James E Bohs

US Patent:

6460600, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Apr 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/836531

Inventors:

Thomas E. Wuepper - Alger MI
James E. Bohs - Upper Sandusky OH
Ronald L. Klinger - Boon MI
Thomas J. H. Rozich - Au Gres MI
Mark T. Salgat - Pinconning MI

Assignee:

Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. - Northville MI

International Classification:

B22D 504

US Classification:

164130, 164323, 164324

Abstract:

An apparatus for producing a plurality of cast products includes a plurality of molds, and a casting apparatus which casts products in the molds. A multi-level pallet carries the molds containing the cast products on at least two vertical levels. A loading apparatus loads the molds onto the multi-level pallet. A conveyor moves the multi-level pallet through a cooling area which is sufficient to cool the cast products for removal from the molds. An unloading apparatus unloads the molds from the multi-level pallet. In a method of producing a plurality of cast products, the products are cast in a plurality of molds. The molds are loaded onto a multi-level pallet which carries the molds on at least two vertical levels. The multi-level pallet is conveyed through a cooling area which is sufficient to cool the cast products for removal from the molds. After cooling, the molds are unloaded from the multi-level pallet.