A green sand mold molding sensor that can measure the pressure applied to a parting plane of a green sand mold in order to determine the quality (casting mold strength) of a molded green sand mold. A green sand mold molding sensor including a pressure sensor for evaluating the molding properties of a green sand mold molded by a casting mold molding machine, wherein the pressure sensor is embedded in a plate having a model attached thereto.

[Problem] To provide a method and device that automatically detects misalignment during flask mating in an automatic flask mating device for molding flasks for casting. [Solution] In an automatic flask mating device, an external force applied to a cope with a cope molding flask M1 during flask mating is detected by means of a physical quantity detection sensor 60, quantified by a computation/storage/determination processing device 61, and then compared with a numerical value at a normal time for determination to thereby determine whether the flask mating has normally completed and detect flask mating misalignment. A force sensor is preferably used as the physical quantity detection sensor.

[Problem] To provide a method and device that automatically detects misalignment during flask mating in an automatic flask mating device for molding flasks for casting. [Solution] In an automatic flask mating device, an external force applied to a cope with a cope molding flask M1 during flask mating is detected by means of a physical quantity detection sensor 60, quantified by a computation/storage/determination processing device 61, and then compared with a numerical value at a normal time for determination to thereby determine whether the flask mating has normally completed and detect flask mating misalignment. A force sensor is preferably used as the physical quantity detection sensor.

A core manufacturing apparatus using an inorganic binder includes a mulling sand feeder that supplies mulling sand comprising sand and the inorganic binder, a mold that receives the mulling sand from the mulling sand feeder and molds the mulling sand into a core, and a mold heating device that heats the mold. The mold includes an upper mold and a lower mold and has a plurality of cavities formed therein in which the mulling sand is deposited. The mold further includes an inner fluid channel through which fluid flows.

A core manufacturing apparatus using an inorganic binder includes a mulling sand feeder that supplies mulling sand comprising sand and the inorganic binder, a mold that receives the mulling sand from the mulling sand feeder and molds the mulling sand into a core, and a mold heating device that heats the mold. The mold includes an upper mold and a lower mold and has a plurality of cavities formed therein in which the mulling sand is deposited. The mold further includes an inner fluid channel through which fluid flows.

Provided is a method of producing foamed sand (s) for forming a sand mold. The foamed sand (s) includes sand particles (p) and foam (f) adhering to surfaces of the sand particles (p). The foam (f) contains water glass (b), water (w), and a surfactant (c). According to the method, an aqueous surfactant solution (e) in which the surfactant (c) is dissolved is frothed to generate froth (d) from the aqueous surfactant solution (e). Then, the generated froth (d), the water glass (b), and the water (w) are kneaded with the sand constituted by the sand particles (p).

Provided is a method of producing foamed sand (s) for forming a sand mold. The foamed sand (s) includes sand particles (p) and foam (f) adhering to surfaces of the sand particles (p). The foam (f) contains water glass (b), water (w), and a surfactant (c). According to the method, an aqueous surfactant solution (e) in which the surfactant (c) is dissolved is frothed to generate froth (d) from the aqueous surfactant solution (e). Then, the generated froth (d), the water glass (b), and the water (w) are kneaded with the sand constituted by the sand particles (p).

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 flaskless molding machine includes an upper flask, a lower flask capable of clamping a match plate with the upper flask, a filling frame connectable to the lower flask, a first squeeze board movable into and out from the upper flask, a second squeeze board movable into and out from the filling frame, a filling frame cylinder moving the filling frame relative to the second squeeze board, a squeeze cylinder integrally moving the filling frame, the second squeeze board, and the filling frame cylinder, and a control unit configured to control the filling frame cylinder and the squeeze cylinder. A mold height changing unit includes a stopper limiting a stroke length of the filling frame cylinder to a predetermined length.