with melt for one casting operation. The casting container is sealingly coupled by the aperture end to the ingate end of the mold. The mold, together with its contacting casting container, is rotated by approximately 180° around a horizontal axis. Accordingly, the melt reaches the mold, and the casting container is removed from the coupled position away from the mold.

Abstract: A two tiered mold handling system for use in a sand mold casting machine which comprises a two tiered conveyor for pouring and cooling, or a two tiered conveyor for cooling only. The two-tiered conveyor has an upper linear track and a lower linear track disposed at a lower vertical elevation. The tracks carry a plurality of mold pallets along an endless path around the upper and lower linear tracks. The application is directed toward several concepts including two tiered pouring conveyors in combination with two tiered cooling conveyors, two tiered combination pouring and cooling conveyors, and one tiered pouring conveyors in combination with two tiered cooling conveyors to provide a lower pouring elevation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to casting and more particularly to an improved apparatus and method of aluminum casting. The casting system 10 includes a furnace 12, a pump 14 and a mold 16. A semi-permanent mold cope 30 is mounted to the top of the mold 16 to quickly cool the adjacent portion of the casting 20. The semi-permanent mold cope 30 is movable with respect to the mold so that it can be moved between an open and closed position. The mold 16 can be brought to the semi-permanent mold cope 30 when the semi-permanent mold cope 30 is open and the semi-permanent mold cope 30 can then be closed onto the casting 20. The molten metal is then pumped into the mold 16 with the semi-permanent mold cope 30 in place. A laser 34 monitors the rate of mold fill by monitoring the fill rate of the riser 28.

Abstract: A conveyor for a molding machine and a molding machine incorporating the conveyor in which the portion of the conveyor and its driven rollers that run through the pouring station have been shortened such that the pallets extend over the conveyor to shield the conveyor and rollers from molten metal, and in which the rollers are slanted at an oblique angle relative to the intended path of the molds such that the driven rollers bias the pallets away from the pouring line to ensure that pallets carrying molds do not fall off the conveyor onto the pouring line.

Abstract: A conveyor for a molding machine and a molding machine incorporating the conveyor in which the portion of the conveyor and its driven rollers that run through the pouring station have been shortened such that the pallets extend over the conveyor to shield the conveyor and rollers from molten material, and in which the rollers are slanted at an oblique angle relative to the intended path of the molds such that the driven rollers bias the pallets away from the pouring line to ensure that pallets carrying molds do not fall off the conveyor onto the pouring line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pig casting machine comprising at least one endless conveyor belt (2), on which pig casting molds (3) are fixed, for conveying pig casting molds from a casting station (4) to a pig removal station and vice versa, wherein each pig casting mold is filled with molten metal as it passes through the casting station with the mold cavity facing upwards, in addition to a device for cooling the pig casting molds before, during and/or after casting, wherein the pig casting molds are embodied having a thin wall. According to the invention, in order to increase output and to be able to cast heavy metals in such a pig casting machine, the pig casting molds (3, 112, 207) are designed to receive molten metal at a melting temperature above 1,000° C.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a plurality of cast products includes a plurality of molds, and a casting apparatus which casts products in the molds. A multi-level pallet carries the molds containing the cast products on at least two vertical levels. A loading apparatus loads the molds onto the multi-level pallet. A conveyor moves the multi-level pallet through a cooling area which is sufficient to cool the cast products for removal from the molds. An unloading apparatus unloads the molds from the multi-level pallet. In a method of producing a plurality of cast products, the products are cast in a plurality of molds. The molds are loaded onto a multi-level pallet which carries the molds on at least two vertical levels. The multi-level pallet is conveyed through a cooling area which is sufficient to cool the cast products for removal from the molds. After cooling, the molds are unloaded from the multi-level pallet.

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: The system comprises at least one conveyor tract along which a line of containers is made to move forward by a pusher action applied at one end of the line. A plurality of transport elements can be aligned on the conveyor tract and are capable of receiving at least one respective container of the line, with the containers separated from each other. The transport elements are capable of cooperating with each other in thrust transmission, so that the pushing action applied to the transport elements produces the forward movement of the line of containers while the containers themselves are kept separate from each other.

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 mold handling system for transferring molds from multiple feed lines to a single main conveyor. The present invention provides an improved and simplified system for transferring molds from several mold making machines to a single conveyor leading to a pouring station. Through the use of a transfer conveyor with cantilevered arms which intersect with the feed lines and the main line, molds can be transferred from the transfer conveyor to the main line by raising and lowering the cantilevered arms. A simplified mechanism for raising and lowering the transfer conveyor is provided in the form of an air actuated bellows apparatus. In order to provide lateral support to the transfer conveyor, brackets flank the bellows that are provided with a predetermined amount of lateral play to provide both the lateral support to the transfer conveyor, as well as enable the transfer conveyor to be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A pouring conveyor in the form of a continuous loop receives sand molds on pallets or other mold carriers and conveys the empty molds to a pouring station wherein molten material is deposited therein to form castings. Each mold is provided with a supportive weight and jacket before pouring. Thereafter, the molds with the weight and jacket surrounding them, pass through a primary cooling line, at the end of which molds and weight and jacket are separated in a jacket transfer station. The weighted jacket is removed and transferred to an on-coming freshly made mold while the castings pass through a secondary cooling zone for further cooling and subsequently discharged said conveyor. The process allows for a substantially smaller number of weight jacket combinations and floor space than previously known molding processes.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for casting metal ingots comprises a series of ingot moulds (12) mounted along an endless conveyor (11) which is arranged to be driven around spaced-apart rotatable members (15) and (17). A molten metal supplying device (20) has a discharge member for supplying molten metal to empty moulds (12) moving along an upper run (14) of the conveyor (11) from a supply end (16) to a discharge end (18) of the upper run (14) of the conveyor (11). A casting hood (13) overlies at least a portion of the moulds (12) on the upper run (14) of the conveyor (11). Adjacent moulds (12) of the portion of moulds are closely contiguous during passage beneath the casting hood (13) whereby passage of protective gas between said adjacent moulds is minimized. The casting hood (13) and the portion of moulds (120) form a substantially gas-tight enclosure above the portion of moulds (12) into which gas can be introduced. The enclosure houses the discharge member of the molten metal supplying device (20).

Abstract: A simplified mold handling system has a linear flowpath with adjustable throughput, variable cooling cycle capability, and minimized equipment and cost. The system has a mold handling conveyor with upper and lower levels on which pouring and cooling of the molds occur. The upper level of the conveyor receives sand molds and conveys the empty molds to a pouring station wherein molten material is deposited therein to form castings. After the castings have been poured, the molds are transferred to the lower level of the pouring conveyor for cooling purposes, and then back to the upper level. The sand molds are then either pushed to another row of the pallet, or are pushed down a ramp to a vibrating conveyor for removal of the sand. Such features allow adjustability in the dwell time required for cooling of the given metal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for continuously injecting molten solder into a plurality of molds for transfer of the formed solder mounds to electronic devices such as multilayer ceramic packages. A conventional injection molding apparatus is employed with a specially designed apparatus for forming the molds and preferably with a specially designed mold to provide a continuous molding process. The apparatus is preferably of a U-shaped configuration whereby molds are advanced under the molten solder reservoir and injection head by a preceding mold in the apparatus. The urging action of the preceding mold on the succeeding mold and, preferably in conjunction with the preferred mold design, enables a continuous method and apparatus for injecting molten solder into a plurality of molds.

Abstract: The upper level of the pouring conveyor receives sand molds and conveys the empty molds to a pouring station wherein molten material is deposited therein to form castings. Each mold is provided with a supportive weight and jacket before pouring. After the castings have been poured, the molds are transferred to the lower level of the pouring conveyor for cooling purposes, and then back to the upper level to remove the weight and jacket. The sand molds are then transferred to the upper level of the cooling conveyor and are deposited into trays provided on the cooling conveyor. Each tray is adapted to receive a plurality of molds to enable the molds to move from serial to parallel movement. An indexable pusher arm is provided to accurately place each mold in a respective tray to insure proper spacing for uniform cooling. After each tray has traversed the upper and lower levels of the cooling conveyor, the molds are removed from the trays and the sand is broken away to reveal the castings for harvest.

Abstract: The upper level of the pouring conveyor receives sand molds and conveys the empty molds to a pouring station wherein molten material is deposited therein to form castings. Each mold is provided with a supportive weight and jacket before pouring. After the castings have been poured, the molds are transferred to the lower level of the pouring conveyor for cooling purposes, and then back to the upper level to remove the weight and jacket. The sand molds are then transferred to the upper level of the cooling conveyor and are deposited into trays provided on the cooling conveyor. Each tray is adapted to receive a plurality of molds to enable the molds to move from serial to parallel movement. An indexable pusher arm is provided to accurately place each mold in a respective tray to insure proper spacing for uniform cooling. After each tray has traversed the upper and lower levels of the cooling conveyor, the molds are removed from the trays and the sand is broken away to reveal the castings for harvest.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a cylinder for holding molten material and a plurality of molds each having a plurality of cavities for receiving molten material. As the cylinder is rotated by a driving mechanism, the molten material is passed through a plurality of holes in a cylindrical wall which surrounds the holding area where the molten material is located, and into the cavities in the molds, which are transported in series beneath the cylinder as the cylinder rotates.

Abstract: A molding process and an apparatus wherein the molds produced in a molding machine are sent past a casting apapratus where casting takes place. Thereafter, the molds with the molding boxes surrounding them, pass through a primary cooling line, at the end of which molds and molding boxes are separated. The molding boxes are returned to the molding machine, while the sand molds with the castings pass through a secondary cooling zone for further cooling. The process allows for a substantially smaller number of molding boxes than previously known molding processes.

Abstract: A system for casting electrodes includes a row of stationary, adjacent, plate casting molds flanked by a launder containing molten metal and a walking beam conveyor. One or two travelling carriages straddle the molds, launder and conveyor. A travelling carriage comprises a pair of rotary dippers, a pair of tipping/dispensers and electrode lifting device. Each dipper scoops a predetermined amount of molten metal from the launder and, while rotating, discharges it into a dispenser. When filled, the dispensers simultaneously tip to fill a mold from both sides of a mold center line over substantially the full length of parallel sidewall portions of the mold, whereby wave action is dampened and molten metal solidifies with even thickness and without flash. The bottom of the mold is water-cooled during casting.

Abstract: A molding process and an apparatus wherein the molds produced in a molding machine are sent past a casting apparatus where casting takes place. Thereafter, the molds with the molding boxes surrounding them, pass through a primary cooling line, at the end of which molds and molding boxes are separated. The molding boxes are returned to the molding machine, while the sand molds with the castings pass through a secondary cooling zone for further cooling. The process allows for a substantially smaller number of molding boxes than previously known molding processes.

Abstract: A system for filling billet moulds, especially with liquid aluminium, in which a flume (1) is situated fundamentally horizontally with a downwards spout at one end, with the liquid metal flowing along the said flume (1). The spout deposits the metal on a horizontally arranged V cross section bucket (17), with upward concave arms. The upper arm has an access hole (18) for metal towards the other arm, which finished in a horizontal end near the bottom of the billet mould. The buckets are situated on a rotating bucket (6) elevator and the flume tilts, as does the bucket elevator.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the transportation of horizontally split, boxless sand casting molds (1) for foundry purposes, from a molding station via a casting station to the knocking-out point by means of a series of transport plates (5, 50) which are guided one against the other along a track and whose length in each case, in the direction of transport, is equal to or only slightly larger than the corresponding length of the casting mold placed on top in each case, each transport plate (5, 50) has, at least at one of its ends, preferably the end facing away from the molding station, a face strip (6) arranged substantially vertical to it and directed upward, which prevents an offset between transport plate and casting mold.

Abstract: A conveyor system for use in a lost foam casting system connects a plurality of stations where operations necessary to the process are carried out. The system utilizes an interconnected train of open frame gondolas supported on a set of elevated parallel horizontal rails forming a closed loop. The gondolas each support a flask wherein molds are placed and sand molds are compacted, with the flasks being removable from the gondolas as necessary for the particular operation. A programmable controller senses the status of the system and provides signals to operate the conveyor and associated components.

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 flask is filled with a heat resistant filling material, such as sand, to embed therein a pattern of the type which melts down and generates combustible gas when it is heated, a runner connected to the pattern and provided with a sprue and a hollow venting device having an open upper end and a sidewall provided with at least one vent opening. A molten metal is poured into the sprue. The molten metal reaching the pattern through the runner heats the pattern and causes it to melt down and generate gas. The molten metal occupies a cavity formed by the meltdown of the pattern and drives out the gas into the venting device through the filling material and the vent opening. The gas is burned at the upper end of the venting device. Disclosed also is an apparatus which can be used for carrying out the method as hereinabove summarized. The apparatus is useful for either a batch or a continuous type of casting operation.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable soldering device comprises a heat-recoverable member having a fusible solder insert and associated with the solder insert, a solder flux composition which undergoes a visible color change at a critical temperature. Solderable substrates are positioned within the device and heated until a critical temperature has been reached as indicated by a color change in the flux. The critical temperature depends on the material of the particular heat-recoverable member and the solder used. It is that temperature which is required to effect a solder joint between the substrates and recovery of the heat-recoverable member. Novel flux compositions and their use in soldering are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus wherein permanent molds for casting metals and the like, supported by carriers, proceed along a closed track comprising a forward path and a return path, thereby maintaining their original order. The carriers with molds are advanced along the forward path step-by-step with most operations then being performed. At the end of the forward path they are shifted sidewards to the return path where they are driven by a continuous drive toward the end of the return path, to be at this place again shifted sidewards to the start of the forward path. By changing the number of carriers in the return path, the conditions for cooling the molds are altered and thus castings of different size may be produced without changing the fundamental cycle of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to casting non-ferrous metal from a storage vessel of the said molten metal into a receiving vessel of the said metal in the form of a gravity-free jet. According to the process, an isolating zone from the ambient air, covering the said receiving vessel and the said zone is rendered inert by introducing a liquified inert gas prior to and during casting. The process applies in particular to the continuous casting of zinc into ingots molds.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous sequential casting of metals and their alloys wherein a furnace is rotated about an axis and a series of molds is continuously transported to the furnace and the molds are sequentially filled with molten metal poured from the furnace. Each of the molds is caused to move in synchronous arcuate motion with an outlet of the furnace directly above the mold, so that the mold may be filled with metal from the furnace during the synchronous motion thereof. Within the furnace, a central main chamber communicates with the respective chamber of each of the outlets, such that, a continuous circuit of molten metal is maintained between the main and outlet chambers. In the top portion of the main chamber, an annular opening allows the addition of charge to the furnace during the rotation thereof for the continuous sequential casting process. During the filling of the molds, metal is withdrawn from the furnace substantially below the slag therein to prevent slag from entering the molds.

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: A molding installation for the production of bipartite-boxless foundry molds, comprises a molding machine with a molding station wherein a cope and a drag are simultaneously shaped and a conveying means by which the cope and the drag are conveyed along in a closed path from the molding station to a joining and stripping station where the cope and drag are recombined and from which they are removed together from the complete foundry mold with the empty molding boxes returned to the molding station while the boxless foundry mold is transferred to a casting line. At least one processing station is provided between the molding station and the joining and stripping station for conducting finishing work, such as the insertion of cores, on at least one of the two molds.

Abstract: A mold handling system and method wherein cars are moved along a closed vertical loop. A first elevator positions an empty car adjacent a mold-supply conveyor, whereupon a mold is pushed onto the car, after which the car is transferred into a pre-pour mold storage. The mold-bearing car is then moved onto a second elevator which lifts the car upwardly adjacent an elevated pouring deck. As the mold is elevated, a jacket and weight are automatically deposited thereon, and the mold is poured while the car rests on the second elevator. The mold-bearing car is then moved forwardly through a jacket-and-weight transfer station, after which the jacket and weight are automatically removed and recycled back for positioning on another mold arriving on the second elevator. The mold-bearing car is moved through a cooling region, and this is then transferred onto a third elevator which is tiltable so that the mold is dumped from the car.

Abstract: A ferrous feedstock for subsequent use in a melting or smelting furnace is produced by casting molten ferrous material continuously onto the surface of an elongate channel-shaped substrate moving continuously past a casting station. The cast material solidifies to form a strip which is separated continuously from the substrate and subsequently fragmented to produce ferrous segments of a size suitable for feeding to a melting or smelting furnace.

Abstract: An intermittently moving gondola-type conveyor for handling pallet-supported foundry sand molds includes stations along the curvilinear path of said conveyor where(1) each freshly made mold is invested with a weighted jacket;(2) each jacketed mold is moved to a position to receive molten metal;(3) each of said metal-filled molds is moved through a cooling zone;(4) at the end of said cooling zone, the weighted jacket is removed and transferred to an on-coming freshly made mold, and(5) said cooled metal casting and its surrounding unjacketed sand mold is subsequently discharged said conveyor; each gondola being movably suspended from an overhead curvilinear post-supported upper track, and stabilized against lateral swinging by movable attachments to a lower parallel track also supported by the vertical posts.

Abstract: An ingot casting apparatus having an open top ingot moulds hinged to an endless hauling chain of a conveyer. The conveyer is inclined so that the upper descending branch of the endless chain with the ingot moulds placed thereon is inclined to the horizontal at an angle of 30.degree.-60.degree. . Each ingot mould is formed by a bottom, two longitudinal walls and a single transverse wall. The transverse wall of each ingot mould is provided with an opening for passage of the molten metal. With such an arrangement the cavities of the ingot moulds communicate with one another by means of openings provided in the transverse wall of each ingot mould. Mounted above the ingot moulds arranged on the upper descending branch of the endless chain of the conveyer, below the zone where the molten metal is poured into the ingot moulds, is a water-cooled plate adjoining tightly to the top ribs of the walls of the ingot moulds passing under the plate after the molten metal has been poured into them.

Abstract: The specification discloses a bottom board feeder apparatus for feeding bottom boards onto the top surface of mold boxes of varying heights. The bottom boards are supplied in succession to the apparatus by a first conveying line. The mold boxes are supplied in succession to a board receiving position adjacent the apparatus by a second conveying line. The apparatus includes a proximity sensor for detecting the height of a mold box in the board receiving position and an elevating mechanism responsive to the sensor for raising a bottom board so that the bottom surface of the board is at least as high as the top surface of the box. The apparatus also includes a shuttle mechanism for pushing the board onto the top surface of the box after the board has been raised. A control system including electrical and hydraulic circuits is provided for automatically controlling the cyclical operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A foundry for automatically making sand castings, in which a metal casting and sand cake are transferred to a container after partial cooling and are carried with the container to a storage zone to cool for a time independent of any restrictions imposed by the conveying path, conveying speed, or cooling time required by other castings being processed. During handling and cooling, the integrity of the sand cake about the casting is maintained to provide cooling characteristics desirable for complex castings with variations in wall thickness. Specific structures handle and convey the sand cake and casting efficiently and reliably. Associated structure fabricates the sand molds and pours the castings, all in a continuous process.

Abstract: An automatic line comprises, arranged in series in accordance with the casting flowsheet and interconnected by conveyer means: a unit for applying a coating to the working face of the metal mould parts; a unit for assembling metal moulds from the coated parts thereof; a unit for pouring molten metal into the assembled mould; a unit for solidifying the casting inside the mould; a unit for disassembling the mould and removing the casting therefrom; a unit for cleaning the mould parts off the used coating; a unit for stabilizing the temperature of the cleaned mould parts prior to a re-coating cycle.

Abstract: A foundry casting machine comprising an endless conveyor supported on a frame within an overall casing for movement in a vertical plane through a sinuous path, the casing having a first opening therein so that trays supported by the conveyor, as they move past said first opening can have moulds assembled thereon, a second opening in the casing at a pouring station to enable molten metal to be poured into the moulds and a third opening in the casing through which the contents of the trays may be removed, air extraction means for withdrawing undesirable gases and air-borne particles from the interior of the casing and means to hold together the parts of the mould prior to the pouring of the molten metal, said means comprising either one or more weights which are automatically placed upon the moulds prior to a pouring operation and are removed from the moulds subsequent to the pouring operation or clamping devices supported on the trays, the clamping devices being suitable either for clamping together mould part

Abstract: A series of chill mold sections each including a pair of opposed joinder faces each having a partial mold cavity defined therein are arranged to move in an endless path upon a conveyor device during casting. A teeming station and a mold emptying station are located at different points along the endless path of the mold sections and the conveyor device operates to join together the joinder faces of adjacent molds to form a mold cavity therebetween during at least a part of the travel of the mold sections along the endless path including the teeming station with the mold sections being separated from each other by operation of the conveying device during another portion of the endless path including the emptying station.

Abstract: An improved method for the production of castings is disclosed, according to which the flasks are stripped from the sand moulds subsequently to pouring the molten metal in the moulds and the initial cooling of the castings, the flasks are directly forwarded to a moulding machine, the stripped moulds with the castings held therein being forwarded along a longer cooling path on a rotating guide. The implementation is composed by two straight conveying paths connected at the respective ends by a semicircular path along the straight guide sections the stripping machines and the moulding machines are arranged.

Abstract: An improvement in a rail conveyor apparatus. The improvement is composed of a plurality of rail conveyor trucks coupled together and movably supported on a track with at least one foundry molding box being mounted on each rail conveyor truck. Each of the foundry molding boxes has a connector member thereon having first and second ends. A conduit connects the first ends of the connector members on each of the rail conveyor trucks. A vacuum source and another conduit is provided for coupling the vacuum source to a pair of coupling members. Valves are provided in the second-mentioned conduit for alternately connecting the coupling members to the vacuum source. Coupling devices are provided for effecting a coupling of at least one of the coupling members to the second end of one of the connector members on one of the conveyor trucks prior to an uncoupling of the other of the coupling members from the second end of another connector member on another rail conveyor truck.