(57) A method for making casting moulds (18) which are formed by machining away the mould
cavity from a block (2) of moulding material instead of ramming casting material around
patterns. The gating system including runners and risers may also be machined out
of the solid block. The mould cavity can be produced in an appropriate shape in a
moulding box including a number of adjustable rods (R) to reduce the amount of material
to be machined out of the block. A multi-axis machining centre (12, 13) is incorporated
in a casting plant and programmed to produce the required moulding cavities, including
re-entrant cavities (34, 35, 36, 37). The gating system is machined into the block
in any convenient position, not necessarily on the mould parting line. A plant incorporting
the method of making casting moulds includes the machining out of mould cavities the
metal filling of the cavities, the positioning of blocks adjacent to each other on
a conveyor system and automatic removal of the runners and risers while the moulding
blocks are in position on the conveyor.
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