A molding machine forms a mold by using a transferred molding flask and pattern plate, and includes: a filling frame; a squeeze head mechanism including a squeeze board movable into and out from the filling frame, and a plurality of squeeze feet passing through the squeeze board, being able to move up and down with respect to the squeeze board; a sand injection hopper including at least one sand injection port for injecting molding sand into a molding space defined by the molding flask, the filling frame, the squeeze head mechanism, and the pattern plate; and a sand injection nozzle provided in a component detachably attached to an opening of the side portion of the filling frame to enable the sand injection port and the molding space to communicate with each other.

The method according to claim 1, wherein sand is replenished at areas where the pattern or model hat a small height, requiring more sand volume to be compacted there.

The method according to claim 1, wherein sand is replenished at areas where the pattern or model hat a small height, requiring more sand volume to be compacted there.

A mold (1) for injection-compression molding includes a punch (2) and a matrix (3) suitable to close on the punch (2) to delimit with this an injection chamber (10) to contain the material to be injected. The matrix (3) and punch (2) are axially movable between them with respect to an axial direction (Y-Y) of opening/closing of the mold (1). The mold has a perimetral ring (4) slidingly associated to the punch (2) or the matrix (3), along the axial direction (Y-Y), suitable to define, together with the matrix (3) and the punch (2), the profile of the injection chamber (10). The perimetral ring (4) includes an interface profile (43) engaging with the matrix (3) or with the punch (2), equipped with a particular geometry generating in the closing phase of the mold (1), a compression force of the ring (4) towards the inside of the mold (1).

A mold (1) for injection-compression molding includes a punch (2) and a matrix (3) suitable to close on the punch (2) to delimit with this an injection chamber (10) to contain the material to be injected. The matrix (3) and punch (2) are axially movable between them with respect to an axial direction (Y-Y) of opening/closing of the mold (1). The mold has a perimetral ring (4) slidingly associated to the punch (2) or the matrix (3), along the axial direction (Y-Y), suitable to define, together with the matrix (3) and the punch (2), the profile of the injection chamber (10). The perimetral ring (4) includes an interface profile (43) engaging with the matrix (3) or with the punch (2), equipped with a particular geometry generating in the closing phase of the mold (1), a compression force of the ring (4) towards the inside of the mold (1).

A flask for containing mold sand within it prevents any mold shifting or mold dropping. Each of an upper flask 2 and a lower flask 3 includes a body that defines an opening in which a sand mold is to be molded. The body has at least one inlet 101 for introducing the mold sand into the opening. Two flanges 102 are extended from the body such that they are opposed to each other across the opening. Each flange has a through bore. The flask also includes engaging members for engaging an actuator in the outside of the flask such that a force or forces from said actuator could be transmitted to the flask. An upper flask 104 and a lower flask 105 are opposed to each other across a pattern plate 107. They are integrally assembled to make a flask unit by means of a pair of connecting rods 106 that are fitted in each bore.

A flask for containing mold sand within it prevents any mold shifting or mold dropping. Each of an upper flask 2 and a lower flask 3 includes a body that defines an opening in which a sand mold is to be molded. The body has at least one inlet 101 for introducing the mold sand into the opening. Two flanges 102 are extended from the body such that they are opposed to each other across the opening. Each flange has a through bore. The flask also includes engaging members for engaging an actuator in the outside of the flask such that a force or forces from said actuator could be transmitted to the flask. An upper flask 104 and a lower flask 105 are opposed to each other across a pattern plate 107. They are integrally assembled to make a flask unit by means of a pair of connecting rods 106 that are fitted in each bore.

First, a supply device supplies a foamed kneaded material into a cylinder. Then, in a state in which an internal space of the cylinder is communicated with a pattern forming space of a mold, the piston disposed in the cylinder is moved toward the foamed kneaded material side while opening a gas release hole formed piercing through the piston. Then, at a timing when the piston has reached an expected position where the piston is expected to be on contacting the foamed kneaded material supplied into the cylinder, the gas release hole is closed by an open-close plug. Then, the foamed kneaded material supplied into the cylinder is pressed toward the pattern forming space side of the mold by moving the piston toward the foamed kneaded material side.

First, a supply device supplies a foamed kneaded material into a cylinder. Then, in a state in which an internal space of the cylinder is communicated with a pattern forming space of a mold, the piston disposed in the cylinder is moved toward the foamed kneaded material side while opening a gas release hole formed piercing through the piston. Then, at a timing when the piston has reached an expected position where the piston is expected to be on contacting the foamed kneaded material supplied into the cylinder, the gas release hole is closed by an open-close plug. Then, the foamed kneaded material supplied into the cylinder is pressed toward the pattern forming space side of the mold by moving the piston toward the foamed kneaded material side.

A casting mold shaping apparatus is provided that includes: a pressing member for pressing charged casting sands in a molding space formed by a molding flask and a carrier plate placed on a squeezing table; a driving mechanism for performing driving so as to bring the pressing member and the squeezing table close to each other or separate that pressing member and the squeezing table from each other, the driving mechanism including an output unit that relatively moves along a direction of pressing the pressing member; an electric motor for driving the driving mechanism; and a pressure adjustment device for adjusting a force of the driving mechanism outputted to the output unit so as to decrease and causing the pressing member to generate a predetermined pressing force necessary for pressing the casting sands, are included.