Flexible Casting Mold Formed by Stacked Shaped Rods

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for producing prototypes lack a simple and adaptable structure that can quickly adjust to differently shaped molds, requiring complex mechanisms and devices to form and demold cast models efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising an assembly platform, conveyor device, and stackable mold bars that form a mold by positioning and arranging the bars to create a desired shape, allowing for flexible formation of molds and cast models without complex control mechanisms, using a conveyor device to grip and place mold bars on the platform to build a stack that forms the mold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If fixed and uniquely manufactured molds are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold precisionVSAvoidmold adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is divided into multiple independent mold bars that can be individually positioned and arranged. Each mold bar is a separate component that can be independently controlled by the conveying device, allowing the mold configuration to be changed by simply rearranging the bars rather than manufacturing a completely new mold.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mold transitions from a static, fixed structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable structure. The conveying device enables the mold bars to be moved, repositioned, and rearranged according to different prototype requirements, making the mold adaptable to various shapes and configurations without requiring fixed manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If complex control mechanisms are used to form molds, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold formation precisionVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex control mechanisms are extracted and replaced with a simple conveying device that handles the positioning of mold bars. Instead of using complex actuators and control systems for each mold component, a single conveying device manages the entire mold formation process by transporting and placing the bars in the required positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying device serves multiple functions: it transports the mold bars, positions them accurately, and enables reconfiguration for different mold designs. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms for each function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If simple system structure is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidprototype production speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying device operates continuously to transport and position mold bars without interruption. This continuous operation eliminates idle time between mold configurations, allowing the system to quickly switch between different prototype productions while maintaining simple structure. The seamless flow of operations ensures high productivity despite the simplicity of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Adaptability or versatility

If quickly adaptable molds are used, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold adaptabilityVSAvoidmold formation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a conveying device that uses controlled material transport. Instead of using complex mechanical actuators to position each mold bar, the system uses a conveying mechanism that delivers bars to precise positions, achieving both adaptability and precision through a simpler approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3787866B1System and method for flexibly forming a casting mold for manufacturing a model casting
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 CUBES GMBH
  • EP3787866B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3787866B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3787866B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system (100) and method for forming a casting mould (151) in a flexible manner and for producing a casting pattern (150). The system (100) comprises an assembly platform (101), a plurality of shaped rods (110) for forming the casting mould (151), and a conveying device (102) for conveying the shaped rods (110) to the assembly platform (101). The conveying device (102) is designed to grip the shaped rods (110) individually and to place them on the assembly platform (101) such that a stack (112) of the shaped rods (110) can be formed and such that one side of the stack (112) can be formed by the position of the shaped rods (110) in order to form a region of the casting mould (151). The present invention also relates to a system (100) for producing a shaped body, the system (100) comprising an assembly platform (101), a plurality of shaped rods (110) for forming the shaped body, and a conveying device (102) for conveying the shaped rods (110) to the assembly platform (101), wherein the conveying device (102) is designed to grip the shaped rods (110) and to place them on the assembly platform (101) such that a stack (112) of the shaped rods (110) can be formed, wherein the positions of the individual shaped rods (110) in the stack (112) reproduce the shape of the shaped body, wherein the shaped rods (111) can be adhered together such that the stack (112) forms the shaped body.