US 4,714,100 A · Method and apparatus for changing a mold box on a molding machine

Abstract

A machine for making molds and molding cores (126) includes a pair of mold boxes (42a, 42b) removably mounted on a frame (60) for rotation between an upright, molding position in which molding material is introduced into the molding cavity of the molding boxes (42a, 42b) by a carrier (26) and an inverted discharge position in which the mold (126) is removed from the boxes by a mold receiving assembly (76). A pressure head assembly (46) both compresses molding material within the molding cavity and introduces a catalyst gas into the cavity for curing the molding material. A system for removing the spent gas from the molding cavity includes a pair of gas receiving chambers (122a, 122b) integral with the frame (60) which receives gas through the bottom of the mold boxes (42a, 42b) and an exhaust assembly (68, 70) which is selectively coupled with exhaust ports (124a, 124b) in the chambers (122a, 122b ). A mold transfer carriage (84) transfer molds (126) discharged from the mold boxes (42a, 42b) to either of two lateral positions and can be employed to automatically change mold boxes (42a, 42b) which are mounted on the frame (60) by quick release connections (62, 64, 134).

Claims21

Dependent claims

Apparatus for changing a mold box (42a) on a molding machine (20), said machine (20) being of the type including a rotatable frame (60), at least one mold box (42a) on said frame (60) having a mold cavity therein for forming a mold (126) and being rotatable with said frame (60) from a molding position in which a mold (126) is formed in said mold cavity to a mold discharge position in which a mold (126) may be removed from said one mold box (42a), means (76) for receiving and lowering said mold (126) from said one mold box (42a) when said one mold box is in said discharge position thereof, and means (84) for transferring said mold (126) laterally from said receiving means (76) to an unloading position, comprising:

means (62, 64, 134) for releasably mounting said one mold box (42a) on said frame (60);
and,
means (132) on said receiving means (76) for supporting said one mold box (42a) on said receiving means when said one box (42a) is released from said frame (60), whereby said one mold box (42a) may be vertically shifted by said mold receiving means (76) between a lowered position and a raised position in which said one mold box (42a) may be mounted or released from said frame (60).

A method for changing a mold box (42) on a molding machine (20), said molding machine (20) being of the type including a rotatable frame (60), at least one mold box (42a) on said frame having a mold cavity therein for forming a mold (126) and being rotatable with said frame (60) from a molding position in which a mold (126) is formed in said mold cavity to a mold discharge position in which a mold may be removed from said one mold box (42a), means (76) for receiving and lowering said mold (126) from said one mold box (42a) when said one mold box (42a) is in said discharge position thereof, means (84) for transferring said mold (126) laterally away from said receiving means (76) to an unloading position, and a reciprocable press head (46) including a press plate (52) for compressing molding material within said mold cavity, comprising the steps of:

(A) raising said mold receiving means (76) to an elevated position engaging said one mold box (42a);
(B) releasing said one mold box (42a) from said frame (60);
(C) supporting said one mold box (42a) on said mold receiving means (76);
(D) lowering said mold receiving means (76) with said one mold box (42a) supported thereon;
and
(E) removing said one mold box (42a) from said mold receiving means (76).

3 more elements

A method for installing a mold box (42) on a molding machine (20), said molding machine (20) being of the type including a rotatable frame (60) adapted to have at least one mold box (42a) installed thereon, said mold box (42a) having a mold cavity therein for forming a mold (126) and being rotatable with said frame (60) from a molding position in which a mold (126) is formed in said mold cavity to a mold discharge position in which a mold may be removed from said mold box (42a), means (76) for receiving and lowering said mold (126) from said mold box (42a) when said mold box (42a) is in said discharge position thereof, means (84) for transferring said mold (126) laterally away from said receiving means (76) to an unloading position, and a reciprocable press head (46) including a press plate (52) for compressing molding material within said mold cavity, comprising the steps of:

(A) placing said mold box (42a) in a preselected position on said mold transferring means (84);
(B) transferring said mold box (42a) laterally to a preselected position beneath said frame (60) using said mold transferring means (84);
(C) raising said mold box (42a) from said preselected position beneath said frame (60) to an elevated position adjacent said frame (60), said raising being performed using said mold receiving means (76);
and
(D) mounting said mold box (42a) onto said frame while said mold box (42a) is supported on said mold receiving means (76).

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for changing a mold box on a molding machine

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for changing a mold box on a molding machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21