A method for managing a casting process based on measured properties of molding sand is provided so that casting defects or energy used can be reduced by changing the molding conditions for the mold to be produced or changing the steps after molding. The method for managing a casting process based on the properties of the molding sand includes a step (1) of measuring the properties of the molding sand just before the molding sand is supplied to a molding machine (40) and a step (2) of determining if the measured properties of the molding sand comply with predetermined properties so as to then switch between a step of molding a mold when the measured properties do comply with the predetermined properties and a step of molding a mold when the measured properties do not comply with the predetermined properties.

A method for managing a casting process based on measured properties of molding sand is provided so that casting defects or energy used can be reduced by changing the molding conditions for the mold to be produced or changing the steps after molding. The method for managing a casting process based on the properties of the molding sand includes a step (1) of measuring the properties of the molding sand just before the molding sand is supplied to a molding machine (40) and a step (2) of determining if the measured properties of the molding sand comply with predetermined properties so as to then switch between a step of molding a mold when the measured properties do comply with the predetermined properties and a step of molding a mold when the measured properties do not comply with the predetermined properties.

A casting plant to produce a cast product with a high quality and a method for managing data for molding the mold and data on the conditions of the molten metal in the casting plant are provided. The controller (11) for the molding unit issues a serial number for the mold to a mold (M). The controller (31) for the unit for conveying the molds shifts the serial number for the mold in accordance with a movement of the mold. It also gathers data on the mold and links the data for molding the mold with the serial number for the mold. When the molten metal is poured from the ladle into the mold, the controller (71) for the unit for pouring the molten metal sends to the computer (91) for controlling the casting plant the serial number for the ladle that is linked with the data on the conditions of the molten metal and that is linked with the serial number for the mold.

A casting plant to produce a cast product with a high quality and a method for managing data for molding the mold and data on the conditions of the molten metal in the casting plant are provided. The controller (11) for the molding unit issues a serial number for the mold to a mold (M). The controller (31) for the unit for conveying the molds shifts the serial number for the mold in accordance with a movement of the mold. It also gathers data on the mold and links the data for molding the mold with the serial number for the mold. When the molten metal is poured from the ladle into the mold, the controller (71) for the unit for pouring the molten metal sends to the computer (91) for controlling the casting plant the serial number for the ladle that is linked with the data on the conditions of the molten metal and that is linked with the serial number for the mold.

A method of moulding a settable material includes the steps of: (i) providing a first mould or mould cavity; (ii) providing an outlet from which a settable material is discharged; (iii) aligning the first mould or mould cavity with the outlet; (iv) discharging settable material from the outlet into the first mould or mould cavity; (v) providing a second mould or mould cavity; (vi) displacing the first mould or mould cavity away from the outlet; (vii) aligning the second mould or mould cavity with: (a) the outlet; and (b) the first mould or mould cavity such that the second mould or mould cavity is in fluid communication with the first mould or mould cavity; (viii) discharging settable material from the outlet into the second mould or mould cavity; (ix) permitting a portion of the settable material discharged into the second mould or mould cavity to flow from within the second mould or mould cavity to within the first mould or mould cavity; (x) further displacing the first mould or mould cavity and the second mould or mould cavity away from the outlet; (xii) permitting: (a) the settable material in the first mould or mould cavity to set into a first moulded article; and (b) the settable material in the second mould or mould cavity to set into a second moulded article; and (xiii) severing the first moulded article from the second moulded article.

A method of moulding a settable material includes the steps of: (i) providing a first mould or mould cavity; (ii) providing an outlet from which a settable material is discharged; (iii) aligning the first mould or mould cavity with the outlet; (iv) discharging settable material from the outlet into the first mould or mould cavity; (v) providing a second mould or mould cavity; (vi) displacing the first mould or mould cavity away from the outlet; (vii) aligning the second mould or mould cavity with: (a) the outlet; and (b) the first mould or mould cavity such that the second mould or mould cavity is in fluid communication with the first mould or mould cavity; (viii) discharging settable material from the outlet into the second mould or mould cavity; (ix) permitting a portion of the settable material discharged into the second mould or mould cavity to flow from within the second mould or mould cavity to within the first mould or mould cavity; (x) further displacing the first mould or mould cavity and the second mould or mould cavity away from the outlet; (xii) permitting: (a) the settable material in the first mould or mould cavity to set into a first moulded article; and (b) the settable material in the second mould or mould cavity to set into a second moulded article; and (xiii) severing the first moulded article from the second moulded article.

A method for direct casting of cast components by layer-wise generation of composite molds, wherein the composite molds are generated as monolithic elements and simultaneously with their respective cores in an assembled form. The system for layer-wise generation of three-dimensional models from the powdered material in a removable container with a movable bottom, which is separated from the device for lifting and lowering the movable bottom, which is built into the system for layer-wise generation of three-dimensional models. The generation of the molds is done by application of layers of powdered material and binding of the particles of each layer through a binder, added selectively according to a program/pattern only in the volumes, where the solid body of the model is being generated. This procedure is subsequently repeated until the entire volume is constructed, allowing direct casting in the resulting molds without removing them from the container, in which they are generated, after removing the unnecessary powdered material from their working cavities.

A cast load cell comprising a load sensing portion integrally cast with a first mounting portion. The load sensing portion has a flexure portion spaced apart from the first mounting portion by a flexure gap. The load sensing portion has at least one sensor cavity above at least a portion of the flexure gap. A second mounting portion is integrally cast with the load sensing portion above the flexure gap. A load sensor is connected to the load sensor portion and positioned within the sensor cavity above a portion of the flexure gap. The first mounting portion, the load sensing portion, and the second mounting portion define an integral, low-profile, weld-free, substantially homogenous unitary cast member.

A cast load cell comprising a load sensing portion integrally cast with a first mounting portion. The load sensing portion has a flexure portion spaced apart from the first mounting portion by a flexure gap. The load sensing portion has at least one sensor cavity above at least a portion of the flexure gap. A second mounting portion is integrally cast with the load sensing portion above the flexure gap. A load sensor is connected to the load sensor portion and positioned within the sensor cavity above a portion of the flexure gap. The first mounting portion, the load sensing portion, and the second mounting portion define an integral, low-profile, weld-free, substantially homogenous unitary cast member.

A field of lost pattern casting, and more particularly to a casting tree for lost pattern casting, and also to its method of assembly is provided. The casting tree includes at least one part support, at least one pattern, and at least one first male-female connection connecting the pattern to the part support. The first male-female connection includes an orifice, a peg at least partially inserted inside the orifice, and a film of meltable material interposed at least between an outside surface of the peg and an inside surface of the orifice.