WO2001008872A1

WO2001008872A1 - Wax insert forming machine

Info

Publication number: WO2001008872A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/020301
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Edward Lang; Ledford Samuel Stults
Original assignee: Amcast Industrial Corp
Current assignee: Amcast Industrial Corp
Priority date: 1999-08-03
Filing date: 2000-07-26
Publication date: 2001-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 2002-02-03
Also published as: AU6494400A; WO2001008872B1

Abstract

A wax insert forming machine (10) is provided comprising liquid wax supply apparatus (20) having an outlet (20A) for providing liquid wax to be formed into one or more wax inserts (12), a forming wheel (35) positioned adjacent the liquid wax supply apparatus (20), and drive apparatus (40) effecting substantially continuous rotation of the wheel (35). The forming wheel (35) includes a plurality of cavities (36) spaced about an outer periphery of the forming wheel (35) and a plurality of discharge elements (50) extending into the cavities (36). Each of the cavities (36) receives a charge of the liquid wax as it passes adjacent to the supply apparatus outlet (20A) and the discharge elements (50) eject the wax charges after they have substantially solidified while in the cavities (36). The ejected wax charges comprise wax inserts (12).

Description

WAX INSERT FORMING MACHINE

This invention relates to an apparatus for forming wax inserts adapted for use in forming tubular components.

It is known to use wax inserts in forming tubular components such as metal T-shaped fittings. One known process for forming wax inserts involves providing one or more copper tubes having a length of about 36 inches. One end of each tube is closed and liquid wax is poured into the copper tubes and allowed to cool to form wax slugs. Upon cooling, the wax slugs are removed from the copper tubes and cut into discrete lengths with each cut length defining a wax insert. This manual operation is inefficient. It would be desirable if an apparatus were available for making wax inserts in a more efficient manner.

This need is met by the present invention wherein a forming machine is provided for making wax inserts adapted for use in forming tubular components. The machine is simple in construction, reliable, and efficient in operation. It is also capable of producing wax inserts at a high throughput rate, such as 600 wax inserts per hour.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a wax insert forming machine is provided comprising liquid wax supply apparatus having an outlet for providing liquid wax to be formed into one or more wax inserts, a forming wheel positioned adjacent the liquid wax supply apparatus and drive apparatus for effecting substantially continuous rotation of the wheel. The forming wheel includes a plurality of cavities spaced about an outer periphery of the wheel and a plurality of discharge elements extending into the cavities. Each of the cavities receives a charge of the liquid wax as it passes adjacent to the supply apparatus outlet. The discharge elements eject the wax charges after they have substantially solidified while in the cavities. The ejected wax charges comprise wax inserts. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, most of the cavities are spaced an equal distance apart about the outer periphery of the wheel. However, two of the cavities are separated by a solid outer peripheral portion devoid of any cavities. The solid outer peripheral portion preferably has a length equal to or greater than the length between center axes of two adjacent cavities. The drive apparatus includes a drive motor assembly and control apparatus. The drive motor assembly effects substantially continuous rotation of the forming wheel. The control apparatus controls the operation of the drive motor assembly such that the drive motor assembly effects substantially continuous rotation of the wheel until the wheel has made a predetermined number of rotations and the solid outer peripheral portion is positioned directly below the supply apparatus outlet.

The control apparatus preferably comprises: a first micro switch adapted to be actuated by a first flag on the wheel each time the wheel completes one rotation; a second micro switch adapted to be actuated by a second flag on the wheel when the solid outer peripheral portion of the wheel is positioned directly below the supply apparatus outlet; and a controller which effects continuous rotation of the wheel until the wheel has made a predetermined number of rotations and the solid outer peripheral portion is positioned directly below the supply apparatus outlet.

The liquid wax supply apparatus comprises a heated chamber adapted to receive solid wax and provide energy in the form of heat to the solid wax such that the solid wax is converted into liquid wax. The supply apparatus further includes a vessel coupled to the heated chamber for receiving the liquid wax from the heated chamber. The vessel discharges the liquid wax through an exit port, which defines the outlet of the supply apparatus. Also provided is a pressure applying device coupled to the vessel for applying pressure to the liquid wax in the vessel such that the liquid wax leaves the exit port under pressure.

Preferably, the wheel comprises a circular disk having a plurality of bores extending completely through the disk. The bores are spaced about the outer periphery of the disk and include sleeves which define the cavities.

The discharge elements may comprise pistons. Each of the pistons is located in one of the cavities and is movable between upper and lower positions.

The supply apparatus outlet is positioned at a wax supply station. A plunger also is located at the wax supply station. The plunger causes each of the pistons to be positioned in its upper position when at the wax supply station before liquid wax is received by its corresponding cavity and permits each of the pistons to move to its lower position as a charge of the liquid wax is received by its corresponding cavity. The plunger may comprise a spring- biased piston.

The wax insert forming machine further comprises a ramp along which the pistons move after the wax charges have substantially solidified causing the pistons to move to their upper positions so as to eject the wax charges from the cavities.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a wax insert forming machine is provided comprising liquid wax supply apparatus having an outlet for providing liquid wax to be formed into one or more wax inserts, a forming wheel positioned adjacent the supply apparatus, a plunger, and drive apparatus for effecting rotation of the wheel. The forming wheel includes a plurality of cavities spaced about an outer periphery of the wheel and a plurality of discharge elements located in the cavities. The discharge elements are movable between upper and lower positions. Each of the cavities receives a charge of the liquid wax as it passes adjacent to the supply apparatus outlet. The plunger causes each of the discharge elements to be located in its upper position just before its corresponding cavity receives a charge of the liquid wax and allows each of the discharge elements to move to its lower position as a charge of the liquid wax is received in its corresponding cavity. The discharge elements eject the wax charges after they have substantially solidified while in the cavities. The ejected wax charges comprise wax inserts.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a wax insert forming machine is provided comprising liquid wax supply apparatus having an outlet for providing liquid wax to be formed into one or more wax inserts, a forming wheel positioned adjacent the supply apparatus, a ramp, and drive apparatus for effecting rotation of the wheel. The forming wheel includes a plurality of cavities spaced about an outer periphery of the wheel and a plurality of discharge elements located in the cavities. The discharge elements are movable between upper and lower positions. Each of the cavities receives a charge of the liquid wax as it passes adjacent to the supply apparatus outlet. The discharge elements travel along the ramp after the wax charges have substantially solidified causing the discharge elements to move to their upper positions so as to eject the wax charges from the cavities. The ejected wax charges comprise wax inserts. Fig 1 is a side view of a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Fig 1 A is a perspective view of a wax insert formed by the machine illustrated in Fig

1 , Fig 2 is a plan view of the machine illustrated in Fig 1 with some elements removed and other elements illustrated in phantom taken along the view line 2-2 in Fig 1 ,

Fig 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the forming wheel, a stationary plate and the dπve apparatus taken along the section line 3-3 in Fig 2, Fig 4 is a view taken along section line 4-4 in Fig 3, Fig 5 is a side view, partially in cross section, of the wax supply station of the apparatus illustrated in Fig 1 , and

Fig 6 is a side view, partially in cross section, of the wax supply station with the solid outer peπpheral portion of the forming wheel positioned below the supply apparatus outlet

A wax insert forming machine 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated m Fig 1 It compπses liquid wax supply apparatus 20 having an outlet 20A, see Figs 5 and 6, for providing liquid wax to be formed into one or more wax inserts 12 The forming machine 10 further includes a forming wheel 35 positioned below the liquid wax supply apparatus 20, drive apparatus 40 for effecting substantially continuous rotation of the forming wheel 35, and a frame 48 for supporting the supply apparatus 20, the forming wheel 35 and the dπve apparatus 40 The forming wheel 35 includes a plurality of cavities 36 spaced about an outer peπphery 35A of the wheel 35, see Fig 2 Each cavity 36 receives a charge of the liquid wax as it passes under the supply apparatus outlet 20A A discharge element 50, see Figs 5 and 6, is provided in each cavity 36 The discharge elements 50 function to eject wax charges after they have substantially solidified while in the cavities 36 The ejected wax charges compπse wax inserts 12

In the illustrated embodiment, the wax inserts 12 are generally cyhndπcal in shape, see Fig 1 A They may have a length L between about 5 inches and 1 125 inches and a diameter of between about 125 inches and 1 125 inches It is also contemplated that the inserts 12 may be formed having any other geometπc shape The liquid wax supply apparatus 20 comprises a chamber 22 and a vessel 23, both of which are mounted to the frame 48, see Fig 1 A fiberglass batt 22A is wrapped about a lower portion of the chamber 22 to insulate same A conduit 24 is coupled between the chamber 22 and the vessel 23 to allow liquid wax to move from the chamber 22 to the vessel 23 In the illustrated embodiment, the chamber 22, the vessel 23 and the conduit 24 are formed from copper

A plurality of resistive heaters 25A-25D are mounted against outer surfaces of the chamber 22, the vessel 23 and the conduit 24 by bands 25E Four of the bands 25E also mount two thermocouples 25F and 25G against the outer surface of the chamber 22 and two thermocouples 25H and 251 against the outer surface of the vessel 23 The heaters 25A-25D transfer energy in the form of heat to the chamber 22, the vessel 23 and the conduit 24 Operation of the heaters 25A-25D is controlled via first, second, third and fourth controllers 26A-26D As is illustrated in Fig 1 , the heaters 25 A and the thermocouple 25F are coupled to the first controller 26A, the heaters 25B and the thermocouple 25G are coupled to the second controller 26B, the heaters 25C and the thermocouple 25H are coupled to the third controller 26C, and the heater 25D and the thermocouple 251 are coupled to the fourth controller 26D

A stationary plate 52 having a bore 52A is provided below the vessel 23 The plate 52 is coupled to the vessel 23 just outside of the bore 52A via bolts 53, see Fig 5 The bore 52A is centered below an exit port 23 A of the vessel 23 which defines the supply apparatus outlet 20A The bore 52A and the exit port 23A are located at a wax supply station 90 A plurality of cartridge heaters 25 J extend into the stationary plate 52 and are positioned about the bore 52A, see Figs 5 and 6 The cartridge heaters 25J are also coupled to the fourth controller 26D

Output signals generated by the thermocouples 25F, 25G, 25H and 251 are provided to the controllers 26A-26D and are indicative of the surface temperatures of the chamber 22 and the vessel 23 Based upon the signals generated by the thermocouples 25F, 25G, 25H and 251, the controllers 26A-26D control the operation of the heaters 25A-25D so as to maintain the temperature of the chamber 22 and the vessel 23 within a desired range Preferably, the temperatures of the chamber 22, the vessel 23, the conduit 24 and the stationary plate portion defining the inner wall of the bore 52 A are maintained so that the temperature of the wax exiting the supply apparatus outlet 20A and the bore 52 A is within a range of between about 275°F and about 300°F and, more preferably, between about 280°F and about 290°F.

While not shown in the illustrated embodiment, it is contemplated that additional thermocouples may be coupled to the conduit 24 and the stationary plate 52. 5 Solid bricks 12A of a standard wax, such as "File A Blue Wax", are manually inserted into the chamber 22 through a top opening 22B in the chamber 22. The bricks 12A are melted to a liquid state while in the chamber 22.

A piston/cylinder unit 30 and a vessel piston 32B are provided for applying pressure to the liquid wax 12B in the vessel 23 so as to force the wax out of the supply apparatus outlet

10 20A. The piston cylinder unit 30 comprises a cylinder 30A and a piston 30B having a rod portion 30C. A manually operable valve 34 is provided for effecting movement of the piston 30B within the cylinder 30A. The vessel piston 32B includes a head portion 32C and a rod portion 32D. The rod portions 30C and 32D of the pistons 30B and 32B are coupled to one another such that movement of piston 30B effects movement of piston 32B. When the piston

15 32B is in its uppermost position, as illustrated in Fig. 1 , liquid wax is permitted to move via gravity from chamber 22 through conduit 24 into vessel 23. As the piston 32B is moved downwardly via operation of the valve 34, the head portion 32C closes off an outlet 24A of the conduit 24 so as to prevent further liquid wax 12B from moving into the vessel 23. Once all of the liquid wax 12A has been forced out of the vessel 23 by the piston 32B, an operator moves

20 the piston 32B to its uppermost position via the valve 34 so as to allow additional liquid wax to enter the vessel 23.

In the illustrated embodiment, the wheel 35 comprises an upper disk 35B and a lower disk 35C which are coupled together by bolts 35D, see Fig. 4. The upper disk 35B is provided with a plurality of bores 35E which extend completely through the disk 35B. Provided within

25 those bores 35E are sleeves 35F which receive the discharge elements 50, pistons in the illustrated embodiment. The discharge elements 50 extend through an opening 35G in a base portion of the sleeves 35F, see Fig. 5. The discharge elements 50 are capable of reciprocating within the sleeves 35F between upper and lower positions. The sleeves 35F define the cavities As illustrated in Fig. 2, all of the cavities 36, save cavities 36A and 36B, are spaced an equal distance apart about the outer periphery 35A of the wheel 35. Cavities 36A and 36B are separated by a solid outer peripheral portion 37 devoid of any cavities. In the illustrated embodiment, the solid outer peripheral portion 37 has a length equal to or greater than the length between center axes of two adjacent cavities 36. Alternatively, it may have a length equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of a cavity 36.

The drive apparatus 40 includes a drive motor assembly 60 and control apparatus 80. The drive motor assembly 60 comprises a conventional DC motor 62 coupled to a conventional gear reducer 64. An output shaft 66 of the gear reducer 64 includes a main body portion 66A and a flange portion 66B which is integral with the main body portion 66A, see Figs. 3 and 4. The shaft 66 extends through a hub 70 which is coupled to the flange portion 66B via bolts 66D and is threadedly received in an opening in the lower disk 35C of the wheel 35. The shaft 66 also extends through the upper and lower disks 35B and 35C of the wheel 35, a bearing 56 coupled between the plate 52 and the upper disk 35B, and a thrust bearing 57 provided in an opening 52B in the stationary plate 52. The shaft 66 further includes an intermediate threaded portion 66C which receives a nut 66D. Washers 69 are provided between the nut 66D and an upper surface of the stationary plate 52 to allow the nut 66D to rotate with the shaft 66 and relative to the plate 52. When the nut 66D is tightened, the hub 70, the upper and lower disks 35B and 35C and the nut 66D rotate with the shaft 66. The control apparatus 80 operates the drive motor assembly 60 such that the drive assembly 60 effects continuous rotation of the wheel 35 until the vessel 23 is in need of refilling with liquid wax. The control apparatus 80 further operates the drive assembly 60 such that the wheel 35 is stopped to allow vessel refilling only when the wheel's solid outer peripheral portion 37 is positioned directly below the supply apparatus outlet 20A. The solid portion 37 acts as a seal to the bore 52 A in the stationary plate 52 to prevent wax material from moving through the bore 52A during the liquid wax refilling operation.

The control apparatus 80 comprises a first micro switch 82 actuated by a first flag 84 on the wheel 35 each time the wheel 35 completes one complete rotation and a second micro switch 86 actuated by a second flag 88 on the wheel 35 when the solid outer peripheral portion 52A, see Fig. 6. A controller 89 is also provided and is coupled to the micro switches 82 and 86 and the drive motor assembly 60. Each time the micro switches 82 and 86 are actuated by the flags 84 and 88, they generate signals which are received by the controller 89. The controller 89, in turn, generates signals to the drive motor assembly 60 to control its operation. More specifically, the controller 89 effects continuous rotation of the wheel 35 until the wheel 35 has completed a predetermined number of rotations, i.e., until the vessel 23 is almost completely empty of liquid wax, and the solid outer peripheral portion 37 of the wheel 35 is positioned directly below the supply apparatus outlet 20A and the bore 52A. Hence, if the wheel 35 can be rotated three times before the vessel 23 discharges all of its liquid wax, the controller 89 will operate the wheel 35 until the first micro switch 82 is actuated three times and, after the third actuation of the micro switch 82, the wheel 35 is stopped upon the next actuation of the second micro switch 86. Once the vessel 23 has been refilled with liquid wax material, the operator initiates operation of the drive motor assembly 60 via the controller 89. Fluid cooling apparatus 71 is provided for cooling the wheel 35, see Figs. 3 and 4. The apparatus 71 includes upper and lower coupling housings 72 and 74 provided between the flange portion 66B of the shaft 66 and a lower surface of the lower disk 35C. The housings 72 and 74 are positioned about the hub 70 and do not rotate with the shaft 66 or the hub 70. A conduit (not shown) is coupled to an inlet 72A of the upper housing 72 for providing a cooled fluid (e.g., water) to the housing 72. A second conduit (not shown) is coupled to an outlet 74A of the lower housing 74 for receiving water warmed by the wheel 35 during its movement through the wheel 35. The second conduit is also coupled to a cooling tower or like device which receives the warmed water and cools same prior to the water being recirculated through the wheel 35.

The first housing 72 includes inner and outer circular channels 72B and bores 72C which extend between the channels 72B. The second housing 74 includes inner and outer circular channels 74B and bores 74C which extend between the channels 74B. Water flows into the upper housing inlet 72A, through the channels 72B and the bores 72C and into a first passage 70A provided in the rotatable hub 70. From the passage 70A, the water moves through a first passageway 35 J in the wheel 35, into a channel 35K extending about the outer periphery of the wheel 35 and exits the wheel 35 through a second passageway 35L, see Figs. 2 and 4 As the water travels through the wheel 35 it cools the wheel 35 The water leaving the wheel 35 is received in a second passage 70B provided in the hub 70 From that passage 70B, the water passes through the inner and outer channels 74B and the bores 74C in the second housing 74 before exiting through the outlet 74A As the cavities 36 pass beneath the bore 52A in the stationary plate 52, they are filled with liquid wax To minimize the amount of air that is received m the cavities 36 as the liquid wax fills the cavities 36, each discharge element 50 is initially positioned in its "up" position when at the wax supply station 90, see Fig 5 A plunger 80 is provided for maintaining each discharge element 50 in its "up" position when initially at the wax supply station 90, see Figs 5 and 6 The plunger 80 is positioned below the wheel 35 and is movable relative to frame member 54 It is biased in an "up" position via a tension spπng 82, see Fig 5 As wax is received in a cavity 36, the pressure of the wax and the weight of the liquid wax and the discharge element 50 causes the plunger 80 to move downwardly against the upward bias force of the spπng 82 The "down" position of a discharge element 50 is shown in phantom in Fig 5

Because the wheel 35 is water cooled, the charges of liquid wax delivered to the cavities 36 quickly solidify as the cavities 36 move from the supply station 90 to a discharge station 92, see Fig 2 A ramp 95 is provided pπor to the discharge station 92, see Fig 1 The discharge elements 50 move along the ramp 95 as the wheel 35 rotates from a point A to the discharge station 92 causing the discharge elements 50 to move to their "up" positions As the discharge elements 50 move upward, the solidified wax charges are ejected from the cavities 36 Duπng further movement of the wheel 35, the ejected solidified charges, which define the wax inserts 12, engage a side edge 52A of the stationary plate 52 and are forced off the discharge elements 50 and onto a delivery ramp 100 for collection for subsequent use in forming tubular components A process and apparatus for forming tubular components using wax inserts 12 is set out in commonly assigned, copending patent application, U S Seπal No 09/251,687, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference

A pair of roller beaπng assemblies 1 10 are coupled to the stationary plate 52 and engage the wheel 35 at locations opposite from the supply station 90, see Figs 2 and 4 Each roller beaπng assembly 110 includes a shaft 1 12 connected to a roller beaπng 1 14 The shaft 1 12 is coupled to a support 1 16 via a pair of bolts 1 16A and 1 16B The support 1 16, in turn, is coupled to the plate 52 The roller bearing assemblies 1 10 apply downward forces to the wheel 35 to counter balance forces applied by pressurized liquid wax engaging the wheel 35 at the filling station 90 so as to minimize the gap between the wheel 35 and the stationary plate 52

Claims

1 A wax insert forming machine compπsing liquid wax supply apparatus having an outlet for providing liquid wax to be formed into one or more wax inserts, a forming wheel positioned adjacent said liquid wax supply apparatus and including a plurality of cavities spaced about an outer periphery of said forming wheel and a plurality of discharge elements extending into said cavities, each of said cavities receiving a charge of the liquid wax as it passes adjacent to said supply apparatus outlet and said discharge elements ejecting the wax charges after they have substantially solidified while in said cavities, said ejected wax charges compπsing wax inserts, and dπve apparatus effecting substantially continuous rotation of said wheel

2 A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 1 , wherein most of said cavities are spaced an equal distance apart about the outer peπphery of said wheel and two of said cavities are separated by a solid outer peπpheral portion devoid of any cavities, said solid outer peπpheral portion having a length equal to or greater than the length between center axes of two adjacent cavities

3 A wax insert forming machine as set forth m claim 2, wherein said dπve apparatus includes a drive motor assembly and control apparatus, said dπve motor assembly effecting substantially continuous rotation of said forming wheel and said control apparatus controlling the operation of said dπve motor assembly such that said drive motor assembly effects substantially continuous rotation of said wheel until said wheel has made a predetermined number of rotations and said solid outer peπpheral portion is positioned directly below said supply apparatus outlet

4. A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 3, wherein said control apparatus comprises: a first micro switch adapted to be actuated by a first flag on said wheel each time said wheel completes one rotation; a second micro switch adapted to be actuated by a second flag on said wheel when said solid outer peripheral portion of said wheel is positioned directly below said supply apparatus outlet; and a controller which effects continuous rotation of said wheel until said wheel has made a predetermined number of rotations and said solid outer peripheral portion is positioned directly below said supply apparatus outlet.

5. A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said liquid wax supply apparatus comprises: a heated chamber adapted to receive solid wax and provide energy in the form of heat to said solid wax such that said solid wax is converted into liquid wax; a vessel coupled to said heated chamber for receiving the liquid wax from said heated chamber and discharging the liquid wax through an exit port, said exit port defining said outlet of said supply apparatus; and a pressure applying device coupled to said vessel for applying pressure to the liquid wax in said vessel such that the liquid wax leaves said exit port under pressure.

6. A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said wheel comprises a circular disk having a plurality of bores extending completely through said disk, said bores being spaced about the outer periphery of said disk and including sleeves which define said plurality of cavities.

7. A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said discharge elements comprise pistons, each of said pistons being located in one of said cavities and being movable between upper and lower positions.

8. A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein said supply apparatus outlet is positioned at a wax supply station and further including a plunger located at said wax supply station, said plunger causing each of said pistons to be positioned in its upper position when at said wax supply station before liquid wax is received by its corresponding cavity and permitting each of said pistons to move to its lower position as a charge of the liquid wax is received by its corresponding cavity.

9. A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein said plunger comprises a spring-biased piston.

10. A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a ramp along which said pistons move after the wax charges have substantially solidified causing said pistons to move to their upper positions so as to eject the wax charges from said cavities.

11. A wax insert forming machine comprising: liquid wax supply apparatus having an outlet for providing liquid wax to be formed into one or more wax inserts; a forming wheel positioned adjacent said supply apparatus and including a plurality of cavities spaced about an outer periphery of said wheel and a plurality of discharge elements located in said cavities, said discharge elements being movable between upper and lower positions, each of said cavities receiving a charge of the liquid wax as it passes adjacent to said supply apparatus outlet and said discharge elements ejecting the wax charges after they have substantially solidified while in said cavities, said ejected wax charges comprising wax inserts; a plunger for causing each of said discharge elements to be located in its upper position just before its corresponding cavity receives a charge of the liquid wax and allowing each of said discharge elements to move to its lower position as a charge of the liquid wax is received in its corresponding cavity; and drive apparatus effecting rotation of said wheel.

12. A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 1 1 , wherein most of said plurality of cavities are spaced an equal distance apart from one another about the outer periphery of said wheel, and said wheel further including a solid outer peripheral portion devoid of any cavities, said solid outer peripheral portion having a length equal to or greater than the length between center axes of two adjacent cavities.

13. A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 12, wherein said drive apparatus includes a drive motor assembly and control apparatus, said drive motor assembly effecting substantially continuous rotation of said forming wheel and said control apparatus controlling the operation of said drive motor assembly such that said drive motor assembly effects substantially continuous rotation of said wheel until said wheel has made a predetermined number of rotations and said solid outer peripheral portion is positioned directly below said supply apparatus outlet.

14. A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein said control apparatus comprises: a first micro switch adapted to be actuated by a first flag on said wheel each time said wheel completes one rotation; a second micro switch adapted to be actuated by a second flag on said wheel when said solid outer peripheral portion of said wheel is positioned directly below said supply apparatus outlet; and a controller which effects continuous rotation of said wheel until said wheel has made a predetermined number of rotations and said solid outer peripheral portion is positioned directly below said supply apparatus outlet.

15 A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 1 1 , wherein said liquid wax supply apparatus comprises a heated chamber adapted to receive solid wax and provide energy in the form of heat to said solid wax such that said solid wax is converted into liquid wax, a vessel coupled to said heated chamber for receiving the liquid wax from said heated chamber and discharging the liquid wax through an exit port, said exit port defining said outlet of said supply apparatus, and a pressure applying device coupled to said vessel for applying pressure to the liquid wax in said vessel such that the liquid wax leaves said exit port under pressure

16 A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein said wheel compπses a circular disk having a plurality of bores extending completely through said disk, said bores being spaced about the outer peπphery of said disk and include sleeves which define said plurality of cavities

17 A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein said discharge elements compπse pistons, each of said pistons being located in one of said cavities

18 A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 17, further comprising a ramp along which said pistons move after said wax charges have substantially solidified causing said pistons to move to their upper positions so as to eject said wax charges from said cavities

19 A wax insert forming machine compπsing liquid wax supply apparatus having an outlet for providing liquid wax to be formed into one or more wax inserts, a forming wheel positioned adjacent said supply apparatus and including a plurality of cavities spaced about an outer peπphery of said wheel and a plurality of discharge elements located in said cavities, said discharge elements being movable between upper and lower positions, each of said cavities receiving a charge of the liquid wax as it passes adjacent to said supply apparatus outlet and said discharge elements ejecting the wax charges after they have substantially solidified while in said cavities, said ejected wax charges comprising wax inserts; a ramp along which said discharge elements move after said wax charges have substantially solidified causing said discharge elements to move to their upper positions so as to eject said wax charges from said cavities; and drive apparatus effecting rotation of said wheel.

20. A wax insert forming machine as set forth in claim 19, wherein said discharge elements comprise pistons, each of said pistons being located in one of said cavities.