FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) & THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13) 1. Title of the invention: AUTOMATIC POURING MACHINE
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
PYROTEK INDIA PVT. Indian Gat No. 1228 & 1229, Pune- Nagar
LTD. Road, Sanaswadi, Tal. - Shirur, Dist. -
Pune, Maharashtra 412 208, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

BACKGROUND
[0001] Various manufacturing processes, such as manufacturing, involve use
of a liquid molten metal for creating structures or components. In such processes, molten metal is usually poured into a mould which contains a hollow cavity of the desired shape and, in the mould, the molten metal is then allowed to solidify. The solidified metal is then ejected from the mould and then, in few cases, machined to complete the manufacturing process. The molten metal, usually, has a temperature of more than 730-780o Celsius. Due to such high temperatures, manual handling of the molten metal is not preferred. Accordingly, automatic pouring machines are used to handle the hot molten metal. The automatic pouring machine includes a ladle to pour the molten metal into the mould and the movement of the ladle is electronically controlled for pouring the molten metal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0002] The features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be
better understood with regard to the following descriptions and accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Use of the same reference number in different figures indicates similar or identical features and components.
[0003] Fig. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of automatic pouring machine.
[0004] Fig. 2 illustrates top view of the automatic pouring machine.
[0005] Fig. 3 illustrates a detailed sectional view of coupling between motor
shaft and gearbox

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0006] For manufacturing processes using molten metal, manual pouring of
the molten metal in a mould is a hazardous and time intensive process. Thus, the pouring of molten metal is done using automatic pouring machines. The automatic pouring machine includes a shaft on which a pourer is mounted, and the movement of the shaft and/or the pourer can be controlled for pouring the molten metal at a given location/position. Usually, a motor is used as a drive source to power the shaft. A motor shaft of the motor is operably engaged with the shaft of the automatic pouring machine.
[0007] However, the motor shaft, connected to the motor at one end, has an
overhanging other end. In other words, the motor shaft has a cantilevered structure, as a result of which the motor shaft is susceptible to bending, owing not only to the forces acting on the motor shaft due to its own weight but also the reaction forces of the shaft and other components that the motor shaft is coupled to. As a result of all the load on the motor shaft, the motor shaft may undergo bending and a backlash or play may be introduced between the motor shaft and the shaft of the automatic pouring machine. In turn, due to the backlash/play, the motor shaft may be unable to effectively transfer the drive to the shaft of the automatic pouring machine. For example, in addition to the loss of drive, the shaft of the automatic pouring machine may exhibit a jerky motion owing to the play with the motor shaft. As a result, during the operation of the automatic pouring machine, spillage of the molten metal from the pourer may occur which not only leads to wastage of the material but also may be hazardous for the operators as well as the surrounding areas and materials.
[0008] The present subject matter discloses an automatic pouring machine
which seeks to address at least the above mentioned. According to an aspect of the present subject matter, the automatic pouring machine includes a motor having a motor shaft and at least one driven shaft that is operably coupled to the

motor shaft. In addition, the automatic pouring machine includes a gearbox through which a drive from the motor shaft is transferred to the driven shaft. According to said aspect, the motor shaft is supported on the gearbox, such that the motor shaft is not cantilevered with respect to the motor. In other words, the motor shaft does not overhang from the motor and is instead braced by the gearbox. In one example, to support the motor shaft, the gearbox is engaged with the motor shaft and the driven shaft is also engaged with the gear box to obtain the drive from the motor shaft through the gearbox.
[0009] In one example, the motor shaft is coupled to the motor at a first end
whereas, the motor shaft is supported by the gearbox in the proximity of a second end of the motor shaft. Accordingly, the motor shaft is supported at both ends, thus forming a structure that is dissimilar to cantilever beam or an overhanging beam. Thus, the motor shaft can operate over a considerable time without any backlash. As a result, the service life of the motor shaft can be considerably enhanced. Further, the jerky motion of the driven shaft can also be prevented, preventing spillage and wastage of molten metal.
[0010] According to an embodiment of the present subject matter, the
automatic pouring machine can include a primary arm which further supports a pourer, referred to as a ladle. The primary arm is capable of exhibiting a rotational motion. Accordingly, the primary arm can be mounted on the driven shaft which obtains the drive from the motor through the gear box. In accordance with the aspects discussed above, the motor shaft of the motor can be supported by the gear box so that it does not have a cantilevered overhang. As a result, the operation and movement of the primary arm is effective even over a continued period of operation.
[0011] According to another embodiment, the ladle of the automatic pouring
machine can be provided with a drive independent from the drive to the primary arm. Accordingly, in said embodiment, the automatic pouring machine can

include a ladle motor having a ladle shaft which can transmit the drive to the ladle through a ladle gear box, for example, to a ladle shaft of the ladle. In the same manner as discussed above, the ladle shaft of the ladle motor can be supported by the ladle gear box such that the ladle shaft does not have a cantilevered overhand and no play or backlash appears between the motor shaft and the ladle shaft.
[0012] According to the above discussed aspects of the present subject
matter, the motor shaft does not bear any weight or load during the course of operation. For instance, in the example above, the motor shaft is supported by the gearbox by being directly engaged with the gearbox to transmit the drive to the relevant driven shaft (primary shaft or ladle shaft, as the case may be), instead of being engaged directly with the shaft. As a result, in said example, the loads due to the driven shaft are borne by the gear box instead of the motor shaft. As a result, not only does the gear box support the motor shaft, it also mitigates the loads on the motor shaft due to the driven shaft.
[0013] The above aspects are further described in conjunction with the
figures, and in associated description below. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Therefore, various arrangements that encompass the principles of the present subject matter, although not explicitly described or shown herein, may be devised from the description and are included within its scope.
[0014] Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an automatic pouring
machine 100, in accordance with one implementation of the present subject matter. The automatic pouring machine 100 includes a motor 102 to drive a motor shaft (not shown) passing through the motor 102. The motor 102 can be electronically controlled according to the requirements. The motor shaft, according to the present embodiment, is in a vertical plane. A reaction force due to a mating part which is connected to the motor shaft in a vertical plane may

result in deformation of the motor shaft over a period of time. The motor shaft in proximity at one of the ends is connected to a gearbox 104. Accordingly, the motor shaft is supported at both ends, at one end by the motor 102 and at another end by the gearbox 104. Thus, the deformation of the motor shaft can be avoided due to the fact that the reaction forces that occur due to the mating part is now exerted on the gearbox 104 and not the motor shaft.
[0015] The gearbox 104, which may include a plurality of gears, is
configured to transmit the torque generated from the motor 102 to a driven shaft 106. A worm wheel (not shown) is connected to the driven shaft 106, where the worm wheel can be the last gear of the gearbox 104 connecting the gearbox 104 to the driven shaft 106. The driven shaft 106 is in a plane perpendicular to the motor shaft. According to the present embodiment, the driven shaft 106 is in a horizontal plane and is supported by a support weight 108 at one end. At another end, according to the present embodiment, the driven shaft 106 is connected to a primary arm 110
[0016] . Accordingly, the driven shaft 106 is supported at both the ends.
Further, the driven shaft 106 passes through the gearbox 104. Thus, the structure of the driven shaft 106 can be of a continuous beam type. Therefore, under constant load over a certain period of time, deformation of the driven shaft 106 can be inhibited. The driven shaft 106 is configured to drive the primary arm 110. The primary arm 110 is configured in a way such that a 300 degrees motion is possible.
[0017] The primary arm 110 is further connected to a secondary arm (not
shown) in a way that a relative motion is possible between the primary arm 110 and the secondary arm (not shown). A secondary arm drive sprocket 112 is connected to the driven shaft 106 through a first set of bearings (not shown). The secondary arm drive sprocket 112 is configured to provide a relative motion to the secondary arm with respect to the primary arm 110. As such, a separate motor

drive to drive the secondary arm is not required and the movement for secondary arm can be provided by the primary arm 110. The relative motion between the primary arm 110 and the secondary arm can be controlled by adjusting the number of teeth on the secondary arm drive sprocket 112.
[0018] A ladle motor 114 is configured to drive a ladle shaft (not shown),
where the ladle motor can be electronically controlled. A ladle gearbox 116 is configured to transmit the torque generated from the ladle motor 114 to a ladle (not shown). Thus, a first movement is provided to the ladle through the ladle gearbox 116 where the first movement of the ladle is independent of the movement of both the primary arm 110 and the secondary arm. The ladle is further connected to the primary arm 110 through the secondary arm. Thus, a second movement for the ladle is provided through the primary arm 110. A ladle drive sprocket 118 is connected with the secondary arm drive sprocket 112 through a second set of bearings (not shown). The ladle drive sprocket 118 is configured to provide the second movement for the ladle. The second movement of the ladle can be controlled by adjusting the number of teeth on the ladle drive sprocket 118. According to the present embodiment, the primary arm 110 and the secondary arm are arranged in a manner such that ladle is always in an upright position when molten is not being poured into a mold. The ladle includes two independent movements which enables the ladle to pour the molten metal in multiple positions. Further, the ladle is configured in a manner such that the ladle comes back to original position after the end of pouring operations.
[0019] In another embodiment, the ladle motor can be provided on the
secondary arm. Accordingly, the first movement of the ladle can be provided without the ladle gearbox 116.
[0020] Figure 3 illustrates a detailed sectional view of a coupling between
the motor shaft and the gearbox. In one example, the gearbox 116 can have a worm wheel 302 which obtains drive from the motor shaft which can be a

threaded worm according to an aspect of the invention. In one example, worm wheel 302 is mounted on gearbox shaft. A central axis of a gearbox shaft is illustrated in 304. In one example, a central axis 310 of a worm 308 is illustrated. 308 illustrates a cross section of a worm. At a point 306, the worm 308 engages with the worm wheel 302. Accordingly, the worm wheel 302 provides a reactionary support to the worm 308. As a result, structure of the worm 308 is not of a cantilever type and is supported by the worm wheel 302. In one example, the worm wheel 302 is one of the components included in the gearbox.
[0021] Although examples of the present subject matter have been described
in language specific to methods and/or structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not limited to the specific methods or features described. Rather, the methods and specific features are disclosed and explained as examples of the present subject matter described. Rather, the methods a specific feature are disclosed and explained as examples of the present subject matter.

I/We Claim:
1. An automatic pouring machine (100) for pouring molten metal, the
automatic pouring machine (100) comprising:
a motor (102) comprising of a motor shaft;
a driven shaft (106) to obtain a drive from the motor shaft; and,
a gearbox (104) to transmit the drive from the motor shaft to the driven
shaft (106); wherein
the gearbox (104) is configured to provide support to the motor shaft.
2. The automatic pouring machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor shaft is coupled to the motor (102) at a first end and in proximity of a second end is supported by the gearbox (104).
3. The automatic pouring machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein driven shaft (106) is configured to move a primary arm (110), wherein,
the primary arm (110) is connected to a secondary arm, which is further connected to a ladle, where the primary arm (110) is configured to move the ladle.
4. The automatic pouring machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gearbox (104) is selected according to the compatibility of the driven shaft (106).
5. The automatic pouring machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor (102) that is configured to drive the driven shaft (106) can be a servo motor.
6. The automatic pouring machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a ladle motor (114) can be configured to power the ladle, wherein the ladle motor (114) can be a servo motor.
7. The automatic pouring machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gear box (104) can be a helical gear box.

8. The automatic pouring machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a grease packed spindle assembly, compatible with the gearbox (104), is selected for the driven shaft (106).
9. The automatic pouring machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ladle is configured to return back to the starting position once pouring operation is complete.
10. The automatic pouring machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of bearings is configured to connect a secondary arm drive sprocket (112) and a ladle drive sprocket (118).
11. The automatic pouring machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of bearings is configured to connect a secondary arm drive sprocket (112) and the driven shaft (106).
12. The automatic pouring machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ladle is provided with two independent movements.
13. The automatic pouring machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein secondary arm drive sprocket (112) is configured to move the secondary arm and the ladle drive sprocket (118) is configured to move the ladle.
14. The automatic pouring machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grease packed spindle assembly is provided with oil seals.