EP0238428B1 - Core blowing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A support comprising table receives core boxes of variable size. A shooting head adapts automatically to the size of the core boxes. A gassing head adapts automatically to the size of the core boxes.

Description

The present invention relates to a machine for drawing foundry cores comprising a device for supporting core boxes, a firing head and a gassing head.

The machines of the prior art have many drawbacks.

Indeed, on certain machines, it is only possible to mount one dimension of the core box for a given adjustment of the machine. This means that if a part to be molded requires several different cores, the molding of said part can only start when all the cores are produced, unless working on a number of machines corresponding to the number of cores which the part comprises. In the first case, it will be necessary to provide a storage location for the various manufactured cores until the molding of the parts can actually begin. This storage obviously poses major problems. In the second case, it will be necessary to have a fleet of several machines for drawing cores and to block all this fleet for the manufacture of cores from a single given piece.

In addition, some machines only accept core boxes of a well-defined size, so that when renewing the machine fleet, it may happen that the existing core boxes can no longer be used on new machines.

In addition, if a machine park comprises different machines each accepting core boxes of a well-defined size, there will be obvious problems in the event of peak manufacturing periods, given that a machine cannot generally accept a box for another machine.

This then obviously results in very great rigidity in the manufacture of the cores, and high production costs which are difficult to accept.

Moreover, on many types of existing machines, the disassembly of the core box to recover the manufactured core, the reassembly of said core box and the gassing are generally not done in masked time, which also considerably increases the times of production and consequently production costs.

Finally, the machines of the prior art are built for a well-defined use. Thus, there are machines more specially adapted to work in large series, while others are more specially adapted to reduced series.

The aim of the present invention is to create a machine for drawing foundry cores which does not have the drawbacks of machines of the prior art, that is to say which can accept boxes with cores of very different dimensions, so that this machine is very versatile and allows to make the production of cores extremely flexible.

• un dispositif support de boîtes à noyau comportant des moyens de support qui peuvent recevoir des boîtes à noyau de dimension variable,
• une tête de tir comportant des moyens d'adaptation qui permettent à la tête de tir de s'adapter automatiquement à la dimension desdites boîtes à noyau, et
• une tête de gazage comportant des moyens d'adaptation qui permettent à la tête de gazage de s'adapter automatiquement à la dimension desdites boîtes à noyau.

For this purpose, the machine for drawing foundry cores according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises in combination:

• a device for supporting core boxes comprising support means which can receive core boxes of variable size,
• a firing head comprising adaptation means which allow the firing head to automatically adapt to the size of said core boxes, and
• a gassing head comprising adaptation means which allow the gassing head to automatically adapt to the size of said core boxes.

Thanks to this combination of means, the machine for drawing cores according to the invention fully meets the set goal.

Indeed, it should first of all be noted that it makes it possible to simultaneously produce different cores, so that if a molding has several cores, the casting of the parts can begin substantially at the same time as the manufacture of the cores while using only one machine. The problems of storing cores or blocking an entire fleet of machines mentioned above are thus completely resolved.

In addition, the machine according to the invention can be used to produce cores either in large series or in reduced series. The machine can thus be adapted exactly to the series of cores to be manufactured, which makes it possible to obtain, in each case, the lowest possible costs and production times. Indeed, in the case of mass production, it is possible to equip all the workstations of the machine with identical core boxes. The machine will thus manufacture the same core all the time. In the case of reduced series, it is possible to equip each work station of the machine with a different box. The machine will thus simultaneously manufacture several different cores, but in a smaller quantity. Any intermediate case, situated between these two extreme cases, is of course conceivable. Thus, in the case of medium series, only a few machine stations will be fitted with identical boxes. The machine according to the invention is therefore, as has just been demonstrated, very flexible in use.

Moreover, since the machine according to the invention accepts boxes with a core of variable size, the buyer of a machine according to the invention can largely use the existing boxes. In this way, the machine is very quickly operational. This characteristic also makes it possible to largely resolve the problems described above which arise during peak periods.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the means of adaptation of the firing head making it possible to automatically adapt the firing head to the different core boxes, comprise means for moving the firing head, means for detecting the size of the core boxes and means for stopping the movement of the firing head towards the core box.

The sequence of adaptation of the firing head to the size of the core box is thus carried out as follows. The means for moving the firing head which comprise means for guiding the firing head and motor means moving the firing head along the guide means, cause the movement of the firing head in the direction of the box. core. The detection means detect the dimension of said core box and control the stop means which themselves act on the displacement means to stop the movement of the firing head, when the latter occupies the desired firing position.

According to the invention, the detection means and / or the means for stopping the movement of the firing head towards the core box, can advantageously be constituted by the upper face of the core box which thus serves as a stop for the firing head during its movement towards the core box. It should be noted that the detection means and the stop means can act simultaneously.

According to an additional characteristic, the means for adapting the firing head also comprise means for locking the firing head in the firing position. This allows a good collection of shocks when firing the core.

Advantageously, these means for locking the firing head are actuated by the means for stopping the firing head.

According to another additional characteristic, the machine according to the invention may also include unlocking means which automatically unlock the locking means of the firing head after the firing of the core.

The means for adapting the gassing head making it possible to automatically adapt the gassing head to the different core boxes also include means for moving the gassing head, means for detecting the size of the core box and means for stopping the movement of the gassing head.

The adaptation sequence of the gassing head is carried out in a similar way to that of the firing head. Indeed, the means for moving the gassing head which comprise means for guiding the gassing head and motor means moving the gassing head along the guide means, cause the movement of the gassing head in the direction of the core box. The detection means detect the size of the core box and control the stop means which themselves act on the displacement means to stop the movement of the gassing head, when the latter occupies the desired gassing position.

According to the invention, the detection means and / or the means for stopping the movement of the gassing head towards the core box can advantageously be constituted by the upper face of the core box which thus serves as a stop for the head of gassing when moving to the core box. It should be noted that the detection means and the stop means can act simultaneously.

According to an additional characteristic, the means for supporting the core boxes comprise means for holding the core boxes, suitable for holding core boxes of variable size.

Advantageously, these holding means can comprise automatic tightening and loosening means of the core boxes to be maintained.

According to an additional characteristic, the machine includes a calculator which makes it possible to program the number of shots, as well as the duration of the gassing that each core box requires. This computer is coupled to identification means, capable of identifying each core box.

• La figure 1 représente une vue de face schématique de la machine à tirer des noyaux selon l'invention,
• La figure 2 représente une vue suivant la flèche Il, partiellement en coupe, de la machine de la figure 1,
• La figure 3 représente une vue de face en coupe suivant III de la tête de gazage,
• La figure 4 représente une vue de dessus de la tête de gazage de la figure 3, partiellement en coupe,
• La figure 5 représente une vue de face de la tête de gazage des figures 3 et 4, en position de gazage,
• La figure 6 représente une vue suivant la flèche VI (figure 2) du portique et du chariot de la tête de tir,
• La figure 7 représente le schéma du circuit hydraulique du vérin de descente et de montée de la tête de tir,
• La figure 8 représente une vue de face en coupe suivant VIII (figure 9) de la table,
• La figure 9 représente une vue de dessus partiellement en coupe suivant IX (figure 8) de la table représentée sur la figure 8,
• La figure 10 représente une vue en coupe suivant X (figure 9) d'un appui de la table,
• La figure 11 représente une vue suivant la flèche XI (figure 10) de l'appui représenté sur la figure 10,
• La figure 12 représente une vue partielle suivant XII (figure 13) partiellement en coupe des moyens de maintien des boîtes à noyau, et
• La figure 13 représente une vue de dessus partiellement en coupe suivant XIII (figure 12) des moyens de maintien de la figure 12 et de la table.

Other characteristics of the invention appear from the subclaims and from the description below of a preferred but nonlimiting embodiment shown in the attached drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a schematic front view of the machine for drawing cores according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 represents a view along arrow II, partially in section, of the machine of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 represents a front view in section along III of the gassing head,
• FIG. 4 represents a top view of the gassing head of FIG. 3, partially in section,
• FIG. 5 represents a front view of the gassing head of FIGS. 3 and 4, in the gassing position,
• FIG. 6 represents a view along arrow VI (FIG. 2) of the gantry and the carriage of the firing head,
• FIG. 7 represents the diagram of the hydraulic circuit of the lowering and raising cylinder of the firing head,
• FIG. 8 represents a front view in section along VIII (FIG. 9) of the table,
• FIG. 9 represents a top view partially in section along IX (FIG. 8) of the table shown in FIG. 8,
• FIG. 10 represents a sectional view along X (FIG. 9) of a support of the table,
• FIG. 11 represents a view along arrow XI (FIG. 10) of the support shown in FIG. 10,
• FIG. 12 represents a partial view along XII (FIG. 13) partially in section of the means for holding the core boxes, and
• Figure 13 shows a top view partially in section along XIII (Figure 12) of the holding means of Figure 12 and the table.

The core pulling machine (1) of the invention comprises a support device (2) for core boxes (3; 4; 5; 6). This support device (2) comprises support means which are, in the example described, formed by a table (7) on the upper face (700) of which are placed the core boxes (3; 4; 5; 6). This table (7) is substantially horizontal and can rotate around an axis of rotation (8) which extends substantially vertically.

The machine (1) also comprises a gantry (9) which supports a firing head (10). This firing head (10) can move substantially vertically to be approached and removed from the table (7).

The machine (1) also further includes a bracket (11) which supports a gassing head (12). This gassing head (12) can also move substantially vertically to be approached and removed from the table (7).

The support device (2), the gantry (9) as well as the bracket (11) are linked to a base (13) which makes it possible to seal the machine (1) on the floor of a core shop.

In FIG. 1, it can also be seen that the gantry (9) also supports a hopper (14) in which there is a reserve of core sand, which can be supplied by the central reserve of the core shop. The base of this hopper (14) is provided with a hatch (15), the opening and closing of which are maneuvered by a jack (16).

The firing head (10) includes a metering device (17) which can be brought under the hatch (15) of the hopper (14), to be filled with core sand. For this purpose, the metering device (17) which is produced in the form of a small container, is mounted on slides (18) extending horizontally. The displacement of the metering device (17) along the slides (18) is carried out by a jack (19). (In Figure 1, there is shown partially in broken lines (17 ') the metering device (17) when it is under the hopper (14) to be filled with core sand).

The firing head (10) with its metering device (17) is known (for example the FOMES brand firing head) and is therefore within the reach of those skilled in the art, so that it does not will not be described in detail.

The gassing head (12) is shown in more detail in Figures 3, 4 and 5. This gassing head (12) consists of a plate (20), which has on its underside (21) a cavity (22). On the outer edge (23) of the lower face (21) of the plate (20), which delimits the cavity (22), a counter plate (24) is fixed. This counter plate (24) is provided with a number of holes (25) which pass through the counter plate (24) right through and which open into the cavity (22). The counter plate (24) also has on its lower face (26) a seal (27). This seal (27) has holes (250) which correspond to the holes (25) of the counter plate (24) and which pass through the seal (27) right through. In the plate (20) is also arranged a threaded hole (28) which passes through the plate (20) right through and which opens into the cavity (22). In the threaded hole (28) is screwed the end piece (29) of a gas supply pipe (30) which is thus fixed on the upper face (31) of the plate (20).

As said above, the firing head (10) can be approached from the table (7) by automatically adapting to the size of the core boxes (3; 4; 5; 6). This is one of the important characteristics of the machine for drawing cores (1) according to the invention. To this end, the firing head (10) and its metering device (17) are mounted on a carriage (32).

The carriage (32) appears in detail in Figures 1, 2 and 6. It consists of two beams (33; 34) which are interconnected at their upper part by two crosspieces (35; 36). Each beam (33; 34) is provided at each of its ends with a roller (37; 38). The axes of rotation (39; 40) of these rollers (37; 38) extend substantially horizontally and are contained in a plane substantially parallel to the plane (41) of the carriage (32).

Each beam (33; 34) is provided with two other rollers (42; 43; 44; 45) which extend, as visible in FIG. 6, between the rollers (37; 38). The axes of rotation (46; 47; 48; 49) of the rollers (42; 43; 44; 45) also extend substantially horizontally, but are substantially perpendicular to the plane (41) of the carriage (32).

On the lower crosspiece (36) of the carriage (32) are fixed two beams (50; 51) substantially horizontal and whose longitudinal axis extends substantially perpendicular to the plane (41) of the carriage (32). At their end remote from the crosspiece (36), the two beams (50; 51) are interconnected by a crosspiece (52). The two beams (50; 51) and the crosspiece (52) serve to fix the firing head (10) on the carriage (32), so that the axis (53) of the firing head (10) s 'extends substantially vertically.

The two beams (33; 34) of the carriage (32) are also provided with two beams (54; 55) which extend substantially parallel to the beams (50; 51). These two beams (54; 55) support the two slides (18) of the metering device (17) of the firing head (10), which extend substantially parallel to the plane (41) of the carriage (32).

The carriage (32) which has just been described, is guided in translation in the gantry (9) thanks to the rollers (37; 38) and the rollers (42; 43; 44; 45). To this end, the gantry (9) comprises two substantially vertical uprights (56; 57) which are connected together at their upper end by a crosspiece (58). The gantry (9) thus formed is fixed on the base (13).

The two uprights (56; 57) of the gantry (9) are constituted by U-shaped profiles, the open part of which is directed towards the interior of the gantry (9). These two U-shaped uprights (56; 57) serve as a guide track for the rollers (37; 38) when the carriage (32) is moved in the gantry (9). The rollers (42; 43; 44; 45) meanwhile roll on the rear wing (59) of the U-shaped uprights (56; 57) and serve to guide the carriage laterally (32). The guide tracks of the rollers (37; 38) and (42; 43; 44; 45) can advantageously be equipped with a piece of hardened steel to prevent wear.

The uprights (56; 57) of the gantry (9) also have holes (60) blocked by removable covers (61). These holes (60) allow the assembly and disassembly of the rollers (37; 38) and therefore the assembly and disassembly of the carriage (32) of the gantry (9).

The movement of the carriage (32) with the firing head (10) in the gantry (9) is effected by a jack (62) which is advantageously a hydraulic jack. This jack (62) extends substantially in the plane (41) of the carriage (32) and is fixed on the one hand to the base (13) by means of a yoke (63) and on the other hand to the lower cross member (36) of the carriage (32) by means of another yoke (64).

The supply of this jack (62) is carried out by a hydraulic circuit (620) which is shown in FIG. 7.

This circuit is supplied by a pump (65) driven by a motor (66). The pressure of the oil supplied by the pump (65) is limited by a pressure limiter (67). The circuit then comprises a distributor (68) with its four terminals (69; 70; 71; 72), its drawer with three compartments (73; 74; 75) and its two pushers (76; 77). The terminal (72) of the distributor (68) is connected to the chamber (78) of the jack (62) on the rod side of the jack by a pipe (79) comprising a piloted non-return valve (80) and a pressure switch (81). The terminal (71) of the distributor (68) is in turn connected to the other chamber (82) of the jack (62) by a line (83) comprising a piloted non-return valve (84) and a flow regulator ( 85).

The circuit which has just been described operates in the following manner. To approach the firing head (10) of the core box to be pulled, the pusher (76) of the distributor (68) is excited, which brings the compartment (73) to the terminals (69; 70; 71; 72 ). The oil supplied by the pump (65) then enters via the terminal (69), exits through the terminal (72), passes through the valve (80) and enters the chamber (78) on the rod side of the jack (62). The oil contained in the chamber (82) is discharged when the pressure of the line (79) has opened the piloted valve (84). This oil discharged from the chamber (82) of the jack (62) passes through the flow regulator (85) which regulates the speed of retraction of the jack rod (62), that is to say the speed of descent of the carriage (32) and the firing head (10).

When the firing head (10) comes into contact with the upper face (300; 400; 500; 600) of the core box (3; 4; 5; 6), its descent is stopped as well as the re-entry of the cylinder rod (62) in the cylinder of said cylinder (62). As the line (79) continues to be supplied, the oil contained in it increases in pressure until it reaches the setting pressure of the pressure switch (81). At this instant, the pressure switch (81) de-energizes the pusher (76), which has the effect of bringing the compartment (74) back to the terminals (69; 70; 71; 72). In doing so, the oil contained in the chambers (78; 82) of the jack (62) can no longer circulate because it is blocked by the valves (80 and 84) and the jack (62), that is to say the carriage (32) and the firing head (10) are locked. The oil that the pump (65) continues to flow, returns directly to the reservoir (86).

After firing the core, it is necessary to raise the firing head (10), that is to say that the rod of the jack (62) must come out of the cylinder. To do this, the pusher (77) is excited, which has the effect of bringing the compartment (75) to the level of the terminals (69; 70; 71; 72). The oil supplied by the pump (65) enters through the terminal (69) exits through the terminal (71), passes through the valve (84) and through the non-return valve (87) which short-circuits in this direction the flow regulator (85) to enter the chamber (82) of the jack (62), as soon as the pressure in the pipe (83) has piloted the opening of the valve (80) of the pipe (79) so that the oil contained in the chamber (78) of the jack (62) can return to the reservoir (86).

Thanks to this arrangement, it can therefore be seen that the firing head (10) can automatically adapt to core boxes (3; 4; 5; 6) of very different dimensions, since it is the core box itself which triggers the stopping of the descent of the firing head (10). It is also the core box which automatically locks the firing head (10) during the firing of the core. This is very important because it allows the machine to absorb the shock generated when firing the core.

It can also be seen that the arrangement of this circuit also allows automatic unlocking of the firing head (10) before the ascent of said firing head (10).

Another important characteristic of the core pulling machine (1) according to the invention lies in the fact that the gassing head (12) can also be approached from the table (7) by automatically adapting to the size of the boxes. with core (3; 4; 5; 6). To this end, the gassing head (12) is fixed to the free end of the rod (88) of a jack (89) which is advantageously a pneumatic jack. The cylinder (90) of the jack (89) is fixed to the bracket (11). The connection between the free end of the rod (88) of the jack (89) and the gassing head (12) appears in more detail in Figures 3, 4 and 5. In these figures, we see that the free end of the rod (88) of the jack (89) is screwed into a flange (91), the flange (92) of which extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (93) of the rod (88). This flange (92) is provided with four holes (94) which are crossed by screws (95). These screws (95) are of special shape. Indeed, under their head (96), the rod of said screws (95) has a first part (97) of a certain diameter and a certain length, to which is then connected a second part (98) of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first part (97), so that between these two parts (97; 98) there is a shoulder (99). The second part (98) of the screw rod (95) is threaded so that the screws (95) can be screwed into threaded holes (100) arranged in the upper face (31) of the plate (20), up to 'so that the shoulder (99) abuts on the upper face (31) of the plate (20). After locking the screws (95), the head (96) of the screws (95) is thus at a certain distance from the upper face (31) of the plate (20). In Figure 3, it can also be seen that the diameter of the holes (94) of the flange (92) of the flange (91) is somewhat larger than the diameter of the first part (97) of the screws (95). It can also be seen that the thickness of the flange (92) is less than the distance which separates the lower face of the heads (96) from the screws (95) and the upper face (31) of the plate (20).

Furthermore, on the flange (92) of the flange (91) is fixed a known limit switch (101), so that the underside (102) of said limit switch (101) is slightly set back. relative to the lower face (103) of the flange (92) located opposite the upper face (31) of the plate (20).

To prevent the gassing head (12) from rotating relative to the rod (88) of the jack (89), the plate (20) is provided with a guide (104) fixed on the plate (20) and which passes through a guide hole made in the stem (11). The longitudinal axis of the guide (104) is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod (88) of the jack (89), that is to say substantially vertical.

The gassing head (12) and its adaptation means which allow the gassing head (12) to automatically adapt to the size of the core boxes (3; 4; 5; 6) operate in the following manner. When a core box (3; 4; 5; 6) is in the gassing position (the core box (6) for example in FIGS. 1 and 2), the jack (89) is supplied, which causes the lowering of the gassing head (12) towards the core box. When the seal (27) comes into contact with the upper face (300; 400 "; 500; 600) of the core box, the lowering of the plate (20) stops. The jack (89) on the other hand continues to push on the flange (91) until the lower face (103) of the flange (92) of the flange (91) comes into contact with the upper face (31) of the plate (20). (89) on the upper face (31) of the plate (20) then compresses the seal (27) between the lower face (26) of the counter plate (24) and the upper face (300; 400; 500; 600 ) from the core box to avoid gas leaks. When the seal (27) is correctly compressed, the lowering of the rod (88) of the jack (89) stops and maintains the pressure in the jack (89) so that the gasket (27) remains properly compressed during the entire gassing operation. This gassing operation does not start until the gassing head (12) is in place. The triggering is effected by the limit switch (101 ). Indeed, this detector (101) detects the upper face (31) of the plate (20) when the lower face (103) of the flange (92) of the flange (91) comes substantially close to the upper face (31) of the plate (20) (position shown in Figure 5 which shows the gassing position). Given the possible relative movement between the flange (92) of the flange (91) and the plate (20), this is effectively achieved only when the gassing head (12) is in contact with the upper face (300; 400; 500; 600) of the core box. During the approach phase, on the other hand, the detection of the upper face (31) of the plate (20) cannot take place since the upper face (31) of the plate (20) is too far from the lower face (102 ) of the detector (101) (position shown in Figure 3).

During the gassing, the gas is brought through the supply line (30) into the cavity (22) from where it is then distributed through the holes (25) of the counterplate (24) and the holes (250 ) of the gasket (27) in the gas core box.

The gassing head (12) is raised after the gassing operation, the duration of which is programmed as a function of the size of the core. This programming is done on a computer which will be discussed later.

Thanks to this arrangement, it can therefore be seen that the gassing head (12), as previously the firing head (10), can automatically adapt to core boxes (3; 4; 5; 6) of very different dimensions. since it is the core box itself which triggers the stop of the descent of the gassing head (12) and the triggering of the gassing operation.

Another important characteristic of the core pulling machine (1) according to the invention relates to the support device (2) for the core boxes (3; 4; 5; 6). This support device (2) is shown in Figures 1, 2, 8, 9, 10 and 11, and includes, as said above, a table (7). This table (7) is preferably circular and as said above extends substantially in a horizontal plane and can rotate around a substantially vertical axis (8). The table (7) has for this purpose substantially at its center, a pivot (105) which extends downwards and whose longitudinal axis coincides with the axis of rotation (8). The pivot (105) engages in a bearing (106) which is fixed on the base (13). The pivot (105) in the bearing (106) is guided in rotation by means of a bearing (107) which extends to the upper part (108) of the bearing (106), and to the using a rolling stop (109) extending to the lower part (110) of said bearing (106). The rolling stop (109) also keeps the pivot (105) axially down. The bearing (106) does not extend to the lower face (111) of the table (7), so that between the upper part (108) of the bearing (106) and the lower face (111) of the table (7), the pivot (105) can rotationally support a lever (112). The lever (112) is guided on the pivot (105) by two bearings (113; 114) housed in a hub (115) which includes the lever (112). A certain distance is maintained between the lever (112) and the bearing (106) by a spacer (116). The lever (112) has two arms (117; 118), one of which (117) extends on one side of the hub (115) and the other (118) of which extends on the other side of said hub (115).

At its free end (119), the arm (117) of the lever (112) is linked to the rod (120) of a jack (121) by means of an axis (122). The cylinder (123) of the jack (121) is in turn linked in an articulated manner using a pin (124) to an upright (125) integral with the base (13).

The arm (118) for its part supports at its free end (126) a jack (127) whose cylinder (128) is fixed on the arm (118). The free end of the rod (129) of the jack (127) is integral with a V-shaped part (130) whose V is open towards the outside. When the rod (129) of the jack (127) is out, the V-shaped part (130) collaborates with an index (131) secured to the table (7). This index (131) is constituted by a cylindrical stud which when it collaborates with the V-shaped part (130), extends between the wings of said V. In FIG. 9, it can be seen that the table (7) comprises four indexes (131). It will be noted that the number of indexes (131) that the table (7) comprises, corresponds to the number of core boxes (3; 4; 5; 6) intended to be supported simultaneously by the table (7). In the example shown, the table (7) can simultaneously support four core boxes. In (132), the core boxes are dismantled and reassembled. (133) corresponds to an intermediate position. In (134) the core is fired and in (135) the core is gassed.

Another cylinder (136) is also provided to collaborate with an index (131) of the table (7). The cylinder (137) of this jack (136) is fixed on an upright (138) integral with the base (13). The free end of the rod (139) of said cylinder (136) also includes a V-shaped part (140) similar to the V-shaped part (130) of the cylinder (127).

The jack (127) collaborates with an index (131) to rotate the table (7) around the axis of rotation (8) while the jack (136) collaborates with an index (131) during work to block the rotation of the table (7).

The mechanism which has just been described and used to rotate the table (7) (by quarter turn in the embodiment) and to block the table (7) during work, operates as follows. The drive cylinder (127) is actuated so that the V-shaped drive piece (130) is brought together with an index (131) of the table (7). It is then the blocking cylinder (136) which is actuated to separate the V-shaped blocking part (140) from the index (131) with which it collaborated. Then it is the actuator (121) which is actuated so as to bring out its rod (120). In doing so, the rod (120) pushes on the arm (117) of the lever (112) causing the rotation of the latter around the axis (8). As the V-shaped drive piece (130) of the drive cylinder (127) collaborates with an index (131) of the table (7), the rotation of the lever (112) will also cause the rotation of the table ( 7) around the axis (8). The stroke of the motor cylinder (121) is such that the table (7) performs in the example described a quarter turn. When the motor cylinder (121) is at the end of the elongation stroke, the lever (112) is in position (112 ') shown in phantom in Figure 9. At this time, the locking cylinder is actuated again. (136) to bring out its rod (139) so that the V-shaped blocking part (140) of said jack (136) can be secured with the index finger (131) which has been brought in front of it during the rotation of the table (7). The drive cylinder (127) is then actuated to separate it from the index finger (131) with which it collaborated during the rotation of the table (7). Finally, the actuator (121) is actuated so that its rod (120) re-enters the cylinder (123). In doing so, the rod (120) pulls on the lever (112). When the motor cylinder (121) is at the end of the retraction stroke (position in strong lines in FIG. 9), the mechanism is again ready for a next rotation of the table (7).

In FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, it can be seen that the table (7) still rests on supports (141) of which at least one extends in the zone (134) of the firing head (10) substantially in the axis (53) of said firing head (10). This support (141) located under the firing head (10) allows the table (7) to absorb the shock generated during the firing of the core. (In Figure 1, the supports (141) have not been shown so as not to clutter the figure).

In the embodiment described, the supports (141) are three in number and are located equidistant from each other. They consist of rollers (142) which are fixed to the upper part of uprights (143) integral with the base (13), as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The rollers (142) rotate around axes ( 144) substantially horizontal and substantially cutting the axis of rotation (8) of the table (7). In the example, the uprights (143) are formed by U-shaped profiles. Each upright (143) is provided at its upper part with a roller-bearing arm (145) which extends between the two wings (146; 147) of the U-shaped profile. At its upper end, the roller support arm (145) rotatably supports the roller (142). Between its two ends, the roller support arm (145) is provided with an oblong hole (148) which is crossed by a bolt (149). This bolt (149) also also passes through a hole (150) in the core (151) of the upright (143). At its lower end, the roller support arm (145) is in contact with an adjustment screw (152) which is screwed into a nut (153) integral with the upright (143).

Thanks to this arrangement, the position of each roller (142) can be adjusted relative to the table (7). To bring the roller (142) into contact with the table (7), loosen the bolt (149), then push on the lower end of the roller support arm (145) by means of the adjustment screw (152) , which will cause the roller arm (145) to slide in the upright (143). This sliding is possible, since the hole (148) provided in the roller support arm (145) and which is crossed by the bolt (149) is an oblong hole. When the roller (142) is in contact with the table (7), it will then suffice to tighten the bolt (149) to rigidly link the roller support arm (145) to its upright (143).

Figures 12 and 13 show an embodiment of holding means (154) of the core boxes (3; 4; 5; 6). These holding means (154) hold the core boxes during work. Since they are identical, we will only describe one of them. (In FIG. 12, for the sake of clarity of the figure, only the holding devices (154) of the stations (181 and 183).

The holding means (154) comprises a jaw holder (155) which is provided with two jaws (156; 157). Each jaw holder (155) comprises a bearing (158) integral with two wings (159; 160) so that, when viewed from above, the two wings (159; 160) form a U open towards the outside. At the rear, the bearing (158) is open so as to form a clamp (161) which can be tightened by a bolt (162). The bearing (158) of the jaw holder (155) is slid over a peg (163) fixed on the upper face of the table (7). The jaw holder (155) also comprises above the bearing (158) an actuating cylinder (164) which is fixed on top of the bearing (158) of the jaw holder (155). The operating cylinder (164) is closed at its upper part (165). This closed upper part (165) is crossed by an operating screw (166) which is screwed into a threaded hole (167) arranged in the longitudinal axis of the stud (163). The operating screw (166) is linked in translation to the operating cylinder (164) and on its part which protrudes from the operating cylinder (164), an operating handwheel (168) is fixed.

The device which has just been described makes it possible to adjust the position of the jaw holder (155) and consequently of the jaws (156; 157) relative to the dimension of the core box which they must maintain. To do this, simply loosen the bolt (162) to open the clamp (161), then turn the operating screw (166) using the handwheel (168) to enter or exit the operating screw (166) of the piton (163). When the jaws (156; 157) have reached the correct position relative to the core box, it will suffice to tighten the clamp (161) by blocking the bolt (162).

Between the two U-shaped wings (159; 160) extend two slides (169. 170) on which the jaws can slide (156; 157). Between the two slides (169; 170) extends a jack (171) whose cylinder (172) is fixed on one (156) of the jaws and whose rod (173) is fixed on the other jaw (157 ).

One (169) of the slides has a number of holes (174), into which two pins (175) can be threaded on either side of one (156) of the jaws and which will be used to link in translation one (156) of the jaws to one (169) of the slides. In this way, the core box intended for this holding means (154) will always be substantially in the same place on the table (7), that is to say advantageously centered relative to the firing head (10 ) and the gassing head (12).

The jaws (156; 157) are closed by operating the jack (171) so as to bring its rod (173) into its cylinder (172). This will move the jaw (157) which can slide freely on the slides (169; 170) until it comes into contact with the core box to be maintained. Maintaining the core box is obtained by maintaining, for example, the pressure in the jack (171).

In FIG. 13, it can also be seen that the two jaws (156; 157) are different from each other. Indeed, the jaw (157) comprises a swiveling clamping plate (176). To this end, the jaw (157) comprises a yoke (177) fixed on its connecting part (178) to the slides (169; 170). At the end of this yoke (177) is linked the clamping plate (176) by means of a ball joint (179). In this way, the swiveling clamping plate (176) can well be positioned relative to the core box if the latter does not have parallel faces. This guarantees optimal maintenance of the core box.

In FIG. 13, it can also be seen that each station (180; 181; 182; 183) is provided with an index (184; 185; 186; 187) which is fixed on the table (7). These indexes (184; 185; 186; 187) are arranged on circles (188; 189; 190; 191) of different radius and are centered on the axis of rotation (8) of the table (7). These indexes (184; 185; 186; 187) pass during the rotation of the table (7) which is always done in the same direction (192), above sensors (193; 194; 195; 196) which are fixed on the base (13) and which therefore do not rotate with the table (7). Each sensor (193; 194; 195; 196) is located at a distance from the axis of rotation (8) of the table (7) equal to the radius of the circle (188; 189; 190; 191) on which its index finger rotates. (184; 185 186; 187) correspondent.

The passage of an index (184; 185; 186; 187) on its sensor (193; 194; 195; 196) is transmitted to a programmable computer not shown but known to those skilled in the art, such as for example TELEMECANIQUE TSX 7, and will indicate for example to said computer the start of the cycle carried out by each core box (3; 4; 5; 6) for which the number of shots as well as the duration of gassing will have been programmed on the computer required.

Claims (54)

1. A machine (1) for shooting foundry cores, indluding a device (2) for supporting core boxes (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6) a shooting head (10) and a gassing head (12) characterized by the fact that it includes in combination:

- a device (2) for supporting core boxes (3, 4; 5; 6) including means of support (7) which can receive core boxes (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6) of variable size;

- a shooting head (10) including means of adaptation (9, 32, 62, 620) which enable the shooting head (10) to be adapted automatically to the size of the said core boxes (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6) ; and

- a gassing head (12) including means of adaptation (11, 89, 104) which enable the gassing head (12) to be adapted automatically to the size of the said core boxes (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6).

2. A machine as in Claim 1, characterized by the fact that the means of adaptation (9, 32, 62, 620) of the shooting head (10) enabling the shooting head (10) to be adapted automatically to the size of the core boxes (3; 4 ; 5 ; 6) include means of movement (9, 32, 62, 620), means of detection of the size of the core box (3' ; 4' ; 5 ; 6) and means of stopping the movement of the shooting head (10) towards the core box (3; 4; 5 ; 6).

3. A machine as in Claim 2, characterized by the fact that the means of movement (9, 32, 62, 620) of the shooting head (10) include guide means (9, 32) and driving means (62; 620) which move the shooting head (10) along the guide means (9, 32).

4. A machine as in Claim 3, characterized by the fact that the guide means (9, 32) consist of a carriage (32) supporting the shooting head (10) and equipped with rollers (37; 38) and of guideways (56; 57) which are integral with a gantry (9) supporting the shooting head (10), and upon which the rollers (37 ; 38) roll.

5. A machine as in Claim 4, characterized by the fact that the guideways (56; 57) consist of u-shaped sections in which the rollers (37 ; 38) roll.

6. A machine as in Claim 5, characterized by the fact that the guideways (56 ; 57) consist of the two uprights (56 ; 57) of the gantry (9) which supports the shooting head (10).

7. A machine as in one of the Claims 4 to 6, characterized by the fact that the axes of rotation (39'; 40) of the rollers (37; 38) extend in a plane parallel with the plane (41) of the carriage (32).

8. A machine as in one of the Claims 4 to 7, characterized by the fact that the carriage (32) is equipped with supplementary rollers (42 ; 43 ; 44 ; 45) the axes of rotation (46 ; 47 ; 48 ; 49) of which extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction along which the axes of rotation (39 ; 40) of the rollers (37; 38) extend, and which roll upon guideways (59).

9. A machine as in Claims 5 and 8, characterized by the fact that the guideways (59) of the rollers (42 ; 43 ; 44; 45) consist of one (59) of the wings of the u-shaped sections which form the guideways (56 ; 57) of the rollers (37 ; 38).

10. A machine as in one of the Claims 3 to 9, characterized by the fact that the driving means (62, 620) consist of a double-acting hydraulic jack (62) extending between a fixed point such as the base (13) of the machine (1), for example, and the carriage (32) supporting the shooting head (10), the said jack (62) being fed from a hydraulic circuit (620).

11. A machine as in one of the Claims 2 to 10 characterized by the fact that the means of detection of the size of the core box (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6) consist of the upper face (300 ; 400 ; 500 ; 600) of the core box (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6), which serves as a stop for the shooting head (10) during its movemnt towards the core box (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6).

12. A machine as in one of the Claims 2 to 11, characterized by the fact that the means of stopping the movement of the shooting head (10) towards the core box (3; 4; 5 ; 6) consist of the upper face (300 ; 400 ; 500 ; 600) of the core box (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6), which serves as a stop for the shooting head (10) during its movement towards the core box (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6).

13. A machine as in one of the Claims 2 to 12, characterized by the fact that the means of adaptation (9, 32, 62, 620) of the shooting head (10) include in addition locking means (68, 80, 81, 84) which automatically lock the shooting head (10) in the shooting position.

14. A machine as in Claim 13, characterized by the fact that the locking means (68, 80, 81, 84) are piloted by the means of stopping the movement of the shooting head (10) towards the core box (3; 4; 5; 6).

15. A machine as in Claims 10 and 14, characterized by the fact that the locking means (68, 80, 81, 84) are integrated with the hydraulic circuit (620) of the jack (62) and consist of a distributor (68) having a H compartment (74), of piloted check valves (80, 84) preventing the oil contained in the jack (62) from leaving the said jack (62) and of a pressure controller (81) which, branched off the pipe (79) through which the oil is led to the jack (62) at the time of movement of the shooting head (10) towards the core box (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6), pilots

- when the pressure in the pipe (79) reaches the rated pressure of the said pressure controller (81)

- the putting in position of the H compartment (74) of the distributor (68).

16. A machine as in one of the Claims 13 to 15, characterized by the fact that unlocking means automatically unlock the locking means (68, 80, 81, 84) of the shooting head (10).

17. A machine as in Claims 15 and 16, characterized by the fact that the means of automatic unlocking of the locking means (68, 80, 81, 84) of the shooting head (10) consist of the parallel- passage compartment in the distributor (68) and the piloted check valves (80, 84) in the pipes (79, 83) which connect the distributor (68) to the jack (62).

18. A machine as in one of the Claims 1 to 17, characterized by the fact that the means of adaptation (11, 89, 104) of the gassing head (12) enabling the gassing head (12) to adapt automatically to the size of the core box (3 ; 4; 5 ; 6) include means of movement (11, 89, 104) means of detection of the size of the core box (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6) and means of stopping the movement of the gassing head (12) towards the core box (3; 4; 5 ; 6).

19. A machine as in Claim 18, characterized by the fact that the means of movement (11, 89, 104) of the gassing head (12) include guide means (11, 89,104) and driving means (89).

20. A machine as in Claim 19, characterized by the fact that the guide means (11, 89, 104) consist of a bracket (11) which supports a jack (89), to the end of the rod (88) of which the gassing head (12) is attached, and a guide (104) collaborating with the bracket (11) to prevent rotation of the gassing head (12) round the longitudinal axis of the rod (88) of the jack (89).

21. A machine as in Claim 19 or 20, characterized by the fact that the driving means (89) consist of a pneumatic jack (89).

22. A machine as in one of the Claims 18 to 21, characterized by the fact that the means of detection of the size of the core box (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6) consist of the upper face (300 ; 400 ; 500 ; 600) of the core box (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6), which serves as a stop for the gassing head (12) during its movement towards the core box (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6).

23. A machine as in one of the Claims 18 to 22, characterized by the fact that the means of stopping the movement of the gassing head (12) towards the core box (3; 4; 5 ; 6) consist of the upper face (300 ; 400 ; 500 ; 600) of the core box (3; 4 ; 5 ; 6), which serves as a stop for the gassing head (12) during its movement towards the core box (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6).

24. A machine as in one of the Claims 1 to 23, characterized by the fact that the gassing head (12) is composed of a plate (20) equipped at the lower face (21) of it with a cavity (22), of a counterplate (24) which is attached to the lower face (21) of the plate (20) and includes holes (25) enabling the gas contained in the cavity (22) in the plate (20) to be distributed into the core in the core box (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6), and of a gas supply pipe (30) which communicates with the cavity (22) by means of a hole (28).

25. A machine as in Claim 24, characterized by the fact that the lower face (26) of the counterplate (24) is equipped with a seal (27) which has holes (250) corresponding with the holes (25) in the counterplate (24).

26. A machine as in one of the Claims 24 or 25 and Claim 18, characterized by the fact that the connection of the gassing head (12) to its means of movement (89) is effected by means of a flange (91) which may have a certain limited movement with respect to the plate (20), the said flange (91) being equipped with an end-of-travel detector (101) which detects the upper face (31) of the plate (20) when the flange (91) arrives substantially in the vicinity of the upper face (31) of the said plate (20) of the gassing head (12), the said detector (101) triggering the gassing operation.

27. A machine as in Claim 26, characterized by the fact that the connection between the flange (91) and the plate (20) of the gassing cach head (12) is effected by means of screws (95) having cach a shoulder (99) so that after screwing into the plate (20) the heads (96) of the said screws (95) are situated at a distance from the upper face (31) of the plate (20) greater than the thickness of the cheek (92) of the flange (91) through which the said screws (95) pass, and that the lower face (102) of the detector (101) is slightly recessed from the lower face (103) of the cheek (92) intended for coming into contact with the upper face (31) of the plate (20) of the gassing head (12).

28. A machine as in one of the Claims 1 to 27, characterized by the fact that the means of support (7) of the device (2) for supporting core boxes (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6) are rotary and include a pivot (105) guided in rotation in a bearing (106) of axis (8), attached to a fixed point on the machine such for example, as the base (13).

29. A machine as in Claim 28, characterized by the fact that the rotation of the means of support (7) is effected by fractions of one revolution, the number of fractions of a revolution corresponding with the number of core boxes (3 ; 4; 5 ; 6) which the means of support (7) are supporting simultaneously.

30. A machine as in Claim 29, characterized by the fact that the pivot (105) of the means of support (7) supports a lever (112) which is guided in rotation on the said pivot (105) so as to be able to turn freely on this pivot (105), the said lever (112) being equipped with a drawing device (127, 130) able to be brought into collaboration with an index (131) integral with the means of support (7) and being further equipped with a driving device (121) extending between a fixed point on the machine such as the base (13), for example, and the lever (112), the means of support (7) including a number of indexes (131) equal to the number of core boxes (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6) which they are supporting simultaneously.

31. A machine as in Claim 30, characterized by the fact that the drawing device (127, 130) consists of a jack (127) the rod (129) of which is equipped with a V-shaped piece (130), that the indexes (131) on the means of support (7) have a substantially cylindrical shape so as to be able to seat between the two wings of the V-shaped piece (130), and that the driving device (121) consists of a jack (121).

32. A machine as in one of the Claims 29 to 31, characterized by the fact that the means of support (7) include a locking device (136, 140) which may be brought into collaboration with indexes (131) for locking the rotation of the means of support (7) when the latter must not turn, the number of indexes (131) being equal to the number of core boxes (3 ; 4; 5 ; 6) which the means of support (7) are supporting simultaneously.

33. A machine as in Claim 32, characterized by the fact that the locking device (136, 140) consists of a jack (136) the rod (139) of which is equipped with a V-shaped piece (140), that the indexes (131) on the means of support (7) have a substantially cylindrical shape so as to be able to seat between the two wings of the V-shaped piece (140), and that the jack (136) is integral with a fixed point on the machine such, for example as the base (13).

34. A machine as in one of the Claims 32 or 33 and one of the Claims 30 or 31, characterized by the fact that the indexes (131) which must collaborate with the drawing device (127, 130) are the same as those wich must collaborate with the locking device (136,140).

35. A machine as in one the Claims 28 to 34, characterized by the fact that the means of support (7) turn about a substantially vertical axis (8).

36. A machine as in one of the Claims 1 to 35, characterized by the fact that the means of support (7) consist of a horizontal table (7) and that the core boxes (3 ; 4 ; 5, 6) which it must support are placed on the upper face (700) of it.

37. A machine as in one of the Claims 1 to 36, characterized by the fact that the means of support (7) include supplementary support devices (142) integral with a fixed point on the machine such, for example, as the base (13), at least one of which extends in the vicinity of the axis (53) of the shooting head (10) in order to enable the means of support (7) to take the shock at the time of shooting the core.

38. A machine as in Claim 37, characterized by the fact that the supplementary support devices (142) include means of adjustment (143, 145, 148, 149, 150 152, 153) enabling adjustment of the position of the support devices (142) with respect to the means of support (7).

39. A machine as in Claim 38, characterized by the fact that the means of adjustment (143, 145, 148 149, 150, 152, 153) consist of an arm (145) to which is attached a supplementary support device (142) and an upright (143) to which the arm (145) may be fixed in a number of positions by means of fixing members (148,149,150).

40. A machine as in one of the Claims 37 to 39 characterized by the fact that the supplementary support devices (142) consist of rollers (142).

41. A machine as in one of the Claims 1 to 40, characterized by the fact that the supporting device (2) includes means (154) of holding core boxes (3; 4; 5 ; 6), which are suited to holding core boxes (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6) of variable size.

42 A machine as in Claim 41 charactarized by the fact that the means (154) of holding core boxes (3; 4; 5; 6) each includes a jaw-carrier (155) and jaws (156; 157), the said jaws (156; 157) being connected to the jaw-carrier (155) by at least one slide-bar (169; 170) so that the jaws (156; 157) may be brought together and apart by translation along the said slide-bar or bars (169; 170).

43. A machine as in Claim 42, characterized by the fact that the translation of one (156) of the jaws is locked by locking means (174, 175) adjustable as a function of the size of the core box (3; 4 ; 5 ; 6) which is to be held, so as to be able substantially to centre the core box (3; 4; 5 ; 6) under the shooting head (10) and under the gassing head (12).

44. A machine as in Claim 43, characterized by the fact that the adjustable locking means (174, 175) consist of a rod (169) equipped with a plurality of holes (174) into two of which may be fitted two pins (175) collaborating with the jaw (156) and the jaw-carrier (155) or a member (169) connected to the said jaw-carrier (155) to forbid translation of the jaw (156) along the slide-bar or bars (169; 170).

45. A machine as in one of the Claims 42 to 44, characterized by the fact that the holding means (154) include lockable means of adjustment (158, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168) of the position of the jaws (156, 157) with respect to the height of the core box (3 ; 4 ; 5, 6) which is to be held.

46. A machine as in Claim 45, characterized by the fact that the lockable means of adjustment (158, 161, 162 163, 164, 165 166, 167 168) of the position of the jaws (156 ; 157) with respect to the height of the core boxes (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6) consist of a post (163) integral with the supporting device (2), a bearing (158) integral with the jaw-carrier (155), in which the post (163) is engaged, the said bearing (158) being equipped with a clamp (161) lockable by means of a bolt (162) in order to allow or forbid translation of the bearing (158) along the post (163) and a control cylinder (164, 165) integral with the Jaw-carrier (155), to which is connected in translation a control screw (166 168) which is screwed into a threaded hole (167) arranged in the post (163) substantially in parallel with its longitudinal axis.

47. A machine as in one of the Claims 42 to 46 characterized by the fact that one (157) of the jaws is equipped with means of adaptation (176, 177, 179) of the jaw (157) to the face of the core box (3; 4; 5, 6) with which it must come into contact at the time of holding the said core box (3;4;5;6).

48. A machine as in Claim 47, characterized by the fact that the means of adaptation (176, 177 179) of the jaw (157) to the face of the core box (3, 4; 5 ; 6) with which it must come into contact at the time of holding the said core box (3, 4, 5 6) consist of a clamping-plate (176) mounted in a yoke (177) by means of a swivel joint (179).

49. A machine as in one of the Claims 42 to 48, characterized by the fact that the closure, the tightening and the opening of the jaws (156 ; 157) are effected by a jack (171) acting upon the movable jaw (157).

50. A machine as in Claim 49, characterized by the fact that the jack (171) is fixed between the fixed jaw (156) and movable jaw (157).

51. A machine as in one of the Claims 1 to 50, characterized by the fact that for each core box (3 ; 4; 5 ; 6) the supporting device (2) is equipped with a recognition index (184; 185 ; 186; 187) which may be detected by a fixed sensor (193; 194; 195 ; 196) which sends the information to a computer into which are programmed inter alia the number of shoots and the duration of gassing necessary to each core box (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6).

52. A machine as in Claim 51 and Claim 28 characterized by the fact that the recognition indexes (184; 185 ; 186; 187) revolve with the means of support (7) about the axis of rotation (8), each describing a circle (188 ; 189 ; 190 ; 191) of different radius, and that the sensors (193 ; 194, 195, 196) are situated at a distance from the axis of rotation (8) of the means of support (7) substantially equal to the radius of the circle (188 ; 189; 190; 191) round which its corresponding recognition index (184; 185 ; 186 ; 187) moves.

53. A machine as in one of the Claims 1 to 52, characterized by the fact that the shooting head (10) and the gassing head (12) move along a substantially vertical direction.

54. A machine as in one of the Claims 1 to 53, characterized by the fact that the means of support (7) can support simultaneously four core boxes (3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6).

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