Mold making machine with separated safety work zones
AssigneeHunter Automated Machinery Corporation
InventorWilliam A. Hunter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automatic molding machine has different operational molding stations in which at least two different safety zones are provided for the different molding stations. Such an automated machine includes a mold flask assembly including a drag flask, a cope flask and a pattern plate. An electronic controller controls the molding machine differently when different safety zones are breached.
Claims11
An automated molding machine, comprising:
- a mold flask assembly including a drag flask, a cope flask and a pattern plate for creating sand molds;
- a first molding station whereat at least one operation of a sand mold forming cycle is conducted with at least a part of the mold flask assembly;
- a second molding station whereat at least one operation of a sand mold forming cycle is conducted with at least a part of the mold flask assembly;
- a first safety zone generated by at least one first safety sensor;
- a second safety zone generated by at least one second safety sensor;
- and
- a controller responsive to the first and second safety sensors and providing output signals for controlling operations at the first and second molding stations, the controller providing a first output signal to halt at least one operation of the sand mold forming cycle at the first molding station and providing a second output signal to control at least one operation of the second mold forming station when the first safety zone is breached, and the second safety zone is not breached, wherein the controller controls the molding machine differently when different safety zones are breached.
A method for making a mold in an automated molding machine including a mold flask assembly with a drag flask, a cope flask and a pattern plate for creating sand molds, a first molding station whereat at least one operation of a sand mold forming cycle is conducted with at least a part of the mold flask assembly, and a second molding station whereat at least one operation of a sand mold forming cycle is conducted with at least a part of the mold flask assembly, the method including the steps of:
- generating a first sensing signal indicating whether a safety breach has occurred in a first safety zone provided by at least one first safety sensor;
- generating a second sensing signal indicating whether a safety breach has occurred in a second safety zone provided by at least one second safety sensor;
- providing a first output signal to halt at least one operation of the sand mold forming cycle at the first molding station in response to the first sensing signal indicating that the first safety zone is breached;
- and
- providing a second output signal to control at least one operation of the second mold forming station in response to the second sensing signal indicating that the second safety zone is not breached.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.