Binder supply apparatus and binder supply method for foundry sand

Abstract

The foundry sand binder supply apparatus of the present invention comprises a hopper for storing a binder therein, a binder transfer device for transferring the binder, a binder measuring and discharging device disposed beneath a distal end of the binder transfer device, and a binder supply amount control device. The binder measuring and discharging device comprises a measuring container for receiving the binder therein, a load cell for measuring the weight of the binder inside the measuring container, and a discharge device for discharging the binder from the measuring container. The binder supply amount control device is operable to control the discharge device to discharge the binder from the measuring container by a predetermined amount less than the whole amount of the binder inside the measuring container, and control the binder transfer device to supply the binder into the measuring container by the predetermined amount of the discharged binder.

1 . A binder supply apparatus for foundry sand, comprising:
 a hopper for storing therein a binder to be supplied to the foundry sand;   a binder transfer means communicated with the hopper to transfer the binder inside the hopper;   a binder measuring and discharging means disposed beneath a distal end of the binder transfer means, the binder measuring and discharging means comprising a measuring container for receiving the binder therein, a weight measurement means to measure the weight of the binder inside the measuring container, and a discharge means to discharge the binder from the measuring container;   a binder supply amount control means to control the weight of the binder to be supplied from the binder transfer means to the binder measuring and discharging means; and   a binder discharge amount control means to control the weight of the binder to be discharged from the measuring container of the binder measuring and discharging means;   wherein   the binder discharge amount control means is operable to control the discharge means to discharge the binder from the measuring container by a predetermined amount less than a whole amount of the binder inside the measuring container, and   the binder supply amount control means is operable to control the binder transfer means to supply the binder into the measuring container by the predetermined amount pertaining to the discharge.   
     
     
         2 . The binder supply apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the hopper comprises a flexible member disposed along at least two surface areas of an inner peripheral surface thereof, and an actuator for lifting and lowering the flexible member. 
     
     
         3 . The binder supply apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the discharge means of the binder measuring and discharging means comprises a rotary member disposed inside the measuring container, and a rotary member drive means to rotate the rotary member to cause the binder to be discharged from the measuring container. 
     
     
         4 . The binder supply apparatus according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a binder stirring means disposed between the hopper and the binder transfer means to stir the binder. 
     
     
         5 . The binder supply apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the foundry sand is core sand for making a core. 
     
     
         6 . The binder supply apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the core sand is core sand for making an inorganic core. 
     
     
         7 . A binder supply method for foundry sand, for use with a binder supply apparatus for foundry sand, comprising: a hopper for storing therein a binder to be supplied to the foundry sand; a binder transfer means communicated with the hopper to transfer the binder inside the hopper; a binder measuring and discharging means disposed beneath a distal end of the binder transfer means, wherein the binder measuring and discharging means comprises a measuring container for receiving the binder therein, a weight measurement means to measure the weight of the binder inside the measuring container, and a discharge means to discharge the binder from the measuring container, the binder supply method comprising the steps of:
 transferring, by the binder transfer means, the binder inside the hopper to charge the transferred binder into the measuring container;   discharging the binder from the measuring container by a predetermined amount less than a whole amount of the binder inside the measuring container; and   supplying, by the binder transfer means, the binder into the measuring container by the predetermined amount pertaining to the discharge.