Method and apparatus for setting foundry core assemblies

An apparatus for inverting a casting core to be positioned in a mold flask, the apparatus comprising:

• an outer frame;
• carriage means, coupled to the outer frame, for carrying the casting core;
• an interior frame coupled to the outer frame for vertical movement relative thereto and carrying the carriage means, the carriage means comprising at least one cradle rotatably coupled to the interior frame;
• and
• drive means for rotating the cradle to invert the casting core,
• said drive means comprising a rotation actuator including a rack and pinion coupled to the carriage means by a first gear coupled to the pinion and a second gear coupled to the cradle and a belt drive engaging the first and second gears together.

An apparatus for handling at least two casting cores to be positioned in a mold flask, the apparatus comprising:

• an outer frame;
• an interior frame movably coupled to the outer frame for vertical movement relative thereto;
• at least two cradles rotatably coupled to the interior frame,
• each cradle including a plurality of clamps movably coupled to the cradle for engaging a casting core;
• and
• a drive for rotating the at least two cradles to invert the casting cores.

An apparatus for inverting a casting core for insertion into a mold flask, the apparatus comprising:

• means for positioning the casting core for automatic handling and for inspection of its integrity;
• an outer frame movable to descend onto the positioning means;
• means for aligning the outer frame with the positioning means while the outer frame descends onto the positioning means;
• an interior frame assembly coupled to the outer frame for movement relative thereto;
• a cradle rotatably coupled to the interior frame assembly;
• a plurality of clamps pivotally coupled to the cradle for engaging the casting core;
• means for actuating the plurality of clamps to engage the casting core,
• the interior frame assembly being lowered into a casting core engaging position upon alignment of the outer frame and positioning means and and being raised to lift the casting core out of the positioning means after the clamps have engaged the casting core;
• and
• a setting machine for lifting and moving the outer frame between the positioning means and the mold flask.

An apparatus for transferring a casting core to a mold, comprising:

• means for positioning the casting core for transfer, and
• transfer means adapted for positioning with the casting core positioning means and for engaging a casting core when positioned with respect to the casting core positioning means,
• said casting core transfer means being adapted for vertical movement with respect to said positioning means and for rotation of an engaged casting core,
• said casting core transfer means being operable to engage a casting core when in position on the casting core positioning means and further adapted to prevent rotation of an engaged casting core until the transfer means is disengaged from the casting core positioning mean,
• said casting core transfer means including means for inverting an engaged casting core with respect to the transfer means after disengagement of the transfer means from the positioning means in transferring a casting core from the positioning means to a mold.