Abstract: A magnet conveyance positioning device including a conveyance unit and an attachment device attached to the conveyance unit to move integrally with the conveyance unit. The attachment device includes a support unit abutting on a object and supporting the conveyance unit from the object, a holding unit provided movably relative to the support unit to detachably hold the magnet, and a driving unit moving the holding unit so that the magnet approaches the object in a state where the support unit is abutted on the object.

Abstract: Structures and methods for hindering molded part deformation during densification are discussed. Such devices and techniques can help alleviate stresses that tend to result in part deformation during firing, sintering, or other densification processes, and thus reduce the need for secondary straightening operations post-densification. In some instances, a support structure is utilized to orient a molded greenbody in a preferred direction to reduce deformation during firing (e.g., orienting a thin tail section is a plane parallel to the direction of gravity). The support structure can also be part of, or the entirety of, a thermal mass to help alleviate stresses that lead to part deformation. Though such structures and methods can be used for any molded piece, it can be particularly used to create a portion, or an entirety of, a medical device such as a jaw of an surgical instrument.

Abstract: A mold flask assembly is provided with a novel clamping mechanism for clamping a pattern plate in the mold flask assembly of an automated molding machine. The clamping mechanism comprises a first clamp abutment and a clamping head extending along an axis. The clamping head provides a second clamp abutment. The first and second clamp abutments engage each other in a clamped position. The first and second clamp abutments are spaced along the axis and angularly displaced in a released position. A combination rotary and linear actuator is operative to facilitate relative linear translation and rotation between the rod and the bushing to move between the clamped and released positions.

Abstract: An automated matchplate molding machine includes a cope flask, a pattern plate and a drag flask for creating formed sand molds. A lock is provided to lock the drag flask to the platen table of the molding machine during desired stages of an individual sand molding sequence. The lock between the drag flask and the platen table may include actuated pins which engage corresponding detent structures such as tapered holes integral with the drag flask and prevent lateral migration of the drag flask relative to the platen table. Additionally, cope flask actuators are provided which vertically support and are operable to raise the cope flask relative to the squeeze head to facilitate release the cope mold from the cope flask.

Abstract: A mold flask assembly is provided with a novel clamping mechanism for clamping a pattern plate in the mold flask assembly of an automated molding machine. The clamping mechanism comprises a first clamp abutment and a clamping head extending along an axis. The clamping head provides a second clamp abutment. The first and second clamp abutments engage each other in a clamped position. The first and second clamp abutments are spaced along the axis and angularly displaced in a released position. A combination rotary and linear actuator is operative to facilitate relative linear translation and rotation between the rod and the bushing to move between the clamped and released positions.

Abstract: An automated matchplate molding machine includes a cope flask, a pattern plate and a drag flask for creating formed sand molds. A lock is provided to lock the drag flask to the platen table of the molding machine during desired stages of an individual sand molding sequence. The lock between the drag flask and the platen table may include actuated pins which engage corresponding detent structures such as tapered holes integral with the drag flask and prevent lateral migration of the drag flask relative to the platen table. Additionally, cope flask actuators are provided which vertically support and are operable to raise the cope flask relative to the squeeze head to facilitate release the cope mold from the cope flask.

Abstract: A feature of the present invention is that an apparatus for manufacturing foundry cores is provided with a device for fastening together halves of core boxes, located before a heating chamber, and with a device for unfastening the halves of the core boxes, arranged behind the heating chamber, each of the core boxes comprising two horizontal rods with conical elements placed in the bottom half thereof and cooperating with the above devices for fastening and unfastening the core boxes, and two vertical rods secured to the top half of the core boxes and having at their bottom ends slots and conical orifices cooperating with the conical elements of the horizontal rods.

Abstract: A mold-locking or catching device which comprises a support on one mold half or part, a bellows anchored to this support at one side of the bellows, a hook engageable with the rim of the other mold half or part and carried by the other side of the bellows and means for swinging the hook laterally into and out of engagement with the rim of the other mold half when the bellows is activated by fluid pressure or depressurized respectively.

Abstract: Means are provided for joining a pair of foundry flasks which includes in combination one half of a V-shaped dove tail flange along each adjacent edge to be joined so as to form a V-shaped dove tail clamp and generally C-shaped clamp member having a jaw at each end adapted to slidably engage the dove tail flange and having a central depending tongue between the jaws adapted to bear on the two adjacent flanges at this juncture.

Abstract: Foundry moulding boxes are automatically clamped together or to a supporting plate by means of loose clamps (as distinct from clamps which are permanently fixed to a moulding box or to an individual carriage supporting the boxes) which are spring loaded and are brought by combined preloading and moving devices into the region of the parts which are to be clamped by allowing the springs to relax and transmit the preload to those parts via abutment members of the clamps which engage therewith. The clamps are carried by respective stirrups which are pivotably attached to a mobile carriage running on rails to convey the clamps from an unclamping station to a clamping station where the clamps are left in clamping engagement with a pair of moulding boxes while the stirrups return with the carriage to remove the clamps from another such pair. The stirrups incorporate drives for preloading the clamps and opening up the gap between the abutment members.