Abstract: A sand-forming apparatus (10) comprising a box (20), a blow tube assembly (50) and a bonnet (90). The box (20) has a cope (30) and a drag (40) which together define a cavity (21) having a shape corresponding to a desired sand-shape. The blow tube assembly (50) comprises a blowplate (55), and at least one tube (50). The bonnet (90) may be fixed to and movable with the blowplate (55). Relative movement between the cope (30), the blowplate (55) and/or the bonnet (90) converts the apparatus (10) between a sand-blowing state and a catalyst-introducing state.

Abstract: A sand-forming apparatus (10) comprising a sand magazine (12), a manifold (14), a core box (16) defining a cavity (18), a clamp table (20), and a blow tube assembly (22). The apparatus (10) is convertible from a sand-blowing state to a catalyst-introducing state without removal of the blow tube assembly (22) and/or un-clamping of the tool package (e.g., the manifold (14) and the cope/drag halves of the core box (16)). In the sand-blowing state, sand is blown from the magazine (12) into the cavity (18) and, in the catalyst-introducing state, the catalyst is introduced into the blown sand in the cavity (18) to solidify the sand into a sand-shape. Molten metal can be poured into or around the sand-shape formed by the apparatus (10) and, upon completion of casting the metal part, the sand-shape can be removed.

Abstract: A process for counter gravity sand casting including providing precision cores in a sand mould supported in a casting machine for rotation about a horizontal axis through the center of the mould, providing primary casting risers fed by a launder section, a pressure riser connected to the launder section and the primary risers, rising upwardly beside the mould, whereby on rotation the molten metal in the pressure riser will maintain an internal constant pressure in the mould until the casting risers are upper most, so as to maintain the internal pressure during the cooling of the mould.

Abstract: An engine block mold, including at least one barrel slab core (10), the or each barrel slab core (10) including a slab portion (12), and at least one barrel portion (14) adapted to receive a cylinder liner (1), wherein the barrel portion (14) of the or each barrel slab core (10) has an outer diametral taper along at least a portion of its length, and the or each liner (1) has a substantially matching internal diametral taper along at least a portion of its length. Inserting the or each slab barrel core (10) with the or each liner (1) disposed upon it, into a substantially completed mold casing, filling the mold, and then machining the cylinder liners (1) so that they have a substantially constant internal diameter along their length.

Abstract: A sand-forming apparatus (10) comprising a sand magazine (12), a manifold (14), a core box (16) defining a cavity (18), a clamp table (20), and a blow tube assembly (22). The apparatus (10) is convertible from a sand-blowing state to a catalyst-introducing state without removal of the blow tube assembly (22) and/or unclamping of the tool package (e.g., the manifold (14) and the cope/drag halves of the core box (16)). In the sand-blowing state, sand is blown from the magazine (12) into the cavity (18) and, in the catalyst-introducing state, the catalyst is introduced into the blown sand in the cavity (18) to solidify the sand into a sand-shape. Molten metal can be poured into or around the sand-shape formed by the apparatus (10) and, upon completion of casting the metal part, the sand-shape can be removed.

Abstract: A sand-forming apparatus (10) comprising a sand magazine (12), a manifold (14), a core box (16) defining a cavity (18), a clamp table (20), and a blow tube assembly (22). The apparatus (10) is convertible from a sand-blowing state to a catalyst-introducing state without removal of the blow tube assembly (22) and/or un-clamping of the tool package (e.g., the manifold (14) and the cope/drag halves of the core box (16)). In the sand-blowing state, sand is blown from the magazine (12) into the cavity (18) and, in the catalyst-introducing state, the catalyst is introduced into the blown sand in the cavity (18) to solidify the sand into a sand-shape. Molten metal can be poured into or around the sand-shape formed by the apparatus (10) and, upon completion of casting the metal part, the sand-shape can be removed.

Abstract: A process for counter gravity sand casting including providing precision cores in a sand mould supported in a casting machine for rotation about a horizontal axis through the center of the mould, providing primary casting risers fed by a launder section, a pressure riser connected to the launder section and the primary risers, rising upwardly beside the mould, whereby on rotation a the molten metal in the pressure riser will maintain a internal constant pressure in the mould until the casting risers are upper most, so as to maintain the internal pressure during the cooling of the mould.

Abstract: A sand-forming apparatus (10) comprising a sand magazine (12), a manifold (14), a core box (16) defining a cavity (18), a clamp table (20), and a blow tube assembly (22). The apparatus (10) is convertible from a sand-blowing state to a catalyst-introducing state without removal of the blow tube assembly (22) and/or unclamping of the tool package (e.g., the manifold (14) and the cope/drag halves of the core box (16)). In the sand-blowing state, sand is blown from the magazine (12) into the cavity (18) and, in the catalyst-introducing state, the catalyst is introduced into the blown sand in the cavity (18) to solidify the sand into a sand-shape.

Abstract: A foundry core blowing machine includes an upright frame with a blow head for a sand-resin mix fixed at the top. Sectionalized vertically movable rods extend through bushings at the top and bottom of the frame. Fixed to the rods are a cope support and a secondary table. The secondary table supports the cylinder of a cope-drag clamp piston-cylinder assembly with the rod of such assembly being connected to a primary table thereabove which slidably moves on the rods. The secondary table and the rods secured thereto are elevated independently of the cope-drag clamp so that the clamped cope and drag may be elevated to be clamped against the blow head, lowered for interposition of a gassing head, and reclamped for cure, all while the cope and drag remain firmly clamped together. Only after curing are the cope and drag unclamped for lowering, stripping and removal of the core from the machine.

Abstract: A foundry molding machine is provided with a pattern plate surrounded by and movable in a well form. In a preferred form springs bias the well form upwardly around the pattern plate to form a well. The pattern plate and well form are mounted on a squeeze table and cooperate with the underside of a conventional flask which in turn engages an upset to form a mold chamber for receiving molding sand. In such preferred form the sand is blown under very low pressure into the chamber through a slotted squeeze head. As the squeeze table moves upwardly, sand is initially squeezed from the top against the squeeze head while the flask, upset, well form and pattern plate move upwardly as a unit. When a selected level of the flask is reached, preferably when the top is flush with the squeeze head, upward movement of the upset is stopped while the table continues upwardly. The pattern plate then telescopes upwardly within the well form while the flask and well form are held fixed.