Patent GB-1453206-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for automatically casting nonferrous  metal
IPC: B22D5/00
Filed: 1974-10-09
Abstract: 1453206 Stacking and binding ingots MITSUI MINING & SMELTING CO Ltd MITSUI KINZOKU ENG SERVICE CO Ltd and HACHINOHE SMELTING CO Ltd 9 Oct 1974 43689/74 Heading B8C [Also in Divisions B3 and G1] Apparatus comprises means for automatically casting aluminium, lead, zinc, &c. in moulds to produce ingots, removing the ingots from the moulds, stacking them, weighing a stack and binding the weighed stack together. Double moulds 6 are fixed to a chain conveyer 5 passing a casting device a, a scum skimmer b, cooling means c and a hammering device d for freeing the ingots. Sets of ingots are stacked in a pattern on a table 23 which is rotatable and movable vertically, the stacked ingots being moved on to a bed 450, Fig. 11, and thence on to a discharge conveyer 460. The conveyer 460 passes under a weighing device, Fig. 14, and a binding device Fig. 17. Releasing ingots from moulds.-Rollers 305, Fig. 9, rotating with a chain sprocket end-wheel of the conveyer raise arms 301, 302 which then drop causing rollers 304 to hit the moulds and release a pair of ingots. Stacking.-The ingots are stacked in 12 layers of alternate patterns A, B, Fig. 13. The lowermost ingots have cast-on legs. Initially these latter ingots 415, Figs. 10 and 11, are deposited on the table 23 which is then lowered and an hydraulic device 401 pushes the ingots between tapering walls to close them together. This operation is repeated to arrange the ingots in pattern A, Fig. 13. Next, two ingots without legs are placed on the table which is rotated 90 degrees as it is lowered. When the two ingots are pushed off they move the "A" block on to the bed 450. An ingot raising means 404 is then actuated to raise one ingot B4, Fig. 10. Another two ingots are then collected on the table 23 and pushed off and the raised ingot is lowered to produce the pattern B, Fig. 13. The A pattern ingots are moved on to a rotary device 410 and are turned over to put the legs downwardly, the four ingots then being moved on to a plate (508) so that they may be lifted, moved sidewards and then lowered and released on to the conveyer, 460. Weighing.-The stack of 48 ingots is moved by the conveyer 460, Fig. 14, to the weighing device. The device has two arms 615 moved together by means 616 to grasp a stack and lift it by means of a piston 608, the weight being measured by means 606 and signalled to a printing recording device. Binding.-The conveyer 460, Fig. 17, then moves the weighed stack at a temperature of 200-250‹ C. to the binding device. A steel band 729 is supplied from a dispenser 728 and guided round fixed and movable members 717, 723, the band being secured by a binding head 725. Two such heads may be moved to have the binding operation repeated so that the stack is secured by four bands while being held secure by a presser head 714 at a pressure of 150 kg./ cm.<SP>2</SP>. An hydraulically-operated stamper 730, Fig. 18, and back-up means 731 mounted on the binding device then stamp the stack with its weight and other information. The finished stack is removed by a fork-lift truck.