Abstract: The invention relates to a mote molding machine which comprises a molding chamber (3), a front plate (1) closing the molding chamber at a front end and a rear plate (2) closing the molding chamber (3) at a rear end, opposite the front end. The plates shift gradually during the mote compression and extraction phases. The machine comprises a first shifting system for shifting the front plate and which comprises at least one first electric motor (4), and a second shifting system for shifting the rear plate and which comprises at least one second electric motor (5).

Abstract: Provided are a die change apparatus for use in a flaskless molding machine capable of mounting dies for producing a casting mold on die bases even when the dies have a great thickness, and a die carrying-in device used therein. The die carrying-in device comprises a first movable plate provided so as to be slidable along a die carrying-in direction toward a first die base, and a second movable plate placed so as to face the first movable plate in a standby position. A die drive source causes dies which have been positioned in a height direction to be detached from the movable plates, move toward the die bases, and be supported by clamping elements. An intersection drive source causes at least one of the first movable plate and the second movable plate to move in a direction to intersect the die carrying-in direction independently of the other.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving a plurality of mold assemblies having a first mold portion and a second mold portion operably connected together for forming parts. The apparatus includes a mold holding member and a pair of spaced apart support members extending from the mold holding member to a manufacturing floor. A carriage device is cooperable with the mold holding member for engaging and moving the mold assembly. A lifting mechanism is used for moving the carriage device relative the mold holding member to move the mold assembly to be engaged with mold holding member. A turn table adjacent to the mold holding member holds the mold assemblies and is movable relative the mold holding member thereby replacing the mold assemblies. A controller is operably connected to the mold holding member and the turn table thereby moving the turn table relative the mold holding member to interchange the mold assemblies.

Abstract: An investment casting system includes a computer controlled mold transfer device movable between at least three stations, including a mold receiving station. A mold transfer station includes a mold suspended from a first horizontally extending arm of the mold transfer device engaging an intermediate transfer device to transfer the mold to the intermediate transfer device. A storage station has a storage rack receiving the mold following a material coating phase. A robot in communication with the intermediate transfer device is programmed to position the mold in any of multiple material coating stations during the material coating phase. The mold is accessible for removal from the system at any stage of completion by direction of a computer control system.

Abstract: A casting apparatus includes a hermetically sealed chamber, wherein the chamber includes: a melt-heating portion to melt external uranium deposits, the melt-heating portion being tiltable to allow the resulting liquid molten material to be discharged to the outside, an ingot-forming portion to receive the molten material discharged from the melt-heating portion and to cool-solidify the molten material, and a salt-capturing portion provided on the melt-heating portion, to solidify a salt gas produced when the uranium deposits are molten, and thereby recover the salt gas, wherein the ingot-forming portion includes: a horizontal turn-table rotated by an operating means, and a plurality of molds mounted on the edge of the turn-table, each containing the molten material, which is then cooled.

Abstract: A mold-forming assembly for forming chemical set sand into a plurality of mold portions for one or more objects to be cast in the mold portions. The assembly includes a loading subassembly for forming the mold portions, a positioning subassembly for positioning each mold portion in a predetermined position, and a conveyor subassembly extending between the loading and positioning subassemblies, for moving the mold portions from the loading subassembly to the positioning subassembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sand casting molding machine for double indexing molds in a mold string. The machine can include a shot chamber having sand, a swingable squeeze head, a lateral squeeze head, a core setter, a mold hold down, a mold retention device and a mold string conveyor.

Abstract: An aluminum ingot casting machine having a source of molten metal, a rotatable annular ring, carrying ingot casting moulds and a drive member for indexing the moulds. The machine includes a vacuum demoulder having a vacuum seal arrangement having a sealing element having a flexible core which can deform to form a vacuum seal against an ingot and a flexible abrasion resistant outer layer on the core, and retaining elements located on a lower face of the vacuum lifting head for releasably retaining the sealing element onto the lifting head. The vacuum seal has a flexible ring shaped body, being rounded in cross section, having a fibre cord core and an abrasion resistant flexible sheathing surrounding the core.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production line for the production of cast parts (M) from a metallic melt, in particular a light molten metal, which takes place in a continuous cycle, comprising a plurality of functional units, including a core production unit (2) for the production of casting cores, a mould assembly unit (3) for assembling casting moulds (G) formed as core packages, a casting unit for filling the molten metal into the casting moulds (G), a cooling unit (5a) for cooling the molten metal respectively contained in the casting moulds (G), and a demoulding unit (5b) for destructive removal of the casting mould (G) from the cast part (M).

Abstract: A mold handling system for carrying and transporting sand molds comprises a mold handling conveyor with multiple mold exits to provide different outputs for the sand molds. The mold handling system may include flags which can be used to mark selected molds to segregate the sand molds into different groups. A control system responds to flag sensors and tracks the molds to selectively control output of sand molds through the mold exits. Methods of handling sand molds using a mold handling system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aluminum ingot casting machine comprising a source of molten metal, a rotatable annular ring, carrying ingot casting moulds and a drive means for indexing the moulds. The machine includes a vacuum demoulder having a vacuum seal arrangement comprising a sealing element having a flexible core which can deform to form a vacuum seal against an ingot and a flexible abrasion resistant outer layer on said core, and retaining elements located on a lower face of the vacuum lifting head for releasably retaining the sealing element onto the lifting head. The vacuum seal comprises a flexible ring shaped body, being rounded in cross section, having a fiber cord core and an abrasion resistant flexible sheathing surrounding the core.

Abstract: In a method for pouring several moulds in a mould-string plant in the pouring operation, the moulds are produced by compression of sand or similar mould material in a pressing chamber comprising pattern plates 3, 4 for providing impressions in the surfaces of the mould parts for forming the mould cavities 11 and inlet runners 8. The moulds are advanced to a pouring track or guideway, on which the casting moulds are formed by positioning the mould parts close together and the advancement of the casting moulds is stepwise through a pouring station, in which the moulds are filled with molten metal. By providing at least one runner 7 for mutually connecting at least two inlet runners 8 for consecutive mould cavities 11, the mutually connected mould cavities can be filled through a single pouring inlet 8, and unused pouring inlets 8 may be plugged by a suitable plug 14 in order to minimise the amount of molten metal needed to fill the mould cavities 11.

Abstract: In a transport system for a mould-string casting plant comprising a moulding machine (1) delivering a plurality of uniform mould parts (3) to a string of moulds on the transport system transporting the moulds from the moulding machine (1) to a pouring station (4) and further on to a solidification and cooling section (II, III, IV) and ending at a knock-out station in which the castings are taken out of the moulds (3), the transport system comprises in combination—a second section (II), in which the moulds (3) in the string are transported slidingly by means of movable longitudinal side rails (8) applying a positive lateral force on each side of the mould string (3) and moving in an advancing and longitudinal stepwise manner synchronised with the movement provided by the pressure plate (2) of the moulding machine (1), and—a third section (III), in which the transport is effected by means of a walling beam system (6, 7).

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: The molding machine comprises a station (1) with a chamber (2) that is closed between a front plate (5) that can move and swivel and a rear plate (8) associated to an extraction piston (9), forming a shell (3) in said chamber (2) by blowing sand through an upper hopper (4). The shell (3) obtained is pushed by the piston (9) until the rear of a row of shells (3?) placed on a conveyor (7) that places them opposite a casting station. The motion of the shell (3) pushed by the extraction piston (9) is independent of the motion of said piston after being incorporated in the row of shells, and is provided exclusively by the conveyor system (7), thereby providing a shorter working cycle while preventing deterioration of the shells as they are not compressed by the piston (9) when it pushes against the rear of the row of shells (3?).

Abstract: The use of green sand is eliminated by replacing green sand molds with all core sand assemblies that provide, during casting, both the internal and external surfaces of a casting, such as a cylinder head or engine block. In the process, a mold is formed from the same core sand that is used to form the core elements defining the internal passageways of the casting. A mold-core carrier is constructed with downwardly converging sides that hold assembled mold and core elements together, without fasteners, during transportation and pouring of the molten iron alloy into the mold-core assembly and the cooling period to form the casting. After the casting is formed, the core sand from both the mold elements and core elements is recovered, and may be recycled and processed to form further mold elements or core elements or both.

Abstract: A core assembly apparatus includes a rotating table having a plurality of operation positions. A plurality of fixtures for assembling cores are carried by the rotating table adjacent its periphery, preferably one core assembly fixture for each operation position. The core assembly fixtures are inclined toward the central portion of the rotating table. In one of the operation positions, a completed core assembly is transferred from a core assembly fixture to a horizontal conveyor. A pick-and-place assembly engages a core assembly and removes it from an inclined core assembly fixture of a rotating table and placement on a horizontal conveyor. Alternatively, the fixtures may be pivotally attached to the rotating table and include core assembly gripping mechanisms so that the core assembly fixtures can pivot to lower assembled cores onto a horizontal conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the casting of metals comprising the steps of: indexing a mould (3) in series on a rotating carousel (2) to a pouring station (2.1), skimming station (2.2) and a mould transfer station (2.3); casting molten metal into the mould at the pouring station (2.1); skimming dross from the molten metal at the skimming station (2.2); transferring the mould (3) containing molten metal from the mould transfer station (2.3) to a cooling section (5) and replacing it at the mould transfer station (2.3) with an empty mould; transferring a cooled mould containing a solidified metal ingot (10) from the cooling section (5) to a demoulding station (7) remote from the rotating carousel (2); removing the solidified ingot (10) from the mould (3); removing the pin/hook members (11) from the ingot (10); returning the pin/hook members (11) to the empty mould (3); returning the empty mould (3) to the mould transfer station (2.3); and transferring the ingot (10) to the further processing.

Abstract: The molding and transporting apparatus comprises a molding section for vertically blowing sand from above between a front die and a rear die that have vertically formed pattern faces, and thereafter, driving the front and rear dies and compacting the sand to produce a mold M, and for extruding the mold horizontally, a dividing mechanism for, before the sand is blown, vertically dividing the mold into front and rear portions, as needed, at the center of a molding space, a pouring port formation mechanism for forming a pouring port in the mold; and a form converter for selectively rendering an active operation for changing the form of the mold that is extruded from the molding section from the vertically split form to the horizontally split form, and a non-active operation for transporting the extruded mold to a pouring line, without changing the form of the mold.

Abstract: An aluminum ingot casting machine comprising a source of molten metal, a rotatable annular ring, carrying ingot casting moulds and a drive means for indexing the moulds. The machine includes a vacuum demoulder having a vacuum seal arrangement comprising a sealing element having a flexible core which can deform to form a vacuum seal against an ingot and a flexible abrasion resistant outer layer on said core, and retaining elements located on a lower face of the vacuum lifting head for releasably retaining the sealing element onto the lifting head. The vacuum seal comprises a flexible ring shaped body, being rounded in cross section, having a fibre cord core and an abrasion resistant flexible sheathing surrounding the core.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the casting of metals comprising the steps of:

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the casting of metals comprising the steps of: indexing a mould (3) in series on a rotating carousel (2) to a pouring station (2.1), skimming station (2.2) and a mould transfer station (2.3) casting molten metal into the mould at the pouring station (2.1); skimming dross from the molten metal at the skimming station (2.2); transferring the mould (3) containing molten metal from the mould transfer station (2.3) to a cooling section (5) and replacing it at the mould transfer station (2.3) with an empty mould; transferring a cooled mould containing a solidified metal ingot (10) from the cooling section (5) to a demoulding station (7) remote from the rotating carousel (2); removing the solidified ingot (10) from the mould (3); removing the pin/hook members (11) from then ingot (10); returning the pin/hook members (11) to the empty mould (3); returning the empty mould (3) to the mould transfer station (2.3); and transferring the ingot (10) to the further processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing mold parts (5) on a string molding apparatus comprising a molding chamber (1) between a squeeze plate (2) and a pivoted squeeze plate (3) in which both the squeeze plate (2) and the pivoted squeeze plate (3) can move in a direction towards each other and a direction away from one another comprising the steps of introducing a compressible particulate molding material (4) in the molding chamber (1) and then squeezing the molding material (4) by moving the squeeze plate (2) and the pivoted squeeze (3) towards one another wherein the velocity of the squeeze plate and the velocity of the pivoted squeeze plate are controlled independent from one another during the squeezing of the mold part (5).

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 and apparatus for preparing connecting straps and end terminals for lead batteries by filling selected cavities of the mold is disclosed. The mold has cavities for casting connecting straps and an end terminal. Molten lead is filled up to an amount of lead sufficient to fill the preselected cavities of the mold. The content of the mold is brought together with inverted plate lugs of grouped battery plates to fuse the plate lugs together with the content of the mold prior to solidification. The method and apparatus includes a first mold block having three mold cavities in an upper face thereof, whereby two preselected cavities of the three mold cavities are translationally aligned to be filled with lead.

Abstract: The molding machine comprises a station (1) with a chamber (2) that is closed between a front plate (5) that can move and swivel and a rear plate (8) associated to an extraction piston (9), forming a shell (3) in said chamber (2) by blowing sand through an upper hopper (4). The shell (3) obtained is pushed by the piston (9) until the rear of a row of shells (3′) placed on a conveyor (7) that places them opposite a casting station. The novelty of the invention lies in that the motion of the shell (3) pushed by the extraction piston (9) is independent of the motion of said piston after being incorporated in the row of shells, and is provided exclusively by the conveyor system (7), thereby providing a shorter working cycle while preventing deterioration of the shells as they are not compressed by the piston (9) when it pushes against the rear of the row of shells (3′).

Abstract: An automated casting system includes: a plurality of casting stations, a molten-metal collection station with at least one furnace containing molten metal, an automated casting apparatus extending between the casting stations and the collection station and provided with a robotic device for moving a casting ladle in a cyclic and controlled manner in order, in each cycle, to collect molten metal from the collection station and to pour it out in a station selected from the casting stations, an automatic casting-transfer apparatus extending between the casting stations and a discharge station and provided with a robotic device for moving, in a controlled manner coordinated with the casting apparatus, grippers for gripping and transferring the castings from one of the casting stations to the discharge station.

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: The method of improving the mould quality of a mould-forming machine comprising at least one moulding chamber with oppositely positioned and movable squeeze plates, in which the mould-forming process comprises the steps of a) filling the at least one moulding chamber with compressible mould material, b) pressing the mould material between the squeeze plates, c) opening the moulding chambers(s) by moving at least one of the squeeze plates, d) removing the produced mould or mould parts from the moulding chamber(s) and e) reclosing the moulding chambers(s) by moving at least one of the squeeze plates, ready for a new cycle starting from step (a), by moving at least one squeeze plate in a direction reducing the volume of the moulding chambers(s) during at least part of the filling step a), an improved filling of mould cavities is achieved, which compensates for the reduced filling velocity during start-up of the filling.

Abstract: The use of green sand is eliminated by replacing green sand molds with all core sand assemblies that provide, during casting, both the internal and external surfaces of a casting, such as a cylinder head or engine block. In the process, a mold is formed from the same core sand that is used to form the core elements defining the internal passageways of the casting. A mold-core carrier is constructed with tapered sides that hold the assembled mold and core elements together during pouring of the molten iron alloy into the mold-core assembly and the cooling period to form the casting. Although the carrier sides can use a refractory liner, preferably the sides are made of replaceable sheet metal backed by an open structural framework to enhance cooling of the casting. After the casting is formed, the core sand from both the mold elements and the core elements is recovered, and may recycled and processed to form further mold elements or core elements or both.

Abstract: A permanent mold casting system has a modularized architecture and remote placement of certain portions of the casting system. The casting system has a frame and a casting module supported on the frame is adapted to receive a plurality of molds for casting articles from a fill material according to a casting process. The casting module includes first motive actuators for moving at least portions of the molds during the casting process. An accessories module is supported on the frame and comprises at least one accessory device and second motive actuators for selectably positioning the accessory device in relation to the casting module. A utility module is located remotely from the frame and comprises motive power supplies coupled to the first and second actuators. The utility module also comprises a programmable controller coupled to the motive power supplies for controlling the casting process.

Abstract: An automated casting system comprises:

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: An apparatus for controlling the movements of the squeeze plates of a string moulding apparatus where the apparatus generally includes a moulding chamber defined between two squeeze plates. One of the squeeze plates can be pivoted to open the moulding chamber. The production cycle of the apparatus includes, apart from the charging of the chamber with mould material, several movements of the squeeze plates. A movement of one plate commences before the preceding movement of the other plate has finished. The hydraulic system of the apparatus comprises two pumps, one pump for each actuator associated to one of the squeeze plates.

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: An apparatus for controlling the movements of the squeeze plates of a string moulding apparatus where the apparatus generally includes a moulding chamber defined between two squeeze plates. One of the squeeze plates can be pivoted to open the moulding chamber. The production cycle of the apparatus includes, apart from the charging of the chamber with mould material, several movements of the squeeze plates. A movement of one plate commences before the preceding movement of the other plate has finished. The hydraulic system of the apparatus comprises two pumps, one pump for each actuator associated to one of the squeeze plates.

Abstract: The mold riding shot blocker comprises an apparatus and method for blocking the spillage of molten metal between adjacent molds in a conveyable string of closely juxtaposed molds as the mold string is advanced in a stepwise cycle in a metal casting process. The invention comprises a solid object having a configuration suitable for placement on the top surface of a mold string to cover at least one downsprue extending from the top surface, and a means for lowering the solid object onto the top surface of a mold string to cover at least one downsprue and raising the solid object from the top surface to uncover at least one downsprue. The method comprises the steps of positioning a solid object for placement on the top surface of a mold string, lowering the solid object into a protective position on a top surface of the mold and indexing the conveyable mold string with the solid object riding on the mold string in a protective position covering at least one downsprue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the movements of the squeeze plates of a string moulding apparatus, and to an apparatus for carrying out the method. Such an apparatus generally comprises a moulding chamber defined between two squeeze plates. One of the squeeze plates can be pivoted to open the moulding chamber. The production cycle of an apparatus of said kind comprises apart from the charging of the chamber with mould material several movements of the squeeze plates. A movement of one plate commences before the preceding movement of the other plate has finished. The hydraulic system of the apparatus comprises two pumps, one pump for each actuator associated to one of the squeeze plates.

Abstract: Mold filling and feeding device (400) and process including using refractory filter cloth (202) to seal a mold line (100), in continuous conveyance, to a multi-stage pressurized filling and feeding device. The mold line (100) is the line formed of vertically parted green sand molds (101). These molds can be filled with molten metal which gradually solidifies under pressure. Feeding under pressure will assist shrinkage problems in the casting process. The process includes modes of treating ductile iron with magnesium for compacted graphite. A stitch (242) of filter cloth (202) holds modifying alloy (630) to the molds (101) at high speed. A vacuum and pressure controlled column (550) provides consistent flow to thin walled castings, and pressurized feeding for heavy castings. Radiant energy losses are contained in the automatic system.

Abstract: A molding system to make a sand mold with a frame is provided to receive the lateral loads generated when molding frames are fed out and in by nearby apparatuses and to prevent vibrations generated during a molding operation from being transmitted to nearby apparatuses, so that the area around a factory is prevented from being degraded and so that apparatuses can be easily affixed.

Abstract: A molding system to make a sand mold with a frame is provided to receive the lateral loads generated when molding frames are fed out and in by nearby apparatuses and to prevent vibrations generated during a molding operation from being transmitted to nearby apparatuses, so that the area around a factory is prevented from being degraded and so that apparatuses can be easily affixed.

Abstract: When casting e.g. aluminium alloy in a mould (2), that may be one of a string of moulds extending at right angles to the plane of the drawing, the pressure used for filling the mould (2) against gravity by a pressurizing device (4) is controlled according to a predetermined pressure/time programme having previously been read into a control unit (22), e.g. a digital computer, at least one of a number of sensors sensing pressure (8), levels (9,10) and full level (11) being used to supply inputs to the control unit (22). Sensors are chosen according to need for each particular casting programme.

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: 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 vacuum induction melting system of the present invention is designed to be operated in a continuous or semi-continuous manner for extended periods of time for increased efficiency, and makes it possible to easily and quickly remove the induction furnace from the melt chamber when it becomes necessary to replace and rebuild the furnace. The melting system includes a melt chamber which forms an airtight enclosure, with an induction furnace located within the melt chamber. A charging chamber is communicatively connected to the melt chamber adjacent its upper end. The charging chamber includes a door providing access to the interior of the charging chamber so that a charge of raw materials can be placed therein. An isolation valve is located between the melt chamber and the charging chamber and is movable between open and closed positions.

Abstract: Equipment for circulating a box containing a model and having a space in it for making a mold under reduced pressures is provided. It comprises walking conveyors 1 and 2, a traverser 3a that reciprocates along a line that combines the end of the walking conveyor 1 and the starting position of the walking conveyor 2, a conveyor 5 that is arranged along a line that combines the end of the walking conveyor 2 and the starting position of the walking conveyor 1, and fixed pressure-attachable and gas-transmitting valves 6, movable pressure-attachable and gas-transmitting valves 7, and a movable pressure-attachable and gas-transmitting valve 6A, which are used to make the space 23 in the box have reduced pressures, and optionally a conveyor 4 that intersects the walking conveyor 1 at the second station.

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.