Abstract: A compactability system measures the compactability of granular material such as sand as used in a sand casting foundry system. The compactability is displayed on a meter, recorded by a chart recorder, and used for controlling plows to insure that unacceptable sand is not fed into molding machines. The compactability is determined by initially determining density by passing gamma radiation through the granular material as it moves on a conveyor belt. The attenuation of the gamma radiation is dependent upon the density of the granular material and the depth of the granular material. A plow is used to insure that the depth of the granular material is controlled such that the radiation and attenuation will be an accurate indication of the sand density of the loose or uncompacted sand. This sand density is subtracted from an empirical value representative of the density of the compacted sand, and the difference is thereby divided by the empirical value, thereby deriving a compactability signal.

Abstract: A sand moisture control system for a sand casting foundry system incorporates non contact sensing techniques for controlling the moisture content of foundry sand by the addition of water at the muller or mixing operation of a sand casting system. The temperature of the foundry return sand is measured by an infrared detector while moisture content is measured by a microwave detector along the conveyor feed input to the muller or at the return sand holding tank. Electrical outputs from each detector corresponding to temperature and moisture are integrated to provide a signal corresponding to the % of moisture deviation from a predetermined value and this signal is utilized to control the amount of water added to the Muller.

Abstract: A sand cooler control system for a sand casting foundry system incorporates a cooling system positioned downstream of the shakeout station where castings are separated from the hot sand. The amount of cooling fluid utilized in the cooling process is controlled by a digital system responsive to the total heat (BTU) content of the sand as determined by a combined function of sand temperature and volume. The temperature and volume parameters are determined by non-contact sensors which take the form of an infrared sensor and sonic sensor, respectively.

Abstract: A sand cooler control system for a sand casting foundry system incorporates a cooling system positioned downstream of the shakeout station where castings are separated from the hot sand. The amount of cooling fluid utilized in the cooling process is controlled by a digital system responsive to the total heat (BTU) content of the sand as determined by a combined function of sand temperature and volume. The temperature and volume parameters are determined by non-contact sensors which take the form of an infrared sensor and sonic sensor, respectively.