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EP1270115B1 - Low pressure die-casting plant and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Low pressure die-casting plant and method for operating the same Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1270115B1
EP1270115B1 EP20020008894 EP02008894A EP1270115B1 EP 1270115 B1 EP1270115 B1 EP 1270115B1 EP 20020008894 EP20020008894 EP 20020008894 EP 02008894 A EP02008894 A EP 02008894A EP 1270115 B1 EP1270115 B1 EP 1270115B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mold
permanent
station
low
pressure die
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP20020008894
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1270115A3 (en
EP1270115A2 (en
Inventor
Harry Hässig
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
Original Assignee
KWC AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from EP01114553A external-priority patent/EP1270114B1/en
Application filed by KWC AG filed Critical KWC AG
Priority to EP20020008894 priority Critical patent/EP1270115B1/en
Publication of EP1270115A2 publication Critical patent/EP1270115A2/en
Publication of EP1270115A3 publication Critical patent/EP1270115A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1270115B1 publication Critical patent/EP1270115B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D18/00—Pressure casting; Vacuum casting
    • B22D18/04—Low pressure casting, i.e. making use of pressures up to a few bars to fill the mould
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D33/00—Equipment for handling moulds
    • B22D33/02—Turning or transposing moulds

Definitions

  • the invention relates to low-pressure die casting plants according to claim 1, operating method according to claims 19 and 20.
  • Low-pressure die casting plants are for example from the CH 690 356 and the EP-A 0 824 983 known.
  • the molds consisting of two mold halves are firmly clamped in a handling unit, also referred to as a manipulator.
  • a manipulator This in turn is firmly connected to a transport device which moves the manipulator with the mold from one workstation to the next.
  • the manipulator includes an opening and closing mechanism with which the mold can be opened or closed in accordance with the work steps to be performed at the respective workstation, eg core insertion, casting, casting removal, cleaning, attaching a sizing film.
  • the mold is always transported in the closed state. Because of the high weight of the mold, the opening and closing mechanism requires massive guide parts for the mold halves and the corresponding drive elements.
  • the manipulator must also use great forces to hold together in the casting station both mold halves against the pressure of the rising liquid metal, so that no edges on the casting arise.
  • the manipulator therefore has a large dead weight relative to each other for the application of the required closing force and for moving the mold halves. This mass must be of the transport device under appropriate Energy and time are moved.
  • the manipulator is mechanically complex and therefore expensive to manufacture and maintain. A certain amount of time is required to open and close the mold in the individual workstations, thereby increasing the duration of an entire work cycle and possibly cooling the molds below a minimum temperature, which requires additional heating steps.
  • the invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a low-pressure Kokillengiessstrom in which the mentioned disadvantages are avoided, the manipulators are mechanically simple design and in which the transport between the individual workstations expires quickly and under reduced energy consumption.
  • the at least one casting station and at least one other workstation preferably a Kerneinlegestation, a removal station, a blasting station and a diving and / or Spraying station
  • at least one first handling unit of a first type at least one second handling unit of a second type are present.
  • the first handling unit is adapted to the transport of a closed mold and the second handling unit to the transport of an open mold, ie each handling unit tailored to the purpose to be fulfilled with it.
  • the handling unit of the first type is optimized for the closing function and the transport of the closed mold.
  • the mold is preferably received by a receiving shaft which surrounds the closed mold of at least two sides, preferably approximately accurate fit.
  • a closing mechanism which, for example, comprises at least one closing piston, the mold halves are pressed against one another and the mold is fixed inside the shaft. The mechanical effort to do so is low, since the closing piston must clamp the mold only within the receiving shaft, with a small stroke is sufficient.
  • On means for opening the mold by the first handling unit is omitted. During casting, the mold remains in the first handling unit.
  • the handling unit of the second type is optimized for the transport of the open mold. Time is saved by moving the dies between the workstations that require open-ended processing in the open state.
  • the second handling unit has two holding elements, each serving to hold a Kokillenhdon, wherein the salary Kokillenhworthn spaced apart and preferably are aligned in parallel.
  • the opened mold is transferred to the workstation for further processing, for example to the core insertion station, or remains attached to the handling unit during the corresponding work step, eg during graphitization of the mold.
  • the handling units are largely free of moving parts and rigid, heavy guide elements.
  • the opening or closing movement is, where necessary, realized by a stationary opening and / or closing device directly to the workstations.
  • the casting station is assigned a clamping unit for receiving a mold with coupling elements, which holds the mold halves together during the casting.
  • a gripping and transport system with at least one handling unit is provided which serves to receive the mold by engaging the coupling elements and for transporting 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 molds are therefore not firmly clamped in a manipulator, but moved as such between and in the individual stations.
  • handling units of the first or second type according to the first variant of the invention can be used.
  • the necessary closing force is expended by the stationary clamping unit, which receives the mold preferably fitting and in a clamping manner. Since the mold, regardless of the mold has uniform external dimensions, eg at least a predetermined thickness, the clamping unit may be made substantially in one piece, in which the mold is used and, if necessary, is clamped under relatively little effort. The clamping unit does not have to be moved.
  • the handling unit By means of the handling unit, the mold is inserted into the clamping unit and removed again from this. During transport itself, no great forces must be used to hold the mold halves together.
  • the handling unit can therefore for example have a very light gripping and driving unit, which only slightly compresses the mold halves in order to keep them closed. As a handling unit, for example, a robot can be used.
  • the handling unit must be less massive overall than in the case of using the usual manipulators, since lower masses must be moved. It is therefore structurally simpler and cheaper.
  • the systems according to the invention can be constructed completely modularly in a common handling unit approaching all stations. If required, additional workstations can be added or modified, which increases the flexibility of the system.
  • the two variants of the invention can also be combined, for example, by transporting the mold in the closed or open state with handling units of the first and second types and transferring them to a stationary clamping unit at the casting station. In this way, the handling unit of the first type can be made even easier.
  • Moldings having a standardized external shape are preferably used in the systems according to the invention.
  • a mold for example, has a basic body having the actual casting mold and associated coupling elements, e.g. in the form of side flanges or plates. These are arranged such that the spatial dimensions of the mold are independent of the size of the base body at least in one spatial direction. This makes it possible to use a plurality of different molds without any design effort and replace as desired.
  • the holding elements or devices of the handling units, the clamping unit and the other opening and closing devices can be equipped with a uniform gripping system, which allows the manipulation of the mold in the desired manner, e.g. Compression during casting, pulling apart and pivoting for cooling, etc.
  • the receiving shaft of the first handling unit therefore preferably has a depth which is adapted to the distance of the coupling elements of the mold halves in the closed state.
  • the handling units are each connected to a drive device and can be moved independently of each other.
  • the handling units along a linear guide rail are movable and adjustable in height.
  • the molds have a coding which indicates the mold type, eg the casting mold. This is read by means of suitable reading units at the individual stations and transmitted via a corresponding signal to a system control, which may be central or local.
  • the Control Panel provides the workstation with the necessary data to control the work process. For example, in the casting station, a predetermined pressure curve, ie the time-dependent pressure curve, is adjusted, which is adapted to the shape of the casting.
  • a predetermined time depending on the mold is cooled.
  • cleaning station for example, cleaning nozzles are moved over the opened mold, depending on the casting mold.
  • the coding is preferably mechanical, for example an arrangement of pins, but can also be realized in other ways, for example by a barcode or a data carrier. Robust mechanical coding can also be reliably read when used under the poorly clean operating conditions prevailing during casting.
  • each workstation is associated with a local control unit that controls the local operations.
  • the relevant process data are preferably input to a central control unit and queried by the local control unit.
  • FIG. 1a, b and FIG. 1c-e Examples of inventive molds are in FIG. 1a, b and FIG. 1c-e shown.
  • the mold 3 consists of two mold halves 3 a, 3 b formed in mirror image relative to one another, which each have lateral coupling elements 4. These have the form of a plate 5, which is connected via webs 34 with the actual casting mold-carrying base body 9.
  • the coupling element 4 here connected to pins 15 and / or recesses 8 mounted therein, the mold 3 can be picked up by the first and second handling unit 1, 10 and attached thereto.
  • the coupling elements 4 for example, a centrally located in the plate 5 slot 16, arranged at the workstations opening and / or closing devices, ejection devices or other holding devices for attack the mold.
  • the coupling elements 4 are designed so that the coupling points for the handling units 1, 10 or other holding devices regardless of the size and shape of the base body 9 in the closed state are always in the same position relative to each other.
  • the basic body can be extended, for example (compare basic body 9 'in FIG. 1a, b ) or have a changed depth (not shown), in the latter case, the webs 34 would be extended accordingly.
  • Fig. 1c-e show a slightly modified mold 3.
  • a coding 39 here by means of an arrangement of short pins, attached, which can be read by a corresponding reading unit, for example by mechanical scanning.
  • FIGS. 1a, b and 2a, b show the two types of handling units 1, 10, which are used in a low-pressure Kokillengiessstrom according to the first variant of the invention.
  • the adapted to the transport of the closed mold 3 first handling unit 1 has a cross-sectionally U-shaped frame 2, through which an open on three sides receiving shaft 35 is formed.
  • the side walls 2a, 2b of the frame 2 carry a closing device 6, which in the present case in each case comprises four hydraulically driven closing cylinders 7.
  • the handling units 1, 10 are each connected to a drive device 17, with which they can be moved in the horizontal direction along a guide rail 18 and in the vertical direction.
  • the frame 2 By movement in the vertical direction, the frame 2 is placed on a standing upright closed mold 3, so that it is received in the receiving shaft 35 with little play. It is fixed by the lock cylinder 7, which engage in the recesses 8 in the coupling element 4. The necessary for fixing stroke of the lock cylinder 7 is very small with a few millimeters (about 10 - 20 mm). Other moving parts, the first handling unit 1 does not have, so that it can be produced with little design effort.
  • the closing device 6 By the closing device 6, the closed mold 3 is held both within the first handling unit 1 and held together during the casting.
  • the second handling unit 10 is adapted to the transport of the open mold with spaced, parallel mold halves 3a, 3b. It also comprises a U-shaped frame 11, whose side walls 11a, 11b have a relation to the frame 2 of the first handling unit 1 increased distance.
  • Each side wall 11a, 11b comprises a holding device 12 which in the present case comprises holding elements 13 cooperating with the pins 15 of the coupling elements 4 and holding cylinders 14 cooperating with the cutouts 8.
  • the mold halves 3a, 3b are held within the second handling unit 10.
  • the inclusion of the mold is carried out by the second handling unit 10 is placed from above on the standing upright open mold 3 and then the holding cylinder 14 are moved. Except locking cylinders and other gripping mechanisms are conceivable. Again, as with the first handling unit 1 except the lock cylinders no moving parts available.
  • FIG. 4 shows a preferred construction of the inventive low-pressure Kokillengiessstrom as a linear array.
  • a casting station 19 and other work stations here a core insertion station 20, a removal station 21, a mold changing station 22, a cleaning station 23 and a graphitization station 24 are arranged along a straight line in preferably equal intervals.
  • a waiting position 22 ' Between the pouring station 19 and the core insertion station 20 there is a waiting position 22 ', wherein also the area above the mold change station 22 can serve as a waiting position when no mold is being replaced.
  • the casting station 19 is shown in a rotated by 90 ° side view.
  • the casting installation has a first handling unit 1 and two second handling units 10, 10 ', which are each connected to a drive device 17.
  • the handling units 1,10,10 ' are independently movable. Their movement is controlled by a control device, not shown. Since the molds are not fixedly connected to a specific handling unit, three handling units can advantageously also be used in the present linear arrangement. As a result, the cycle rate of the system compared to known systems is significantly increased.
  • FIG. 11a, b An example of the movement of the molds is in FIG. 11a, b shown.
  • the first handling unit 1 receives a closed mold at the core insertion station and drives it to the casting station 19 and then to the removal station 21.
  • the closed mold is transferred to the removal station 21, there opened, whereupon the casting is removed.
  • the first handling unit 1 already moves back to the core insertion station to take over a new mold.
  • the emptied mold is picked up at the removal station 21 by the second handling unit 10 and transported in the open state to the cleaning station 23 and passed to this.
  • the second handling unit 10 moves after this transfer to the waiting position 22 '.
  • the cleaned mold is finally picked up by the further second handling unit 10 'from the cleaning station 23 and brought into the graphitization station 24, where it remains at the further second handling unit 10' during the graphitization. Subsequently, it is moved to the core insertion station 20, where the cycle begins again. The executed while movements of the other two handling units can FIG. 11a be removed.
  • cycle times of the system in the range of 40 - 60 seconds are feasible. Since each mold reaches the casting station 19 after the triple cycle time, no additional heating steps are necessary to keep the mold at the desired temperature. The temperature of the mold is measured and kept constant over the washing or spraying time.
  • FIGS. 5 to 10 schematically show the structure of the individual workstations, which are explained below only as far as the structure of known stations deviates.
  • the construction of in FIG. 5 shown pouring station 19 with an induction furnace corresponds to the prior art.
  • the first handling unit 1 which also applies the necessary closing force for closing the mold halves 3a, 3b, the mold is placed on the riser pipe 25 of the furnace.
  • Kerneinlegestation 20 includes a transverse to the orientation of the guide rail 18 (FIG. FIG. 4 ) movable carriage 27, with which an opening and closing device 26 is pivotally connected about a horizontal axis.
  • the opening and closing device can receive an open presented mold 3.
  • the mold is gripped at its coupling elements 4 of the opening and closing device 26.
  • Figure 6c-d Shown: The mold 3 is placed from above on holding cylinder 14 ', which engage in lower recesses 8 in the plate 5. Locking cylinder 7 'then enter into lateral recesses 8 in the plate 5, so that it is clamped.
  • FIG. 6b shows the in FIG. 4 sketched view of core loading station while FIG. 6a a rotated by 90 ° view shows.
  • the removal station 21 in FIG. 7 receives a closed mold from the first handling station 1, which opens it with an internal opening and closing device 26 ', so that the casting 28 can be ejected with an ejector and removed. The mold is then picked up in the open state.
  • An open mold is with a second handling unit 10 to the in FIG. 8 sketched cleaning station passed, which has a suitable receptacle for the opened mold in a housing 30.
  • the mold is programmed blasted or washed. Subsequently, the mold is picked up by the other second handling unit 10 'and the in FIG. 9 shown graphitization station 24 drove. There it is lowered together with the handling unit 10 ', sprayed by a sprayer 31 with sizing and raised again.
  • the mold changing station 22 comprises a carriage 32 for the transporting away of a mold to be replaced and a carriage 33 for the transport of a new preheated mold.
  • the carriages are transverse to the orientation of the guide rail 18 (FIG. FIG. 4 ) movable. After depositing a mold to be replaced, the carriage 32 is moved to the side, so that the carriage 33 assumes its original position and the mold halves 3a, 3b are gripped in the open state.
  • Fig. 12 shows a plan view of a low-pressure Kokillengiessstrom according to the second variant of the invention with a casting station 19, a removal and cleaning station 21/23, a mold changing station 22, a cooling and finishing station with Kerneinlegestation 20 and a gripping and transport system for conveying the molds.
  • the gripping and transport system comprises three handling units which are moved along guide rails 18 arranged in the form of a triangle.
  • the molds 3 are in Fig. 1a-e shown the individual stations in the Fig. 13-15 ,
  • Fig. 13a, b show a known casting station 19 with a clamping unit 43 in side view and supervision.
  • the clamping unit 43 consists of a rectangular, closed frame 43 a, which in its interior Receiving elements 44 for receiving the coupling elements 4 of the mold 3 has.
  • the mold 3 is inserted from above into the clamping unit 43.
  • additional clamping elements may be provided which clamp the mold 3 after insertion into the clamping unit 43.
  • the clamping unit 43 is fixed to a vertically oriented pivot column 45 and can be pivoted about a vertical axis and moved in the vertical direction.
  • Fig. 14a-c show a removal and cleaning station 21/23 in a view from the side perpendicular to the transport direction ( Fig. 14a ), from above ( Fig. 14b ) and from the side in the transport direction ( Fig. 14c ).
  • the opening and closing device 26 has holding elements 13 which likewise engage the lateral plates 5 of the coupling elements 4 of the molds 3.
  • the spacing of the holding elements 13 seen in the transport direction can be changed here, so that the two mold halves 3a, 3b can be pulled apart to remove the casting and for cleaning purposes (dashed representation of the mold half 3b ').
  • the opening and closing movement of the receiving unit 26 is caused by cylinder 46.
  • Guide rods 27 serve to guide the holding elements 13 in the horizontal direction.
  • An ejection cylinder 48 serves to move an in Fig. 1c-d Shock plate 42, shown in more detail, with which the finished castings 28 are released from the mold, so that they can be taken over by a removal unit 51. After removal, a cleaning nozzle 29 is moved along the opened mold parts 3a, 3b. The movement of the nozzle 29 can be controlled depending on the mold become.
  • the station further comprises a jet aggregate 49.
  • Fig. 15a, b show a cooling and finishing station with a Kerneinlegestation in side view and supervision.
  • the mold 3 is located in an opening and closing device 26 '.
  • Their holding elements 13 are designed substantially the same as those of the casting station 19 or cleaning station and in turn engage with the coupling elements 4 of the mold halves 3 a, 3 b.
  • the holding elements 13 move apart to open the mold 3 (shown in phantom) and pivot about horizontal axes D1, D1 'to immerse the mold halves 3a, 3b in the cooling and sizing bath 35.
  • the entire opening and closing device 26 'pivots about a further horizontal axis D2 (further dashed position shown).
  • the cores are placed on the lower die half 3a, the mold 3 is closed, the opening and closing device 26 'pivoted back and removed the mold 3 with the gripping and transport system in the vertical direction.
  • Fig. 16a-c show the coupling of an inventive mold 3 to a handling unit that can be used for the second variant of the invention and for the closed transport in the first variant of the invention.
  • the handling unit comprises a horizontal plate 53, on the underside of which holding elements 13 'are arranged whose clear width is variable. They have a notch, which engages in a corresponding notch of the pin 15 of the coupling elements 4.
  • the molds thus become both horizontal and vertical Fixed direction and are kept closed during transport.

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  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Casting Devices For Molds (AREA)
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Description

Die Erfindung betrifft Niederdruck-Kokillengiessanlagen nach Anspruch 1, Betriebsverfahren nach den Ansprüchen 19 und 20.The invention relates to low-pressure die casting plants according to claim 1, operating method according to claims 19 and 20.

Niederdruck-Kokillengiessanlagen sind beispielsweise aus der CH 690 356 und der EP-A 0 824 983 bekannt. Bei bekannten Anlagen sind die aus zwei Kokillenhälften bestehenden Kokillen fest in eine auch als Manipulator bezeichnete Handhabungseinheit eingespannt. Diese ist wiederum fest mit einer Transporteinrichtung verbunden, die den Manipulator mit der Kokille von einer Arbeitsstation zur nächsten bewegt. Der Manipulator enthält einen Öffnungs- und Schliessmechanismus, mit dem die Kokille entsprechend den an der jeweiligen Arbeitsstation durchzuführenden Arbeitsschritten, z.B. Kerneinlegen, Giessen, Gussteilentnahme, Säuberung, Anbringen eines Schlichtefilms, geöffnet bzw. geschlossen werden kann. Dabei wird die Kokille stets in geschlossenem Zustand transportiert. Wegen des hohen Eigengewichts der Kokille benötigt der Öffnungs- und Schliessmechanismus massive Führungsteile für die Kokillenhälften sowie die entsprechenden Antriebselemente. Der Manipulator muss des weiteren grosse Kräfte aufwenden, um in der Giessstation beide Kokillenhälften gegen den Druck des aufsteigenden flüssigen Metalls zusammenzuhalten, so dass keine Ränder am Gussteil entstehen. Der Manipulator weist daher zur Aufwendung der erforderlichen Schliesskraft und zum Bewegen der Kokillenhälften relativ zueinander ein grosses Eigengewicht auf. Diese Masse muss von der Transporteinrichtung unter entsprechendem Energie- und Zeitaufwand bewegt werden. Der Manipulator ist mechanisch aufwendig konstruiert und ist daher aufwendig herzustellen und zu warten. Zum Öffnen und Schliessen der Kokille in den einzelnen Arbeitsstationen ist jeweils eine gewisse Zeit notwendig, wodurch die Dauer eines gesamten Arbeitszyklus vergrössert wird und die Kokillen unter Umständen unter eine Mindesttemperatur abkühlen, was zusätzliche Heizschritte erforderlich macht.Low-pressure die casting plants are for example from the CH 690 356 and the EP-A 0 824 983 known. In known systems, the molds consisting of two mold halves are firmly clamped in a handling unit, also referred to as a manipulator. This in turn is firmly connected to a transport device which moves the manipulator with the mold from one workstation to the next. The manipulator includes an opening and closing mechanism with which the mold can be opened or closed in accordance with the work steps to be performed at the respective workstation, eg core insertion, casting, casting removal, cleaning, attaching a sizing film. The mold is always transported in the closed state. Because of the high weight of the mold, the opening and closing mechanism requires massive guide parts for the mold halves and the corresponding drive elements. The manipulator must also use great forces to hold together in the casting station both mold halves against the pressure of the rising liquid metal, so that no edges on the casting arise. The manipulator therefore has a large dead weight relative to each other for the application of the required closing force and for moving the mold halves. This mass must be of the transport device under appropriate Energy and time are moved. The manipulator is mechanically complex and therefore expensive to manufacture and maintain. A certain amount of time is required to open and close the mold in the individual workstations, thereby increasing the duration of an entire work cycle and possibly cooling the molds below a minimum temperature, which requires additional heating steps.

Neben der hohen Trägheit des Systems durch die grossen Massen ist die mangelnde Flexibilität beim Wechsel der Gussform bzw. der Kokille ein weiterer Nachteil bekannter Anlagen. Die Kokille muss unter entsprechendem Montageaufwand von Manipulator entfernt werden.In addition to the high inertia of the system by the large masses is the lack of flexibility when changing the mold or the mold another disadvantage of known systems. The mold must be removed with appropriate installation effort by manipulator.

Der Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Niederdruck-Kokillengiessanlage anzugeben, bei der die genannten Nachteile vermieden werden, deren Manipulatoren mechanisch einfach konstruiert sind und bei der der Transport zwischen den einzelnen Arbeitsstationen schnell und unter vermindertem Energieaufwand abläuft.The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a low-pressure Kokillengiessanlage in which the mentioned disadvantages are avoided, the manipulators are mechanically simple design and in which the transport between the individual workstations expires quickly and under reduced energy consumption.

Die Aufgabe wird gelöst durch Niederdruck-Kokillengiessanlagen mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 und durch Verfahren zum Betrieb einer solchen Niederdruck-Kokillengiessanlage mit den Merkmalen von Anspruch 19 beziehungsweise 20. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den abhängigen Ansprüchen, der Beschreibung und den Zeichnungen.The object is achieved by low-pressure mold casting machines having the features of claim 1 and by methods for operating such a low-pressure die casting machine having the features of claims 19 and 20, respectively. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

Bei einer Niederdruck-Kokillengiessanlage, die wenigstens eine Giessstation und wenigstens eine weitere Arbeitsstation, vorzugsweise eine Kerneinlegestation, eine Entnahmestation, eine Strahlstation und eine Tauch- und/oder Sprühstation, aufweist, sind in einer ersten Variante der Erfindung wenigstens eine erste Handhabungseinheit einer ersten Bauart wenigstens eine zweite Handhabungseinheit einer zweiten Bauart vorhanden. Dabei ist die erste Handhabungseinheit an den Transport einer geschlossen Kokille und die zweite Handhabungseinheit an den Transport einer offenen Kokille angepasst, d.h. jede Handhabungseinheit auf den mit ihr zu erfüllenden Zweck zugeschnitten.In a low-pressure Kokillengiessanlage, the at least one casting station and at least one other workstation, preferably a Kerneinlegestation, a removal station, a blasting station and a diving and / or Spraying station, in a first variant of the invention, at least one first handling unit of a first type at least one second handling unit of a second type are present. In this case, the first handling unit is adapted to the transport of a closed mold and the second handling unit to the transport of an open mold, ie each handling unit tailored to the purpose to be fulfilled with it.

Die Handhabungseinheit der ersten Bauart ist für die Schliessfunktion und den Transport der geschlossenen Kokille optimiert. Die Kokille wird vorzugsweise von einem Aufnahmeschacht aufgenommen, der die geschlossene Kokille von wenigstens zwei Seiten vorzugsweise annähernd passgenau umgibt. Mit einem Schliessmechanismus, der beispielsweise wenigstens einen Schliesskolben umfasst, werden die Kokillenhälften gegeneinander gedrückt und die Kokille innerhalb des Schachts fixiert. Der mechanische Aufwand dazu ist gering, da die Schliesskolben die Kokille nur innerhalb des Aufnahmeschachts verspannen müssen, wobei ein geringer Hub ausreicht. Auf Mittel zum Öffnen der Kokille durch die erste Handhabungseinheit wird verzichtet. Beim Giessen bleibt die Kokille in der ersten Handhabungseinheit.The handling unit of the first type is optimized for the closing function and the transport of the closed mold. The mold is preferably received by a receiving shaft which surrounds the closed mold of at least two sides, preferably approximately accurate fit. With a closing mechanism which, for example, comprises at least one closing piston, the mold halves are pressed against one another and the mold is fixed inside the shaft. The mechanical effort to do so is low, since the closing piston must clamp the mold only within the receiving shaft, with a small stroke is sufficient. On means for opening the mold by the first handling unit is omitted. During casting, the mold remains in the first handling unit.

Die Handhabungseinheit der zweiten Bauart ist für den Transport der offenen Kokille optimiert. Zeit wird gespart, indem die Kokillen zwischen den Arbeitsstationen, die eine Verarbeitung im offenen Zustand erfordern, im offenen Zustand bewegt werden. Die zweite Handhabungseinheit hat zwei Halteelemente, die jeweils zur Halterung einer Kokillenhälfte dienen, wobei die gehalterten Kokillenhälften voneinander beabstandet und vorzugsweise parallel ausgerichtet sind. Je nach auszuführendem Verfahrensschritt wird die geöffnete Kokille zur Weiterverarbeitung an die Arbeitsstation übergeben, z.B. an die Kerneinlegestation, oder bleibt während des entsprechenden Arbeitsschritts an der Handhabungseinheit befestigt, z.B. beim Graphitisieren der Kokille.The handling unit of the second type is optimized for the transport of the open mold. Time is saved by moving the dies between the workstations that require open-ended processing in the open state. The second handling unit has two holding elements, each serving to hold a Kokillenhälfte, wherein the salary Kokillenhälften spaced apart and preferably are aligned in parallel. Depending on the process step to be carried out, the opened mold is transferred to the workstation for further processing, for example to the core insertion station, or remains attached to the handling unit during the corresponding work step, eg during graphitization of the mold.

Durch die funktionsoptimierte Konstruktion kommen die Handhabungseinheiten weitgehend ohne bewegliche Teile und starre, schwere Führungselemente aus. Die Öffnungs- bzw. Schliessbewegung wird, wo notwendig, durch eine stationäre Öffnungs- und/oder Schliessvorrichtung direkt an den Arbeitsstationen realisiert.Due to the function-optimized construction, the handling units are largely free of moving parts and rigid, heavy guide elements. The opening or closing movement is, where necessary, realized by a stationary opening and / or closing device directly to the workstations.

In einer zweiten Variante der Erfindung ist der Giessstation eine Klemmeinheit zur Aufnahme einer Kokille mit Ankopplungselementen zugeordnet, welche die Kokillenhälften während des Giessens zusammenhält. Des weiteren ist ein Greif- und Transportsystem mit wenigstens einer Handhabungseinheit vorhanden, das zur Aufnahme der Kokille durch Angreifen an den Ankopplungselementen und zum Transport der Kokille zwischen der weiteren Arbeitsstation und der Giessstation oder weiteren Arbeitsstationen dient, wobei die Kokille an der Giessstation an die Klemmeinheit übergeben bzw. von dieser übernommen wird. Die Kokillen werden daher nicht fest in einen Manipulator eingespannt, sondern als solche zwischen und in den einzelnen Stationen bewegt. Es können auch Handhabungseinheiten der ersten bzw. zweiten Bauart gemäss der ersten Variante der Erfindung zum Einsatz kommen. In der Giessstation wird die notwendige Schliesskraft durch die stationäre Klemmeinheit aufgewendet, die die Kokille vorzugsweise passend und in klemmender Weise aufnimmt. Da die Kokille unabhängig von der Gussform einheitliche Aussenabmessungen aufweist, z.B. wenigstens eine vorbestimmte Dicke, kann die Klemmeinheit in wesentlichem aus einem Stück gefertigt sein, in das die Kokille eingesetzt wird und, soweit nötig, unter verhältnismässig geringem Kraftaufwand verspannt wird. Die Klemmeinheit muss dabei nicht bewegt werden. Mittels der Handhabungseinheit wird die Kokille in die Klemmeinheit eingesetzt und wieder aus dieser entfernt. Beim Transport selbst müssen keine grossen Kräfte zum Zusammenhalten der Kokillenhälften aufgewendet werden. Die Handhabungseinheit kann daher beispielsweise eine sehr leichte Greif- und Fahreinheit aufweisen, die die Kokillenhälften nur leicht aufeinanderdrückt, um sie geschlossen zu halten. Als Handhabungseinheit kann beispielsweise auch ein Roboter eingesetzt werden. Die Handhabungseinheit muss insgesamt weniger massiv sein als im Falle der Verwendung der bisher üblichen Manipulatoren, da geringere Massen bewegt werden müssen. Sie wird daher konstruktiv einfacher und preisgünstiger.In a second variant of the invention, the casting station is assigned a clamping unit for receiving a mold with coupling elements, which holds the mold halves together during the casting. Furthermore, a gripping and transport system with at least one handling unit is provided which serves to receive the mold by engaging the coupling elements and for transporting 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 molds are therefore not firmly clamped in a manipulator, but moved as such between and in the individual stations. Also handling units of the first or second type according to the first variant of the invention can be used. In the casting station, the necessary closing force is expended by the stationary clamping unit, which receives the mold preferably fitting and in a clamping manner. Since the mold, regardless of the mold has uniform external dimensions, eg at least a predetermined thickness, the clamping unit may be made substantially in one piece, in which the mold is used and, if necessary, is clamped under relatively little effort. The clamping unit does not have to be moved. By means of the handling unit, the mold is inserted into the clamping unit and removed again from this. During transport itself, no great forces must be used to hold the mold halves together. The handling unit can therefore for example have a very light gripping and driving unit, which only slightly compresses the mold halves in order to keep them closed. As a handling unit, for example, a robot can be used. The handling unit must be less massive overall than in the case of using the usual manipulators, since lower masses must be moved. It is therefore structurally simpler and cheaper.

Die erfindungsgemässen Anlagen können wegen des Verzichts auf die feste Kopplung der Kokille an eine gemeinsame, alle Stationen anfahrende Handhabungseinheit vollständig modular aufgebaut werden. Bei Bedarf können weitere Arbeitsstationen eingefügt oder abgewandelt werden, wodurch die Flexibilität der Anlage erhöht wird.Because of the omission of the fixed coupling of the mold, the systems according to the invention can be constructed completely modularly in a common handling unit approaching all stations. If required, additional workstations can be added or modified, which increases the flexibility of the system.

Die beiden Erfindungsvarianten können auch kombiniert werden, z.B. indem die Kokille im geschlossenen bzw. offenen Zustand mit Handhabungseinheiten der ersten und der zweiten Bauart transportiert und an der Giesstation an eine stationäre Klemmeinheit übergeben wird. Auf diese Weise kann die Handhabungseinheit der ersten Bauart noch leichter ausgeführt werden.The two variants of the invention can also be combined, for example, by transporting the mold in the closed or open state with handling units of the first and second types and transferring them to a stationary clamping unit at the casting station. In this way, the handling unit of the first type can be made even easier.

Bevorzugt kommen bei den erfindungsgemässen Anlagen Kokillen mit einer standardisierten äusseren Form zum Einsatz. Eine solche Kokille hat beispielsweise einen die eigentliche Gussform aufweisenden Grundkörper und damit verbundene Ankopplungselemente, z.B. in Form von seitlichen Flanschen bzw. Platten. Diese sind derart angeordnet, dass die räumlichen Abmessungen der Kokille zumindest in einer Raumrichtung unabhängig von der Grösse des Grundkörpers sind. Dies ermöglicht es, ohne konstruktiven Aufwand eine Mehrzahl verschiedener Gussformen zu verwenden und beliebig auszuwechseln. Die Halteelemente bzw. -vorrichtungen der Handhabungseinheiten, die Klemmeinheit und die sonstigen Öffnungs- und Schliessvorrichtungen könne mit einem einheitlichen Greifsystem ausgestattet werden, welches die Manipulation der Kokille in der gewünschten Weise ermöglicht, z.B. Zusammendrücken beim Giessen, Auseinanderziehen und Verschwenken zum Kühlen usw. Der Aufnahmeschacht der ersten Handhabungseinheit hat daher vorzugsweise eine Tiefe, die an den Abstand der Ankopplungselemente der Kokillenhälften im geschlossenen Zustand angepasst ist. Die Handhabungseinheiten sind mit je einer Antriebseinrichtung verbunden und können unabhängig voneinander bewegt werden. Vorzugsweise sind die Handhabungseinheiten entlang einer linearen Führungsschiene beweglich und höhenverstellbar.Moldings having a standardized external shape are preferably used in the systems according to the invention. Such a mold, for example, has a basic body having the actual casting mold and associated coupling elements, e.g. in the form of side flanges or plates. These are arranged such that the spatial dimensions of the mold are independent of the size of the base body at least in one spatial direction. This makes it possible to use a plurality of different molds without any design effort and replace as desired. The holding elements or devices of the handling units, the clamping unit and the other opening and closing devices can be equipped with a uniform gripping system, which allows the manipulation of the mold in the desired manner, e.g. Compression during casting, pulling apart and pivoting for cooling, etc. The receiving shaft of the first handling unit therefore preferably has a depth which is adapted to the distance of the coupling elements of the mold halves in the closed state. The handling units are each connected to a drive device and can be moved independently of each other. Preferably, the handling units along a linear guide rail are movable and adjustable in height.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung haben die Kokillen eine Kodierung, die die Kokillenart, z.B. die Gussform, angibt. Diese wird mittels geeigneter Leseeinheiten an den einzelnen Stationen ausgelesen und über ein entsprechendes Signal an eine Systemsteuerung übermittelt, die zentral oder lokal sein kann. Die Systemsteuerung stellt der Arbeitsstation die notwendigen Daten zur Steuerung des Arbeitsprozesses zur Verfügung. Beispielsweise wird in der Giessstation eine vorbestimmte Druckkurve, d.h. der zeitabhängige Druckverlauf, eingestellt, die an die Form des Gussteils angepasst ist. In der Graphitisierungsstation wird beispielsweise eine vorbestimmte, von der Gussform abhängige Zeit gekühlt. In einer Reinigungsstation werden beispielsweise Reinigungsdüsen je nach Gussform über die geöffnete Kokille bewegt. Die Kodierung ist vorzugsweise mechanisch, z.B. eine Anordnung von Stiften, kann aber auch auf andere Weise realisiert sein, z.B. durch einen Barcode oder einen Datenträger. Eine robuste mechanische Kodierung kann auch beim Einsatz unter den beim Giessen herrschenden wenig sauberen Betriebsbedingungen zuverlässig abgelesen werden.In an advantageous development of the invention, the molds have a coding which indicates the mold type, eg the casting mold. This is read by means of suitable reading units at the individual stations and transmitted via a corresponding signal to a system control, which may be central or local. The Control Panel provides the workstation with the necessary data to control the work process. For example, in the casting station, a predetermined pressure curve, ie the time-dependent pressure curve, is adjusted, which is adapted to the shape of the casting. In the graphitization station, for example, a predetermined time depending on the mold is cooled. In a cleaning station, for example, cleaning nozzles are moved over the opened mold, depending on the casting mold. The coding is preferably mechanical, for example an arrangement of pins, but can also be realized in other ways, for example by a barcode or a data carrier. Robust mechanical coding can also be reliably read when used under the poorly clean operating conditions prevailing during casting.

Vorzugsweise ist jeder Arbeitsstation eine lokale Steuereinheit zugeordnet, die die lokalen Arbeitsabläufe steuert. Die relevanten Prozessdaten werden vorzugsweise an einer zentralen Steuereinheit eingegeben und von der lokalen Steuereinheit abgefragt.Preferably, each workstation is associated with a local control unit that controls the local operations. The relevant process data are preferably input to a central control unit and queried by the local control unit.

Beispiele für die Ausführung der Erfindung sind in den Zeichnungen dargestellt und nachfolgend beschrieben. Dabei zeigen rein schematisch:

Fig. 1a-e
Kokillen zur Verwendung mit dern erfindungsgemässen Anlagen;
Fig. 2a,b
eine erste Handhabungseinheit gemäss der ersten Erfindungsvariante zum Transport einer geschlossenen Kokille;
Fig. 3a,b
eine zweite Handhabungseinheit gemäss der ersten Erfindungsvariante zum Transport einer offenen Kokille;
Fig. 4
eine Niederdruck-Kokillengiessanlage gemäss der ersten Erfindungsvariante;
Fig. 5-10
verschiedene Arbeitsstationen einer Anlage gemäss der ersten Erfindungsvariante;
Fig. 11a,b
Darstellungen der Bewegung der Handhabungseinheiten der Anlage gemäss Fig. 4 zwischen den einzelnen Stationen.
Fig. 12
eine Aufsicht auf eine Anlage gemäss der zweiten Erfindungsvariante;
Fig. 13-15
verschiedene Arbeitsstationen für eine Anlage gemäss der zweiten Erfindungsvariante;
Fig. 16a-c
die Ankopplung einer erfindungsgemässen Kokille an das Greif- und Transportsystem in verschiedenen Ansichten.
Examples of the embodiment of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described below. Here are purely schematic:
Fig. 1a-e
Molds for use with the systems according to the invention;
Fig. 2a, b
a first handling unit according to the first variant of the invention for transporting a closed mold;
Fig. 3a, b
a second handling unit according to the first variant of the invention for transporting an open mold;
Fig. 4
a low-pressure Kokillengiessanlage according to the first variant of the invention;
Fig. 5-10
various workstations of a system according to the first variant of the invention;
Fig. 11a, b
Representations of the movement of the handling units of the plant according to Fig. 4 between the individual stations.
Fig. 12
a plan view of a system according to the second variant of the invention;
Fig. 13-15
various workstations for a system according to the second variant of the invention;
Fig. 16a-c
the coupling of a mold according to the invention to the gripping and transport system in various views.

Beispiele für erfindungsgemässe Kokillen sind in Figur 1a,b und Figur 1c-e dargestellt. Die Kokille 3 besteht aus zwei spiegelbildlich zueinander ausgebildeten Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b, die jeweils seitliche Ankopplungselemente 4 aufweisen. Diese haben die Form einer Platte 5, die über Stege 34 mit dem die eigentliche Gussform tragenden Grundkörper 9 verbunden ist. Durch Angreifen am Ankopplungselement 4, hier an damit verbundenen Zapfen 15 und/oder darin angebrachten Aussparungen 8, kann die Kokille 3 von der ersten bzw. zweiten Handhabungseinheit 1, 10 aufgenommen und daran befestigt werden. An den Ankopplungselementen 4, z.B. einen in der Platte 5 mittig angeordneten Schlitz 16, können an den Arbeitsstationen angeordnete Öffnungs- und/oder Schliessvorrichtungen, Ausstossvorrichtungen oder sonstige Halteeinrichtungen für die Kokille angreifen. Die Ankopplungselemente 4 sind so gestaltet, dass sich die Ankopplungspunkte für die Handhabungseinheiten 1, 10 bzw. sonstigen Halteeinrichtungen unabhängig von der Grösse und Form des Grundkörpers 9 in geschlossenem Zustand stets in derselben Lage relativ zueinander befinden. Der Grundkörper kann beispielsweise verlängert werden (vgl. Grundkörper 9' in Figur 1a,b) oder eine veränderte Tiefe haben (nicht dargestellt), wobei im letzteren Fall die Stege 34 entsprechend zu verlängern wären.Examples of inventive molds are in FIG. 1a, b and FIG. 1c-e shown. The mold 3 consists of two mold halves 3 a, 3 b formed in mirror image relative to one another, which each have lateral coupling elements 4. These have the form of a plate 5, which is connected via webs 34 with the actual casting mold-carrying base body 9. By engaging the coupling element 4, here connected to pins 15 and / or recesses 8 mounted therein, the mold 3 can be picked up by the first and second handling unit 1, 10 and attached thereto. At the coupling elements 4, for example, a centrally located in the plate 5 slot 16, arranged at the workstations opening and / or closing devices, ejection devices or other holding devices for attack the mold. The coupling elements 4 are designed so that the coupling points for the handling units 1, 10 or other holding devices regardless of the size and shape of the base body 9 in the closed state are always in the same position relative to each other. The basic body can be extended, for example (compare basic body 9 'in FIG FIG. 1a, b ) or have a changed depth (not shown), in the latter case, the webs 34 would be extended accordingly.

Fig. 1c-e zeigen eine leicht abgewandelte Kokille 3. An einer der Platten 5 ist eine Kodierung 39, hier mittels einer Anordnung von kurzen Stiften, angebracht, die von einer entsprechenden Leseeinheit gelesen werden kann, z.B. durch mechanisches Abtasten. In den Platten 5 ist eine Öffnung 41 zum Durchstossen des Ausstoss-Zylinders 48 (Fig. 14a) vorhanden. Dieser bewegt eine Ausstossplatte 42, mit der die Gussteile aus ihrer Form gelöst werden. Fig. 1c-e show a slightly modified mold 3. On one of the plates 5, a coding 39, here by means of an arrangement of short pins, attached, which can be read by a corresponding reading unit, for example by mechanical scanning. In the plates 5 is an opening 41 for piercing the ejection cylinder 48 ( Fig. 14a ) available. This moves an ejection plate 42, with which the castings are released from their mold.

Die Figuren 1a,b und 2a,b zeigen die beiden Typen von Handhabungseinheiten 1, 10, die bei einer Niederdruck-Kokillengiessanlage nach der ersten Erfindungsvariante zum Einsatz kommen. Die an den Transport der geschlossenen Kokille 3 angepasste erste Handhabungseinheit 1 hat einen im Querschnitt U-förmigen Rahmen 2, durch den ein nach drei Seiten offener Aufnahmeschacht 35 gebildet wird. Die Seitenwände 2a, 2b des Rahmens 2 tragen eine Schliessvorrichtung 6, die vorliegend jeweils vier hydraulisch angetriebene Schliesszylinder 7 umfasst. Wie in Figur 4 gezeigt, sind die Handhabungseinheiten 1, 10 mit jeweils einer Antriebseinrichtung 17 verbunden, mit der sie in horizontaler Richtung entlang einer Führungsschiene 18 und in vertikaler Richtung bewegt werden können. Durch Bewegung in vertikaler Richtung wird der Rahmen 2 auf eine stehend dargebotene geschlossene Kokille 3 aufgesetzt, so dass diese im Aufnahmeschacht 35 mit geringem Spiel aufgenommen wird. Sie wird durch die Schliesszylinder 7 fixiert, die in die Aussparungen 8 im Ankopplungselement 4 eingreifen. Der zum Fixieren notwendige Hub der Schliesszylinder 7 ist mit einigen Millimetern (ca. 10 - 20 mm) sehr gering. Weitere bewegliche Teile weist die erste Handhabungseinheit 1 nicht auf, so dass sie unter geringem konstruktiven Aufwand herstellbar ist. Durch die Schliessvorrichtung 6 wird die geschlossene Kokille 3 sowohl innerhalb der ersten Handhabungseinheit 1 gehaltert als auch während des Giessens zusammengehalten.The FIGS. 1a, b and 2a, b show the two types of handling units 1, 10, which are used in a low-pressure Kokillengiessanlage according to the first variant of the invention. The adapted to the transport of the closed mold 3 first handling unit 1 has a cross-sectionally U-shaped frame 2, through which an open on three sides receiving shaft 35 is formed. The side walls 2a, 2b of the frame 2 carry a closing device 6, which in the present case in each case comprises four hydraulically driven closing cylinders 7. As in FIG. 4 2, the handling units 1, 10 are each connected to a drive device 17, with which they can be moved in the horizontal direction along a guide rail 18 and in the vertical direction. By movement in the vertical direction, the frame 2 is placed on a standing upright closed mold 3, so that it is received in the receiving shaft 35 with little play. It is fixed by the lock cylinder 7, which engage in the recesses 8 in the coupling element 4. The necessary for fixing stroke of the lock cylinder 7 is very small with a few millimeters (about 10 - 20 mm). Other moving parts, the first handling unit 1 does not have, so that it can be produced with little design effort. By the closing device 6, the closed mold 3 is held both within the first handling unit 1 and held together during the casting.

Die zweite Handhabungseinheit 10 gemäss den Figuren 3a,b ist an den Transport der offenen Kokille mit voneinander beabstandeten, parallel ausgerichteten Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b angepasst. Sie umfasst ebenfalls einen U-förmigen Rahmen 11, dessen Seitenwände 11a, 11b einen gegenüber dem Rahmen 2 der ersten Handhabungseinheit 1 vergrösserten Abstand haben. Jede Seitenwand 11a, 11b umfasst eine Haltevorrichtung 12, die vorliegend mit den Zapfen 15 der Ankopplungselemente 4 zusammenwirkende Halteelemente 13 und mit den Aussparungen 8 zusammenwirkende Haltezylinder 14 umfasst. Mit der Haltevorrichtung 12 werden die Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b innerhalb der zweiten Handhabungseinheit 10 gehaltert. Die Aufnahme der Kokille erfolgt, indem die zweite Handhabungseinheit 10 von oben auf die stehend dargebotene offene Kokille 3 aufgesetzt und anschliessend die Haltezylinder 14 bewegt werden. Ausser Schliesszylindern sind auch andere Greifmechanismen denkbar. Auch hier sind wie bei der ersten Handhabungseinheit 1 ausser den Schliesszylindern keine beweglichen Teile vorhanden.The second handling unit 10 according to the FIGS. 3a, b is adapted to the transport of the open mold with spaced, parallel mold halves 3a, 3b. It also comprises a U-shaped frame 11, whose side walls 11a, 11b have a relation to the frame 2 of the first handling unit 1 increased distance. Each side wall 11a, 11b comprises a holding device 12 which in the present case comprises holding elements 13 cooperating with the pins 15 of the coupling elements 4 and holding cylinders 14 cooperating with the cutouts 8. With the holding device 12, the mold halves 3a, 3b are held within the second handling unit 10. The inclusion of the mold is carried out by the second handling unit 10 is placed from above on the standing upright open mold 3 and then the holding cylinder 14 are moved. Except locking cylinders and other gripping mechanisms are conceivable. Again, as with the first handling unit 1 except the lock cylinders no moving parts available.

Figur 4 zeigt einen bevorzugten Aufbau der erfindungsgemässen Niederdruck-Kokillengiessanlage als Linearanordnung. Eine Giessstation 19 und weitere Arbeitsstationen, hier eine Kerneinlegestation 20, eine Entnahmestation 21, eine Kokillenwechselstation 22, eine Reinigungsstation 23 und eine Graphitisierungsstation 24, sind entlang einer Geraden in vorzugsweise gleichen Abständen angeordnet. Zwischen der Giessstation 19 und der Kerneinlegestation 20 befindet sich eine Warteposition 22', wobei auch der Bereich über der Kokillenwechselstation 22 als Warteposition dienen kann, wenn gerade keine Kokille ausgewechselt wird. Im linken Teil der Zeichnung ist die Giessstation 19 in einer um 90° gedrehten Seitenansicht gezeigt. Die Giessanlage hat eine erste Handhabungseinheit 1 und zwei zweite Handhabungseinheiten 10,10', die jeweils mit einer Antriebseinrichtung 17 verbunden sind. Diese bewegt die Handhabungseinheiten 1,10,10' entlang einer linearen Führungsschiene 18 und erlaubt zudem die Höhenverstellbarkeit der Handhabungseinheiten. Die Handhabungseinheiten 1,10,10' sind unabhängig voneinander verfahrbar. Ihre Bewegung wird durch eine nicht dargestellte Steuereinrichtung gesteuert. Da die Kokillen nicht fest mit einer bestimmten Handhabungseinheit verbunden sind, können auf vorteilhafte Weise auch in der vorliegenden Linearanordnung drei Handhabungseinheiten verwendet werden. Dadurch wird die Taktzahl der Anlage gegenüber bekannten Anlagen deutlich erhöht. FIG. 4 shows a preferred construction of the inventive low-pressure Kokillengiessanlage as a linear array. A casting station 19 and other work stations, here a core insertion station 20, a removal station 21, a mold changing station 22, a cleaning station 23 and a graphitization station 24 are arranged along a straight line in preferably equal intervals. Between the pouring station 19 and the core insertion station 20 there is a waiting position 22 ', wherein also the area above the mold change station 22 can serve as a waiting position when no mold is being replaced. In the left part of the drawing, the casting station 19 is shown in a rotated by 90 ° side view. The casting installation has a first handling unit 1 and two second handling units 10, 10 ', which are each connected to a drive device 17. This moves the handling units 1,10,10 'along a linear guide rail 18 and also allows the height adjustment of the handling units. The handling units 1,10,10 'are independently movable. Their movement is controlled by a control device, not shown. Since the molds are not fixedly connected to a specific handling unit, three handling units can advantageously also be used in the present linear arrangement. As a result, the cycle rate of the system compared to known systems is significantly increased.

Ein Beispiel für die Bewegung der Kokillen ist in Figur 11a,b dargestellt. Demnach nimmt die erste Handhabungseinheit 1 an der Kerneinlegestation eine geschlossene Kokille auf und fährt diese zur Giessstation 19 und anschliessend zur Entnahmestation 21. Die geschlossene Kokille wird an die Entnahmestation 21 übergeben, dort geöffnet, worauf das Gussteil entnommen wird. Währenddessen fährt die erste Handhabungseinheit 1 bereits wieder zur Kerneinlegestation, um eine neue Kokille zu übernehmen. Die entleerte Kokille wird an der Entnahmestation 21 von der zweiten Handhabungseinheit 10 abgeholt und in offenem Zustand zur Reinigungsstation 23 transportiert und an diese übergeben. Die zweite Handhabungseinheit 10 bewegt sich nach dieser Übergabe in die Warteposition 22'. Die gereinigte Kokille wird schliesslich von der weiteren zweiten Handhabungseinheit 10' aus der Reinigungsstation 23 abgeholt und in die Graphitisierungsstation 24 gebracht, wo sie während der Graphitisierung an der weiteren zweiten Handhabungseinheit 10' bleibt. Anschliessend wird sie zur Kerneinlegestation 20 gefahren, wo der Zyklus erneut beginnt. Die währenddessen ausgeführten Bewegungen der beiden anderen Handhabungseinheiten können Figur 11a entnommen werden. Insgesamt gelingt es, synchron mit drei Kokillen zu arbeiten, wobei Taktzeiten der Anlage im Bereich von 40 - 60 Sekunden realisierbar sind. Da jede Kokille nach der dreifachen Taktzeit wieder zur Giessstation 19 gelangt, sind keine zusätzlichen Heizschritte notwendig, um die Kokille auf der gewünschten Temperatur zu halten. Die Temperatur der Kokille wird gemessen und über die Wasch- bzw. Sprühzeit konstant gehalten.An example of the movement of the molds is in FIG. 11a, b shown. Accordingly, the first handling unit 1 receives a closed mold at the core insertion station and drives it to the casting station 19 and then to the removal station 21. The closed mold is transferred to the removal station 21, there opened, whereupon the casting is removed. Meanwhile, the first handling unit 1 already moves back to the core insertion station to take over a new mold. The emptied mold is picked up at the removal station 21 by the second handling unit 10 and transported in the open state to the cleaning station 23 and passed to this. The second handling unit 10 moves after this transfer to the waiting position 22 '. The cleaned mold is finally picked up by the further second handling unit 10 'from the cleaning station 23 and brought into the graphitization station 24, where it remains at the further second handling unit 10' during the graphitization. Subsequently, it is moved to the core insertion station 20, where the cycle begins again. The executed while movements of the other two handling units can FIG. 11a be removed. Overall, it is possible to work synchronously with three molds, with cycle times of the system in the range of 40 - 60 seconds are feasible. Since each mold reaches the casting station 19 after the triple cycle time, no additional heating steps are necessary to keep the mold at the desired temperature. The temperature of the mold is measured and kept constant over the washing or spraying time.

Die Figuren 5 - 10 zeigen schematisch den Aufbau der einzelnen Arbeitsstationen, die im folgenden nur so weit erläutert werden, wie der Aufbau von bekannten Stationen abweicht. Der Aufbau der in Figur 5 gezeigten Giessstation 19 mit einem Induktionsofen entspricht dem Stand der Technik. Mit der ersten Handhabungseinheit 1, die auch die nötige Schliesskraft zum Schliessen der Kokillenhälften 3a,3b aufbringt, wird die Kokille auf das Steigrohr 25 des Ofens aufgesetzt.The FIGS. 5 to 10 schematically show the structure of the individual workstations, which are explained below only as far as the structure of known stations deviates. The construction of in FIG. 5 shown pouring station 19 with an induction furnace corresponds to the prior art. With the first handling unit 1, which also applies the necessary closing force for closing the mold halves 3a, 3b, the mold is placed on the riser pipe 25 of the furnace.

Die in Figur 6a-b gezeigte Kerneinlegestation 20 umfasst einen quer zur Ausrichtung der Führungsschiene 18 (Figur 4) bewegbaren Wagen 27, mit dem eine Öffnungs- und Schliessvorrichtung 26 um eine horizontale Achse schwenkbar verbunden ist. Im liegenden Zustand (linker Teil von Figur 6a) kann die Öffnungs- und Schliessvorrichtung eine geöffnet dargebotene Kokille 3 aufnehmen. Die Kokille wird dabei an ihren Ankopplungselementen 4 von der Öffnungs- und Schliessvorrichtung 26 gegriffen. Dies ist schematisch in Figur 6c-d gezeigt: Die Kokille 3 wird von oben auf Haltezylinder 14' aufgesetzt, die in untere Aussparungen 8 in der Platte 5 eingreifen. Schliesszylinder 7' fahren anschliessend in seitliche Aussparungen 8 in der Platte 5 ein, so dass diese eingespannt wird. Durch Verschwenken der Öffnungs- und Schliesvorrichtung 26 um 90° (rechter Teil von Figur 6a) gelangen die Kokillenhälften 3a,3b in eine horizontale Lage, so dass der Sandkern manuell eingelegt werden kann. Die Kokille 3 wird schliesslich geschlossen und die Öffnungs- und Schliessvorrichtung in die liegende Position zurück geschwenkt. Die erste Handhabungseinheit 1 kann die geschlossene Kokille 3 in diesem Zustand abholen. Figur 6b zeigt die in Figur 4 skizzierte Ansicht der Kerneinlegestation, während Figur 6a eine um 90° gedrehte Ansicht dazu zeigt.In the Figure 6a-b shown Kerneinlegestation 20 includes a transverse to the orientation of the guide rail 18 (FIG. FIG. 4 ) movable carriage 27, with which an opening and closing device 26 is pivotally connected about a horizontal axis. In the lying state (left part of FIG. 6a ), the opening and closing device can receive an open presented mold 3. The mold is gripped at its coupling elements 4 of the opening and closing device 26. This is schematically in Figure 6c-d Shown: The mold 3 is placed from above on holding cylinder 14 ', which engage in lower recesses 8 in the plate 5. Locking cylinder 7 'then enter into lateral recesses 8 in the plate 5, so that it is clamped. By pivoting the opening and closing device 26 by 90 ° (right part of FIG. 6a ) enter the Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b in a horizontal position, so that the sand core can be manually inserted. The mold 3 is finally closed and the opening and closing device pivoted back into the lying position. The first handling unit 1 can pick up the closed mold 3 in this state. FIG. 6b shows the in FIG. 4 sketched view of core loading station while FIG. 6a a rotated by 90 ° view shows.

Die Entnahmestation 21 in Figur 7 erhält von der ersten Handhabungsstation 1 eine geschlossene Kokille, die sie mit einer internen Öffnungs- und Schliessvorrichtung 26' öffnet, so dass das Gussteil 28 mit einer Ausstossvorrichtung ausgestossen und entnommen werden kann. Die Kokille wird anschliessend in geöffnetem Zustand abgeholt.The removal station 21 in FIG. 7 receives a closed mold from the first handling station 1, which opens it with an internal opening and closing device 26 ', so that the casting 28 can be ejected with an ejector and removed. The mold is then picked up in the open state.

Eine geöffnete Kokille wird mit einer zweiten Handhabungseinheit 10 an die in Figur 8 skizzierte Reinigungsstation übergeben, die in einem Gehäuse 30 eine geeignete Aufnahme für die geöffnete Kokille aufweist. Die Kokille wird programmiert gestrahlt oder gewaschen. Anschliessend wird die Kokille von der weiteren zweiten Handhabungseinheit 10' abgeholt und zur in Figur 9 gezeigten Graphitierungsstation 24 gefahren. Dort wird sie mitsamt der Handhabungseinheit 10' abgesenkt, durch ein Sprühgerät 31 mit Schlichte eingesprüht und wieder angehoben.An open mold is with a second handling unit 10 to the in FIG. 8 sketched cleaning station passed, which has a suitable receptacle for the opened mold in a housing 30. The mold is programmed blasted or washed. Subsequently, the mold is picked up by the other second handling unit 10 'and the in FIG. 9 shown graphitization station 24 drove. There it is lowered together with the handling unit 10 ', sprayed by a sprayer 31 with sizing and raised again.

Die Kokillenwechselstation 22 gemäss Figur 10 umfasst einen Wagen 32 für den Wegtransport einer auszuwechselnden Kokille und einen Wagen 33 für den Zutransport einer neuen vorgeheizten Kokille. Die Wagen sind quer zur Ausrichtung der Führungsschiene 18 (Figur 4) beweglich. Nachdem Deponieren einer auszuwechselnden Kokille wird der Wagen 32 zur Seite gefahren, so dass der Wagen 33 dessen ursprüngliche Position einnimmt und die Kokillenhälften 3a,3b im geöffneten Zustand ergriffen werden.The mold changing station 22 according to FIG. 10 comprises a carriage 32 for the transporting away of a mold to be replaced and a carriage 33 for the transport of a new preheated mold. The carriages are transverse to the orientation of the guide rail 18 (FIG. FIG. 4 ) movable. After depositing a mold to be replaced, the carriage 32 is moved to the side, so that the carriage 33 assumes its original position and the mold halves 3a, 3b are gripped in the open state.

Fig. 12 zeigt eine Aufsicht auf eine Niederdruck-Kokillengiessanlage nach der zweiten Erfindungsvariante mit einer Giessstation 19, einer Entnahme- und Reinigungsstation 21/23, einer Kokillenwechselstation 22, einer Kühl- und Schlichtstation mit Kerneinlegestation 20 und einem Greif- und Transportsystem zum Fördern der Kokillen. Das Greif- und Transportsystem umfasst drei Handhabungseinheiten, die entlang von in Form eines Dreiecks angeordneten Führungsschienen 18 bewegt werden. Die Kokillen 3 sind in Fig. 1a-e gezeigt, die einzelnenen Stationen in den Fig. 13-15. Fig. 12 shows a plan view of a low-pressure Kokillengiessanlage according to the second variant of the invention with a casting station 19, a removal and cleaning station 21/23, a mold changing station 22, a cooling and finishing station with Kerneinlegestation 20 and a gripping and transport system for conveying the molds. The gripping and transport system comprises three handling units which are moved along guide rails 18 arranged in the form of a triangle. The molds 3 are in Fig. 1a-e shown the individual stations in the Fig. 13-15 ,

Fig. 13a,b zeigen eine an sich bekannte Giessstation 19 mit einer Klemmeinheit 43 in Seitenansicht bzw. Aufsicht. Die Klemmeinheit 43 besteht dazu aus einem rechteckförmigen, geschlossenen Rahmen 43a, der in seinem Inneren Aufnahmeelemente 44 zur Aufnahme der Ankopplungselemente 4 der Kokille 3 aufweist. Dabei wird die Kokille 3 von oben in die Klemmeinheit 43 eingeführt. Zur Halterung der Kokille 3 können zusätzlich Spannelemente vorgesehen sein, die die Kokille 3 nach dem Einführen in der Klemmeinheit 43 verspannen. Die Klemmeinheit 43 ist an einer vertikal orientierten Drehsäule 45 befestigt und kann um eine vertikale Achse verschwenkt sowie in vertikaler Richtung verfahren werden. Fig. 13a, b show a known casting station 19 with a clamping unit 43 in side view and supervision. The clamping unit 43 consists of a rectangular, closed frame 43 a, which in its interior Receiving elements 44 for receiving the coupling elements 4 of the mold 3 has. In this case, the mold 3 is inserted from above into the clamping unit 43. For holding the mold 3 additional clamping elements may be provided which clamp the mold 3 after insertion into the clamping unit 43. The clamping unit 43 is fixed to a vertically oriented pivot column 45 and can be pivoted about a vertical axis and moved in the vertical direction.

Fig. 14a-c zeigen eine Entnahme- und Reinigungsstation 21/23 in Ansicht von der Seite senkrecht zur Transportrichtung (Fig. 14a), von oben (Fig. 14b) und von der Seite in Transportrichtung (Fig. 14c). Es ist eine Öffnungs- und Schliessvorrichtung 26 vorhanden, die für Kokillen 3 von oben zugänglich ist. Die Öffnungs- und Schliessvorrichtung 26 weist Halteelemente 13 auf, die ebenfalls an den seitlichen Platten 5 der Ankopplungselemente 4 der Kokillen 3 angreifen. Der in Transportrichtung gesehene Abstand der Halteelemente 13 ist hier veränderbar, damit die beiden Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b zum Entnehmen des Gussteils und zum Reinigen auseinandergezogen werden können (gestrichelte Darstellung der Kokillenhälfte 3b'). Die Öffnungs- und Schliessbewegung der Aufnahmeeinheit 26 wird durch Zylinder 46 veranlasst. Führungsstangen 27 dienen zum Führen der Halteelemente 13 in horizontaler Richtung. Ein Ausstoss-Zylinder 48 dient zum Bewegen einer in Fig. 1c-d näher dargestellten Ausstossplatte 42, mit der die fertigen Gussteile 28 aus der Form gelöst werden, so dass sie von einer Entnahmeeinheit 51 übernommen werden können. Nach der Entnahme wird eine Reinigungsdüse 29 entlang der geöffneten Kokillenteile 3a, 3b bewegt. Die Bewegung der Düse 29 kann in Abhängigkeit von der Gussform gesteuert werden. Die Station weist des weiteren ein Strahl-Aggregat 49 auf. Fig. 14a-c show a removal and cleaning station 21/23 in a view from the side perpendicular to the transport direction ( Fig. 14a ), from above ( Fig. 14b ) and from the side in the transport direction ( Fig. 14c ). There is an opening and closing device 26, which is accessible to molds 3 from above. The opening and closing device 26 has holding elements 13 which likewise engage the lateral plates 5 of the coupling elements 4 of the molds 3. The spacing of the holding elements 13 seen in the transport direction can be changed here, so that the two mold halves 3a, 3b can be pulled apart to remove the casting and for cleaning purposes (dashed representation of the mold half 3b '). The opening and closing movement of the receiving unit 26 is caused by cylinder 46. Guide rods 27 serve to guide the holding elements 13 in the horizontal direction. An ejection cylinder 48 serves to move an in Fig. 1c-d Shock plate 42, shown in more detail, with which the finished castings 28 are released from the mold, so that they can be taken over by a removal unit 51. After removal, a cleaning nozzle 29 is moved along the opened mold parts 3a, 3b. The movement of the nozzle 29 can be controlled depending on the mold become. The station further comprises a jet aggregate 49.

Fig. 15a,b zeigen eine Kühl- und Schlichtstation mit einer Kerneinlegestation in Seitenansicht bzw. Aufsicht. Die Kokille 3 befindet sich in einer Öffnungs- und Schliessvorrichtung 26'. Deren Halteelemente 13 sind im wesentlichen so gestaltet wie die der Giessstation 19 bzw. Reinigungsstation und greifen wiederum an den Ankopplungselementen 4 der Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b an. Die Halteelemente 13 bewegen sich zum Öffnen der Kokille 3 auseinander (gestrichelt dargestellt) und schwenken um horizontale Achsen D1, D1', um die Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b in das Kühl- und Schlichtebad 35 einzutauchen. Nach dem Rückschwenken in die Ausgangsposition mit vertikalen Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b verschwenkt die gesamte Öffnungs- und Schliessvorrichtung 26' um eine weitere horizontale Achse D2 (weitere gestrichelt dargestellte Position). In dieser Lage werden die Kerne auf die untere Kokillenhälfte 3a gelegt, die Kokille 3 wird geschlossen, die Öffnungs- und Schliessvorrichtung 26' zurück geschwenkt und die Kokille 3 mit dem Greif- und Transportsystem in vertikaler Richtung entnommen. Fig. 15a, b show a cooling and finishing station with a Kerneinlegestation in side view and supervision. The mold 3 is located in an opening and closing device 26 '. Their holding elements 13 are designed substantially the same as those of the casting station 19 or cleaning station and in turn engage with the coupling elements 4 of the mold halves 3 a, 3 b. The holding elements 13 move apart to open the mold 3 (shown in phantom) and pivot about horizontal axes D1, D1 'to immerse the mold halves 3a, 3b in the cooling and sizing bath 35. After pivoting back into the starting position with vertical Kokillenhälften 3a, 3b, the entire opening and closing device 26 'pivots about a further horizontal axis D2 (further dashed position shown). In this position, the cores are placed on the lower die half 3a, the mold 3 is closed, the opening and closing device 26 'pivoted back and removed the mold 3 with the gripping and transport system in the vertical direction.

Fig. 16a-c zeigen die Ankopplung einer erfindungsgemässen Kokille 3 an eine Handhabungseinheit, die für die zweite Erfindungsvariante sowie für den geschlossenen Transport bei der ersten Erfindungsvariante verwendet werden kann. Die Handhabungseinheit umfasst eine horizontale Platte 53, an deren Unterseite Halteelemente 13' angeordnet sind, deren lichte Weite veränderlich ist. Sie weisen eine Einkerbung auf, die in eine entsprechende Kerbe der Zapfen 15 der Ankopplungselemente 4 eingreift. Die Kokillen werden somit sowohl in horizontaler als auch in vertikaler Richtung fixiert und werden beim Transport geschlossen gehalten. Fig. 16a-c show the coupling of an inventive mold 3 to a handling unit that can be used for the second variant of the invention and for the closed transport in the first variant of the invention. The handling unit comprises a horizontal plate 53, on the underside of which holding elements 13 'are arranged whose clear width is variable. They have a notch, which engages in a corresponding notch of the pin 15 of the coupling elements 4. The molds thus become both horizontal and vertical Fixed direction and are kept closed during transport.

Claims (20)

  1. Low-pressure die casting installation having at least one casting station (19), at least one further working station (20, 21, 22, 23, 24) and at least one handling unit (1, 10, 10') for conveying a permanent mold (3) which comprises two permanent-mold halves (3a, 3b), and means for opening and closing the permanent mold (3), characterized in that at least one first handling unit (1) of a first design is present, which is suitable for conveying a closed permanent mold (3) without the need for means for opening the permanent mold (3), in that at least one second handling unit (10, 10') of a second design is present, which is suitable for conveying an open permanent mold (3), and in that at least one stationary opening and/or closing device (26, 26') is present.
  2. Low-pressure die casting installation according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first handling unit (1) is arranged in such a manner that it is able to convey a closed permanent mold (3) from and/or to the casting station (19), and in that the second handling unit (10, 10') is arranged in such a manner that it is able to convey an open permanent mold (3) from and/or to the further working station (20, 21, 22, 23, 24).
  3. Low-pressure die casting installation according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first handling unit (1) has a receiving shaft (35) and a closure mechanism (6), the cross section of the receiving shaft (35) being matched to the cross section of a closed permanent mold (3), in such a manner that the permanent mold (3) can be received in the receiving shaft (35), and the closure mechanism (6) being able to press the permanent-mold halves (3a, 3b) of a permanent mold (3) which has been received in the receiving shaft (35) toward one another.
  4. Low-pressure die casting installation according to Claim 3, characterized in that the first handling unit (1) does not contain any movable parts with the exception of the closure mechanism (6).
  5. Low-pressure die casting installation according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the closure mechanism (6) comprises at least one hydraulically operated closure cylinder (7).
  6. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second handling unit (10, 10') has two holding devices (12), which are each used to hold a permanent-mold half (3a, 3b), in such a manner that the permanent-mold halves (3a, 3b) are at a distance from one another and are preferably oriented parallel to one another.
  7. Low-pressure die casting installation according to Claim 6, characterized in that the holding device (12) comprises a gripper mechanism, which is used to take hold of the permanent-mold halves (3a, 3b).
  8. Low-pressure die casting installation according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the second handling unit (10, 10') does not include any movable parts with the exception of the holding device (12).
  9. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handling units (1, 10, 10') are driven independently of one another.
  10. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the core-insertion station (20) and the removal station (21) has an opening and/or closing device (26, 26') which is able to receive a permanent mold (3) and to open and/or close the permanent mold (3).
  11. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one handling unit (1) of the first design and at least two handling units (10, 10') of the second design are present.
  12. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casting station (19) is assigned a clamping unit having a frame (43a) for receiving a permanent mold (3) which has coupling elements (4), it being possible to insert the permanent mold (3) in the closed state into the frame (43a) and clamp it therein, and the clamping unit (43) being able to hold the permanent-mold halves (3a, 3b) together during casting, and in that the handling units are able to receive the permanent mold (3) by engaging on the coupling elements (4).
  13. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a set of permanent molds (3) with in each case a base body (9, 9'), and coupling elements (4), which are connected thereto and are arranged in such a manner that the spatial dimensions of the permanent molds (3) of the set, at least in one spatial direction, are independent of the size of their base body (9, 9').
  14. Low-pressure die casting installation according to Claim 13, characterized in that each permanent-mold half (3a, 3b) is assigned at least one coupling element (4) of a predetermined shape and size, and wherein the spatial position of the coupling elements (4) relative to one another is independent of the size of the base body (9, 9').
  15. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the following further working stations are present: a core-insertion station (20), a removal station (21), a cleaning station (23) and a graphitizing station (24).
  16. Low-pressure die casting installation according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the base body (9, 9') is cuboidal and can be split into two halves, and the coupling elements (4) are plates (5), struts or other coupling parts which are arranged parallel to one another laterally with respect to the base body (9, 9'), are connected to the base body by means of pins (34) and on which a handling unit can engage, the plates (5), struts or other coupling parts having the same shape and being at the same distance from one another irrespective of the size of the base body (9, 9').
  17. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of Claims 13, 14 or 16, characterized in that the permanent mold (3) has a locking system for holding the permanent-mold halves (3a, 3b) together.
  18. Low-pressure die casting installation according to one of Claims 13, 14, 16 or 17, characterized in that the permanent mold (3) has a coding (39), which is preferably mechanical or electronic.
  19. Method for operating a low-pressure die casting installation according to one of Claims 1-11, in which the first handling unit (1) conveys a permanent mold (3) in the closed state from a core-insertion station (20) to the casting station (19), holds it closed during the casting and, after the casting, transfers it in the closed state to a removal station (21), in which the permanent mold (3) is opened, and in which the second handling unit (10, 10') picks up the open permanent mold (3) from the removal station (21) and conveys it in the open state to a further working station (22, 23, 24).
  20. Method for operating a low-pressure die casting installation according to Claim 12, the relevant handling unit, at the casting station (19), transferring the permanent mold (3) to the clamping unit (43) or picking the permanent mold (3) up therefrom.
EP20020008894 2001-06-18 2002-04-20 Low pressure die-casting plant and method for operating the same Expired - Lifetime EP1270115B1 (en)

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EP01114553A EP1270114B1 (en) 2001-06-18 2001-06-18 Low pressure casting machine and mould therefor
EP01114553 2001-06-18
EP20020008894 EP1270115B1 (en) 2001-06-18 2002-04-20 Low pressure die-casting plant and method for operating the same

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GB0801887D0 (en) * 2008-02-01 2008-03-12 Smartcast Solutions Ltd Improvements in and relating to metal casting

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CH641987A5 (en) * 1979-10-12 1984-03-30 Fischer Ag Georg DEVICE FOR MONITORING MOLDING UNITS ON A FOUNDATION STREET.
DE3168945D1 (en) * 1980-12-23 1985-03-28 Egro Ag Apparatus and process for low-pressure casting
EP0398168B1 (en) * 1989-05-19 1993-02-24 Kwc Ag Low pressure die casting apparatus
CH690356A5 (en) * 1996-04-19 2000-08-15 Kwc Ag High productivity low pressure die casting installation has work stations located along an overhead linear manipulator reciprocation path
CH692222A5 (en) * 1996-08-23 2002-03-28 Kwc Ag Low-pressure die casting.
TW394715B (en) * 1998-05-20 2000-06-21 Kwc Ag Low pressure chill casting apparatus
EP1057562A1 (en) * 1999-06-04 2000-12-06 Fata Aluminium Division of Fata Group S.p.A. Low pressure casting machine

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