Improvements in the Process, Machinery, and Appliances for Producing Moulded Castings.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 9th May, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 9th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 9th May, 1889
[Communicated from abroad by THE SOCIÉTÉ DU FAMILISTERI DE GUISE
VVE. GODIN & CIE., in Guise (Aisne), France.]
Improvements in the Process, Machinery, and Appliances for
Producing Moulded Castings.
JAMES JOHNSTON, Civil Engineer, 10 Balloon Street, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Machinery, Utensils, Apparatus, means and processes serving for the production of
moulded castings, their arrangement and combination: Considered in its detail the
invention on which this application is founded relates
1st. To a system of tables serving to receive the patterns or models to be moulded.
2nd. To the system of boxes and bars serving for the moulding.
3rd. To the particular disposition of the openings which afford a passage to the
metal for filling the mould.
4th. To the mechanism for the distribution of the sand in the mould.
5th. For the operations of moulding.
6th. For the mechanical means for detaching the boxes.
Seventh. For the means of taking hold of & transporting the models by means of
special hydraulic cranes & turning platforms.
Eighth. For the mechanical means for blowing water on the moulds.
Ninth. For the revolving tables and the means of fastening the moulding boxes in
order to run in the metal close to the Cupola.
Tenth. For the method of emptying the boxes.
Eleventh. For the means employed in watering the sand which has been emptied.
Twelvth. For the means of transporting the sand.
Thirteenth. For the method of cooling & preparing the sand.
Fourteenth. For the apparatus for transporting the sand already prepared to an
apper stage, for use in the moulds.

page_text: These boxes are cast frames of a uniform thickness, with strong ribs on their
external circumference, and carrying on each side, & on the middle of their breadth,
a trunnion, which enables them, when suspended on the arms of the levers of the
cranes, to turn upon themselves.
The ribs cast with the frame give to the boxes the power of resisting the pressure
which they have to support from the hydraulic press, while allowing them to be
as light as possible. Each box is composed of two parts. The first or under part
has ears with holes, the second or upper part having ears with pins, and being
intended to be placed on the lower part. Their special mode of construction secures
that all parts whatever they may be, will fit into each other. To keep the sand
in the boxes, to hinder the pressed moulds from breaking during their several
handlings, and to facilitate the cleaning of the boxes, movable cross bars are used.
There are six of these bars in each half of the box, placed at equal distances
crosswise. Their length is slightly less than the width of the box, and their form
is that of a T, with flanges at each end to make them press against the internal
walls of the box. These cross bars are placed on the sand as soon as the mould
is filled, and are forced into the sand at the same time that the mould is formed,
under the action of the hydraulic press.
A system of hooks, which will be explained farther on, enables these bars to be
removed when the boxes are ready for clearing out the castings, and they are again
employed for fresh moulds.
RUNNERS OR GITS FOR MOULDS.
In order to leave the openings necessary for the passage of the metal in casting
the pieces to be produced, git patterns are laid vertically on the models; These
movable gits are made in three parts. First. A movable brass plate. Second. A
series of springs. Third. A box forming a cap. The movable brass plate carries
one or more bolts according to its length, & slides with a gentle friction into the
box. The bolts serve to fix the git on the models, or shaping pieces, by connecting
themselves with little mortices made for this purpose.
The total height of the git is greater than the thickness of the moulds; Under
the action of the press the springs contract & the box sliding on the plate makes
the git piece the height of the mould; To take the git out the attendant has only
to give to give to the top of the box some slight blows which shakes the sand and thus
allows the springs to expand, then the git lengthens & pushes up the box, which can
now be easily removed by hand, and there is no sand to cut away, the cap of the

page_text: The moulding is done upon a turning platform, on which there are fixed at equal
distances from each other eight tables mounted on springs carrying the eight parts of
the pattern, & each pattern is composed of two parts, which form a complete mould.
Each part is placed on a table, the first, viz., the under part, reproducing one face of
the model to be moulded, ought always up to the time they are united to precede the
second part, and consequently to be one table in advance of the last; The second,
or upper part, reproduces the other face of the model. On this part are placed the
movable castings, intended after the moulds have passed the hydraulic press to be
removed from the mould by the workman charged for this service, in order to
leave in the pressed sand the openings necessary for the introduction of the metal
for filling the mould. These two parts when pressed are placed one on the other,
the part carrying the movable castings being above, & they form the complete
mould. This operation of connecting them is called the remmoulage. In this way
a succession of moulds is supplied as fast as they can be cast, for the moulding
commences always invariably at the same point on the first turning table. At this
point a, the movable git patterns are placed on the pattern in the box at the point b
the distributive sieve throws upon the box the fine special sand intended to form the
first layer for covering the patterns. At the point c there is placed on the box a
wooden frame, used to determine the height of the sand required for the compression
of the model: Another distributive sieve completes the filling of the box up to the
height of this frame, when the workman, by means of a straight edge, equalise the
sand, & then take away the wood frame. At the point d the loose cross bars are
inserted and pressed lightly into the sand, at the point c the box is pressed and the
mould made. Ate the turning platform has completed five eighths of a revolution.
As soon as the box filled with sand has reached the point e, the press descends &
carries down the compressing plate, which presses the sand down to the edge of the
moulding box; then the press acting in the contrary direction, makes the plate rise,
and at the same time communicates a turning movement to the two platforms (which
during the operation of pressing had been stopped). The stoppage of the turning

page_text: When the mould which has been placed on the table reaches the point I, a hydraulic
crane, takes up the first or under part of the mould and deposits it on a hollow plate,
perfectly adjusted and fixed on a third turning platform: While this operation is
going on, another mould has reached the point I. The same crane takes up afresh
the second part of the mould, the upper part, the workman gives the mould a half
turn and places it on this part. These two parts put, one on the other form the first
mould to be cast. The third turning platform resembles the first turning platform,
on which are fixed at equal distances from each other eight frames intended to receive
the parts of the box which are to be united in one mould & the moulds to be cast.
The eight frames in times of bolting or stoppage, are always in the right position to
receive the next pair of boxes. A cam wheel drives the turning platform, which stops
at every one-eighth of a revolution.
A lever for throwing out of gear moved by hand, allows of the platform being
turned at pleasure, and consequently displacing the tables: The first point ought to
be always free, and ready to receive the moulds to be united. As soon as this union
is effected the workman acts on the gearing lever & makes the platform advance
one division. At the point J is placed a cast frame of a fixed weight, intended to
effect the closure of the two parts of the box forming the mould, and thus to hinder
any escape of the metal at the moment of the casting. This frame although
occupying a fixed position may be at pleasure in accordance, with what is wanted,
be raised or lowered, enlarged or contracted, by means of a system of levers governed
by a hand wheel, below this frame all the moulds stop each in turn to be cast.
When the mould arrives at this point it is just below this frame: At this moment
the workman acts on the wheel, which makes the cast frame descend upon the
mould to be cast, & gives it the necessary pressure. As soon as the operation of

page_text: P
EMPTYING THE MOULDING BOXES.
A hydraulic crane takes away the moulding box from the turning platform at 8 and
deposits it on the fourth turning platform at t. As soon as this has been deposited,
& while the crane is returning to take another box, a workman has caused the turning
platform to make a quarter of a revolution, which brings the box to be emptied to the
proper position for being emptied. The boxes thus transported rest on four supports
which keep those to be emptied from the grating. These same supports serve as
cushions to two shafts provided with hooks intended to catch the cross bars, which
are found in the lower part of the box, and the top of the gratings permit the
working of these shafts furnished with hooks. The turning platform, serving for
the clearing out of the moulding boxes, is furnished on the surface with cast
gratings, forming open squares, sufficiently small enough to prevent small pieces
of castings passing through, but large enough to allow the sand to pass through
easily. The box having arrived at the point indicated, the movable bars of the
upper part of the box are taken out one by one, by hand, by means of a special
hook, and the six bars in the lower box are grasped all at once by the hooks on the
two shafts As soon as this operation is finished, the hydraulic crane takes away
both parts of the box empty, and deposits them on a table, leaving on the platform
the cross bars, the sand & the castings produced.
:
At this point a small hydraulic crane takes up the casting boxes as fast as they
present themselves, and places them with mathematical precision upon the formative
parts at the point a. As soon as this part of the casting box is in place the first turning
platform, by means of the gearing apparatus, produces one-eighth of a revolution
and consequently makes each table advance by this eighth of a revolution, carrying
the forming table A to B and thus bringing all the tables into the position where the
operation recommences. The movable cross bars are taken away & placed on a little
waggon which carries them by a tram line nearer the table d of the first turning
platform, to be replaced in the boxes that are to be used again for fresh moulds. As
soon as the movable cross bars & empty boxes are taken away, the workman gives the
fourth platform another one-fourth turn, and it arrives at the next point. At this
point the castings are taken off & put into a car, by which they are taken over a
tramway to the dressing house. When the pieces have been removed another work-
man spreads the sand, and waters it by means of the apparatus placed above it, and
passes it through the grating. The same operations are continued while the work
goes on.
BREAKING UP & TRANSPORTING THE SAND.
The sand coming from the moulding boxes is broken up on the grating on the plat-
form, and falls into a large hopper the same diameter as the platform, under which is
a vertical mixer intended to crush & mix the sand. The sand thus mixed falls on a
turning plate, which carries it off and throws it on to an endless band, which in its
turn carries it up & throws it above the sifting apparatus. As this band during its
return draws with it a certain amount of fine sand attached to its surface, it is cleared
of this sand as soon as it quits the. sifting apparatus by means of a system of levers,
moved by two cams, which shake the band so as to make this fine sand fall, and it is
utilised in the preparation of the special sand for facing the mould; when the sand
reaches the sifting apparatus it falls on a first sieve, above which there is a rubber
which makes the sand pass through the sieve, while it rejects the fragments of castings
& other foreign bodies which the sand may contain.

page_text: COOLING & PREPARATION OF THE SAND.
As the clearing out takes place immediately after the casting, it follows that the
sand, when it reaches the sifting apparatus is still hot, and in this state it cannot be
used for moulding. It is necessary therefore to cool it. This object is attained by
making the sand fall after it has been previously washed, as has been said in describing
the emptying of the moulding boxes, and it is then conducted by an inclined band to
the cooling apparatus. This sand is obliged to pass successively through several
metallic guaze sieves to become sifted.
A ventilator placed below these sieves constantly supplies cool air, which, passing
across the sand cools it, through the double action of the current of air coming from
the ventilator and the vapourisation produced by the heat of the sand. It should be
here remarked that the principle of cooling by the vapourisation produced by an
active current of air was here applied for the first time to sand heated by metal
castings-The sand thus cooled falls into a hopper under which is a vertical mixer
used to produce a perfect mixture of the sand-This vertical mixer consists of a cast
Iron cylinder, in the centre of which is a shaft furnished with wings, intended to
produce a perfect mixture of the cooled sand-Above this cylinder, and at a distance
calculated to obtain the delivery of the necessary sand there is a turning platform
serving to distribute the mixed sand into the buckets fixed on the endless belt.
TRANSPORT OF THE PREPARED SAND TO A HIGHER STAGE.
RESUME.
The Utensils and new means described above embrace in continuous and successive
order the series of operations for the moulding in a manner entirely new.
All the operations which required on the part of the Moulder a continuous and
fatiguing labour are executed by the Machines with more precision so as to yield
with greater economy more perfect products.

page_text: Improvements in the Process, Machinery, and Appliances for
Producing Moulded Castings.
JAMES JOHNSTON, 10 Balloon Street, Manchester, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Considered in its details the invention on which the application is founded relates
ist to a system of tables serving to receive the patterns or models to be moulded:
2nd. To a system of boxes and bars serving for the moulding. 3rd. To the particular
disposition of the openings which afford a passage to the metal for filling the mould.
4th. To the mechanism for the distribution of the sand in the mould. 5th. For the
operations of moulding. 6th. For the mechanical means of detaching the boxes.
7th. For the means of taking hold of and transporting the moulds, by means of special
hydraulic cranes and turning platforms. 8th. To the mechanical means for blowing
water upon the moulds. 9th. For the revolving platforms & the means of fastening
the moulding boxes in order to run in the metal close to the cupola. 10th. For the
means of emptying the boxes. 11th. For the means of watering the sand which has
been emptied out of the boxes. 12th. For the means of transporting the sand.
13th. For the means of cooling & preparing the sand. 14th. For the apparatus for
transporting to an upper stage the prepared sand for forming the moulds.
Considered in its entirety, my invention consists in the organisation & reasonable
combination of all the means of manufacture above indicated in such a way that the
operations required for the mechanical production of moulded castings may succeed
in their natural order without long & expensive hard work.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
The six annexed drawings containing the series of figures whose nomenclature
follows, represent the invention in its whole, & in its details.
General plan giving the machines & their parts as a whole. No. 2. Fig. 1. Longi-
Drawing No. 1 Fig 1.
tudinal section & elevation following the lines 1. 2. & 3 on the plan. Fig. 2. Lon-
gitudinal section & elevation following the lines 4. 5 & 6 on the plan. No. 3.
Fig. 1. Transverse section & elevation following lines 7. 8. 9. & 10 on plan. Fig. 2.
Ditto. Do. 11 & 12 on plan. No. 4. Fig. 1. Longitudinal section & elevation of
the system of automatic ungudgeoning, or disconnecting the frames. Fig. 2. Trans-
verse section & elevation of ditto. Fig. 3. General plan of the said system.
Fig. 4. Plan & elevation indicating the movement of the elevating crane. Fig. 5. Plan
& section of the box with gits. Fig. 6. Details of a git. Figs. 7 & 8. Enlargement
of parts B. C. & D. on crane jib. No. 5. Fig. 1. Plan of the system of fastening
together the boxes on casting platform. Figs. 2 & 3. Horizontal section & elevation
of the same system. No. 6. Fig. 1. Vertical section & elevation of apparatus for
watering the sand which has been emptied out of the boxes. Fig. 2. Elevation &

page_text: front view of same apparatus. Fig. 3. Vertical section of apparatus for producing a
jet of spray. Fig. 4. Plan of above apparatus. Figs. 5 & 6. Plan of round jets with
orifices for distributing compressed air to produce jet of spray.
A. The upper stage which serves for the deposit & for handling the sand.
Drawings 1. 2. & 3. B. A heap of special sand in reserve prepared to form the first
layer upon the patterns or models. Drawing 1.
C. A heap of common sand in reserve, prepared to fill up the moulds, drawing, 1.
D. Endless band for transporting the common sand to the sieve with movable grid,
drawings, 1 & 2.
E. The sieve with movable grid on top with a hopper below to fill the moulding
boxes. F. The sieve of gauze wire with a hopper below to sift the special sand
intended to make first layer on the patterns or models, Drawing 1.
G. Moving parts to drive the grid & the sieve, Drawings 1 & 2.
H. A vertical mixer for the preparation of the special sand, drawings 1, & 2.
I. Driving shaft placed overhead to regulate the working of the press & the revolving
platforms, drawings 1 & 2. J. The intermediary transmission on the shaft of which
is fixed a friction coupling box intended for throwing out & into
the platforms N & O.
the
gear
press
M &
K. A small transmitting shaft controlling the vertical movement of the sieve with
movable grid, drawings 1 & 2.
L. Moving parts for throwing out & into gear the platforms N & O & the press,
drawings 1 & 3. M. A hydraulic press to compress the sand in the boxes for forming
the moulds, drawings 1 & 3. N. Revolving moulding platforms on which are fixed
at equal distances eight tables mounted on strong springs carrying the eight formative
parts of the patterns (A³ B³ C³ D³ F² F* G² H¹) drawings 1. 2 & 4.
N'. A system for the automatic detachment of the moulding boxes. O. A revolving
platform on which are fixed eight tables ([¹ J K' L' M³ Nº 0' P') intended to
receive the moulding boxes, drawings 1 & 2. PP. Cams to regulate the platforms M & O
drawings 1 & 2. P¹. An apparatus to blow water on the moulds mechanically. QA
small hydraulic crane to lift the empty boxes & place them upon the patterns or
models, drawings 1. 2 & 4. R. A hydraulic crane more powerful than the crane Q.
to lift off the moulding boxes & place them upon the revolving platform O, drawings 1.
2 & 4.
R. Hydraulic crane resembling crane R. to lift off the finished moulds & replace
them upon the revolving casting platform S, drawings 1 & 2. S. Revolving casting
platform on which are fixed at equal distances perforated frames (M¹ Ñ³ 0° p³
QRST) intended to receive the parts of the boxes to be united & the moulds
that are ready for casting, drawings 1. 2. & 5. T2. A metal frame suspended by
means of jointed levers & worked by the hand by means of a turning wheel intended
to scrow together the two parts of the box which form the mould, drawing 1.
R. Hydraulic crane similar to the cranes R. & R¹ but more powerful, to lift off the
moulding boxes with the castings & put them on the revolving platform X called
clearing plates on which the castings are taken out of the boxes, drawings 1 & 3.
U. A cam which turns the platform & receives its movement from the shaft U1
which carries the friction coupling box for throwing in & out of gear, drawing 1.
V. Moving parts for throwing in & out of gear, drawings 1 & 3. X. Revolving
clearing platform finished with grating intended to receive the boxes with the castings
at T3, on which they are undone for carrying away the boxes that have been emptied
at U & the castings at V₁ under which placed a vertical mixer intended to prepare
the sand taken out of the boxes, drawings 1. 3 & 4. X. Apparatus for watering
the sand taken from the boxes in which the castings have been made,
drawings 2, 3 & 6.
Y. Vertical mixer with the hopper to receive the sand from the boxes, drawings 2
& 3. Z. Turning plate which receives the mixed sand & conveys it to the endless
band Z drawings 2 & 3. R. Hydraulic crane similar to the cranes R' to lift away.
the empty boxes & place them on D, drawings 1. 3 & 4. Z. Sloping endless band
which receives the sand from the turning plate & transports it to the cooling apparatus,
B

page_text: drawings 1. 3 & 5. A¹. Cooling apparatus for the sand composed of the sieve (A) of
wire gauze with large meshes a little sloped & suspended, which has a very rapid to &
fro movement & does not allow any sand to pass which is unfit for moulding, & throws
out all impurities found in it, drawings 3 & 5.
(C) A double inclined fixed sieve with medium sized meshes through which the
sand is sifted before it falls into the mixer. (D) A ventilator with slight pressure
intended to supply cold air to cool the sand, Drawing 3. Fig. 2.
(F) A hopper which conveys the sand to the vertical mixer B¹.
B. Vertical mixer for mixing the sand. Refers to drawings generally.
(G) Hopper which receives the sand from the plate H of the mixer & throws it
onto the buckets. C. Sand lifter composed of endless belt. provided with buckets of
tin to raise the sand above upper stage A & drop it on to endless band D destined to
carry the dust from the chain of buckets to the grating with rakes E. D¹. Box
intended to contain the necessary quantity of sand to fill a box, drawing 2. E¹ Sand
lifter to raise the special sand above the higher stage & pour it upon the band (M)
which conveys it to the vertical mixer H drawings 1. 2. & 4. F. General trans-
mitting shaft placed under ground driving the mixers B₁ & Y, drawings 1 & 3.
G. Driving shafts placed overhead driving the mixer H. the sand lifter C'E' the
endless band Z & the cooling apparatus, drawings 1 & 2. (C H.) Tram line for
carrying away the loose bars (coming from the clearing out of the moulding boxes) &
depositing them on (0 0) drawing, 1. (C. H¹) Tram line for transporting the
castings produced, to the dressing house, drawing 1. It remains to give a detailed
description of the different parts of the machinery & the operations included in the
production, to which my invention applies.
1. Moulding Tables.-The tables (A B C D E F G² H') which receive
the patterns or models are plates with their upper parts planed & with ribs below,
perfectly oven on their surfaces. They are fixed upon supports (A') & bolted to the
moving platform N guided above & below in the chairs with strong springs passing
across the beam & supporting the tables so as to allow them to lower when the pressure
is put on, & to rise when the pressure is taken off. At each extremity of the springs
there are holes through which the bolts pass fastened upon the surface of the turning
platform & intended to maintain the equilibrium of the springs & give them the
necessary tension & freedom for motion end ways.
2. Boxes & loose cross bars.-Upon the tables described above are placed the parts
intended to receive the boxes in which the moulds are formed. These boxes (A³ B
C D E F G H') are cast frames of a uniform thickness with strong ribs on their
external circumference carrying on each side & in the middle of their breadth a
trunnion which permits them when suspended on the arms of the levers of the cranes
to turn upon themselves. The ribs cast with the frame serve to give to the boxes the
power of resisting the pressure which they have to support from the press M while
allowing them to be as light as possible. Each box is composed of 2 parts the first
part called the under part having ears with holes, the second part called the upper
part having cars with pins, & intended to be placed upon the first part. Their special
mode of construction secures that all the parts whatever they may be will fit into each
other. To keep the sand in the boxes & prevent the pressed moulds from breaking
during their several handlings & to facilitate the cleaning of the boxes. I make use
of movable bars, drawing 1 (D³): of these bars there are 6 for each part of the box,
placed across it, at equal distances apart, their length is slightly less thin the breadth
of the box, their form is that of a T, at the extremities of which are cast large flanges
intended to make them press against the interior walls of the box. These bars are
placed on the sand as soon as the mould is filled & are forced into the sand at the same
time that the mould is formed under the action of the press. A system of hooks
which will be explained hereafter, enables these bars to be removed when the boxes
are ready for clearing out the castings, & enables them to be again employed for fresh
moulds.
3. Runners or gits for Moulds.-In order to leave the openings necessary for the
passage of the metal in casting the. pieces to be produced, I lay vertically on the

page_text: patterns or models, pieces which call movable castings, made of metal perfectly
polished, which facilitates their removal from the sand, they are oval in section & of
an area sufficient to feed properly the pieces to be produced, the lower parts resting
on the patterns are narrow, with tenons to go into holes in the pattern to keep them
in position. These git pieces are placed as soon as the patterns are cleared, their
vertical section is the same for all, but their length varies according to the dimensions
of the pieces to be cast.
These movable gits, which are shewn on drawing 4, figure 5, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and in detail figure 6, and are made in three parts
1st. The movable brass plate A. 2nd. A series of springs, B. 3rd. A box forming
a cap C.
The movable plate A carries one or more bolts according to its length, and slides
with a gentle friction into the box C. the bolts serve to fix the git on the models or
patterns by connecting themselves with little mortises made for this purpose.
The total height of the git is greater than the thickness of the moulds. Under the
action of the press the springs contract and the box sliding on the plate A. makes
the git the height of the mould. To get the git out the attendant has only to give to
the cap of the box some slight blows which shakes the sand and thus allow the springs
to expand. Then the git lengthens and pushes up the box which can now be easily
removed by the hand. There is no sand to cut, the cap of the box leaving a funnel
shaped opening destined for the introduction of the metal to cast the pieces to be
produced. As soon as the mould is pressed and is outside of the press, Drawing 1. (F)
the work of removing the git patterns by means of special processes begins. These
openings are then ready for their purpose of conducting the molten metal into the
moulds.
4. Distribution of the sand in the moulds-Before the work begins there is
prepared on the upper stage A, intended for the reception & handling of the sand, two
heaps of sand B & C to form a reserve (Drawing, 1.)
The special sand perfectly worked up in the mixer H is applied to form the first
layer on the patterns or models in order to give the pieces produced a perfect finish.
This sand coming direct from the vertical mixer H is laid in fixed quantities upon the
sieve F formed of wire gauze with fine meshes (Drawing, 1.) & by a very energetic
jogging movement is thrown upon the models or patterns.
The ordinary sand coming from the mixer B₁ (drawing 1 &.3.) is conveyed to the
upper stage with buckets on a belt & thrown on to the endless band D which conducts
it to the box D¹ opening at bottom & placed above the grating E. The capacity of
this box (D) is exactly what is necessary for filling up one moulding box, plus the
A rake or grid
height of sand found to be advantageous for compressing the mould.
rectilineally moved to & fro throws it upon the special sand in the box forming the
first layer. The first sieve F which is moved. very quickly distributes the special
sand. The second sieve or grating E over which the rake passes moves at a slower
speed for distributing the ordinary sand. These two sieves driven by the same shaft
always work together & constantly distribute the sand at the same time to the two
parts of the box placed on their respective patterns or models.
5. The Operation of Moulding. The moulding is done upon a revolving platform
(Drawings 1.2 & 4) on which there are fixed at equal distances apart 8 tables mounted
on strong springs carrying the 8 part of patterns or models. Each pattern is com-
posed of two parts, & these two parts form a complete mould, each part is placed upon
a table. The first viz.-the under part reproducing one face of the pattern to be
moulded ought always up to the time that they are united to precede the second part,
& consequently to be one table in advance of the last. The second part viz.-the
upper part, reproduces the other face of the pattern. It is on this part that the
movable castings are placed, intended after the models have passed the press to be
removed from the mouid by the workman charged for the service, in order to leave in
the pressed sand the openings necessary for the introduction of the metal for, filling
the inould.
These two parts when being pressed are placed one on the other, the part carrying

page_text: the movable castings being above & forming the first mould. The other parts
always 2 by 2 form the subsequent moulds. When the 8 tables mounted on the
revolving platform (N) are finished with their S parts of patterns (A³ B² C³ D³ E'
FGH) the moulding commences always invariably at the point A³ (Drawing I.)
At this point A the movable castings are placed on the patterns & also the box.
At the point B2 the distributive sieve throws upon the box the fine special sand
intended to form the first layer for covering the patterns. At the point C³ there is
placed on the box a wooden frame used to determine the height of the sand required
for the compression of the pattern. Another distributive sieve completes the filling
of the box up to the height of this frame, when the workman by means of a straight
edge equalizes the sand & then takes away the wooden frame. At the point (D³) the
loose bars are inserted & pressed lightly into the sand at the point (E³) the box is
pressed & the mould is made.
Starting at the point (F) they cut out & prepare the gits until the box arrives
at (G³)
At (H) the box being under the crane R is removed to the adjusting plat-
point D & deposits it with mathematical precision on the pattern which has been
arrested at the point (A³). As soon as this part of the box is in its place the revolving
platform N by means of the gearing apparatus L operates th of a revolution & con-
sequently advances in the direction of the arrow every table by th of a turn carrying
the pattern (A³) to (B2). By this turning movement all the tables are displaced at
every th of a turn & stopped in their new positions for the time calculated as necessary
for the operation to be performed by the workmen at each table. At the first time of
stopping when the table (A³) has arrived at (B2) the pattern being prepared, the gates
being placed, a second portion of the box is placed by the same hydraulic crane Q.
The same operation is performed every time the table presents itself, that is to say
every time a mould passes beneath the press (M) (Drawings 1 & 4). Thus at B2 the
pattern being provided with its box receives from its sieve F (Drawing 1.) placed on
the level of the higher stage (A) receives the special sand to form the first layer. At
(C) the box is filled with ordinary sand by the grating & grid (E) placed also on the
higher stage & beneath which is the hopper E' (Drawing 2).
At (D) two workmen regulate the sand at the top of the box, & lay in the movable
bars intended to keep the pressed sand in the box. At (E2) the turning platform N
has completed th of a revolution. As soon as the box filled with sand has reached
this point (E) the press descends & compresses the sand down to the edge of the
moulding box, then the press acting in the contrary direction makes the compressing
plate rise, & at the same time communicates a turning movement to the platform N &
the platform (which during the operation of pressing had been stationary). The
stoppage of the turning platforms N & O & their resumption of movement is effected
by 8 movable friction rollers on the outer circumference of the circle of the turning'.
platform N. The resumption of motion being effected by means of a hand lever.
These rollers are placed at equal distances from each other & press at each eighth of a
revolution upon a lever with a sloping surface W (Drawing, 1.) which by its fall acts
upon the gearing apparatus (L) which gives a turning motion to the platform N & O
(Drawing 1). When the compressing plate of the press M has ascended to the top of "
its course the box pressed has reached the point (F) & the following box is under the
⚫press. At the point (F) the workman charged with the work of taking out the gits
commences his task which consists of taking out the git patterns cleaning them &
pressing the sand so as to make good the opening left by the git pattern. This
operation is executed during the stoppage, & the advance of the turning platform & is
entirely ended before the mould arrives at the point (G2). The mould which precedes
it, being the lower part, has already arrived at (H¹). At this point (H') the mould is
taken from above the pattern by the automatic system of detachment, governed by the
hydraulic crane R¹, which takes it to the point (T): At this point the workman makes
the mould turn half over while he pushes it on the side of the turning platform O, &
the crane lays it down on the table (1) mounted on the adjusting platform O. This
revolving platform O moves in the direction of the arrow (Drawing 1) & also carries

page_text: 8 tables (I J K L M N O₁ P³) fixed at equal distances one from the other :
These tables are intended to receive the moulding boxes coming from the turning
platforms which are taken off, each in its turn, by the hydraulic crane R'. The
distance to be traversed, between the point (T) where the models are invariably set
down, & the point (P) where they are taken away, is calculated so that the workmen
have the time necessary for finishing off the moulds. The turning platforms N & O
are driven by the same movement & consequently always work together. The pro-
portions of the wheels (P) which drive the two platforms are so regulated that when
the revolving platform (N) makes th of a revolution, platform (0) makes gth revolu-
tion also, whence it arises that the tables are at each time of stoppage found at the same
relative positions.
Automatic system of ungudgeoning the Frames Drawing 4. To take a frame off
the mould it must be raised horizontally & parallel to the plane of the models or
forming pieces, until the mould is completely detached from them. At the instant
when the platform N stops the attendant who is at the dismounting crane, acts on the
lever A & seizes hold of the frame by its trunnions B. By this movement the ear (C)
is brought close underneath the lever (D) which is fixed on the body of the crane (E)
when the crane rises the ear (() which is united with the flying piece, risos also,
& lifts up the lever D. This is connected by a rod (F) with a handle (G) fastened on
the shaft (A) which carries 2 handles B & C¹. This shaft (A) by means of two
handles united by a bar governs a second shaft H' which also carries two handles
D&E. These two handles B. C' D E. are jointed to the levers F. G. H. I. so that
when the handle (G) is raised by the lever D the four arms F G. H. I rise also
& following the direction given to them by their guides J. K. L M. sieze all four at
the same time of the transverse ribs of the box & raise it as much as is necessary.
A little before the ear (C) leaves the lever (D) the arms R of the crane which end in
eyelet holes seize the trunnions B of the frame, & by the time this frame has been
seized by its trunnions the ear has escaped from the lever D & descends by the
gravitation of the system to resume its former position. Balance weights fastened on
the shafts prevent the system from descending too quickly.
Apparatus for producing a jet of spray (Drawing 6.) As soon as the dismounting
crane R has laid a mould down on the table I of the readjustment platform. This
apparatus which is distinguished by the letter P¹ (Drawing 1.) & the figures 3. 4. 5
& 6. on Drawing 6. is placed upon a circular table concentric with the readjustment
platform O, a table on which are placed the tools used by the workmen employed in
the readjustment. When the frame has been laid down on I the workman takes up
the apparatus P¹ opens the cock R (Drawing 6) figures 3. 4. 5 & 6. & directs the jet
of water, which comes out, upon all the parts of the mould to be moistened. The
small tube T of the cock R cominunicates by pipes with a reservoir of air subjected to
a slight pressure by an air pump (M1 Drawing 1 Drawing 3 figure 1.) As soon чs
the cock R is opened the compressed air passing through the small tube U desends
into the box V, which is filled with water, & acting on the surface of the liquid makes
it rise through the tube X which ends in a sinall tube pierced by a very small hole.
In issuing from this small hole the water comes into contact with the compressed air
which circulates round the pipe X after it has passed through the orifices of the
openings Z & Z and following the hemispherical partition of the spout (S). splits up
the water which it draws out with it. The water thus reduced to a spray allows the
charcoal dust to attach itself to the surface of the model and make it sufficiently
smooth.
6. Management of the Moulds.-The different arrangements for the transport of the
empty boxes and the moulds are effected by hydraulic jib cranes, Q. R. R¹ R³ R³
on Drawings 1. 2. 3. 4. Their construction does not differ from what is ordinarily in
use, what is particular in their employment is the system of suspension and of
hooking in order to lift up the boxes, and the mathematical precision with which
they transport the moulds from one revolving platform to another without requiring
from the workinen sustained attention. At the end of the jib there is a beam carrying
an iron swinging piece having at its extremities two suspended arms (Drawings 2 & 4)

page_text: which serve to take hold of the trunnions of moulding boxes in order to raise them
& specially as far as concerns the crane R to take hold of the system of levers placed
above the tables & intended to operate in a correct manner in the disengagement of
the mould. These suspended arms can, by means of a system of jointed beams
according as it is wanted either done together or separate so as to either take up the
boxes or lay them down.
7. Revolving platform, fastening the boxes & casting. When the mould which
has been placed on table (1) reaches the point P2 the hydraulic crane R¹
resembling the crane R takes up the first or under part of the mould & deposits it on
a hollow plate M* perfectly adjusted & fixed on the revolving platform S. whilst
this operation is going on another mould has reached the point P The same crane
takes up afresh this second or upper part of the mould, to which the workman gives
a half turn & places it upon the first part. These two parts laid one on the other form
the first mould to be cast. The turning platform S. resembling the turning platform N
on which are fixed at equal distances from each other the eight frames intended to
receive the parts of the box which are to be united in one mould and the moulds to
be cast.
The eight frames (M* N³ 03 P3 Q1 R* S' T') in times of halting or stoppage
are always in the positions indicated in the Drawings 1 & 3. A cam wheel U driven
by the movement U¹turns in the direction of the arrow the revolving platform which stops
at every th of a revolution: A lever for throwing out of gear U2 moved by hand allows
of the platform being turned at pleasure & consequently displaces the tables. The point M*
ought to be always free and ready to receive the moulds to be united. As soon as the
union is effected the workman acts on the gearing lever U & makes the platform
advance one division.
At the point (0) is placed a cast frame T. T. of a fixed weight
intended to effect the closure of the 2 parts of the box forming the mould and thus
to prevent any escape of the metal at the moment of casting. This frame T. T.
although occupying a fixed position may according to what is required, be raised or
lowered enlarged or contracted at pleasure, by means of a system of levers governed
by the hand wheel T¹ (Drawing 1.) Below this frame T. T. all the moulds stop at the
point (0) each in turn to be cast, the attendant now turns the hand wheel T¹
which causes the cast frame to descend upon the moulds to be cast, & gives it the
necessary pressure. As soon as the operation of fastening is ended the workmen
proceed immediately to pour the metal into the mould. When the casting is made
the attendant now turns on the hand wheel T' in the contrary direction & causes the
frame T. T to ascend. As soon as the operation is finished he causes the turning
platform to advance & secures another moulding box under the frame. The cast
mould is then taken on to the point (S¹).
8. The fastening of the moulds upon the casting platform. When a mould has
arrived at point O' upon the casting platform S. (Drawings 1 & 5) the attendant turns
the handweel T¹ connected to the toothed wheels which engage with a rack the end of
which is attached to one end of the lever A. which moves on its trunnions, when the
end B. of this lever rises the other end C. falls & draws with it the end E. of the
lever D. At the same time the end H of the lever F. falls also, and the rods L & M.
jointed at G & H. to the two levers D & F act on the cross pieces I & J to which
they are fixed so that the levers N, O. P. Q. fixed on these cross pieces fall and draw
with them the bars R & S which exert on the longitudinal sides of the frames a
pressure that the attendant can increase in proportion to the energy with which he
raises the rod U. Thus the pressure exerted becomes sufficient to allow the founders
to introduce the melted metal into the mould without danger of its escaping. When
a fresh frame is supplied with moulds and the casting of the one that is at O' is
finished the attendant turns the hand wheel T in the opposite direction causing bars
R & S to ascend leaving the frame free. He then moves the lever U' which brings
the friction gearing into operation, the platform turns of a revolution and the
operation re-commences.
A system of combined fastenings prevents the platform being engaged when the
mould is closed. At the point A¹ of the lever A there is an axis A' which acts on a

page_text: lever B. This lever imparts a movement to a shaft C which carries on its end a
lever D¹ from which is suspended a collar E¹ which rests against the lever F¹ jointed
to the system of engagement when the mould is closed so that the lever D¹ is fastened
& cannot act upon the friction gear.
When the bars R & S rise, the axis in rising raises the collar E¹ and the lever FI
being left free, the attendant may connect the platform by moving the lever U².
A peculiar arrangement of the levers N. O. P. Q. allows them by oscillating round
their centres, to exert a pressure upon a more extended surface, and makes possible
the employment of frames of different sizes.
The lever G gives motion to a shaft H' which transmits it by means of two bevelled
sectors to a shaft which carries a handle J¹, this handle gives motion to a shaft K
whose movement is communicated to the levers N. O. P. Q by the handles O. 0.
& S. S. so that the bars R & S may separate or approach according to the breadth of
the frame in which the casting is to be made.
9. Emptying the moulding boxes. The hydraulic crane R2 (Drawings 1 & 3) takes
away the moulding box from the turning platform at S and deposits it on the turning
platform X at (T3). As soon as this has been deposited & while the crane is returning
to take another box a workman has caused the turning platform X to make a of a
revolution in the direction of the arrow, which brings the box to be emptied from (1³)
to (U³). This turning platform at the time of stoppage is always in the position
indicated on Drawing 1. and the four divisions (T U V X2) indicate the positions
of the boxes. The boxes thus transported rest on four supports, which keep the boxes
to be emptied from the grating. These same supports serve as cushions to two shafts
provided with hooks intended to catch the cross bars which are in the lower part of
the box, an empty space between the lower part of the box and the gratings permits
the working of these shafts finished with hooks. The turning platform X serving for
the clearing out of the moulding boxes is finished on the surface with cast gratings
forming open squares sufficiently small to prevent small castings passing through, but
large enough to allow the sand to go through easily. The box having arrived at the
point (U) the movable bars of the upper part of the box are taken out one by one by
hand by means of a special hook, and the six bars in the lower box are grasped all at
once by the hooks on the two shafts. As soon as this operation is finished the
hydraulic crane R2 takes away both parts of the box empty and deposits them on
the table D' leaving in the turning platform the cross bars, the sand, and the castings
produced.
The
At this point a small bydraulic crane Q (Drawings 1. 2. & 4) takes up the casting
boxes as fast as they present themselves and places them with mathematical precision
upon the formative platform at the point A³. As soon as this part of the casting box
is in place the turning plate (N) by means of the gearing apparatus L makes one
eight of a revolution & consequently makes each table advance in the direction of the
arrow by this eighth of a revolution carrying the forming table A³ to B² and thus
bringing all the tables into the position when the operation recommences.
movable crossbars are taken away and placed on a little waggon which carries them
by the tram line (C. H) to (O. 0) nearer the table (D³) of the turning platform N.
to be replaced in the boxes that are to be used again for fresh moulds. As soon as
the movable cross bars and empty boxes are taken away the workman gives the
platform (X) another turn and it arrives at the point (V¹). At this point the
castings are taken off and put into a car by which they are taken over the tramway C.
H' to the dressing house. When the pieces have been removed another workman
spreads the sand & waters it by means of the apparatus X¹ (Drawing 2) placed above
it & passes it through the grating. The same operations are continued while the work
goes on.
10. Breaking up and transporting the sand.-The sand coming from the moulding
boxes is broken up on the gratings on the platform X (Drawings 1. 3. & 4) & falls
into a large hopper Y of the same diameter as the platform, under which is a vertical
mixer intended to crush & mix the sand. The sand thus mixed falls on a turning
plate which carries it off and throws it on to an endless band which in its turn carries

page_text: it up and throws it above the apparatus A¹ (Drawings 3 & 5). This band during its
return draws with it a certain amount of fine sand attached to its surface.
As soon
as the band quits the apparatus A¹ it is cleared of this sand by means of a system of
levers Y D moved by two cams which shake the band so as to make this fine sand
fall, and it is utilized in the preparation of the special sand for facing the mould.
When the sand reaches the apparatus A¹ it falls on a first sieve above which there is a
rubber which makes the sand pass through the sieve whilst it rejects the fragments of
casting and other foreign bodies which the sand may contain.
11. Cooling and preparation of the sand.-As the clearing out takes place imme-
diately after the casting it follows that the sand when it reaches the apparatus A¹ is
still hot and in this state cannot be used for moulding. It is necessary therefore to
cool it. This object is attained by making the sand fall (after it has been previously
washed as has been said in No. 8 clause) and then conducted by the inclined baud Z¹
(Drawing 1. 3,) to the cooling apparatus A¹. This sand is obliged to pass suc-
cessively through several metalic gauze sieves and to become sifted. A ventilator (D2)
placed below these sieves constantly sends out a stream of cool air which passing
across the sand cools it, through the double action of the current of air coming from
the ventilator and the vapourization produced by the heat of the sand. It should be
here remarked that the principal of cooling by the vapourization produced by an active
current of air was here applied for the first time to sand heated by metal casting.
The sand thus cooled falls into a hopper under which is a vertical mixer B¹ used to
produce a perfect mixture of the sand. This vertical mixer consists of a cast iron eyo
in the centre of which is a shaft furnished with wings intended to produce a perfect
mixture of the cooled sand. Above this eye and at a distance calculated to obtain the
delivery of the necessary sand, there is a turning platform (H) serving to distribute
the mixed sand into the buckets fixed on the endless belt C¹.
12. Transport of the prepared sand to the higher stage-When the sand has como
out of the vertical mixer B₁ it falls upon the turning platform H which carries it off
and throws it into the buckets fixed upon the endless belt C1 (Drawings 1. 2. & 3)
these buckets fill as fast as they pass the platform H and lift the sand above the upper
stage and throw it upon the endless belt D which carries it into the box D¹ intended
to receive the quantity of sand necessary to fill the moulding boxes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is —
1st. The means, processes, machines, utensils & apparatus substantially as herein-
before described, and set forth, serving for producing moulded castings.
2nd. The means, processes, machines, utensils and apparatus substantially as herein-
before described and set forth which make it possible to cast near the Cupola.
3rd. The means, processes, utensils &c., &c., which serve for the cooling, preparing,
transporting, & delivering of the sand for moulding.
4th. The fitting up & combination of all these means, processes &c. serving for the
series & order of operations required in moulding.
5th. The organization which is introduced into this order and series of operations.
Dated this Eighth day of February 1889.
JAMES JOHNSTON,
10, Balloon Street, Manchester.