Provided is a core grasping method of grasping a core using a core grasping apparatus. The core grasping apparatus includes grasping devices respectively having expandable and contractible grasping parts. The core includes holes, and at least one of the holes has an inside diameter that decreases in the opposite direction from a direction of a turning moment occurring on the core. The core grasping method involves, when grasping the core, expanding the grasping parts inserted in the holes so as to bring the grasping parts into contact with inner walls of the holes of the core, and grasping the core and applying a force that suppresses the turning moment to the core.

Provided is a core grasping method of grasping a core using a core grasping apparatus. The core grasping apparatus includes grasping devices respectively having expandable and contractible grasping parts. The core includes holes, and at least one of the holes has an inside diameter that decreases in the opposite direction from a direction of a turning moment occurring on the core. The core grasping method involves, when grasping the core, expanding the grasping parts inserted in the holes so as to bring the grasping parts into contact with inner walls of the holes of the core, and grasping the core and applying a force that suppresses the turning moment to the core.

A method for the production of castings which are permanently provided with readable information. An identification element, which has an information surface, provided with information, and a casting surface which is assigned to the casting and also provided with information, is arranged on a casting mould surface assigned to a mould cavity of a casting mould so that the information surface is covered, while the casting surface is exposed in the mould cavity. A metal melt is poured into the mould, so that, during casting or solidification of the metal melt, a firmly bonded, form-fit or force-fit connection of the identification element to the casting is produced. The information on the casting surface is reproduced in the manner of a stamp on surface of the casting. The casting is then removed from the mould and fettled.

A method for the production of castings which are permanently provided with readable information. An identification element, which has an information surface, provided with information, and a casting surface which is assigned to the casting and also provided with information, is arranged on a casting mould surface assigned to a mould cavity of a casting mould so that the information surface is covered, while the casting surface is exposed in the mould cavity. A metal melt is poured into the mould, so that, during casting or solidification of the metal melt, a firmly bonded, form-fit or force-fit connection of the identification element to the casting is produced. The information on the casting surface is reproduced in the manner of a stamp on surface of the casting. The casting is then removed from the mould and fettled.

The present invention is a method for using cloth filters in automated vertical molding, comprised of the steps of configuring a modular cloth filter setter having a housing, an upper jaw, and a lower jaw, wherein the upper jaw and lower jaw are selected to correspond to the size of a cloth filter, fixedly attaching the housing of the modular cloth filter setter to a mechanical arm, securing the cloth filter between the upper jaw and the lower jaw, creating a sand mold from a quantity of compressed sand, creating at least one print aperture for insertion of a cloth filter, and placing the cloth filter in the print aperture.

The present invention is a method for using cloth filters in automated vertical molding, comprised of the steps of configuring a modular cloth filter setter having a housing, an upper jaw, and a lower jaw, wherein the upper jaw and lower jaw are selected to correspond to the size of a cloth filter, fixedly attaching the housing of the modular cloth filter setter to a mechanical arm, securing the cloth filter between the upper jaw and the lower jaw, creating a sand mold from a quantity of compressed sand, creating at least one print aperture for insertion of a cloth filter, and placing the cloth filter in the print aperture.

A core conveying device includes a plurality of holding devices, a support section, a moving device, and a mounting table. The support section has a hole formed at a position corresponding to a positioning pin and is connected so as to slide in a horizontal direction with respect to the moving device. A size of a lower end opening of the hole is larger than a size of an upper end of the positioning pin. The support section is configured such that, when the support section is moved downward so as to grip the core, as the positioning pin abuts against an inner surface of the hole and the support section slides in the horizontal direction with respect to the moving device, a position of the support section in the horizontal direction with respect to the core is determined.

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 vented blank may be useful in the production of a matrix bit body. A mold assembly for use in producing a matrix bit body may include a cavity defined within the mold assembly. A core and a matrix material are disposed within the cavity. A metal blank is disposed about the core and supported at least partially by the matrix material such that the metal blank extends above the matrix material. A vent extends from the metal blank, defining an annular space between the vent and the mold assembly.

A vented blank may be useful in the production of a matrix bit body. A mold assembly for use in producing a matrix bit body may include a cavity defined within the mold assembly. A core and a matrix material are disposed within the cavity. A metal blank is disposed about the core and supported at least partially by the matrix material such that the metal blank extends above the matrix material. A vent extends from the metal blank, defining an annular space between the vent and the mold assembly.