Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing foundry sand mixes, using a pre-mix tank to pre-mix water and particulate bond material to make a water/bond slurry, then feeding the slurry to a mullor or other foundry sand mixer. The slurry is received in the mullor/mixer, mixed with return sand, and then discharged for use in making foundry molds. Preferably, the particulate bond material is added to the pre-mix tank as a failing stream of such particles, and a disperse spray of water is projected onto the particles with sufficient gentleness to not deleteriously distract the particles from their downward path.

Abstract: A method to minimize oxidation of metal during melting processes is provided, the method comprising placing solid phase metal into a furnace environ-ment, transforming the solid-phase metal into molten metal phase having a molten metal surface, and creating a barrier between the surface and the environment. Also provided is a method for isolating the surface of molten metal from its environment, the method comprising confining the molten metal to a controlled atmos-phere, and imposing a floating substrate between the surface and the atmosphere.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing foundry sand mixes, using a pre-mix tank to pre-mix water and particulate bond material to make a water/bond slurry, then feeding the slurry to a mullor or other foundry sand mixer. The slurry is received in the mullor/mixer, mixed with return sand, and then discharged for use in making foundry molds. Preferably, the particulate bond material is added to the pre-mix tank as a falling stream of such particles, and a disperse spray of water is projected onto the particles with sufficient gentleness to not deleteriously distract the particles from their downward path.

Abstract: A molding sand reclaiming apparatus comprising an agitation tank which is provided with a fluidized bed at the inner bottom thereof and also provided with a charging port for used sand and a discharging port for reclaimed sand on the side wall thereof, a rotating shaft driven by a driving source disposed in the agitation tank; a rotating drum which is driven by the rotating shaft to agitate used sand charged into the agitation tank and peel off extraneous matters on the used sand; a classification tank which communicates with the upper part of the agitation tank via a regulating plate and is provided with a dust collecting port; and an air pressure source to fluidize the used sand charged on the fluidized bed in the agitation tank and classify, in the classification tank, the used sand into two parts of the extraneous matters peeled off by the rotating drum and the reclaimed sand, wherein scattering holes for scattering the used sand are formed in a cylinder portion constituting outside of the rotating drum.

Abstract: A simplified mold handling system has a linear flowpath with adjustable throughput, variable cooling cycle capability, and minimized equipment and cost. The system has a mold handling conveyor with upper and lower levels on which pouring and cooling of the molds occur. The upper level of the conveyor receives sand molds and conveys the empty molds to a pouring station wherein molten material is deposited therein to form castings. After the castings have been poured, the molds are transferred to the lower level of the pouring conveyor for cooling purposes, and then back to the upper level. The sand molds are then either pushed to another row of the pallet, or are pushed down a ramp to a vibrating conveyor for removal of the sand. Such features allow adjustability in the dwell time required for cooling of the given metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing a pattern plate (1) upward from a carrier plate (2), which pattern plate is held in the carrier plate and transferred along a transport path, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first lifting cylinder (5) having an upwardly extendable piston rod (5A) and that is fixedly disposed below the transport path, a mount table (7) secured to the tip end of the first lifting cylinder piston rod (5), and second and third lifting cylinders mounted on the mount table in a spaced-apart relationship, the second and third lifting cylinders each having an upwardly extendable piston rod (9, 9A), a mount plate (10, 10A) secured to the tip end of the piston rod (9, 9A), and a plurality of draw pins (11, 11A) mounted upright on the mount plate.

Abstract: Tooling includes an inflatable arbor for forming a backdraft cavity in a foundry sand core. A core handling device includes an inflatable arbor, similar to the one used for forming the backdraft cavity in the sand core, whereby the lifting device arbor, when in its deflated state, may be inserted into the backdraft cavity of the sand core and then inflated to grip and become locked to the sand core.

Abstract: The upper level of the pouring conveyor receives sand molds and conveys the empty molds to a pouring station wherein molten material is deposited therein to form castings. Each mold is provided with a supportive weight and jacket before pouring. After the castings have been poured, the molds are transferred to the lower level of the pouring conveyor for cooling purposes, and then back to the upper level to remove the weight and jacket. The sand molds are then transferred to the upper level of the cooling conveyor and are deposited into trays provided on the cooling conveyor. Each tray is adapted to receive a plurality of molds to enable the molds to move from serial to parallel movement. An indexable pusher arm is provided to accurately place each mold in a respective tray to insure proper spacing for uniform cooling. After each tray has traversed the upper and lower levels of the cooling conveyor, the molds are removed from the trays and the sand is broken away to reveal the castings for harvest.

Abstract: The ram device forces back components of a die cast machine, having platens that come together to form a product or cast, in order to free products from between the platens. The device has a base and a stem, wherein the stem is longitudinally connected to the base. The base can be releasably attached to a face of a die half wherein the stem is positioned opposite the component to be forced back. The die halves are closed together until a top of the stem engages the component to be moved and the force of the closing die halves is transferred through the ram device to force the component back.

Abstract: Improvements in metallurgical conversion in accordance with the present intion consist in the preparation of a semifinished item (a charge stock) in the form of a pig by forming thereof in a molding box of a casting machine from a solid filler, for the most part an oxidizing agent, and a liquid pig iron followed by cooling, provided said solid filler and said liquid pig iron undergo, in the process of forming, an action which prevents the floating up of the solid filler in the liquid pig iron. Such an action is effected both by applying a mechanical force, in particular by providing a casting machine with a cantilever (8) having a hollow roller (9) which rests on a molding box (2) and a weighting material (10), and by choosing relative dimensions of the solid filler pieces and selecting a rate of pig casting. Optimal conditions for using such semifinished item for metallurgical conversion which in accordance with the present invention is carried out in oxygen converters and arc furnaces are described.

Abstract: A cast sand aeration apparatus is provided that is equipped with rotating pins with reduced wear. The apparatus consists of rod-like rotating pins, each of which is vertically cut out along a plane h offset toward the direction of rotation by 15-25 degrees relative to the axis of the rotating shaft so as to form a rod-like pin with a flat portion.

Abstract: A sow lifter includes a vacuum hood with a gasket which establishes a seal between the hood and a sow to be lifted from a mold. Preferably, the gasket is of a circular cross section before use and includes a core of a first material surrounded by a high temperature resistant fabric. The gasket is detachably mounted to the vacuum hood. A sow gripper may be provided and may take the form of fluid cylinder actuated arms with sow gripping elements. The gripping elements are shiftable from a first position in which the elements are not positioned beneath a lifted sow to a second position in which the gripping elements are at least partially positioned beneath the sow. The sow lifter is preferably utilized in combination with a sow train to facilitate the cyclical removal of at least partially solidified sows from cars or molds in the train as such molds pass a sow removal location.

Abstract: Tooling for injection molding a wax pattern in connection with investment casting of a metal wood golf club head, in which the golf club head is a positive duplicate of the wax pattern and has a body having an exterior, a hollow interior accessible through an orifice, a weld rim surrounding the orifice, and at least one gate disposed on the weld rim. The tooling includes collapsible core means having a shape complementary to the interior of the golf club head and the wax pattern. The collapsible core means may be disassembled and removed from a wax pattern formed around the core means. The tooling also includes a tooling body that defines a sealable wax pattern cavity that is complementary to the exterior of the golf club head and includes passage means to allow injection of molten wax into the cavity.

Abstract: A mold sand is regenerated with or without mixing with new sand and followed by the addition of binder to it by fluidizing the sand in a chamber as it passes from an inlet to an outlet which can be a step or downcomer opening into the mixer. Compressed air is forced from below through the sand and entrains away small particles while coarse particles or heavy pieces are collected in a discharge unit which can be opened from time to time to carry away the coarse materials.

Abstract: A thermal radiation baffle for apparatus for use in directional solidification of crystalline material, to be mounted at one end of a furnace, and to allow a mould containing the material in molten form to pass through, has at least one clamped layer of interconnected flexible strips of refractory material. Each such layer has an ordered construction, for example, with the strips being interwoven, or knitted; and has one or more slits therein. At least substantially the whole of each slit is inclined at a significant angle to the strips, so that the strips do not become detached or worn in use, but the layer is capable of resiliently engaging the sides of, for example, an irregularly shaped mould. A slit may be provided between two separate, but adjacent, pieces of the layer.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a casting ring former for forming molds for dental prosthesis products, such as artificial teeth, dental bridges, etc. The casting ring former according to the invention, which represents an improvement with regard to the casting cuvettes known so far is characterized in that they are removed from the mold prior to heat treatment, solves the given technical problem through the use of a specially formed base which may be provided with two nipple-shaped protuberances and two oppositely lying bulges according to a first variant, or up to three pairs of nipple-shaped protuberances and oppositely lying bulges according to a second variant, where in the base thus formed an undulate tape is placed and removed after the mold has cooled and the mold is taken off the base.

Abstract: An apparatus for deburring foundry cores (3) and similar workpieces, comprising a vibration device, a stationary base (10) which carries the vibration device, and a deburring template (4), is designed and constructed for an effective deburring with a reduced risk of damage to the workpiece, and with less wear on tools such that the vibrating movement of the vibration device occurs exclusively in vertical direction, and that a clearance is absent between the contours of the cores (3) to be deburred and the contours of the deburring template (4), so that the burr is cut off as the core (3) passes through the deburring template (4).

Abstract: A cassette for a device for continuously casting liquid metal between two parallel rolls, the cassette includes a metal case which has a lateral wall and is open on a side of the case, and plate of refractory material which may be preheated before casting the liquid metal. The refractory plate is preshaped in such a manner so to define a free space between the periphery of the plate and the lateral wall of the case. The cassette is provided with an arrangement for fixing and gripping the plate and exerting an elastically yieldable opposing action allowing free expansion of the plate within the case.

Abstract: A paper sleeve and system for application as an insulated riser in a sand mold used to cast metal articles is disclosed. The sleeve, preferably cylindrical, is formed from a plurality of sheets of paper wrapped around one another with, preferably, a space between the edges of each sheet to provide a plurality of spaces or openings extending through the sleeve. Each sheet is treated with a precise amount of fire retardant. The sleeve for a given time period acts as an insulator keeping metal therein liquid until the metal solidifies in the article forming cavity of the sand mold and thereafter decomposes or reduces itself to a harmless carbon ash. The sleeve can function to both feed liquid metal to the article forming cavity in a sand mold and also to supply additional liquid metal to the article cavity upon solidification of the metal therein to eliminate the need for separate risers as now required in conventional foundry practice.

Abstract: A gas-permeable form tool for manufacturing casting and core moulds from hardenable moulding sand includes a heteroporous, open-pore material. The wall of the tool contains a first fine-pore layer region adjacent to the moulding sand with a thickness of about 0.2-2 mm and a material density of about 75% to 95% of theoretical specific density and a pore diameter of about 50 .mu.m. The first fine-pore layer comes in contact with a second, large-pore supporting skeleton having a theoretical material density of less than 80% of theoretical specific density and a median pore diameter of more than 100 .mu.m.

Abstract: An impact rotor arranged concentrically to the axis of a drum has preferably four beating blades which are wave-shaped on the outer peripheral side.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the dispersion medium in a metal or ceramic molded body which comprises a dispersion medium-removing vessel includes a condensing zone located in a upper part and a boiling zone located in a lower part, a separator to separater a solvent in the dispersion medium solution discharged from the vessel by heating the solution at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the solvent to evaporate it, the boiling zone being connected with the separator through a pipe to transport the dispersion medium solution and a pipe to transport the vaporized solvent to form a circuit, and a pump provided in the circuit. In the apparatus since the dispersion medium is removed in the boiling solvent, keeping a constant temperature is easy. The dispersion medium is promptly removed by contacting it with a solution of which the concentration of the dispersion medium is always low due to continuous removal of the dispersion medium in the separator. Since the boiling point of the solvent is about 20.

Abstract: Worn interior wall surfaces of a sand casting flask cope or drag frame are resurfaced by covering the surfaces with thin, metal liner plates. The liner plates are bolted to the flask walls by bolts that extend through bolt holes in the liner plates and walls. The bolt holes through the plates are provided with deep countersinks for receiving the bolt heads and spacing the bolt heads beneath the exposed inner faces of the plates. Molten weld material is applied in such spaces for welding the bolts to the plates. A thin, hard coating of metal, such as chrome plating, is applied over the liner plate inner face and exposed weld material at the countersinks. Thereafter, the liner plate is removably fastened upon the inner surfaces of the flask frame by extending the bolts through the bolt holes in the frame wall and securing them in place with suitable nuts.

Abstract: A system for preparing a self-hardening casting mold including a mass of sand which contains an organic binder and which has a pattern-contact layer having a surface for contact with a pattern disposed in a flask. The pattern defines a cavity into which a melt is poured to produce a cast product. The mold further includes a mass of ceramic balls placed on the pattern-contact layer of the sand mass. The system includes a temperature adjusting device for regulating the temperature of the mass of ceramic balls prior to introduction thereof into the flask, so as to control the hardening rate of mass of sand in the flask, a separating device operable on a mixture of sand and ceramic balls obtained from the mold after the cast product is produced by the mold with the pattern removed. The separating device separates the ceramic ball from the sand, and supplies the ceramic balls to the temperature adjusting device.

Abstract: A lifting and turning unit for a melting or casting plant. The lifting and turning unit for a deposit stand, preferably a table, for ingot molds of a vacuum melting and casting plant is provided. The unit consists of a tubular, vertically arranged lifter column that is axially movable with a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit and that has its upper end carrying the ingot mold table. A guide system composed of guide columns and of a yoke is provided. The guide columns serve for guiding the lifter column and for protecting the lifter column against twisting. The drive for the rotation of the rotatable ingot mold table is connected to the lifter column away from the harsh chamber environment. The unit provides an extremely low maintenance lifting and turing device wherein the longitudinal movements and the rotary movements can be executed separately from one another and thus allow for an exact positioning of the table.

Abstract: A powder feeder for continuous casting is provided with a powder container for storing casting powder in the final stage prior to being supplied onto a molten steel surface, and a spreading feeder for spreading the casting powder on the molten steel surface in a mold. The powder container is arranged above the head of an operator in the operator work area, the spreading feeder is supported and manipulated by a robot arm, and powder is supplied to the spreading feeder from the discharge port of the powder container through a flexible transfer path which can follow the movement of the robot arm.

Abstract: The apparatus consists of a weight iron (1) with a plane bottom face designed to rest on the top side (3) of the upper mold of a two part sand mold set (2,6), and a clamping plate (4, 5) located at either side of the closed mold parts (2, 6). The bottom face (7) of the lower mold (6) rests on a transport device (8). The apparatus also includes L-shaped arms (9, 10), which pivot with respect to the weight iron (1) and the two side clamping plates (4, 5). The two L-shaped arms (9, 10) are placed opposite to each other in a vertical plane through the mold parts (2, 6). The arms (9, 10) are laterally off-set and pivot with the weight iron (1) at points (16, 17).

Abstract: The apparatus comprises two containers, which are adapted to be connected to a vacuum pump. The upper container contains a rotationally symmetrical guiding body. A distributing space is defined by the shell of the upper container and the closed peripheral surface of the guiding body and extends from the cover of the upper container to pipe lengths, which terminate at their lower end over cups arranged in the lower container. As a result, the apparatus permits an economical making of molds in series and meets the requirements arising in practice regarding the batchwise processing of batches in quantities which vary within an extremely wide range.

Abstract: A paper sleeve and system for application as an insulated riser in a sand mold used to cast metal articles is disclosed. The sleeve, preferably cylindrical, is formed from a plurality of sheets of paper wrapped around one another with, preferably, a space between the edges of each sheet to provide a plurality of spaces or openings extending through the sleeve. Each sheet is treated with a precise amount of fire retardant. The sleeve for a given time period acts as an insulator keeping metal therein liquid until the metal solidifies in the article forming cavity of the sand mold and thereafter decomposes or reduces itself to a harmless carbon ash. The sleeve can function to both feed liquid metal to the article forming cavity in a sand mold and also to supply additional liquid metal to the article cavity upon solidification of the metal therein to eliminate the need for separate risers as now required in conventional foundry practice.

Abstract: A core pinning machine (1) includes a rotatable wire cutting apparatus (6) which comprises a housing (10), a cylinderical shank (13) rotatable within the housing, a cutter (18) with a sharp edged orifice (20) abutted to an end of the shank and a wire guide passage (17) located within the shank parallel to and offset from a central longitudinal axis (16) of the shank. The passage is rotatably alignable with the cutting orifice, allowing passage of the wire through the wire cutting apparatus. The wire cutting apparatus is disposed in a heater (25) which heats the wire as it passes therethrough, with the heated wire then inserted into a wax pattern (7) until a core (8) is contacted. A timer controller (2) registers the stop, and, after a delay, signals an actuator (23) to rotate the shank, which causes misalignment of the passage with the cutter, severing the wire against the sharp edge of the orifice.

Abstract: A core handling apparatus includes an upright, tubular frame adapted for being suspended from an overhead hoist. A pair of upright air cylinders are fixed to opposite sides of the frame and each includes a reciprocable rod. Upper and lower shafts are respectively rotatably mounted in upper and lower end portions of the frame. A first length of roller chain is engaged with a first sprocket mounted on the upper shaft and has its opposite ends coupled to the respective upper ends of the piston rods of the pair of cylinders while a second length of roller chain is engaged with a second sprocket mounted on the lower shaft and has its opposite ends coupled to the respective lower ends of the piston rods. A mandrel plate is fixed for rotation with the lower shaft and is adapted for having various core handling attachments releasably secured thereto.

Abstract: A steel manufacturing system such as a mini-steel plant includes a series of treatment stations, one of which is a furnace which preferably receives scrap as the starting material. In order to significantly reduce the volume of the buildings needed for the steel manufacturing system, and thus the investment costs, the treatment stations are arranged in a furnace hall whose cross section is substantially adapted to the components of the treatment stations. With respect to the flow of material and the centers of the stations, each treatment stations is disposed along a straight line with an adjacent station. The steel manufacturing system also includes a continuous caster which is disposed in a casting hall and which receives molten steel from the furnace hall.

Abstract: The carriage comprises two sets of motor-driven rollers receiving and expelling the tools or boxes of cores. The carriage further includes a rolling frame having wheels driven by a reduction motor. A further reduction motor is provided in each of two operative sectors of the carriage, which activates a corresponding group of rollers through an intermediary transmission shaft. The carriage also has handling devices for the tools in order to permit and facilitate their periodic cleaning. The handling devices each include a support on which a tiltable arm is assembled, which is activated by a hydraulic cylinder. A plate is positioned on the arm on guides. The plate has clamps to secure the tool or box of cores. The plate is moved by a hydraulic cylinder. The structure may be used for boxes of cores with vertical opening and with the boxes having a horizontal opening as well.

Abstract: Molten metal is poured in an open top basin that communicates via a sprue with a cavity or expendable pattern in a mold to fill the cavity and partially fill the basin. After the casting metal has solidified through the gating that connects the sprue to the cavity, a tapered heat transfer member is introduced into the molten metal in the basin. A cooling medium is passed through the heat transfer member to extract heat from the metal in the basin and correspondingly cool the metal casting, thereby decreasing the cooling period prior to shakeout.

Abstract: A consumable tent which is positioned above a metal mold before pouring of the molten metal. The tent is formed of one or more sheets of corrugated stock which angle is downwardly and outwardly of the mold to deflect sand away from the mold interior. The tent defines an opening spanned by a cover which is consumed by the molten metal to allow the metal to reach the mold through the opening.

Abstract: A casting bench useful in casting limited quantities of articles includes a top base plate grooved longitudinally to receive opposed sliding cages each advanced by a corresponding first rack assembly. Each sliding cage, moreover, carries with it a corresponding second rack assembly useful in advancing lateral core plugs. Thus, exterior casting forms may be fixed to the sliding cages which then advance the cores for casting. The base plate may be releasably fixed to support legs and the whole structure may be disassembled for storage.

Abstract: Lifting mechanism for casting molds in precision founding furnaces with a melting facility disposed in a melting chamber and a transfer chamber disposed below the melting chamber. The lifting mechanism has a mold table centrally disposed below the casting mold with a lifting rod and a vertical guiding mechanism. The driving mechanism for the lifting rod comprises a rapid driving mechanism and a precision driving mechanism which is connected in series with the rapid driving mechanism. At the vertical guiding mechanism, a carriage is guided, which can be moved by the rapid driving mechanism into at least two specifiable positions. The precision driving mechanism is mounted on the carriage and can be raised and lowered together with said carriage and is connected to the lifting rod of the mold table.

Abstract: The invention relates to a core or shell bundling machine for the fully automatic assembly of bundles of cores or shells in foundry work, and consists of a removal apparatus for the cores/shells, a pivot apparatus, an adhesive application system, a bundling apparatus and an immersion device.By means of the machine described in the invention, the cores/shells coming from a core and shell shooting machine are immediately combined or bundled in accordance with the cycle time of a machine of this type.

Abstract: A metal plunger tip for use in aluminum die casting operations includes a cylindrical body having an axially extending cavity therein and a shank of smaller diameter extending axially from the body for connection to a control rod. The plunger tip has at least one outwardly-facing safety indicator surface located at which a point intermediate the inside and outside diameters of the body, for the purpose of indicating the extent to which the outer surface of the body can be machined without reducing the wall thickness to an unsafe dimension.

Abstract: A method is described for indexing a polyform block in which a metal field shaping block is cast to both the cutting tray of a hot wire cutting system and the treatment tray of a radiation therapy treatment machine. The cast metal field shaping block is automatically correctly oriented for treatment. A cooling tray for cooling the casting is also described.

Abstract: In a process for reclaiming foundry scrap sand, containing organic and inorganic binders, the comminuted foundry sand is precleaned in a dry state by allowing it to impinge and/or by grain-against-grain friction, is regenerated by thermal treatment, and is subsequently subjected to a final cleaning in the dry state, separated slurry materials being separated from the regenerate by a gas stream. An apparatus for conducting the process comprises a rotary drum (5, 46, 107) and/or a shotblasting cleaner (102) for precleaning, a fluidized-bed furnace (9, 51, 108) for thermal regeneration, and a further rotary drum (10, 59, 109) and/or a further shotblasting cleaner (151) for the final cleaning, and is accommodated in several container-type vessels (I through IX) which latter can be set up in superimposed relationship.

Abstract: A method of regenerating old casting sand consists of the steps of introducing essentially dry, used casting sand into a single container, then simultaneously subjecting the sand to rapid heating and extreme turbulence by directing a gas flame against the sand having a temperature of at least 1400.degree. C. (2550.degree. F.) along a first axis, rotating a crushing tool about a second axis parallel to the first axis and positioned such that the crushing tool does not pass through the gas flame and rotating the container about a third axis, parallel to the first and second axes. In a preferred embodiment, the container is cylindrical in shape and the third axis is inclined from the vertical at an angle of between 10.degree. and 60.degree., thereby creating upper and lower zones. The burner flame preferably is directed to the sand in the lower zone and the crushing tool is positioned to operate in the upper zone.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a one piece interlock forming member used in metal casting, comprising a tapered member adapted to fit in the match plate, which is used in the core or mold forming process in such metal casting operations; the subject interlock forming member comprises a cylindrical member with a conically shaped upper portion, constituting the male member, with a conically shaped chamber inside the lower cylindrical portion, such chamber constituting the female portion, and which interlock forming member shapes corresponding male and female interlocks in the drag and cope sections of the flask used in metal casting.

Abstract: The cope flask and drag platen of a matchplate molding machine are supported for up and down movement on vertical guide rails by sliding bearings or slippers located adjacent to corners of the flask and the platen. Each slipper includes a mounting block and a separate bearing pad connected to the mounting block by screws which may be independently adjusted to establish uniform face-to-face contact between the bearing pad and the rail. The screws also may be quickly released to enable removal and replacement of the bearing pad without disturbing the position of the mounting block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus to be used in the reclamation of foundry sand. Mold flasks containing foundry sand shaped by a pattern to form a cavity into which molten metal has been poured are, after the metal has set, subjected to greatly reduced atmospheric pressure whereby to cause the moisture in the foundry sand to evaporate into water vapor, thereby removing moisture and heat from the sand so that the particles can be reused free of lumps or clumping of sand.

Abstract: A disposable sprue cup for use in a metal casting process using a mold pattern embedded in unbound process sand having a grain size, the disposable sprue cup being made of bonded sand having a grain size substantially equal to the grain size of the process sand and having a binder that breaks down under the heat of resident metal remaining in the cup after the casting process is completed.

Abstract: A device and method for the insertion of commercial grade separators into the mold of a continuous steel caster. The present invention discloses a device made from standard steel channel and a method for the use thereof to mechanically insert grade separators.

Abstract: The method for transporting wax structure between first and second positions, and including (a) a support relatively movable into adjacency to said structure, (b) prong means associated with said support and movable relative thereto between retracted and advanced positions, the steps that include (i) advancing said prong means in non-parallel direction into said advanced position penetrating said wax structure, and (ii) displacing said support and prong means to transport said wax structure.

Abstract: A blow plate and/or blow nozzle automatic cleaning device for use in molding machine comprising a blow plate turning, sand-discharging device consisting of a blow plate holding and turning frame which is turned 90.degree. on the fulcrum provided at one end of the lifting frame equipped with the lifting cylinder, and a compressed air injection mechanism which is arranged opposite to the fulcrum side and movable in its horizontal direction.

Abstract: A mold weight for use with foundry sand molds comprises a frame assemblage including a pair of spaced frame members connected by rods. A plurality of segmental weight elements are disposed between the frame members and carried by the rods. The weight elements are further disposed to avoid the area of the mold surface that contains the down sprues. The frame members and weight elements are movable, within limits relative to the connecting rods and to each other. Weight elements are made available in a plurality of lengths so that the mold weight configuration can be varied in contemplation of sand molds requiring different down sprue locations.