An automated guided vehicle (AGV) including a frame, ground-contacting elements connected to the frame for supporting the AGV and a heat shield is used in an automated sow casting facility. AGVs are adapted to get hold of, to move and to release moulds used for producing sows. A method of operating the casting facility involving AGVs to move moulds between stations is also described.

An automated guided vehicle (AGV) including a frame, ground-contacting elements connected to the frame for supporting the AGV and a heat shield is used in an automated sow casting facility. AGVs are adapted to get hold of, to move and to release moulds used for producing sows. A method of operating the casting facility involving AGVs to move moulds between stations is also described.

A core grasping apparatus according to the present disclosure grasps a core including a core main body and a core print provided at one end of the core main body. The core grasping apparatus includes: a first holding device and a second holding device respectively including expandable and contractible first and second holding parts; and a turning suppression part configured to suppress the core from turning upon the core print being grasped by the first holding device and the second holding device. The first holding device and the second holding device grasp the core print by respectively expanding the first holding part and the second holding part, and the turning suppression part applies a force that suppresses a turning moment acting on the core to the core print.

A method of indexing moulds uses a flaskless moulding machine for forming moulds and a mould conveyor for carrying, and advancing a mould string produced from a plurality of the moulds received by the mould conveyor from the flaskless moulding machine. The method comprises: (i) forming one or more moulds one at a time using the flaskless moulding machine, each of the one or more moulds being added to the mould string while the mould string is stationary by being brought Into contact with the mould string, subsequently to being produced by the flaskless moulding machine. Once the one or more moulds has been produced and added to the mould string, the method continues in step (ii) by advancing the mould siring, in a single motion, away from the flaskless moulding machine a distance corresponding to the sum of the thicknesses of the one or more moulds using the mould conveyor, wherein the flaskless moulding machine assists the mould conveyor in advancing the mould string during a first part of the distance, and wherein the mould conveyor advances the mould string a second part of the distance, corresponding to the remainder of the distance, without assistance from the flaskless moulding machine. The single motion is continuous. A system for indexing moulds is also provided.

The present invention is directed to a system and method for storage and retrieval of items including a control server and a database. The database receives the shelving configuration information of a particular user environment and the control server is operable to issue travel control signals to a robotic carriage within configuration parameters retrieved from the database. An alternate configuration includes a robotic carriage. The robotic carriage further comprises a base, at least one arm, and a motor. The arm is secured to the base and presents a resting surface for the items. The motor is cooperatively secured to the robotic carriage, enabling controlled travel by the robotic carriage.

The present invention is directed to a system and method for storage and retrieval of items including a control server and a database. The database receives the shelving configuration information of a particular user environment and the control server is operable to issue travel control signals to a robotic carriage within configuration parameters retrieved from the database. An alternate configuration includes a robotic carriage. The robotic carriage further comprises a base, at least one arm, and a motor. The arm is secured to the base and presents a resting surface for the items. The motor is cooperatively secured to the robotic carriage, enabling controlled travel by the robotic carriage.

A mold handling manufacturing line, which includes at least a first subline and a second subline, is provided. The mold handling manufacturing line moves at least one mold car that supports a cast mold, which forms a cast part, the mold handling manufacturing line comprising at least a first subline and a second subline and a first transfer station. The second subline is located substantially parallel with and spaced apart from the first subline. The first transfer station in communication with the first subline and the second subline. The first transfer station includes a transfer cart configured to receive the at least one mold car. The first transfer station includes a servo belt driven line composed of a servo motor rotates one or more drive pulleys, via a belt. which is coupled to the transfer cart. When the servo motor rotates in a first rotational direction, it causes the belt positioned on the one or more drive pulleys to move the transfer cart in a first linear direction between the first subline and the second subline. Also, when the servo motor rotates in a second rotational direction, it causes the belt, positioned on the one or more drive pulleys, to move the transfer cart in a second linear direction between the first subline and the second subline.

A mold handling manufacturing line, which includes at least a first subline and a second subline, is provided. The mold handling manufacturing line moves at least one mold car that supports a cast mold, which forms a cast part, the mold handling manufacturing line comprising at least a first subline and a second subline and a first transfer station. The second subline is located substantially parallel with and spaced apart from the first subline. The first transfer station in communication with the first subline and the second subline. The first transfer station includes a transfer cart configured to receive the at least one mold car. The first transfer station includes a servo belt driven line composed of a servo motor rotates one or more drive pulleys, via a belt. which is coupled to the transfer cart. When the servo motor rotates in a first rotational direction, it causes the belt positioned on the one or more drive pulleys to move the transfer cart in a first linear direction between the first subline and the second subline. Also, when the servo motor rotates in a second rotational direction, it causes the belt, positioned on the one or more drive pulleys, to move the transfer cart in a second linear direction between the first subline and the second subline.

An automated guided vehicle (AGV) including a frame, ground-contacting elements connected to the frame for supporting the AGV and a heat shield is used in an automated sow casting facility. AGVs are adapted to get hold of, to move and to release moulds used for producing sows. A method of operating the casting facility involving AGVs to move moulds between stations is also described.

An automated guided vehicle (AGV) including a frame, ground-contacting elements connected to the frame for supporting the AGV and a heat shield is used in an automated sow casting facility. AGVs are adapted to get hold of, to move and to release moulds used for producing sows. A method of operating the casting facility involving AGVs to move moulds between stations is also described.