Abstract
The invention describes a feeder insert (2, 2, 2, 2, 2.sup.IV) for use for the casting of metals in vertically separable casting molds, having a first shaped element (8, 8, 8, 8, 8.sup.IV) and a second shaped element (10) which (i) are moveable telescopically relative to one another, (ii) delimit a feeder cavity (30) for receiving liquid metal, and (iii) are designed for being position by means of a centring pin (20, 22) that can be positioned along a centring axis (28), wherein the first shaped element (8, 8, 8, 8, 8.sup.IV) has a passage opening (18) for the liquid metal, and wherein the feeder cavity (30) is designed such that, in the case of horizontal arrangement of the centring axis (28), a predominant volume fraction of the feeder cavity (30) can be positioned above the centring axis.
Claims
1. A feeder insert for a metal casting mould, comprising a first shaped element and a second shaped element, wherein the first and second shaped elements: (i) are moveable telescopically relative to one another, (ii) delimit a feeder cavity for receiving liquid metal, and (iii) are configured for a centring pin that can be positioned along a centring axis, wherein the first shaped element comprises a passage opening for the liquid metal, wherein the casting mould is vertically separable, and wherein when the centring axis is horizontally arranged, a predominant volume fraction of the feeder cavity is positioned above the centring axis.
2. The feeder insert according to claim 1, further comprising a conically running wall section and/or a cylindrical or non-cylindrical recess for a pin tip on the second shaped element.
3. The feeder insert according to claim 1, further comprising a ventilation opening for ventilating the feeder cavity on the first shaped element, wherein the ventilation opening is positioned above the centring axis when the centring axis is horizontally arranged.
4. The feeder insert according to claim 3, wherein the ventilation opening comprises a ventilation duct, wherein the ventilation duct runs parallel to the centring axis.
5. The feeder insert according to claim 1, wherein (i) the second shaped element comprises an exothermic feeder material, and/or the first shaped element comprises an exothermic feeder material, or (ii) the second shaped element comprises an insulating feeder material, and/or the first shaped element comprises an insulating feeder material, or (iii) the second shaped element comprises an exothermic feeder material, and/or the first shaped element does not comprise an exothermic feeder material and comprises an insulating feeder material or a material selected from the group consisting of metals, plastics, cardboards, mixtures thereof, and composite materials thereof, or (iv) the second shaped element comprises an insulating feeder material, and/or the first shaped element comprises an exothermic feeder material or a material selected from the group consisting of metals, plastics, cardboards, mixtures thereof, and composite materials thereof.
6. The feeder insert according to claim 1, wherein the first shaped element is one piece or is composed of an assembly of a first and second sub-elements which are positionally stable relative to one another or moveable telescopically relative to one another, wherein the first sub-element comprises a footprint surface of the feeder insert and the second sub-element is designed for connecting to the second shaped element.
7. The feeder insert according to claim 1, further comprising holding elements for holding the first shaped element and the second shaped element in an initial position, wherein the holding elements are configured to be severed or deformed during a telescopic movement.
8. The feeder insert according to claim 1, wherein the first shaped element comprises external surface sections which adjoin or bear against internal surface sections of the second shaped element and are configured to prevent or impede lateral tilting of the first shaped element relative to the second shaped element during a telescopic movement of the shaped elements.
9. The feeder insert according to claim 1, wherein the first shaped element comprises a passage opening with a non-circular cross section selected from the group consisting of oval, unround, flattened circle, flattened oval, triangular, tetragonal and polygonal, and/or one or more recesses or openings for receiving a second centring pin, wherein the one or more recesses or openings run parallel to the centring axis, and/or one or more spacers on the side facing toward the mould plate.
10. The feeder insert according to claim 1, wherein the second shaped element comprises one or more integrally formed ribs or wall sections on the inside at its end situated opposite the passage opening which divide up the feeder cavity into chambers.
11. A kit for producing the feeder insert, said kit comprising the first shaped element and the second shaped element as defined in claim 1.
12. The kit according to claim 11, further comprising the centring pin for positively locking the feeder insert.
13. A method for casting metal in an installation with pivotable mould plate, comprising the following steps: placing the feeder insert according to claim 1 on a mould pattern with a centring pin wherein the mould pattern is arranged on the pivotable mould plate, or directly on the pivotable mould plate with centring pin; pivoting the mould plate with the feeder insert arranged thereon such that a centring axis for the feeder insert is horizontally oriented and, wherein a predominant volume fraction of the feeder cavity is positioned above the centring axis.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIGS. 1a and 1b: show views of a first exemplary embodiment of a feeder insert according to the invention in section;
(2) FIGS. 2a and 2b: show views of a second exemplary embodiment of a feeder insert according to the invention arranged on a mould pattern;
(3) FIGS. 3a to 3c: show views of a further exemplary embodiment of a feeder insert according to the invention in a longitudinal section;
(4) FIG. 4: shows a view of a feeder insert according to the invention with a reduced mounting area on the first shaped element;
(5) FIG. 5: shows a view of multiple feeder inserts as per FIG. 2 in longitudinal section, arranged on mutually spaced-apart regions of a mould pattern;
(6) FIGS. 6a and 6b: show a front, sectional view and a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a first shaped element;
(7) FIGS. 7a and 7b: show a front, sectional view and a side view of the first shaped element as per FIGS. 1a and 1b;
(8) FIGS. 8a and 8b: show a front, sectional view and a side view of a first shaped element as per FIGS. 3a and 3b;
(9) FIGS. 9a and 9b: show a front, sectional view and a side view of a further exemplary embodiment of a first shaped element;
(10) FIGS. 10a and 10b: show views of a second shaped element according to the invention in section and from the side;
(11) FIGS. 11a and 11b: show a front view and a plan view of a centring pin corresponding to the feeder insert according to the invention;
(12) FIGS. 12a, 12b and 12c: show a front view, a side view and a plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a centring pin according to the invention, and
(13) FIGS. 13a to 15, in sectional illustrations, schematically show the production of a casting mould from the mounting of a feeder insert according to the invention onto a pivotable mould plate to the assembly of the mould halves produced to form a casting mould.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(14) FIG. 1a shows a feeder insert 2 according to the invention in its initial arrangement on a section of a mould pattern 4, wherein the section of the mould pattern 4 for the casting to be produced is mounted or arranged on a mould plate 6 arranged in a horizontal orientation. The feeder insert 2 comprises a first shaped element 8 and a second shaped element 10 which are designed to be moveable telescopically relative to one another. To ensure reliable movement of the first shaped element 10 and second shaped element relative to one another, the shaped elements 8, 10 have guide surfaces 12, 14 which can be brought into direct contact with one another. The guide surfaces 12 of the first shaped element 8 are formed by the outer contour of the latter, and the guide surfaces 14 of the second shaped element 10 are formed by the inner contour of the latter. In order that the first and second shaped elements 8, 10 initially remain in their initial arrangement, holding elements 16, 16 are arranged on the first shaped element, which holding elements impede the shaped elements from sliding one inside the other or one over the other prematurely. The feeder insert 2 is positioned on the section of the mould pattern 4 with the aid of a centring pin 20. The centring pin 20 is arranged fixedly on the mould pattern 4. The first shaped element 8 furthermore has a mounting region 17 for mounting on the mould pattern 4, said mounting region having a passage opening 18 which corresponds in form-fitting fashion to a centring pin foot 22 of the centring pin 20. The centring pin 20 furthermore has a centring pin tip 24 over which a recess 26 of the second shaped element 10 can be pushed such that the second shaped element is held in position after being pushed on. The passage opening 18 and the recess 26 have central axes running coaxially with respect to one another, wherein the feeder insert 2 is designed for being positioned along a centring axis 28 formed by the centring pin 20.
(15) In FIG. 1b, the pivotable mould plate 6 has been moved into a vertical arrangement, such that the centring axis 28 is in a horizontal orientation. A feeder cavity 30 is formed by means of the first and second shaped elements 8, 10 of the feeder insert, wherein, in the case of horizontal arrangement of the centring axis (as shown in FIG. 1b), a predominant volume fraction of the feeder cavity 30 is arranged above the centring axis 28. Thus, at the same time, the predominant fraction of the feeder cavity 30 is arranged above the passage opening 18, such that, during the casting process, in particular during the solidification process, a supply of metal that is still in the liquid state is reliably ensured from the feeder insert to the casting mould. To maintain a positionally fixed orientation of the feeder insert 2 relative to the mould pattern 4 or the mould plate 6 during the compaction of the mould material around the feeder insert, the first shaped element 8 additionally has an abutment surface 60 (FIG. 6) which is supported on a support surface 62 of the central part 74 of the centring pin 20 (FIG. 10).
(16) FIGS. 2a and 2b show a second exemplary embodiment of a feeder insert 2 with a first shaped element 8 and the second shaped element 10, which, in the same way, are arranged on a section of the mould pattern 4 with the aid of the centring pin 20. To improve the positioning of the feeder insert 2 relative to the mould pattern 4 or relative to the mould plate 6, the first mould shaped element 8 has, on its side facing toward the mould plate 6 and spaced apart from its passage opening 18, an additional centring recess 32 which can be placed in contact with a tip of a second centring pin 34. A means for preventing rotation of the feeder insert about the centring axis 28 is thus formed. The centring recess 32 is formed or arranged on a stud or peg 36 which projects in the direction of the mould plate. FIG. 2b shows the feeder insert 2 with horizontally running centring axis in its arrangement on the vertically running mould plate 6. The use of at least one second centring pin 34, which also perform the function of a spacer, additionally has the advantage that, during the compaction process that is not illustrated in any more detail here, the first shaped element 8 is now supported in the direction of the mould plate 6 by way of at least two bearing points. Positionally stable orientation of the feeder insert is thus advantageously ensured even during the compaction process.
(17) FIG. 3a shows a further exemplary embodiment of a feeder insert according to the invention. The feeder insert 2 comprises a first shaped element 8 and a second shaped element 10, which are moveable telescopically relative to one another. The two shaped elements 8, 10 form or delimit the feeder cavity 30 for receiving liquid metal and are designed for being positioned on a centring pin 20, which defines a centring axis 28. In the initial arrangement shown in FIG. 3a and also in the two exemplary embodiments discussed above, the first shaped element 8 and the second shaped element 10 are fixed by means of the holding elements 16, 16. The first shaped element 8, which is mounted by way of its mounting region 17 on the mould pattern 4, has a second opening spaced apart from the passage opening 18, said second opening being a ventilation opening 38 for ventilation from the feeder cavity 30, said ventilation opening extending from the outer side to the inner side of the first shaped element 8 such that a duct 40 is formed. As can be seen from FIG. 3a, the duct 40 serves as a centring receptacle for a centring pin 42 which is simultaneously part of a spacer 44 that holds the first shaped element 8 in position relative to the mould plate. On the spacer 44, which is arranged with one end directly on the mould plate 6 and is in contact by way of its other end with a stud or peg 36 of the first shaped element 8, there is formed a means for preventing rotation and securing the position of the feeder insert 2. Accordingly, the feeder insert 2 is fixed relative to the section of the mould pattern 4 or relative to the mould plate 6 during the pivoting of the mould plate 6 into the vertical orientation as illustrated by FIG. 3b. In FIG. 3b, the feeder insert 2 is still in its initial arrangement relative to the mould plate 6, wherein the feeder cavity 30 has already been oriented such that, in the case of horizontal arrangement of the centring axis, a predominant volume fraction of the feeder cavity is arranged above the centring axis. The region above the centring axis 28 thus forms an adequately large reservoir of liquid metal which can flow in the direction of the passage opening as the casting solidifies. An attachment part 46 is provided on the spacer 44 so as to run parallel to the mould plate and so as to extend in a vertical direction. Together with the spacer 44, the attachment part 46 defines, within the mould material surrounding the feeder insert 2, a space by means of which, after the removal of the mould plate and of the spacer and after the assembly of the vertically separated casting moulds, a cavity for a ventilation function is formed. After the centring pin 42 that projects into the duct 40 is removed, the duct 40, extending parallel to the centring axis 28, in the first shaped element 8 forms an associated further section of the ventilation duct to be produced.
(18) FIG. 3c shows the feeder insert 8 according to the invention after the compaction of the mould material, wherein the second shaped element 10 has been moved by way of its guide surface 14 telescopically along a section of the guide surface 12 of the first shaped element 8. The holding elements 16, 16 which are still shown in FIG. 3b are no longer arranged on the first shaped element in FIG. 3c. Rather, the holding elements 16, 16 which are still shown in FIG. 3b are designed such that, when a pressure force acting thereon exceeds a tree determine value, said holding elements are severed or deformed such that a relative movement between the first and second shaped elements 8, 10 is possible. The compaction force (arrow 45) acting parallel to the centring axis 28 and in the direction of the mould plate causes the telescopic movement of the second shaped element 10 over the first shaped element 8, wherein at the same time, the volume of the feeder cavity 30 is reduced. Because the first shaped element 8 is, by means of the spacer 44, fixed in positionally stable fashion with respect to the section of the mould pattern 4 or the mould plate 6, the second shaped element 10 can at all times easily yield to the acting compaction pressure in the direction of the mould plate 6, wherein the holding elements are severed or deformed. The risk of destruction of the feeder insert 2 and of the above-described exemplary embodiments, the first and second shaped elements of which are preferably formed from exothermic feeder material or comprise exothermic feeder material at least in sections, is thus advantageously reduced.
(19) FIG. 4 illustrates a feeder insert 2 whose first shaped element 8 has, in the manner according to the invention, an eccentrically arranged passage opening 18, such that in the case of horizontal orientation of the centring axis 28, the predominant volume fraction of the feeder cavity 30 is arranged above the centring axis and thus above the passage opening 18. At the same time, the first shaped element is formed in two parts; specifically, the first shaped element 8 is equipped with a tubular part has a first sub-element 48 for forming a mounting region 50 on the mould pattern 4 with a reduced area of contact with respect to the mould pattern. The tubular part 48 is, as illustrated in FIG. 4, formed so as to be fixed, or in an alternative embodiment of the first shaped element 8 that is not shown, moveable in the direction of the centring axis 28, with respect to a second sub-element 49 of the first shaped element 8. Here, the tubular part, as the first sub-element 48 of the first shaped element 8, forms the footprint surface of the feeder insert (2, 2, 2, 2), which constitutes the interface with respect to the mould pattern, and the second sub-element 49 is designed for connection of the tubular part to the second shaped element (10).
(20) In an alternative embodiment of the feeder insert according to the invention, it is the case in particular that the first sub-element of the first shaped element preferably forms a breaker core. This embodiment is advantageous if the material for the first sub-element is composed of a metal or comprises a metallic component.
(21) FIG. 5 shows the use of multiple feeder inserts on one mould pattern 4, wherein the pivotable mould plate 6 is already illustrated in its vertical orientation. The two feeder inserts 2, 2 are however still in their respective initial position before the compaction of the mould material. By means of the second feeder insert, an optimum supply to at least two regions of the casting mould can be ensured for the purpose of compensating the shrinkage of the casting material during the solidification in these regions. Each of the feeder inserts 2, 2 is pushed by way of its passage opening 18 onto a centring pin 20, and at the same time, a section of the first shaped element 8 is received by way of the second centring pin 34, 42. The centring pin 34 which supports the feeder insert 2 arranged on the central region 52 of the mould pattern 4 is supported by way of one end on the mould pattern and is in contact by way of its other end with the centring recess 32 in a stand or peg 36 that projects in the direction of the mould plate. The centring pin 42 is part of a spacer 44 which holds the first shaped element 8 in position relative to the mould plate and which projects into the ventilation opening 38, which is in the form of a duct 40. An attachment part 46 is provided on the spacer 44 so as to run parallel to the mould plate and in a vertical direction. Together with the spacer 44, the attachment part 46 defines, within the mould material surrounding the feeder insert 2, a space via which a cavity for a ventilation function is formed after the removal of the mould plate and of the spacer and after the assembly of the mould halves of the vertically separated casting mould. During the casting process, the two feeder inserts are filled and thus, independently of one another, supply of liquid metal to the spaced-apart regions of the casting during the solidification process. Individual shaping of the casting is to be produced is thus possible.
(22) As material for the first shaped elements 8, 8, 8, 8, depicted in FIGS. 1a to 5, use may preferably be made of an exothermic feeder material. Alternatively, to form the first shaped element 8, 8, 8, 8, use may be made of an insulating feeder material or of some other material selected from the group comprising metals, plastics, cardboards, the mixtures thereof and the composite materials thereof. To form the second shaped element 10, use is made of exothermic or insulating feeder materials, or the second shaped element 10 comprises an exothermic or insulating feeder material at least in sections.
(23) FIGS. 6a and 6b show a first shaped element 8 which, like the first shaped elements described above, has a mounting region 17 with a passage opening 18 for the liquid metal, which passage opening serves as a receptacle for a centring pin onto which the first shaped element 8, together with an associated second shaped element not illustrated here, is pushed. The passage opening 18, as shown in FIG. 6b, has a cross section corresponding to an overall that is flattened on one side. Alternative exemplary embodiments of the passage openings are overall or unround or have the shape of a flattened circle or flattened oval or are triangular, tetragonal or polygonal. The centring pin that corresponds with the passage opening 18, in particular the centring pin foot thereof, has a shape that preferably corresponds over the full circumference to the cross section of the passage opening 18, such that a means for preventing rotation of the first shaped element about the centring axis 28, which corresponds to the central axis of the passage opening, is provided by the centring pin itself. The passage opening furthermore has a preferably planar surface section 54. The passage opening 18 is adjoined by an inlet region 56, which widens in a funnel shape in regions, for the liquid metal. The first shaped element 8 has a rib 58 which, during use, extends vertically from the upper wall 57 in the direction of the centring axis 28, said rib also being referred to as a Williams strip, by means of which the formation of a skin on the surface of the liquid metal in the feeder cavity is prevented. Arranged on the outer contour of the first shaped element 8 are the holding elements 16, 16 by means of which the first and second shaped elements are initially held in their initial position relative to one another. The first shaped element 8 is furthermore equipped, in a region which in the illustration of FIG. 6a is arranged above the centring axis, with two cylindrical studs or pegs 36 which project in a vertical direction and by means of which the first shaped element 8 can be fixed in its position with respect to the mould pattern (not illustrated) or the mould plate. For this purpose, a spacer (not illustrated) is used which produces a connection between a section of the mould pattern or the mould plate and the peg or stud 36. The planar surface section 54 of the passage opening 18 is in this case arranged in alignment with the abutment surface 60 of the first shaped element 8, which abutment surface is designed for abutment against a corresponding support surface 62 of the central part 74 (FIG. 10) of the centring pin 20. The abutment surface 60 forms the lower wall 64 of the shaped element during the use of the first shaped element, that is to say in the case of horizontal orientation of the centring axis 28.
(24) The first shaped element 8 shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b is shown in a detail view in FIGS. 7a and 7b in order to illustrate the design thereof. The first shaped element 8 is of similar design to the shaped element 8 shown in FIG. 6, but differs insofar as the wall 64, which is the lower wall during the use of the first shaped element 8, is not formed so as to be in alignment with the abutment surface 60 of the shaped element 8. An approximately semicircular rib 66 extends from the wall 64, said rib extending in the direction of the centring axis 28 over almost the entire height of the first shaped element 8. Here, a section of the semicircular rib 66 forms an abutment surface 60, which runs in alignment with the planar surface section 54 of the passage opening 18, for support on the centring pin 20. The exemplary embodiment of the first shaped element 8 shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b has an inlet region 56 which widens in funnel-shaped form, a rib 58 which divides up the feeder cavity into chambers and which runs from the upper wall 57 in the direction of the centring axis 28, and a peg or stud 36 which projects from the outer side in the direction of the mould plate and which serves, in interaction with a corresponding space on the mould plate or on the mould pattern, for fixing the first shaped element in position.
(25) FIGS. 8a and 8b show, in a detail view, the exemplary embodiment of the first shaped element 8 shown in FIGS. 3a to 3c, wherein, instead of the abutment surface that corresponds to the support surface 62 of the centring pin, said first shaped element has on its outer side two approximately cylindrical pegs or stud 36 which is point in the direction of the mould pattern 4 or mould plate 6 (FIG. 3b). Furthermore, the first shaped element 8 is equipped with two ventilation openings 38 which are formed as ducts 40 running horizontally with respect to the centring axis 28 and which are provided for receiving the centring pin is 34 shown in FIG. 3. The ducts 40 have a cross section which preferably narrows conically from the inner side of the shaped element toward the outer side of the shaped element. The ducts 40, which have the function of ventilation ducts, are formed in the vicinity of the upper wall on the first shaped element 8 during casting operation in the case of horizontal orientation of the centring axis 28. The wall 64, which is the lower wall during use of the first shaped element, is entirely of planar form and runs parallel to the planar surface section 54 of the passage opening 18 formed in the mounting region 17.
(26) A further alternative exemplary embodiment of a first shaped element 8.sup.IV according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b. The shaped element 8.sup.IV has only a single stud or peg 36 instead of the two pegs or studs of the exemplary embodiments shown above. The stud or peg 36 is arranged on that side of the first shaped element 8.sup.IV which points in the direction of the mould pattern 4 or of the pivotable mould plate 6 (FIG. 13a). The stud 36 has an oval cross section and, as shown in FIG. 9b, is arranged approximately equidistantly from the two lateral guide surfaces 12, 12 of the first shaped element 8.sup.IV. Furthermore, on the stud or peg 36, there is provided a ventilation opening 38 which is in the form of a duct 40 running parallel to the centring axis 28. The duct 40 for ventilation from the feeder cavity furthermore has a cross section which narrows conically from the inner side of the shaped element 8.sup.IV in the direction of the outer side of the shaped elements. By contrast to the exemplary embodiments shown above, the first shaped element 8.sup.IV does not have a rib that divides up the feeder cavity into chambers. On the side facing toward the mould pattern 4 or the pivotable mould plate, there is formed between the mounting region 17 and the stud or peg 36 a surface 55 which has an inclination or is of oblique form. Here, the distance between the mould pattern or mould plate and the oblique surface 55 of the first shaped element 8.sup.IV increases uniformly in the direction of the ventilation opening 38 proceeding from the centring axis 28. The first shaped element 8.sup.IV, like the exemplary embodiments of the first shaped element shown above, likewise has an inlet region 56 which widens in a funnel shape downstream of the throughflow opening 18.
(27) As material for forming the first shaped elements 8, 8, 8.sup.IV depicted in FIGS. 6a to 9b, use is preferably made of an exothermic feeder material. In an alternative embodiment of the feeder insert according to the invention, to form the first shaped element 8, 8, 8.sup.IV, use is made of an insulating feeder material or of some other material preferably selected from the group comprising metals, plastics, cardboards, the mixtures thereof and the composite materials thereof.
(28) FIGS. 10a and 10b illustrate a second shaped element for forming the feeder insert according to the invention, wherein inner wall surfaces 68, 68 that form the inner contour of the second shaped element run, in sections, parallel to one another and parallel to the centring axis 28. The second shaped element 10 furthermore has, on an inner wall region, a conically running wall section 70 and a cylindrical (or alternatively non-cylindrical) recess 26 which, in particular, adjoins the conically running wall section 70. The recess 26 is, in terms of its dimensions, in particular coordinated with the external dimensions of a centring pin tip 24 (FIG. 10) that corresponds to the recess. The second shaped element 10 likewise has a rib 58 which, during use of the shaped element, extends vertically from the upper wall 71 of the shaped element in the direction of the centring axis 28 and which likewise divides up the interior of the second shaped element into chambers. The rib 58 likewise has the function of a Williams strip. To form the second shaped element shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b, use is made of exothermic or insulating feeder materials, or the second shaped element 10 comprises an exothermic or insulating feeder material at least in sections.
(29) FIGS. 11a and 11b show views of a centring pin 20 which is part of a kit according to the invention, said kit being composed of feeder insert designed according to the invention and the centring pin corresponding to the feeder insert. The centring pin 20 has a centring pin foot 22 and a centring pin tip 24, wherein the centring pin tip is of cylindrical form and is of hemispherical form at the end. The centring pin foot 22 has an oval basic shape, wherein the centring pin foot has, with regard to its primary axes running perpendicular to the central axis, a diameter which is in a ratio in the range between 1.5 and 2.5 with respect to the diameter of the centring pin tip. The centring pin foot 22 is furthermore flattened on one side and has a planar surface 72 which corresponds to the planar surface section 54 of the first shaped element 8 to 8 (FIGS. 1 to 8). A preferred mounting orientation of the respectively used feeder insert on the centring pin 20 is predefined by means of the planar surface 72, whereby incorrect mounting of the feeder insert on the centring pin is prevented. The centring pin tip 24 and centring pin foot 22 are coupled by means of an approximately conically running central part 74 which provides a gradual transition from the centring pin foot 22 to the centring pin tip 24. The planar surface 72 formed on one side in the region of the centring pin foot 22 forms, together with a planar surface along the central part 74 of the centring pin 20, the support surface 62. The support surface 62 comes into direct contact, at least in sections, with the abutment surface 60 of the first shaped element 8, 8, 8, whereby it is ensured that the feeder inserts 2, 2, 2 pushed onto the centring pin 20 are optimally fixed in position during the compaction of the mould material. The first shaped element and/or the second shaped element each have a width extending parallel to a central axis which runs vertically during use of the feeder insert, and each have a depth extending perpendicular thereto, wherein the width of the two shaped elements is in each case in a ratio in the range from 1.7 to 2.3 with respect to the depth of the two shaped elements.
(30) FIGS. 12a to 12c show an alternative embodiment of a centring pin 20 according to the invention which is alternatively part of a kit according to the invention, said kit being composed of a feeder insert designed according to the invention and the centring pin corresponding to the feeder insert. The centring pin 20 has a centring pin foot 22, a centring pin tip 24 and a substantially conically running central part 74. The centring pin 20 has, on one side in the region of the centring pin foot 22, a planar surface 72 which, in this exemplary embodiment according to the invention, extends from the centring pin foot 22 over half of the central part 74. Said planar surface 72, which runs in particular at right angles to the surface by which the centring pin stands on the mould pattern or on the pivotable mould plate, has a support surface 62 with which the abutment surface 60 of the first shaped element 8, 8, 8 can be brought into direct contact.
(31) When the feeder insert 2, 2, 2, 2 according to the invention is mounted on the mould pattern 4 or on the pattern plate 6 situated in a horizontal orientation (FIGS. 1a, 2a, 3a, 4), wherein the feeder insert 2, 2, 2, 2 is pushed by way of its first shaped element 8, 8, 8, 8 and the second shaped element 10 onto the centring pin 20, the first shaped element 8, 8, 8, 8 is brought into contact with the mould pattern 4 such that the passage opening 18 in the first shaped element 8, 8, 8, 8 is completely covered by regions of the mould pattern 4. Not illustrated is the alternative embodiment in which the passage opening 18 is covered by surface regions of the pivotable mould plate 6. Subsequently, the mould plate 6 with the mould pattern 4 and the feeder insert 2, 2, 2, 2 arranged thereon are pivoted to an angle of approximately 90?, such that the mould plate 6 is in a vertical orientation (FIGS. 1b, 2b, 3b, 5). A rotationally fixed orientation with respect to the mould pattern is ensured by means of the shaped elements 8, 8, 8, 8 designed according to the invention and the centring pin 20 corresponding thereto. Then, in the vertical orientation, mould material is poured in (not shown a more detail) on at least that side of the mould plate on which the feeder insert 2, 2, 2, 2 is arranged, such that the first shaped element 8, 8, 8, 8 and the second shaped element 10 of the feeder insert 2, 2, 2, 2 are virtually completely encased by mould material. The mould material surrounding the feeder insert 2, 2, 2, 2 is compacted, and during the compaction, predominantly a pressure force (arrow 45, FIG. 3c) acts on the feeder insert 2, 2, 2, 2 in the direction of the centring axis 28. When the pressure force reaches a sufficient value, the holding elements 16, 16 on the first shaped element 8, 8, 8, 8 are severed or deformed such that the shaped elements can be moved telescopically relative to one another, wherein the second shaped element 10 is, in sections, pushed over the first shaped element 8, 8, 8, 8 and, at the same/time, reduces the volume of the feeder cavity 30. During the movement process, the first shaped element 8, 8, 8, 8 does not change its position relative to the mould pattern 4 or the mould plate 6. After the compaction, the mould half that is produced is separated from the mould plate 6, the mould pattern 4 and the centring pin 20, such that one or more feeder inserts 2, 2, 2, 2 remain in the mould half that is produced. If the feeder insert 2 has a ventilation opening 38 for ventilating the feeder insert 2 and if so attachment parts 46 connected to the spacer 44 are provided on the mould plate, then after the removal of the pivotable mould plate 6, a ventilation duct is produced within the mould half, via which ventilation duct air can escape from the feeder cavity during the casting process.
(32) FIGS. 13a to 15 show an alternative embodiment of a method for producing a casting, wherein a feeder insert 2.sup.Iv designed according to the invention is pushed or mounted by way of its passage opening 18, and by way of the ventilation opening 38 in the first shaped element 8.sup.IV, onto two centring pins 20, 42 that are arranged on a first mould plate 6. In the process, the feeder insert 2.sup.IV comes into direct contact, by way of its mounting region 17 and the stud or peg 36, with the first mould plate 6, which at this time is in a horizontal orientation. The first shaped element 8.sup.IV and the second shaped element 10 are fixed in their initial position relative to one another by means of the holding elements 16, 16. Subsequently, the first mould plate 6 is pivoted into the vertical orientation (FIG. 13b) such that the centring axis 28 of the feeder insert 2.sup.IV passes into the horizontal orientation and the first mould plate 6 is oriented parallel to a second mould plate 6. In this exemplary embodiment, only the feeder insert 2.sup.Iv is attached onto the first mould plate 6. The mould pattern 4 and an attachment part 46 provided for forming a ventilation duct are arranged on the second mould plate 6. As can be seen from FIG. 14, after the two mould plates 6 and 6 have been oriented parallel to one another, chambers 76, 76 are produced around the mould plates, into which chambers a mould material 78 is then poured. After the filling of the chambers 76, 76, the mould material 78 is then compressed, and thus compacted, in the chambers. During the compaction of the mould material, the second shaped element 10 is moved telescopically over the first shaped element 8.sup.IV, such that the overall height of the feeder insert 2.sup.IV is reduced considerably in relation to the overall height in the initial position (FIG. 13a). Owing to a surface 55 of the first shaped element 8.sup.IV being formed obliquely with respect to the first mould plate 6 (FIG. 13b), it is ensured that the region between the surface of the first mould plate 6 and the first shaped element 8.sup.IV is adequately filled with mould material during the pouring of mould material into the chambers 76, 76, and the desired mould material compaction around the mounting region 17 is achieved during the compaction process. With the compaction of the mould material 78, firm mould halves 80, 80 for the casting mould are produced in each of the chambers, which mould halves can be assembled to form a casting mould 82, cf. FIG. 15, after the first and second mould plates 6, 6, and thus simultaneously the mould pattern 4 and the attachment part 46, have been removed. The casting mould 82 that is produced has a cavity 84 for the liquid metal to be poured into the casting mould, which cavity substantially corresponds to the shape of the casting to be produced. The cavity 84 has a transition 86 to the feeder insert 2.sup.IV in the first mould half 80. A ventilation duct 88 that corresponds with the ventilation opening 38 in the first shaped element 8.sup.IV of the feeder insert according to the invention is formed in the casting mould 82, by means of which ventilation duct it can advantageously be ensured that the feeder insert 2.sup.IV is virtually completely filled with liquid metal during casting operation, such that the supply of liquid metal during the shrinkage of the metal in the cavity of the casting mould 82 can be ensured. The ventilation duct 88 (FIG. 15) is arranged where the attachment part 46 was arranged previously (cf. FIG. 13b, 14).
(33) In the appended figures, identical components are denoted by the same reference signs.
