EP0163261A2 - Dosing equipment for metallic melts - Google Patents

Abstract

The equipment is designed as an automatic handling system, illustrated by way of example in Fig. 1, the manually or automatically exchangeable ladling and dosing vessel (30) of which can be operated in conformity with a program on a horizontally arranged traversing rail. The invention is distinguished particularly by the fact that each motional function is assigned its own motor drive (14, 21, 22, 23) with its own control pulse generator and that there is a stored- program electronic control, by means of which the dosing equipment as a whole can be controlled in accordance with a program. The various motions are controlled by freely settable control stipulations which, for their part, are stored in the stored-program electronic control independently of local initiators. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a metering device for metallic melts as an automatic handling system, the scooping and metering vessel is linearly movable on a horizontal procedural rail by means of a chassis, the height of which is adjustable on the chassis by means of a lifting rod and the inclination of which on the lifting rod.

Metering devices of this type are widely used in the industry for the production of metallic moldings from solidifying melts.

It is known that in the case of machine dosing of liquid metal melts, dosing machines are generally used, which consist of a running rail with a traveling mechanism and motor drives, movable lifting and functional rods and a hollow scoop, with which, from a separate holding crucible furnace, determined the spoon volume Amounts of melt are removed and then automatically fed to a mold or casting machine for further processing. This procedure is used in the general dosing technology of non-ferrous metals. The liquid molten metal is transported with the aid of a horizontal travel rail by means of a motorized moving device. Upon reaching the casting position the metered pouring is done by complete vessel evacuation, which must then be moved back to scoop position for re-melting recording to a new _D osierzy- klus initiate.

However, it is extremely disadvantageous that these devices have a limiting degree of rigidity, which does not allow changes in the desired metering quantity or changes in the metering sequence. Changed filling conditions can only be made possible by very costly and time-consuming retrofitting work, with either the scoop being replaced or the entire metering device having to be replaced. Furthermore, after changing the bucket, the entire control system must also be readjusted and readjusted on the assembly side, which in turn entails a costly outlay. It has therefore started to provide a separate metering device for each casting process. This considerably increases the cost of the foundry.

According to the state of the art, switching operations are mainly triggered by starting mechanical or contactless limit switches that are installed at the corresponding switching points. Changes are only possible through the local change of the respective initiator, whereby the devices often have to be switched off and production operations have to be interrupted as a result.

In order to eliminate this circumstance and to be able to set any position positions and dosing quantities without requiring assembly work and without having to interrupt the production process, the end positions are already fixed by specifying freely programmable control values.

The invention has for its object to provide a dosing device of the type mentioned, which is programmable in its movements by push button operations, and to equip with a wide range of movement options.

This object is achieved in that each movement function is assigned its own motor drive, each with its own control pulse generator, and in that a programmable electronic control is available, by means of which the dosing device can be controlled programmatically in its entirety, the various movement sequences being controlled by freely adjustable control specifications, which, in turn, are stored in the storable electronic control, regardless of local initiators. The advantages of these measures are the versatility of the independently program-controllable movement possibilities, egelvorgaben in the free Anwählbarkeit the melting amounts by means of electronic _R, permits the simple and inexpensive construction, the deliberate changes in the metered quantity even during the operation, and in the operation, which makes it possible to approach several dosing points with either the same or different dosing quantities.

A particularly useful measure is that the scooping and dosing vessel is manually or automatically interchangeably mounted on the chassis. Depending on the desired application, an inclinable scooping and dosing vessel or a displacement dosing device can be used. A displacement meter is a receptacle for the melt, which receives the melt by means of a lateral opening and allows it to flow out in a metered manner via a spout by means of a motor or hydraulically adjustable displacer immersed in the melt. Displacement dispensers have the advantage that they enable faster and more precise melt allocation. In addition, according to a further feature of the invention, they can be equipped with heating, so that the cooling phase of the molten metal can be substantially extended.

Since practically every possible vessel shape can be used as a result of the interchangeability of the scooping and dosing vessel, depending on how the operational purpose requires it, the additional functions result in a significantly better capacity utilization of the dosing device. Both in series production and in single operation, the better handling results in an improvement in the quality of the cast product.

An expedient further development consists in holding the scooping and dosing vessel on the chassis or traversing carriage via additional horizontally and / or vertically pivotable articulated rods. This enables local conditions to be achieved which - due to the spatial conditions - are extremely difficult to operate and which, in the case of mechanical die casting machines, have a significant share in the mass production of bulk goods.

According to a further feature of the invention, a plurality of travel systems can be lined up by arranging a plurality of travel cars on one or more Run along the traversing rails. This can save considerable time in productive. _S chmelzzuführung achieve. In addition, all conceivable vessel shapes can be used, so that a state-of-the-art production facility controlled by simple control instructions is ensured.

All drives are designed to be speed-controllable and, in a further special embodiment, can also be designed to be directly electronically controllable in order to achieve a control operation that is independent of electronic pulse transmitters. This means that the relevant bucket movements can also be optimized in order to achieve optimal casting behavior, which, free of blowholes, ensures that every mold is washed out. This enables optimum casting performance and an unrestricted casting operation is achieved.

The electric or hydraulic drives may be associated with electronic pulse promoters, which are provided ehrfachbewegungen for the positioning of the single or _M. The electronic control is computer-aided, so that only the respective final states have to be specified in order to initiate an instantaneous assignment to the respective individual movements.

Thus an extremely high degree of freedom is achieved and an upwardly open production operation possible, which, free from disturbing influences, any desired _D osierbetrieb guarantees.

The invention is exemplified in the figures.

• Fig. 1 Ständer und Verfahrschiene mit Fahrgestell, Motorgetriebe, sowie in der Nebenfigur die Lagerstellen und Kippmethodik des Schöpf- und Dosiergefäßes,
• Fig. 2 eine Anordnung gemäß Fig. l, mit geändertem fußseitigem Motorgetriebe,
• Fig. 3 Ständer, Verfahrschiene und Fahrgestell mit kopfseitigem Motorgetriebe sowie in der Nebenfigur eine Ansicht des Fahrgestelles und einen Schnitt durch die Verfahrschiene,
• Fig. 4 eine Anordnung gem. Fig. 2 mit zwei Dosierstellen und einem Tiegelofen als Schöpfstelle,
• Fig. 5 die Anordnung nach Fig. 2 mit Fahrgestell, vor Beginn des Schöpfvorganges, für einen karusselmäßigen Dosierbetrieb und
• Fig. 6 die schematische Darstellung der kreismäßigen Betriebsstellenverlagerung des Dosiergefäßes,
• Fig. 7 bis 10 unterschiedliche Schöpf- und Dosiergefäße,
• Fig. 11 ein Dosiergerät nach der Erfindung, das mit einem Verdrängungsdosierer arbeitet,
• Fig. l2 ein Ausführungsbeispiel für die lösbare Halterung des Schöpf- und Dosiergefäßes an der Hubstange und
• Fig. 13 eine Verfahrschiene mit zwei Verfahrwagen.

Show it:

• 1 stand and travel rail with chassis, motor gear, and in the secondary figure the bearings and tilting method of the scooping and dosing vessel,
• 2 shows an arrangement according to FIG. 1, with a modified foot-side motor gear,
• 3 stand, travel rail and chassis with motor gear on the head side and in the secondary figure a view of the chassis and a section through the travel rail,
• Fig. 4 shows an arrangement. 2 with two dosing points and a crucible furnace as a scooping point,
• Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of FIG. 2 with chassis, before the start of the scooping process, for a carousel-type dosing and
• 6 shows the schematic representation of the circular shifting of the operating point of the metering vessel,
• 7 to 10 different scooping and dosing vessels,
• 11 shows a metering device according to the invention, which works with a displacement metering device,
• Fig. L2 an embodiment for the releasable mounting of the scooping and dosing on the lifting rod and
• Fig. 13 is a rail with two carriages.

Figures 1 to 5 each show a running rail 11 with a chassis 20 arranged thereon, which in turn carries the scoop 30. The motor 16 is used to drive the chassis (FIG. 3). The lifting rod 33 is raised and lowered with the help of the motor 17. The motor 18 is coupled to the metering vessel 30 via a linkage 34 (FIG. 1, shown only partially) and effects the inclination adjustment. All drive motors are arranged on the chassis 20. The individual drive motors are assigned respective pulse generators (21 ', 22', 23 ') which are connected to an electronic control 50 with a key input field 51, so that overall a programmable control of the metering device is possible.

On the lifting rod 33, the scooping and metering vessel 30 is detachably and thus interchangeably fastened by means of the coupling 35.

The stand 10 is supported by a hollow foot 18 on the floor. A further motor 12 is arranged within the foot 18, with which the stand 10 and so that the travel rail 11 is rotatable about a vertical axis. The drive motor 12 is also equipped with a pulse generator 19 which is connected to the electronic control 50. The rotary movement of the travel rail 11 can thus be included in the program control.

A certain amount of melt is removed from a crucible furnace 41 (FIG. 4) by immersing the spoon-shaped scooping and dosing vessel 30. The metering vessel 30 is provided with a pouring spout 32, through which the liquid melt can flow off. The vessel is connected to the moving frame 20 by means of a movable lifting rod 33. The required pouring-tilt movement is carried out with the aid of a motor-driven functional rod 34. An additional motor drive 14 causes a horizontal spoon rotation. This is intended for linear forward, reverse or right / left metering operation.

The melt is absorbed by lowering the vertical lifting rod 33. The scooping depth is controlled by specifying freely programmable control value inputs. For this purpose, the electrically conductive scoop 30 and / or an opposing pole arranged on the vessel can be connected to an electrical voltage source and then connected to an electronic control system. Of the electronic microprocessor-controlled device is specified, a freely adjustable _R egelwert. When immersed, a contact is established between the control and the motor drive, which is decisive for the control specifications. When the set value is reached, there is a control pulse that switches off the drive and thus limits the diving depth. For this purpose, an incremental pulse generator is attached to the motor, which supplies certain pulses to the electronic control system in accordance with the motor speeds. A control input field is assigned to the control, in which the control specifications are specified. Since such controls, known per se, can detect impulses with great accuracy and evaluate them in fractions of a second, this methodology can ensure optimal scooping behavior. This way of working not only makes optimum scooping positions possible, it also avoids the feared sticking of the swivel joints to the metering vessel bearings 31 and air pockets which lead to complaints in the end products.

The dosing process is initiated by the electric motor-controlled drive, which, taking certain control inputs into account, causes a fine-level pouring movement of the dosing vessel. The control design can be computer-based or manual or computer-based and manual.

A control solution is therefore used which, through free programming of certain control values, enables a fine-stage motor switching of all drive units.

The drives, casting, rotating, lifting and traversing motor, which are necessary for their function, can be equipped with a second shaft end and then provided with incremental pulse generators, possibly absolute value encoders or rotary pulse generators, the pulses of which are to be supplied to an electronic control. The Control is the freely selectable control value set according to the desired dosing quantity, corresponding to a particular vessel slope angle which interrupts the casting operation when it reaches the set value and the drive for the purpose of sudden _D osierunterbrechung to a particular Rücklaufwertumschaltet. This enables extremely precise dosing quantities. Ren _- so then make changes as desired and even possible corrections of metering accuracy during Dosierbetriebes keystroke imple can also be different melting amounts variable and program standard set.

Another feature of the invention is an additional motor drive, which is provided for a horizontal rotary movement of the scoop 30. Such a rotary movement is particularly advantageous if two dosing points 40 arranged next to or opposite one another are to be approached next to the scooping point 41 with one dosing process.

For a program-controlled movement sequence, it is also expedient that the drives for lifting, turning, moving and dosing are equipped with their own pulse generators, the pulses of which are fed to the electronic control in the same way. The control then initiates moving to and fixing the respective position position when the specified control values are reached. The rotary, lifting, traversing and dosing movements required by the function, in particular with multiple dosing in linear traversing mode, can be selected and triggered as required. The individual controls are therefore independent of local initiators.

A further special feature of the invention, as shown in FIG. 6, is the installation of a further additional motor drive 50, which is designed for a horizontal rotation of the travel rail, in order thereby to enable a multiple dosing process in carousel operation. In this case, too, it is expedient to equip the motor drive with its own pulse generators and to feed their pulses to an electronic control in the same way. The predetermined _R egeleingaben cause then the respective fixing the position to be driven to position. This individual control is therefore freely programmable and independent of local initiators. You can carry out both dosing processes, linear and carousel dosing, coupled together.

Figures 7 to 10 each show the lower end of the lifting rod 33 and the coupling device. 35. A different scooping and dosing vessel 30 is connected to the coupling device. The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7 shows a vessel operating according to the displacement principle, which will be described in more detail below.

The embodiment according to FIG. 8 is a scoop and metering vessel 30, the inclination of which is adjusted with a chain gear 36. The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9 shows a tilting scoop and metering vessel which is fastened to the lifting rod 33 by means of two articulated arms 37, 38. FIG. 9 shows a vessel 30 which is held on the lifting rod 33 via three articulated arms 37, 38, 39. The articulated arms 37 and 38 can be pivoted about vertical axes, the articulated arm 39 about a horizontal axis.

This suspension allows a variety of movement options. If each of the various movement options is equipped with a separate drive connected to the central control, this multitude of movement options can be controlled by the program. In the exemplary embodiments described, a motor drive is assigned to the respective movement options. Of course, hydraulically operating actuators can also be provided, which are also programmable.

The function of the metering device according to the invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 11, which shows a device designed according to the invention with a stationary stand 10. The metering processes are initiated by immersing the metering vessel 30 in the melt 60. The melt flows into the casting vessel through the lateral filling openings 61. The dosing vessel 30 is then raised and moved into the pouring position, which is shown on the right. This movement is controlled fully automatically and programmatically (control 50). In the pouring position, the displacer 62 is moved downward, so that the melt is displaced from the vessel 30 and flows out of the pouring spout 63. This movement is also automatic and program-controlled, so that the delivery of an exact amount of melt is possible. A motor 25 with pulse generator 26, which is included in the program control 50, serves for the adjustment.

It can also be seen from FIG. 7 that the displacement meter shown can be equipped with a heater. For this purpose, the mouth of a burner 64 is arranged within the displacer. With the burner flame the displacer is heated so that an extended cooling process of the melt to be metered is ensured.

FIG. 12 shows a possible embodiment of the clutch 35. The motor 42 is assigned to it and actuates an annular claw 44 via the gear 43. In the coupled state, the ring claw 44 engages in the ring groove 45 at the lower end of the lifting rod 33.

FIG. 13 shows another solution in which two traversing carriages 20 run on the rail 11. The scoops 30 are designed differently, so that a high flexibility of the system is ensured.

By using the features and measures described, a state-of-the-art device is possible which, in addition to electronic, programmable logic control, results in a significantly better utilization of the system and in its possibilities achieves an open-ended use. Travel movements, V-dr velocities, sequences and intervals can be specified as desired and set safely using simple push-button operations. Casting performance, dosing quantities and accuracies can be checked at any time and also influenced during operation in such a way that optimal melt allocation is ensured at every moment. Changes can be made instantly and compensated for in fractions of a second. Entire program systems can be saved, stored and called up as required without affecting the production process.

In this way, an extended device automation is achieved, which handles all conceivable dosing states freely in handling and ensures these with a minimum of effort. The production plant is low-maintenance. The device utilization is optimal.

With the metering device according to the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, an automatic metering device with automatic handling for program-conforming scooping, transporting and metering of liquid metal melts is made possible. Its advantages lie in its simple construction and in a control independent of local initiators and contact bars. The required dosing quantities are pre-selected by entering appropriate control values. It is designed for a dosing process that takes future requirements into account and fulfills them. Variable melt quantities, different position positions and dosing programs can be easily set, saved and called up again at any time. Entire program systems can be entered, moved - and changed as required without the need for any additional work. This mö ^g- Lich a metering operation, which can be adjusted quickly to the most varied Produktionsbedigungen. It does not matter whether these are customer-specific or order-related. For the dosing device according to the invention, it does not matter when it should approach which position and how often with which dosing amount. All that is required is a certain movement input, which, given manually, then controls the automatic operation. In this way, optimal automation is achieved, which leads to an extraordinary ratio nalisierungsgrad, results in the mechanical metering of liquid metal melts because now foundry facilities, inter alia, by the double _K rice movements of the running rail 11 and scooping / doser be optimally utilized 30th

Reference number index

• 10 stands
• 11 travel rail
• 12 motor gearboxes on 10, on the foot side
• 13 engine gearboxes on 10, head end
• 14 motor drive for horizontal drive of 30
• 15 pulse transmitters for 14
• 16 pulse transmitters for 21
• 17 pulse transmitters for 22 incremental, angular or
• 18 pulse transmitters for 23 absolute encoders
• 19 pulse transmitters for 12
• 20 chassis on 11
• 21 Motor drive for chassis 20
• 22 Motor lifting and Lowering the lifting rod 33
• 23 Motor drive for adjusting the inclination of the scoop and metering vessel 30
• 24 stand base
• 30 scooping and dosing vessels
• 31 dosing vessel bearings
• 32 pouring snout
• 33 lifting rod
• 34 function rod
• 35 clutch
• 36 chain drive for inclination adjustment of 30
• 37 pivot rod, vertically movable
• 38 swivel rod,
• 39 swivel rod for horizontal swiveling
• 40 dosing point
• 41 Schopf ^t elle
• 42 Motor drive for automatic exchange
• 43 pliers gear
• 44 gripping and holding pliers
• 45 locating pins
• 50 Electronic control
• 51 Keyboard entry field for free rule entry
• 60 melting levels
• 62 filling openings in outer container 30
• 63 outlet
• 64 Energy supply / heating

Claims (20)

l. Dispenser for metallic melts as an automatic handling system, the scoop and _D osiergefäß on a horizontal traversing machinery by means of a chassis linearly spatially movable, is mounted adjustably on the chassis by means of a lifting rod in its height and on the lifting rod in its inclination, characterized in that each _B ewegungsfunction- each has its own motor drive (16, 17, 18), each with its own control pulse generator, and that a programmable electronic control (50) is available, by means of which the dosing device can be controlled in its entirety by program, the various movement sequences being freely adjustable Control specifications are controlled, which, in turn, are stored in the storable electronic control, independently of local initiators. 2. Dosing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the scooping and dosing vessel (30) by means of a further separate drive (14) is both horizontally rotatable and inclinable. 3. Dosing device according to claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the stand (10) of the travel rail (11) by means of a laterally arranged motor drive (12) is movable about a pivot point. 4. Metering device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inclination of the scoop (30) is regulated in that a pulse generator is arranged on the second shaft end of the drive motor (22) or its gear shaft, the pulses of which are compared with the control specifications . 5. Metering device according to claims l to 4, characterized in that the metering vessel (30) itself is used as a touch sensor. 6. Metering device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the regulation of the immersion depth of the scoop (30) in the melt is carried out by means of contact closure of freely adjustable control specifications. 7. Metering device according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electronic control (50) is assigned a keyboard input field (51) which is provided for free control input. 8. Dosing device according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the electronic control (50) are assigned storable microprocessors which serve to control the movement sequences. 9. Metering device according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the respective individual drives each have their own pulse generators (24) in the form of incremental pulse generators, absolute value encoders or rotary pulse generators. 10. Metering device according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the motor rotary gear (13) is arranged on the head side of the stand. 11. Metering device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the scooping and metering device (30) is held manually or automatically interchangeably on the chassis (20). 12. Metering device according to claim 11, characterized in that the scooping and metering vessel (30) is inclinable. 13. Metering device according to claim Il, characterized in that the scooping and metering vessel (30) is a displacement meter. 14. Metering device according to claim 13, characterized in that the displacement meter is equipped with a heater (64). 15. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inclinable or designed as a displacement dosing and dosing vessel (30) via additional horizontally and / or vertically pivotable articulated rods (37, 38 and / or 39) on the chassis (20) interchangeable is supported. 16. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of chassis (20) with the same or different scooping and dosing vessels are provided on the travel rail (11). 17. Metering device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stationary travel rail is supported via a stand (10) or two or more holding structures. 18. Metering device according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the individual drives (14, 16-18, 12) are designed to be speed-controllable. 19. Metering device according to claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the individual drives (14, 16-18, 12) are designed to be electronically controllable. 20. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic control (50) is designed to be computer-aided and / or manually manageable.

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