GB1233437A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,233,437. Foundry plant; casting-machines. INDUCTOTHERM CORP. 20 May, 1968 [26 June, 1967], No. 23916/68. Heading B3F. [Also in Division F4] Moulds 21, e.g. sand moulds from a moulding station, are moved continuously or intermittently along tracks (35) on cars 33 (from left to right as shown) and as a mould passes beneath a support assembly 23 of a pouring ladle 41 on an upper track 24 on which the assembly is reciprocated by a fluid-cylinder arrangement 25, a sensing device such as a limit switch is actuated to cause an arm 74 to be lowered from the assembly 23 and the arrangement 25 to move the ladle assembly 23, 41 to bring the arm along to abut the rear edge of the flask cope 31 of the moving mould 21. A timed filling of the mould from the ladle 41 occurs during the synchronized travel. When the mould 21 is filled, the flow from the ladle is stopped by an induction coil or electromagnet (see Division F4) surrounding the nozzle 64 or by a solenoid- or cylinder-operated stopper and the ladle and its support 23, with the arm 74 raised, is retracted along the track 24 to register with the next mould. Every other mould may be so filled and the intervening moulds filled by a duplicate apparatus. To locate the nozzle 64, the ladle 41 is adjustable (by either of two hand wheels 149, 151 on chain-connected screw shafts 145, 146, Fig. 4) in its support frame 23, transversely of the track 24 which comprises a V-ridged rail 57 and a flat rail 61. At one side of the ladle support frame 23, its rollers 47, 48 are grooved to run on the ridge 57. The frame 23 rests against hydraulic buffers 233, 234 until the mould-sensing device is actuated to operate a valve in a fluid circuit, Fig. 15 (not shown), so that the piston-rod 71 of the ladle drive arrangement 25 is extended from its cylinder 66 to push the frame 23 along with the mould assisted by a shorter-stroke, helper cylinder 236. At the same time a cylinder (83) is operated to pivot the arm 74 down from the frame to be pushed against the mould cope 31 so that a valve (121) at the arm end is operated to start a timed flow from the nozzle 64 of the ladle 41. The valve (121) may be omitted, pouring commencing by timing from the movement of the piston-rod 71 or by a limit switch. Retraction of the arm 74 operates a switch (94) causing retraction of the frame 23 with the ladle 41. From a control room (27) at one side of the tracks 24, 35, an operator can replenish the ladle 41, in the buffered position, by raising air pressure in a holding furnace 26 (at the opposite side). A ladle (28) suspended from a rail (29) is used to fill the furnace. During non-pouring periods, the ladle frame 23 can be raised by three cylinders 183 bearing rollers 186, received in sockets 187-189, Fig. 5, on the frame. A launder (191) can then be positioned to return metal from the ladle 41 to the ladle 28 for return to the furnace 26 for reheating. The piston-rod 71 of the ladle drive 25 can be quickly disconnected from the frame 23 by the withdrawal of a pin 175 from frame lugs 166, 167 and a member 163 on the end of the rod.