Abstract: A device and method of making a cake includes a base wall and a cake form that has a size and shape for receiving the base wall. The cake form includes an outer wall having a shape corresponding to an outer perimeter of the base wall. A bottom edge of the outer wall has a peripheral flange attached thereto. The base wall is positioned into the cake form. Each of a plurality of ring portions is attached to the cake form. A lifting member includes a hand grip and a plurality of tines each having a first end attached to the hand grip and a second end comprising a hook. Each of the ring portions is simultaneously engaged by one of the hooks and the cake form lifted with the hand grip to lift the cake form from a cake after it has been formed in the cake form.

Abstract: An automatic molding machine has different operational molding stations in which at least two different safety zones are provided for the different molding stations. Such an automated machine includes a mold flask assembly including a drag flask, a cope flask and a pattern plate. An electronic controller controls the molding machine differently when different safety zones are breached.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mold rollover apparatus including a wheel member defining an axis and selectively rotatable about the axis and at least one carrier member carried by the wheel member and adapted to carry at least one mold member having a cast part disposed therein. The at least one carrier member is selectively rotatable at least from a first position, wherein the cast part is generally retained in the at least one mold member, to a second position, wherein the cast part is generally free to fall or drop from the at least one mold member. According to the present invention, the at least one carrier member is selectively rotatable about the axis at least from the first position to the second position independent of the rotation of the wheel member about the axis.

Abstract: A method and automated matchplate molding machine for blowing sand horizontally into the horizontally spaced open ends of the cope and drag flasks with a perpendicular trajectory relative to a vertically aligned matchplate between the cope and drag flasks. Sand is pneumatically blown horizontally from sand magazines through opposing ends of the cope and drag flasks toward the matchplate. The cope and drag flask can be turned between the upright and rotated positions. The machine disassembles the mold flask and removes the mold in the upright position and fills the mold with sand horizontally when in the rotated position. The molding machine includes a rotating turret that carries two mold flasks between a mold forming station and a draw station. The mold flasks may also be rotated about a horizontal axis relative to the turret to facilitate turning of the mold flasks between upright and rotated positions.

Abstract: A method and automated matchplate molding machine for blowing sand horizontally into the horizontally spaced open ends of the cope and drag flasks with a perpendicular trajectory relative to a vertically aligned matchplate between the cope and drag flasks. Sand is pneumatically blown horizontally from sand magazines through opposing ends of the cope and drag flasks toward the matchplate. The cope and drag flask can be turned between upright and rotated positions. The machine disassembles the mold flask and removes the mold in the upright position and fills the mold with sand horizontally when in the rotated position. The molding machine includes a rotating turret that carries two mold flasks between a mold forming station and a draw station. The mold flasks may also be rotated about a horizontal axis relative to the turret to facilitate turning of the mold flasks between upright and rotated positions.

Abstract: A casting rollover apparatus includes a cage supporting a casting mold and a slide coupled to the cage for advancing the mold into and out of engagement with a molten metal discharge nozzle. A spindle is carried on the slide and coupled to the cage for rotating the cage. A clamp cylinder is carried on the cage for clamping the mold in the closed position. A single transducer is mounted on one of a pair of pressurized fluid drive cylinders on the slide to detect the position of the slide. Electrical plug connectors are coupled to the transducer and the cylinder control elements. Thrust bearings are mounted on the spindle and apply a pre-load to the spindle. A digital proportional valve is coupled to a drive cylinder for controlling the deceleration of the spindle. A position detector switch is mounted in the path of angular rotation of the spindle to initiate spindle deceleration. The clamp cylinder carries a tubular member coupled to the piston and movable with respect to the clamp cylinder housing.

Abstract: The present invention permits reliable lifting and inverting of one or more casting core elements and positioning the one or more casting core elements in a mold flask. The invention generally includes an outer frame and an inner frame assembly, which are coupled such that they may move vertically relative to each other. The invention further includes apparatus which engage the casting core and invert the casting core, and further align the casting core to a mold to which the core is transferred. The present invention also allows for simultaneous engaging, inverting and aligning of a plurality of core elements. The present invention allows cores to be inventoried and located for automatic handling in a position that permits visual inspection and reliable handling and placement at high production rates therefor.

Abstract: An automatic molding apparatus includes a rotatable turntable which has located thereon a plurality of pattern supporting plates. A mold pattern located on at least one of the pattern supporting plates is surrounded by a flask located on the pattern supporting plate and having an open top and bottom. A movable sand adding box communicates with the top of the flask when the flask and the pattern supporting plate are moved to a feeding position beneath the sand adding box. The sand adding box has an open top and bottom to allow sand to pass therethrough and into the flask. A feeding channel beneath a sand supply includes an upper opening for allowing sand from the sand supply to enter the feeding channel. A movable plate allows sand in the feeding channel to enter the sand adding box when the movable plate is moved to an open position. After being filled with sand, the flask and sand adding box are raised to a position where a pressing plate compresses the sand in the flask.

Abstract: Foundry sand molding apparatus for simultaneously forming cope and drag molds. The cope and drag molds are substantially simultaneously pre-jolted and jolt-squeezed to assure uniform density in the molds. Thereafter the apparatus laterally transfers the cope and drag molds into vertical alignment at an assembly station, with the drag mold being inverted and lowered during lateral transfer of same.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically stripping the content from molds advanced on a conveying surface, comprising a mold turn-over means, which is located above the conveying surface and pivotal between two end positions in parallel with the conveying surface, for receiving in one end position one or more molds approaching on the conveying surface to the mold turn-over means, and in the other end position delivering the molds on a mold receiving means, by means of which the content of the molds can be delivered onto the conveying surface.

Abstract: Apparatus useful in foundry moulding or casting embodying a turret having a lurality of arms rotatably mounted on and extending radially from a hub or drum rotatable about a vertical axis. The arms comprise a base, an inclined intermediate portion and an end portion parallel with the base. A fixed rack is disposed horizontally on the turret frame and extends along the arc of a circle in part of the zone swept by the arms during rotation of the hub. Each of the arms carries a pinion, whose teeth mesh with the teeth of the rack to induce rotation of each arm by 180.degree. to invert the mould or die carried on the end of the arm.

Abstract: A system for automatically forming flaskless sand molds, and preparing them for metal pouring. Cope and drag flasks are alternately filled with chemically bonded sand on an indexing turntable, and the sand is allowed to cure or set up while still on the turntable. The copes and drags are then automatically removed from their respective flasks and placed on a conveyor belt by a rollover draw machine. The above is accomplished automatically, with little or no supervision required.

Abstract: A roll-over transfer for foundry equipment is disclosed in which a "C" shaped frame rolls along a base combining translation and rotation between two end positions. The frame is powered by piston and cylinder actuator connected for a cycloidal operation to provide maximum acceleration and deceleration at the ends of the frame travel. Cables are connected between the frame and base to maintain a predetermined relationship between the translating movement and the rotating movement. Primary and supplemental stops cooperate to positively prevent over-travel in the event of a failure in the drive system. A single clamp and draw actuator is centrally mounted on the frame for clamping and drawing foundry equipment. The machine is flexible in use in that it can be loaded and unloaded from any one of three directions in each of its operated positions.

Abstract: An automatic mold and core forming machine is described wherein an endless chain conveyor is in engagement with a plurality of flasks carriers for movement therewith with a mold material retaining means positioned adjacent and end of the chain conveyor and arranged to contact the material in the flasks and retain it therein as the flasks are inverted in passage around the conveyor. A flask filling and compacting assembly is provided adjacent the opposite upper end of the chain conveyor for automatically filling and compacting the flasks as they pass thereunder and a mold draw station is provided at the underside of the chain conveyor.