A casting apparatus includes: a mold including a first mold segment and a second mold segment; and a transfer device that is configured to transfer a core to the first mold segment and place the core in the first mold segment, and to receive and transfer a casting. The transfer device includes a support part, a robot arm, a core grasping mechanism being provided on the support part, and a casting receiving part being provided on the support part. The transfer device is configured such that the robot arm moves the core grasping mechanism so as to place the core in the first mold segment, and moves the casting receiving part so as to receive the casting by the casting receiving part.

A maintenance station for casting molds is provided with a handling device on which a spraying device is disposed. The spraying device sprays a cleaning medium onto a surface of at least one casting mold. The cleaning medium is a mixture of compressed air and abrasive particles. A maintenance method for the casting mold in the maintenance station is also provided.

A maintenance station for casting molds is provided with a handling device on which a spraying device is disposed. The spraying device sprays a cleaning medium onto a surface of at least one casting mold. The cleaning medium is a mixture of compressed air and abrasive particles. A maintenance method for the casting mold in the maintenance station is also provided.

Method and apparatus for feeding said molds laterally and/or between stations of differing heights. The method and apparatus of this invention utilize walking-beam-type conveyors having spaced apart fixed outboard rails and a central reciprocating rail. Walking-beam conveyors can be disposed in perpendicular directions with a junction therebetween that allows for a perpendicular change in direction. The method and apparatus of this invention include lift, leveling, and/or lateral transfer mechanisms for lateral placement of the stations relative to the conveyance path.

Manufacturing assemblies and molds are provided herein. The manufacturing assembly includes a tool base, a plurality of tool elements extending from the tool base, the plurality of tool elements defining a shape of a formed part, with a cell formed between adjacent tool elements, and a tapered tool extension extending between the tool base and at least one tool element.

Manufacturing assemblies and molds are provided herein. The manufacturing assembly includes a tool base, a plurality of tool elements extending from the tool base, the plurality of tool elements defining a shape of a formed part, with a cell formed between adjacent tool elements, and a tapered tool extension extending between the tool base and at least one tool element.

A part tree support apparatus can include a base defining an upper surface, the upper surface defining a plurality of openings; and a plurality of supports, each of the plurality of supports extending from the base and removably secured to the base with a fastener engaged with one of the plurality of openings, each of the plurality of supports defining a recess facing in a Z-axis direction.

A part tree support apparatus can include a base defining an upper surface, the upper surface defining a plurality of openings; and a plurality of supports, each of the plurality of supports extending from the base and removably secured to the base with a fastener engaged with one of the plurality of openings, each of the plurality of supports defining a recess facing in a Z-axis direction.

A device for turning over molds is provided that can reduce the wear of turning over wheels and supporting rollers even when the speed for transporting a flask or the speed for turning it over increases. A pair of turning over wheels (5) are attached to respective sides of a turning over roller conveyor (4), on which a metal flask (3) is mounted. The outer surfaces of the wheels are supported by respective pairs of supporting rollers (6). A driving roller (9) is provided on one or both of the wheels. The supporting rollers are flangeless. Two pairs of side rollers (10) abut the side surfaces of the wheels so as to prevent them from moving in the direction in which the flask is transported. The side rollers are preferably configured so that their surfaces that contact the wheels are formed as arcs.

A device for turning over molds is provided that can reduce the wear of turning over wheels and supporting rollers even when the speed for transporting a flask or the speed for turning it over increases. A pair of turning over wheels (5) are attached to respective sides of a turning over roller conveyor (4), on which a metal flask (3) is mounted. The outer surfaces of the wheels are supported by respective pairs of supporting rollers (6). A driving roller (9) is provided on one or both of the wheels. The supporting rollers are flangeless. Two pairs of side rollers (10) abut the side surfaces of the wheels so as to prevent them from moving in the direction in which the flask is transported. The side rollers are preferably configured so that their surfaces that contact the wheels are formed as arcs.