Automatic molding apparatus for forming sand casting molds

An automatic molding apparatus comprising:

• means for forming sand casting molds, said means comprising a pattern supporting plate, a mold pattern located on said pattern supporting plate, a flask surrounding said pattern supporting plate, said flask having an open top and bottom and handles mounted on an exterior thereof;
• a rotatable turntable having said means for forming sand casting molds mounted thereon, said turntable being rotatable to six consecutive positions with respect to a stationary base beneath said turntable
• means for positioning pouring spouts over a mold pattern in a flask located at first and fourth positions;
• means for adding and compressing sand in a flask located at second and fifth positions, said means comprising sand supply means positioned above said turntable, means for opening and closing said sand supply means, a feeding channel beneath said sand supply means, said feeding channel including an upper opening for allowing sand from said sand supply means to enter said feeding channel, said feeding channel including a movable plate which, when open, allows sand in said feeding channel to enter a flask when one of said flasks is positioned below said feeding channel, a pressing plate located above said turntable for compressing sand around said mold pattern in said flask, a sand adding box positioned below said pressing plate and having an open top and bottom for receiving sand from said feeding channel and allowing sand to pass into said flask, said sand adding box having sidewalls in direct communication with sidewalls of said flask to prevent sand from being displaced outside said flask before sand is compressed therein, sustaining shafts arranged under said turntable for raising said flask and said sand adding box into communication with said pressing plate when said flask and sand adding box are filled with sand;
• and
• means for separating a flask from a mold pattern to form a mold cavity located at third and sixth positions said means comprising a sustaining shaft arranged under said turntable for pushing said pattern supporting plate and said flask containing compressed sand into communication with clamping means positioned above said turntable for engaging said handles on said flask and for maintaining said flask containing compressed sand in a raised position after said pattern supporting plate and said mold pattern have been lowered by said sustaining shaft to separate said flask from said mold pattern and to thereby form a mold cavity.