초록 ▼

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 wo

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.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 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

The invention claimed is: 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.