Sand Core Machine Articulated Arms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sand core making machines require complex guiding structures for linear movements of heavy components, leading to a bulky design, difficult maintenance, and limited accessibility, which complicates the process and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

The machine employs articulated arms to move transfer and curing tools, eliminating the need for carriage-like structures, resulting in a more compact, user-friendly, and easily maintainable design by providing three degrees of freedom for tool movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If carriage-like structures with guided linear movement are used for heavy components, then the machine provides stable support and precise positioning, but the design becomes bulky, maintenance becomes difficult, and accessibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable support and precise positioningVSAvoidbulky design, difficult maintenance, limited accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces static carriage-like structures with dynamic articulated arms that can move and adapt their configuration. The articulated arms use multiple joints and segments to achieve the required positioning flexibility without needing heavy guiding structures, thereby reducing overall machine complexity while maintaining positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes traditional mechanical guiding structures with a different mechanical approach using articulated arms. This replacement eliminates the need for complex linear guides and carriage mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while maintaining the ability to position tools accurately through the articulated arm's jointed structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If articulated arms are used to move transfer and curing tools, then the design becomes compact and maintenance is easier, but the machine requires new mechanisms for three degrees of freedom movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompact design, easier maintenanceVSAvoidrequires new mechanisms for three degrees of freedom movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The articulated arms are divided into multiple segments connected by joints, each segment and joint being a separate, manageable component. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of individual parts, simplified assembly, and easier maintenance of specific joints without affecting the entire system. The three degrees of freedom are achieved through three separate joint mechanisms that can be manufactured and maintained independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If conventional carriage structures are used, then heavy components are supported stably, but the machine requires substantial space and has limited accessibility for tool handling and replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable support for heavy componentsVSAvoidspace requirements and accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The articulated arms utilize three-dimensional spatial movement through multiple joints, allowing the tools to access positions and orientations that would be impossible with conventional linear carriage structures. This dimensional approach enables compact machine footprint while maintaining full accessibility to the core-making area from multiple angles, eliminating the need for large horizontal spaces required by traditional carriages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration simplifies the design and maintenance of the machine, reduces space requirements, and enhances accessibility, making it easier to handle and replace tools, while optimizing process efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

the material for making the core is transferred to the cavity generated between both shaping tools through the blowing head, generally comprising a plurality of nozzles for such purpose. The transfer is performed with the help of compressed air.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressed air: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the material previously transferred by the transfer tool is hardened, preferably by means of the application of a gas to the cavity generated between both shaping tools by means of said curing plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas application for hardening:

Data Source

PatentEP3272441B1Sand core making machine

Publication Date: 2020.10.21 LORAMENDI SA

Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2~3

AI summary

Sand core making machine comprising at least one transfer tool (3) by means of which the material for making the core is transferred when said transfer tool (3) is moved until an operating position, and a curing tool (4) by means of which the material previously transferred by the transfer tool (3) is hardened and which is arranged in an operating position over said material to perform said hardening once the transfer tool (3) has moved out of its operating position. The machine (100) comprises at least one articulated arm (31, 41) for moving the transfer tool (3) and the curing tool (4) to the respective operating position.