GB2045660A

GB2045660A - Flask moulding machine with sand slinging and compression

Info

Publication number: GB2045660A
Application number: GB8007402A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-03-12
Filing date: 1980-03-05
Publication date: 1980-11-05
Also published as: FR2451240B1; GB2045660B; FR2451240A1; IT7920923A0; CH638121A5; DE3008777A1; IT1111713B; JPS55122650A

Abstract

A foundry moulding machine, in which sand is fed to pattern containing flasks and compressed therein includes at least one line for feeding empty flasks and for dispatching full flasks, means for moving the plate holders and the pattern plates in a direction transverse to said line from a position outside to a moulding position inside the machine and viceversa, and means for withdrawing the patterns from the flasks constituted by a table which can be raised and lowered and which is disposed in the moulding position below said movement means. The movement means have rigid means to support the flasks at a level raised relative to the plate holders and to their pattern plates.

Description

SPECIFICATION Flask moulding machine with sand slinging and compression This invention relates to a flask moulding machine with sand slinging and compression.

In known moulding machines of this kind, the empty flasks are fed and the full (moulded) flasks are despatched to the subsequent processes in various ways.

Moulding machines exist in which the flasks are fed to the moulding machine and then despatched to subsequent processes along one and the same line, which traverses the machine and at one end of which the empty flasks arrive in continuous succession, the full flasks then leaving from the other end in continuous succession. In this case the pattern is withdrawn from the flasks inside the machine, in the moulding position, by the pattern plate being made to descend to a lower lower than the level of the flask conveying line.

The drawback of this arrangement consists of the fact that as the full flasks must be handled with care, and as these full flasks are pushed by the empty arriving flasks, the speed of movement of the flasks along the conveying line must be relatively low, with a feed time which is consequently long and which is added to the time of the machine moulding cycle, so lowering its productivity.

Moulding machines are also known in which the empty flasks are fed either centrally towards the moulding position or laterally with subsequent movement transversely into the moulding position, whereas the full flasks are despatched to subsequent processes by a lateral movement towards the outside of the machine, where the pattern is also withdrawn.

By this system, the empty flasks can be fed rapidly without having to take account of delicate handling of the full flasks, but there is the drawback of having to withdraw the pattern outside the machine where it is not possible to utilise its rigidity to provide reliable guiding of the flasks and pattern plates in their relative movement during this very delicate stage.

In this respect, during pattern withdrawal, and in particular during its initial stage, if the separation of the flask from the pattern plate does not take place in such a manner that the - two elements are perfectly guided in their relative movement, preferably in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the pattern plate, there is the danger of damaging the mould inside the flask. Consequently if the flask is lifted from the pattern plate to separate them from each other either manually or by means of a lifting member, there is a serious risk of destroying or damaging the mould inside the flask.

In consideration of this, it is apparent that the second system mentioned gives no effective advantage over the first, if the complication which said system introduces into the pattern withdrawal stage is taken into account.

There is therefore the problem of separating the despatch of the full flasks to their subsequent processes from the feed of the empty flasks, so as to allow rapid feed of the empty flasks and thus not excessively increase the overall production cycle of the machine by the feed time, so allowing the maximum possible time for the delicate operation of conveying the full flasks from which the pattern has been withdrawn without this making the pattern withdrawal operation too complicated.

This problem is solved according to the present invention by a flask moulding machine with sand slinging and compression, comprising at least one line for feeding empty flasks and for despatching the full flasks to their subsequent processes, means for moving the plate holders and their pattern plates, in a direction transverse to said line, from a position outside the machine to a moulding position inside the machine and vice versa, and means for withdrawing the pattern from the flasks, wherein in said moulding machine the pattern withdrawal means are constituted by a known table which can be raised and lowered and which is disposed inside the machine in the moulding position below said movement means, and means rigid with said movement means and arranged to support the flasks at a level raised relative to the plate holders and to their pattern plates.

Said transverse movement means can be constituted by a carriage movable with reciprocating motion in a direction transverse to the flask feed line and carrying two plate holders with their pattern plates which are moved alternately into the moulding position inside the machine and into positions to the sides thereof.

Said movement means can also be constituted by a platform rotatable about a vertical axis parallel to the central axis of the machine, with at least two plate holders and their pattern plates which again in this case are moved alternately into the moulding position inside the machine and into a position outside thereof.

Characteristically according to the invention, said movable carriage or said rotatable platform are provided at each plate holder with means for supporting a flask at a level raised relative to the plate holder and to its pattern plate, these means being constituted either by pins or by support rollers rigid with the carriage or platform.

The empty flasks can be fed either centrally, i.e. directly into the moulding position, or laterally by means of a roller line, and the full moulded flasks can be despatched to their subsequent processes in each case from either one or both sides of the machine.

The moulding machine according to the invention obviates the initially stated drawbacks of known moulding machines by combining their advantages and enabling a considerably increased productivity to be obtained. In this respect, because of the at least partial pattern withdrawal from the flasks inside the machine and the movement of the flasks to the outside with their patterns already withdrawn, it is possible on the one hand to rapidly feed the empty flasks, and on the other hand to handle the full flasks with their patterns already withdrawn with all the care necessary, as the entire moulding cycle time is available for this operation.

Partial or total pattern withdrawal from the flasks is carried out inside the machine by lowering the flask assembly and plate holder with its pattern plate by means of the lowerable and raisable table until the lowering of the flask is halted by the support means rigid with the carriage or rotatable platform, while the plate holder is further lowered with consequent separation of the pattern from the mould in the flask.

As stated, pattern withdrawal can either be partial or total according to the height at which said flask support means are located relative to the completely lowered position of the plate holder and its pattern plate. If pattern withdrawal is only partial, after having been moved laterally to the outside of the machine together with the plate holder, the full flask must be again raised by any suitable means in order to free it completely from the pattern plate before despatching it to the subsequent processing stages. However, this raising of the flask from which the pattern has already been partially withdrawn can be carried out rapidly and without difficulty as the pattern has already been previously separated from the mould inside the machine.If pattern withdrawal inside the machine is total, after the lateral movement of the full flask supported by the support means rigid with the carriage or rotatable platform, the flask can be despatched directly to the subsequent processing stages.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention'will be apparent from the description of some embodiments of the moulding machine given hereinafter by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a flask moulding machine with sand slinging and compression, comprising a rotatable platform for supporting the plate holders; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the moulding machine of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a side view, analogous to Fig. 1, of a moulding machine comprising a movable carriage for supporting the plate holders; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the moulding machine of Fig. 3; and Figures 5 to 10 illustrate various successive moulding and pattern withdrawal stages carried out by the moulding machines of the preceding figures.

The flask moulding machine with sand slinging and compression is a machine well known in the art, because of which in the accompanying drawings those parts not specifically concerned with the present invention are not shown. In particular, in Figs. 1 and 3, the moulding machine is shown only by means of its outline, and is indicated overall by the reference numeral 10.

The moulding machine of Fig. 1 is provided with a platform 11 for supporting the plate holders 12, 13, this platform being rotatable about a machine upright 14.

Conversely, the machine of Fig. 3 comprises a carriage 1 5 movably transversely on rails 1 6 between limit stops 1 7 and 18, and carrying the plate holders 1 9 and 20.

In either case, a plate holder can be moved into a moulding position inside the moulding machine by the angular or straight-line movements of the means for supporting the plate holders, while simultaneously the other plate holder becomes moved to outside the moulding machine.

In the case of the rotatable platform, the outside position is always on the same side of the moulding machine, while in the case of the movable carriage, one outer position is on one side and the other on the other side of the moulding machine. This is particularly clear from Figs. 2 and 4. These figures also show diagrammatically how the moulding machine with the rotatable platform (Fig. 2) can comprise a roller line 21 for laterally feeding the empty flasks, and a roller line 22, representing an extension of the first, for despatching the.full flasks towards their subsequent processing stages, both these lines being on that side of the moulding machine on which there is also said outer position.In contrast, the moulding machine with the movable carriage (Fig. 4) can have two lateral feed lines for empty flasks, indicated by 23 and 24, and two roller lines 25, 26 as an extension thereof for despatching the full flasks towards their subsequent processing stages.

Characteristically, according to the present invention, the full flasks have their patterns withdrawn inside the moulding machine in the moulding position, and are then moved to the outside either on the rotatable platform or on the movable carriage, to be then despatched to their subsequent processing stages.

Figs. 5 to 10 show the moulding and pattern withdrawal stages in the position inside the moulding machine. In particular, these figures show the support means 30 for the plate holder 31, these support means being either the rotatable platform 11 of Figs.

1 and 2 or the carriage 1 5 of Figs. 3 and 4.

Each plate holder 31 is centred on the support means 30 by pins 32, and carries the plate 33 with the pattern 34. The flask 36 is centred by other pins 35 rigid with the plate holder 31. In addition, the support means 30 comprise pins 37 rigid therewith, on which the flask 36 can rest and which serve for the partial pattern withdrawal therefrom, as will be explained hereinafter.

In addition, Figs. 5 to 10 also show the following parts of the moulding machine: the table 38 which can be raised and lowered by hydraulic means, the sand slinging cap 39 and the compression frame 40 which can slide to a limited extent on the slinging cap.

The successive moulding and pattern withdrawal stages take place in the following manner.

The plate holder 31 and its pattern plate 33, 34 resting on the support means 30, and the empty flask 36 resting on the pins 37 are moved into the moulding position (Fig. 5), after which the table 38 begins its rising stroke, firstly raising the plate holder 31 with its pattern plate until it is brought into contact with the flask 36 (Fig. 6). The table 38 is further raised to also raise the flask 36 until it is brought into contact with the frame 40 (Fig.

7). The sand is then slung in this position, with consequent filling of the space around the pattern 34 bounded by the model plate 33, the flask 36, the frame 40 and the slinging cap 39. The table 38 then makes a further upward movement to move the frame 40 along the slinging cap 39, with consequent compression of the sand or earth inside the flask 36 (Fig. 8).

The table 38 is then lowered, the frame 40 returns to its initial position, and the plate holder 31 descends until the flask 36 rests on the pins 37 (Fig. 9). Further lowering of the table 38 and thus of the plate holder 31 leads to partial pattern withdrawal (Fig. 10) and separation of the pattern 34 and its plate 33 from the mould inside the flask 36. The plate holder 31 is perfectly guided during this movement, because there is no danger of damaging the mould, and it stops when it comes to rest on the support means 30.

The suport means (rotatable platform or carriage) move the plate holder 31 just used and the full flask 36 from which the pattern has been withdrawn and which is supported by the pins 37, from the inner moulding position to an outer position, whereas simultaneously another plate holder and an empty flask are moved into the moulding position, and a new operating cycle of the moulding machine can begin.

The entire duration time of the moulding and pattern withdrawal cycle is now available for handling the full flask towards the subsequent processing stages.

In the case of partial pattern withdrawal from the flask as heretofore described, the flask can be withdrawn by any suitable means from its support means outside the moulding machine, and disposed upon the despatch line to the further processing stages (see for example arrow 50 in Fig. 2). This operation gives rise to no particular difficulty as the pattern is already partly removed from the flask. An empty flask can then be withdrawn from the feed line (for example the flask 21 of Fig. 2) and disposed on the support means above the plate holder in the outer position (see arrow 51). These operations are carried out while the operational cycle is taking place inside the moulding machine, so that the time used for these operations does not become added to the operating cycle time.

Fig. 3 shows the case in which the pattern is totally withdrawn inside the moulding machine, by spacing the full flask from the pattern plate by such an amount as to free the flask completely from the pattern.

In this case, instead of the support pins 37 for the flask 36, supports 45 rigid with the carriage 1 5 can be provided carrying rollers 42 designed to support the flask 36 on the two sides. As can be seen, the flask 36 supported by the rollers 42 is completely freed from the pattern 34, so that in order to despatch it to the roller line 25 or 26 (Fig. 4) no lifting is necessary. The same is true for feeding the empty flasks arriving from the roller lines 23 or 24.

Again in this latter case it is apparent that the entire time of one operating cycle of the moulding machine is available for handling a full flask and for feeding an empty flask, and the time necessary for these operations is not added to the operating cycle time.

The invention therefore leads to a considerable increase in productivity of a moulding machine, without this detracting from the precision and reliability of the pattern withdrawal operation.

Whereas in the cases considered the empty flasks are fed laterally, placed on the rotatable platform or carriage and then moved into the moulding position together with the plate holder, it is also possible to provide central feeding of the empty flasks directly into the moulding position inside the machine. In this case it is necessary only to dispose the last portion of the roller guide for the empty flask feed, i.e. the terminal portion, into the moulding position, such as to allow mutual withdrawal of the relative rollers so as to make it possible for the flask, taken from the plate holder during the lifting stage, to be lowered subsequently during the descent of the plate holder until it comes to rest on the support means rigid wth the rotatable platform or movable carriage.

The invention has been illustrated with reference to some embodiments given by way of non-limiting example, and is susceptible to numerous modifications available to the expert within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A flask moulding machine with sand slinging and compression, with pattern plates supported by plate holders, comprising at least one line for feeding empty flasks and for despatching the full flasks to their subsequent processes, means for moving the plate holders and their pattern plates, in a direction transverse to said line, from a position outside the machine to a moulding position inside the machine and vice versa, and means for withdrawing the pattern from the flasks, wherein the pattern withdrawal means are constituted by a known table which can be raised and lowered and which is disposed inside the machine in the moulding position below the movement means, and means rigid with said movement means and arranged to support the flasks at a level raised relative to the plate holders and to their pattern plates.

2. A moulding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flask support means are constituted by support pins.

3. A moulding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flask support means are constituted by rollers.

4. A moulding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means have a height such that when a flask is resting on them and the plate holder is lowered on to the movement means, the pattern still lies within the flask.

5. A moulding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means have a height such that when a flask is resting on -them and the plate holder is lowered on to the movement means, the pattern is completely extracted from the flask.

6. A moulding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement means are constituted by a movable carriage which supports two plate holders.

7. A moulding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement means are constituted by a rotatable platform which supports at least two plate holders.

8. A moulding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a despatch line for the full flasks from which the pattern has been withdrawn leaves from at least one side of the machine.

9. A moulding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a feed line for empty flasks arrives on at least one side of the machine.

1 0. A moulding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a feed line for empty flasks arrives centrally as far as the moulding position inside the machine, the terminal portion of said line at said moulding position being openable in order to enable the full flasks to descend as far as said support means.