Improvement in Sand Moulding Machines.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 3rd May, 1887.
Improvement in Sand Moulding Machines.
I, GEORGE GUNTZ, of 21 St. Clement's Street, Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, in
the State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SAND MOULDING
MACHINES" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to moulding machines, for use in the manufacture of car
wheels, and consists in the novel construction and combination of the parts hereinafter
fully described and claimed.
In the drawings:-
Figure 1 is a side view of the machine with the sand reservoir removed.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section, taken on the line 2, 2, in figure 3.
Figure 3 is a plan view, from above, of the complete machine.
Figure 4 is a detail plan view, from above, of the inclines for operating the
sustaining levers.
Figure 5 is a detail side view of the outer circular incline, and sustaining lever,
showing also portions of the pattern, and table in section.
Figure 6 is a cross section through one of the holes in the table, showing the method
of forming the pouring gate.
Figure 7 is a side view of the pressure valve and its casing, taken on the line 3, 3,
in figures 9 and 10.
Figure 8 is a vertical section through the valve and its casing, taken on the line 3, 3,
in figures 9 and 10.
Figure 9 is a plan view from above, of the valve casing.
Figure 10 is a cross section through the valve, and its casing, taken on the line 4, 4,
in figures 7 and 8.
A revoluble table b is provided, having a series of equidistant holes or chambers,
arranged radially about its central stem, which is supported by the pedestal c, secured
to the foundation. A ball bearing is formed between the table and pedestal to reduce
friction, and the outer edge of the table is further supported by the ring c¹ provided
with suitable flanges and secured to the foundation.

page_text: B₁ are the moulding boxes which are placed on the surface of the table around the
said holes or chambers, and are provided with guide pins y engaging with corres-
ponding holes in the table. A circular toothed rack 2 is formed on the underside of
the table, which is geared into by the spur wheel &, secured upon the shaft l, for
revolving the table. A frame a is provided, and securely bolted to the foundation.
The shaft is journaled in bearings in the frame a, and is provided with a worm
wheel n,
which turns loose upon the said shaft, and is prevented from slipping off it by
the collar n².
A shaft Pi is journaled at the rear of the machine, and is provided with the tight
belt pulley o, loose pulley o¹, and the worm q, for communicating rotary motion to the
worm wheel n. The motion of the worm wheel n is communicated to the shaft / by
means of the clutch m, secured on the shaft: A worm 2, is also secured on the end
of the shaft p, and gears into the worm wheel W, on the vertical shaft T which is
journaled in brackets secured to the frame a. A cam R is secured on the shaft T, and
a wedge lever n' is pivoted to the frame a, so that the table may be automatically
started and stopped at periodic intervals. The construction and operation of the
clutch and its actuating mechanism, are not further shown and described in this
application, as the same are fully described and claimed in another application for
letters patent for a moulding machine, filed of even date herewith.
G is the sand reservoir, which is suspended over the table so that its lower end may
register with the moulding boxes. G₁ are brackets which connect the reservoir with
the foundation, and assist in supporting it; the principal weight being taken by rods
which suspend the reservoir from the roof of the moulding shop, or other fixed
support. With this exception the reservoir G is exactly the same, and is provided
with sand valves G2, as shown and described in the other application aforesaid, filed
of even date herewith.
S, S¹ are the levers for opening and closing the valves in the reservoir. These
levers are pivoted to the bracket S³, secured to the foundation, and their free ends are
operated by the revolving cam R2 secured upon the said shaft T. The cam 1² operates
the levers S S¹, in both directions so that no weights are required. The motions of the
levers S S¹, are exactly the same as the horizontal valve operating levers shown and
described in the aforesaid application filed of even date herewith.
A pattern is placed in each of the holes or chambers of the table. Supporting
levers, provided with weights j¹, are pivoted on the pins at the lower end of each
hole in the table. These levers support the pattern in the hole, when in a horizontal
position, as shown to the left hand in Figure 2; and are retained in their horizontal
position by the weight of the pattern. The pattern his cored out for lightness, and
as shown, is suitable for making a plated car wheel, that is one having no arms or
spokes. The pattern shown makes that part of the mould for the wheel which comes
in the lower box. The mould for the part of the wheel which comes in the top box
with the pouring gate is made in a separate machine, similar to the present machine,
and a chill for forming the tread of the wheel is interposed between the two
moulding boxes after they have been removed to the casting pit. The cores
for making the hollow part of the center of the wheel, and the hole through
the hub, are of course placed in position in the mould before the top box is
placed above the chill. Each moulding box with the patterns resting on the arms j
when horizontal, is brought under the reservoir, and receives a charge of loose sand
which fills the space between the top of the pattern and the top of the moulding box.
The table is then revolved until the moulding box filled with loose sand is brought
centrally under the anvil
g.
A hydrostatic cylinder d¹, is secured to the frame a, under the anvil g. A similar
hydrostatic cylinder d, is secured to the upper part of frame a, above the anvil 9. and
both of the said cylinders are provided with pistons, piston rods, covers and stuffing
boxes of ordinary construction. The cylinder d' is provided with the ram f¹ secured
to its piston rod, and working in the guide e¹, which guide is secured to the frame a,
and is also coupled to the cylinder d', by the bolt es. The cylinder d is provided with
the ram secured to its piston rod, and working in the guide e, secured to the

page_text: frame a, and also coupled to the cylinder d, by the bolt e². The anvil g is permanently
secured to the ram, and reciprocates with it. P¹ are pipes which connect the two
outer ends of the cylinders d, d, with the opening P³ of the pressure valve case V.
Pare pipes which connect the inner ends of the cylinders d, d, with the opening P²
of the said valve case.
F is the pressure pipe screwed into the opening F in the valve case; and H is the
exhaust pipe, screwed into the opening H of the valve case. The valve V₁ works
balanced within its case, and is provided with the valve stem V, passing through
stuffing box of ordinary construction. When the valve is moved so as to place the
pipes P¹ in communication with the pressure pipe F, the pistons and rams of the two
cylinders are simultaneously caused to approach each other; and when the pipes Pare
placed in communication with the said pipe F, the said pistons and rains are forced
apart in a similar manner.
The pressure pipe F may be connected with any suitable pressure pump, and water,
compressed air, steam, or any other fluid may be used to actuate the pistons in the
cylinders. L is a lever pivoted on the side of the frame a, and pivotally connected to
the end of the valve stem V2. The other end of the lever L is operated by the
cam R secured upon the continuously revolving shaft T, previously described,
so that the position of the pressure valve is automatically reversed at stated
intervals.
B is a ring or hoop surrounding the anvil g, and free to slide upon it. This ring is
attached to the anvil by the levers D, and links C; the said levers being pivotally
connected to brackets F on the anvil. Three levers D are preferably used, but other
numbers may also be used which will support the hoop B equally, and allow it to slide
freely. D is a tappet secured to the guide e a separate tappet is provided for each
lever D but only one is shown, as they are all alike.
When the pistons dd, are forced apart the hoop B surrounds tlie anvil, as shown in
Fig. 2, but the flange, of ram, is against the guide e and the free ends of levers D
bear against the tappets D', so that the hoop B is held suspended. The table is now
revolved to bring the moulding box, previously filled with loose sand from the reservoir,
directly under the anvil. Immediately the moulding box arrives in this position the
clutch im is automatically thrown out of connection with the worm wheel, and the
table ceases to revolve. The automatic spring latch N slips into a hole N in the table,
one hole being provided for each moulding box used, and the table is held stationary.
The continued revolution of the cams R³ and R³, secured on the shaft T, causes a
charge of sand to fall into the moulding box which has just been brought round under
the reservoir, and the rains, are caused to approach each other. Both of these
actions take place simultaneously, and as before described. The ram raises the
pattern h. The supporting levers j, being relieved of the weight of the pattern,
are turned on the pivots by the action of the weights, until they assume a
vertical position, as shown to the right hand in Fig. 2. The ram flowers, and with
it the anvil g, and hoop B. The hoop B however, lowers more quickly than the anvil
because it is supported by the levers D, the free ends of which bear upon the tappets D¹
and allow the said hoop to descend into the rim of the moulding box B'. The hoop B
rests upon the said moulding box and forms as it were a continuation of it, when the
anvil has made but a small portion of its downward motion, and it consequently rests
upon the rim of the moulding box when the pattern also has made only a small
portion of its upward movement.
The function of the hoop B is to prevent the loose sand in the moulding tox
from being spilled onto the table, and to form a solid layer of compressed sand
across the top of the moulding box. The moulding box is full of loose sand, and when
the pattern commences to rise, the sand rises with it into the hoop B, until met by the
descending anvil.
The continued movement of the anvil g, and pattern toward each other, causes the
loose sand in the moulding box to be compressed, and the under surface of the said
anvil is so corrugated that this sand is evenly compressed over every part of the surface

page_text: of the pattern. The position of the various parts of the machine when the compression
is completed is clearly shown in Fig. 2.
The movements of the two rams fand f¹ are substantially synchronous. If one
should be in advance of the other, from unequal friction of working parts or other
cause during any part of its stroke, the complete operation of the pattern and
the machine anvil, or resistance block, is the same. The lower ram stops at an
accurately determined point, so that the sand in contact with the pattern is compressed
and projects a certain fixed distance below the lower edge of the moulding box. The
anvil and ram are also accurate in stopping at one place, but this is not so important,
all that is necessary being that the corrugations on the underside of the anvil should
not pass below the level of the top edge of the moulding box. The projections of sand
above the top of the box are afterwards cut away, so that an even surface is formed
level with the top edge of the box, upon which edge and surface the whole mould may
rest when in the casting pit.
The continued revolution of cam R' now reverses the pressure valve, and the rains
and are forced apart. The anvil rises with the ram, but the pattern / remains
suspended upon the ends of the supporting arms which are now vertical, the pattern
being in contact with the face of the mould for the portion of the car wheel which has
been formed by it in the sand. The hoop B remains stationary on the edge of the
moulding box, until the free ends of levers D, which rise more quickly than the anvil,
strike up against the tappets D'. The anvil then completes its up stroke. The hoop B
is quickly raised off the moulding box, by the levers D and links G, and arrives at its
highest position simultaneously with the arrival of the anvil at its highest position.
In order to automatically. disengage the latch N from the hole N³ in the table just
before the table is about to revolve, the cam N is provided and secured to the end of
the continuously revolving shaft T. The cam N2 strikes the projection N₁ of the said
latch and draws it back directly the rams have been drawn apart to their full extent.
The clutch is then caused to engage automatically with the wheel by means of the
lever n', and cam R previously described, and the table commences to revolve.
soon as the hole N³ has moved past the end of the latch N, the cam N2 leaves the
projection N, and the spring N¹ causes the end of the latch to bear against the edge
of the table, ready to engage automatically with the next hole N³ as it comes round.
When the table revolves, the rammed up moulding box B' is carried with it. The
rammed up sand projects in places, above the rim of the said moulding box, the
projection being due to the irregular under surface of the anvil, adopted to secure the
uniform compression of the sand between it and the pattern. In order to remove these
projections, and leave an even surface of sand, level with the upper edge of the
moulding box, so that it can be turned over and stood upon the floor of the casting pit
after being removed from the machine, the knife is provided.
z
As
A is a vertical stem secured in the center of the table and turning with it. A
sleeve A is slipped over the stem A and is held down by a screw bolt and washer at
the top of the stem, which revolves in the said sleeve. A screw bolt is journaled in
a lug on the sleeve A³, and the end of the screw bears upon the flange at the base of it.
A similar screw bolt is. journaled in a lug on the bracket, which is secured to the
foundation, at one side of the table. Each end of the knife has a hole correspondingly
screw threaded and engaging with the screw threads of the bolts z, z¹, so that the
said knife may be adjusted vertically to cut the sand off the top of the moulding box
level with the upper edge of it, by turning the bolts,, in the lugs in which they
are journaled. J and J are two inclines, bolted to the foundation under the table.
These inclines are segments of circles, concentric with the table. The weights
the sustaining levers strike the inclines, after the sand has been cut off level, by the
knife z.
The levers are slowly turned to their horizontal positions by the continued
revolution of the table and the pressure of the inclines against the weights. The
pattern in the hole or chamber of the table is thus allowed to descend gently by its
own weight, leaving the mould and the box 13' ready for removal to the casting pit.
A revolving brush is provided for removing the loose sand from the surface of
of

page_text: the table, around the holes or chambers in which the patterns are placed, before the
empty moulding boxes are placed in position. The revolving brush t is mounted
on the spindle S, journaled in the boxes. A bracket y is secured to the foundation
at one side of the table for carrying one end of the brush spindle, and the gear for
driving it. Screws are journaled in holes in the boxes, and are connected to
them by the cross pins 3, which pass through the said blocks, and through annular
grooves in the ends of the said screws. Each screw works in the correspondingly
screw-threaded hole of a lug formed on the bracket y, and sleeve A¹ respectively, so
that the brush can be adjusted with respect to the table by turning the screws s'.
A vertical shaft e is journaled in boxes a¹¹, and has the bevel wheel w', screwed
on it and engaging with a similar bevel wheel secured upon the brush spindle S.
A friction wheel u is also secured on the shaft v, and bears upon the outer edge of
the table, so that rotary movement is communicated from the table to the brush. The
bracket y is further provided with screw-threaded holes, and the screws a working in
the said holes, and bearing against the boxes a¹, e, so that the pressure of the friction
wheel w against the edge of the table may be adjusted.
The pattern, for the part of the mould of the car wheel, which comes in the top
of the moulding box, is shown in Fig. 6, with the pattern for forming the pouring
gate secured to it. The upper surface of the pattern 2 has corrugations to form the
upper part of the inould, similar to those shown on the pattern for forming the lower
part of the mould. The anvil the pattern 2 works under, is also corrugated so that
the sand in the moulding box may be compressed to a uniform density all over the
surface of the pattern.
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 :-
1. In a moulding machine, the combination of a table having a hole or chamber, a
pattern sliding in the said hole, and unequally balanced arms pivoted to the table
under the pattern, so that they may automatically follov and support it at two different
elevations.
2. In a moulding machine, the combination of a revoluble table having a series of
equidistant holes or chambers arranged radially about its center, a pattern sliding in
cach hole, and unequally balanced arms pivoted to the table under each pattern so
that they may automatically follow and support them at two different elevations.
3. In a moulding machine, the combination of a table having a hole or chamber, a
pattern sliding in the said hole, arms pivoted to the table under the pattern so that
they may support it at two different elevations, and weights secured to the said arms
for automatically turning them on their pivots when the pattern is raised.
4. In a moulding machine, the combination of a revoluble table having a hole or
chamber, a pattern sliding in the said hole, arms pivoted to the table under the pattern
so that they may support it at two different elevations, weights secured to the arms for
automatically turning them on their pivots when the pattern is raised, and stationary
inclines for restoring the said arms to their original position and lowering the pattern
when the table is revolved.
5. In a moulding machine, the combination of a table having a hole or chamber, a
pattern sliding in said hole, unequally balanced arms pivoted to the table under the
pattern so that they may automatically follow and support it at two different elevations,
and a hydrostatic cylinder for raising the pattern.
6. In a moulding machine, the combination of a table having a hole or chamber, a
moulding box resting on the table around the said hole, a pattern sliding in the hole
of the table, a hydrostatic cylinder under the table for raising the said pattern, an
anvil supported over the moulding box, a hydrostatic cylinder for lowering the anvil,
pressure pipes provided with a valve connecting with the two opposite ends of the
said cylinders, so that the said pattern and anvil may simultaneously compress the
sand between them, in the moulding box, mechanism for revolving the table provided
with a disengaging clutch, and continuously revolving cams operating the said valve
and clutch intermittently and alternately at fixed intervals.

page_text: 7. In a moulding machine, the combination of a revoluble table having a hole or
chamber, a moulding box resting on the table around the said hole, a pattern sliding
in the hole of the table, arms pivoted to the table under the pattern so that they may
support it at two elevations, a hydrostatic cylinder under the table for raising the
pattern, an anvil over the moulding box, a hydrostatic, cylinder for lowering and
raising the anvil, pressure pipes connecting the opposite ends of the said cylinders so
that they work simultaneously in opposite directions, weights for automatically
turning the supporting arms on their pivots and holding the pattern raised up after
its cylinder ceases to support it and the anvil has been raised, and stationary inclines
for restoring the said arms to their original positions and lowering the pattern, when
the table is revolved from under the anvil.
S: In a moulding machine, the combination of a table, a moulding box resting on
the table, a sliding anvil over the moulding box, a stationary guide for the anvil, a
hoop surrounding the anvil, levers pivotally connecting the anvil with the hoop, and
tappets secured to the guide and bearing on the free ends of the said levers, for
sustaining the said hoop when the anvil is raised.
.
9. In a moulding machine, the combination of a moulding box, a sliding anvil
over the moulding box, and a sliding hoop pivotally connected to the anvil, whereby
the hoop becomes an extension of the moulding box prior to the descent of the anvil.
10. In a moulding machine, the combination of a moulding box, a sliding anvil
over the moulding box, having brackets E, a stationary guide for the anvil, a hoop
surrounding the anvil, the levers D pivoted to the said brackets, the links C connecting
the levers with the hoop, and the tappets D' secured to the anvil guide and operating
in connection with the free ends of the levers as set forth.
11. In a moulding machine, the combination of a revoluble table having a hole in
its outer edge, a spring latch automatically engaging with the said hole in the table,
pattern sliding in a chamber in the table, a moulding box resting on the table
circumjacent to the pattern, a hydrostatic cylinder under the table for raising the
pattern, an anvil over the moulding box, a hydrostatic cylinder for lowering the
anvil, pressure pipes provided with a valve connecting the opposite ends of the said
cylinders' so that they work simultaneously in opposite directions, mechanism for
revolving the table provided with a disengaging clutch, continuously revolving cams
operating the said valve and clutch intermittently and alternately, at fixed intervals,
and a continuously revolving cam engaging with a projection on the latch, withdrawing
it from the hole when the table is about to revolve, and holding the said projection
until the hole in the table has passed by the end of the latch.
12. In a moulding machine, the combination of a reservoir for sand provided with
valves for delivering a measured charge from the upper to the lower part of the
reservoir, levers pivotally connected to the said valves and a continuously revolving
cam, operating positively upon the said levers, and opening and closing the sand
valves at stated intervals.
13. In a moulding machine, the combination of a revoluble table having a series of
equidistant holes or chambers, a pattern sliding in each hole, moulding boxes resting
on the table around the holes, a sand reservoir, provided with a sand delivery valve
over one of the moulding boxes, a sliding anvil over the next adjacent moulding box,
two hydrostatic cylinders placed respectively under the pattern and anvil, and over the
anvil, a pipe connecting the opposite ends of the said cylinders and provided with a
pressure valve so that the said pattern and anvil may simultaneously compress the
sand between them in the moulding box, a continuously revolving shaft, and two
cams secured on the said shaft, for simultaneously opening the pressure and sand
valves. aforesaid, at stated intervals.
14. In a moulding machine, the combination of a revoluble table, a mouiding box
resting on the table, a sliding anvil for compressing the sand on top of the
moulding box, and a stationary knife for cutting off the surplus compressed sand, on
top of the box, as the table revolves.
15. In a moulding machine; the combination of a revoluble table, a moulding box
resting on the table, a sliding anvil for compressing the sand on top of the moulding

page_text: box, and a vertically adjustable stationary knife, for cutting off the surplus sand, from
the top of the box, as the table revolves.
16. In a moulding machine, the combination of a revoluble table provided with a
central projecting stem, a stationary sleeve journaled on the stem, a stationary bracket
secured at one side of the table, and a knife provided with screws journaled in the
sleeve and bracket, so that the vertical plane of the knife may be adjusted, as and for
the purpose set forth.
17. In a moulding machine, the combination with a revoluble table, of a brush;
supported above the table and in contact with its surface, for clearing away the sand.
18. In a moulding machine, the combination with a revoluble table, of a. revolving
brush journaled in stationary boxes above the table, said brush being in contact with
the surface of the table, and for clearing away the sand.
19. In a moulding machine, the combination with a revoluble table, of a vertically
adjustable revolving brush, journaled in stationary boxes above the table, said brush
being in contact with the table, and for clearing away the sand.
20. In a moulding machine, the combination of a revoluble table, provided with
a central projecting stem, a stationary sleeve journaled on the stem, a stationary
bracket secured at one end of the table, vertically adjustable boxes provided with
adjusting screws connecting them with the said sleeve and bracket, and a revolving
brush journaled in the said boxes, for clearing away the sand from the surface of
the table.
21. In a moulding machine, the combination of a revoluble table, a brush mounted
on a central spindle journaled in stationary boxes above the table, and intermediate
gearing connecting the brush spindle with the table, so that the brush may revolve
simultaneously with the table, and clear away the sand from its surface.
22. In a moulding machine, the combination of a revoluble table, a brush mounted
on a central spindle journaled in boxes above the table, a friction wheel secured on a
vertical spindle and bearing against the outer edge of the table, screws for adjusting
the pressure of the friction wheel upon the edge of the table, and bevel gearing
connecting the two spindles together so that the brush may revolve simultaneously
with the table, and clear away the sand from its surface.