Molding machine and molding method

Abstract

Disclosed is a molding method for separating a cope flask and a drag flask from a match plate at the same time. The method comprises the steps of: holding the match plate between the cope and drag flasks; inserting an upper squeeze member and a lower squeeze member into openings of the cope and drag flasks, which are opposed to the match plate, to define an upper molding space and a lower molding space, respectively; filling the defined molding space with molding sand; and driving the upper and lower squeeze members toward the match plate to squeeze the molding sand within the upper and lower molding space to mold an upper mold and a lower mold at the same time. The cope and drag flasks that are included within said molded upper and lower molds are forcibly pushed away from the match plate at the same time when the flasks are stationary.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a molding machine and molding method, and, more particularly, it relates to a match-plate molding machine and a molding method using a match plate.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]One example of conventional match plate molding machines for molding upper and lower molds at the same time is disclosed in WO2005 / 058528 A1. In this molding machine, first, a match plate is sandwiched and held between a cope flask and a drag flask. Upper and lower squeeze members are then inserted into the respective flasks through their openings opposed to the match plate such that upper and lower molding spaces are defined. The defined molding spaces are then filled with molding sand. The upper and lower squeeze members are then moved to the match plate to squeeze the molding sand within the molding spaces to mold upper and lower molds. The cope and drag flasks, which contain the corresponding upper and lower molds, are then removed from the match pl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]FIG. 1 is a front view schematically illustrating a molding machine of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a schematic left view of the molding machine of FIG. 1; and

[0018]FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a pressurizing fluidic unit that drives the molding machine of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0019]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment of the hydraulic power unit.

Problems solved by technology

The inconvenience of such a conventional molding machine is that the procedures for removing the cope and drag flasks from the match plate start when the match plate adheres to either the upper mold or the lower mold.

Because of this, the one mold may receive a significant impact when it is removed from the match plate.

Thus the second stripping may cause a defect.

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