Abstract: Providing a method for reducing occurrences of a mold shift of a cope and a drag that have been molded by a flaskless molding machine and have been assembled by estimating a cause of a mold shift based on measurements and by taking appropriate measures, and a flaskless molding line that uses the method. The method for reducing occurrences of a mold shift of a cope and a drag (1, 2) that have been molded by a flaskless molding machine (200) and have been assembled comprises a step of measuring specific data at positions where a mold shift may occur during a process for manufacturing or taking out the cope and the drag, and a step of determining if the obtained specific data are within an allowable range.

Abstract: A build plate for an additive manufacturing system is disclosed. The build plate includes a support structure, a sub-plate, and one or more transducers. The support structure is configured to support a stack of sintered layers of a pulverant material. Further, the support structure extends orthogonally to a build direction. The sub-plate is arranged along the support structure, and defines a transducer cavity. One or more transducers are arranged in the transducer cavities. The one or more transducers are operable to cause vibration of the support structure and the stack parallel to the build direction. Such vibration relieves internal stresses caused by sintering of the stack.

Abstract: A method of pulsed-air compacting of mold-sand in combination with compacting by compression supplements the pulsed-air compacting of the mold-sand by an operation of re-compacting the mold-sand by pressing which is performed with the pattern plate containing the patterns by the plate moving inside the cavity of the filling frame in the direction of the latticed pressing element which is subjected to a counter-pressure force corresponding in its value to the prescribed level of the half mold compaction. The method is realized with a device in which the pattern plate containing the patterns is mounted with the possibility of a reciprocal motion inside the cavity of the filling frame, and the pressing cylinder is mounted with the possibility to apply a force against the movable pattern plate.

Abstract: Equipment and a method, therefore, for molding a mold with a molding flask, having a device for introducing molding sand that introduces molding sand into a molding flask and a filling frame, using compressed air, the molding flask and the filling frame being mounted on a model plate in a superimposed state; a shielding device having a plurality of feet that can enter the filling frame and can be temporarily held at positions that are spaced apart at predetermined distances from a model part of the model plate, which model part faces the plurality of feet. The equipment further includes a squeezing device provided adjacent to the device for introducing molding sand, which squeezing device squeezes the molding sand in the molding flask and the filling frame, and a transfer device for carrying the model plate, the molding flask and the filling frame into and out of both the device for introducing molding sand and the squeezing device.

Abstract: A sand hopper (28) is provided at its lower position (40) with a plurality of nozzles (42) and a plurality of squeeze feet (46), the pressure of which is controlled, and which are located adjacent to a side of each squeeze foot. The sand hopper (28) is supported by supporting means (22, 26) such that it can move vertically. A mold space is defined by a pattern plate having a pattern (74a), a flask (4), a filling frame (52), and a sand hopper (28) having a plurality of squeeze feet (46) disposed above the filling frame (52). By discharging molding sand from the nozzles (42), it is introduced into the mold space. The mold sand (S2) in the mold space is compacted by the squeeze feet by lowering the sand hopper toward the mold space. Since the molding machine is so arranged, both introducing molding sand into a mold space and compacting the introduced molding sand are performed at one station (a molding-sand introducing and compacting station).

Abstract: A method of compacting molding sand by using separated and independently controlled gas guiding pipes that are arranged over horizontally spaced locations of the entire surface of the molding sand. This enables independent compression of different features within the mold model and minimizes the energy consumed for compressing molding sand.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a table (5), on which a pattern plate (6) is attached, a flask (7), the bottom surface of which can be fitted to the pattern plate (6), a filling frame (30), the bottom surface of which can be fitted to the upper surface of the flask (7), and in which the highest part of its opening is smaller than the lowest part of its opening, a blow head (17), which is used for blowing in molding sand, and for squeezing the blown-in molding sand, and which is placed above the table (5), and a thin plate body (20), which can be inserted into the blown-in molding sand and which is placed around a sand holder (12) that is a part of the blow head (17), in which the highest part of the opening of the filling frame (30) has such a size that the outer surface of the thin plate body (20) can contact the inner surface of the highest part of the filling frame (30), and in which the size and shape of the lowest part of the opening of the filling frame (30) are the same as those of the opening of the flask (7)

Abstract: A first quantity of all the molding sand necessary to produce a mold is fed in the mold space, the first quantity being one of at least two parts divided from the total molding sand. The mold space is evacuated and then air is introduced into the mold space at the air-pressure rising rate of 30--to 500 kg/cm.sup.2 /sec. Another quantity of the molding sand is fed into the mold space, the mold space is evacuated and then air is introduced into the mold space at the air-pressure rising rate of 30--to 500 kg/cm.sup.2 /sec. The apparatus includes a sand passage through which each quantity of sand is fed into the mold space, and a gate for closing the sand passage thereby closing the mold space to allow the mold space to be evacuated and then subjected to a pressure increase.

Abstract: The machine includes a lifter table for lifting a pattern plate and flask which hold molding sand and a pre-compacting member and a pressing member disposed above the lifter table for horizontal movement and for being inserted into the flask when the lifter table lifts the flask. The pre-compacting member includes a thin-plate body to be positioned slightly spaced apart from an inner surface of the flask or inner and outer surfaces of a pattern when inserted into the molding sand held in the flask. The pressing member includes a squeezing body that presses the molding sand from above.

Abstract: Molding sand (S) is put in a mold space defined by a pattern plate (2), having a pattern (2A) on it, and a flask (3). The apparatus includes a thin-plate body (9) and/or a rod (11) to be inserted into the molding sand. It is pre-compacted at a part of it near the inner and outer surfaces of the pattern (2A) and the inner surfaces of the flask (3) by the thin-plate body and rod. The apparatus also has a pressing plate (8) to press all the molding sand after it is pre-compacted.

Abstract: A pouring basin (1) or funnel made of a mold material, such as sand is molded, and then positioned on a sand casting mold (2). In order to increase the usable casting time in the casting of a workpiece in the casting mold and at the same time avoid any increase in station time, the apparatus includes a mechanism designed to mold and consolidate the pouring basin (1) and then to place the consolidated pouring basin (1) directly on the casting mold (2) in alignment with the pouring hole thereof.

Abstract: Molding sand (S) is put in a mold space defined by a pattern plate (2), having a pattern (2A) on it, and a flask (3). The apparatus includes a thin-plate body (9) and/or a rod (11) to be inserted into the molding sand. It is pre-compacted at a part of it near the inner and outer surfaces of the pattern (2A) and the inner surfaces of the flask (3) by the thin-plate body and rod. The apparatus also has a pressing plate (8) to press all the molding sand after it is pre-compacted.

Abstract: A process for compacting foundry molding material is proposed, the molding material being introduced into a molding device with a pattern plate with a pattern frame and a molding and filing frame mounted on it, by means of a compressed gas, the compressed gas being used at least for precompaction, the pressure surge used for the precompaction being released into the molding floor with a low, then a higher pressure gradient.

Abstract: Molding sand (5) is fed into a space defined by a pattern plate (2) and a flask (3) mounted on the pattern plate (2), and the space is enclosed at the upper part of the flask (3) by a cover (6). The air in the enclosed space is evacuated to reduce the air pressure between the grains of the molding sand in the enclosed space to 1 Torr to 150 Torr, and then air is introduced into the enclosed space from the upper part of the space so that the pressure in the space can increase at the rate of 15 atm/s to compress the molding sand (5). The method eliminates the need for vent holes and enables the mold to be crack-free since the air flow is not reflected.

Abstract: The blowing-in of the sand into the mould is continued while the pressure in the mould chamber increases through a maximum mould pressure and the blowing-in is terminated at a predetermined time period subsequent to reaching maximum pressure. This method ensures that the mould chamber will be completely filled independently of its size or shape without having to keep the blowing-in mould sand active for a longer time than absolutely necessary.

Abstract: A mould chamber including at least one pressing plate is filled by blowing mould sand in through a blowing-in tube ascending at high speed, in which at least some of the blowing-in apertures are adapted to blow the sand in substantially transversely to the ascending movement of the blowing-in tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the compression of molding sand in casting molds having a pattern plate with a pattern arranged therein. The molding sand is introduced loosely into the molding space located above the pattern plate and is thereafter fluidized to a final pressure of 20 bar maximum by means of a compressed-air surge acting on the molding sand followed by compression, by mechanical pressing. The process of the present invention provides a smooth pressure surge which is subdivided into at least a two part gradient in its pressure-rise time curve, so that the first part of the pressure-rise gradient takes place from 0.3 to 18 bar/sec to a pressure P.sub.1 and the second part has an increased pressure-rise gradient which takes place from 18 to 95 bar/sec. to a pressure P.sub.2 where P.sub.1 <P.sub.2 .ltoreq.20 bar. Subsequently, the P.sub.2 pressure is reduced in an essentially controlled manner, with a pressure-reduction gradient of a minimum of 3 bar/sec.

Abstract: In producing casting molds or mold parts by compacting mold sand in a molding chamber between two pattern plates, the volume of the molding chamber is measured and/or computed, such as by using sensors and a timer/controller capable of computing, before and after the compacting step. The values obtained are used to calculate a compaction ratio which is compared with a desired compaction ratio as a basis for making adjustments to the starting conditions, before the next mold or mold part is produced. In this manner it is possible to achieve a continuous correction of the compacting ratio to form correctly sized molds or mold parts in a series.

Abstract: A molding chamber (7) accommodating pattern plates (24, 25) is supplied by a steam of air with sand mixture delivered in a direction parallel to the pattern plates (24, 25). After a time delay relative to the start of the sand delivery operation, and sand mixture is preliminarily compacted by delivering a stream of compressed air directly into the molding chamber in a direction parallel to the pattern plates, the delivery of compressed air being continued within a period of time equal to 5 to 30 percent of the duration of the sand mixture delivery operation. As a result of the delivery of compressed air, the delivery of the sand mixture is retarded and even interrupted. The stream of compressed air diverts the sand mixture in the molding chamber towards the pattern plates, thus providing a better filling of narrow deep hollows on pattern surfaces and preliminary compaction of the sand mixture. The sand delivery operation is completed after the end of the preliminary compaction.

Abstract: Foundry moldings are manufactured in an economic manner without increasing cycle time comprises a 3-stage method including the steps of feeding the molding material by means of compressed air into a molding container and thereafter precompressing the molding material by applying a pressure surge to the surface thereof and thereafter recompressing said precompressed molding material to final compression. The resulting foundry moldings are homogeneous in structure and structural integrity.

Abstract: Sand is charged into a space in a mold flask by a sand feed nozzle provided on the lower end part of a blow head inserted into a sand charge port formed in the top wall of the mold flask. The blow head is further lowered after completion of the charging so as to deeply insert the sand feed nozzle in the sand charge port in order to press the sand in the vicinity of the sand charge port within the mold flask, thereby uniformly compacting the entire sand in the space.

Abstract: Green sand is packed as molding sand into a compression mold and the green sand is precompacted in the mold using a hydraulic press and thereafter is finally compacted after the precompaction wherein prior to precompaction recesses formed in the molding tools are subjected to a vacuum for drawing the molding sand into the recesses. In this way, even complicated mold cores can be produced satisfactorily and efficiently from green sand.

Abstract: The method and apparatus are based on the use of a casting process in which expendable patterns are made of a low density material, then evaporated by molten metal as the metal advances into the cavity created by the evaporation of the pattern material. The outer supporting material of the cavity is an unbonded granular material of sufficient grain size distribution. This unbonded material is vibrated in defined partial volumes of the whole volume of a holding vessel called a pouring container and compacted to a predetermined density around the expendable pattern so that it fills all cavities of the expendable pattern prior to the introduction of molten metal into the container to displace the pattern. The compacting vibration is performed in several independent zones to achieve uniform compaction and to prevent pattern deformation. The pouring container follows a loop via a conveyor system preferably through four operation stations.

Abstract: To permit close matching of compaction pressure being applied to foundry mold making material, such as foundry sand, to the shape of a mold pattern (2) in a pattern box (3, 4), individual fluid pressure is applied to a plurality of press plungers (7) located on a pressure plate which is moved towards the sand in the mold box at a high rate of speed, the press plungers being biassed by fluid pressure to have a maximum difference (.DELTA.H) in stroke of penetration depth of at least 30% of the height (H) of the mold box; individual valves (14) can apply compressed air to individual cylinders under control, for example, of a microprocessor; the valves can be located in a matrix arrangement (FIG. 3). The method and apparatus can be used in combination with explosion or pressure impulse compaction and fluidizing of the foundry sand.

Abstract: Foundry molding material is poured or pneumatically infed into a mold frame arrangement containing at least one pattern, a molding frame and a filling frame. Subsequently, the foundry molding material is compacted by a compacting arrangement containing, for example, any one of a compressed-air surge compacting device, a combustion-force surge compacting device, a pressure compacting device, a vibrational compacting device or a combined pressure-and-vibrational compacting device. Also during such compacting operation at least the predominant portion of the foundry molding material contained in the filling frame is displaced into the molding frame. During such compacting operation a preselected expanding gas is infed into predetermined local regions of the foundry molding material while such material is being compacted. As a result, there are formed zones of reduced packing density in the foundry molding material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing flaskless foundry molds made up of copes and drags of wet casting foundry sand, which is blasted into a cavity to form the mold with the use of vacuum. The sand is pressed mechanically while aspirating air therefrom. The gap coming into existence between the pressing plate and the back side of a mold during pneumatic impact compaction is filled with sand before pressing so that a flat back side is produced on the mold so that when casting takes place later there is not danger of the bottom of the mold fracturing or of deformation taking place.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing one or more hollow sand cores suitable for casting moulds using a bipartite core box defining a mould cavity into which sand and a catalyst or a curing agent are introduced. The method includes the steps of establishing a pressure gradient which decreases from the interior to the exterior of a non-heated core box of porous material; introducing sand and a catalyst or a curing agent into the mould cavity defined by the non-heated core box; and directing the introduced sand and catalyst or curing agent against the interior surface of the non-heated core box, which step of directing, at least in part, is obtained by the pressure gradient established between the interior and exterior of the non-heated core box. The apparatus provides structure for accomplishing the above described method.

Abstract: A sand mold-producing apparatus having a sand blower for vertically supplying sand with the help of a first flow of a pressurized air into a molding cavity in which a match plate carrying thereon a pattern is positioned, and an air injecting means for laterally injecting a second flow of a pressurized air having a pressure equal to or smaller than that of the first flow toward the pattern, so that the second flow of the pressurized air carries the sand toward every lateral pocketed pattern portion of the pattern and corners adjacent to the pattern during the supply of the sand into the molding cavity.

Abstract: Casting molds from binder-containing molding sand manufactured by improved vacuum injection, achieved by employing an injection grate with injection slots of a minimum width of at least 50 mm, a filterless connection between the mold container, the vacuum container and a vacuum container having a volume at least 20 times the volume of the mold container, evacuation of the vacuum container by a liquid seal pump and a venturi pipe effect in the sand chamber prior to injection of the sand.

Abstract: A dosed amount of molding material is placed in a vessel arranged at a given distance from a pattern device from which a mold is to be formed, and a pressurized force is applied against the molding sand in the vessel from the side thereof remote from the pattern device in order thereby to impart to the molding sand an acceleration in the direction of the pattern device to compress the sand about the pattern device with the velocity of the accelerated molding sand being braked by impact with the pattern device and also by impact partially with a molding box within which the pattern device is contained. The vessel containing the molding sand is connected to a pressure source by a valve device which controls the application of pressure to the molding sand. Additionally a vacuum device is utilized to apply suction tending to compact the sand within the vessel to produce a more cohesive mass.

Abstract: A machine for producing sand molds by a single operator, wherein the flask assembly, including the cope, drag and matchplate remain in the machine at all times, and the method utilized therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a foundry mould or core box with a sand-based foundry moulding mixture. The mixture is blown into the box under pressure while suction is applied to the box.