MOLD FORMING APPARATUS

One form of mold forming apparatus includes a carriage mounting a flask, the carriage being movable horizontally between a mold forming position and a position adjacent a mold discharging station. In the mold forming position, the flask and a lower pattern plate form a mold chamber into which sand is deposited. The flask and lower pattern plate are then moved vertically to compress the sand against an upper pattern plate. After the mold is formed, the flask and lower pattern plate are returned to their initial position. The lower pattern plate is then lowered away from the flask and the flask is rotated ninety degrees. The carriage is then moved to the discharge station and a pusher element discharges the mold from the flask onto a support. In another form, a pair of horizontally movable carriages mount vertically movable flasks. Respective lower cope and drag pattern plates and the flasks are movable vertically upwardly to compress the sand and form molds. When returned, and the lower pattern plates are moved away from the flasks, the flasks are rotated ninety degrees. The flask carrying carriages are then moved toward the discharge station to butt the molds and thereby form the mold cavity and for discharge of the molds onto a support.