Device for pattern building in layers
View Patent ↗Described herein is a device for pattern building in layers, which has a frame ( 1 ), a vertically movable and interchangeable workpiece platform ( 17 ), and a material feeder with a spreader ( 4 ), whereby the spreader ( 4 ) serves to feed material from a storage bin situated in the workspace above the workpiece platform ( 17 ), and the workpiece platform ( 17 ) is fixed at least when building a pattern. The workpiece platform ( 17 ) is accordingly loaded into the device from one side and unloaded from the other side of the device.
1. A method for pattern building in layers, comprising the steps of:
a) feeding material including a molding sand to a work piece platform that is positioned within a frame of a pattern building device, the workpiece platform being height adjustable, the workpiece platform being essentially rectangular in plan view, and the workpiece platform having a pair of longer edges and a pair of shorter edges when viewed from the top;
b) spreading the material including the molding sand by translating a spreader along at least one of the shorter edges of the rectangular cross-section of the workpiece platform;
c) selectively contacting the material including the molding sand with a casting resin and curing agent;
d) curing the casting resin in contact with the molding sand for forming a cured layer;
e) adjusting the height of the workpiece platform;
f) successively repeating at least steps (a)–(d) until a metal casting mold pattern is completed;
g) and balancing out sag of the spreader along its length.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selectively contacting step (c) includes a step of depositing a curing agent onto a mixture that includes the molding sand and the casting resin using a drop-on-demand system.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the depositing step includes dispensing the curing agent from a drop-on-demand system that includes an ink-jet dispenser.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising steps of loading and unloading the workpiece platform.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of loading the workpiece platform on a first side of the device and the step of unloading the workpiece platform occurs on a second side of the device.
6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising steps of loading the workpiece platform on a first side of the device and unloading the workpiece platform from a second side of the device.
7. A method for pattern building in layers, comprising the steps of:
a) loading a workpiece platform within a frame of a pattern building device from a first side of the pattern building device, the workpiece platform being essentially rectangular in plan view, and the workpiece platform having a pair of longer edges and a pair of shorter edges when viewed from the top;
b) feeding material to the workpiece platform that is positioned within a frame of a pattern building device, the workpiece platform being height adjustable within the frame;
c) spreading the material by translating a spreader along at least one of the shorter edges of the rectangular cross-section of the workpiece platform;
d) balancing out sag of the spreader along its length;
e) curing the material for forming a cured layer;
f) adjusting the height of the workpiece platform; and
g) successively repeating at least steps (a)–(c) until a pattern is completed; and
h) unloading the workpiece platform from a second side of the device.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the feeding of the material includes vibratingly advancing the material from a storage bin located above the work piece platform.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the curing step includes a step of contracting a curing agent with a resin.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the contacting step includes depositing a curing agent from an ink-jet dispenser.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the curing step includes a step of contracting a curing agent with a resin.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the contacting step includes depositing a curing agent from an ink-jet dispenser.
13. A method for pattern building in layers, comprising the steps of:
a) feeding material including a molding sand admixed with a resin to a work piece platform that is positioned within a frame of a pattern building device, the workpiece platform being height adjustable, the workpiece platform being essentially rectangular in plan view, and the workpiece platform having a pair of longer edges and a pair of shorter edges when viewed from the top;
b) spreading the material including the admixture of molding sand and resin by translating a spreader along at least one of the shorter edges of the rectangular cross-section of the workpiece platform;
c) balancing out sag of the spreader along its length;
d) selectively contacting the material the admixture of molding sand and resin with a curing agent via an ink-jet deposition head;
e) curing the casting resin in contact with the molding sand for forming a cured layer;
f) adjusting the height of the workpiece platform;
g) successively repeating at least steps (a, b, and d–f) until a metal casting mold pattern is completed.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the feeding of the material includes vibratingly advancing the material from a storage bin located above the work piece platform.
15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising steps of loading the workpiece platform on a first side of the device and unloading the workpiece platform from a second side of the device.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising steps of loading the workpiece platform on a first side of the device and unloading the workpiece platform from a second side of the device.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the workpiece platform is mounted in a job box.