Clamping device for a core package and method for casting

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamping device (11) for a multi-part core package (12) made of a molding material and to a method for casting with such a clamping device, wherein the clamping device comprises at least one clamping element (16) by means of which the core package can be subjected to a clamping force on opposing pressure surfaces (13) of the core package, wherein the clamping element has at least two clamping modules (17) by means of which the clamping force can be applied to the core package, wherein the clamping modules each have a clamping element (21) for contact with one of the pressure surfaces of the core package, wherein the clamping elements are movable independently of each other relative to the pressure surface.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a clamping device for a multi-part core package made of a molding material and a method for casting with a clamping device and such a core package, wherein the clamping device comprises at least one clamping device by means of which the core package can be subjected to a clamping force on opposing pressure surfaces of the core package.

[0002] Such clamping devices and methods are well known in the art and are regularly used for the production of complex cast parts, such as engine blocks or the like. A core pack is then formed from a multitude of cores arranged in a common assembly, which together form a mold. The clamping device serves to fix the cores or the core pack together and press them against each other with a clamping force. When the mold is filled with molten metal, considerable mold filling pressures occur, which, in addition to fixing the individual cores of the core pack to one another, require external support of the core pack in order to largely prevent relative movement of the cores as a result of the mold filling pressure and to ensure the mold's dimensional stability.To ensure this external support of the core package, it is known, for example, to arrange core packages in box molds that have a molding sand filling adapted to the outer contour of the core package. However, this requires the operation of a box molding machine, with which a box mold with a corresponding molding sand filling must be provided for each individual core package, resulting in high operating costs.

[0003] From DE 10 2006 010 798 B3, a clamping device for a multi-part core assembly is known, in which the cores are inserted into a box mold and can be clamped or pre-tensioned against each other within the box mold by means of several clamping devices. In particular, the core assembly is designed with a draft angle onto which the box mold is slid, thus generating the clamping force. The core assembly is wedged against the box mold, and the clamping force is applied indirectly via cylinders that slide the box mold onto the core assembly.

[0004] A disadvantage here is that the core pack must always be adapted to the size of the mold, and a large number of molds are required for the continuous production of a casting plant. Converting this plant to products requiring a differently sized core pack then necessitates replacing all the molds. Furthermore, molding material consumption is very high if the product is significantly smaller than the existing mold. In such cases, the core pack must be larger than actually needed for casting the product. This is also true if the product to be cast has a geometry that deviates significantly from a square or rectangular mold shape.

[0005] In this case, unusable areas of the box mold must be filled with molding material.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a clamping device for clamping a multi-part core package, a casting mold and a casting system, as well as a method for casting with a clamping device, which enables the simple and cost-effective production of different products.

[0007] This problem is solved by a clamping device having the features of claim 1, a casting mold having the features of claim 11, a casting system having the features of claim 13 and a method having the features of claim 16.

[0008] The clamping device according to the invention for a multi-part core package made of a molded material comprises at least one clamping device by means of which the core package can be subjected to a clamping force on opposing pressure surfaces of the core package, wherein the clamping device has at least two clamping modules by means of which the clamping force can be applied to the core package, wherein the clamping modules each have a clamping element for contact with one of the pressure surfaces of the core package, wherein the clamping elements are movable independently of each other relative to the pressure surface.

[0009] The core pack consists of a number of cores, each made of core sand solidified with a binder. Preferably, the entire core pack is formed from this core sand, which simplifies its reuse within a casting plant. The core pack is preferably used for casting metal products, such as cast iron, cast steel, gray cast iron, aluminum, other non-ferrous metals, or alloys thereof. However, it is also possible, in principle, to use the core pack for casting hardenable materials from casting compounds, such as concrete, polymers, or the like.

[0010] To clamp the core assembly, it has at least two pressure surfaces that are essentially opposite each other, so that the clamping force can be exerted on the core assembly via these two pressure surfaces. The clamping force is generated by the clamping device, which exerts the clamping force on at least one of the pressure surfaces. The opposite pressure surface can then rest against a support of the clamping device, which can be essentially rigid, i.e., immovable. Since the clamping device has at least two clamping modules with a clamping element for contact with one of the pressure surfaces, the clamping elements can be moved independently of each other relative to the pressure surface. The core assembly can then be designed such that the pressure surface on which the clamping device acts with the clamping force is formed from at least two sub-surfaces that are spaced apart from each other.The individual surfaces can be positioned at different relative distances to the clamping device when the core assembly is clamped. The ability to move the clamping elements independently of each other using the clamping modules allows the clamping modules to be individually adapted to the different surfaces. The clamping force is then applied to the surfaces by the clamping modules. The core assembly can be designed to conform to the geometry of a product to be cast, with the pressure surface, for example, forming one or more steps. This makes it possible to save molding material during the production of the core assembly, as it no longer needs to be filled with molding material to such an extent, as with a mold box, that the pressure surface lies completely flat against a clamping device.Furthermore, the independent movement of the clamping elements allows the clamping device to be used for a wide variety of core packages. For example, a shoulder facing the clamping device in the core package can be more or less deep, or even absent altogether. This makes the clamping device universally applicable to different types of core packages. Switching a casting system to a different product no longer necessarily requires changing all the clamping devices or mold boxes of the casting system. Overall, this allows products to be manufactured more cost-effectively using casting.

[0011] The clamping device can comprise at least two clamping elements, which can be arranged opposite each other relative to the contact surfaces of the core package. The clamping force can then be exerted on the core package by both clamping elements from opposite sides of the clamping device onto the contact surfaces of the core package. Each clamping element can have two clamping modules, so that the core package can have contact surfaces on both sides, which are formed from sub-surfaces. For example, at least one step can be formed between the sub-surfaces on each of the opposing contact surfaces of the core package. The contact surfaces or sub-surfaces can then be parallel. This makes the clamping device even more flexible for use with core packages of a wide variety of products.

[0012] The clamping device can comprise at least one further clamping element by means of which the core package can be subjected to a further clamping force on additional contact surfaces of the core package, which can be configured transversely, preferably orthogonally, relative to the contact surfaces. It can be provided that the further clamping element exerts the further clamping force on a top or bottom surface of the core package. If, for example, the core package has a square or rectangular base shape, at least three side surfaces of the core package can form the contact surfaces. Furthermore, the core package can be clamped around its circumference, i.e., on all side surfaces, by means of the clamping element. The core package can then, in principle, be configured with a contact surface on all sides, against which a clamping force can be exerted by means of the clamping element.

[0013] The clamping device can have a clamping frame that can at least partially, preferably completely, surround the core package, with the clamping modules being attached to the clamping frame. The clamping frame can be ring-shaped or frame-shaped and completely surround the core package. The clamping modules can then be attached to the clamping frame and thus exert the clamping force on the core package. The clamping modules can be detachably attached so that they can be arranged on the clamping frame as needed, adapted to the respective core package. Attachment can be achieved by means of a screw connection. The clamping frame can be formed by an upper frame and a lower frame, with the clamping modules then being arranged between the upper and lower frames.

[0014] The clamping device can comprise at least three, four, five, six, or more clamping modules. The number of clamping modules can depend on the number of sub-areas of the pressure surface. One clamping module can then be provided for each sub-area. However, it is also possible for one clamping module to act on two sub-areas of the pressure surface if the sub-areas are formed in a common plane and at the same relative distance to the clamping module in question. Furthermore, it is possible for clamping modules to remain unused if the core package to be clamped is comparatively small and does not extend completely along a row arrangement of all clamping modules of the clamping device. Overall, a higher number of clamping modules makes the clamping device more flexible.

[0015] The clamping module can have a spindle head with a guide and a spindle mounted on the spindle head, which can be driven by a manipulator. The spindle can move the clamping element along the guide towards the pressure surface. The guide can be perpendicular to the pressure surface, so that the clamping force can be exerted in the direction of the pressure surface. The spindle can be driven by a manipulator, meaning that rotation of the spindle can cause the clamping element to move along the guide towards the pressure surface or in the opposite direction. The manipulator can be an electric motor with or without a gearbox, for example, an electromechanical screwdriver, or it can consist of multiple electromechanical screwdrivers. In this case, each of the clamping modules can also have such a manipulator.To further reduce costs, the manipulator can also be designed as a stationary unit, separate from the clamping device, within a casting system. The manipulator can then consist of an electromechanical screwdriver to drive the spindle or multiple screwdrivers to simultaneously drive all the spindles of the clamping modules. In this case, a screw head or socket wrench can be integrated into the spindle of the clamping module, allowing the manipulator to engage it when a clamping device is positioned on the manipulator to clamp the core assembly. The respective manipulator can drive the spindle until the desired clamping force is achieved. Furthermore, a pressure plate can be attached to or on the clamping element, forming essentially a flat surface that roughly corresponds to a portion of the pressure surface.This results in an advantageous distribution of the force generated by the clamping module across the pressure surface or partial surface. Undesired breakage of the core assembly due to uneven force distribution can thus be effectively prevented. Optionally, two or more clamping elements can be equipped with a common pressure plate. This is possible if the partial surfaces of the pressure surface are essentially formed in a common plane.

[0016] The clamping element can be equipped with at least one spring assembly by means of which the clamping force is exerted on the contact surface. The spring assembly allows for compensation of dimensional tolerances in the core assembly. Furthermore, the spring assembly enables the clamping force to be precisely controlled. For example, the spring characteristic of the spring assembly can be selected such that further adjustment of the clamping element towards the core assembly does not result in a significantly greater clamping force. The spring assembly can be a tension spring, compression spring, leaf spring, disc spring, or preferably a disc spring assembly. Multiple spring assemblies can also be arranged on a single clamping element. This allows the clamping module to be designed to be particularly compact.

[0017] The clamping device can include a support that provides a base for the core assembly, with at least the clamping device and / or the clamping frame being arranged on the support. This allows the core assembly to be first formed by assembling cores on the support before the core assembly is clamped with the clamping device or clamping frame. After the core assembly is assembled, the clamping device or clamping frame can then be attached to the support. This makes it possible to first complete the core assembly without the potentially obstructive clamping device or clamping frame and to handle it using the support. The support can also be designed as a frame or rack, so that it can be easily transported by conveyors.This is particularly advantageous when the core package is very heavy, for example, between 100 kg and 1000 kg. The support can have extensions and corresponding recesses on the clamping device or clamping frame, or vice versa. These recesses can be designed so that the clamping device or clamping frame can be positively positioned or centered without being rigidly connected to the support. The clamping device or clamping frame then rests loosely on the support and can be fixed to a support surface solely by its own weight. This allows the clamping device or clamping frame to be attached to and removed from the support particularly easily and quickly. This can be done, for example, easily using a crane or other conveying equipment.

[0018] The support beam can be equipped with stanchions to support the core pack. The clamping modules can be arranged so that the clamping elements are positioned in the spaces between the stanchions. The stanchions can advantageously prevent the core pack from tipping over on the support when the beam is transported with the core pack. They also ensure that, after filling with liquid metal, the core pack does not fall off the support along with the product when it cools and breaks open, once the clamping device or clamping frame has been removed.

[0019] The clamping device can include a trough that forms a receptacle for the carrier, which can be inserted into the trough. The trough can be easily transported by means of a conveying device, such as a forklift or similar, and can hold the carrier in such a way that the trough at least partially surrounds it. In particular, the trough facilitates the transport of the carrier with the core package and, if necessary, with the clamping device or clamping frame attached to the core package. After a cavity of the core package has been filled and the clamping frame or clamping device has been removed, a binder in the molding material can burn off, which can lead to the core package disintegrating. The molding material can then also fall from the carrier into the trough during transport of the core package within a casting system and be collected there.After removing the carrier from the tub, the molding material inside can be collected and easily reused in a process.

[0020] The mold according to the invention comprises a clamping device according to the invention and a core package, wherein the core package is clamped on opposing pressure surfaces of the core package in the clamping device.

[0021] The respective pressure surface can be formed from a number of flat sub-surfaces, which can be arranged in offset, parallel planes. These planes can run vertically and parallel to the clamping elements or pressure elements on the clamping elements. The clamping force exerted on the core assembly is then distributed over the total area of ​​the pressure surfaces. A step can therefore be formed between the sub-surfaces, allowing the core assembly to be adapted to the geometry of a product and manufactured with a significantly smaller amount of molding material. For example, two, three, four, five, six, or more parallel planes can be defined or provided, within which pressure surfaces or sub-surfaces can be formed on a core assembly.A number of clamping modules acting on a pressure surface then corresponds to at least a number of parallel planes on a core package. Further advantageous embodiments of a casting mold result from the feature descriptions of the dependent claims relating to device claim 1.

[0022] The casting system according to the invention comprises a plurality of clamping devices according to the invention, a manipulator for clamping a core package in a clamping device, and a conveying device for conveying the clamping devices along the manipulator. The clamping modules of the clamping device can be actuated by means of the manipulator, and the clamping elements of the clamping modules can be moved independently of one another on a contact surface of the core package and subjected to a defined clamping force. The manipulator is therefore positioned stationary, with the respective clamping devices conveyed to the manipulator along with the respective core package. There, the clamping devices are actuated by the manipulator such that the clamping elements are moved onto the respective contact surface of the core package. This positioning movement of the clamping elements is then carried out by means of the manipulator until the defined clamping force is achieved.This creates a mold that can then be conveyed to a casting machine. The conveying device can be a forklift, a conveyor belt, or another suitable device for transporting such molds. In particular, intermittent conveying can be implemented.

[0023] The clamping devices can each comprise at least one clamping element, and these clamping elements can be of different designs. The clamping elements themselves can then also be designed differently, but they can be transported by the conveyor and actuated by the manipulator. This makes it possible to process different core packages, which require differently designed clamping elements, with just one casting machine. Alternatively, all clamping elements can be identical.

[0024] The casting system can include a casting machine, which may be equipped with a cover device that can conceal the clamping device. The cover device can, for example, consist of one or more plates arranged on the casting machine above the clamping device. This prevents molten metal or molten metal splashes from easily reaching the clamping device during a casting process from a section of a sprue on the core package. The cover device can be designed such that a gap or opening is formed between two parallel plates of the cover device, within which the sprue is located. The respective mold can then be transported to the casting machine in such a way that, during relative positioning, the cover device just barely does not cover the sprue.Optionally, the cover device can also be arranged on each of the clamping devices. In this case, each clamping device then has a cover device.

[0025] Further advantageous embodiments of a casting system result from the feature descriptions of the dependent claims relating to device claim 1.

[0026] In the casting method according to the invention, using a clamping device and a multi-part core assembly made of a molding material, at least one clamping element of the clamping device applies a clamping force to the core assembly at opposing contact surfaces. This clamping force is exerted on the core assembly by at least two clamping modules of the clamping device, with each clamping element of the clamping module coming into contact with one of the contact surfaces of the core assembly. The clamping elements are moved independently of each other relative to the contact surface. For the advantages of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the description of the advantages of the clamping device according to the invention.

[0027] Furthermore, the procedure may include some or all of the following steps: a) Arranging the core package on a carrier of the clamping device; b) Arranging the carrier on a trough of the clamping device or arranging the carrier on a trough of the clamping device before arranging the core package on the carrier; c) Arranging the clamping device on the carrier; d) Clamping the core package in the clamping device using the clamping modules, preferably using a manipulator; e) Filling the core package with a casting material using a casting machine; f) Solidifying the casting material to form a product and removing the clamping device from the carrier; g) Demolding the cast product; h) Transporting and returning the clamping devices, the carriers, and the troughs using a conveyor device.

[0028] The process can be carried out with a plurality of clamping devices, which can be identical or different in design. Geometrically differing core packages can be clamped using these clamping devices, and the pressure surfaces of the core packages assigned to each clamping module can have different relative distances to the clamping module. If the clamping devices are identical, different core packages can also be clamped using the same clamping devices. The core packages can differ in that their pressure surfaces, or parts thereof, have different relative distances to the clamping module.The clamping module can compensate for differing relative distances between core packages to such an extent that even differing core packages can be clamped or clamped. The clamping module can move or position the clamping element with a comparatively large stroke to achieve this. It is then no longer necessary to use different clamping devices for different core packages, or to use and store a number of different clamping devices for each core package. However, it is also possible for the clamping devices to have different designs, whereby this difference can be limited to the design of the clamping mechanism. The clamping devices can then be standardized at least to the extent that they can be modularly adapted to the differing core packages.However, the method also makes it possible to process identical core packages with identical clamping devices.

[0029] At least one sensor can be arranged on the core assembly and / or the clamping device, enabling the measurement of the clamping element's position, clamping force, temperature in or on the core assembly, and / or weight of the core assembly. Such measured values ​​can be processed by a control device of a casting machine. By measuring the clamping element's position, it can be preset to a specific core assembly size, thus accelerating the actual clamping process. Furthermore, the clamping element can be rapidly advanced or moved towards the core assembly until the core assembly is close to the clamping element, allowing for a subsequent reduction in the approach speed. The position can be easily determined using a displacement sensor.The clamping force can be determined using a force sensor, ensuring that the clamping force is sufficiently high but does not cause the core pack to break. If the core pack breaks during casting or cooling of a melt, this breakage can be easily detected by the corresponding force sensor being released. A temperature sensor can be used to easily determine the temperature at or within the core pack, and this temperature value can be used to control the casting process and the cooling phase. The weight of the core pack can also be determined using a force sensor. This, too, can be used to control the casting process, for example, by determining the mold filling level based on the weight.

[0030] An equal clamping force can be applied to all contact surfaces. A manipulator can be used to actuate and apply this clamping force. For example, the manipulator can be used to adjust the clamping module until the desired clamping force is achieved. The clamping force can be distributed evenly across the contact surfaces of the core assembly. This clamping force can be achieved, for example, by means of a force sensor on the respective clamping module or by applying a preset torque to the manipulator.

[0031] A core pack type and / or clamping device can be detected by a detection unit of a casting plant's control system. The core pack and / or clamping device can be identified by an individual identifier and / or captured by a camera. Parameters for each type can be stored in a database of the control system. These parameters for each detected type can then be transmitted to a manipulator for clamping the core pack and / or to a casting machine within the casting plant. Core packs and / or clamping devices circulating in a casting plant can all be of the same design. However, if they differ, for example, if different core packs are to be processed in the casting plant, it is essential that a type or design of the respective core pack or clamping device is detected.This can be achieved using the detection device, which can then determine the type or clamping device used at the individual workstations of the casting system or in the individual work steps of the casting system. The key here is clamping the core package with a defined clamping force or casting with a predetermined quantity of melt or casting material using the casting machine. Once the type of core package or clamping device has been determined, the parameters required for processing, such as clamping force or quantity of melt or casting material, can be transmitted to the manipulator or the casting machine. The type of core package or clamping device can be easily identified because each one is individually marked.For example, the core package and / or the clamping device can be marked with an RFID transmitter. Alternatively, a barcode can also be applied. The barcode can also be applied to the core package during its formation, for example, using a laser or similar method. Alternatively or additionally, the core package and / or the clamping device can be captured with a camera, and the type can then be determined by image processing of the camera image. During operation of the casting plant, a wide variety of core packages can thus be processed in a random sequence.

[0032] Further advantageous embodiments of the method result from the feature descriptions of the dependent claims relating to device claim 1.

[0033] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] They show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of a casting plant; Fig. 2: a side view of a casting mold; Fig. 3: a front view of the mold; Fig. 4: a cross-sectional view of the mold; Fig. 5: a longitudinal section view of the mold; Fig. 6: a perspective partial view of a clamping device with a core package; Fig. 7: a perspective partial view of the clamping device; Fig. 8: a top view of the clamping device; Fig. 9: a side view of the clamping device with a support; Fig. 10: a side view of the clamping device; Fig. 11: A longitudinal section view of a clamping module.

[0035] A summary of Fig. 1 bis 11 Figure 1 shows a mold 10 in various views. The mold 10 consists of a clamping device 11 and a core pack 12. The core pack 12 is shown here in a simplified form and is made up of a plurality of cores not shown in detail. The cores of the core pack consist of a molding material, in particular core sand, which has been hardened with a binder. The core pack 12 is clamped in the clamping device 11, whereby a clamping force is applied by the clamping device 11 to opposing pressure surfaces 13 of the core pack 12. Fig. 1 shows a casting ladle 14 of a casting machine of a casting plant (not shown in detail here) at a sprue 15 of the core package 12, which is clamped in the clamping device 11 at this time.

[0036] The clamping device 11 is formed from two clamping units 16, each with five clamping modules 17, mounted on a clamping frame 18. The clamping modules 17 are screwed to an upper frame 19 and a lower frame 20 of the clamping frame 18. Each of the clamping modules 17 has a clamping element 21, to which a pressure plate 22 is mounted. The pressure plate 22 acts on the pressure surface 13, which is divided into a first partial surface 23 and a second partial surface 24, separated by a step 26. The flat partial surfaces 23 and 24 are arranged in offset, parallel planes 26 and 27, respectively. The clamping elements 21 or pressure plates 22 can now be moved independently of each other relative to the partial surfaces 23, 24 or the pressure surface 13 by means of the clamping modules 17, so that the pressure plates 22 come into contact with the pressure surface 13 and exert a clamping force on it.

[0037] As from the Fig. 11As can be seen, the clamping modules 17 are each equipped with a spindle head 28 with a guide 29 and a spindle 30 that can be driven by a manipulator (not shown here). The clamping element 21 is linearly movable in a guide body 32 of the clamping module 17 via two rods 31. The clamping element 21 has a spring assembly 33, which consists of a spring assembly 34 made up of disc springs 35 on the respective rods 31. Since the rods 31 are mounted in bores 36 with the spring assembly 34, when the clamping element 21 or the pressure plate 22 is pressed against the pressure surface 13, the respective rod 31 is pushed a short distance into the bore 36, thereby generating a clamping force by means of the spring assembly 34. The pressure plate 22 can be easily adjusted here via a screw head 37 on the spindle 30 using a manipulator (not shown), which can be a simple wrench or an electromagnetic screwdriver.

[0038] The clamping device 11 further comprises a support 38 and a trough 39 in which the support 38 is received. The support 38 is formed from a frame 40 with feet 41, to which a plate 42, forming a support surface 43 for the core package 12, is attached. Furthermore, stanchions 44 are arranged on the frame 40 to support the core package 12. The stanchions 44 prevent the core package 12 from falling over during transport or if it disintegrates. The stanchions 44 are spaced apart so that the clamping elements 21 can be moved past the stanchions 44 to the core package 12. A through-opening 45 is also formed in the plate 42, through which the molding material of the core package 12 can fall downwards. A support 47 for the subframe 20 or the clamping frame 18 is formed at an upper end 46 of the feet 41.After positioning the clamping package 12 on the support surface 43, the clamping frame 18 can be placed on the carrier 38.

[0039] The tub 39 is formed from a tub frame 48 with closed side surfaces 49 and 50 and a closed bottom 51. The side surfaces 50 are designed to be deep enough that the support 38 can be inserted into or removed from the tub 39, for example, using a forklift (not shown) via fork attachments 52. In the event of core package 12 disintegrating, molding material can be collected and transported in the resulting interior space 53 of the tub 39.

[0040] Above the clamping frame 18, a cover device 54 is arranged on the clamping frame 18. The cover device 54 is formed from two sheets 55 that cover the respective clamping devices 16 in such a way that no molten metal or molten metal splashes can come into direct contact with the clamping devices 16 during casting with the ladle 14. A gap 56 is thus formed between the sheets 55, through which the sprue 15 is accessible.

Claims

1. Clamping device (11) for a multi-part core package (12) made of a molding material, wherein the clamping device comprises at least one clamping device (16) by means of which the core package can be subjected to a clamping force on opposing pressure surfaces (13) of the core package, characterized by that the clamping device has at least two clamping modules (17) by means of which the clamping force can be applied to the core package, wherein the clamping modules each have a clamping element (21) for contact with one of the pressure surfaces of the core package, wherein the clamping elements are movable independently of each other relative to the pressure surface.

2. Clamping device according to claim 1, characterized by that the clamping device (11) comprises at least two clamping devices (16) which are arranged opposite each other relative to the pressure surfaces (13) of the core package (12).

3. Clamping device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by thatthe clamping device (11) comprises at least one further clamping device by means of which the core package (12) can be subjected to a further clamping force on further pressure surfaces of the core package, which are designed transversely, preferably orthogonally, relative to the pressure surfaces (13).

4. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping device (11) has a clamping frame (18) which at least partially, preferably completely, surrounds the core package (12), wherein the clamping modules (17) are attached to the clamping frame.

5. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping device (16) comprises at least three, four, five, six or more clamping modules (17).

6. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by thatthe clamping module (17) has a spindle stock (28) with a guide (29) and a spindle (30) mounted on the spindle stock which can be driven by a manipulator, wherein the clamping element (21) can be moved along the guide in the direction of the pressure surface (13) by means of the spindle.

7. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one spring device (33) is formed on the clamping element (21) by means of which the clamping force can be exerted on the pressure surface (13).

8. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping device (11) comprises a support (38) which forms a support (43) for the core package (12), wherein at least the clamping device (16) and / or the clamping frame (18) is arranged on the support.

9. Clamping device according to claim 8, characterized by that The support (38) has stakes (44) for supporting the core package (12).

10. Clamping device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the clamping device (11) comprises a trough (39) which forms a receptacle for the carrier (38), wherein the carrier is inserted into the trough.

11. Mold (10) with a clamping device (11) according to one of the preceding claims and a core package (12), wherein the core package is clamped in the clamping device on opposing pressure surfaces (13) of the core package.

12. Casting mold according to claim 11, characterized by that the respective pressure surface (13) is formed from a number of flat sub-surfaces (23, 24), wherein the sub-surfaces are arranged in offset, parallel planes (26, 27).

13. Casting system comprising a plurality of clamping devices (11) according to one of the preceding claims, a manipulator for clamping a core package (12) in a clamping device (11) and a conveying device for conveying the clamping devices along the manipulator, wherein clamping modules (17) of the clamping device can be actuated by means of the manipulator and clamping elements (21) of the clamping modules can be moved independently of one another against a pressure surface (13) of the core package and can be subjected to a defined clamping force.

14. Casting system according to claim 13, characterized by that the clamping devices (11) each comprise at least one clamping device (16), wherein the clamping devices have differently designed clamping devices.

15. Casting system according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by thatthe casting plant comprises a casting machine, wherein a covering device (54) is formed on the casting machine, the covering device covering the clamping device (16).

16. Method for casting with a clamping device (11) and a multi-part core package (12) made of a molding material, wherein at least one clamping device (16) of the clamping device applies a clamping force to the core package on opposing pressure surfaces (13) of the core package, characterized by that with at least two clamping modules (17) of the clamping device the clamping force is formed on the core package, wherein one clamping element (21) of the clamping modules comes into contact with one of the pressure surfaces of the core package, wherein the clamping elements are moved independently of each other relative to the pressure surface.

17. Method according to claim 16, characterized by thatThe method comprises the following steps: a) arranging the core package (12) on a carrier (38) of the clamping device (11); b) arranging the carrier (38) on a trough (39) of the clamping device, or arranging the carrier (38) on a trough (39) of the clamping device before arranging the core package (12) on the carrier; c) arranging the clamping device (16) on the carrier; d) clamping the core package in the clamping device by means of the clamping modules (17), preferably by means of a manipulator; e) filling the core package with a casting material by means of a casting machine; f) solidifying the casting material to form a product and removing the clamping device from the carrier; g) demolding the cast product; h) transporting and returning the clamping devices, the carriers, and the troughs by means of a conveying device.

18. Method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized by thatthe method is carried out with a plurality of clamping devices (11), wherein the clamping devices are identical or different, wherein geometrically different core packages (12) are clamped with the clamping devices, wherein pressure surfaces (13) of the core packages assigned to each clamping module (17) are formed with different relative distances to the clamping module.

19. Method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized by that at least one sensor is arranged on the core package (12) and / or the clamping device (11) by means of which a displacement position of the clamping element (21), a clamping force of the clamping element, a temperature in or on the core package (12) and / or a weight force of the core package is measured.

20. Method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized by that an equally large clamping force is formed on all contact surfaces (13).

21. Method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized by that a type of core package (12) and / or clamping device (11) is detected by means of a detection device of a control device of a casting plant, wherein the core package and / or the clamping device is marked by means of an individual identifier and / or recorded by means of a camera, wherein parameters are stored in a database of the control device for each type, wherein the parameters for the type detected are transmitted to a manipulator for clamping the core package and / or a casting machine of the casting plant.

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