Method and apparatus for making sand cores

An apparatus for making a sand core, the apparatus comprising:

• a job box having an inner space in which the sand core is generated, the job box including a platform;
• a first station configured to house the job box and to generate in an inner space of the job box the sand core so that the sand core is made of a plurality of layers of a granular material and an additive that solidifies the granular material, the first station being configured to apply the granular material and the additive in an alternating manner on the platform of the job box;
• a second station different than the first station configured to house the job box after the job box is housed in the first station;
• a lid for closing an upper part of the job box when the job box is in the second station;
• a microwave generating device for applying microwaves to the sand core through a first through hole in the lid when the job box is in the second station;
• a drying stream generating device configured to generate a drying stream in the inner space when the job box is in the second station by applying suction on the inner space from outside of the inner space;
• and
• a suction plate attached to the lid with freedom of vertical movement through which the suction is applied to the inner space, the suction plate located in the inner space between the lid and the platform of the job box.