DISA AUTOMATIC PATTERN CHANGER GIVES BOOST TO PRODUCTIVITY BY ENABLING PATTERN CHANGE IN JUST 60 SECONDS

Many foundries produce a large variety of casting in each production shift. This necessitates frequent pattern changes. With the DISA Automatic Pattern Changer
a pattern change only takes a minute.

A pattern plate change traditionally involves stopping the moulding line while the old plates are removed and replaced by a new set. This manual process can take between two and five minutes, depending on the size of the moulding machine and the skill of the operators. And like all other manual processes, pattern changing can be prone to human error, causing a new stoppage end even longer delays.

Simple productivity boost
The DISA Automatic Pattern Change unit provides a short cut to higher productivity for foundries with frequent pattern changes by reducing pattern plate changing time to 60 seconds (75 seconds in the case of the largest moulding machine, the DISA 280). A simple calculation shows that the DISA Automatic Pattern Change unit can boost productivity as much as 3 per cent in the case of a moulding machine running at 420 moulds per hour with one pattern change per hour.

Configuration
The APC consists of a carrier with two jigs for fork lift handling placed on the opposite side of the moulding machine to the Automatic Core Setter and a manipulator arm supported by a beam placed at 90 degrees to the moulding line in the pattern change position. The carrier moves back and forth parallel to the moulding line to line up the jigs precisely in the pattern change positions and the arm moves in and out to remove the old pattern plates and replace them with the new set. Air guns on the arm keep the pattern plate change area free of sand.

The Automatic Pattern Changer features an operator VDU and an electrical control system linked to the control system of the moulding line. This also enables automatic setting up of the DISA moulding machine for the new pattern plate data.

The pattern plate change area is protected by fences and a light curtain.

Pay-back under one year
With just few pattern plate changes per shift the pay back time for a DISA Automatic Pattern Changer is less than one year.

About DISA
Founded in 1900, DISA is the world’s leading supplier of foundry equipment and metal surface finishing systems.

With factories, sales and service offices in three continents and an extensive agent network, DISA serves international industrial manufacturers, foundries and metalworking industries with leading edge technology and service solutions tailored to their specific needs.

For further information please contact:
Mr. Per Ejdorf
DISA Industries A/S
17, Herlev Hovedgade
2730 Herlev / Denmark