EP3655178B1 - Method and apparatus of producing metallic billets - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of manufacturing metal slips.

It is specified that the term "metal slugs" applies to metal masses intended to be shaped, generally hot, with a view to producing particular metal objects or parts, for example by injection, forging, stamping, molding or others. , and in particular in the form of pellets, rollers or balls.

It is also specified that the term “metallic materials” applies to metals or metallic alloys, whatever their compositions and their states.

It is also specified that the term “metallic glasses” applies to metallic materials which are not crystalline and also applies to metallic materials which are partially crystalline and which, therefore, contain a mass or volume fraction of crystals. , generally less than 50%.

It is known to manufacture metal slugs by extrusion of a molten metal material contained in a crucible, through an extrusion orifice made through the bottom of a crucible.

According to an extrusion method described for example in patents US 2,595,780 and EP 0 136 866 , the molten metal or metal alloy that comes out of the extrusion orifice naturally segments by beading.

According to another extrusion method described in the patent WO 2013/141879 , the molten metal or metal alloy flows by gravity from the extrusion orifice forming a net which is segmented under the effect of a magnetic field.

Then, the falling metal pieces are cooled by the ambient gas and / or during their penetration into a cooling liquid.

The above extrusion methods can be applied in particular to the manufacture of metal glass slugs of small dimensions, generally not exceeding millimeter dimensions when cooled in gas and of larger dimensions when cooled. in a liquid. When they are cooled in a liquid, there is a problem of pollution of the material constituting the slugs by the liquid.

The patent US 2009/0308560 discloses a molding device which comprises a plurality of molding cups disposed on a circumference and rotated and a gutter for pouring liquid metal into the cups successively as the cups rotate in rotation along this circumference. The formed parts are extracted by successive tilting downward of the buckets.

The patent FR 2 290 266 discloses a molding device which comprises an endless chain provided with outwardly extending plates. Along an upper path, the plates are brought together and form between them mold cavities, which are successively filled with a liquid metal from a spout of a tilting tank. The formed parts are discharged at a reversing end of the endless chain, as the plates move apart from each other.

However, there are still difficulties in obtaining metal slips whose volume is calibrated with precision and which are not degraded or polluted, in particular when it comes to obtaining metal glass slugs, these difficulties being considerably increased when the metal plots to be obtained must have larger volumes, for example of the order of a few cubic millimeters to a few cubic centimeters.

There is provided a device for manufacturing metal slips as described in appended claim 1,

Thus, the amount of material constituting the slips can be controlled and the slugs can be cooled in contact with the plate.

The mobile support comprises a rotating plate, said cavities being formed on an annular zone of this plate.

The device may include evacuation means capable of evacuating the formed metal slugs from the cavities.

Said discharge means may comprise pushers mounted on the plate and a cam for actuating these pushers.

Said discharge means may comprise at least one nozzle capable of generating a gas jet.

Said evacuation means may comprise a deflection blade.

The plate may comprise at least one peripheral annular flange having an upper face capable of receiving the slugs extracted from the cavities.

The device may comprise means for evacuating the slugs arranged on said collar.

Said cavities respectively have a bottom and are internally delimited by a common annular wall projecting upwards and circumferentially by sectioning walls which separate them, these sectioning walls extending in the direction of the upward axis of rotation. from the bottoms and radially outwards from the common annular partition, so that the cavities are open upwards and radially outwards, opposite the common annular partition and are of equivalent shape.

The device may comprise evacuation means capable of evacuating the cavities, radially outwards, of the formed metal slugs.

The bottoms of the cavities can extend in the same approximately radial plane, the upper edges of the sectioning walls being able to extend in the same radial plane and the sectioning walls being able to be distributed according to equal circumferential pitches.

The bottoms of the cavities can be inclined towards the common annular partition.

In an unclaimed embodiment, the movable support may comprise a plurality of support elements connected to each other in an articulated fashion, forming an endless chain having an upper strand, said support elements having at least one cavity, the feed means being placed above a point in the path of said upper strand.

Said pressure means may comprise a piston.

Said pressure medium may comprise a pressurized gas.

The device may include means for cooling said movable support.

The device can be installed in an enclosure under vacuum or containing an inert gas.

The metal may be able to form an at least partially amorphous metallic glass.

There is also provided a method of manufacturing metal slips as described in appended claim 14.

• la figure 1 représente une vue partielle en perspective d'un dispositif de fabrication de lopins métalliques, dans une situation ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue en perspective et en coupe du dispositif de la figure 1, incluant un moyen d'éjection ;
• la figure 3 représente une vue en perspective et en coupe d'un détail du dispositif de la figure 1, incluant un autre moyen d'éjection ;
• la figure 4 représente une vue partielle en perspective du dispositif de la figure 1, dans une autre situation ; et
• la figure 5 représente une vue en perspective d'un autre dispositif de fabrication de lopins métallique.

Devices for manufacturing metal slips will now be described by way of non-limiting exemplary embodiments, illustrated by the appended drawing in which:

• the figure 1 shows a partial perspective view of a device for manufacturing metal slips, in one situation;
• the figure 2 shows a perspective and sectional view of the device of the figure 1 , including an ejection means;
• the figure 3 shows a perspective and sectional view of a detail of the device of the figure 1 , including another means of ejection;
• the figure 4 shows a partial perspective view of the device of the figure 1 , in another situation; and
• the figure 5 shows a perspective view of another device for manufacturing metal slips.

According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated on figures 1 to 4 , a device 1 for manufacturing metal slips, comprises a movable metal support 2 consisting of a rotary radial circular plate 3 carried by a vertical shaft 4 and extending radially from this shaft.

The shaft 4 is connected to an electric or hydraulic drive means (not shown) for rotating the plate 2 at a controlled rotational speed.

On an annular zone of the plate 3 is arranged a plurality of cavities 5 so that the cavities 5 move on an annular or circular path when the plate 3 rotates.

The cavities 5 respectively have a bottom 6 and are delimited internally by a common annular partition 7 projecting upwards and circumferentially by sectioning walls 8 which separate them, these sectioning walls. extending in the direction of the axis of rotation upwards from the bottoms 6 and radially outwards from the common annular partition 7.

The upper edges of the sectioning walls 8 extend in the same radial plane.

According to a configuration shown on the figures 1 to 3 , the bottoms 6 of the cavities 5 extend approximately in the same radial plane.

According to another configuration illustrated on figure 4 , the bottoms 6 of the cavities 5 are in the form of radial gutters located above and adjacent to the same radial plane.

Nevertheless, the bottoms 6 of the cavities 5 can be slightly inclined a few degrees towards the common annular partition 7.

Thus, the cavities 5 are open upwards and radially outwards, opposite the common annular partition 7 and are of equivalent shapes.

Advantageously, the sectioning walls 8 are distributed in equal circumferential pitches, so that the cavities 5 are identical.

The upper part of the sectioning walls 8 is thin, or even pointed and / or serrated, so as to be able to produce a sectioning effect (shearing) as will be described below.

The device 1 comprises a supply means 9 placed above a place of the annular path of the cavities 5.

The supply means 9 comprises a crucible 10 which comprises a vertical cylindrical wall 11 and a lower radial bottom 12 provided, for example in its middle, with an extrusion through orifice 13 which is located radially approximately in the middle of the annular path. cavities 5.

In the crucible 10 can be engaged a piston 14 whose upper rod 15 is connected to a drive means in vertical translation (not shown).

The crucible 10 is equipped with a heating means 16, constituted for example by induction turns 17 which surround the cylindrical wall 11.

Device 1 operates as follows.

Pieces of a metallic material M , such as a metal, several metals or a metal alloy, are deposited in the crucible 10.

The piston 14 is engaged in the crucible 10.

Under the effect of the heating means 16, the metallic material is heated until this material is melted, at least partially.

Tray 3 is continuously rotated.

Under the effect of the piston 14, pressure is exerted on the upper face of the metallic material M contained in the crucible 10. In doing so, the molten metallic material is extruded through the extrusion orifice 13 of the crucible 10. and flows downward under the effect of gravity in the form of a continuous stream F of molten metallic material. According to an alternative embodiment, the piston 14 could be replaced by a gas exerting pressure on the free surface of the metal in the crucible 10.

When it reaches the path of the cavities 5 in continuous movement, as the flow progresses and successively, the stream F of molten metallic material enters the cavities 5 and is then divided or segmented, under the effect of the sectioning walls 8, to form metal pieces L which take place on the bottoms 6 of the cavities 5, possibly being in contact with the corresponding portions of the annular partition 7 and the corresponding sectioning walls 8.

After which, the metal pieces L formed, which are taken by the rotating plate 3, take a rounded shape under the effect of surface tensions, cool and solidify on contact with the plate 3. In the case where the device 1 is in a gas, this gas can contribute to cooling.

The plate 3 can be provided with channels (not shown) connected by a rotating joint to a source (not shown) of a cooling fluid.

It follows from the foregoing that the quantity, in particular by weight, of metallic material constituting each piece L is a direct function of the flow speed and of the section of the thread F, of the circumferential displacement speed of the cavities 5 and of the pitch separation circumferential of the sectioning walls 8.

Insofar as the circumferential displacement speed of the cavities 5 is constant, corresponding to a constant rotational speed of the plate 3, and insofar as the flow speed and the section of the thread F are constant, then the slugs L formed contain the same amount of metallic material.

The device 1 also comprises extraction means 18 capable of extracting from the cavities 5 the metal slips L, solidified at least at their periphery, at an extraction point located before the slugs L reach the place where they are located. formed the stream F of molten metallic material, coming from the crucible 10.

According to an alternative embodiment illustrated on figure 2 , the extraction means 18 comprise a plurality of radial pushers 19 which extend through radial passages 20 arranged through the portions of the common annular partition 7 corresponding to the cavities 5. The radial pushers 19 have shoulders 21 located on the side. side of the cavities 5 and are subjected to springs 22 on the inner side of the annular partition 7.

Apart from the extraction point, the pushers occupy a retracted position inwardly, in which the shoulders 21 are engaged in the recesses 23 of the annular partition 7 under the effect of the springs 22, leaving the cavities 5 free.

When they pass successively to the point of extraction, the radial pushers 19 are subjected to a fixed cam 24 which acts on the inner end of the pushers located on the interior side of the annular partition 7. Successively, under the effect of the cam 24, the radial tappets 19 move radially against the springs 22 in a movement of going outward and back inward. During the outward movement, the radial pushers 19 radially push outwardly the corresponding metal slips L and extract the latter from the corresponding cavities 5.

According to another variant embodiment illustrated on figure 3 , the extraction means 18 comprise a nozzle 25 connected to a source of a pressurized gas and one end of which is located above and close to the annular partition 7, at the point of extraction, and is oriented towards the path of the cavities 5. Under the effect of the gas jet exiting from the nozzle 25, the slugs L are successively extracted from the cavities 5, radially outwards.

According to another variant embodiment, insofar as the plots L protrude upwards, the plots L could be extracted under the effect of a blade placed across above the cavities 5 at the extraction location.

The pieces L extracted from the cavities 5 at the extraction site can be discharged by falling directly into a collecting container. In this case, the duration of the stay of the plots L on the plate 3, between the feeding place and the extraction place is sufficient for the plots L to be sufficiently cooled and sufficiently solidified from their periphery.

Nevertheless, it may be advantageous to increase the length of stay of the slips L on the plate 3, so that the slips L are sufficiently cooled and sufficiently solidified before their evacuation.

For this, the plate 3 comprises a peripheral annular flange 26 having an annular upper face 27 located at the periphery of the cavities 5, at the same level or slightly below the bottoms 6 of the cavities 5. The annular upper face 27 may be radial or slightly tilted inward a few degrees.

The slips L successively extracted from the cavities 5 at the extraction location are placed successively on the upper face 27 of the annular collar 26 and are moved during the rotation of the plate 3.

According to an alternative embodiment illustrated on figure 4 , the device 1 further comprises means 28 for evacuating the slips L placed on the collar 26, at an evacuation location located before the slips L reach the extraction location where they are extracted from the cavities 5 .

The evacuation means 28 comprise a deflection blade 29 which extends above and at a short distance from the peripheral annular flange 26.

When the slips L meet the deflection blade 29, they are deflected radially outwards as the plate 3 rotates and are evacuated. The evacuated plots L fall, for example, into a collecting container.

According to another variant embodiment, the evacuation means 28 could comprise a nozzle producing a gas jet capable of evacuating the plots L.

According to another variant embodiment, to further increase the length of stay of the slips L on the plate 3, the plate 3 could comprise several peripheral annular collars, radially successive, the slugs L passing from one collar to the other under the effect of successive means of evacuation.

According to an exemplary embodiment not belonging to the scope of the claims and illustrated in the figure 5 , another device 1A for manufacturing metal slugs, comprises a movable metal support 2A consisting of a plurality of support elements 30 articulated with respect to each other, by means of transverse articulation axes 31, forming an endless chain carried by idler wheels 32 and 33 spaced horizontally and mounted on parallel transverse axles 32a and 33a, so that this endless chain has an upper strand 34 and a lower strand 35. One of the axles 32a and 33a is connected to an electric or hydraulic rotary drive means so as to continuously drive the endless chain formed by the support elements 30.

The support members 30 comprise blocks in each of which is formed a cavity 36 open to the outside with respect to in the course of the endless chain. The cavities 36 move on the same circumferential path and are identical.

The cavities 36 have a bottom 37 and are delimited by opposite side walls 38 and 39 and opposite transverse walls 40 and 41. The end edges of the transverse walls 41 have flanges 42 able to come above the edges of end of transverse walls 40.

The adjacent transverse walls 40 and 41 of two successive support elements 30 bear on each other when the support elements 30 are located on the upper strand 34, the flanges 42 covering the end edges of the transverse walls 40. The adjacent transverse walls 40 and 41 successively constitute sectioning walls 36a, separating the cavities 36.

As the support members 30 bypass the idler wheels 32 and 33, the transverse walls 40 and 41 move apart forming spacing Vs. When the support members 30 are located on the lower strand 35, the transverse walls 40 and 41 may be in contact or slightly apart, forming spacing Vs.

The device 1A comprises a supply means 43, equivalent to the extrusion supply means 9, capable of forming a continuous thread F of a molten metallic material flowing downward. The feed means 43 is placed at a feed place above and at a distance from the upper strand 34, in a position such that the continuous thread F flows above the middle part of the path of the cavities 36. .

Device 1A operates as follows.

In a manner equivalent to the previous exemplary embodiment, when the continuous thread F of molten metallic material, coming from the supply device 43, reaches the path of the cavities 36 of the support elements 30 in continuous rectilinear movement along the upper strand 34, gradually and successively, the continuous thread F of molten metallic material enters the cavities 36 and is divided or segmented, under the effect of the upper edges of the low walls. sectioning 36a formed by the upper edges of the transverse walls 40 provided with the flanges 42, to form metal pieces L which take place on the bases 37 of the corresponding cavities 36, possibly being in contact with the walls 38, 39, 40 and 41.

After this, the metal pieces L formed take a rounded shape under the effect of the surface tensions, cool and solidify, at least in part, in contact with the plate 3 and the gas which surrounds them.

The device 1A can be equipped with means for cooling the support elements 30. For example, these cooling means can comprise one or more fixed nozzles (not shown) connected to a source (not shown) of a cooling gas, generating jets of cooling gas towards the support elements 30, for example over part of their path.

The formed metal pieces L are taken by the support elements 30 in translation along the upper strand 34, then in rotation on the return wheel 33.

During the overturning of the support elements 30 on the return wheel 33, the metal slugs L successively extract themselves from the cavities 36 under the effect of gravity and fall, for example, into a collecting container (not shown).

It follows from the foregoing that the quantity, in particular by weight, of metallic material constituting each piece L is a direct function of the flow speed and of the section of the thread F , of the linear displacement speed of the cavities 5 along the upper strand and the separation pitch of the sectioning walls formed by the adjacent transverse walls 40 and 41.

Insofar as the linear displacement speed of the cavities 36 is constant, corresponding to a constant rotational speed of the return wheel 32 and 33, and insofar as the flow speed and the section of the thread F are constant, then, the pieces L formed contain the same amount of metallic material.

The devices 1 and 1A can be housed inside enclosures with a controlled atmosphere, neutral with respect to the metallic material used or under vacuum. The gases which may be used to cool the supports 2 and 2A, the gases which may be used to cool the slips L during formation formed and the gases which may be used to remove the slugs L formed may be neutral with respect to the metallic material used. implemented.

The devices 1 and 1A can advantageously be used for the manufacture of metal slips L in metal glasses or in materials capable of forming metal glasses, in particular based on zirconium (Zr), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe ), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), titanium (Ti), cobalt (Co). For example, the weight of the formed pieces L can be between one gram to twenty grams.

Claims (14)

1. Device for producing metal slugs, comprising:

   a movable support (1, 1A) that has a plurality of cavities (5, 36) separated by partition walls (8, 36a), in such a way that the cavities travel over a path, the movable support comprising a rotating plate (3), said cavities (5) being formed on an annular zone of this plate, and

   a feeding means (9, 43) positioned above a location on said path and capable of forming a stream of molten metal (F), flowing under the effect of gravity, in such a way that during the continuous movement of the movable support, the continuous stream of molten metal from the feeding means is divided or fragmented into slugs (L) formed successively in said cavities, under the effect of said partition walls;

   wherein the feeding means comprises a crucible (11) able to receive the metal material and provided with at least one lower extrusion port (13), a means of heating (16) the metal material contained in the crucible,

   and characterised in that:

   the feeding means further comprises a means of pressure (14) acting on the surface of the metal contained in the crucible, and

   said cavities (5) respectively having a bottom (6) and are delimited interiorly by a common annular partition (7) projecting upwards and circumferentially by partition walls (8) that separate them, these partition walls extending in the direction of the axis of rotation upwards from the bottoms (6) and radially outwards from the common annular partition (7), in such a way that the cavities (5) are open upwards and radially outwards, opposite the common annular partition (7) and are of equivalent shape.
2. Device according to the preceding claim, comprising means for removing (18, 28) able to remove the metal slugs formed from the cavities.
3. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said means for removing (18) comprise tappets (19) mounted on the plate and an actuator cam (24) of these tappets.
4. Device according to claim 2, wherein said means for removing (18) comprise at least one nozzle able to generate a stream of gas.
5. Device according to claim 2, wherein said means for removing (28) comprise a diverting slat (29).
6. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plate comprises at least one peripheral annular collar (26) that has an upper face (27) able to receive the slugs extracted from the cavities.
7. Device according to the preceding claim, comprising means for removing (28) slugs arranged on said collar.
8. Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising means for removing (18, 28) able to remove from the cavities, radially outwards, the metal slugs formed.
9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bottoms (6) of the cavities (5) extend in the same radial plane, the upper edges of the partition walls (8) extend in the same radial plane and the partition walls (8) are distributed along equal circumferential steps.
10. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bottoms (6) of the cavities (5) are inclined in the direction of the common annular partition (7).
11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said means of pressure comprises a piston (14).
12. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said means of pressure comprises a pressurised gas.
13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising means for cooling said movable support.
14. Method for producing metal slugs comprising:

    forming a continuous stream (F) of molten metal material, through at least one lower extrusion port (13) of a crucible (11) containing the metal material and under the effect of a means of pressure (14) acting on the surface of the metal contained in the crucible;

    allowing the stream of molten metal to flow, under the effect of gravity, above a path over which cavities (5, 36) of a movable support (1, 1A) continuously travel, separated by partition walls (8, 36a), in such a way that the stream of molten metal is divided or fragmented into slugs (L) formed successively in said cavities, under the effect of said partition walls, the movable support comprising a rotating plate (3), said cavities (5) being formed over an annular zone of this plate, and said cavities (5) respectively having a bottom (6) and being interiorly delimited by a common annular partition (7) projecting upwards and circumferentially by partition walls (8) that separate them, these partition walls extending in the direction of the axis of rotation upwards from the bottoms (6) and radially outwards from the common annular partition (7), in such a way that the cavities (5) are open upwards and radially outwards, opposite the common annular partition (7) and are of equivalent shape.

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