EP1270114B1 - Low pressure casting machine and mould therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

Low pressure mold casting device comprises a casting station (1) and working stations (8, 9, 10). A clamping unit (2) for receiving a mold (3) having a coupling element (17) is assigned to the casting station. The clamping unit holds the mold halves together during casting. A gripping and transporting system (5) is also included for receiving the mold by gripping the coupling element and for transporting the mold between the working stations. An Independent claim is also included for the mold used in the casting device. Preferably the casting station has a melting oven (4). The mold has a code for identifying the casting mold.

Description

The invention relates to a low-pressure Kokillengiessanlage according to claim 1 and a mold for it with the Features of claim 13.

Low-pressure chill casting plants are made, for example CH 690 356 and EP-A 0 824 983. at known plants are the molds firmly in Handling units (manipulators) clamped. These are in turn stuck with a transport device Connected to the molds from a workstation to next moves. The whole workflow is extensive automated. Because in the casting station by the rising liquid metal a high pressure from the inside up the mold is exercised, the manipulator has big Apply forces, so that both mold halves when pouring lie on each other and no edges on the casting be generated. The manipulator is therefore an expense the necessary closing force a big weight that far exceeds the weight of the mold. These Mass must be from the transport device under appropriate Energy and time required to and in the other Workstations, in particular the removal station, the Cooling and finishing station and the core insertion station, to be moved. In addition to the high inertia of the system through the big masses is the lack of flexibility in Changing the mold or the mold another disadvantage known plants. The mold must be under appropriate Installation effort to be removed by manipulator.

The invention is based on the object Low-pressure mold casting machine and a mold for it specify, in which avoided the disadvantages mentioned which is mechanically simple in construction and in which a high flexibility with regard to the used Molds and participating workstations at fast, running under reduced energy expenditure Workflows is achieved.

The task is solved by a low pressure die casting machine with the features of claim 1 and by a set of molds therefor having the features of claim 13. Advantageous developments of the invention result arising from the dependent claims, the description and the drawing.

In a low-pressure Kokillengiessanlage with at least a casting station and at least one other Workstation according to the invention of the casting station Clamping unit for receiving a mold with coupling elements assigned, which the Kokillenhälften during of casting. Furthermore, a gripping and Transport system available, which is used to hold the mold by attacking the coupling elements and the Transport of the mold between the other workstation and the casting station or other workstations, wherein the mold at the casting station to the clamping unit transferred or taken over by this.

The inventive mold has one of the actual Molded base body and related Coupling elements, which are arranged such that the maximum spatial dimensions of the mold at least in a spatial direction independent of the size of the Are basic body. Preferably, each mold half at least one coupling element of a predetermined shape and size is assigned, the spatial position of the two Kokillenhälften associated coupling elements relative to each other regardless of the size of the Basic body is. This allows the mold halves through Attacking the coupling elements held together or moved apart as needed. The Clamping unit and the other recording units can with be equipped with a uniform gripping system, which the manipulation of the mold in the desired Way, e.g. Compression while casting, Pulling apart and pivoting for cooling etc.

According to the invention, the molds are therefore not firmly in clamped a manipulator, but as such between and moved in each station. In the casting station becomes the necessary closing force through the clamping unit not spent between the workstations is moved and the mold only in the area of Casting station preferably suitable and in a clamping manner receives. Because the mold is independent of the mold has uniform outer dimensions, e.g. at least a predetermined thickness, the clamping unit in essential to be made of one piece, in which the Mold is used and, as necessary, under relatively little effort is clamped. The Clamping unit does not have to be moved, but can in a fixed spatial position relative to the furnace are located. By means of the gripping and transport system is the Mold inserted into the clamping unit and out again this removed. When transporting itself no need great forces to hold the mold halves together be spent. The gripping and transport system can Therefore, for example, a very light gripping and Have driving unit, the mold halves only slightly successive presses. If the mold as in a advantageous embodiment of the invention Locking system for holding the mold halves together has, needs the gripping and transport system itself to expend no corresponding closing force. As gripping and transport system, for example, a robot be used. The gripping and transport system must overall less massive than in the case of use the usual manipulators, since lower masses have to be moved. It is therefore structurally easier and cheaper.

The inventive system can because of the waiver a common, all stations approaching handling unit This will be completely modular In addition, the flexibility of the plant increases, because at If required, additional workstations can be added or be modified. The workstations are merely connected by the gripping and transport system, the in turn can be modular, For example, by adding several workstations having connecting linear conveyor.

By the coupling elements regardless of the shape and size of the actual body of the mold always must be in the same place relative to each other, too the gripping and transport system not to different Mold shapes are adjusted. A quick change of mold is possible.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention also the other workstations a recording unit on, which are able to absorb the mold in such a way that the mold halves for editing in the Workstation to be moved in a predetermined manner can. For example, the Kokillenhälften in the Kerneinlegestation and in the withdrawal station open and in the cooling and finishing station additionally in one Soaking bath submerged. By the standardized Coupling elements is also without constructive Changes to the recording units a faster Change between different molds possible.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention have the molds are a coding which determines the mold type, e.g. the Mold, indicates. This is done by means of suitable reading units read out at the individual stations and via transmits a corresponding signal to a system control, which can be central or local. The system control provides the workstation with the necessary data to control the work process. For example, in the casting station a predetermined Pressure curve, i. the time-dependent pressure curve, set, which is adapted to the shape of the casting. In the cooling and finishing station, for example, a predetermined, dependent on the mold time cooled. In a cleaning station, for example, cleaning nozzles depending on the mold moved over the open mold. The coding is preferably mechanical, e.g. a Arrangement of pens, but can be done in other ways be realized, e.g. through a barcode or a Disk. A robust mechanical coding can also when used under the prevailing during casting little clean operating conditions are reliably read.

Preferably, each workstation is a local one Control unit assigned to the local work processes controls. The relevant process data are preferably entered at a central control unit and from the queried local control unit.

In order to use the entire system well, the processes are on the individual workstations and the transport between preferably synchronized to the stations, wherein at Each station is a mold. It is, however possible to take individual dies out of the cycle, if fewer castings are to be produced overall.

Fig. 1

eine Aufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemässe Anlage;

Fig. 2a,b

eine erfindungsgemässe Giessstation in Seitenansicht bzw. Aufsicht;

Fig. 3a-c

eine erfindungsgemässe Entnahme- und Reinigungsstation in verschiedenen Ansichten;

Fig. 4a,b

eine erfindungsgemässe Kühl- und Schlichtstation mit Kerneinlegestation in Seitenansicht bzw. Aufsicht;

Fig. 5

einen Ausschnitt aus einem erfindungsgemässen Greif- und Transportsystem;

Fig. 6a-c

eine erfindungsgemässe Kokille in verschiedenen Ansichten;

Fig. 7a-c

die Ankopplung einer erfindungsgemässen Kokille an das Greif- und Transportsystem in verschiedenen Ansichten.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described below. It shows purely schematically:

Fig. 1

a view of an inventive system;

Fig. 2a, b

a casting station according to the invention in side view or top view;

Fig. 3a-c

an inventive extraction and cleaning station in different views;

Fig. 4a, b

an inventive cooling and finishing station with core insertion station in side view and supervision;

Fig. 5

a detail of an inventive gripping and transport system;

Fig. 6a-c

an inventive mold in different views;

Fig. 7a-c

the coupling of a mold according to the invention to the gripping and transport system in various views.

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of an inventive Low-pressure die casting plant with a casting station 1, a removal and cleaning station 8, a mold exchange station 9, a cooling and finishing station with Kerneinlegestation 10 and a gripping and transport system 5. The gripping and transport system 5 comprises three in shape a triangle arranged linear conveyor 7, the molds 3 between the individual stations 1, 8, 9, 10 back and herfördern. The molds 3 have for this purpose coupling elements 17, which are shown in detail in the other figures and where the gripping and driving units 6 of the linear conveyor 7 attack. At the workstations 1, 8, 9, 10 The molds 3 are each from a receiving unit 2, 26, 33 recorded, of which only the clamping unit. 2 the casting station 1 is shown. The inventive Low pressure die casting machine is completely modular built up. In the Kokillenwechselstation 9 can on easy way the dies 3 are changed by a mold with a first mold of a gripping and driving unit 6 of the conveyor system released and a another mold is taken with a second mold. Due to the uniform coupling elements for all molds 17 are no adjustments to the gripping and Driving unit 6 necessary.

FIGS. 2a, b show a casting station 1 according to the invention Side view or top view. It includes in itself Known manner one held in a furnace rack 16 Melting furnace 4, which are fed via a feed 11 can. According to the invention, the casting station 1 is a Clamping unit 2 associated with a mold 3 with predetermined Dimensions, in particular with a predetermined Width, fit to accommodate. The Clamping unit 2 consists of a rectangular, closed frame 2a, in its interior having undercut gripping elements 15. By in each case a gripping element 15 and the frame 2 a formed Opening serves to receive the coupling elements 17th In this case, the mold 3 from above into the clamping unit. 2 introduced. By the coupling elements 17 always on the same place in the room or here have a predetermined distance from each other, the clear width of the clamping unit 2 corresponds, can Molds with different molds in the Clamping unit 2 are introduced and held there. each Coupling element 17 includes a parallel to Base 30 aligned lateral plate 18, the of the gripping elements 15 is held, and connecting Pins 19. The length of the pins is determined by the thickness of the pins Base body 30 adapted so that the distance of the Plates 18 for all dies 3 is the same. For mounting the mold 3 suitable and in a clamping manner additionally clamping elements may be provided, which are the mold 3 after insertion in the clamping unit 2 brace, e.g. in each case by a pair of gripper elements 15 perpendicular or parallel to the median plane of the mold 3 be moved towards each other. By the clamping unit 2 become the separate mold halves 3a, 3b held pressed together during the casting process.

The clamping unit 2 is on a vertically oriented Rotary column 12 is attached and can be used to hold a mold pivoted by the transport system about a vertical axis and for placing the mold on the riser 13 of the furnace 4 by means of a vertical driving cylinder 14 in be moved in the vertical direction.

Fig. 3a-c show an inventive sampling and Cleaning station 8 in view from the side perpendicular to Transport direction (Fig. 3a), from above (Fig. 3b) and the side in the transport direction (Fig. 3c). The removal and Cleaning station 8 has a housing 8a with an opening 21, during the cleaning process with a door 22 can be closed. In the station 8 is a Receiving unit 26 present, for molds 3 from above is accessible. The receiving unit 26 has gripping elements 27, which like those in connection with the clamping unit. 2 described gripping elements 15 are formed and also on the side plates 18 of the coupling elements 17 of the molds attack 3. The in transport direction Seen distance of the gripping elements 27 is here changeable, so that the two Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b for Remove the casting and pull it apart for cleaning can be (dashed line of the Mold half 3b '). The opening and closing movement the receiving unit 26 is caused by cylinder 24.

Guide rods 28 serve to guide the Coupling elements 17 in the horizontal direction in the Recording unit 26. An ejection cylinder 25 is used for Move one in Fig. 6a-c shown in detail Exhaust plate 42, with the finished castings 29 from the mold can be loosened, making it a picking unit 31 can take over. After the removal becomes one Cleaning nozzle 20 through the open mold parts 3a, 3b moves, including a guide 32 and a corresponding Drive is available. The movement of the nozzle 20 can in Depending on the mold to be controlled. The Station 8 further comprises a jet unit 23.

Fig. 4a, b show an inventive cooling and Finishing station 10 with a core insertion station in side view or supervision. The mold 3 is located in a receiving unit 33 of this station. The gripping elements 34 are designed essentially the same as that of Casting station 1 or cleaning station 8 and grab again at the coupling elements 17 of the mold halves 3a, 3b. The gripping elements 34 move to Opening the mold 3 apart (shown in dashed lines) and pivot about a horizontal axis D1, D1 'around the Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b in the cooling and sizing bath 35th immerse. After swinging back to the starting position pivoted with vertical Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b the entire receiving unit 33 by a further horizontal Axis D2 (further dashed line position). In this position, the cores are on the lower Kokillenhälfte 3a laid, the mold 3 is closed, the receiving unit 33 pivoted back and the mold 3 with the Gripping and transport system in the vertical direction taken.

Fig. 5 shows a section of an inventive Gripping and transport system 5. On a linear conveyor 7 is a carriage 36 in a horizontal direction on one Moving rail movable. A gripping and driving unit 6 is with the carriage 36 via a vertical rod 37th connected. The distance between the gripping and driving unit 6 and the conveyor rail can by means of a geeignenten Drive be adjusted. The gripping and driving unit 6 has four gripping elements 43 which are connected to the coupling elements 17 of the dies 3 attack and in Fig. 7a-c are shown in more detail. The gripping and transport system 5 only has to carry the weight of the mold 3 and therefore can very light compared to conventional systems become.

Fig. 6a-c show an inventive mold 3 in different views. The mold 3 consists of two separable Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b, by external Pressure and if necessary in addition by an internal Locking system (not shown here) held together become. The main body 30 of the mold 3 forms the actual mold. The main body 30 is cuboid and can vary depending on the casting to be produced Have dimensions. On the base body 30 are Coupling elements 17 arranged, each mold half 3a, 3b has a coupling element 17. These consist of a parallel to the side surfaces of the Main body 30 arranged plate 18, which is perpendicular over thereto extending pins 19 connected to the main body 30 is. The plates 18 have a predetermined Distance from each other and a predetermined thickness, width and length of the gripping elements 15, 27, 34 of the Workstations is customized. About the length of the pins the spacing of the plates 18 can be adjusted so that the mold 3 for insertion into the receiving units of Workstations even with different dimensions of the main body 30 always predetermined outer maximum dimensions having.

On one of the plates 18 is a coding 39, here by means of an arrangement of short pins, attached, which are read by a corresponding reading unit can, e.g. by mechanical scanning. The plates 18 furthermore, on a transverse side of the mold 3 Coupling projections 40 on which the gripping elements 43 can engage the gripping and driving unit 6 (Fig. 7a-c). These coupling projections 40 have the same as the coupling elements 17 even with different dimensions of the base body 30 a fixed spatial position relative to each other, so that the transport and gripping system. 5 can be standardized.

In the plates 18 is an opening 41 for piercing the Ejector cylinder 25 available. This one moves Ejector plate 42, with which the castings out of their mold be solved.

Fig. 7a-c show the coupling of an inventive Mold 3 to the gripping and transport system 5 and the Gripping and driving unit 6 in different views. The Gripping and driving unit 6 consists of a horizontal Plate, arranged on the underside of gripping elements 43 are whose clear width is changeable. The gripping elements 43 have a notch, which in a corresponding notch of the bolt-like coupling projections 40 of the coupling elements 17 engages. The molds thus become both horizontal and vertical Direction fixed. The Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b are in Transportation held together.

Claims (18)

1. Low-pressure die casting installation, having at least one casting station (1) and at least one further working station (8, 9, 10), and having a conveyor system (5) for moving the die (3) between the stations (1, 8, 9, 10), characterized in that the casting station (1) is assigned a dedicated clamping unit (2), which receives the die halves (3a, 3b) and holds them together during the casting operation, and in that the conveyor system (5) engages coupling elements (17) of the die (3) using a gripper unit (6) and transfers the die to the clamping unit (2) at the casting station (1) and then picks it up again from the clamping unit.
2. Low-pressure die casting installation according to Claim 1, characterized by at least one die (3) having a base body (30), which includes the actual die cavity, and coupling elements (17), which are connected to the base body and are arranged in such a manner that the maximum spatial dimensions of the die (3) in at least one spatial direction are independent of the size of the base body (30).
3. Low-pressure die casting installation according to Claim 2, characterized in that each die half (3a, 3b) is assigned at least one coupling element (17) of a predetermined shape and size, and in that the spatial position of the coupling elements (17) assigned to the two die halves (3a, 3b) relative to one another is independent of the size of the base body (30).
4. Low-pressure die casting installation according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized by at least two dies (3) with different die cavities in the base body (30).
5. Low-pressure die casting installation according to Claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the die (3) has a coding (39) which serves to identify the die cavity.
6. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casting station (1) has a melting furnace (4), and at least one removal station (8), a cooling and blacking station (10) and a core insertion station are present as further working stations.
7. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one further working station (8, 9, 10) has a receiving unit (26, 33) for receiving a die (3) which has coupling elements (17), in such a manner that the die halves (3a, 3b) can be held and moved in a predetermined way in order to be processed in the working station.
8. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casting station (1) and the at least one further working station (8, 9, 10) are each assigned a reading unit which is able to read a coding (39) on a die (3) located in the region of the casting station or further working station, a control unit setting a predetermined working program in the station on the basis of the coding (39) which has been read.
9. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casting station (1) and the at least one further working station (8, 9, 10) each have a local control unit, by which they can be controlled independently of one another.
10. Low-pressure die casting installation according to Claim 9, characterized in that there is a central control unit which administers process data for a plurality of dies and working stations and makes this data available to the local control units.
11. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping and conveyor system (5) comprises at least one linear conveyor (7) with at least one gripping and travelling unit (6), which is able to grip a die (3) and which can be displaced in order to convey the die (3) between at least two stations.
12. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the working sequences at the casting station (1) and the further working stations (8, 9, 10) are synchronized, and the time required for processing in one station, including conveying to the next station, is identical for all the stations.
13. Set of dies with different die cavities for a low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, the dies each having a base body (30) which includes the actual die cavity, characterized by coupling elements (17) which are connected to the base body (30) in such a manner that they are at the same location relative to one another for all the dies of the set, irrespective of the shape and size of the base body (30).
14. Set of dies according to Claim 13, characterized in that the coupling elements (17) project from the base body (30) on both sides, the distance between the coupling elements being constant and independent of the shape and size of the base body (30) for all the dies in the set.
15. Set of dies according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that each die half (3a, 3b) is assigned at least one coupling element (17) of a predetermined shape and size, and in that the spatial position of the coupling elements (17) assigned to the two die halves (3a, 3b) relative to one another is independent of the size of the base body (30).
16. Set of dies according to Claim 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that the base body (30) is cuboidal and can be divided into two halves, and the coupling elements (17) are plates (18), struts or other coupling parts which are arranged parallel to one another laterally with respect to the base body (30), are connected to the base body (30) via pins (19) and which the gripping and conveyor apparatus (5) can grip, the plates (18), struts or other coupling parts being of the same shape as one another and at the same distance from one another irrespective of the size of the base body (30).
17. Set of dies according to one of Claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the die (3) has a locking system for holding the die halves (3a, 3b) together.
18. Set of dies according to one of Claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the die (3) has a coding (39), which is preferably mechanical or electronic.

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