GB1586372A - Automatic line for casting with coated metal moulds - Google Patents

Description

(54) AUTOMATIC LINE FOR CASTING WITH COATED METAL MOULDS (71) We, NAUCHNO-ISSLEDOVATELSKY INSTITUT SPETSIALNYKH SPO SOBOV LITYA, of ulitsa Khimicheskaya, 2, Odessa, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, a Corporation organised and existing under the laws of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to automatic lines for casting by means of coated metal moulds. Coated metal moulds are used for the production of high-quality castings, practically of any configuration and for various metals, including cast irons with flaked and spheroidal graphite, as well as from carbon steels and alloy steels. The castings produced vary in size and weight, ranging from tens of millimetres to one or more metres, and from hundreds of grams to 300 or more kilograms. Coated metal moulds are advantageously used for manufacturing crankshafts for automobile and tractor engines, skeleton frames for electric motors, bodies of anti-friction boxes used in railway cars, bodies of hydraulic system control valves with cast-in channels, driven sprockets for tractors. and many other parts.

What is desired is the production in coated moulds of high-quality castings strictly conforming to specified geometrical configuration. structure. and physical and mechanical properties of metal. An automatic line for coated metal mould casting should make it possible to maintain prescribed temperatures of the metal mould parts and of the assembled mould throughout the casting process.

The present invention provides an automatic line for casting with coated metal moulds.

comprising the following units arranged in series in accordance with the casting flow sheet and interconnected by conveyor means: a unit for the application of a coating to a metal mould part and its setting thereon; a unit for the assembly of separate coated parts into a complete mould: a unit for the pouring of molten metal into the assembled mould; a unit in which solidification of the casting in the mould occurs: a unit for the disassembly of the mould and the removed of the casting therefrom; a unit for the cleaning of the metal mould parts of the used coating: and a unit for the stabilization of the temperature of the cleaned mould parts prior to a re-coating cycle: in which arranged along the section of the conveyor means intermediate the mould assembly unit and the pouring unit is a first heating means intended for maintaining a requisite temperature of assembled moulds. and arranged along the section of the conveyor means intermediate the pouring unit and the dissassembly unit is second heating means forming part of the unit in which solidification occurs. the said sections being interconnected bv an additional conveyor means for transferring assembled moulds from one section to another.

The automatic line according to the invention makes it possible: - to maintain prescribed temperatures of the metal mould parts and of the assembled moulds throughout the casting process: to obtain high-qualitv castings with stable physical and mechanical properties. and a prescribed metal structure. strictly conforming in shape to requisite configurations; - to maintain prescribed temperatures of the assembled moulds, both coated and uncoated, during long idling periods in the operation of the automatic line; - to prevent losses in efficiency or defects in the castings being produced after the automatic line is put back into operation upon termination of a long idling period; - to effectively use an automatic line under operating conditions requiring intermittent pouring of molten metal into moulds, for example, in steel making; - to provide storage for the assembled moulds without necessitating an increase in the length of the automatic line.

It is expedient that each heating device be made in the form of a furnace with a conveyer means of the corresponding operating section passing through its interior; the length of the furnace should occupy a major part of the length of the conveyer means passing therethrough. This structural arrangement makes it possible to bring under control noxious fumes and liberated heat, as well as to substantially improve health conditions of work.

It is preferable that an additional conveyer means be disposed intermediate the inlet of the heating means at the place where assembled moulds are brought to be filled with molten metal and the outlet of the heating device at the place where the metal being cast in the mould passes through the stage of solidification. It is also desirable that the said conveyer means be made in the form of a reciprocating through-conveyor having transfer devices arranged at both ends thereof. Such structural arrangement of the additional conveyor means allows for the storage of the assembled moulds without transferring the moulds to the conveyer of the pouring unit, which considerably enhances the production rate of the automatic line.

It is advisable that transfer devices be made in the form of a table provided with a reciprocable drive for its vertical movement. and a reversibly driven roller conveyer mounted on the table and intended for conveying the assembled moulds in the horizontal direction. Such structural arrangement of the transfer devices makes them simple in construction and easy in operation.

The preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. in which: Figure ] is a general schematic view of an automatic line for casting by means of coated metal moulds; Figure 2 is a cross-section taken along line II-II of Figure 1, showing a conveyer means in the process of feeding assembled moulds to a pouring unit and to a unit in which solidification of the metal in a mould occurs; Figure 3 is a side elevation (on line Ill-Ill of Figure 1) of an intermediate conveyer means with transfer devices; and Figure 4 is a cross-section of a transfer device taken along line IV-IV of Figure 3.

Referring now to the above drawing and to Figure 1 in particular. there is shown therein an automatic line for casting by means of coated metal moulds. which basically comprises separate process units, each of which is adapted to perform a complete cycle of a definite operation of the production process. These individual units are interconnected with one another by conveyers.

This being the automatic line construction. the conveyers. as has been mentioned above, can be used as storage for separate parts of a metal mould or for assembled moulds. In the preferred embodiment of the invention. the conveyers are made in the form of conventional power-driven friction roller tables. which renders them suitable to function as storage. It also makes for casier control of the automatic line operation since the roller tables lend themselves readily to continuous operation without requiring periodic on-and-off control commands. The aforementioned specific embodiment of the conveyers in the form of power-driven friction roller convevers does not preclude the application of other conventional conveyers such as car-type conveyers and gravity roller conveyers. for example.

The automatic line comprises. successively arranged in the direction of the production process. a unit 1 for the application of a coating to the metal mould parts and its setting thereon. a unit 2 for the assembly of the metal mould from the coated parts thereof. a unit 3 for the pouring of molten metal into the assembled mould. a unit 4 in which solidification of the casting in the mould occurs. a unit 5 for the disassembly of the mould and the removal of the casting therefrom. a unit 6 for the cleaning of the mould parts of the used coating. and a unit 7 for the stabilization of the temperature of the cleaned mould parts prior to a re-coating cycle.

lii accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention the coating unit l comprises a conveyor 8 adapted to deliver the metal mould upper parts 9 and lower parts 10 to a shuttle sand-blow machine 11 having four heated pattern plates mounted on lifting tables of the known construction. i.c. two pattern plates are intended for the metal mould upper parts, and the other two for the mould lower parts (not shown). The sand-blow machine is provided with sand-blow heads 12, 13, 14, 15 for applying a coating, prepared, for example, from heat-setting sand-resin mixtures, to the working surfaces of the metal mould parts. The heads 12 to 15 are fitted with adjustable nozzles and constructed according to a known design (cf. P.L. Snezhnoi and others, "Technologischeskie Osnovy y kompleksnaya mechanizatsija protsessa poluchenija otlivok iz chernych splavov v oblitso .vanych kokiliach" [Process Fundamentals and Comprehensive Mechanization of Coated Metal Mould Casting, Liteinoe Proizvodstvo magazine, 1973, No.11). The coating is applied simultaneously to the mould upper part 9 and to lower part 10 by the diagdnally disposed sand-blowing heads 13 and 14. The delivery of the uncoated mould parts 9 and 10 from the conveyor 8 for coating to be effected by the sand-blowing heads 12 and 15 or by those shown at 13 and 14, as well as the unloading of the coated mould parts placed on a conveyer 16, is carried out by means of two two-station suspended carriages (not shown).

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the coating unit 1 also comprises the conveyer 16 intended for unloading the coated mould parts from the machine 11, and a manipulator 17 adapted to turn over the mould coated parts 9 and 10 with the joint face up.

The manipulator 17 is of a known design widely used in automatic moulding and pouring units for tilting moulds and their parts (cf. Foundry Trade Journal, 1972, No. 2900).

If necessary, the coating unit 1 may incorporate a means 18 adapted to ensure additional setting of the coating. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the means 18 is basically a through-type furnace intended for additional heating of the coating and furnished with a conveyer. The means 18 may be variously otherwise embodied depending upon the process requirements for effecting the setting of a coating applied to the working surfaces of the metal mould parts.

The unit 1 for applying a coating may have any other constructional modifications specified by the production process. For example, it can be made in the form of a multi-station turn-table fitted with one blowing head and provided with manipulators for placing the uncoated mould parts on this table and removing the coated parts therefrom.

The coating unit 1 is connected with the mould assembly unit 2 by means of a conveyer 19. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly unit 2 comprises a manipulator 20 for turning over the upper part of the mould 9, the manipulator 20 being similar in construction to the manipulator 17, and a manipulator 21 for effecting the mould assembly from the parts thereof. The aforementioned manipulators are universally known and- widely used in foundry practice.

The assembly unit 2 may be variously otherwise constructionally embodied. for instance, in the form of a turnover device stationarily mounted above the conveyer and adapted for turning over the metal mould upper part with the joint face down, incorporating as well a device for lifting the metal mould.

The assembly unit 2 is connected with the pouring unit 3 by means of a conveyer 22.

Mounted on the conveyer 22 is a heater 23 intended for maintaining the temperature of the assembled moulds prior to pouring molten metal thereinto. The heater 23 is basically a furnace 24 (Figure 2) with the conveyer 22 passing therethrough and adapted to transfer assembled moulds 25 from the assembly unit 2 to the pouring unit 3.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention. the furnace shell 26 encloses a conveyer and is formed with branch pipes 27 for connection to a ventilating system. The furnace shell 26 is mounted on supports 28 of the conveyer 22 on whose rollers 29 the assembled mould 25 are transferred within the furnace 24. Maintained within the furnace 24 bv any conventional heating devices (not shown) is the temperature which corresponds to that of the metal mould parts after a coating has been applied and has hardened thereon. To avoid overheating of their ball bearings. supports 30 of the rollers 29 are arranged on the outside the furnace 24.

The length of the heater 23 is selected so as to enable not less than half of the assembled moulds simultaneouslv used in the process to be arranged therein. It occupies a major part of the length of the conveyer 22. which is only slightly in excess of the length of the heating means 23. thereby enabling additional mould transferring devices to the arranged on the conveyer 22.

The pouring unit 3 (Figure 1) comprises transfer devices 31 and 32. and a conveyer 33 carrying the assembled moulds 25. with molten metal being poured thereinto. The pouring process is effected bv any conventional means.

The delivery of the assembled moulds to the conveyer 33 and subsequent delivery of the poured moulds from the conveyer 33 is carried out bv transfer devices 31 and 32.

respectively. In the preferred embodiment of the invention. the transfer devices are made in the form of conventional lifting tables with power-driven roller conveyers. However.

other conventional transfer means may be used. for instance. lifters and pushers.

The transfer device 32 interconnects the pouring unit 3 and the unit 4 in which solidification occurs. In the preferred embodiment, the unit 4 incorporates a reversible conveyer 34 and a heater 35, which are similar in construction to the conveyer 22 and the heater 23, respectively; in addition, the conveyer 34 is reversible.

The time period of transferring the assembled mould filled with molten metal along the conveyer 34 corresponds to the casting solidification period. It is advisable that the travelling speed of the conveyer 34 be adjustable as this makes it possible to vary the solidification time of the castings being produced on the automatic line.

The length of the heater 35 and that of the conveyer 34 is selected on the same grounds as in the case of the heater 23 and the conveyer 22. Therefore, the overall length of the heaters 23 and 35 provides, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, for the arrangement of all the assembled moulds therein, which makes it possible to maintain requisite temperatures thereof during idling periods, eliminate the possibility of lower efficiency and impaired quality of the castings during the subsequent operation of the automatic line.

The heater 35 is operated intermittently. Under normal operating conditions of the automatic line it serves as a ventilated cover for the poured moulds, used to bring under control noxious fumes and liberated heat, thereby substantially improving health conditions of work. If the automatic line is idling, the heating system is operated and the heater 35 functions to maintain the temperature of the assembled moulds not yet filled with molten metal, such moulds being transferred thereto from the assembly unit 2 by means of the transfer devices 31 and 32 and the conveyers 33 and 34.

The conveyer 34 is connected with the unit 5 for the mould disassembly and removal of the castings. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the disassembly unit 5 comprises the following successively arranged means: a manipulator 36 for disassembly and cleaning of the feeder cavity in the upper part of the metal mould, a manipulator 37 for turning over the lower part of the metal mould, similar in construction to the manipulator 17, a conveyer 38, and a manipulator 39 for removing a casting from the lower part of the mould and cleaning its feeder cavity.

The manipulators 36 and 39 are of conventional design extensively used in automatic casting lines. In the preferred embodiment. these manipulators are basically lifters with carrying hooks for lower and upper parts of a metal mould, and a set of stationary rods for cleaning feeder cavities in the mould parts. The disassembly unit 5 may have other embodiments, however.

The conveyer 38 interconnects the disassembly unit 5 with the unit 6 for cleaning the mould parts of used coating. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the unit 6 comprises a manipulator 40 for turning over the mould parts, which is similar in construction to the manipulator 17, a conveyer 41, and a device 42 for cleaning the mould parts of the used coating.

The cleaning device 42 incorporates conventional mechanisms which are extensively used in automatic lines for casting into coated metal moulds and intended for breaking down the coating along the joint face and its subsequent removal by blowing it out with compressed air. In the preferred embodiment, the coating breakdown mechanisms are placed in a dust-and-air-proof enclosure member with a view to improving working conditions.

The conveyer 41 interconnects the cleaning unit 6 with the unit 7 for stabilizing the temperature of the metal mould cleaned parts prior to a re-coating cycle. In the preferred embodiment, the unit 7 incorporates a conveyer 43 carrying a chamber 44 for cooling the mould parts to a temperature required for the coating operation; a manipulator 45 for turning over the mould parts with their joint faces down, which is similar in construction to the manipulator 17; and a conveyer 46 for transferring the mould parts. The chamber 44 is of conventional construction widely used for cooling casting moulds. It is fitted with nozzles for supplying a coolant such as a watcr-air mixture to be applied to the working surfaces of the mould parts transferred by the conveyer 43. The chamber 44 may be replaced by means for heating the mould parts where the mould capacity is small enough and therefore not enabling sufficient heating of the mould parts with the molten metal poured into the mould.

A combined device for heating or cooling the mould parts can be likewise used depending upon the requirements of the production process.

The conveyer 46 interconnects the unit 7 and the conveyer 8 of the unit 1 by means of transfer devices 47 and 48. and an intermediate conveyer 49. The transfer device 47 and 48 are of conventional design and. in the preferred embodiment of the invention, they can be made in the form of lifting tables with power-driven table rollers. or may have any other known constructional embodiment.

The section of the conveyer 22 (Figures 1 and 3) adapted for the delivery of the assembled moulds to a pouring station is connected with the section of the conveyer 34, transferring the poured moulds from the pouring unit 3 to the disassembly unit 5, through an additional conveyer 50 intended for transferring the assembled moulds from one section to another. In the preferred embodiment of the invention. the additional conveyer 50 comprises a reversible conveyer 51, with transfer devices 52 and 53 being arranged on both sides thereof. The transfer device 52 is mounted on the conveyer 22 intermediate the assembly unit 2 and the inlet of the heater 23, and the transfer device 53 is mounted on the conveyer 34 intermediate the outlet of the heater 35 and the disassembly unit 5.

The provision of the additional conveyer 50 makes it possible to use the heater 35 of the casting solidification unit 4 as a storage for the assembled coated moulds, since at the beginning of the operation such a mould can be transferred on to the conveyer 22 to be thereby delivered to the pouring unit 3. The possibility of using the heater 35 as a storage for the assembled coated moulds permits a reduction of the length of the storage by a factor of two, and consequently, reduces the overall length of an automatic casting line. In addition, the provision of the reversible conveyer 51 makes it possible to substantially increase the production rate of the automatic line of the invention, since the reversible principle of the conveyer enables the charging of the assembled moulds (both coated and uncoated) into the heater 35 by passing the pouring unit 3.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the devices 52 and 53 (Figures 3 and 4) comprises a table 54 provided with an actuator enabling its reciprocable vertical movement.

The actuator is basically a power cylinder 55 (Figure 4) mounted on a frame 56 (Figures, 3 and 4). The table 54 is moved along guides 57 (Figures 4) whose support 58 are mounted on the frame 56. The frames 56 are mounted on the supports of the conveyers 22 and 34. To be more exact, the frame 56 of the device 52 rests on the supports 28 (Figure 3) of the conveyer 22, and the frame 56 of the device 53 rests on supports 59 of the conveyer 34.

Mounted on the table 54 are reversible power-driven roller conveyers 60 and 61 (Figures 4). The roller conveyer 60 carries a reversible actuator 62. for instance, a hydraulic or electric motor, which imparts rotary motion through a train of gear wheels 63 and 64 to rollers 65, and through a connecting shaft 66, a clutch 67 and gear wheels 68 and 69 rotary motion is imparted to rollers 70 of the roller conveyer 61. Additionally mounted on the conveyer 22 is a thrust member or stop 71 of the device 52, shown in Figure3.

While the invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment. numerous variations may be made in the automatic casting unit illustrated in the drawings and herein described without departing from the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The herein dislosed examplary embodiment is preferable in view of the fact that it ensures constructional simplicity of the conveyer means and individual devices of the automatic line. with the mould parts and assembled moulds travelling along linear paths.

The automatic casting line of the invention is advantageous over the prior-art units in that it allows the arrangement of heating means on the conveyer intermediate the assembly line and the pouring unit on the one side. and intermediate the pouring unit and the disassembly unit on the other. as well as due to the provision of additional conveyer means.

The automatic casting line illustrated operates in the following manner.

When putting the automatic line into operation. the whole set of the assembled moulds 25 is placed in the heater 23 and 35 (Figure 1). The assembled parts. heated to a temperature slightly in excess of that required for the coating operation. this being done to compensate for unavoidable heat losses due to shipment. are transferred bv the conveyer 34 from the heater 35 of the unit 4 to the disassembly unit 5, and the moulds in the heater 23 are transferred by the conveyer 22 of the transfer device 31. as well as bv the conveyer 33 and the transfer device 32. to be set on the now vacant places on the conveyer 34. The transfer device 53 of the additional conveyer 5 remains in its initial (lower) position without hindering the movement of the assembled moulds along the conveyer 34.

The manipulator 36 of the disassemblv unit 5 is operated to remove the upper part of the metal mould from the lower one which. remaining on the conveyer 34. is fed to the manipulator 37 to be thereby turned over. and then to the manipulator 39 which functions to lift the lower part of the mould from the conveyer 38. After the mould lower part is removed. its upper part is lowered down bv the manipulator 36 on to the conveyer 38 and successivelv passes untilted through the manipulators 37 and the manipulator 39. which now functions to support the mould upper part in the suspended position. After the mould upper part has passed through the manipulator 39. the latter functions to lower the mould lower part on to the conveyer 38. Thus. the remainder of the way is travelled bv the mould parts in strict order. namely: the lower part of the mould follows the upper one.

Separate parts of the mould are further transferred by the conveyer 38 of the cleaning unit 6 to the manipulator 40 wherein they are turned over and are thereafter delivered bv the conveyer 41 of the cleaning unit 6 and bv the conveyer 43 of the temperature stabilizing unit 7 to the manipulator 45 wherein the said parts are turned over with the joint face down.

While the separate mould parts pass through the device 42 of the cleaning unit 6. the latter is not actuated to thereby allow unhindered passage of the mould pans therethrough.

During further movement of the mould parts through the cooling chamber 44 of the unit 7.

the system of coolant supplv to the parts is shut down.

Once out of the manipulator 45, the mould parts are transferred by the conveyer 46 to the transfer device 47, which is operated to lift the parts one after another from the conveyer 46 of the unit 7 and to thereafter place them on the intermediate conveyer 49. The mould parts are removed from the conveyer 49 by the transfer device 48 and are then placed on the conveyer 8 of the coating unit 1. After the mould parts, preheated to a prescribed temperature, have been placed on the conveyer 8, the automatic line starts operating under steady working conditions.

The automatic line operates under steady working conditions in the following manner.

The mould upper part 9 and the mould lower part 10 are transferred in pairs by the conveyer 8 into the sand-blowing machine 11. By means of the two-station power-driven suspended carriages (not shown) the mould parts 9 and 10 are respectively positioned opposite the sand-blowing heads 12 and 15, whereupon patterns, preheated to a working temperature and arranged at these stations, are lifted to be connected with the corresponding parts of metal moulds, pressing the parts up against the nozzles (not shown) of the sand-blowing heads 12 and 15. Thereafter, facing sand is blown into the space defined by the pattern and the metal mould part. The pattern remains connected with the corresponding part of the metal mould for a time period required for either complete setting of the applied coating of getting to a point at which it can be further transferred. In the course of the aforedescribed operations. the next pair of the mould parts 9 and 10 is delivered to the second station of the carriage of the sand-blowing machine 11.

After the coating applied to the mould parts 9 and 10 has hardened, the patterns arranged below the sand-blowing heads 12 and 15 are lowered down. and the mould coated parts are transferred by the carriages to the intermediate station of the sand-blowing machine 11.

The uncoated metal mould parts 9 and 10. placed on the carriage second station, are respectively transferred to the sand-blowing heads 13 and 14, to undergo a coating operation similar to that described above. The coated metal mould parts 9 and 10 are delivered to the conveyer 16 while another pair of the uncoated metal mould parts 9 and 10 is fed for coating.

The metal mould coated paths are transferred bv the conveyer 16 to the manipulator 17 wherein the parts are turned over. to be thereafter successively delivered into the heater 18 and then on to the conveyer 19. The heater 18 is intended to provide additional setting of the coating. if this was not completed in the machine 11 owing to increased production rate of the process. The quality of coating is checked on the conveyer 19 and. if necessary, cores are set. whereupon the metal mould coated parts are delivered to the manipulator 20 of the assembly unit 2.

The manipulator 20 is operated to turn over the upper part of the mould. this part being then transferred to the manipulator 21 which functions to lift it above the conveyer 22. The lower part of the metal mould passes unturned through the manipulator 20 and is then transferred bv the conveyer 22 to the manipulator 22 wherein the mould upper part is placed on its lower part. In such a manner a mould is assembled from the coated parts thereof.

The assembled mould is transferred bv the conveyer 22 to the heater 23. and thence to the transfer device 31 of the pouring unit 3. In the heater 23 the temperature of the assembled moulds is alwavs maintained within a prescribed range. both during their continuous movement or halt and storage periods. or during idling periods when the supply of molten metal is terminated.

The transfer device 52 of the additional conveyer 50 is in its initial (lower) position and therefore does not hinder the movement of the a inoperative, the assembled moulds 25 are conveyed from the heater 23 by the conveyer 22, the transfer device 31, the conveyer 33, the transfer device 32, and the conveyer 34 to the heater 35 without being filled with molten metal. The heater 35 is energized, the temperature maintained therein being equal to that in the heater 23, which heater 35 also serves in this case as storage for the assembled moulds. When the pouring unit 3 becomes operative, the assembled moulds are transferred from the heater 23 for pouring effected in a manner similar to that described above. The assembled moulds in the heater 35, not yet filled with molten metal are transferred by means of the additional conveyer 50 to the conveyer 22 and further on through the heater 23 to the pouring unit 3. After the heater 35 has been freed of the assembled unfilled moulds, the heating devices of the heater 35 are de-energized.

The conveyer 50 operates as follows (Figures 3 and 4).

The assembled moulds are transferred by means of the conveyer 34 to the transfer device 53. The table 54 of the device 53 is lifted with the aid of the cylinder 55. The assembled mould 25 is lifted off the rollers 29 of the conveyer 34 and placed on the rollers 66 and 70 of the roller conveyer 60 and 61. By energizing the rotation actuator 62, the rollers 65 and 70 are set in rotary motion through a train of gear wheels 63, 64 and 68, 69, and through the shaft 66 and clutches 67, thereby transferring the mould 25 to the conveyer 51. The rotation actuator 62 of the transfer device 53 is de-energized, and its table 54 is lowered down by means of the cylinder 55 to receive a new mould 25 thereupon. The assembled mould 25 is carried on the conveyer 51 until it is thrust up against the stop 71 of the transfer device 52, with the table 54 thereof being lifted at this time. The mould 25 slides over onto the rollers 65 and 70 of the transfer device 52. The devices 52 and 53 are similar in operation.

A shut-off member (not shown) is operated to hinder the mould transfer from the conveyer 51 to the device 52, the latter being lowered down together with the mould 25, which is then transferred by the conveyer 22 to the heater 23, and further to the pouring unit 3. The table 54 of the device 52 is lifted to receive the forthcoming mould 25 and the shut-off member is opened.

The poured moulds delivered to the disassembly unit S are first fed to the manipulator 36.

With the aid of clamping means of the manipulator 36 the upper part of the metal mould is lifted off the lower one. The feeder cavities in the upper part of the mould are concurrently cleaned by means of stationary rods and a casting is forced out into the mould lower part to be fed to the manipulator 37 wherein it is turned over so that the casting drops out. In the manipulator 39 the lower part of the mould is lifted as the feeder cavities thereof are concurrently cleaned. Subsequent operations are similar to those described above during initial stage of operation.

The mould parts, the lower part following the upper one are then transferred bv the conveyer 38 to the manipulator 40 of the unit 6 for cleaning the mould parts of the used coating. In the manipulator 40 the mould parts are turned over. and then transferred by the conveyer 41 to the device 42 wherein the coating is destroyed along the joint face by means of a roller fracture member. The broken fractured coating is then ejected with a puff of compressed air. Owing to the provision of the dust-proof-and-noise-proof shell. normal healthy conditions of work are maintained in the cleaning zone.

Upon completion of the cleaning operation. the mould parts are transferred by the conveyer 43 to the rolling chamber 44 of the unit 7 for stabilizing the temperature of the cleaned mould parts prior to a re-coating cycle. Within the chamber 44 the mould parts are cooled by means of spraying nozzles to a temperature required for subsequent coating.

The sequence of operations of transferring the cleaned and preheated metal mould parts to the conveyer 8 of the unit 1 for applying a coating to said parts is similar to that described above with reference to initial stage of operation of the automatic line.

When the automatic line is shut down for a long period of time. for example. at weekends. the heaters 23 and 35 are en'ergized to maintain the required temperature of moulds. The assembled moulds. coated or uncoated (in the latter case the metal mould parts pass through the sand-blower 11 without being fed to the stations of the sand-blowing heads 12 and 15). are transferred in the manner described above to the heaters 23 and 35.

Insofar as the heaters 23 and 35 are capable of housing all the moulds found on the line. it is possible to maintain all the moulds at a temperature required for the process operations.

Since the additional conveyer 50 and the conveyer 34 are made reversible. it is possible to carry out charging of the heater 35 with the assembled moulds bv-passing the pouring unit 3. This being the case. the assembled moulds transferred bv the conveyer 22 to the device 52. and then bv means of the latter and the conveyer jl as well as bv means of the device 53. said parts are transferred to the conveyer 34 designed for reverse operation. The devices 52 and 53 functions in a manner similar to that described above. the former being lowered down when in its initial position. the latter being lifted up.

Provided the assembled and coated metal mould parts are placed for storage in the heaters 23 and 35, the first operation to start with is pouring. This being the case, the operating process of the automatic line runs in a manner similar to that described above as is the case when the assembled moulds are accumulated in the heaters 23 and 35 with the pouring unit 3 remaining inoperative.

If the heaters 23 and 35 are used for storing uncoated assembled moulds, the automatic line operates in accordance with initial operating conditions described hereinabove.

Therefore, the automatic line for coated metal mould casting ensures the production of high-quality castings strictly conforming to specified configuration, structure, and physical and mechanical properties of metal. The advantage of the invention is the possibility to ensure the production of castings having the aforeindicated properties with the automatic line of the invention functioning under various operating conditions, for instance, in steel making where metal pouring operation is effected stepwise.

The present invention also makes it possible to enhance the production efficiency, improve working conditions, substantially reduce the overall length of the automatic line, and, consequently, decrease expenses involved in its manufacture, installation, and maintenance.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An automatic line for casting with coated metal moulds, comprising the following units arranged in series in accordance with the casting flow sheet and interconnected by conveyer means: a unit for the application of a coating to a metal mould part and its setting thereon; a unit for the assembly of separate coated parts into a complete mould; a unit for the pouring of molten metal into the assembled mould; a unit in which solidification of the casting in the mould occurs; a unit for the disassembly of the mould and the removal of the casting therefrom; a unit for the cleaning of the metal mould parts of the used coating; and a unit for the stabilization of the temperature of the cleaned mould parts prior to a re-coating cycle; in which arranged along the section of the conveyer means intermediate the mould assembly unit and the pouring unit is a first heating means intended for maintaining a requisite temperature of assembled moulds. and arranged along the section of the conveyer means intermediate the pouring unit and the disassembly unit is second heating means forming part of the unit in which solidification occurs. the said sections being interconnected by an additional conveyer means for transferring assembled moulds from one section to another.

2. An automatic line as claimed in claim l. in which (a) the coating unit comprises a feed conveyer adapted to deliver the said metal mould part to be coated; a sand-blowing machine for applying a coating to the metal mould part, and which coating is then allowed to set. the machine being arranged directly after.the feed conveyer; a manipulator for turning over the coated part, with the joint face up. arranged downstream of the sand-blowing machine: a discharge conveyer connecting the saidblowing machine with the turn-over manipulator, for transferring the coated metal mould part from the sand-blowing machine to the manipulator; and a device intended for additional setting of the coating. arranged directly after the turn-over manipulator and comprising a heating means and a conveyer for transferring the coated metal mould part from the manipulator to this heating means: (b) the assembly unit is directly downstream of the coating unit and comprises a manipulator for turning over a coated upper part of the assembled mould; a manipulator for assembling upper and lower coated metal mould parts into a complete mould. arranged directly after the manipulator for turning over the upper part: and a conveyer connecting the conveyer of the said additional setting device of the coating unit with the turn-over manipulator of the assembly unit. for transferring the coated metal mould parts from the additional setting device to the said turn-over manipulator: (c) the pouring unit comprises a conveyer for the assembled mould whereinto molten metal is poured while the mould is on the conveyer: transfer devices arranged at both ends of the said conveyer and adapted for placing moulds on the conveyer and removing moulds therefrom: and a feed convever connecting to said assembly manipulator with the transfer device arranged at the inlet end of the pouring unit and being furnished with the said heating means for maintaining a requisite temperature of assembled moulds; (d) the unit in which solidification occurs is arranged directly after the pouring unit and comprises a conveyer for receiving and conveying poured moulds from the transfer device arranged at the outlet end of the pouring unit. the conveyer being provided with the said second heating means: (e) the disassemblv unit is arranged directly after the unit in which solidification occurs and comprises a manipulator for disassembling a metal mould and cleaning feeder cavities in the metal mould upper part. fed bv the conveyer provided with the said second heating means: a manipulator for turning over the metal mould lower part with a casting contained therein. arranged directly after the said disassembly manipulator; a manipulator for

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. heaters 23 and 35, the first operation to start with is pouring. This being the case, the operating process of the automatic line runs in a manner similar to that described above as is the case when the assembled moulds are accumulated in the heaters 23 and 35 with the pouring unit 3 remaining inoperative. If the heaters 23 and 35 are used for storing uncoated assembled moulds, the automatic line operates in accordance with initial operating conditions described hereinabove. Therefore, the automatic line for coated metal mould casting ensures the production of high-quality castings strictly conforming to specified configuration, structure, and physical and mechanical properties of metal. The advantage of the invention is the possibility to ensure the production of castings having the aforeindicated properties with the automatic line of the invention functioning under various operating conditions, for instance, in steel making where metal pouring operation is effected stepwise. The present invention also makes it possible to enhance the production efficiency, improve working conditions, substantially reduce the overall length of the automatic line, and, consequently, decrease expenses involved in its manufacture, installation, and maintenance. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An automatic line for casting with coated metal moulds, comprising the following units arranged in series in accordance with the casting flow sheet and interconnected by conveyer means: a unit for the application of a coating to a metal mould part and its setting thereon; a unit for the assembly of separate coated parts into a complete mould; a unit for the pouring of molten metal into the assembled mould; a unit in which solidification of the casting in the mould occurs; a unit for the disassembly of the mould and the removal of the casting therefrom; a unit for the cleaning of the metal mould parts of the used coating; and a unit for the stabilization of the temperature of the cleaned mould parts prior to a re-coating cycle; in which arranged along the section of the conveyer means intermediate the mould assembly unit and the pouring unit is a first heating means intended for maintaining a requisite temperature of assembled moulds. and arranged along the section of the conveyer means intermediate the pouring unit and the disassembly unit is second heating means forming part of the unit in which solidification occurs. the said sections being interconnected by an additional conveyer means for transferring assembled moulds from one section to another.

2. An automatic line as claimed in claim l. in which (a) the coating unit comprises a feed conveyer adapted to deliver the said metal mould part to be coated; a sand-blowing machine for applying a coating to the metal mould part, and which coating is then allowed to set. the machine being arranged directly after.the feed conveyer; a manipulator for turning over the coated part, with the joint face up. arranged downstream of the sand-blowing machine: a discharge conveyer connecting the saidblowing machine with the turn-over manipulator, for transferring the coated metal mould part from the sand-blowing machine to the manipulator; and a device intended for additional setting of the coating. arranged directly after the turn-over manipulator and comprising a heating means and a conveyer for transferring the coated metal mould part from the manipulator to this heating means: (b) the assembly unit is directly downstream of the coating unit and comprises a manipulator for turning over a coated upper part of the assembled mould; a manipulator for assembling upper and lower coated metal mould parts into a complete mould. arranged directly after the manipulator for turning over the upper part: and a conveyer connecting the conveyer of the said additional setting device of the coating unit with the turn-over manipulator of the assembly unit. for transferring the coated metal mould parts from the additional setting device to the said turn-over manipulator: (c) the pouring unit comprises a conveyer for the assembled mould whereinto molten metal is poured while the mould is on the conveyer: transfer devices arranged at both ends of the said conveyer and adapted for placing moulds on the conveyer and removing moulds therefrom: and a feed convever connecting to said assembly manipulator with the transfer device arranged at the inlet end of the pouring unit and being furnished with the said heating means for maintaining a requisite temperature of assembled moulds; (d) the unit in which solidification occurs is arranged directly after the pouring unit and comprises a conveyer for receiving and conveying poured moulds from the transfer device arranged at the outlet end of the pouring unit. the conveyer being provided with the said second heating means: (e) the disassemblv unit is arranged directly after the unit in which solidification occurs and comprises a manipulator for disassembling a metal mould and cleaning feeder cavities in the metal mould upper part. fed bv the conveyer provided with the said second heating means: a manipulator for turning over the metal mould lower part with a casting contained therein. arranged directly after the said disassembly manipulator; a manipulator for

removing the casting from the said lower part and for cleaning feeder cavities in the lower part, this manipulator being arranged after the turn-over manipulation; and a conveyer connecting the casting removal manipulator with the turn-over manipulator; (f) the cleaning unit is arranged directly after the disassembly unit and comprises a manipulator for turning over the metal mould parts, connected with the disassembly unit conveyer; a cleaning device for removing the remnants of the used coating from the metal mould parts, arranged directly after the turnover manipulator; and a conveyer connecting the turn-over manipulator with the cleaning device; (g) the temperature stabilization unit is arranged directly after the cleaning unit and comprises a cooling chamber for stabilizing the temperature of the cleaned metal mould parts; a manipulator for turning over the metal mould parts, arranged directly after the cooling chamber; a conveyer traversing the cooling chamber and connecting the turn-over manipulator of the cleaning unit with the turn-over manipulator of the temperature stabilization unit; a discharge conveyer for removing metal mould parts from the turn-over manipulator of the temperature stabilization unit; (h) an intermediate conveyer connects the temperature stabilization unit with the coating unit, for transferring metal mould parts from the temperature stabilization unit to the coating unit; (i) a transfer device is arranged between the intermediate conveyer and the coating unit, for transferring metal moulds parts from the discharge conveyer of the temperature stabilization unit to the intermediate conveyer; (j) a transfer device is arranged between the intermediate conveyer and the coating unit, for transferring metal mould parts from the intermediate conveyer to the feed conveyer of the coating unit; and (k) the additional conveyer means connects a section of the said conveyer of the unit in which solidification occurs with a section of the feed conveyer of the pouring unit, and is intended for transferring assembled moulds from one said section to another.

3. An automatic line as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each said heating means comprises a furnace through which the conveyer means passes.

4. An automatic line as claimed in claim 3, wherein the length of the furnace occupies a major part of the length of the conveyer means passing through it.

5. An automatic line as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the additional conveyer means interconnects the inlet of the first heating means with the outlet of the second heating means.

6. An automatic line as claimed in claim 5, wherein the additional conveyer means comprises a conveyer with transfer devices arranged at both ends thereof.

7. An automatic line as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said conveyer is reversible.

8. An automatic line as claimed in claim 6 or 7. wherein each transfer device comprises a table, a reciprocable drive for moving the table in a vertical direction, and drive rollers mounted on the table and enabling assembled moulds to be transferred in a horizontal direction.

9. An automatic line for coated metal mould casting, substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in. the accompanying drawings.