SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING A CASTING MOULD IN A FLEXIBLE MANNER FOR PRODUCING A CASTING PATTERN

Abstract

A system and method for flexibly forming a casting mold and for manufacturing a casting model or a molded body having a mounting platform, a plurality of shaping rods for forming the casting mold or the molded body and a conveying unit for conveying the shaping rods to the mounting platform, the conveying unit is configured to individually grip and to place the shaping rods on the mounting platform, such that a stack of the shaping rods is formable, and that a side of the stack is formable by the position of the shaping rods, to form a region of the casting mold and wherein the positions of the single shaping rods in the stack reproduce the shape of the molded body, wherein the shaping rods are gluable to each other, such that the stack forms the molded body.

Claims

1.-31. (canceled)

32. System for flexibly forming a casting mold and for manufacturing a casting model, the system comprising: a mounting platform, a plurality of shaping rods for forming the casting mold, and a conveying unit for conveying the shaping rods to the mounting platform, wherein the conveying unit is configured to grip and to place the shaping rods on the mounting platform, such that a stack of the shaping rods is formable, and that a side of the stack is formable by the position of the shaping rods, to form a region of the casting mold.

33. System according to claim 32, comprising at least one of the following features: wherein the conveying unit is configured to place the shaping rods at pregiven positions in the stack, in particular in a loose manner; wherein the stack is formable of, in particular parallel, shaping rods which are placed next to each other and on top of each other, whose position, in particular along a rod direction of the shaping rods, is individually adjustable for each shaping rod by the conveying unit; and wherein a surface of the shaping rods, in particular a front surface, of at least one shaping rod is configured planar, curved, or angled.

34. System according to claim 32, further comprising: a rod magazine for storing the shaping rods, wherein the conveying unit is configured to convey the shaping rods between the rod magazine and the mounting platform; in particular wherein the rod magazine is arranged along a conveying direction from the rod magazine to the mounting platform behind the mounting platform.

35. System according to claim 32, wherein the conveying unit comprises a gripping unit for gripping a shaping rod or a plurality of shaping rods.

36. System according to claim 35, wherein the gripping unit is configured as a vacuum gripping unit with at least one vacuum suction plate, such that, for fixing a rod, the vacuum gripping unit fixes at least one shaping rod to be conveyed, in particular exclusively, at the surface of the shaping rod.

37. System according to claim 35, wherein the gripping unit is configured as a magnetic gripping unit, such that, for fixing a rod, the magnetic gripping unit fixes at least one shaping rod to be conveyed, in particular exclusively, at the surface of the shaping rod in a magnetic manner.

38. System according to claim 32, further comprising at least one of the following features: a guiding frame comprising at least one guiding rail, wherein the guiding frame is arranged above the mounting platform and spaced apart from it, wherein the conveying unit is displaceably coupled to the guiding rail; wherein the conveying unit is configured stationary and comprises a robot arm, and wherein the robot arm is configured to grip and to place the at least one shaping rod on the mounting platform for forming the stack.

39. System according to claim 32, further comprising: a further conveying unit, and a further rod magazine, wherein the further conveying unit is configured to grip and to place shaping rods on the mounting platform, such that a further stack of the shaping rods is formable and that a side of the further stack is formable by the position of the shaping rods, to form a further region of the casting mold.

40. System according to claim 32, further comprising at least one of the following features: a sealing wall which is attachable on the mounting platform, such that a further side of the casting mold, which is free from the shaping rods, is sealed; a casting device which is configured to insert a molding compound into the casting mold; wherein the mounting platform comprises transport terminals which are configured for coupling with a transport unit, to convey the mounting platform, in particular with the stack; and a pressing unit which is configured to press onto the stack and laterally against the stack, to prevent a displacement of the rods.

41. System according to claim 32, wherein the mounting platform comprises a mounting plate which is detachably mounted at the mounting platform, wherein the mounting plate forms a bottom of the casting mold; in particular wherein the mounting plate is removable from the mounting platform perpendicularly to the conveying direction.

42. System according to claim 32, wherein the conveying unit is configured to individually grip the shaping rods or to grip a group of shaping rods and to remove them from the stack and to convey them, in particular against the conveying direction.

43. System according to claim 32, wherein the conveying unit comprises a coupling element which is configured to engage in a receiving opening of a shaping rod, such that a demolding force is transferable to the shaping rod, in particular against the conveying direction.

44. System according to claim 43, wherein the receiving opening comprises an internal thread, in particular a thread insert, and the coupling element is configured as a threaded pin.

45. System according to claim 43, wherein the coupling element is configured as a bolt for forming a form fit with the receiving opening, to transfer the demolding force; in particular wherein the receiving opening is configured with an undercut, and the bolt is configured for coupling in the receiving opening, wherein the bolt is in particular configured as a ball lock bolt.

46. System according to claim 43, wherein at least one of the shaping rods comprises the receiving opening at its surface, and wherein the coupling element is coupleable into the receiving opening perpendicularly to the conveying unit.

47. System according to claim 43, wherein the conveying unit comprises a further coupling element which is configured to engage in a receiving opening of a further shaping rod, such that a demolding force is transferable to a further shaping rod, in particular against the conveying direction; in particular wherein the coupling element and the further coupling element are displaceable along the conveying direction independently from each other, to selectively apply a demolding force on the shaping rod or the further shaping rod along a deforming direction.

48. System according to claim 32, further comprising: a cleaning unit for cleaning at least the front surfaces of the shaping rods, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a cleaning opening, through which a rod to be cleaned is insertable along the conveying direction; in particular wherein the cleaning unit comprises a spatula element which is configured such that, when displacing the shaping rod in the cleaning unit, the spatula element scratches along a surface and the front surface of the shaping rod.

49. System according to claim 32, further comprising: a control unit for controlling the conveying unit, wherein the control unit is configured to determine the position data of the single shaping rods for forming the casting mold based on model data of the casting model to be manufactured.

50. Method for flexibly forming a casting mold and for manufacturing a casting model, the method comprising: conveying at least one shaping rod to a mounting platform, wherein the conveying unit is configured to grip and to place the shaping rods on the mounting platform, such that a stack of the shaping rods is formable, and that a side of the stack is formable by the position of the shaping rods, to form a region of the casting mold.

51. System for manufacturing a molded body, the system comprising: a mounting platform, a plurality of shaping rods for forming the molded body, and a conveying unit for conveying the shaping rods to the mounting platform, wherein the conveying unit is configured to grip and to place the shaping rods on the mounting platform, such that a stack of the shaping rods is formable, wherein the positions of the single shaping rods in the stack reproduce the shape of the molded body, and wherein the shaping rods are gluable to each other, such that the stack forms the molded body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0063] In the following, for a further explanation and for a better understanding of embodiments of the present invention, embodiments are described in more detail with reference to the accompanied drawings. It is shown by:

[0064] FIG. 1 a schematic illustration of a side view of the system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] FIG. 2 a schematic illustration of a side view of the system comprising two conveying units according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] FIG. 3 a perspective illustration of a system comprising two conveying units, wherein a casting mold is formed by shaping rods, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] FIG. 4 a perspective illustration of a system comprising two conveying units, wherein the shaping rods are stored on rod magazines, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] FIGS. 5 and 6 plan views of a system, in which a discharging process of a model is illustrated, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] FIG. 7 a side view of a system, wherein a shaping rod is present in a cleaning unit, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] FIG. 8 to 12 perspective illustrations of shaping rods with receiving openings for a coupling element, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0071] FIG. 13 a perspective illustration of a conveying unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] FIG. 14 a side view of a conveying unit, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

[0073] Same or similar components in different figures are provided with the same reference numbers. The illustrations in the figures are schematic.

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a system 100 for flexibly forming a casting mold 151 and for manufacturing a casting model according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 comprises a mounting platform 101, a plurality of shaping rods 110 for forming the casting mold 151, and a conveying unit 102 for conveying the shaping rods 110 to the mounting platform 101 along a conveying direction 103. The conveying unit 102 is configured to individually grip the shaping rods 110 or to grip multiple shaping rods 110 in groups and to place them, in particular in a loose manner, at pregiven positions of the mounting platform 101, such that a stack 112 of the shaping rods 110 is formable, and that a side 203 of the stack 112 is formable by the position of the shaping rods 110, to form a region of the casting mold.

[0075] The shaping rods 110 comprise a stackable cross section, for example a rectangular cross-section. Furthermore, the shaping rods 110 respectively comprise two opposing front surfaces 111, 1001 (see FIG. 10). The region of a shaping rod 110, which is protruding in the casting region, which comprises e.g. an end region with a front surface 111, forms a region of the casting mold 151. The shape of the casting mold 151 is formed by the single shaping rods 110 protruding more or less in the casting mold (in particular horizontally along the conveying direction 103). The shaping rods 110 may comprise identical geometric dimensions with respect to each other.

[0076] At least one region of the casting mold 151 is formed by a stack 112 of shaping rods 110. The single shaping rods 110 of a stack 112 protrude more or less with their end regions comprising the front surfaces 111 in the casting mold 151, and therefore form a desired lateral region of the casting mold 151 and correspondingly a lateral region of the casting model 150.

[0077] The mounting platform 101 forms a bearing surface which is defined on a bottom for a stack 112 of the shaping rods 110. The mounting platform 101 consists of a solid underground, such as steel plates. On the mounting platform 110, by the conveying unit 102, the single shaping rods 110 are placed. Correspondingly, on the mounting platform 101, also the casting mold 151 is formed.

[0078] The conveying unit 102 is configured to individually grip the shaping rods 110. For this purpose, the conveying unit 110 may grip or suck the shaping rods 110 and may vertically lift and convey them correspondingly horizontally between a storage position (for example a rod magazine 104) and the mounting region on the mounting platform 101, as subsequently described in more detail. The conveying unit 102 conveys the shaping rods 110 in particular along the conveying direction 103 which is in particular horizontal. In particular, the conveying unit 102 may be controlled by a control unit 150, such that each shaping rod 110 may be placed at a defined position on the mounting region. The stack 112 of the shaping rods 110 may be formed by the conveying unit 102 at first placing the shaping rods 110 in a first (horizontal) level exactly relatively with respect to each other, and subsequently forming a second level of shaping rods 110 on the first level. Therefore, the stack 112 may be vertically built level by level, until finally an entire region of the casting mold 151 is formed by the shaping rods 110 of the stack 112. Correspondingly, the stack 112 may be formed by, in particular parallel, shaping rods 110 which are placed next to each other and above each other, whose front surfaces 111 which form the casting mold 151, are individually placeable along a rod direction of the rods 110 by the conveying unit 102.

[0079] Furthermore, the system 100 comprises a rod magazine 104 for storing the shaping rods 110 outside of the mounting region, wherein the conveying unit 102 is configured to individually convey the shaping rods 110 between the rod magazine 104 and the mounting platform 101. The rod magazine 104 may form a bearing surface on the bottom for storing the shaping rods 110. On the rod magazine 104, the single shaping rods 110 may be stored in a loose manner, which are intended for a later use for forming the casting mold 151 and are correspondingly grippable by the conveying unit 102. The rod magazine 104 and the mounting platform 101 may be integrally formed and may form a common bottom plate, for example.

[0080] In the shown embodiment, the rod magazine 104 is arranged along the conveying direction 103 behind the mounting platform 101.

[0081] In the shown exemplary embodiment, the gripping unit of the conveying unit 102 is configured as a vacuum gripping unit with at least one vacuum suction plate 105, such that, for a rod fixation, the vacuum gripping unit fixes a shaping rod 110 to be conveyed exclusively at its (upper) surface 803 (see FIG. 8). By forming a vacuum (respectively underpressure) between the vacuum suction plate 105 and the upper surface 803 of the shaping rod 110, it is possible that no enclosing and/or gripping of the shaping rod 110 is necessary for the fixation and the conveyance of the shaping rod 110. Therefore, the shaping rods 110 may be placed in a stack 105 abuttingly on each other in a level, such that a dense package of shaping rods 110 may be manufactured.

[0082] The system 100 comprises a guiding frame 109 consisting of at least one guiding rail 109. The guiding frame 109 is arranged above and spaced apart from the mounting platform 101, wherein the conveying unit 102 is displaceably coupled to the guiding rail. The conveying unit 101 may be displaced along the guiding rails, for example by a chain- or belt drive.

[0083] The system 100 further comprises a casting device 106 which is adapted to introduce a molding compound into the casting mold 151. For example, the casting device 106 may be placed above the open casting mold 151 and may let flow the respective casting material into the casting mold 151.

[0084] Furthermore, the system 100 comprises a pressing unit 107 which is adapted to press on the stack 112 along the gravity direction, to prevent a displacement of the shaping rods 110. The pressing unit 107 may be displaced together with the conveying unit 102, for example. For example, the pressing unit 107 comprises a crossbeam which extends transversely to the conveying direction 103 and may push on the stack 112 from above. On the one hand, the shaping rods 110 maintain the stack 112 due to their force of gravity. Additionally, due to the pressure of the pressing unit 107, the position of the shaping rods 110 in the stack 112 may be reinforced. Furthermore, a further pressing unit may be provided, which clamps at least one level of shaping rods 110 of a stack 112 along a horizontal direction, i.e. laterally, in the horizontal direction. Therefore, in particular each completely laid level may be clamped.

[0085] Furthermore, the conveying unit 102 is configured to individually grip the shaping rods 110 and to remove them from the stack 112 and to convey them, in particular against the conveying direction 103. Thus, after curing the casting mold 151, each shaping rod 110 may be conveyed in the rod magazine 104 again by the conveying unit 102, and may be reused for a subsequent casting mold.

[0086] The conveying unit 102 may comprise a coupling element (for example a bolt or a pin) which engages in a receiving opening 801 (see FIG. 8) of a shaping rod 110, such that a demolding force 108, for example of 5000 Newton, is transferable to the shaping rod 110 against the conveying direction 103. In particular, the demolding force 108 is antiparallel to the conveying direction 103. After curing the casting material, the shaping rods 110 may adhere at the casting model 150, such that a respective demolding force 108 is necessary, to release a shaping rod 110 from the casting model 150. Examples for respective receiving openings 801 and coupling elements are illustrated in the embodiments of FIG. 8 to FIG. 12.

[0087] A control unit 115 is configured for controlling the conveying unit 102. The control unit is configured to determine the position data of the single shaping rods 110 for forming the casting mold 151, based on model data of the casting model 150 to be manufactured. The control unit 115 is configured to generate machine-readable instructions based on the casting mold model 150, to thereby control the conveying unit 102.

[0088] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a side view of a system comprising two conveying units 102, 202 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] The system 100 may further comprise a further conveying unit 202 and a further rod magazine 201. The further conveying unit 202 is configured to form a second side 204 of a further stack 112, which differs from a first side 203 of the stack 112 by the single shaping rods 110 being displaceable along a further conveying direction 206, wherein the further rod magazine 201 is arranged along the further conveying direction 206 behind the mounting platform 101. Therefore, two opposing stacks 112, 112′ are assembled with shaping rods 110 by respectively one conveying unit 102, 202. By using multiple conveying units 102, 202, multiple sides 203, 204 of the respective stacks 112 may be rapidly manufactured for forming a respective casting mold 151.

[0090] The system 100 further comprises a cleaning unit 205 for cleaning at least the front surfaces 111 of the shaping rods 110. The cleaning unit 205 is described in the embodiment of FIG. 7.

[0091] At the beginning of the process, at first the job data are loaded in the control unit 115, for example via the Internet, and corresponding space coordinates of the single shaping rods 110 on the mounting platform 101 are determined. Subsequently, the conveying units 102 stack the shaping rods 110 corresponding to the space coordinates. The conveying unit 102 and the further conveying unit 202 may build up two opposing stacks 112, 112′ at the same time. Each completely laid level of a stack 112 may be subsequently clamped by the pressing unit 107 in a vertical direction from above, or laterally from a horizontal direction. After finishing a laid level of a stack 112, 112′, the clamping of all previously laid levels is released for a short time and is clamped again. In this way, a so-called repositioning (German: Nachsitzen) by the own weight of the shaping rods 110 is enabled and gaps due to rod tolerances are closed. Subsequently, the casting mold 151 may be filled by the casting device 106 with casting material, for example polyurethane, so that the material may cure (FIG. 3).

[0092] FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of a system 100 comprising two conveying units 102, 202, wherein a casting mold 150 with shaping rods 110. The guiding frame 109 may consist of two opposing guiding rails, for example, which are parallel to the conveying direction 104, and further guiding rails (respectively bridges 304) which are orthogonal to the conveying direction 103 and connect the both opposing guiding rails. Therefore, the conveying unit 102, 202 may reach each position of a level of the stack 112 and may correspondingly place or lift the shaping rods 110. In particular, the conveying units 102, 202 may be linear motors and may be exactly positioned, in order to position.

[0093] In the present embodiment, two opposing sides 203, 204 of opposing stacks 112, 112′ are formed with a respective stacking of the shaping rods 110. The sidewalls which connect the first side 203 and the second side 204 are closed with sealing walls 301, so that a closed casting mold 151 is generated. At the upper region, the casting mold 151 may comprise an opening between the both stacks 112, through which the casting device 106 may introduce the casting material. For example, the outermost columns of the shaping rods 110 of a stack may be extended in the direction of the casting mold 151 to a maximum extent, to therefore generate a respective lateral sealing wall 301. Correspondingly, for example a lower row and/or an upper row of shaping rods 110 of a stack 112 may be extended to the maximum extent, to correspondingly form a bottom region or a lid of the casting mold 151. The sealing walls 301 may be additionally supported by reinforcing beams 303, to form a stable casting mold 151. The reinforcing beams 303 may further push laterally against the stack 112, to clamp the respective stack 112 as a clamping device. For example, the reinforcing beams 303 may be laterally displaced by a drive unit, and may thus be released from the sealing wall or the stack 112. The reinforcing beams 303 which temporarily cover the mounting plate 302, may be removed, for example, in order to be able to temporarily remove the mounting plate 302. The sealing wall 301 may be configured in a planar or curved manner, for example.

[0094] The mounting platform 101 further comprises a mounting plate 302, on which the casting model 150 may be formed. The mounting plate 302 may be exchangeably attached to the mounting platform 101.

[0095] FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of a system 100 comprising two conveying units 102, 202, wherein the shaping rods 110 are stored on rod magazines 104, 201. After casting a casting model 150, the single shaping rods 110 may be stored on the respective rod magazines 104, 201 along the demolding direction, so that a new casting mold 151 may be subsequently formed. By adhesion, shrinking, and other influences, the shaping rods 110 adhere to the casting model 150. In particular, a tensile force against the conveying direction, i.e. along a demolding direction 401, of 200 kg to 400 or 600 kg tensile force may be applied. The actual formation is performed by the conveying unit 102, 202. The other shaping rods 110 of the stack 112 remain adhered at the casting model 150 for stabilization.

[0096] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show plan views of a system 100, in which a discharging process of a casting model 150 is illustrated. The mounting platform 101 comprises the mounting plate 302 which is detachably fixed to the mounting platform 101. The mounting plate 302 forms a bottom of the casting mold 151. The casting model 150 may therefore be formed and cured on the mounting plate 302. Subsequently, the casting model 150 may be removed from the mounting platform 101 together with the mounting plate 302, and may be conveyed to a further manufacturing unit 601.

[0097] The mounting plate 302 is removable from the mounting platform 101 perpendicularly to the conveying direction 103. In particular, the mounting platform 101 may comprise an opening with two lateral guiding rails, in which the mounting plate 302 may be inserted and removed in a drawer-like manner along the moving direction 501. The mounting plate 302 may comprise rollers, for example, by which it is displaceable over the bottom. Subsequently, the mounting plate 102 may be picked up by an auxiliary unit, for example a forklift, and may be conveyed to a further manufacturing unit, for example an oven. A further empty mounting plate may be subsequently inserted in the mounting platform 101, so that a further casting mold 151 may be formed.

[0098] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a system 100, in which a shaping rod 110 of a cleaning unit 205 is present. For example, the cleaning unit 205 is fixed above the mounting platform 101, for example at the guiding frame 109. In particular, the cleaning unit 205 may be arranged above and next to the mounting platform 101, so that conveying the shaping rods 110 to the casting mold 151 is not impeded. The cleaning unit 205 comprises cleaning elements which mechanically release cured molding compound on the shaping rods 110, for example. The cleaning unit 205 comprises at least one opening which is configured such that a shaping rod 110 may be retracted and extended in parallel to the conveying direction 103 by the conveying units 102, 202. Therefore, after removing a shaping rod 110 from the stack 112, the conveying unit 102, 202 may at first insert the shaping rod 110 in the cleaning unit 205, and may subsequently place the cleaned shaping rod 110 in the rod magazine 104, 201.

[0099] In particular, the cleaning unit comprises two opposing openings along the conveying direction 103, wherein through each opening a shaping rod 110 to be cleaned may be individually inserted. For example, a first shaping rod 110 may be inserted by the conveying unit 102 through a first opening into the cleaning unit 205, and a second shaping rod 110 may be inserted by the further conveying unit 202 through a second opening into the cleaning unit 205. Thus, a simultaneous cleaning of two shaping rods 110 is possible, for example.

[0100] Furthermore, two cleaning devices 205 may be attached to a front side and a backside of the mounting platform 101, to enable a more rapid demolding of a stack 112.

[0101] FIG. 8 to FIG. 12 show perspective illustrations of shaping rods 110 with receiving openings 801 for coupling elements.

[0102] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a rectangular shaping rod 110 which comprises on its upper surface 803 an internal thread, which is formed by a thread insert 802, for example. The coupling element is configured as a threaded pin, for example, and may be controlled by the conveying unit 102. For example, the conveying unit 102 may be exactly place the threaded pin above the receiving opening 801 and may subsequently initiate a rotation of the threaded pin, to thereby enable a screwing in and screwing out in the thread insert 802. Therefore, besides the demolding force along the demolding direction 401, a lifting force, i.e. a vertical force, may be transferred between the conveying unit 102 and the shaping rod 110, so that a lifting of the shaping rod 110 is additionally possible.

[0103] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a rectangular shaping rod 110 which comprises on its upper surface 803 a receiving opening 801 for the coupling element. The receiving opening 801 is configured to form a form fit coupling with a bolt as coupling element. The receiving opening 801 correspondingly comprises an indentation direction in the shaping rod 110 which is formed perpendicularly to the conveying direction 103 and the demolding direction 401, respectively.

[0104] Thus, a bolt as coupling element may engage in the receiving opening 801 and may form a form fit, so that a horizontal force (tensile force and demolding force, respectively) along the demolding direction 401 may be applied.

[0105] The receiving opening 801 comprises a rectangular cross section and forms a rectangular pocket with an undercut 901, and the bolt is configured for coupling in the receiving opening 801. The bolt forms a snapping counterpiece and may be formed as a ball lock bolt 1101 (see FIG. 11). The bolt and/or the material of the shaping rod 110, in which the undercut 901 is formed, are formed elastically, for example, so that, when pushing the bolt in the receiving opening 81, a coupling region of the bolt (for example a ball of the ball lock bolt) engages with the undercut 901, so that a stable connection between the bolt and the shaping rod 110 is established.

[0106] FIG. 10 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a shaping rod 110, wherein the shaping rod 110 comprises a further front surface 1001 which is opposing the front surface 111, wherein in the further front surface 1001, the receiving opening 801 is formed. In FIG. 10, similar as in FIG. 8, an internal thread in the receiving opening 801 is provided.

[0107] FIG. 11 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a shaping rod 110, wherein the shaping rod 110 comprises a further front surface 1001 which is opposing the front surface 111, wherein in the further front surface 1001, the receiving opening 801 is formed. In FIG. 10, similar as in FIG. 9, a ball lock bolt for a reception in the receiving opening 801 is provided.

[0108] FIG. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment of a rectangular shaping rod 110 which comprises on its upper surface 803 a receiving opening 801 for the coupling element. The receiving opening 801 is formed as a round pocket which comprises a conical end section, so that a proper coupling with a bolt of the conveying unit is possible.

[0109] FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show a perspective illustration of a conveying unit 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0110] For example, the conveying unit 102 comprises a plurality of sleds 1402 which are arranged side by side transversely to the conveying direction 103, which are arranged displaceably along the conveying direction 103. For example, each sled 1402 comprises a coupling element 1401, such as the bolt 1101 which is illustrated in FIG. 11. A sled or multiple sleds 1402 may be displaced selectively from each other along a demolding direction 401, to exert a demolding force on the correspondingly coupled shaping rods 110. The not displaced sleds 1402 which are nevertheless coupled to the shaping rods 110, transfer a corresponding counterforce to the demolding force via their coupling elements to the stack 112, so that the force flow due to the demolding of the shaping rods 110 may be dissipated via the stack 112 of the shaping rods 110 which are adhering to the casting model 150. Thereby, for example the guiding frame 109 to which is the conveying unit 102 is fixed, is relieved, since the force flow runs through the stack 112 and not through the guiding frame 109. Furthermore, the conveying unit 102 may comprise a bearing surface, by which the conveying unit 102 abuts on the shaping rods 110 which shall not be removed. Thus, the weight force of the conveying unit 102 may be directly introduced in the stack 112, and the guiding frame 109 may be relieved.

[0111] Supplementary, it is noted that “encompassing” does not exclude other elements or steps, and “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it is noted, that features or steps which are described with reference to one of the above embodiments, may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other above described embodiments. Reference signs in the claims are not to be construed as limitation.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0112]

TABLE-US-00001 100 system 101 mounting platform 102 conveying unit 103 conveying direction 104 rod magazine 105 vacuum suction plate 106 casting device 107 pressing unit 108 demolding force 109 guiding frame 110 shaping rod 111 front surface 112 stack 113 vertical direction 115 control unit 150 casting model 151 casting mold 201 further rod magazine 202 further conveying unit 203 first side of a stack 204 second side of a further stack 205 cleaning unit 206 further conveying direction 301 sealing wall 302 mounting plate 303 reinforcing beam 304 bridge 401 demolding direction 501 removing direction 601 further manufacturing unit 801 receiving opening 802 thread insert 803 upper surface 901 undercut 1001 further front surface 1101 bolt 1401 coupling element 1402 sled