Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises an interior wall and guard strips magnetically coupled to the interior wall. Each of the guard strips comprises a cushioning material for absorbing impact. The guard strips are configured to prevent an object loaded in the railcar from contacting the interior wall. The railcar further comprises protected magnetic fastening systems coupling each of the guard strips to the interior wall. Each of the protected magnetic fastening systems comprises a magnet and a rod comprising a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the magnet, and the second end extends through the guard strip. The protected magnetic fastening system may further comprise a cup washer coupled to the second end of the rod and secured with a fastener. The cup washer partially surrounds the fastener to restrict objects larger than the cup washer from contacting the fastener.

Abstract: An air set molding apparatus configured to form a sand mold, the apparatus includes a pattern mounting plate including an ejection pin aperture, a molding flask on the pattern mounting plate, the molding flask having a closed lower end and an open upper end. The molding flask including an ejection pin aperture in the closed lower end, an ejection pin movable relative to the pattern mounting plate and the molding flask, the ejection pin movable through the ejection pin aperture of the pattern mounting plate and the ejection pin aperture of the molding flask between a lowered position and a raised position. As the ejection pin moves from the lowered position to the raised position, the ejection pin lifts the sand mold through the open upper end of the molding flask.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a casting ring and base sized and dimensioned to be coupled together to form a cavity having one or more walls comprising an inner surface of the casting ring, having a bottom comprising an upper surface of the base, and having a form receiving member portion of the base extending into the cavity. This embodiment includes an indicator forming portion sized and positioned to form an indicator on a mold produced by at least partially filling the cavity with investment and allowing the investment to harden. In some instances the casting ring may have a lower segment sized and dimensioned to surround and receive an upper segment of the base to couple the ring and base together, wherein, the casting ring latches onto an outwardly protruding shoulder of the base when the base and casting ring are coupled together.

Abstract: The molding apparatus includes a pattern plate carrier for air-pressurized compaction processes. The carrier is equipped with air venting structure running along the inner contour of the mold box of the sand molding apparatus in the form of elongated slotted bars.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing sand mold employing compressed air comprises a sand molding apparatus for use in making sand molds by employing compressed air. The apparatus includes, in the preferred embodiment, a pattern plate carrier having a top surface for supporting a pattern plate thereon. A molding box is positioned on the top surface of the pattern plate carrier and surrounds the pattern plate so as to define between the pattern plate and the interior surface of the molding box a peripheral area on the top surface of the carrier. Vents are provided on either the peripheral area define above or the pattern plate or both and extend around the pattern plate for allowing compressed air which is injected into the molding box during compression of the molding sand to escape on the pattern side of the molding box. A chamber is defined within the carrier beneath the pattern plate and is communicated with the vent structure by means of bores.