Patent ID: 6505671
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: B22C

Abstract:
A method for producing a sand core by removing moisture from the sand core comprising the steps of:(a) providing a casting mold having a mold cavity and including a first conduit operatively connected to the mold cavity and a second conduit operatively connected to the mold cavity; (b) providing a sand core disposed in the mold cavity, the sand core containing moisture; (c) providing a supply of conditioning gas to the first conduit and the second conduit to remove the moisture from the sand core, the conditioning gas being dehumidified; (d) providing a controller operatively connected to the first conduit and the second conduit to selectively control the supply of the conditioning gas between a first gas path, wherein the conditioning gas enters the casting mold through the first conduit and exits the casting mold through the second conduit, and a second gas path, wherein the conditioning gas enters the casting mold through the second conduit and exits the casting mold through the first conduit; (e) providing a gas exhaust unit operatively connected to the first conduit and the second conduit; (f) operating the controller and the gas exhaust unit to cause the conditioning gas to be selectively moved through the sand core disposed in the mold cavity, the conditioning gas moving through the sand core in at least one of the paths defined by the first gas path and the second gas path whereby the conditioning gas is operative to remove the moisture from the sand core; and (g) removing the sand core from the casting mold.