An inspection device is a device that inspects the appearance of a target, including: an imaging device configured to image the target from a first direction; an illuminating unit configured to apply light to the target; and a controller configured to acquire a first inspection image by causing the imaging device to image the target to which light is applied from a first position, to acquire a second inspection image by causing the imaging device to image the target to which light is applied from a second position, and to inspect an appearance of the target based on the first inspection image, the second inspection image, and a reference image. The first position and the second position overlap each other when viewed from the first direction.

An inspection device is a device that inspects the appearance of a target, including: an imaging device configured to image the target from a first direction; an illuminating unit configured to apply light to the target; and a controller configured to acquire a first inspection image by causing the imaging device to image the target to which light is applied from a first position, to acquire a second inspection image by causing the imaging device to image the target to which light is applied from a second position, and to inspect an appearance of the target based on the first inspection image, the second inspection image, and a reference image. The first position and the second position overlap each other when viewed from the first direction.

A mold molding apparatus can successively mold casting molds having the necessary casting mold strength, and a method for controlling the mold molding apparatus. A molding sensor measures a pressure of molding sand exerted on a surface of one or both of a pattern plate and a squeeze foot, or on a surface of one or both of a pattern plate and a squeeze board; and a control device that controls operation of the mold molding apparatus based on outputs from the molding sensors.

A mold molding apparatus can successively mold casting molds having the necessary casting mold strength, and a method for controlling the mold molding apparatus. A molding sensor measures a pressure of molding sand exerted on a surface of one or both of a pattern plate and a squeeze foot, or on a surface of one or both of a pattern plate and a squeeze board; and a control device that controls operation of the mold molding apparatus based on outputs from the molding sensors.

Provided is the technique that allows an operator or the like to grasp a failure of a mold to be worked in the work area. An inspecting device inspects each of a plurality of molds conveyed along a conveyance path with use of image data generated by a sensor that captures an image of each of the plurality of molds. A display control device is configured to carry out: a storage process in which inspection results of the individual molds are stored in a memory; a determination process in which one or more molds satisfying a predetermined condition of a positional relation to a display are determined from among the plurality of molds conveyed along the conveyance path; and a display control process in which one or more inspection results of the respective one or more molds having been determined in the determination process are displayed on the display.

Provided is the technique that allows an operator or the like to easily grasp in which part of a mold a defect has been detected. A display control device is configured to carry out a display process in which a marker indicating a defect of a mold determined by an inspection result, which is obtained by an inspection of molds, is optically displayed on the mold.

An object is to accurately estimate loss-on-ignition in a short time. A loss-on-ignition estimation apparatus includes at least one processor configured to carry out an estimation step, the estimation step including estimating the loss-on-ignition of foundry sand with use of a learned model constructed by means of machine learning. The learned model is configured to receive, as input, (1) sand weight data relating to a weight of the foundry sand detected in a calcination period and (2) at least one of (i) sand property data relating to one or more properties of the foundry sand, (ii) additive data relating to one or more additives added to the foundry sand, and (iii) calcination environment data relating to a calcination environment detected in the calcination period. The learned model is configured to generate, as output, an estimated loss-on-ignition of the foundry sand.

Providing a method for reducing occurrences of a mold shift of a cope and a drag that have been molded by a flaskless molding machine and have been assembled by estimating a cause of a mold shift based on measurements and by taking appropriate measures, and a flaskless molding line that uses the method. The method for reducing occurrences of a mold shift of a cope and a drag (1, 2) that have been molded by a flaskless molding machine (200) and have been assembled comprises a step of measuring specific data at positions where a mold shift may occur during a process for manufacturing or taking out the cope and the drag, and a step of determining if the obtained specific data are within an allowable range.

Providing a method for reducing occurrences of a mold shift of a cope and a drag that have been molded by a flaskless molding machine and have been assembled by estimating a cause of a mold shift based on measurements and by taking appropriate measures, and a flaskless molding line that uses the method. The method for reducing occurrences of a mold shift of a cope and a drag (1, 2) that have been molded by a flaskless molding machine (200) and have been assembled comprises a step of measuring specific data at positions where a mold shift may occur during a process for manufacturing or taking out the cope and the drag, and a step of determining if the obtained specific data are within an allowable range.

A core blowing device includes a hopper, a fluidizer, a shooting head, and a robotic arm fitting. The core blowing device is configured to removeably couple to a free end of a robotic arm and is configurable to implement a variety of core casting processes using different aggregate materials, binders, catalysts, and/or curing processes.