Molding machine clean out

Abstract

A molding machine for use with quick setting and cold setting sticky mold material, a mixture of sand and self-setting adhesive, is provided with a device to clean out the machine during each cycle and after the blow operation is completed. The sand and adhesive is mixed with the catalyst to a condition so that it will set up in a matter of seconds, e.g. ten to sixty seconds, and as it is mixed, a predetermined quantity is immediately deposited in a magazine. The magazine is closed by a valve and air pressure is applied to blow the sticky mold mixture from the magazine through a blow head into a mold cavity wherein it immediately starts to set. A diverter is provided with a diverter passage just outboard of the blow apertures of the mold box and this diverter passage is next enabled and air pressure is again applied through the magazine and blow head to blow any small amount of excess sticky mold mixture out the diverter passage into a receptacle. Air jets directed tangentially and downwardly in the sand magazine help move the entire slug of sticky mold material downwardly out of the magazine to clean the magazine and the enabled diverter passage cleans all of the excess material not used in that cycle. The diverter is disabled, the completed mold is removed from the mold, the mold box closed and the cleaned machine then is ready for the next cycle of operation. The forgoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.