METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INDEXING MOULDS

A method of indexing moulds uses a flaskless moulding machine for forming moulds and a mould conveyor for carrying, and advancing a mould string produced from a plurality of the moulds received by the mould conveyor from the flaskless moulding machine. The method comprises: (i) forming one or more moulds one at a time using the flaskless moulding machine, each of the one or more moulds being added to the mould string while the mould string is stationary by being brought Into contact with the mould string, subsequently to being produced by the flaskless moulding machine. Once the one or more moulds has been produced and added to the mould string, the method continues in step (ii) by advancing the mould siring, in a single motion, away from the flaskless moulding machine a distance corresponding to the sum of the thicknesses of the one or more moulds using the mould conveyor, wherein the flaskless moulding machine assists the mould conveyor in advancing the mould string during a first part of the distance, and wherein the mould conveyor advances the mould string a second part of the distance, corresponding to the remainder of the distance, without assistance from the flaskless moulding machine. The single motion is continuous. A system for indexing moulds is also provided.