GB2072066A - Moulding installation for the production of casting moulds - Google Patents

Abstract

A moulding installation for the production of casting moulds, with a plurality of pattern- and mould-treatment stations, comprises two turntables which are arranged at different heights and which overlap so that they are situated one above the other at one of the stations. The lower turntable is constructed as a pattern carrier and the higher turntable as a mould carrier. The station which is common to both turntables is associated with a moulding-sand introduction and compacting apparatus. This station constitutes the end of the pattern-treatment region in which each pattern travels on the lower turntable through a plurality of pattern-treatment stations. It also constitutes the start of the mould-treatment region in which a moulding box, having been lowered onto the pattern carrier for the introduction and compacting of moulding sand, then travels on the upper turntable through a plurality of mould-treatment stations. The installation may be for use in the production of casting moulds by the vacuum forming process.

Description

SPECIFICATION Moulding installation for the production of casting moulds This invention relates to moulding installations for the production of casting moulds.

Moulding installations with a plurality of patternand mould-treatment stations are known in the state of the art. In these known installations the individual stations are arranged in succession one behind another. The moulding-sand introduction and compacting station represents the transition from the pattern-treatment region to the mould-treatment region. A transfer apparatus is required at that point.

The pattern is returned therefrom for fresh treatment.

Arranging a number of stations one behind another ensures a good work flow. However, in the case of moulding installations using moulds of large dimensions a relatively large amount of space is needed. These space requirements are additionally increased by the moulding station situated between the pattern-treatment region and the mouldtreatment region.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a more space-saving moulding installation, with a plurality of pattern- and mould-treatment stations, than has been possible with hitherto conventional stations arranged one behind another. Afurther object is to dispense with the provision of a transfer apparatus between the two regions.

According to the present invention there is provided a moulding installation as defined in claim 1 of the claims of this specification.

Turntables offer the best possible conditions as regards work flow. Tools are transported to the various working stations with the least possible expenditure of energy. Since the two turntables are situated one above the other at one station according to the invention, the common working area or zone can be situated there. This common working zone is the moulding-sand introduction and compacting station, which constitutes the end of the pattern-treatment region and the start of the mould-treatment region.

The apparatus hitherto required for transferring from one region to the other can be omitted owing to the co-operation of the two turntables.

One particular field of application is in moulding installations for the production of casting moulds by the vacuum forming process. In the patterntreatment region the application, dressing and drying of the pattern sheet have to occur in succession.

The turning and subsequent treatment (e.g. core insertion) of the mould have to be provided for in the mould-treatment region. At the common station the introduction and compacting of the moulding sand and the application of a cover sheet take place.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows in a single Figure a plan view of a moulding installation embodying the invention.

Aturntable 1 acting as pattern carrier travels in succession through stations for applying a, dressing b and drying ca pattern sheet which is taken from a pattern-sheet supply or dispenser 2 and is prepared in an application apparatus 3. The station a for apply ing the pattern sheet on to the pattern is conve niently associated with a pattern-changing apparatus including a pattern-preparing zone.

A second turntable 4 acting as mould carrier is arranged on a somewhat higher level than the first turntable 1, in fact sufficiently to allow a moulding box to be lowered from it atthe common station d on to the pattern carrier for the introduction and compacting of moulding sand. Associated with this common station d likewise is a patternsheet supply or dispenser 5 with an application apparatus 6 for covering the completed mould. Vacuum pumps 7 at the moulding boxes ensure the necessary negative pressure in the mould afterthe covering operation.

The turntable 4 then travels with the mould in succession through stations for turning e by means of a turning apparatus not shown in detail here, for core insertionfand for transferring g. From this laststa- tion g the completed mould is passed to the bringing-together station (not shown). At the same time a new moulding box is put on the turntable 4 there.

1. Moulding installation for the production of casting moulds, with a plurality of pattern- and mould-treatment stations, the installation comprising two turntables which are arranged at different heights and such as to be situated one above the other at one of the stations, the lower-situated turntable being constructed as a pattern carrier and the higher-situated turntable as a mould carrier.

2. Moulding installation according to claim 1 for use in the production of casting moulds by the vacuum forming process, wherein there are associated with the station which is common to both turntables a moulding-sand introduction and compacting apparatus and also a cover-sheet dispenser.

3. Moulding installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein additional stations for the application and subsequent treatment of a pattern sheet are arranged on the turntable constructed as a pattern carrier.

4. Moulding installation according to claim 1,2 or3, wherein additional stations for turning, preparing and transferring the mould are arranged on the turntable which is constructed as a mould carrier.

5. A moulding installation substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

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

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Moulding installation for the production of casting moulds This invention relates to moulding installations for the production of casting moulds. Moulding installations with a plurality of patternand mould-treatment stations are known in the state of the art. In these known installations the individual stations are arranged in succession one behind another. The moulding-sand introduction and compacting station represents the transition from the pattern-treatment region to the mould-treatment region. A transfer apparatus is required at that point. The pattern is returned therefrom for fresh treatment. Arranging a number of stations one behind another ensures a good work flow. However, in the case of moulding installations using moulds of large dimensions a relatively large amount of space is needed. These space requirements are additionally increased by the moulding station situated between the pattern-treatment region and the mouldtreatment region. It is an object of the present invention to provide a more space-saving moulding installation, with a plurality of pattern- and mould-treatment stations, than has been possible with hitherto conventional stations arranged one behind another. Afurther object is to dispense with the provision of a transfer apparatus between the two regions. According to the present invention there is provided a moulding installation as defined in claim 1 of the claims of this specification. Turntables offer the best possible conditions as regards work flow. Tools are transported to the various working stations with the least possible expenditure of energy. Since the two turntables are situated one above the other at one station according to the invention, the common working area or zone can be situated there. This common working zone is the moulding-sand introduction and compacting station, which constitutes the end of the pattern-treatment region and the start of the mould-treatment region. The apparatus hitherto required for transferring from one region to the other can be omitted owing to the co-operation of the two turntables. One particular field of application is in moulding installations for the production of casting moulds by the vacuum forming process. In the patterntreatment region the application, dressing and drying of the pattern sheet have to occur in succession. The turning and subsequent treatment (e.g. core insertion) of the mould have to be provided for in the mould-treatment region. At the common station the introduction and compacting of the moulding sand and the application of a cover sheet take place. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows in a single Figure a plan view of a moulding installation embodying the invention. Aturntable 1 acting as pattern carrier travels in succession through stations for applying a, dressing b and drying ca pattern sheet which is taken from a pattern-sheet supply or dispenser 2 and is prepared in an application apparatus 3. The station a for apply ing the pattern sheet on to the pattern is conve niently associated with a pattern-changing apparatus including a pattern-preparing zone. A second turntable 4 acting as mould carrier is arranged on a somewhat higher level than the first turntable 1, in fact sufficiently to allow a moulding box to be lowered from it atthe common station d on to the pattern carrier for the introduction and compacting of moulding sand. Associated with this common station d likewise is a patternsheet supply or dispenser 5 with an application apparatus 6 for covering the completed mould. Vacuum pumps 7 at the moulding boxes ensure the necessary negative pressure in the mould afterthe covering operation. The turntable 4 then travels with the mould in succession through stations for turning e by means of a turning apparatus not shown in detail here, for core insertionfand for transferring g. From this laststa- tion g the completed mould is passed to the bringing-together station (not shown). At the same time a new moulding box is put on the turntable 4 there. CLAIMS

1. Moulding installation for the production of casting moulds, with a plurality of pattern- and mould-treatment stations, the installation comprising two turntables which are arranged at different heights and such as to be situated one above the other at one of the stations, the lower-situated turntable being constructed as a pattern carrier and the higher-situated turntable as a mould carrier.

2. Moulding installation according to claim 1 for use in the production of casting moulds by the vacuum forming process, wherein there are associated with the station which is common to both turntables a moulding-sand introduction and compacting apparatus and also a cover-sheet dispenser.

3. Moulding installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein additional stations for the application and subsequent treatment of a pattern sheet are arranged on the turntable constructed as a pattern carrier.

4. Moulding installation according to claim 1,2 or3, wherein additional stations for turning, preparing and transferring the mould are arranged on the turntable which is constructed as a mould carrier.

5. A moulding installation substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.