Patent GB-708775-A (GB)
Title: Improvement in means for cutting semi-plastic bodies such as light weight concrete bodies cast in a mould, and a casting mould used in connection with the cutting means
IPC: B28B11/14
Filed: 1952-04-04
Abstract: 708,775. Cutting moulded masses of lightweight concrete. INTERNATIONELLA SIPOREX AKTIEBOLAG. April 4, 1952 [April 5, 1951], No. 8616/52. Class 87 (2) Apparatus for cutting semi-plastic bodies, e.g. lightweight concrete, cast in a mould comprises a bed for receiving the semi-plastic body 36 and composed of spaced transverse sections 37, individual fluid-operated jacks 38 for vertical movement of each transverse section, a cutting frame 34 traversing the cutting bed with its lower cross-bar just below the upper surface of the cutting bed, and valves 42 for controlling the jacks 38 and actuated by the movement of the frame 34 so as to lower progressively the sections 37 individually just in front of the moving frame and to restore them after the passage of the frame to support the body 36. By these means the lower cross-bar of the cutting frame passes directly beneath the body 36 without the interposition of the bed on which the body rests, and removal of the frame for, e.g. changing the cutting wires is facilitated. The semi-plastic body is first cast in a mould, in which it is transferred to the cutting apparatus, and the bottom of the mould comprises transverse sections 5 corresponding to the sections 37 of the cutting bed. The walls 1, 2 of the mould are detachable and are removed when the mould is in position, leaving the sections 5 of the mould resting on the sections 37 of the cutting bed, to which they may be secured and with which they fall and rise in turn. While the body is being moulded the gaps between the sections are covered by strips 7 of sponge rubber which rest on U- beams 20. If reinforcement 21 is to be included during the casting the sealing bars comprise angle-irons 22 placed back-to-back with intermediate webs from which lugs 25 project with grooves in which the reinforcement rests. The sealing bars are clamped to the sides 1 and are removed before the mould is transported to the cutting machine. The frame 34, carrying the' cutting wires 35, is held between carriages 32, each of which carries wheels 33 that run in I-beams 30 and may be driven by a motor, not shown. A vibrator, e.g. electric, may be fitted to give movement to the cutting wires. A rocker 41 is fitted below one of the carriages 32 and depresses in turn the actuating stems 42<1> of the valves 42 which thus cause the jacks 38 to operate in sequence for the purpose described. The weight of the overhanging ends of the semiplastic body presents a difficulty which may be met by making the transverse sections near the ends of the cutting bed narrower, but the difficulty is preferably overcome by pressing a comb-shaped member 46 against each end of the body 36 by means of a fluid-operated cylinder 47, the cutting wires passing between the teeth 48, which are laminated and carry sponge rubber strips 49 along their vertical edges which press on the ends of the body 36. In addition, a member 50 with a horizontal comb-shaped support 51 may be provided under each end of the body 36, carried by a truck 52 and raised and lowered by two fluid-operated cylinders 53 manually controlled by a valve 54. The truck 52 has a wing 55 which operates the end valve 42 and causes the end section 37 to be held down. Other operations than cutting may be performed, e.g. grooves 36' may be formed in the surface of the body by fitting suitable tools 44 on the frame 34. The principle embodied in the invention can be extended to include both longitudinal and transverse cutting by the use of a cutting bed in square sections like a chess-board. After the cutting operation the mould is replaced and the cutup body transported in the mould to an autoclave for steam hardening.