Sand mold identification device

Abstract

A sand mold identification device (1) has a housing (2) having an identification pattern surface (3) adapted to be arranged in a pattern forming surface (4) of a sand mold molding machine. Individually adjustable indicator elements (6, 7, 8) in the identification pattern surface can be adjusted by an actuator (9, 10, 11). The housing comprises an insertion portion (12) adapted to be inserted into a corresponding recess of the sand mold molding machine. The identification pattern surface is located at a front end (14) of the insertion portion. The insertion portion is adapted to be inserted into the sand mold molding machine along an insertion direction (D) extending from a rear end (15) of the insertion portion to the front end (14). A mounting bracket is accessible at or behind the rear end of the insertion portion for mounting or removing the housing to or from a sand mold molding machine or a core shooting machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sand mold identification device with a shell, wherein the shell includes an identification pattern surface suitable for being arranged in the pattern molding surface of a sand mold molding machine or a core shooting machine, wherein a plurality of individually adjustable indicator elements are rotatably arranged in the identification pattern surface, and the rotational position of each individual indicator element can be adjusted by an actuator, wherein the shell includes an insertion part, which is suitable for being inserted into a corresponding recess of the sand mold molding machine or the core shooting machine and has a front end and a rear end, wherein the identification pattern surface is located at the front end of the insertion part, wherein at least a portion of each actuator is inserted into the insertion part, and wherein the shell includes a mounting device for mounting the shell to the sand mold molding machine or the core shooting machine. Background Art

[0002] WO 2017 / 025266 A1 discloses a sand mold identification device, which includes a housing having a mold forming surface, a plurality of individually adjustable indicator elements arranged in the housing, each indicator element being surrounded by a frame element, wherein each indicator is connected to a corresponding actuator arranged in the housing, and the actuator is operably connected to an electronic controller for individually adjusting the indicator element. Each individually adjustable indicator element has a symmetrical pin shape and can be positioned in four different identifiable positions. The embodiment shown has six indicator elements, resulting in 4.096 different possible combinations. The mold forming surface is arranged on a cover plate protruding around the housing, thereby forming a mounting flange suitable for abutting against the pattern of a template in a sand mold molding machine. The mounting flange is provided with holes for mounting screws. However, the disadvantage is that the device is quite bulky and has a large footprint in the sand mold pattern. Therefore, the device is not suitable for smaller castings or castings with many details on the surface. Furthermore, in modern foundry lines producing up to about 5000 castings per hour, in order to obtain adequate traceability of the produced castings to retrieve relevant product and quality data, more different combinations of indicator elements are required than is possible with this device.

[0003] US 4,137,962 discloses a casting marking device suitable for incorporation into a permanent casting model of a sand mold for producing metal castings. The device carries a mark that is impressed into the sand mold and subsequently reproduced on the casting. The device is designed and constructed so that the mark it carries can be changed from a station away from the model. In the device, the changeable mark is performed by a marking body that is rotated by a pneumatic piston. However, the device is only capable of adjusting 12 different identification marks produced by the marking body. As mentioned above, in modern casting production lines, more different combinations are required than can be achieved using the device. Although more different combinations can be achieved by providing more marking bodies, the illustrated embodiment with one marking body is already too bulky for the most common castings. US 7,252,136 B2 discloses a similar device.

[0004] US 2002 / 0059874 A1 discloses an automatic date insert for imprinting a date onto a molded product. The automatic date insert comprises a front face with an attached indicator which marks a date pattern onto the surface of the molded product. Each indicator is operably connected to an indicating device which imprints a date on the molded product corresponding to the date pattern of the indicator. The indicating device is operably connected to an electric motor which is activated and controlled by a processing device so that the electric motor causes the indicator device to move a preselected amount corresponding to a predetermined time or date interval transmitted by the processing device. However, the number of different combinations which may be achieved is insufficient for modern foundry production lines and the device is rather cumbersome.

[0005] On modern casting lines, casting quality costs can be very high indeed. For example, when producing demanding automotive products, the combined quality costs associated with rejection of defective castings by foundries and casting users can be as high as 10% of the total production costs. When castings are rejected due to quality issues, many indirect costs can be incurred. The possible reasons for the rejection must be analyzed and production may have to be adjusted accordingly, which can delay production. However, using prior art casting marking solutions, it is not possible to correlate the poor quality of individual castings with the relevant process parameters. Instead, it is only possible to correlate batch-based quality data (e.g. percentage of casting defects due to sand inclusions, percentage of casting defects due to porosity, etc.) with batch-based process parameters. Therefore, it has proven to be very difficult to further reduce quality costs. Summary of the invention

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact sand mould identification device which is suitable for providing a large number of different combinations of indicator elements.

[0007] In view of this purpose, in the assembled state of the sand mold identification device, the insertion part is suitable for being inserted into the sand mold molding machine or the core shooting machine along the insertion direction from the rear end to the front end of the insertion part, and the mounting device can be accessed at the rear end of the insertion part or behind the rear end for mounting the shell on the sand mold molding machine or the core shooting machine or removing it from the sand mold molding machine or the core shooting machine, and the mounting device has the form of a mounting bracket, which is arranged at the rear end of the insertion part or behind the rear end and protrudes relative to the insertion part in a direction transverse to the insertion direction.

[0008] In this way, by making the insertion part suitable for insertion into the sand moulding machine or core shooting machine from the rear side of the pattern moulding surface and by arranging the mounting means in the form of a mounting bracket to be accessible at or behind the rear end of the insertion part, a very small footprint of the sand mould identification device in the pattern moulding surface can be achieved, while a suitable number of individually adjustable indicator elements can be rotatably arranged in the identification pattern surface. Thus, a large number of different combinations of indicator elements can be achieved.

[0009] In one embodiment, the network adapter and the motor controller of the actuator are arranged behind the rear end of the insertion part. Thus, the motor controller and the network adapter can be arranged in the housing, while the insertion part can still have a compact construction.

[0010] In a particularly advantageous structural embodiment, the insert portion forms part of a mounting block which forms projections extending in opposite directions at the rear end of the insert portion, and the mounting bracket is preferably fastened to the respective projections by means of bolts.

[0011] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the actuator is arranged along a center line of the mounting block extending between the projections of the mounting block, the mounting bracket forming opposite mounting flanges on either side of the center line of the mounting block, and the mounting flanges are adapted to be mounted on a sand moulding machine or a core shooting machine, preferably by bolts. Thereby, a slender insertion portion can be achieved, so that the sand mould recognition device can have a small footprint in the pattern moulding surface.

[0012] In an embodiment, the mounting bracket comprises a first bracket part and a second bracket part which are clamped together and clamped on both sides of a part of each actuator.Thus, by using the mounting bracket as a fixing means for the actuators, a more compact arrangement can be achieved.

[0013] In an embodiment, the elastic element is sandwiched between the actuator and the first and second bracket parts.Thereby, the actuator can be even better fixed in the housing.

[0014] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the printed circuit board comprising the motor controller and the network adapter abuts the first and second bracket parts opposite the insertion part. Thus, a more compact device can be achieved.

[0015] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the rear end of the electric motor of each actuator extends through a hole in the printed circuit board. Thus, a more compact arrangement can be achieved. The overall dimensions of the housing can be very small relative to the dimensions of the actuators.

[0016] In an embodiment, the printed circuit board is partially covered by the cover such that an edge of the printed circuit board extends from the cover and is provided with at least one network connector component. Thus, the printed circuit board can be covered while a compact device can be achieved.

[0017] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, each individually adjustable indicator element is arranged at the front end of a cylindrical portion, which fits in a corresponding hole in the insertion portion, the rear end of which engages the shaft end of the corresponding actuator, and the cylindrical portion and / or the corresponding hole has a recess in which a sealing ring is arranged. The sealing ring prevents sand and dust from reaching the interior of the housing.

[0018] In an embodiment, a first end stop projection is arranged on the cylindrical portion and a corresponding second end stop projection is arranged in a corresponding hole of the insertion portion. Thus, when the first and second end stop projections abut against each other, the motor controller can reset the starting position of the actuator, and thus a more accurate control of the individually adjustable indicator elements can be achieved.

[0019] In an embodiment, a sealing ring is arranged between the front end of the cylindrical portion and the first end stop projection arranged on the cylindrical portion. Thus, the sealing ring can prevent sand and dust from reaching the first and second end stop projections and negatively affecting the reset of the starting position of the actuator.

[0020] In an embodiment, the rear end of the cylindrical portion is provided with a part-cylindrical hole having an axial extension plane corresponding to the axial extension plane of the corresponding axial end of the actuator, and the axial end engages the part-cylindrical hole. Thus, even for cylindrical portions and axial ends of very small dimensions (e.g. an overall diameter of about 0.75 mm, 1.5 mm or 2 mm), a very precise connection between the rear end of the cylindrical portion and the axial end of the actuator is possible.

[0021] In an embodiment, the network adapter of the sand mold recognition device is adapted to be connected to a controller of the sand mold molding machine via a connector, the connector comprising a first connector part adapted to be arranged on a template of the sand mold molding machine and a second connector part adapted to be arranged on the sand mold molding machine, each connector part comprising a plurality of electrical contact elements, and the electrical contact elements of the second connector part being adapted to flexibly engage and slide on the top side of the corresponding electrical contact elements of the first connector part during an operation of mounting the template on the sand mold molding machine. Thus, a stable cable connection to the controller can be provided without the risk of sand and dust accumulating on the contact surfaces of the contact elements of the first and second connector parts. Since the electrical contact elements of the second connector part are adapted to flexibly engage and slide on the top side of the corresponding electrical contact elements of the first connector part during the mounting operation, any sand or dust remaining on the contact surface will be removed at each mounting operation.

[0022] In an embodiment, the cross-sectional dimension of the insertion part transverse to the insertion direction is at most 30%, preferably at most 20%, and most preferably at most 10% larger than the diameter of the part of the actuator inserted into the insertion part. Thereby, a more compact device can be achieved.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a sand mold molding machine, which comprises at least one sand mold identification device as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The invention will be explained in more detail below by way of example of embodiment with reference to the schematic drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sand mold identification device according to the present invention as viewed obliquely from the front side;

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front view of a sand mold identification device;

[0027] Figure 3 is from Figure 1 A perspective view of the sand mold identification device observed from the rear side at an angle;

[0028] Figure 4 is from Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the sand mold identification device viewed from the rear side at an angle;

[0029] Figure 5 is from Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the sand mold identification device viewed obliquely from the front side;

[0030] Figure 6 yes Figure 1An exploded perspective view of some parts of the sand mold identification device in a first stage of assembling the device;

[0031] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of some parts of the sand mold identification device in a second stage of assembling the device;

[0032] Figure 8 Partially assembled Figure 1 A rear perspective view of the sand mold identification device, wherein the printed circuit board and the cover have not yet been installed, but bolts for retaining the printed circuit board and the cover have been temporarily installed;

[0033] Fig. 9 Shown on a larger scale Figure 2 Part of the sand mold identification device;

[0034] Fig.10 Yes Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of a vertical sand mold molding machine of a sand mold identification device;

[0035] Fig.11 is used to include two Figure 1 A perspective view of the front side of a template of a vertical sand mold molding machine showing the sand mold identification device;

[0036] Fig.12 Shown on a larger scale Fig.11 Details;

[0037] Fig.13 yes Fig.11 A perspective view of the back side of the template;

[0038] Fig.14 Shown on a larger scale Fig.13 The first detail;

[0039] Fig.15 Shown on a larger scale Fig.13 The second detail;

[0040] Fig.16 It is shown Fig.13 An exploded perspective view of a portion of the back side of a template and a portion of a heating plate of a vertical sand mold molding machine on which the template is mounted;

[0041] Fig.17 Shown on a larger scale Fig.16 details of; and

[0042] Fig.18 It is shown separately Fig.13 A perspective view of the template and the first and second connector portions of the pressure plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figure 1 A sand mold identification device 1 is shown having a housing 2, the housing comprising a housing adapted to be arranged in a Figures 10 to 15 The identification pattern surface 3 in the pattern molding surface 4 of the sand mold molding machine 5 shown. Alternatively, the identification pattern surface 3 can be arranged in the pattern molding surface of a core shooter not shown. The identification pattern surface 3 is suitable for printing or embossing individual identification patterns in sand molds or cores for sand molds. The individual identification patterns can then be reproduced in the metal casting. Three individually adjustable indicator elements 6, 7, 8 are rotatably arranged in the identification pattern surface 3, and the rotational position of each individual indicator element 6, 7, 8 can be adjusted by actuators 9, 10, 11, for example as shown in FIG. Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The housing 2 includes an insertion portion 12 adapted to be inserted into a Fig.10 The insert portion 12 has a front end 14 and a rear end 15, wherein the identification pattern surface 3 is located at the front end 14 of the insert portion 12. A portion of each actuator 9, 10, 11 is inserted into the insert portion 12, and the housing 2 includes a mounting device in the form of a mounting bracket 16 for mounting the housing 2 to the sand mold molding machine 5 or the core shooting machine.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, in the assembled state of the sand mold identification device 1, the insertion part 12 is suitable for being inserted into the sand mold molding machine 5 or the core shooting machine along the insertion direction D extending from the rear end 15 to the front end 14 of the insertion part 12. Figure 1The assembled sand mold recognition device 1 is suitable for installation in the sand mold molding machine 5 or the core shooting machine by displacing the sand mold recognition device 1 in the direction of the arrow indicating the insertion direction D and inserting the insertion part 12 into the corresponding recess 13 of the sand mold molding machine 5 or the core shooting machine. As will be understood, the insertion part 12 is thereby inserted into the sand mold molding machine 5 or the core shooting machine from the rear side of the pattern molding surface 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting device in the form of a mounting bracket 16 is arranged at or behind the rear end 15 of the insertion part 12 and the mounting device protrudes relative to the insertion part 12 in a direction transverse to the insertion direction D. Alternatively, according to the present invention, the mounting device can be simply accessed at or behind the rear end 15 of the insertion part 12 for mounting or removing the housing 2 to or from the sand mold molding machine 5 or the core shooting machine. For example, the mounting device may have the form of one or more wedges arranged in the wall of the insertion part 12, so that the wedges can be displaced to press against the wall of the corresponding recess 13 of the sand moulding machine 5 or the core shooting machine when the insertion part 12 is inserted into the recess 13. For example, such a wedge can be made to slide in a corresponding groove in the wall of the insertion part 12 along the insertion direction D by rotating a screw, the screw head of which is accessible from the rear end 15 of the insertion part 12. The groove in the wall of the insertion part 12 may extend in the insertion direction D and have a bottom that is inclined relative to the insertion direction, so that the wedge moves in a direction away from the groove when the wedge is displaced along the groove. However, the skilled person will understand that many other embodiments of the mounting device may be suitable for being accessible at or behind the rear end 15 of the insertion part 12 for mounting or dismounting the housing 2 to or from the sand moulding machine 5 or the core shooting machine. For example, the snap-lock mounting device may be arranged to lock the insert part 12 in the recess 13 of the sand moulding machine 5 or the core shooting machine when the insert part 12 is inserted into the recess 13. In order to remove the insert part 12 from the recess 13, a button of the snap-lock mounting device arranged at or behind the rear end 15 of the insert part 12 may be adapted to be pressed. In this way, the mounting device does not occupy any space at the front end 14 of the insert part 12 where the identification pattern surface 3 is located.

[0045] Thus, a very small footprint of the sand mold recognition device 1 in the pattern molding surface 4 can be achieved, while a suitable number of individually adjustable indicator elements 6, 7, 8 can be rotatably arranged in the recognition pattern surface 3. Thereby, a large number of different combinations of indicator elements can be achieved.

[0046] Compare Figure 1 and Figure 2, it can be seen that the insertion portion 12 has a cross-sectional dimension CS transverse to the insertion direction D. The cross-sectional dimension CS is at most 30%, preferably at most 20%, most preferably at most 10% larger than the diameter d of the portion of the actuator 9, 10, 11 inserted into the insertion portion 12. The diameter d of the actuator 9, 10, 11 is at most Figure 7 Shown in.

[0047] As can be further seen in the figure, the insert part 12 forms part of a mounting block 17, which forms projections 18, 19 extending in opposite directions at and behind the rear end 15 of the insert part 12, and the mounting bracket 16 is fastened to the corresponding projections 18, 19 by bolts 20.

[0048] The three actuators 9, 10, 11 are arranged along the center line 21 of the mounting block 17, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the center line 21 extends between the opposing protrusions 18, 19 of the mounting block 17. The mounting bracket 16 forms opposing mounting flanges 22 at both sides of the center line 21 of the mounting block 17, and the mounting flanges 22, 23 are suitable for being mounted on the sand mold molding machine 5 or the core shooting machine by bolts 24. As a result, a smaller insertion portion 12 can be achieved, so that the sand mold identification device 1 can have a small footprint in the pattern molding surface 4. As will be understood, the mounting flanges 22, 23 are thereby suitable for being mounted on the rear side of the pattern molding surface 4. The mounting bracket 16 also includes a first bracket portion 25 and a second bracket portion 26 that are clamped together and clamped on both sides of a portion of each actuator 9, 10, 11. By using the mounting bracket as a fixture for the actuator, a more compact device can be achieved. An elastic element 27, for example made of rubber or the like, is clamped between the actuator 9, 10, 11 and the first and second bracket portions 25, 26 to better fix the actuator in the housing. As Figure 7 As shown, the elastic element 27 has a form consisting of three connected tubular parts, both side parts of which are open at the corresponding ends of the elastic element 27. When clamped together by the clamping bolt 62, the first and second bracket parts 25, 26 form an opening corresponding to the outer shape of the elastic element 27.

[0049] The network adapter and the motor controller of the actuators 9, 10, 11 are arranged behind the rear end 15 of the insertion part 12, wherein the printed circuit board 28 including the motor controller and the network adapter abuts the first and second bracket parts 25, 26 opposite to the insertion part 12, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As can be seen in FIG. , the motor controller and the network adapter can thus be arranged in the housing 2 , while the insertion part 12 can still have a compact construction. Figure 4As shown, the rear end 29 of the electric motor 30 of each actuator 9, 10, 11 extends through a corresponding hole 31, 32, 33 in the printed circuit board 28, thereby forming a more compact device. The overall size of the housing 2 can be very small relative to the size of the actuators 9, 10, 11. In the assembled state of the sand mold recognition device 1, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the printed circuit board 28 is partially covered by a cover 34, such that an edge 35 of the printed circuit board 28 extends from the cover 34 and is provided with at least one network connector portion 36. Thereby, the printed circuit board 28 can be covered while achieving a compact device.

[0050] like Figure 6 As can be seen in the figure, each individually adjustable indicator element 6, 7, 8 is arranged at the front end 37 of a cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40, which fits in a corresponding hole 41, 42, 43 of the insertion portion 12, wherein the rear end 44 of the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 engages the shaft end 45 of the corresponding actuator 9, 10, 11. As shown in the figure, when assembling the sand mold identification device 1, the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 is inserted from the front end 14 of the insertion portion 12, and the actuator 9, 10, 11 is inserted from the rear end 15 of the insertion portion 12. The cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 is provided with a recess 46, in which a sealing ring 47 is arranged. The sealing ring 47 can prevent sand and dust from entering the interior of the housing 2. Alternatively, the corresponding hole 41, 42, 43 can be provided with a recess 46 for the sealing ring 47. The sealing ring 47 may be in the form of a piston seal or a rod seal and may be, for example, PUR.

[0051] Although in the illustrated embodiment, three rotatably arranged cylindrical portions 38, 39, 40 are arranged side by side along the line 21 corresponding to the arrangement of the actuators 9, 10, 11, as described above, many other arrangements of the rotatably arranged cylindrical portions 38, 39, 40 are possible. In addition, any other suitable number of rotatably arranged cylindrical portions 38, 39, 40 may be arranged in the sand mold recognition device 1. For example, three rotatably arranged cylindrical portions 38, 39, 40 may be arranged in a triangular arrangement, four rotatably arranged cylindrical portions 38, 39, 40 may be arranged in a rectangular or square arrangement, or five rotatably arranged cylindrical portions 38, 39, 40 may be arranged in a pentagonal or circular configuration. Likewise, a plurality of sand mold recognition devices 1 may be combined in one pattern molding surface 4 of the template 56, 79 so as to obtain a suitable number of rotatably arranged cylindrical portions 38, 39, 40 for one pattern molding surface 4.

[0052] Each individual indicator element 6, 7, 8 is formed at a front end 37 of a corresponding cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 that is rotatably arranged in the housing 2 of the sand mold identification device 1. Each individual indicator element 6, 7, 8 extends along the diameter direction of the corresponding cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40.

[0053] like Fig. 9 As can be seen in the drawings, each individually adjustable indicator element 6, 7, 8 is formed with rounded edges and is formed to indicate a direction along the diameter of the corresponding cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 on which the indicator element is arranged. Preferably, the individually adjustable indicator elements are formed so that all their edges are rounded so that there are no sharp edges. Sharp edges may be difficult to mold and may be damaged during the shot peening process. Furthermore, it can be seen that each individually adjustable indicator element 6, 7, 8 is formed to indicate a direction along the diameter of the corresponding cylindrical portion, wherein the individually adjustable indicator element forms a relatively wide, partly circular portion 91 at a first end of the diameter of the cylindrical portion and a relatively narrow, elongated portion 92 at a second end of the diameter of the cylindrical portion. The illustrated form of the individually adjustable indicator elements can also be described as being more or less teardrop-shaped. In other embodiments, the individually adjustable indicator elements may be formed to indicate the direction along the diameter of the corresponding cylindrical element in other ways, for example, the individually adjustable indicator elements may taper regularly or irregularly from a first end of the diameter to a second end of the diameter. In other embodiments, the individually adjustable indicator elements may have the form of a needle, preferably comprising an arrow-shaped element.

[0054] In an embodiment, Fig. 9 Each individual indicator element 6 , 7 , 8 shown in FIG. 4 extends from the corresponding front end 37 of the cylindrical portion 38 , 39 , 40 by at least 0.5 millimeters, preferably at least 0.7 millimeters, and most preferably at least 0.9 millimeters.

[0055] Preferably, each individually adjustable indicator element 6, 7, 8 is formed as a protrusion protruding from the front end of the corresponding cylindrical part 38, 39, 40, which is rotatably arranged in the housing 2 of the sand mold identification device 1, as can be seen in the embodiment shown in the drawings. However, in alternative embodiments, each or some of the individually adjustable indicator elements 6, 7, 8 may be formed as a recess in the front end of the corresponding cylindrical part 38, 39, 40. It is also possible that a first portion of the individually adjustable indicator element 6, 7, 8 is formed as a protrusion and a second portion of the individually adjustable indicator element is formed as a recess. For example, a relatively wide part-circular portion 91 at a first end of the diameter of the cylindrical part 38, 39, 40 may be formed as a recess, while a relatively narrow elongated portion 92 at a second end of the diameter of the cylindrical part 38, 39, 40 may be formed as a protrusion.

[0056] The illustrated embodiment of the individually adjustable indicator elements 6, 7, 8 is particularly advantageous in a casting production line comprising an automatic image detection system, which is suitable for detecting individual identification patterns produced in castings. The automatic image detection system may include an imaging device suitable for providing a 2D digital image of the individual identification pattern, but an imaging device that produces a 3D digital image may also be used. The automatic image detection system may include a computer system suitable for running a computer program developed by means of machine learning to analyze 2D or 3D digital images to detect the individual identification patterns of the castings. With the illustrated embodiment of the individually adjustable indicator elements 6, 7, 8, the individual identification patterns of the castings can even be detected after a finishing treatment (e.g. by sandblasting, such as shot peening) in a finishing device suitable for cleaning the castings. Such a casting production line may also advantageously include a computer-controlled database system suitable for storing data related to a plurality of production variables measured and / or set during production and data related to the quality of the castings produced.

[0057] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the identification pattern face 3 of the housing 2 of the sand mold identification device 1 comprises six fixed alignment elements 63, which are adapted to print alignment patterns in the sand mold parts during compaction of the sand mold parts. The automatic image detection system may be adapted to align the 2D or 3D digital image with a reference image of the alignment pattern before detecting the individual identification patterns in the casting. Thus, image detection may be improved in many cases where it is not possible or inconvenient to arrange the casting for image capture and such that the individual identification patterns formed in the casting generally extend in a plane perpendicular to the camera axis of the imaging device when capturing the 2D or 3D digital image. This may occur if the imaging device is arranged in a handheld device or if the imaging device is arranged in a fixed device. As can be seen further, the three rotatably arranged cylindrical portions 38, 39, 40 are arranged side by side along the line 21, and the six fixed alignment elements 63 are arranged asymmetrically about said line, wherein four of the fixed alignment elements 63 are arranged along the line below the three rotatably arranged cylindrical portions 38, 39, 40, and two of the fixed alignment elements 63 are arranged along the line above the three rotatably arranged cylindrical portions 38, 39, 40. Of course, many other asymmetrical arrangements of a suitable number of fixed alignment elements 63 are also possible. The asymmetrical arrangement of the fixed alignment elements 63 can indicate the reading orientation of the imprint provided by the individually adjustable indicator elements 6, 7, 8, and can thereby increase the possible number of different combinations that can be achieved by the individually adjustable indicator elements.

[0058] Compare Figure 4 and Figure 6 , it can be seen that the first end stop projection 48 is arranged on the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 and the corresponding second end stop projection 49 is arranged in the corresponding hole 41, 42, 43 of the insertion portion 12. Thus, when the first and second end stop projections 48, 49 abut against each other, the motor controller can reset the starting position of the actuator 9, 10, 11 and thus more accurately control the individually adjustable indicator elements 6, 7, 8. The sealing ring 47 is arranged between the front end 37 of the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 and the first end stop projection 48 arranged on the cylindrical portion. Therefore, the sealing ring 47 can also prevent sand and dust from reaching the first and second end stop projections 48, 49 and negatively affecting the resetting of the starting position of the actuator 9, 10, 11.

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, the rear end 44 of the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 is provided with a partially cylindrical hole 50 having an axially extending plane 51 corresponding to the axially extending plane 52 of the axial end 45 of the corresponding actuator 9, 10, 11, as shown in FIG. Figure 6As shown, the shaft end 45 engages the part cylindrical hole 50. Therefore, even for cylindrical parts and shaft ends of very small size, a very precise connection between the rear end 44 of the cylindrical part 38, 39, 40 and the shaft end 45 of the actuator is possible. Figure 6 As shown, the shaft end 45 of the corresponding actuator 9, 10, 11 is fixed in the part-cylindrical hole 50 of the rear end 44 of the corresponding cylindrical part 38, 39, 40 by a set screw 64, which is installed in the corresponding threaded hole 65 of the rear end 44 of the corresponding cylindrical part 38, 39, 40 so that the end of the set screw 64 abuts the axially extending flat surface 52 of the shaft end 45. The corresponding flat surfaces 51, 52 of the part-cylindrical hole 50 and the shaft end 45, respectively, can ensure that the shaft end 45 is correctly oriented in the part-cylindrical hole 50 so that the set screw 64 can abut the axially extending flat surface 52 of the shaft end 45. Otherwise, if the part-cylindrical hole 50 is actually cylindrical, it may be difficult to correctly position the shaft end 45 in the hole due to the smaller diameter of the shaft end 45. If the set screw 64 cannot therefore correctly engage the flat surface 52 of the shaft end 45, the connection between the shaft end 45 and the cylindrical part 38, 39, 40 may be unstable.

[0060] like Figure 6 As shown, the side wall of the insertion portion 12 of the housing 2 is provided with a through hole 66 for each positioning screw 64, so that when the cylindrical portions 38, 39, 40 have been inserted into the front end 14 of the insertion portion 12 and when a part of the actuator 9, 10, 11 has been inserted into the rear end 15 of the insertion portion 12, the connection between each shaft end 45 and the corresponding cylindrical portion 38 can be fixed, so that the shaft end 45 is inserted into the cylindrical portions 38, 39, 40.

[0061] like Figures 11 to 18 As shown, the network adapter of the sand mold recognition device 1 is adapted to be connected to a controller (not shown) of the sand mold molding machine 5 via a connector 53, which includes a first connector part 54 adapted to be arranged on the template of the sand mold molding machine 5 and a second connector part 55 adapted to be arranged on the sand mold molding machine 5. Each connector part 54, 55 includes a plurality of electrical contact elements 57, 58, and the electrical contact elements 58 of the second connector part 55 are adapted to flexibly engage and slide on the top side 59 of the corresponding electrical contact elements 57 of the first connector part 54 during the installation operation, thereby installing the template 56 on the sand mold molding machine 5. During the installation operation, as shown in FIG. Fig.16As shown, the template 56 is engaged with the heating plate 77 and mounted on the heating plate by bolts, whereby the electrical contact elements 58 of the second connector 55 engage the corresponding electrical contact elements 57 of the first connector part 54 and slide on the top side 59 thereof. Thus, any sand or dust present on the electrical contact elements 57, 58 will be wiped off and a good electrical contact can be established between the electrical contact elements. In this way, a stable network connection can be established between each sand mold recognition device 1 and a controller not shown.

[0062] exist Figures 11 to 17 In the illustrated embodiment, the template 56 of the sand mold molding machine 5 is provided with two sand mold recognition devices 1, which are connected to a controller (not shown) of the sand mold molding machine via a single connector 53, which includes a first connector portion 54 arranged on the template 56 and a second connector portion 55 arranged on the sand mold molding machine 5. As shown in the figure, according to the number of castings to be produced in the sand mold, a corresponding number of sand mold recognition devices 1 are connected in series one after another via a network cable 89, which is ultimately connected to the first connector portion 54. Each sand mold recognition device 1 includes a printed circuit board 28, such as Figure 1 As shown. The second connector part 55 is connected to a controller not shown arranged in the sand mold molding machine 5. Thereby, the printed circuit board 28 of each sand mold recognition device 1 can communicate with the common controller not shown and be powered through the network cable 89 and the connector 53. Of course, in addition to the network cable, the printed circuit board 28 of each sand mold recognition device 1 can also communicate with the controller not shown arranged in the sand mold molding machine 5 through radio communication. In this case, each sand mold recognition device 1 can be powered by its own power supply in the form of a battery, or the sand mold recognition device 1 can be powered by a cable.

[0063] like Fig.10 As shown, the sand moulding machine 5 comprises a moulding chamber 80 in which a first template 56 arranged on a pressure plate 78 and a second template 79 arranged on a swing plate 81 are adapted to form respective patterns on both sides of the sand mould portion during compaction of the sand mould portion in the moulding chamber 80. As can be seen, each of the first template 56 and the second template 79 is provided with a pattern forming surface 4. The sand moulding machine 5 shown is a vertical flaskless sand moulding machine of DISAMATIC (registered trademark). The working principle of sand moulding machines of this type is well known. The moulding chamber 80 is filled with sand through a sand filling opening 84 in a top wall 86 of the moulding chamber 80, and the sand is compacted by shifting the first and second templates 56, 79 in a direction against each other. Subsequently, the swing plate 81 is shifted and pivoted to an open position in which the sand mould portion can be moved along the top wall 86 of the moulding chamber 80. Fig.10The middle finger leaves the molding chamber in the right direction. The sand mold part is pressed out of the molding chamber by displacement of the pressing plate 78 until the sand mold part abuts against the previously produced sand mold part on the sand mold conveyor (not shown), and a sand mold is formed between the two sand mold parts. Thus, a series of sand molds are produced.

[0064] Fig.10 The first template 56 of the illustrated sand mold molding machine 5 is provided with a single sand mold recognition device 1 according to the present invention.

[0065] The controller is adapted to provide at least one individual identification pattern for each sand mould formed from the two sand mould parts, which individual identification pattern is arranged to form an individual identification pattern in each resulting casting when the sand mould has been filled with molten metal in the melt pouring device. Fig.10 Each sand mold produced by the sand mold molding machine 5 shown produces a casting having a corresponding identification pattern. Figures 11 to 17 The template 56 shown in the figure is suitable for forming two castings and therefore the template 56 is provided with two sand mold identification devices 1, which are arranged at corresponding patterns of the template 56, so that each casting can be provided with its own identification pattern. In other embodiments, the template may be suitable for forming three or more castings, and the template may then be provided with a corresponding number of sand mold identification devices 1 arranged at corresponding patterns.

[0066] Although the illustrated sand mold molding machine 5 is a vertical flaskless sand mold molding machine, the sand mold identification device 1 according to the present invention is also applicable to other types of sand mold molding machines, such as a match plate type sand mold molding machine. In a match plate type sand mold molding machine, the sand mold molding machine includes two molding chambers separated by a match plate. On both sides of the match plate, templates are formed and are suitable for forming corresponding patterns in corresponding sand mold parts during compaction of the sand mold parts in the corresponding molding chambers. In a match plate type sand mold molding machine, at least one of the templates formed on the match plate is provided with at least one sand mold identification device 1 according to the present invention. Therefore, each sand mold formed by two sand mold parts can be provided with at least one individual identification pattern, depending on the number of castings to be formed in the sand mold.

[0067] As a further example, the sand mold recognition device 1 according to the present invention is also applicable to a horizontal flask production line, in which a cope and a drag are combined to form a flask. Each of the cope and drag is provided with a template. In a sand mold molding machine in a horizontal flask line, at least one of the two templates may be provided with at least one sand mold recognition device 1 according to the present invention. Thus, each sand mold formed in a flask consisting of a cope and a drag may be provided with at least one individual recognition pattern, depending on the number of castings formed in the sand mold.

[0068] The motor controller arranged on the printed circuit board 28 is adapted to control the actuator 9, 10, 11 corresponding to each individual indicator element 6, 7, 8 so that the individual indicator elements can be positioned in at least 15, preferably at least 20, more preferably at least 30, most preferably at least 35 different rotational positions around the rotation axis of the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40. Advantageously, the motor controller may be adapted to control the actuator corresponding to each individual indicator element 6, 7, 8 so that the individual indicator elements can be positioned in about 40 different rotational positions. The motor controller may be adapted to control the actuator corresponding to each individual indicator element 6, 7, 8 so that the rotational position of the individual indicator elements around the rotation axis of the corresponding cylindrical portion is adjusted in increments of less than 20 degrees, preferably less than 15 degrees, most preferably less than 10 degrees.

[0069] Merely by way of example, the first end stop projection 48 of the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 and the second end stop projection 49 of the hole 41, 42, 43 may together occupy approximately 30 degrees of the total possible rotation of the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 in the corresponding hole 41, 42, 43 of the insertion portion 12. In this case, the actual possible rotation of the cylindrical portion from the first rotational end position to the second rotational end position would be approximately 330 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, at the first rotational end position, the first side of the first end stop projection 48 of the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 abuts against the first side of the second end stop projection 49 of the hole 41, 42, 43, and at the second rotational end position, the second side of the first end stop projection 48 of the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 abuts against the second side of the second end stop projection 49 of the hole 41, 42, 43. Thereby, both end positions can be detected, and a higher accuracy can be obtained, and further self-diagnosis can be performed.

[0070] The electric motor 30 of each actuator 9, 10, 11 is preferably a stepper motor, preferably driven by micro-stepping the stepper motor. The transmission provided for the electric motor 30 is preferably a planetary gear 60, but other types of transmissions are also possible, including gearless transmissions. Figure 6 As shown, the shaft end 61 of the electric motor 30 is connected to the invisible input drive end of the planetary wheel 60. The electric motor 30 and the planetary wheel 60 are thus combined to form a common unit of the actuator 9, 10, 11, and the output shaft end 45 of the planetary wheel 60 thus forms the output shaft of the actuator.

[0071] Each actuator 9, 10, 11 may be provided with a rotary encoder in order to control the rotational position of the respective cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40. However, it is preferred to use a stepper motor and a corresponding motor controller which can detect lost or gained steps and measure the motor load and can use these parameters for self-diagnosis. A homing function may be performed against the first and / or second end stop projections 48, 49 in order to initialize the position of the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40. The homing function may employ programmable current control. Thus, inaccuracies due to backlash in the transmission from the motor to the cylindrical portion may be reduced or eliminated.

[0072] A computer controlled database system, not shown, may be adapted to store each of the unique rotational positions of the individual indicator elements 6, 7, 8 belonging to a corresponding unique individual identification pattern to be formed in the casting.

[0073] The mounting block 17 comprising the insert portion 12, the cylindrical portions 38, 39, 40 with the corresponding individually adjustable indicator elements 6, 7, 8 and the mounting bracket 16 may advantageously be manufactured, for example, by micro-milling or micro-printing. These components may advantageously be made of metal.

[0074] The following embodiments are disclosed:

[0075] 1. A sand mold identification device 1, comprising a housing 2, the housing comprising an identification pattern surface 3 adapted to be arranged in a pattern forming surface 4 of a sand mold molding machine 5 or a core shooting machine, wherein a plurality of individually adjustable indicator elements 6, 7, 8 are rotatably arranged in the identification pattern surface 3, the rotational position of each individual indicator element being adjustable by an actuator 9, 10, 11, wherein the housing 2 comprises an insertion portion 12 adapted to be inserted into a corresponding recess 13 of the sand mold molding machine 5 or the core shooting machine and having a front end 14 and a rear end 15, wherein the identification pattern surface 3 is located at the front end 14 of the insertion portion 12, wherein each of the plurality of individually adjustable indicator elements 6, 7, 8 is rotatably arranged in the identification pattern surface 3, and the rotational position of each individual indicator element is adjustable by an actuator 9, 10, 11 At least a portion of the actuators 9, 10, and 11 are inserted into the insertion part 12, wherein the housing 2 includes a mounting device for mounting the housing 2 to the sand mold molding machine 5 or the core shooting machine, and is characterized in that, in the assembled state of the sand mold identification device 1, the insertion part 12 is suitable for being inserted into the sand mold molding machine 5 or the core shooting machine along an insertion direction D extending from the rear end 15 of the insertion part 12 to the front end 14, and the mounting device can be approached at the rear end 15 of the insertion part 12 or behind the rear end, so as to mount the housing 2 on the sand mold molding machine 5 or the core shooting machine or remove the housing from the sand mold molding machine or the core shooting machine.

[0076] 2. The sand mold recognition device according to embodiment 1, wherein a network adapter and motor controllers of the actuators 9, 10, 11 are arranged behind the rear end 15 of the insertion part 12.

[0077] 3. A sand mold identification device according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the mounting device has a form of a mounting bracket 16, which is arranged at the rear end 15 of the insertion part 12 or behind the rear end and protrudes relative to the insertion part 12 in a direction transverse to the insertion direction D.

[0078] 4. A sand mold identification device according to embodiment 3, wherein the insertion part 12 forms a part of a mounting block 17, which forms protrusions 18, 19 extending in opposite directions at the rear end 15 of the insertion part 12, and wherein the mounting bracket 16 is preferably fixed to the corresponding protrusions 18, 19 by bolts 20.

[0079] 5. A sand mold recognition device according to embodiment 4, wherein the actuators 9, 10, 11 are arranged along a center line 21 of the mounting block 17, the center line of the mounting block extending between opposite protrusions 18, 19 of the mounting block 17, wherein the mounting bracket 16 forms opposite mounting flanges 22, 23 on both sides of the center line 21 of the mounting block 17, and wherein the mounting flanges 22, 23 are suitable for being mounted on a sand mold molding machine 5 or a core shooting machine, preferably by bolts 24.

[0080] 6. The sand mold identification device according to any one of embodiments 3 to 5, wherein the mounting bracket 16 comprises a first bracket portion 25 and a second bracket portion 26 clamped together and clamped on both sides of a portion of each actuator 9, 10, 11.

[0081] 7. The sand mold identification device according to embodiment 6, wherein the elastic element 27 is sandwiched between the actuators 9, 10, 11 and the first and second bracket parts 25, 26.

[0082] 8. The sand mold identification device according to embodiment 6 or 7, wherein the printed circuit board 28 including the motor controller and the network adapter abuts the first and second bracket parts 25, 26 opposite to the insertion part 12.

[0083] 9. The sand mold recognition device according to embodiment 8, wherein the rear end 29 of the electric motor 30 of each actuator 9, 10, 11 extends through the hole 31, 32, 33 in the printed circuit board 28.

[0084] 10. The sand mold identification device according to embodiment 8 or 9, wherein the printed circuit board 28 is partially covered by the cover 34 so that an edge 35 of the printed circuit board 28 extends from the cover 34 and is provided with at least one network connector portion 36.

[0085] 11. A sand mold identification device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein each individually adjustable indicator element 6, 7, 8 is arranged at a front end 37 of a cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40, the cylindrical portion fitting in a corresponding hole 41, 42, 43 of the insert portion 12, wherein a rear end 44 of the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 engages a shaft end 45 of the corresponding actuator 9, 10, 11, and wherein the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 and / or the corresponding hole 41, 42, 43 has a recess 46 in which a sealing ring 47 is arranged.

[0086] 12. The sand mold identification device according to embodiment 11, wherein the first end stop projections 48 are arranged on the cylindrical parts 38, 39, 40, and the corresponding second end stop projections 49 are arranged in the corresponding holes 41, 42, 43 of the insertion part 12.

[0087] 13. The sand mold identification device according to embodiment 12, wherein a sealing ring 47 is arranged between the front end 37 of the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 and the first end stop protrusion 48 arranged on the cylindrical member.

[0088] 14. A sand mold identification device according to any one of embodiments 11 to 13, wherein the rear end 44 of the cylindrical portion 38, 39, 40 is provided with a partially cylindrical hole 50, the partially cylindrical hole having an axially extending plane 51, the axially extending plane corresponding to the axially extending plane 52 of the shaft end 45 of the corresponding actuator 9, 10, 11, and wherein the shaft end 45 engages the partially cylindrical hole 50.

[0089] 15. A sand mold identification device according to any one of embodiments 2 to 14, wherein the network adapter of the sand mold identification device 1 is suitable for being connected to a controller of a sand mold molding machine 5 via a connector 53, the connector comprising: a first connector part 54, which is suitable for being arranged on a template 56 of the sand mold molding machine 5; a second connector part 55, which is suitable for being arranged on the sand mold molding machine 5, wherein each connector part 54, 55 comprises a plurality of electrical contact elements 57, 58, and wherein the electrical contact elements 58 of the second connector part 55 are suitable for flexibly engaging and sliding on the top side 59 of the corresponding electrical contact elements 57 of the first connector part 54 during operation when the template 56 is mounted on the sand mill 5.

[0090] 16. The sand mold recognition device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the insertion portion 12 has a cross-sectional dimension CS transverse to the insertion direction D, which is at most 30% larger, preferably at most 20% larger, and most preferably at most 10% larger than the diameter d of the portion of the actuator 9, 10, 11 inserted into the insertion portion 12.

[0091] 17. A sand mold molding machine, comprising at least one sand mold identification device 1 according to any one of the preceding embodiments.

[0092] Reference numerals

[0093] Cross-sectional dimensions of the CS insert

[0094] d Diameter of the portion of the actuator inserted into the insertion portion

[0095] D Insertion direction of the insertion part

[0096] 1Sand mold identification device

[0097] 2 Shell

[0098] 3. Identification pattern of the shell

[0099] 4. The molding surface of the sand mold molding machine or core shooting machine

[0100] 5Sand mold molding machine

[0101] 6, 7, 8 individually adjustable indicator elements

[0102] 9, 10, 11 actuators

[0103] 12 Insertion portion of the housing

[0104] 13 Concave part of sand mold molding machine or core shooting machine

[0105] 14 Front end of the insertion part

[0106] 15 Insertion section rear end

[0107] 16 Mounting bracket

[0108] 17 Mounting Block

[0109] 18, 19 protrusions of mounting block

[0110] 20 bolts for assembling the housing parts

[0111] 21 Centerline of mounting block

[0112] 22, 23 Mounting flange of mounting bracket

[0113] 24 Mounting bolts for mounting flange

[0114] 25 First bracket part

[0115] 26 Second bracket part

[0116] 27 Elastic element

[0117] 28 PCB

[0118] 29 Rear end of the electric motor

[0119] 30 Electric motor for actuator

[0120] 31, 32, 33 Holes in printed circuit boards

[0121] 34 Covering

[0122] 35 PCB edge

[0123] 36 Network Connector Section

[0124] 37 Front end of cylindrical part

[0125] 38, 39, 40 cylindrical parts

[0126] 41, 42, 43 holes for inserting the part

[0127] 44 Rear end of cylindrical portion

[0128] 45 The shaft end of the planetary gear of the actuator

[0129] 46 Recess of cylindrical part or hole

[0130] 47 Sealing ring

[0131] 48 First end stop projection of cylindrical portion

[0132] 49 hole second end stop projection

[0133] 50 Partial cylindrical hole at the rear end of the cylindrical portion

[0134] 51 Axial extension plane of part of cylindrical hole

[0135] 52 Axial extension plane of the shaft end of the actuator

[0136] 53 Connectors

[0137] 54 first connector part

[0138] 55 Second connector part

[0139] 56 first template

[0140] 57 Electrical contact element of the first connector part

[0141] 58 Electrical contact elements of the second connector part

[0142] 59 The top side of the electrical contact element of the first connector part

[0143] 60 Planetary gear for actuator

[0144] 61 Shaft end of the electric motor of the actuator

[0145] 62 Clamping bolts for first and second bracket parts

[0146] 63Fixed alignment elements

[0147] 64 Fixing screws for cylindrical parts

[0148] 65 threaded holes for fixing screws

[0149] 66Through holes for fixing screws

[0150] 67 holes for mounting bolts

[0151] 68 threaded holes for assembly bolts

[0152] 69 Threaded holes for clamping bolts

[0153] 70 Holes for clamping bolts

[0154] 71 Recess in cover for mounting bolts

[0155] 72 For the protrusion support on the mounting bracket of the printed circuit board

[0156] 73 holes in the printed circuit board for assembly bolts

[0157] 74 holes in the mounting bracket for assembly bolts

[0158] 75 Rounded part of the insert

[0159] 76 Piston for pressure plate

[0160] 77 Heating plate of sand mold molding machine

[0161] 78 Sand mold molding machine pressure plate

[0162] 79 Second Template

[0163] 80 Sand mold molding machine molding room

[0164] 81 Swing plate of sand mold molding machine

[0165] 82 Pivot axis for swing plate

[0166] 83 Swing arm for swing plate

[0167] 84 Sand-filled opening in top wall of molding chamber

[0168] 85 bottom wall of the molding chamber

[0169] 86 Top wall of the molding room

[0170] 87 front side of template

[0171] 88 The back of the template

[0172] 89 network cable

[0173] 90 for the mounting bolts of the connector part

[0174] 91 Relatively wide partially circular portion of the individually adjustable indicator element

[0175] 92 relatively narrow partially circular portion of the individually adjustable indicator element

Claims

1. A sand mold identification device (1), the sand mold identification device having a housing (2), the housing comprising an identification pattern surface (3) suitable for being arranged in a pattern forming surface (4) of a sand mold molding machine (5) or a core shooting machine, wherein a plurality of individually adjustable indicator elements (6, 7, 8) are rotatably arranged in the identification pattern surface (3), the rotational position of each individual indicator element (6, 7, 8) being adjustable by an actuator (9, 10, 11), wherein the housing (2) comprises an insertion portion (12), the insertion portion being suitable for being inserted into a corresponding recess of the sand mold molding machine (5) or the core shooting machine and having a front end and a rear end, wherein the identification pattern surface (3) is located at the front end of the insertion portion (12), wherein at least a portion of each actuator (9, 10, 11) is inserted into the insertion portion (12), and wherein the housing (2) comprises a mounting device for mounting the housing (2) to the sand mold molding machine (5) or the core shooting machine, characterized in that In the assembled state of the sand mold identification device (1), the insertion part (12) is suitable for being inserted into the sand mold molding machine (5) or the core shooting machine along an insertion direction (D) extending from the rear end to the front end of the insertion part (12), and the mounting device is accessible behind the rear end of the insertion part (12) for mounting the housing (2) on the sand mold molding machine (5) or the core shooting machine or removing the housing from the sand mold molding machine (5) or the core shooting machine, and the mounting device has the form of a mounting bracket (16), which is arranged at the rear end of the insertion part (12) or behind the rear end and protrudes relative to the insertion part (12) in a direction transverse to the insertion direction (D).

2. The sand mold identification device according to claim 1, wherein: A network adapter and a motor controller of the actuator (9, 10, 11) are arranged behind the rear end of the insertion part (12).

3. The sand mold identification device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The insertion portion (12) forms a part of a mounting block (17), the mounting block (17) forming projections (18, 19) extending in opposite directions at the rear end of the insertion portion (12), and wherein the mounting bracket (16) is fixed to the respective projections (18, 19).

4. The sand mold identification device according to claim 3, wherein: The actuators (9, 10, 11) are arranged along a center line (21) of the mounting block (17), the center line of the mounting block extending between the opposite protrusions (18, 19) of the mounting block (17), wherein the mounting bracket (16) forms opposite mounting flanges (22, 23) on both sides of the center line (21) of the mounting block (17), and wherein the mounting flanges (22, 23) are suitable for being mounted on the sand moulding machine (5) or the core shooting machine.

5. The sand mold identification device according to claim 1, wherein: The mounting bracket (16) comprises a first bracket portion (25) and a second bracket portion (26) which are clamped together and clamped on either side of a portion of each actuator (9, 10, 11).

6. The sand mold identification device according to claim 5, wherein: The elastic element (27) is sandwiched between the actuator (9, 10, 11) and the first bracket part (25) and the second bracket part (26).

7. The sand mold identification device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: A printed circuit board (28) including a motor controller and a network adapter abuts the first bracket portion (25) and the second bracket portion (26) opposite to the insertion portion (12).

8. The sand mold identification device according to claim 7, wherein: The rear end of the electric motor (30) of each of the actuators (9, 10, 11) extends through a hole in the printed circuit board (28).

9. The sand mold identification device according to claim 7, wherein: The printed circuit board (28) is partially covered by a cover (34) such that an edge (35) of the printed circuit board (28) extends from the cover (34) and is provided with at least one network connector portion (36).

10. The sand mold identification device according to claim 1, wherein: Each individually adjustable indicator element (6, 7, 8) is arranged at the front end of a cylindrical portion (38, 39, 40) which fits in a corresponding hole in the insertion portion (12), wherein the rear end of the cylindrical portion (38, 39, 40) engages the axial end (45) of the corresponding actuator (9, 10, 11), and wherein the cylindrical portion (38, 39, 40) and / or the corresponding hole has a recess in which a sealing ring (47) is arranged.

11. The sand mold identification device according to claim 10, wherein: A first end stop projection (48) is arranged on the cylindrical portion (38, 39, 40) and a corresponding second end stop projection (49) is arranged in the corresponding hole of the insert portion (12).

12. The sand mold identification device according to claim 11, wherein: The sealing ring (47) is arranged between the front end of the cylindrical portion (38, 39, 40) and the first end stop projection (48), and the first end stop projection is arranged on the cylindrical portion.

13. The sand mold identification device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: The rear end of the cylindrical portion (38, 39, 40) is provided with a partially cylindrical hole (50), the partially cylindrical hole having an axially extending plane corresponding to an axially extending plane of the shaft end (45) of the corresponding actuator (9, 10, 11), and wherein the shaft end (45) engages the partially cylindrical hole (50).

14. The sand mold identification device according to claim 2, wherein: The network adapter of the sand mold identification device (1) is suitable for being connected to a controller of a sand mold molding machine (5) via a connector (53), the connector comprising: a first connector part (54) which is suitable for being arranged on a template (56) of the sand mold molding machine (5); a second connector part (55) which is suitable for being arranged on the sand mold molding machine (5), wherein the first connector part (54) and the second connector part (55) each comprise a plurality of electrical contact elements (57, 58), and wherein the electrical contact elements (58) of the second connector part (55) are suitable for flexibly engaging and sliding on a top side (59) of a corresponding electrical contact element (57) of the first connector part (54) during an operation of mounting the template (56) on the sand mold molding machine (5).

15. The sand mold identification device according to claim 1, wherein: The insertion portion (12) has a cross-sectional width (CS) transverse to the insertion direction (D) which is at most 30% greater than a diameter (d) of the portion of the actuator (9, 10, 11) inserted into the insertion portion (12).

16. The sand mold identification device according to claim 3, wherein: The mounting bracket (16) is fixed to the corresponding protrusion (18, 19) by a first bolt (20).

17. The sand mold identification device according to claim 4, wherein: The mounting flange (22, 23) is suitable for being mounted on the sand mold molding machine (5) or the core shooting machine via a second bolt (24).

18. The sand mold identification device according to claim 15, wherein: The width of the cross section is at most 20% greater than the diameter (d) of the portion of the actuator (9, 10, 11) inserted into the insertion portion (12).

19. The sand mold identification device according to claim 15, wherein: The width of the cross section is at most 10% greater than the diameter (d) of the portion of the actuator (9, 10, 11) inserted into the insertion portion (12).

20. A sand mould moulding machine, comprising at least one sand mould identification device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

Images