Ejection Pin Lifts Sand Mold from Flask

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing air set sand molding process faces challenges in removing cured sand molds from molding flasks without damaging either the sand mold or the flask, often requiring manual force that can cause damage.

Innovation Solution

An air set molding apparatus with a pattern mounting plate and a movable ejection pin system that lifts the sand mold out of the molding flask through ejection pin apertures, reducing the risk of damage by allowing controlled and automated removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the molding flask is turned over to remove the sand mold by gravity, then the sand mold can be removed from the molding flask, but the sand mold or the molding flask may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesand mold removalVSAvoiddamage to sand mold or molding flask

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection pin is positioned in advance at the bottom of the molding flask, ready to push the sand mold upward before removal. This preliminary positioning allows the sand mold to be ejected in the opposite direction of gravity, preventing damage during removal while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of turning the molding flask over and letting gravity pull the sand mold downward (conventional method), the ejection pin pushes the sand mold upward in the opposite direction. This inversion of the removal direction eliminates the harmful impact forces that cause damage to both the sand mold and molding flask

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If the molding flask is hit to urge the sand mold out, then the sand mold can be removed from the molding flask, but the molding flask and/or sand mold may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesand mold removal efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to molding flask or sand mold

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection pin system enables the sand mold to eject itself from the molding flask through automated upward pushing. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external manual force (hitting with hammer), achieving both high productivity through automation and zero damage by removing impact forces entirely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical action of hitting the molding flask with a hammer is replaced by an automated ejection pin system that pushes the sand mold upward through the bottom aperture. This substitution maintains removal efficiency while eliminating the harmful impact forces associated with manual hammering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20190193145A1Air set sand molding apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.06.27 WISCONSIN ALUMINUM FOUNDRY

AI summary

An air set molding apparatus configured to form a sand mold, the apparatus includes a pattern mounting plate including an ejection pin aperture, a molding flask on the pattern mounting plate, the molding flask having a closed lower end and an open upper end. The molding flask including an ejection pin aperture in the closed lower end, an ejection pin movable relative to the pattern mounting plate and the molding flask, the ejection pin movable through the ejection pin aperture of the pattern mounting plate and the ejection pin aperture of the molding flask between a lowered position and a raised position. As the ejection pin moves from the lowered position to the raised position, the ejection pin lifts the sand mold through the open upper end of the molding flask.