Molding machine

A molding machine to mold a pair of flaskless molds, comprising:

• a first flask and a second flask;
• an exchangeable match plate having a first face and a second face corresponding to the first flask and the second flask respectively, wherein said match plate is adapted to be held between the first flask and the second flask in a sandwich relationship;
• means for relatively moving either or both of the first flask and the second flask to said match plate such that the first and second flasks can hold and release said match plate being held therebetween;
• a first squeeze member having a first pressure-applying plane, wherein the first squeeze member is insertable into the first flask while the first pressure-applying plane is opposed to the first face of said match plate, and wherein the first squeeze member is inserted into the first flask when the first flask and the second flask hold said match plate therebetween in a sandwich relationship to define a first mold cavity by the first pressure-applying plane, the first face of the match plate, and the first flask;
• supporting means for supporting the first flask, the second flask, said match plate, and the first squeeze member, and for rotating them in unison between a horizontal position in which the first flask and the second flask hold said match plate therebetween in the sandwich relationship while the first pressure-applying plane of the first squeeze member is oriented vertically and facing downward and a vertical position in which the first pressure-applying plane is oriented horizontally;
• a filling frame located to abut the second flask in a perpendicular position of said filling frame when the first and second flasks hold said match plate therebetween in the sandwich relationship at said vertical position;
• a second squeeze member having a second pressure-applying plane that is oriented horizontally, wherein the second squeeze member is insertable into said filling frame, and wherein the second squeeze member is insertable into the second flask through said filling frame when the first and second flasks hold said match plate therebetween while the second pressure-applying plane is opposed to the second face of said match plate at said vertical position to define a second mold cavity by the second pressure-applying plane, the second face of said match plates, said filling frame, and the second flask;
• a first actuator to move the first squeeze member to the first faces of said match plates such that molding sand within the first mold cavity is squeezed by the first pressure-applying plane of said inserted first squeeze member;
• and
• a second actuator to move the second squeeze member to the second face of said match plate such that molding sand within the second mold cavity is squeezed by the second pressure-applying plane of the second squeeze member.