EP1425122A1

EP1425122A1 - Method and mold shooter for producing molded parts such as casting cores for casting molds used for casting molten metal

Info

Publication number: EP1425122A1
Application number: EP02764879A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rolf Gosch
Original assignee: Hydro Aluminium Mandl and Berger GmbH
Current assignee: Hydro Aluminium Mandl and Berger GmbH
Priority date: 2001-09-10
Filing date: 2002-09-09
Publication date: 2004-06-09
Also published as: WO2003022488A1; DE10144391C1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing molded parts, particularly casting cores, for casting molds used for casting molten metal. The invention involves the use of a mold shooter (1) in which a molding material (F), which contains an inorganic binder, is introduced, with the aid of filling elements such as shooting nozzles (8) and a shooting cover (6), into a cavity (12) of a forming tool (10) that determines the shape of the molded part (K) to be produced during which heat is supplied over a hardening time to the molding material (F) introduced into the forming tool (10) in order to solidify the molding material (F) by extracting moisture. In addition, the cavity (12) of the forming tool (10) is at least intermittently flown through over the course of the hardening time by a hot gas (L) that is supplied dry and withdrawn when loaded with moisture. This enables molded parts for casting molds to be produced reliably and with a sufficient level of strength from a molding material containing an inorganic binder.

Description

METHOD AND FOR SHOOTING MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MOLDED PARTS, SUCH AS CASTING CORES, FOR CASTING MOLDS FOR THE POOLING OF METAL MELT

The invention relates to a method and a molding machine for producing molded parts, such as casting cores, for casting molds for casting molten metal.

In the conventional production of casting cores intended for the casting of light metal melts, a molding material which is generally bonded with synthetic resin is filled into the cavity of a mold which determines the final shape of the casting core molded part to be produced. The molding tool has a sufficient number of shot openings for uniform filling of the cavity, through which the filling with molding material takes place. To fill the mold, a "weft nozzle" is inserted into each of these weft openings, through which the molding material is then injected. The weft nozzles are usually carried together by a height-adjustable "weft head plate" which ensures that the core box is retracted and extended into the firing position. In the known devices, the supply of the shot nozzles usually takes place via a so-called “shot hood”, which covers the shot head plate on its side facing away from the molding tool and is filled with molding material. To shoot in the molding sand, the molding material contained in the firing hood is suddenly pressurized with a gas, usually air, uniformly via a firing cylinder, so that it is driven into the mold via the firing nozzles.

In order to produce the required final strength of the molded part to be produced, there is on the one hand the possibility of catalytically causing a chemical reaction in the molded material by adding suitable agents. In this so-called "cold box process", a molded part which is cured as a result of the chemical reaction is obtained. However, this can no longer be in the cycle for the

Molding used materials are returned.

Alternatively, the curing can be initiated by using suitable binders by applying heat. In order to carry out this so-called “hot box process”, known mold shooters for producing mold cores are equipped with heaters for heating the mold. In this case, the curing of the molding material is brought about by the supply of heat in the molding tool.

Since the use of organic binders can lead to considerable pollution of the workplace and the environment, efforts have been made so far for the production of casting cores to replace used organic binder-containing molding materials by those molding materials which are bound by inorganic binders, such as, for example, waterglass-based binders. A process which enables the use of such molded materials for the production of core moldings is known from EP 0 917 499 B1.

According to this known method, a molding material is first produced by mixing an inorganic, fire-resistant molding sand with an inorganic binder based on water glass. This molding material is then filled into a temperature-controlled molding tool which is exposed to a negative pressure during filling. The temperature / dwell time of the molding material after the mold is closed is set so that a dimensionally stable and stable edge shell is formed on the core molding. When the core molding has reached this state, the molding tool is opened and the core molding is removed. Immediately afterwards, the core molding is subjected to complete drying under the influence of microwaves. Moisture is thus physically extracted from the molding material formed by the mixture filled into the mold. As a result of this dehumidification process, a solidification of the core molding is achieved in the mold, which at least enables its handling in the further processing steps.

In practice, when the known method is carried out in a conventional manner, it is shown that there is a device for heating the molding tool equipped devices various shortcomings. These manifest themselves, for example, in the curing behavior of the respective molded parts, which is unsatisfactory for practical use in the molding shop. Particularly in the case of casting cores with a strongly fluctuating thickness, very long dwell times in the mold are also required in order to achieve sufficient hardening of the molding material even in the thicker regions of the molded part produced.

The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device with which molded parts for casting molds can be produced reliably and with sufficient strength from a molding material containing an inorganic binder.

Starting from the prior art explained above, this object is achieved on the one hand by a method for producing molded parts, in particular casting cores, for casting molds for casting molten metal,

in which a molding material containing an inorganic binder is filled into a cavity of a molding tool which determines the shape of the molded part to be produced, in a molding machine using filling elements such as shot nozzles and shooting hood,

- in which the molding material filled into the mold is supplied with heat over a curing time in order to solidify the molding material by removing moisture, and

- in which the cavity of the mold is at least temporarily hot during the curing time Gas is flowed through, which is fed dry and withdrawn loaded with moisture.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a for the production of molded parts, in particular casting cores, for casting molds for casting molten metal

with a molding tool which has a cavity which determines the shape of the molded part to be produced,

with a heating device for heating the molding tool, with filling elements for introducing molding material into the molding tool, the molding tool relative to the filling elements and / or the filling elements relative to the molding tool from a filling position in which they are arranged closer together for filling the molding tool , are movable into a waiting position in which they are positioned at a distance from one another, and

- With a gas supply that can be coupled to the mold, which, when the filling elements are in the standby position, conducts a dry gas through the molding material present in the cavity of the mold.

A method according to the invention and a mold shooting machine according to the invention for producing casting cores for the casting of metal melts are particularly suitable, which in practice represent the vast majority of the casting mold parts produced in devices of the type in question here. By passing through the cavity of the molding tool at least occasionally during the curing time a hot gas, preferably heated air, which is supplied dry and drawn off with a load of moisture, the curing process of the molding contained in the molding tool is specifically improved. After the molding tool has been filled with molding material, the hot, dry gas stream is conducted into the mold during the time required for the molding to harden in addition to the heat introduced via the tool itself. In this way, on the one hand, the gases generated during the curing process are driven out of the mold. On the other hand, additional heat is introduced into the molded part. This heat does not penetrate slowly through the edge shell of the molded part into its interior, but is actively transported by the gas flow into the core interior of the molded part.

As a result, a quick and even core hardening is achieved. The influence of strongly fluctuating thicknesses on the hardening behavior is minimized. Moldings obtained using the procedure according to the invention therefore have high strength. At the same time, for example in the production of casting cores according to the invention, cycle times are achieved which are no longer than the times required for the production of corresponding casting cores from inorganic binders, in particular synthetic resin, containing molding materials.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least the molding material contained during the curing time, in one during this curing time Filling elements of the molding machine located on the waiting position and heated by the radiant heat emitted by the molding tool are kept at a moisture level which prevents the molding material from solidifying. By selectively keeping those components of the molding machine that are heated by the heat radiated from the molding tool to a temperature at which the unwanted premature and consequently disruptive curing of the molding material could set in, during the curing of the molding material filled in the heated molding tool Components counteracts the water withdrawal from the molding material that otherwise occurs as a result of the heating and thus prevents the molding material from solidifying in the critical components of the shooting machine. The components particularly affected by the heating are typically the shot nozzles and the shot hood required to supply the shot nozzles, or other channels available for this purpose.

By moistening these components in a targeted manner during the dwell time required for the molded part to harden, both crust formation in the weft hood and the sticking of the weft nozzles by solidifying molding material are prevented. In this way, molding materials containing inorganic binders can be safely used for molded parts for the foundry. The molded parts obtained are characterized by good strength and, after use, can be returned to the cycle of the materials used for producing the molded parts. According to another variant of the invention, the moistening of the components heated by the heat emitted by the molding tool and consequently endangered with regard to the solidification of molding material can take place in that at least one of the filling elements is at least temporarily exposed to a moist atmosphere during the curing time. This embodiment of the invention is particularly suitable for avoiding hardening of the molding material in the firing hood if a moist atmosphere is specifically maintained in the hood. The moisture content of the atmosphere, which is preferably formed by air as the carrier gas, can easily be adapted to the respective circumstances. For example, it is conceivable to adjust the humidity of the atmosphere surrounding the waiting shooting nozzles so that condensate forms and, as a result, the solidification of the molding material contained in the shooting nozzles is reliably avoided.

As an alternative or in addition to moistening by maintaining an atmosphere of certain moisture, it can be advantageous to cool at least one of the co-heated filling elements at least temporarily during the curing time. The formation of condensate can also be brought about by such targeted cooling. This embodiment of the invention is therefore particularly suitable for protecting the weft nozzles from being blocked by solidified molding material. Additionally or alternatively, the shot air itself can be humidified in order to prevent the molding material from drying out or hardening from the outset. Another particularly easy to implement and yet particularly effective embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least one of the co-heated filling elements is brought into contact with a moisture carrier at least temporarily during the curing time. This moisture carrier can be an absorbent material impregnated with liquid, in particular water, such as a sponge or a rag. Practical tests have shown that if such a moisture carrier is docked onto the weft nozzles, the solidification of the molding material contained in the nozzles can be reliably avoided.

Further advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and are explained in more detail in connection with the exemplary embodiment described below with reference to a drawing. They show schematically in a partially sectioned representation:

1 shows a mold shooting machine for producing casting cores in a first operating position;

Fig. 2 shows the molding machine shown in Fig. 1 in a second operating position.

The molding machine 1 for producing casting cores K according to the "hot box method" has a mixer 3. In the mixer 3, a molding material F is mixed from an inorganic, refractory molding sand and a water glass-based binder. This molding material F is placed in a hopper 4 arranged below the mixer 3, from which it is passed into a shooting cylinder 5 positioned below the hopper 4. The shooting cylinder 5 shoots the filler F into a shooting hood 6 connected to it, starting from the shooting cylinder 5 and widening in width and depth, which is closed on its underside by a shooting head plate 7. A plurality of receptacles (not shown) are formed in the shot head plate 7, in each of which a shot nozzle 8 is seated.

The shot nozzles 8 extending in the direction of the upper box 9 of a molding tool 10 are arranged corresponding to the shot holes 11 formed in the upper box 9. The shot holes 11 open into a cavity 12 which is formed by corresponding recesses formed in the upper box 9 and the lower box 13 of the molding tool 10. Other elements, not shown, can be part of the molding machine 1.

The shape of the casting core K to be produced is determined by the cavity 12. Vent openings 14 are formed in the lower box 13, via which the air displaced by the filled molding material F escapes when the cavity 12 is filled. If necessary, appropriate ventilation openings, not shown here, are made in the upper box. The upper box 9 and the lower box 13 of the molding tool 10 can be heated in a controlled manner by means of a heating device 15. Actuators, not shown, are provided to the core box with the shot holes 11 to the shot nozzles

8 to drive into a shot position in which they sit in the shot holes 11 of the mold 10. With the weft nozzles 8, the Schußkop plate 7 firmly connected to them, the weft hood 6, the weft cylinder 5 and the funnel 4 are brought together (FIG. 1).

After the molding material F has been shot into the molding tool 10, the molding machine 1 is moved into the waiting position, in which the tips of the shot nozzles

9 are arranged at a distance above the mold 10 (Fig. 2). The shot nozzles 8 maintain this waiting position until the molding material F contained in the cavity 12 of the molding tool 10 has hardened due to the dehumidification to the casting core K which occurs as a result of the heating of the molding material F in the molding tool 10.

A humidifying device 16 is connected to the shooting hood 6, via which moist air can be conducted into the interior of the shooting hood 6. In addition, a sponge 17 is fastened to a plate 18 which, when the shot nozzles 8 are in the waiting position, can be moved under the shot nozzles 8 and raised so that the sponge 17 presses against the shot nozzles 8 and at least completely surrounds its lower section, which has the nozzle opening , In addition, each of the shot nozzles 8 is assigned a nozzle 19, via which moist air supplied by the humidifying device 16 is blown onto the shot nozzles 8 when the shot nozzles 8 are in the waiting position. The moisture content of the moist air introduced in the waiting position into the firing hood 6 and blown against the firing nozzles 8 is adjusted so that there is no dehydration of the molding material. In this way it is reliably prevented that the molding sand F still contained in the firing hood 6 and the firing nozzles 8 in the waiting position solidifies as a result of the heating, which the components in question due to the radiant heat W emitted by the hot molding tool 10 both during the filling process (FIG . 1) as well as in the longer waiting position (Fig. 2) are exposed.

The sponge 17 pressed against the shot nozzles 8 in the waiting position additionally ensures in a targeted manner that there is no blockage of the nozzle openings of the shot nozzles 8 as a result of adhesive molding material F. In addition, the formation of condensate in the area of the shot nozzles 8 can be supported in that the shot nozzles 8 are cooled in the waiting position with the aid of a cooling device, not shown here. This cooling also effectively prevents the temperature in the interior of the shot nozzles 8 from rising to a level critical for the solidification of the molding material F. The moistening of the outside of the weft nozzles 8 ensures that solidified molding sand F does not bake on the weft nozzles 8.

In order to achieve an improved course of the hardening of the casting core K in the mold 10, a device 20 is provided which has an air supply connection 21 and a suction connection 22. During the curing time required for the hardening of the casting core K. when the shot nozzles 8 are in the waiting position, the air supply connection 21 of the device 20 is coupled to the shot holes 11 and the suction connection 22 of the device 20 is connected to ventilation openings 14 of the molding tool 10 (FIG. 2). A hot, dry air flow L is continuously conducted into the mold 10 via the air supply connection 21. This air flow L flows through the casting core K contained in the molding tool 10 and is in the process of curing and is drawn off via the ventilation openings 14 of the molding tool 10. In this way, the interior of the core is also heated uniformly, so that the moisture contained in the casting core K escapes overall more quickly.

At the same time, the air flow L sucked off via the suction connection 22 transports the gases formed in the course of the heating of the casting core K specifically and quickly out of the molding tool 10. The more homogeneous heat distribution in the casting core K achieved by the air flow L thus results in a shortened curing time and at the same time improved strength of the casting core K obtained.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 molding machine for the production of casting cores

3 mixers

4 filling funnels

5 shooting cylinders

6 firing hood

7 shot head plate

8 shot nozzle

9 top box

10 molding tool

11 shot holes

12 cavity

13 lower case

14 vents

15 heating device

16 humidifier

17 sponge

18 plate

19 nozzle

20 Device for generating and extracting the

Airflow L

21 Air supply connection

22 suction connection

D thickness of the casting core K

F molding material

K casting core

L dry air flow

W radiant heat

Claims

P A T E N T AN S P RÜ C H E

Process for producing molded parts, in particular casting cores, for casting molds for casting molten metal,

- In which in a mold shooting machine (1) with the aid of filling elements, such as shot nozzles (8) and shot cap (6), an inorganic binder containing molding material (F) in a shape determining the shape of the molded part (K)

(12) a molding tool (10) is filled,

- In which the mold material (F) filled in the mold (10) is supplied with heat over a curing time in order to solidify the mold material (F) by removing moisture, and

- In which the cavity (12) of the mold

(10) in the course of the curing time, at least occasionally a hot gas (L) flows through it, which is supplied dry and drawn off with a load of moisture.

A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas (L) is supplied via the shot opening (11) of the molding tool (10) provided for the insertion of the at least one shot nozzle (8) and is discharged via the ventilation openings (14) of the molding tool (14) becomes.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, that the gas is air (L).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, d a ß during the curing time containing at least the molding material (F), during this curing time in a waiting position, from that of the molding tool

(10) emitted radiant heat (W) with heated filling elements (6, 8) of the molding machine (1) are kept at a moisture level which prevents the molding material (F) from solidifying.

5. The method according to claim 2, in which at least one of the co-heated filling elements (6, 8) is at least temporarily exposed to a humid atmosphere during the curing time.

6. The method of claim 5, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, that the atmosphere is formed by moist air.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the atmosphere contains a sufficient amount of moisture to form condensate on the heating of the mold (10) with the heating elements (6, 8).

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, d a d u r c h g e k e n z e i c h n e t, d a ß the co-heated filling elements are the firing hood (6) and the firing cylinder (5), in the interior of which the humid atmosphere is introduced.

9. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 8, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, d a ß during the curing time at least temporarily at least one of the co-heated filling elements

(6.8) is cooled.

10. The method of claim 9, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, that the co-heated filling element (6,8) is cooled to a temperature at which moisture condenses on it.

11. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 10, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, d a ß during the curing time at least temporarily at least one of the co-heated filling elements

(6,8) is brought into contact with a moisture carrier (17).

12. The method according to claim 11, since you rchgek characterized that ß the moisture carrier (17) is a liquid, in particular water, soaked absorbent material.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, d a ß the co-heated filling element is at least one shot nozzle (8).

14. Shaping machine for producing molded parts, in particular casting cores (K), for casting molds for casting molten metal

- With a molding tool (10), which determines the shape of the molded part (K) to be produced cavity

(12) has

- With a heating device (15) for heating the mold (10),

- With filling elements (6,8) for introducing molding material (F) into the molding tool (10), the molding tool (10) relative to the filling elements

(6,8) and / or the filling elements (6,8) can be moved relative to the molding tool (10) from a filling position in which they are arranged closer to each other for filling the molding tool (10) into a waiting position in which they are removed are positioned from each other, and

- With a gas supply (20) which can be coupled to the molding tool (10) and which, when the filling elements (6, 8) are in the waiting position, a dry gas (L) through the molding material (F.) present in the cavity (12) of the molding tool (10) ) leads.

15. Shaping machine according to claim 14, since you rchmarked that ß a moistening device (16,17) is provided, which keeps the filling elements (6,8) moist when the filling elements (6,8) are in the waiting position, which contain molding sand (F) and lie in the radiation region of the heat (W) emitted by the molding tool (10).

16. Shooting machine according to one of claims 14 or 15, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, that the moistening device comprises a moisture carrier (17) which bears on at least one of these filling elements (8) when the filling elements (6, 8) are in the waiting position.

17. Shooting machine according to claim 16, because of which the moisture carrier (17) is formed by an absorbent absorbent material which can be soaked with liquid, in particular water.

18. Shooting machine according to one of claims 14 to 17, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c hn e t, that at least one of the filling elements (8) is equipped with a cooling device which cools this filling element (8) when the filling element (6, 8) is in the waiting position.