Patent GB-1423301-A (GB)
Title: Matchplate moulding machine
IPC: B22C11/00
Filed: 1973-01-04
Abstract: 1423301 Foundry moulding machines SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO 4 Jan 1973 [7 Jan 1972] 606/73 Heading B3F In a foundry moulding-machine, a sand-filled assembly of cope and drag flasks and a matchplate is indexed (by an hydraulic piston-andcylinder 88, with a disc 89 at the end for engaging a matchplate support frame) from a fill station 30 to a position above a vertically movable table 91 (in an adjacent moulding station 31); to mould the sand, the table is then elevated (by an hydraulic piston-and-cylinder 93) to raise the flask &c. assembly so that the sand is squeezed with the aid of a squeeze head (147, suspended on sprung supports from a head frame 18 of the moulding station 31) and the table 91 is then lowered, with the cope flask and its mould held by four disc assemblies 125 against the squeeze head so that, as it descends, the matchplate is drawn from the flask and then from the drag flask as it engages support means (frame) 99 (100, of rollers 101, 102) to be free for indexing back to the fill station 30; with the matchplate out of the way, the table 91 is then raised again to assemble the cope and drag sand moulds (possibly after the setting of cores) and then lift the flasks from the assembled moulds on the table. The closed sand moulds are then pushed from the machine. A diaphragm (431) on the table is inflatable to support a bottom board beneath the drag mould if it is not level and to prevent damage to either sand mould. A pneumatically-operated jolt ram (145) functions in the squeeze head during elevation of the table and the head may carry pattern features, e.g. a projection (401) for forming a pouring basin in the sand.  The four disc assemblies 25, suspended on rods of a frame below an hydraulic piston-andcylinder forming an hydraulic lock 141 spaced discs 126, 127 for engaging projections (439) on top edges of the cope flask (76) for its support. The cylinder of the assembly 141 is surrounded by a cylindrical oil reservoir (353) from which oil is drawn past a check valve into the cylinder when the rising table 91 elevates both a draw frame 107 (assisted by draw pistons-andcylinders) which carries the drag flask (78) with the matchplate (77) and the disc assemblies 125 carrying the cope flask (76). When the table descends the drag and matchplate descend with it, but, until a valve (366) is opened to allow oil to return from the cylinder of the lock 141 to the reservoir, the disc assemblies and the cope remain elevated. In the fill station 30, a rollover frame 75 holds the assembly of flasks and matchplate, there being rollers (277) for supporting the matchplate (77) and rollers 279 for alignment with draw frame rollers. Its U-shaped frame 79 is supported at the base of the U by a tube 82, forming a Y with the frame 79, and rotating in journal bearings 80, 81. A curved blade 34 closes a sand shoot 33 until opened by an hydraulic piston-and-cylinder 44. A measured amount of sand then falls on horizontal doors 50, 51 until they are swung down by a piston-and-cylinder 54 on to aerators 63. The sand fills the drag flask 78 and a bottom board is fed on to the flask from a feeder (160) extending from the fill station 30 at the reverse side of the machine to that shown. The frame 75 is then rolled over to bring up the cope flask (76) for filling. If sand probes (290, 293) indicate that the cope or drag flask is not filled, the machine cycle will not proceed. During filling, the table 91 has been brought to reception level and the indexing piston-and-cylinder 88 advances the assembled matchplate, flasks and bottom board on to the table at the moulding station 31. The draw frame 107 is operated by two pairs of tandemly arranged pneumatic piston-andcylinder assemblies (180, 181) and bears support rollers (110, 111) for underlying rails on the drag flask. In the piston-and-cylinder arrangement for operating the table 91, a small piston 408 on a hollow stationary rod 407 is coaxially located in the hollow piston-rod 92 of a larger cylinder 93 so that oil fed through the inner rod 407 causes the initial rise of the table, by means of the rod attached to it. During the squeeze, oil is fed under pressure into the larger cylinder to raise the piston-rod 92 from beneath and into the latter to raise it from inside. The matchplate (77) is supported on and fastened to a frame 445. The frame carries a pneumatic vibrator (465) and may carry electric heating elements. Details of the hydraulic controls and pneumatic system are given, the latter incorporating solenoid valves.