EP1970144B1 - Supply method and apparatus for semi-solid metal - Google Patents
Supply method and apparatus for semi-solid metal Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1970144B1 EP1970144B1 EP08152690A EP08152690A EP1970144B1 EP 1970144 B1 EP1970144 B1 EP 1970144B1 EP 08152690 A EP08152690 A EP 08152690A EP 08152690 A EP08152690 A EP 08152690A EP 1970144 B1 EP1970144 B1 EP 1970144B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- semi
- crucible
- solid metal
- gutter
- injection sleeve
- 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 - Fee Related
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
- B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
- B22D17/00—Pressure die casting or injection die casting, i.e. casting in which the metal is forced into a mould under high pressure
- B22D17/007—Semi-solid pressure die casting
Definitions
- EP Publication No. 0903193 discloses a method for preparing a semi-solid metal (slurry) in a solid-liquid coexisting state by cooling a metal such as aluminum or magnesium in a molten state, or alloys of these or the like , and producing a metal molded product by using the semi-solid metal.
- a molding apparatus including an injection sleeve formed with an opening portion, and a plunger provided progressively/regressively at inside of the injection sleeve is used. Specifically, first, a semi-solid metal is supplied from the opening portion to the injection sleeve. Next, the semi-solid metal supplied to the injection sleeve is extruded by the plunger to be injected into a die connected to the injection sleeve. Next, the semi-solid metal injected into the die is cooled to solidify the semi-solid metal.
- a metal molded product in accordance with a shape of an inner portion of the die can be fabricated as described above.
- WO Publication No. 2006/120980 discloses an apparatus by which a semisolidified metallic slurry material can be fed without fail to the right position in a sleeve.
- a metallic material in a molten state is poured into a vessel which has a bottom and is held upright.
- the bottomed vessel is turned sideways with a support supporting the bottomed vessel.
- the bottomed vessel in the lying state is divided and separated into a bottom part and a barrel part. Simultaneously therewith, the barrel part having the semisolidified metallic slurry material enclosed therein is held in the lying state with a supporting arm and moved to a material setting position in the sleeve of an injection molding machine.
- a gutter is provided on a front end side of the crucible, and at the second step, a front end of the gutter is inserted into the opening portion by the predetermined angle and the semi-solid metal may be injected from the front end of the gutter.
- the gutter does not constitute a hindrance when the molten metal is stirred and the moltenmetal can uniformly be stirred.
- the control apparatus inserts a front end of the crucible into the opening portion of the injection sleeve by a predetermined angle and injects the semi-solid metal contained in the crucible on a side in a direction of advancing the plunger more than at the opening portion.
- the carry arm may include a gutter capable of being connected to the vessel, and the controlling apparatus may connect the gutter to the crucible, insert a front end of the gutter into the opening portion by a predetermined angle and inject the semi-solid metal from the front end of the gutter.
- the gutter can be connected to the vessel by grabbing the vessel by the carry arm, and therefore, an effect similar to the above-described effect is achieved.
- the gutter may be constituted by a shape of a groove.
- the gutter is constituted by the shape of the groove, and therefore, in comparison with the case in which the gutter is constituted by a shape of a cylinder, the atmosphere is easy to flow smoothly to the inner portion of the vessel and the semi-solid metal can smoothly be injected from the crucible.
- the front end of the crucible is inserted into the opening portion of the injection sleeve by the predetermined angle and the semi-solid metal is injected to the side in the direction of advancing the plunger more than at the opening portion by way of the front end of the crucible. Therefore, even when the semi-solid metal is extruded by the plunger, the semi-solid metal can be prevented from jumping out from the opening portion.
- Fig.1 is a perspective view showing a supply apparatus 10 and a molding apparatus 30 supplied with a semi-solid metal by the supply apparatus 10 accordinging to the exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- the molding apparatus 30 injects the semi-solid metal from a front end of the injection sleeve into the die by making the plunger 32 progress.
- the supply apparatus 10 includes a crucible 11 in a shape of a cylinder, a carry arm 13 carrying to move the crucible 11, and a control apparatus 14 for controlling the carry arm 13. Further, although in Fig. 1 , the crucible 11 in the shape of the circular cylinder is illustrated, a crucible in a shape of a square cylinder will do. The circular cylinder shape is simply fabricated and easy to stir a molten metal stored at inside of the crucible by a cooling block 121 (refer to Fig.3 ) to be along an inner wall of the crucible 11.
- moving means including a moving unit moving in 3 axes orthogonal to each other, that is, X axis-Y axis-Z axis, including the rod having the function of pivoting and rocking at a front end, and having the hand 136 on a front end side of the rod.
- Fig.2 is a perspective view of the gutter 131.
- An inner diameter of the front end portion 134 is made to be smaller than an inner diameter of the gutter main body 132.
- a taper portion 132 is constituted between the gutter main body 132 and the front end portion 134.
- the gutter 131 is made to be attachable and detachable to and from the crucible 11 and is mounted to the crucible 11 when the crucible 11 is grabbed by the hand 136.
- the semi-solid metal is contained in the crucible 11.
- the semi-solid metal is produced from a molten metal comprising a molten metal of aluminum or magnesium, or alloys of these or the like by using a stirrer 12.
- the crucible 11 provided to a production line of fabricating the semi-solid metal is a bottomed heat insulating crucible supplied with an amount of 1 shot of a molten metal of the molding apparatus 30.
- Fig.3 is a perspective view of the stirrer 12.
- the stirrer 12 is for cooling and stirring the molten metal at inside of the crucible 11 and includes the cooling block (cooling member) 121 at a previously set temperature, a rotation drive source 122 for driving to rotate the cooling block 121, and a moving mechanism 125 for moving the cooling block 121 and the rotation drive source 122 on a horizontal face longitudinally and transversely, for example, moving in X, Y axis directions. That is, the cooling block 121 and the rotation drive source 122 are moved while being supported by a support member, not illustrated, specifically, a moving unit moved in X, Y axis directions having support rails orthogonal to each other, or an articulated robot of about 3 through 6 axes, not illustrated, or the like.
- the moving mechanism 125 is a moving mechanism for horizontally moving the cooling block 121 and the rotation drive source 122.
- the cooling block 121 is constituted by a shape of a square pillar and is provided with a draft from a base end to a front end thereof. Further, an outer shape of the cooling block 121 may be constituted by a polygonal shape having one or more of corners, a faced polygonal shape having 3 or more of corners, a shape of an ellipse, or a shape of a compounded ellipse, thereby, a vortex is easy to be generated in stirring the molten metal, a stirring capacity can be promoted, and a crystal can be prevented from being produced at the inner wall of the heat insulating crucible.
- the cooling block 121 is constituted by a material which is not melted by the molten metal, and a temperature thereof is controlled by a temperature control portion, not illustrated.
- the rotation drive source 122 is connected to the base end of the cooling block 121 by way of a rotating shaft 123 and a coupler 124 made of a ceramic for driving to rotate the cooling block 121 centering on the rotating shaft 123.
- the coupler 124 made of a ceramic is provided to the rotation drive source 122 to be able to remove the cooling block 121.
- the moving mechanism 125 moves the cooling block 121 and the rotation drive source 122 in a vertical direction and moves the cooling block 121 and the rotation drive source 122 in a spiral shape in an arrow mark B direction in Fig. 3 on a horizontal plane. That is, the molten metal stored at inside of the crucible is cooled by way of the cooling block 121 cooled to a predetermined temperature equal to or lower than a temperature of the molten metal, and an amount of 1 shot of the molten metal is stirred in a horizontal direction to be along the crucible 11 and separated from the crucible 11 by the cooling block 121 while rotating the cooling block 121. Further, the cooling block 121 may be moved in a spiral shape in a horizontal direction.
- the molten metal can effectively be stirred by hampering a directionality of cooling as less as possible.
- the directionality of cooling can further be hampered as less as possible and the molten metal can swiftly be stirred.
- the molten metal is supplied to the crucible 11, and the cooling block 121 is dipped into the molten metal at inside of the crucible 11 by moving the cooling block 121 and the rotation drive source 122 in a vertical lower direction by rotating the cooling block 121 at a previously set temperature by a comparatively low speed centering on the rotating shaft 123 by the rotation drive source 122 of the stirrer 12.
- a speed of rotating the cooling block 121 is increased by the rotation drive source 122 and the cooling block 121 and the rotation drive source 122 are moved in the spiral shape by the moving mechanism 125. Thereby, the molten metal is cooled and stirred swiftly.
- the cooling block 121 is pulled up from the molten metal at inside of the crucible 11 by moving the cooling block 121 and the rotation drive source 122 in a vertical upper direction by the moving mechanism 125 while rotating the cooling block 121 by the rotation drive source 122.
- the molten metal at inside of the crucible 11 becomes a semi-solidmetal maintained at a constant temperature as a whole.
- the semi-solid metal is supplied into the injection sleeve 31 by grabbing the crucible 11 containing the semi-solid metal by the hand 136 of the carry arm 13 of an articulated robot or the like, not illustrated, and inserting the front end portion 134 of the gutter 131 mounted to the crucible 11 into the opening portion 31A of the injection sleeve 31 by a predetermined angle (arbitrary angle).
- a predetermined angle arbitrary angle
- the semi-solid metal at inside of the crucible 11 is injected from the front end portion 134 of the gutter 131 to a side in a direction of advancing the plunger 32, that is, a side in an arrow mark A direction in Fig.5 more than at a position formed with the opening portion 31A at inside of the injection sleeve 31.
- the semi-solid metal supplied to inside of the injection sleeve 31 is extruded in the arrow mark A direction in Fig.5 by the plunger 32 and is injected to a die, not illustrated.
- the cooling block 121 after having been pulled up from the molten metal is first dipped into a cooling layer, not illustrated, to carry out a cooling treatment.
- the cooling block 121 is subjected to an air blow treatment, removed of a solidified object of the semi-solid metal adhered to a surface of the cooling block 121, thereafter, coated with a ceramic material on the surface and is subjected to a drying treatment by drying means, not illustrated.
- a drying treatment by drying means, not illustrated.
- the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment but the invention includes a modification, an improvement or the like within a range of capable of achieving the object of the invention.
- a crucible 11A is constituted by a shape of a parallelepiped, cooling blocks 121A and 121B and rotation drive sources 122A and 122B of a stirrer 12A may reciprocally be moved in a longitudinal direction (arrow mark C direction in Fig.6 of the crucible 11A by a moving mechanism 125A to thereby cool and stir the molten metal at inside of the crucible 11A.
- the rotation drive source 122A is connected to a base end of the cooling block 121A by way of a rotating shaft 123A and a coupler 124A to drive to rotate the cooling block 121A centering on the rotating shaft 123A.
- the coupler 124A made of a ceramic is provided to the rotation drive source 122A to be able to remove the cooling block 121A.
- the rotation drive source 122B is connected to a base end of the cooling block 121B by way of a rotating shaft 123B and a coupler 124B made of a ceramic to drive to rotate the cooling block 121B centering on the rotating shaft 123B.
- the coupler 124B made of a ceramic is provided to the rotation drive source 122B to be able to remove the cooling block 121B.
- the moving mechanism 125A moves the cooling blocks 121A and 121B and the rotation drive sources 122A and 122B in the vertical direction and reciprocally moves the cooling blocks 121A and 121B and the rotation drive sources 122A and 122B in the arrow mark C direction in Fig.6 .
- a cooling block 121C and a rotation drive source 122C of a stirrer 12B may reciprocally be moved in a vertical direction (arrow mark D direction in Fig. 7 ) by a moving mechanism 125B and the molten metal at inside of the crucible 119 may be cooled and stirred.
- the rotation drive source 122C is connected to a base end of the cooling block 121C by way of a rotating shaft 123C and a coupler 124C made of a ceramic to drive to rotate the cooling block 121C centering on the shaft 123C.
- the coupler 124C made of a ceramic is provided to the rotation drive source 122C to be able to remove the cooling block 121C centering on the rotating shaft 123C.
- the moving mechanism 125B reciprocally moves the cooling block 121C and the rotation drive source 122C in the arrow mark D direction of Fig.7 .
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Casting Support Devices, Ladles, And Melt Control Thereby (AREA)
- Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a supply method and a supply apparatus for a semi-solid metal.
-
EP Publication No. 0903193 discloses a method for preparing a semi-solid metal (slurry) in a solid-liquid coexisting state by cooling a metal such as aluminum or magnesium in a molten state, or alloys of these or the like , and producing a metal molded product by using the semi-solid metal. - According to the method shown in
EP Publication No. 0903193 a molding apparatus including an injection sleeve formed with an opening portion, and a plunger provided progressively/regressively at inside of the injection sleeve is used. Specifically, first, a semi-solid metal is supplied from the opening portion to the injection sleeve. Next, the semi-solid metal supplied to the injection sleeve is extruded by the plunger to be injected into a die connected to the injection sleeve. Next, the semi-solid metal injected into the die is cooled to solidify the semi-solid metal. A metal molded product in accordance with a shape of an inner portion of the die can be fabricated as described above. - Meanwhile, the viscosity of the above-described semi-solid metal is higher than that of the metal in the molten state. Therefore, a large force is necessary to maintain a current shape. Therefore, when a press force is applied in extruding the semi-solid metal by the plunger, the semi-solid metal is applied a stress in a direction opposed to a direction of the press force to maintain the current shape. Therefore, the semi-solid metal is squeezed by the press force and the stress to considerably deform, and there is a case of jumping out from the opening portion of the injection sleeve to outside.
-
EP Publication No. 1649951 discloses a method of preparing a map expressing a correlation between solid phase percentage and viscosity of a slurry-form semi-solid metal for a given metal composition; a step of setting a target viscosity corresponding to a target solid phase percentage using this map; a viscosity measuring step of measuring the viscosity of a semi-solid metal in a vessel while cooling it; and a step of carrying out cooling until this viscosity reaches the target viscosity, by these steps being carried out in from the preparation of the map expressing the correlation between solid phase percentage and viscosity of the semi-solid metal to the end of cooling of the semi-solid metal the solid phase percentage of the semi-solid metal is made to match the target solid phase percentage. Because the viscosity is detected, the affects of cooling rate changes and time can be eliminated, and it is possible to raise management accuracy of the solid phase percentage of the semi-solid metal much further than with related art management based on time. -
WO Publication No. 2006/120980 discloses an apparatus by which a semisolidified metallic slurry material can be fed without fail to the right position in a sleeve. A metallic material in a molten state is poured into a vessel which has a bottom and is held upright. At the time when the metallic material has become a semisolidified metallic slurry material, the bottomed vessel is turned sideways with a support supporting the bottomed vessel. The bottomed vessel in the lying state is divided and separated into a bottom part and a barrel part. Simultaneously therewith, the barrel part having the semisolidified metallic slurry material enclosed therein is held in the lying state with a supporting arm and moved to a material setting position in the sleeve of an injection molding machine. - As a result, a step of removing the jumped semi-solid metal is needed, and the additional step leads to the problem that the production cannot be made efficient.
- One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a supply method and a supply apparatus for a semi-solid metal, capable of preventing the semi-solid metal from jumping out.
- In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, in a supply method of a semi-solid metal of the invention for supplying the semi-solid metal to a molding apparatus having an injection sleeve formed with an opening portion, and a plunger progressively/regressively provided at an inner portion of the injection sleeve, the supply method is provided with a first step of producing the a semi-solid metal from a molten metal at an inner portion of a vessel in a shape of a cylinder, and a second step of supplying the semi-solid metal contained in the vessel to the inner portion of the injection sleeve by inserting a front end of the vessel into the opening portion of the injection sleeve by a predetermined angle. At the second step, the semi-solid metal is injected to a side in a direction of advancing the plunger more than at the opening portion.
- According to this case, the front end of the crucible is inserted into the opening portion of the injection sleeve by the predetermined angle and the semi-solid metal is injected to the side in the direction of advancing the plunger more than the opening portion by way of the front end of the crucible. Therefore, even when the semi-solid metal is extruded by the plunger, the semi-solid metal can be prevented from jumping out from the opening portion.
- A gutter is provided on a front end side of the crucible, and at the second step, a front end of the gutter is inserted into the opening portion by the predetermined angle and the semi-solid metal may be injected from the front end of the gutter.
- According to this case, the front end side of the crucible is provided with the gutter, the semi-solid metal is injected from the front end of the gutter, and therefore, the semi-solid metal can smoothly be supplied to the inner portion of the injection sleeve by increasing a flow rate of the semi-solid metal.
- The gutter may be configured to be attachable and detachable to and from the vessel.
- When the semi-solid metal is produced from the molten metal at the inner portion of the crucible, it is necessary to cast the molten metal to the crucible and stir the molten metal. However, when the vessel is provided to the gutter, the molten metal is stirred by inserting a stir rod from the front end of the gutter, and therefore, it is difficult to uniformly stir the molten metal.
- Hence, if the gutter is made to be attachable and detachable to and from the vessel, the gutter does not constitute a hindrance when the molten metal is stirred and the moltenmetal can uniformly be stirred.
- In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, in a supply apparatus of a semi-solid metal of the invention for supplying the a semi-solid metal to a molding apparatus having an injection sleeve formed with an opening portion, and a plunger progressively/regressively provided at an inner portion of the injection sleeve, the supply apparatus is provided with a crucible in a shape of a cylinder containing the semi-solid metal, a carry arm for grabbing to move the vessel, and a controlling apparatus for controlling the carry arm. The control apparatus inserts a front end of the crucible into the opening portion of the injection sleeve by a predetermined angle and injects the semi-solid metal contained in the crucible on a side in a direction of advancing the plunger more than at the opening portion.
- According to this case, an effect similar to the above-described effect for the method is achieved.
- The carry armmay include a gutter capable of being connected to the vessel, and the controlling apparatus may connect the gutter to the crucible, insert a front end of the gutter into the opening portion by a predetermined angle and inject the semi-solid metal from the front end of the gutter.
- According to this case, the gutter can be connected to the vessel by grabbing the vessel by the carry arm, and therefore, an effect similar to the above-described effect is achieved.
- The gutter may be constituted by a shape of a groove.
- According to this case, the gutter is constituted by the shape of the groove, and therefore, in comparison with the case in which the gutter is constituted by a shape of a cylinder, the atmosphere is easy to flow smoothly to the inner portion of the vessel and the semi-solid metal can smoothly be injected from the crucible.
- According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the front end of the crucible is inserted into the opening portion of the injection sleeve by the predetermined angle and the semi-solid metal is injected to the side in the direction of advancing the plunger more than at the opening portion by way of the front end of the crucible. Therefore, even when the semi-solid metal is extruded by the plunger, the semi-solid metal can be prevented from jumping out from the opening portion.
- Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.
-
-
Fig.1 is a perspective view showing a supply apparatus and a molding apparatus supplied with a semi-solid metal by the supply apparatus acording to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. -
Fig.2 is a perspective view of a gutter provided at the supply apparatus. -
Fig.3 is a perspective view of a crucible and a stirrer provided to the supply apparatus. -
Fig.4 is a view for explaining a procedure of subjecting a semi-solid metal to injection molding by using the supply apparatus. -
Fig. 5 is a view for explaining a procedure of subjecting the semi-solid metal to injection molding by using the supply apparatus. -
Fig.6 is a perspective view of a crucible and a stirrer according to a modified example of embodiments of the invention. -
Fig.7 is a perspective view of a crucible and a stirrer according to a modified example of the embodiments of the invention. - An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained in referenced to the drawings as follows.
-
Fig.1 is a perspective view showing asupply apparatus 10 and amolding apparatus 30 supplied with a semi-solid metal by thesupply apparatus 10 acording to the exemplary embodiment of the invention. - The
molding apparatus 30 includes aninjection sleeve 31 in a cylindrical shape, and aplunger 32 provided progressively/regressively at inside of theinjection sleeve 31. - The
injection sleeve 31 is connected to a die, not illustrated. An upper face of theinjection sleeve 31 is formed with anopening portion 31A. - When the semi-solid metal is supplied from the opening portion, the
molding apparatus 30 injects the semi-solid metal from a front end of the injection sleeve into the die by making theplunger 32 progress. - The
supply apparatus 10 includes acrucible 11 in a shape of a cylinder, acarry arm 13 carrying to move thecrucible 11, and acontrol apparatus 14 for controlling thecarry arm 13. Further, although inFig. 1 , thecrucible 11 in the shape of the circular cylinder is illustrated, a crucible in a shape of a square cylinder will do. The circular cylinder shape is simply fabricated and easy to stir a molten metal stored at inside of the crucible by a cooling block 121 (refer toFig.3 ) to be along an inner wall of thecrucible 11. - The
carry arm 13 is a movable arm of an articulated robot a whole content of which is not illustrated, and the articulated robot includes 6 axes of movable shafts and includes anarm 137 and ahand 136. - The
hand 136 is pivoted centering on arod 138 relative to thearm 137 by way of arod 138, or relatively rocked by constituting a base point by a base end side of therod 138. Thehand 136 is provided with agutter 131 an upper half of which is opened. - Further, although an example of 6 axes of the articulated robot is shown as an example as described above, there may be constituted moving means including a moving unit moving in 3 axes orthogonal to each other, that is, X axis-Y axis-Z axis, including the rod having the function of pivoting and rocking at a front end, and having the
hand 136 on a front end side of the rod. -
Fig.2 is a perspective view of thegutter 131. - The
gutter 131 includes a guttermain body 132 in a groove shape, and afront end portion 134 in a groove shape provided at a front end of the guttermain body 132. - An inner diameter of the
front end portion 134 is made to be smaller than an inner diameter of the guttermain body 132. Ataper portion 132 is constituted between the guttermain body 132 and thefront end portion 134. - The
gutter 131 is made to be attachable and detachable to and from thecrucible 11 and is mounted to thecrucible 11 when thecrucible 11 is grabbed by thehand 136. - The semi-solid metal is contained in the
crucible 11. The semi-solid metal is produced from a molten metal comprising a molten metal of aluminum or magnesium, or alloys of these or the like by using astirrer 12. Further, thecrucible 11 provided to a production line of fabricating the semi-solid metal is a bottomed heat insulating crucible supplied with an amount of 1 shot of a molten metal of themolding apparatus 30. -
Fig.3 is a perspective view of thestirrer 12. - The
stirrer 12 is for cooling and stirring the molten metal at inside of thecrucible 11 and includes the cooling block (cooling member) 121 at a previously set temperature, arotation drive source 122 for driving to rotate thecooling block 121, and a movingmechanism 125 for moving thecooling block 121 and the rotation drivesource 122 on a horizontal face longitudinally and transversely, for example, moving in X, Y axis directions. That is, thecooling block 121 and the rotation drivesource 122 are moved while being supported by a support member, not illustrated, specifically, a moving unit moved in X, Y axis directions having support rails orthogonal to each other, or an articulated robot of about 3 through 6 axes, not illustrated, or the like. The movingmechanism 125 is a moving mechanism for horizontally moving thecooling block 121 and the rotation drivesource 122. - The
cooling block 121 is constituted by a shape of a square pillar and is provided with a draft from a base end to a front end thereof. Further, an outer shape of thecooling block 121 may be constituted by a polygonal shape having one or more of corners, a faced polygonal shape having 3 or more of corners, a shape of an ellipse, or a shape of a compounded ellipse, thereby, a vortex is easy to be generated in stirring the molten metal, a stirring capacity can be promoted, and a crystal can be prevented from being produced at the inner wall of the heat insulating crucible. Thecooling block 121 is constituted by a material which is not melted by the molten metal, and a temperature thereof is controlled by a temperature control portion, not illustrated. - The
rotation drive source 122 is connected to the base end of thecooling block 121 by way of arotating shaft 123 and acoupler 124 made of a ceramic for driving to rotate thecooling block 121 centering on therotating shaft 123. Thecoupler 124 made of a ceramic is provided to the rotation drivesource 122 to be able to remove thecooling block 121. - The moving
mechanism 125 moves thecooling block 121 and the rotation drivesource 122 in a vertical direction and moves thecooling block 121 and the rotation drivesource 122 in a spiral shape in an arrow mark B direction inFig. 3 on a horizontal plane. That is, the molten metal stored at inside of the crucible is cooled by way of thecooling block 121 cooled to a predetermined temperature equal to or lower than a temperature of the molten metal, and an amount of 1 shot of the molten metal is stirred in a horizontal direction to be along thecrucible 11 and separated from thecrucible 11 by thecooling block 121 while rotating thecooling block 121. Further, thecooling block 121 may be moved in a spiral shape in a horizontal direction. Thereby, the molten metal can effectively be stirred by hampering a directionality of cooling as less as possible. When moved in the spiral shape in the horizontal direction, the directionality of cooling can further be hampered as less as possible and the molten metal can swiftly be stirred. - An explanation will be given of a procedure of subjecting the semi-solid metal to injection molding by using the
supply apparatus 10. - First, the molten metal is supplied to the
crucible 11, and thecooling block 121 is dipped into the molten metal at inside of thecrucible 11 by moving thecooling block 121 and the rotation drivesource 122 in a vertical lower direction by rotating thecooling block 121 at a previously set temperature by a comparatively low speed centering on therotating shaft 123 by the rotation drivesource 122 of thestirrer 12. Next, a speed of rotating thecooling block 121 is increased by the rotation drivesource 122 and thecooling block 121 and the rotation drivesource 122 are moved in the spiral shape by the movingmechanism 125. Thereby, the molten metal is cooled and stirred swiftly. - Next, after stirring the amount of 1 shot to be separated from the
crucible 11 in the horizontal direction to be along thecrucible 11 by a previously determined time period, thecooling block 121 is pulled up from the molten metal at inside of thecrucible 11 by moving thecooling block 121 and the rotation drivesource 122 in a vertical upper direction by the movingmechanism 125 while rotating thecooling block 121 by the rotation drivesource 122. Thereby, the molten metal at inside of thecrucible 11 becomes a semi-solidmetal maintained at a constant temperature as a whole. - Next, as shown by
Fig.4 , the semi-solid metal is supplied into theinjection sleeve 31 by grabbing thecrucible 11 containing the semi-solid metal by thehand 136 of thecarry arm 13 of an articulated robot or the like, not illustrated, and inserting thefront end portion 134 of thegutter 131 mounted to thecrucible 11 into theopening portion 31A of theinjection sleeve 31 by a predetermined angle (arbitrary angle). Thereby, as shown byFig. 5 , the semi-solid metal at inside of thecrucible 11 is injected from thefront end portion 134 of thegutter 131 to a side in a direction of advancing theplunger 32, that is, a side in an arrow mark A direction inFig.5 more than at a position formed with theopening portion 31A at inside of theinjection sleeve 31. - Thereafter, the semi-solid metal supplied to inside of the
injection sleeve 31 is extruded in the arrow mark A direction inFig.5 by theplunger 32 and is injected to a die, not illustrated. - Further, the
cooling block 121 after having been pulled up from the molten metal is first dipped into a cooling layer, not illustrated, to carry out a cooling treatment. Next, thecooling block 121 is subjected to an air blow treatment, removed of a solidified object of the semi-solid metal adhered to a surface of thecooling block 121, thereafter, coated with a ceramic material on the surface and is subjected to a drying treatment by drying means, not illustrated. Thereby, the surface of thecooling block 121 is prevented from reacting with the molten metal, and removal of the solidified object of the adhered to the surface of thecooling block 121 is facilitated. - According to the exemplaryembodiment, the following effect is achieved.
- (1) The
crucible 11 is grabbed by thecarry arm 13 and thegutter 131 is mounted to thecrucible 11. Further, thefront end portion 134 of thegutter 131 is inserted into theopening portion 31A of theinjection sleeve 31 by the predetermined angle, and the semi-solid metal at inside of thecrucible 11 is injected from thefront end portion 134 of thegutter 131 to the side in the direction of advancing theplunger 32 more than at the position formed with theopening portion 31A at inside of theinjection sleeve 31. Therefore, even when the semi-solid metal is extruded by theplunger 32, the semi-solid metal can be prevented from jumping out from theopening portion 31A. - (2) The
gutter 131 is made to be attachable and detachable to and from thecrucible 11, the semi-solid metal is injected from thefront end portion 134 of thegutter 131, and therefore, the semi-solid metal can smoothly be supplied to the inner portion of theinjection sleeve 31 by increasing a flow rate of the semi-solid metal. - (3) The
gutter 131 is attachable and detachable to and from thecrucible 11, and the gutter is mounted to a vessel by grabbing the vessel by the carry arm. Therefore, when the molten metal at inside of thecrucible 11 is stirred by thestirrer 12, thegutter 131 does not constitute a hindrance by detaching thegutter 131 from thecrucible 11, and the molten metal can uniformly be stirred. Further, when the moltenmetal is supplied to thecrucible 11, thegutter 131 does not constitute a hindrance by detaching thegutter 131 from thecrucible 11, and the molten metal can easily be supplied. - (4) The
gutter 131 is provided in the groove shape, and therefore, in comparison with a case in which thegutter 131 is constituted by a shape of a cylinder, when the semi-solid metal at inside of thecrucible 11 is supplied to theinjection sleeve 31 by way of thegutter 131, the atmosphere smoothly flows to the inner portico of thecrucible 11, and the semi-solid metal can smoothly be injected from thecrucible 11. - Further, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment but the invention includes a modification, an improvement or the like within a range of capable of achieving the object of the invention.
- Although according to the above-described exemplary embodiment, the molten metal at inside of the
crucible 11 is cooled and stirred by moving thecooling block 121 and the rotation drivesource 122 of thestirrer 12 in the spiral shape by the movingmechanism 125, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown byFig.6 , acrucible 11A is constituted by a shape of a parallelepiped,cooling blocks rotation drive sources stirrer 12A may reciprocally be moved in a longitudinal direction (arrow mark C direction inFig.6 of thecrucible 11A by a movingmechanism 125A to thereby cool and stir the molten metal at inside of thecrucible 11A. - That is, the rotation drive
source 122A is connected to a base end of thecooling block 121A by way of arotating shaft 123A and acoupler 124A to drive to rotate thecooling block 121A centering on therotating shaft 123A. Thecoupler 124A made of a ceramic is provided to the rotation drivesource 122A to be able to remove thecooling block 121A. - On the other hand, the rotation drive
source 122B is connected to a base end of thecooling block 121B by way of arotating shaft 123B and acoupler 124B made of a ceramic to drive to rotate thecooling block 121B centering on therotating shaft 123B. Thecoupler 124B made of a ceramic is provided to the rotation drivesource 122B to be able to remove thecooling block 121B. - The moving
mechanism 125A moves the cooling blocks 121A and 121B and therotation drive sources rotation drive sources Fig.6 . - Further, as shown by
Fig.7 , acooling block 121C and arotation drive source 122C of astirrer 12B may reciprocally be moved in a vertical direction (arrow mark D direction inFig. 7 ) by a movingmechanism 125B and the molten metal at inside of the crucible 119 may be cooled and stirred. - That is, the rotation drive
source 122C is connected to a base end of thecooling block 121C by way of arotating shaft 123C and acoupler 124C made of a ceramic to drive to rotate thecooling block 121C centering on theshaft 123C. Thecoupler 124C made of a ceramic is provided to the rotation drivesource 122C to be able to remove thecooling block 121C centering on therotating shaft 123C. - The moving
mechanism 125B reciprocally moves thecooling block 121C and the rotation drivesource 122C in the arrow mark D direction ofFig.7 . -
- 10
- supply apparatus
- 11, 11A, 11B, 119
- crucibles
- 12, 12A, 12B
- stirrers
- 13
- carry arm
- 14
- control apparatus
- 30
- molding apparatus
- 31
- injection sleeve
- 31A
- opening portion
- 32
- plunger
- 131
- gutter
- 122A, 122B, 122C
- rotation drive source
- 121A, 121B, 121C
- cooling block
- 123A
- a rotating shaft
- 124A, 124C
- a coupler
- 123A, 123B, 123C
- rotating shaft
- 124A, 124B
- coupler
- 125A, 125B
- moving mechanism
- 134
- front end portion of the
gutter 131 - 31A
- opening portion of the
injection sleeve 31
Claims (5)
- A supply method for a semi-solid metal for supplying the semi-solid metal to a molding apparatus (30),
wherein said molding apparatus has an injection sleeve (31) formed with an opening portion (31A) and a plunger (32) progressively/regressively provided at an inner portion of the injection sleeve (31), the supply method comprising:a first step of producing the semi-solid metal from a molten metal at an inner portion of a crucible (11, 11A, 11B); anda second step of supplying the semi-solid metal from the crucible (11, 11A, 11B) to the inner portion of the injection sleeve (31) by inserting a gutter (131) provided on a front end of the crucible (11, 11A, 11B) into the opening portion (31A) of the injection sleeve (31) by an arbitrary angle and by supplying the semi-solid metal from a front end (134) of the gutter (131) ;wherein at the second step, the semi-solid metal is supplied to a side in a direction of advancing the plunger (32) more than at the opening portion (31A). - The supply method according to Claim 1, wherein the gutter (131) is configured to be attachable and detachable to and from the crucible (11, 11 A, 11B).
- A supply apparatus (10) of a semi-solid metal for supplying the semi-solid metal to a molding apparatus (30) having an injection sleeve (31) formed with an opening portion (31A) and a plunger (32) progressively/regressively provided at an inner portion of the injection sleeve (31),
the supply apparatus (10) comprising:a crucible (11, 11A, 11B) for containing the semi-solid metal;a gutter (131) capable of being connected to a front end of the crucible (11, 11A, 11B);a carry arm (13) for grabbing and moving the crucible (11, 11 A, 11B); anda controlling apparatus (14) for controlling the carry arm (13);wherein the control apparatus (14) is capable of inserting a front end (134) of the gutter (131) into the opening portion (31A) of the injection sleeve (31) by an arbitrary angle and is capable of supplying the semi-solid metal from the front end (134) of the gutter (131) into the injection sleeve (31) on a side in a direction of advancing the plunger (32) more than at the opening portion (31A). - The supply apparatus (10) according to claim 3, wherein the carry arm (13) includes a hand (136) for grabbing the crucible (11), wherein the gutter (131) is connected to the crucible (11) when the crucible (11) is grabbed by the hand (136).
- The supply apparatus (10) according to claim 4, wherein the gutter (131) is constituted by a shape of a groove.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2007068468A JP2008229633A (en) | 2007-03-16 | 2007-03-16 | Supply method and apparatus for semi-solid metal |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1970144A1 EP1970144A1 (en) | 2008-09-17 |
EP1970144B1 true EP1970144B1 (en) | 2010-05-12 |
Family
ID=39515528
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP08152690A Expired - Fee Related EP1970144B1 (en) | 2007-03-16 | 2008-03-13 | Supply method and apparatus for semi-solid metal |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080223540A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1970144B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2008229633A (en) |
CN (1) | CN101264510A (en) |
DE (1) | DE602008001182D1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110180228A1 (en) * | 2010-01-22 | 2011-07-28 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Casting method and casting apparatus |
JP5919360B1 (en) * | 2014-11-18 | 2016-05-18 | 有限会社ティミス | Semi-solid slurry injection mechanism in automatic casting equipment |
KR101811860B1 (en) * | 2016-05-17 | 2017-12-22 | (주)디티알 | Apparatus for producing semi-solid slurry and process for high pressure die casting |
CN109986045B (en) * | 2017-12-29 | 2024-09-20 | 有研工程技术研究院有限公司 | Open type charging barrel for semi-solid die casting forming and heat balance temperature control method |
SE543156C2 (en) * | 2018-12-21 | 2020-10-13 | Pa Invest Ab | Stirring device for a semi-solid metal slurry and method and system for producing a semi-solid metal slurry using such a stirring device |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3672440A (en) * | 1969-06-13 | 1972-06-27 | Toshiba Machine Co Ltd | Apparatus for die casting ferrous metals |
JP3211754B2 (en) * | 1996-11-28 | 2001-09-25 | 宇部興産株式会社 | Equipment for manufacturing metal for semi-solid molding |
JPH07100634A (en) * | 1993-10-05 | 1995-04-18 | Nippon Steel Corp | Device for scraping out slag in pouring trough for iron casting machine |
EP0733421B1 (en) * | 1995-03-22 | 2000-09-06 | Hitachi Metals, Ltd. | Die casting method |
US6769473B1 (en) * | 1995-05-29 | 2004-08-03 | Ube Industries, Ltd. | Method of shaping semisolid metals |
FR2748957B1 (en) * | 1996-05-22 | 1998-07-31 | Celes | PRESSURE INJECTION OR CASTING MACHINE |
JPH1133692A (en) * | 1997-07-24 | 1999-02-09 | Ahresty Corp | Manufacture of metallic slurry for semi-solidified casting |
US5865238A (en) * | 1997-04-01 | 1999-02-02 | Alyn Corporation | Process for die casting of metal matrix composite materials from a self-supporting billet |
JPH10296418A (en) * | 1997-04-22 | 1998-11-10 | Ube Ind Ltd | Forming device for semi-solidified metal |
US6845809B1 (en) * | 1999-02-17 | 2005-01-25 | Aemp Corporation | Apparatus for and method of producing on-demand semi-solid material for castings |
EP1649951B1 (en) * | 2003-07-02 | 2013-02-20 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Molding of slurry-form semi-solidified metal |
JP2006334665A (en) | 2005-05-06 | 2006-12-14 | Tokyo Rika Mfg Co Ltd | Apparatus for feeding semisolidified metallic slurry material, vessel with bottom, feeding method, molding apparatus, and molding method |
-
2007
- 2007-03-16 JP JP2007068468A patent/JP2008229633A/en active Pending
-
2008
- 2008-03-11 US US12/046,117 patent/US20080223540A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2008-03-13 EP EP08152690A patent/EP1970144B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2008-03-13 DE DE602008001182T patent/DE602008001182D1/en active Active
- 2008-03-17 CN CNA2008100830083A patent/CN101264510A/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20080223540A1 (en) | 2008-09-18 |
DE602008001182D1 (en) | 2010-06-24 |
EP1970144A1 (en) | 2008-09-17 |
CN101264510A (en) | 2008-09-17 |
JP2008229633A (en) | 2008-10-02 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
JP3211754B2 (en) | Equipment for manufacturing metal for semi-solid molding | |
EP1970144B1 (en) | Supply method and apparatus for semi-solid metal | |
CN105772654A (en) | Stirring and mixing method for solid-liquid metal | |
KR100799645B1 (en) | Method of producing semi-solid metal slurries | |
JP2004538153A (en) | Apparatus and method for producing slurry material without agitation for use in semi-solid molding | |
EP0931607B1 (en) | Method of preparing a shot of semi-solid metal | |
CN102836971B (en) | Electromagnetic stirring water-cooled mold and method for pouring steel ingot | |
JP2006334665A (en) | Apparatus for feeding semisolidified metallic slurry material, vessel with bottom, feeding method, molding apparatus, and molding method | |
US7264037B2 (en) | Molding of slurry-form semi-solidified metal | |
AU2642101A (en) | Magnesium alloy casting method and apparatus, and magnesium alloy material manufacturing method and apparatus | |
JP4253549B2 (en) | Manufacturing method of molding material | |
US20070215311A1 (en) | Method and Device for the Production of Metal Slurry, and Method and Device for Produciton of Ingot | |
JP2001303150A (en) | Metallic grain for casting, its producing method and injection-forming method for metal | |
US20020011321A1 (en) | Method of producing semi-solid metal slurries | |
CN1301166C (en) | Preparation method of high speed steel blank and its equipment | |
JP3926018B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for producing semi-solid metal | |
JP2003520683A (en) | Die casting method and die casting apparatus for carrying out the die casting method | |
CN112338158A (en) | Semi-solid pulping method and semi-solid pulping device | |
CN1575887A (en) | Pressure casting method for magnesium alloy and metal product thereof | |
JP2000326064A (en) | Method for orientated-solidifying of molten metal and apparatus therefor | |
KR100830006B1 (en) | Method and device for production of metal slurry, and method and device for production of ingot | |
KR20070024266A (en) | Automatic fabrication system of rheology material with horizontality by using electro magnetic stirring equipment | |
JPH10296418A (en) | Forming device for semi-solidified metal | |
JPH10305363A (en) | Semi-molten metal molding device | |
JP4010389B2 (en) | Metal molding production equipment |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20080313 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA MK RS |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20081121 |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE FR GB |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 602008001182 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20100624 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20110215 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20110317 Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602008001182 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20110214 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20110309 Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20120313 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST Effective date: 20121130 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 602008001182 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20121002 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20120402 Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20120313 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20121002 |