Patent ID: 6457511
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: B22D

Abstract:
Apparatus for casting items in sand molds comprisinga conveyor having an upper conveyor section at a first elevation, including a plurality of mold carrier positions sequentially arranged; a lower conveyor section at a second elevation, including a plurality of mold carrier positions sequentially arranged, said lower conveyor section adjacent said upper conveyor section and offset laterally from said upper section; a plurality of mold carriers positioned on said upper conveyor section and said lower conveyor section for iterative sequential motion to each of said mold carrier positions on said upper conveyor section and said lower conveyor section, each mold carrier adapted for supporting and transporting at least one sand mold; a lift elevator positioned intermediate said upper conveyor section and said lower conveyor section for transferring individual mold carriers from said lower conveyor section to said upper conveyor section; a lowering elevator positioned intermediate said upper conveyor section and said lower conveyor section for transferring said individual mold carriers from said upper conveyor section to said lower conveyor section; a mold transfer station for placing sand molds on said mold carriers at a first location on said lower conveyor section; a weight and jacket transfer station for placing a weight and jacket about a sand mold at a second location on said lower conveyor section and for removing a weight. and jacket from a sand mold from a first location on said upper conveyor section; a pouring station proximate said lower conveyor section for pouring molten metal into said sand molds on said lower conveyor section to form a casting; and, a casting removal station intermediate said first location on said upper conveyor section and said lowering elevator at which said sand molds and said casting are concomitantly removed from said mold carriers.