Method for producing foundry casting molds

Abstract

A method for producing casting molds, such as cores or core assemblies used in foundry practice, wherein molding material, preferably molding sand, is injected or shot into a molding chamber via a gaseous flow medium, preferably air, under a predeterminable pressure. The shot and resulting solidified mold is deaerated, then the tool is opened, and the solidified mold is removed. The shooting process and/or deaeration process are controlled via detected and, if need be, prepared process parameters according to a predeterminable specification.

1 . A method for producing casting molds adapted for use in foundry practice, comprising the steps of 
 shooting a molding material via a gaseous flow medium under a predeterminable pressure into a molding chamber,    causing the molding material to solidify in the molding chamber and form a solidified mold,    deaerating the solidified mold,    opening the molding chamber,    removing the solidified mold from the opened molding chamber, and    controlling the shooting step and/or the deaeration step in response to at least one detected process parameter compared to a predeterminable specification.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the controlling step is based on individual process parameters, predeterminable combinations of the process parameters, or algorithms on the basis of the process parameters.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a maximum process duration is predetermined as the process parameter.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the pressure, which builds up or prevails during the shooting step in the system is detected as the process parameter.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein during the shooting step, the volume, flow or the air flow at desired places in the system is detected as the process parameter.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein during the shooting step the quantity of the injected molding material is detected as the process parameter.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the duration of the deaeration step and/or the time of opening the molding chamber are adjusted via the detected and/or a prepared process parameter.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein during the deaeration step, the pressure progression within the molding chamber is detected as the process parameter.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein during the deaeration step the air flow leaving the molding chamber is detected as the process parameter.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein during the deaeration step an electromagnetically operating air bleed valve is activated in such a manner that the pressure prevailing in the molding chamber drops, while avoiding sudden pressure changes.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the controlling step includes comparing the detected process parameter with an optimal curve of a process sequence via a graph that can be shown on a display.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the controlling step further includes influencing the individual process steps interactively or automatically, using as a basis the comparison or possible deviations thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ideal process duration is determined, using as a basis the detected and/or determined process parameters.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the respective process steps are monitored for possible imperfections or defects, using as a basis the detected and/or determined process parameters.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the time for an automatic tool change is defined, using as a basis the detected and/or determined process parameters.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the maintenance interval is computed, using as a basis the detected and/or determined process parameters.