Fixtures including supports for holding various components are disclosed. The fixtures may include a first member including two opposing side rails positioned opposite and parallel to one another, and at least two supports extending between each of the two opposing side rails. The at least two supports may contact removable features formed on the component. The fixture may also include a second member contacting the first member. The second member may include two opposing side rails positioned opposite and parallel to one another. The two opposing side rails of the second member may be positioned on and may contact the two opposing side rails of the first member. The second member may also include at least one support extending between the two opposing side rails of the second member. The at least one support may contact removable features formed on the component.

[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.

Fixtures including supports for holding various components are disclosed. The fixtures may include a first member including two opposing side rails positioned opposite and parallel to one another, and at least two supports extending between each of the two opposing side rails. The at least two supports may contact removable features formed on the component. The fixture may also include a second member contacting the first member. The second member may include two opposing side rails positioned opposite and parallel to one another. The two opposing side rails of the second member may be positioned on and may contact the two opposing side rails of the first member. The second member may also include at least one support extending between the two opposing side rails of the second member. The at least one support may contact removable features formed on the component.

[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 clamping device (11) for a multi-part core bundle (12) made of a molding material and to a method for casting using a clamping device of this kind, the clamping device comprising at least one clamping mechanism (16) by means of which the core bundle is subjected to a clamping force on opposite contact surfaces (13) of the core bundle. The clamping mechanism has at least two clamping modules (17) by means of which the clamping force is exerted on the core bundle, the clamping modules each having a clamping element (21) for abutting against one of the contact surfaces of the core bundle, the clamping elements being moveable independently of each other with respect to contact surface.