Machine for filling sand moulds with non-ferrous metals using a low pressure technique

A machine for filling sand molds with non-ferrous metals using a low pressure technique, the machine comprising means for holding a mould;

• a housing including a lower vat containing metal to be supplied to and cast in said mould;
• an auxiliary metering store positioned in said vat and having a filling hole for communication with an interior of said vat, a stopper fitted in said filling hole, and a level sensor positioned in said metering store to control said stopper;
• means for supplying an inert gas into said metering store when said mould is filled with said metal;
• an injector having a duct in communication with an interior of said metering store;
• said means for holding the mould including a chamber having a fixed lower body fixed to said housing and a movable upper body;
• a first cylinder for vertically moving said upper body to said lower body to tightly close said upper body with said lower body so as to form a vacuum chamber having a tight seal at facing surfaces of said upper body with said lower body to tightly seal said chamber when closed;
• guide means for guiding said upper body in a movement thereof to and from said lower body;
• a frame vertically movable with said upper body by said first cylinder with aid of said guide means;
• a central turning body positioned in and supported by said frame, for receiving the mould therein, said central turning body turning 180.degree. about a horizontal axis between a first position in which one side of the mould faces said injector and said metering store, and a second position in which an opposite side of the mould faces said injector and said metering store;
• clamps provided in said turning body for clamping the mould received therein;
• a filling plate positioned in said central turning body and having a nozzle for cooperating with said mould for filling the mould received and clamped in said central turning body;
• a second cylinder coaxial with said first cylinder and acting on said frame to push said frame with said central turning body holding said mould and said filling plate towards said injector when said central turning body is in said first position to couple said nozzle of said filling plate with said injector wherein, as said vacuum chamber is tightly sealed and inert gas is supplied by said supplying means to said metering store said metal is injected into said mould under pressure of said inert gas.