EP3934835A1

EP3934835A1 - Method and apparatus for producing at least one metallic component

Info

Publication number: EP3934835A1
Application number: EP20705609.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian PLATZER
Original assignee: Dynamic Metal Systems R & D GmbH
Current assignee: Dynamic Metal Systems R & D GmbH
Priority date: 2019-03-07
Filing date: 2020-01-02
Publication date: 2022-01-12
Also published as: WO2020176913A1; AT522266A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing at least one component (2), wherein flowable metallic material, in particular in the thixotropic state, is provided in a filling chamber (4) and, under pressure via at least one connecting piece arranged downstream, such as a nozzle (6), is then pressed from the filling chamber (4) via at least one passage (7) of the connecting piece into at least one cavity of a multi-part mould, whereupon the component (2) is allowed to solidify in the mould, wherein a plug (10), in particular a solid plug, is formed in the passage (7), whereupon the mould is opened and the component (2) is removed, whereupon the mould is closed and a next component (2) is produced. In order to produce a component with a short cycle time and of a high quality, according to the invention a flowable material intended for producing the next component (2) is provided in the filling chamber (4) when the mould is open, wherein the passage (7) is at least partially closed with a blocking device so that, while the material intended for producing the next component (2) is being provided in the filling chamber (4), the passage (7) of the connecting piece is closed in order to prevent material from escaping from the connecting piece in the direction of the open mould while the material is being provided in the filling chamber (4). The invention also relates to an apparatus (1) for producing at least one metallic component (2).

Description

Method and device for producing at least one metallic component

The invention relates to a method for producing at least one component, wherein flowable metallic material, in particular in the thixotropic state, in a

Filling chamber provided and then pressed under pressure via at least one downstream connecting piece, such as a nozzle, from the filling chamber via at least one passage of the connecting piece into at least one cavity of a multi-part mold, after which the component is allowed to solidify in the mold, whereby in the passage a particularly solid plug forms, after which the mold is opened and the component is removed, after which the mold is closed and a next component is created.

The invention further relates to a device for producing at least one metallic component, having a filling chamber for providing flowable metallic material, in particular in the thixotropic state, a conveying device for the flowable metallic material, at least one connecting piece downstream of the filling chamber, such as a nozzle, and a multi-part mold downstream of the connecting piece, which has at least one cavity for the component to be created, wherein the material for producing the at least one component can be pressed into the at least one cavity of the mold by means of the conveying device from the filling chamber via a passage of the at least one connecting piece the mold for removing the at least one component can be opened after the component has solidified and a plug has formed in the connecting piece, in order to remove the component and to produce a next component after the mold has been closed.

From the prior art are various processes for the production of

known metallic components, which are based on the fact that liquid metal is injected into a cavity of a mold and allowed to solidify in this. Die casting processes, which due to their high

Process speeds or short cycle times allow particularly cost-efficient production, especially for series production.

As another practicable method, especially for the production of

near-net-shape components is also the thixomolding process or thixoforming Procedure became known. As a rule, a metallic material, usually a Mg-based alloy, is brought into a thixotropic state in a temperature range between the solidus temperature and the liquidus temperature of the material, in particular under the shear stress of the material, and in this state with a

Conveying device, usually a screw or a piston, is pressed under pressure from a filling chamber into a cavity of a mold via a nozzle arranged downstream of the filling chamber. In this way, components can be manufactured with high precision and quality. A preparation, provision and pressing of material in the thixotropic state, however, represents a complex process management, which is particularly important in the manufacture of large-scale components

Has longer cycle times compared to classic die-casting processes.

In a conventional thixomolding process, thixotropic material is provided or dosed in a filling chamber in order to then press or inject it into a cavity of a multi-part mold via a nozzle. A preparation of the material to produce a thixotropic state of the material can take place directly in the filling chamber or in an antechamber upstream of the filling chamber, after which the material is transferred to the filling chamber for provision of the material in the filling chamber. Provision of the material in the filling chamber, also referred to as metering, includes in particular a suitable one

Quantity measurement of the material in the filling chamber in order to press a quantity of material into the mold that is matched to the mass of the component to be produced. This is often achieved with a conveyor device arranged in the filling chamber, which is designed as a screw or piston, the conveyor device being positioned in such a way that a suitable amount of the material is arranged in front of the conveyor device, and finally, after the material has been provided, the material through a axial

Forward movement of the conveyor via the nozzle is pressed into the multi-part mold. The multi-part shape is usually formed with a first immovable plate and a second movable plate, with surfaces of the plates in

Combination with each other have a negative shape of the component to be created.

By juxtaposing the plates to form a component

The mold is closed in the corresponding cavity. The nozzle connects to the first plate or is arranged integrated in it. After pressing the material through the nozzle into the cavity, the material solidifies due to the high thermal capacity of the plates very quickly, with the formation of a plug of solidifying material in the nozzle. The formation of the plug is also desired and intended, since the plug represents an obstacle for flowable material downstream of the plug, so that after the mold has been opened and the component has been removed, the plug prevents material from flowing through the nozzle into the opened mold; the plug is im

Imposed part of a next build cycle when pressing material into the mold. In order to save time, the flowable material intended for the production of the next component is provided in the filling chamber at the same time as the material is allowed to solidify in the mold. This is also useful because the preparation of the material in the filling chamber cannot be carried out when the mold is open, since the plug formed in the nozzle generally does not withstand a pressure increase associated with the preparation of the material, so that material from the nozzle into the open form would leak. Finally, the mold is opened by moving back the movable second plate, the component is removed and the mold is cleaned and a release agent is applied so that the next component created in the next cycle can easily be removed from the mold. The mold is then closed again, after which the next component can be created by pressing the material provided in the filling chamber through the nozzle into the mold.

This is where the invention comes in. The object of the invention is to provide a method of the type mentioned at the outset with which a component can be produced with a short cycle time or production time and with high component quality.

Another aim is to specify a device of the type mentioned at the beginning with which a component can be produced with a short cycle time or production time and with a high component quality.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a method of the type mentioned at the outset when a flowable material provided for creating the next component is provided in the filling chamber with the mold open, the passage being at least partially closed with a blocking device, so that while the for the creation of the next component provided material in the filling chamber, the passage of the connector is closed to a To prevent material leakage from the connecting piece in the direction of the open mold while the material is being provided in the filling chamber.

As part of a development of the solution according to the invention, it was recognized that a common process sequence, which provides that the component is allowed to solidify in the mold is carried out in parallel with the provision of the material intended for the production of the next component in the filling chamber, with disadvantages,

is connected in particular in the production of components of large mass.

While in a normal process sequence in the production of components with small masses, a dosing time, i.e. the time required to provide the material in the filling chamber, in particular with suitable quantity measurement and, if necessary, suitable preparation of the material compared to a time for the material to solidify in the mold is short, when more viscous materials are used, for example materials in the thixotropic state, and / or when the process is more complex, the time for solidification approaches or exceeds this. Particularly when large-volume components are manufactured, especially when they are formed with material in the thixotropic state, a time for providing the material or metering the material in the filling chamber can be a multiple of the time required for the material to solidify in the mold be; a provision time is often exponentially extended

increasing shot weight or increasing amount of material to be provided.

However, the provision of the material intended for the production of the next component in the filling chamber cannot usually be carried out with the mold open, since the plug formed in the connecting piece is generally not stable enough to allow a connection with the provision of the material

To withstand pressure increase, so that material would then escape from the nozzle into the open mold. The emergence of large quantities of normally very hot material from the nozzle when the mold is open is particularly significant

The mold can therefore only be opened when a process of providing or metering the material for the next component in the filling chamber has been completed. This is a time of solidification in the form or a

Duration of stay of the formed component in the form of the length of time for the Provision of the material in the filling chamber is determined. This leads to an extension of the cycle time, since a component removal from the mold, cleaning of the mold and application of a release agent to the mold can only be carried out after the mold has been opened.

As has been shown, a long period of time for the provision of the material in the filling chamber is not only associated with an extended cycle time, but also much more seriously with losses in terms of the quality of a component produced, especially if the component has a large mass and / or complex shape is formed. If a component remains in the mold for a long time or solidifies, the component is cooled to a disadvantageously low temperature, with the component being exposed to high stresses due to its material shrinkage with simultaneous geometric inclusion of the component in the mold, which in particular can lead to hot cracks in the component . This can significantly reduce the quality of the component.

By providing a flowable material intended for the creation of the next component in the filling chamber with the mold open, a solidification period of the component in the form is decoupled from a period for providing the material in the filling chamber and the component can become one for a quality of the Component favorable time can be removed from the mold. A material leakage from the connecting piece in the direction of the open mold or into the open mold is prevented by the fact that the passage of the connecting piece with the blocking device is at least partially, in particular completely, closed while the material is being provided in the filling chamber. It has been shown that, mostly depending on a material used and / or a solidification period, a partial closure of the passage with the blocking device is often sufficient to prevent material from escaping from the connecting piece in the direction of the open mold, especially since the plug allows material to flow through already complicates the passage to a certain extent, although the plug alone is usually not stable enough to block a passage for a longer period of time and thus prevent material from escaping from the connecting piece while the material is being provided in the filling chamber. However, it is preferably provided that the passage with the blocking device is completely closed. It is useful if the passage with the blocking device before the start of the provision of the material in the Filling chamber closed and, in particular, after the material has been made available in the filling chamber, preferably before the mold is closed, reopened.

Provision of the material in the filling chamber, also known as metering, denotes in the context of the invention a preparation of the material, in particular with suitable quantity measurement of the material and / or preparation of the material in the

Filling chamber for subsequent pressing or injection of the material into the mold. The appropriate amount of material is measured in the filling chamber in order to press an amount of material into the mold that is matched to the mass of the component to be produced. The material is processed to convert and / or maintain the material in a material state provided for pressing into the mold, for example a thixotropic material state.

It goes without saying that closing the passage with the blocking device within the scope of the invention includes the possibility of removing material to a certain practicable extent, as is customary for a person skilled in the art of metal casting, in particular in the field of thixomolding casting Practice is to overcome the blocking device or its closure and / or from the

Connector emerges in the direction of the open form.

It is favorable for stabilizing the plug if the passage of the

Connection piece is closed with the blocking device downstream after the plug. As a result, the plug is less stressed when the passage is closed or the passage is opened with the blocking device, so that even after the passage has been opened with the blocking device, a sufficiently stable plug remains to prevent material from escaping from the connector after the material has been provided in the filling chamber to guarantee.

It is advantageously provided that the blocking device has a blocking body which is used for at least partial, in particular complete, closing of the

Passage, preferably in a fixed position, is arranged on and / or in the passage, so that the blocking body represents an obstacle for a material guided through the passage in order to prevent material from escaping from the connecting piece in the direction of the open mold. For this purpose, the blocking body expediently has a size and / or shape so that the blocking body in a closed position, in which the blocking body closes the passage, prevents material from flowing through the passage at least partially, in particular completely.

Arranging the blocking element on and / or in the passage can be carried out easily if the blocking body is at least partially, in particular completely, inserted into the passage through an opening in the passage in order to close the passage. This is practically achieved if the blocking body, when the mold is open, is at least partially, in particular completely, inserted into the passage from the side of the open mold in order to close the passage. This is the

Passage can be blocked in an easy-to-use manner and can in particular be opened again simply by pulling the blocking body out of the passage.

To remove the blocking body from the passage with little effort, it can be advantageous if the blocking body is only partially inserted into the passage. A resilient closure is achieved when the blocking element is inserted into an opening of the passage in the direction of insertion, forming a form fit.

For efficient closure of the passage, it is advantageous if a

Outer surface of the blocking body at least in sections as a surface of rotation, in particular with an axis of rotation in the direction of an insertion direction of the

Blocking body, is formed. In this case, it is preferred if an outer surface of the blocking body is essentially conical, at least in sections, in particular as the outer surface of a cone or a truncated cone.

It is advantageous for a robust closure of the passage if a

Contact surface on which the blocking body is in a closed position with the

Connection piece or a surface forming the passage is in contact, at least in sections as a surface of rotation, in particular with a rotation axis in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the passage. It is preferably provided that the contact surface is essentially conical, at least in sections, in particular as a lateral surface of a truncated cone.

It has proven useful that the blocking body is arranged on and / or in the passage in such a way that the blocking body touches the plug. This will make the wad during the provision of the material in the filling chamber, the plug usually being exposed to pressure fluctuations and / or vibrations, stabilized by the blocking body. This is efficiently implemented if the blocking body is flat, in particular essentially orthogonal to an insertion direction of the

Blocking body aligned, has end face, so that in a closed position, the blocking body touching plug rests on the end face.

A marked stabilization of the plug can be achieved if the blocking body is arranged on and / or in the passage in such a way that the plug passes through the

Blocking body is acted upon by a force, in particular directed upstream. It is favorable if the blocking body has a spring-loaded movable impact element on a side of the blocking body facing an insertion direction in order to apply a spring force with the impact element to the plug in a closed position in which the blocking body touches a plug. The plug is particularly stabilized because the impact element acts as a damping element, so that pressure loads or force peaks acting on the plug in particular can be damped. It is advantageous if the flat end face of the blocking element is arranged on the impact element.

Even if, in principle, a high stability of the plug is beneficial to a

To prevent material leakage from the connecting piece when the mold is open, in particular if the passage has not yet been closed with the blocking device, the plug may become too stable, in particular depending on a

Process time and / or a material used, as disadvantageous in one

Imposing or pressing out the plug from the passage in one

the subsequent manufacturing cycle. It is therefore beneficial if the

Blocking body has a, in particular movable, working element on a side of the blocking body facing an insertion direction in order to, in a working position in which the blocking body is arranged in the passage, preferably one

Closing position of the blocking body to apply a time-dependent or time-variable force to a plug formed in the passage. As a result, the plug can be mechanically loosened or deliberately destabilized, in particular during or before the blocking body is removed from the passage, in order to prevent imposition or imposition.

To facilitate pressing out the plug in a subsequent manufacturing cycle. It is useful if the blocking device or the blocking body has a drive unit, in particular a controllable one, which is connected to the working element in order to operate the working element. The plug can be loosened efficiently when the working element is formed in the working position or

To apply repeated blows to the plug. Alternatively or cumulatively, it can be advantageous for this if the working element is designed to execute a rotational movement in the working position or in the closed position in order to drill into the plug. The working element can expediently be designed in particular as a ram for transmitting impacts to the plug and / or as a drill or drilling device for drilling the plug. It is preferred if the impact element is designed as part of the working element. It is advantageous if the plug with the working element is loosened before the passage with the blocking device is opened, in particular before the blocking body is removed from the passage. This is preferably done when the provision of the material in the filling chamber has ended.

It is advantageously provided that the blocking body, after the blocking body has been arranged on and / or in the passage, is positively and / or non-positively connected to the

Connection piece and / or part of the form is releasably connected. This ensures a fixed position and resilient fixation of the blocking body on or in the passage. It has proven useful if the blocking body is magnetically connected to the connecting piece and / or part of the mold.

The multi-part mold is usually formed with several parts, in particular a first immovable part and a second part which is movable relative to the first part, so that the mold can be opened or closed by moving the second part relative to the first part. In combination with one another, surfaces of the parts have a negative shape of the component to be produced, so that a cavity corresponding to the component is formed by closing the mold. The

The connecting element usually adjoins a part of the mold, usually the first part, or is arranged integrated into it, so that in particular the passage extends up to the cavity or opens directly into the cavity. The parts are usually in the form of plates. In particular, the connecting piece can be designed to pierce part of the mold, preferably the first part, or with part of the Form, preferably the first part, form a unit. The connecting piece can thus comprise, for example, a nozzle and the first part, so that the passage of the connecting piece opens, preferably directly, into the cavity. It is conceivable that the connecting piece is formed with several adjoining or connectable nozzles, in particular a first nozzle being or can be integrated into a first part of the mold and a second nozzle which connects or can be connected to the first nozzle , is connected or can be connected to the filling chamber, so that the passage of the connecting piece extends from the filling chamber to the cavity of the mold.

For a quick process, it is useful if a relative to

Connecting piece, preferably controllable, movable positioning device

is provided, with which the blocking body is arranged on and / or in the passage, in particular in a fixed position, in order to close the passage. The

Positioning device can be part of the blocking device. The blocking body can be connected, in particular rigidly, to the positioning device, or the positioning device can be designed to grip the blocking body and preferably to release it after the blocking body has been arranged on or in the passage. In particular, if the blocking body with the positioning device is arranged on and / or in the passage from the side of the open mold, it is advantageous if a connection between the blocking body and the positioning device is decoupled or released after the blocking body is arranged in a fixed position on and / or in the passage becomes. The positioning device can then be moved away from the connecting piece, so that it does not constitute an obstacle to a subsequent cleaning of the mold and / or the application of release agent to the mold.

It is then expedient if the blocking body is coupled or connected again to the fastening device in order to remove the blocking body from the passage in order to open the passage. The positioning device can be designed, for example, as a computer-controlled arm in particular, such as a robot arm.

It is expedient if the positioning device is arranged on a part of the mold or is formed with a partial element of a part of the mold which, in particular, is movable relative to the part of the mold. For example, the

Positioning device be formed with a slide of a part of the mold, which is usually movable relative to the part of the mold in order to expose an undercut formed in the molded part when the mold is opened.

A plurality of connecting pieces and / or passages can advantageously be provided. It is then expedient if the passages are closed with several blocking devices or blocking bodies, in particular at the same time, around one

To prevent material leakage from the connecting pieces or passages.

It is then expedient if several blocking bodies, in particular at the same time, are arranged with one or more positioning devices on and / or in the respective passage.

Simple handling can be achieved if the arrangement or removal of the blocking body on or from the passage with an in particular computer-controlled arm, for example a component removal device, used to remove the component from the mold, or, for example, a release agent application device, used to apply a Release agent.

As a rule, it is provided that after opening the mold, the component is removed from the mold, after which the mold is cleaned, after which the mold with a

Release agent is applied to facilitate removal of the next component from the mold, and the mold is then closed to create a next component.

It has proven useful if the material is pressed or injected with a conveying device from the filling chamber via the at least one passage of the connecting piece into the cavity of the mold. The conveying device is usually designed as a piston or screw. As part of the provision of the material in the

In the filling chamber, a suitably dimensioned amount of material is generally arranged in front of the conveyor device in order to then press it into the at least one cavity of the mold by axially displacing the conveyor device via the at least one passage. Particularly when thixotropic material is to be processed, it is advantageous if the conveying device is designed as a screw, in particular an axially displaceable screw. The material can then be subjected to a shear load with the screw, often with simultaneous application of temperature with a heating device provided for this purpose in order to convert the material into a thixotropic state.

In order not to destabilize the plug, it is advantageous if the conveyor device before opening the mold and / or before opening the passage with the

Blocking device, for example by removing the blocking body from or from the passage, is brought into a position in which a pressing pressure caused by the conveyor is reduced on a material in the passage, so that when the mold is open and the blocking device is in the open state, the pressing pressure on the material in the passage is reduced. For this purpose, it is useful if the conveying device is moved back axially in order to reduce a pressing pressure on a material in the passage.

It goes without saying that an open state of the blocking device or an opening of the passage with the blocking device denotes a state or process in which the passage is not closed with the blocking device or a closure of the passage with the blocking device is canceled. A

Closing or opening of the passage with the blocking device is to be seen in particular independently of a closure of the passage by the plug, so that when or after opening the passage with the blocking device, the passage can still be closed by the plug or is preferably closed.

For a short cycle time, it is advantageous if the passage is closed with the blocking device or the blocking body while the mold is being opened or immediately after the mold has been opened. Expediently, the provision of the material intended for the production of the next component in the filling chamber can then also begin immediately afterwards.

It is preferably provided that the provision of the material intended for the production of the next component in the filling chamber takes place at the same time as opening the mold, removing the component, cleaning the mold and / or applying release agent to the mold. It is favorable if the provision of the material intended for the production of the next component in the filling chamber takes place at the same time takes place with a component removal from the mold, a cleaning of the mold and / or an application of the mold with release agent.

The passage of the connecting piece is opened again with the blocking device after the provision of the material in the filling chamber has ended, usually before closing, preferably during closing, of the mold, for example by removing the blocking body, in particular with the positioning device, from the passage. It is favorable for stability of the plug if, before opening the

Passage with the blocking device, the conveying device, as set out in particular above, is brought into a position in which a pressure caused by the conveying device is reduced on a material located in the passage. This can expediently be achieved in that the conveying device is axially displaced back in order to reduce a pressing pressure on a material in the passage.

In particular, Mg-based alloys, Al-based alloys or Mg-Al alloys have proven successful as the metallic material, the metallic material preferably being provided in a thixotropic state or being pressed into the mold.

The further aim of the invention is achieved with a device of the type mentioned at the outset, the device being designed in particular to carry out a method according to the invention if a blocking device is provided with which the passage can at least partially, in particular completely, be closed in order to prevent material from emerging to prevent the connecting piece in the direction of the open mold while a flowable material provided for the production of the next component is provided in the filling chamber when the mold is open. As explained above, the material in the filling chamber can be provided or metered for the next component when the mold is open, so that the provision of the material in the filling chamber can be decoupled from a process of solidifying the component in the mold. In particular, a provision of the material in the filling chamber can be carried out simultaneously with removal of the component from the mold, cleaning of the mold and / or application of a release agent to the mold, whereby a cycle time can be reduced. In addition, a component can be removed from the mold at a time that is favorable for the quality of the component, so that material defects in the component, caused by stresses in the component material as a result of which shrinkage during solidification of the component with simultaneous geometric inclusion of the component in the mold can be prevented.

The connector can have one or more passages. It is then expedient if several blocking devices are provided in order to close the passages. In particular, the connecting piece can be formed with one or more nozzles. The connecting piece is usually designed in such a way that the passage or passages preferably open directly into the cavity of the mold. For this purpose, the connecting piece can be integrated into a part of the mold or the

Connector include part of the mold.

It goes without saying that the device according to the invention can be designed in accordance with or analogously to the features, advantages and effects which are described in the context of a method according to the invention for producing a component, in particular above. The same applies analogously to the method according to the invention with regard to an inventive method, in particular described below

Contraption.

It is advantageous for stability of the plug if the passage with the

Blocking device can be closed downstream after a plug formed in the passage when the component solidifies.

For this purpose, it is advantageous if the passage of the connecting piece along a flow direction through the passage has at least one section with a varying, in particular reduced, cross-sectional diameter, in order to cause plug formation in the section. This is usually achieved in that the passage is formed with an undercut in a longitudinal cross section of the passage.

Accordingly, it is expedient if the passage with the blocking device can be closed downstream after this section.

A practicable closure can be achieved if the blocking device a

Has blocking body and a movable relative to the connecting piece

Positioning device is provided, wherein the positioning device is designed, the blocking body, especially when the mold is open, for a

Closing the passage on and / or in the passage, so that the blocking body is an obstacle for a downstream passage through the passage

Represents material to prevent material leakage from the connector in the direction of the open form.

It is useful if the blocking body is a size and shape of the

Passage, in particular in a passage cross section, preferably exactly

Has a corresponding size and / or shape, so that the blocking body in a closed position in which the blocking body is arranged in and / or on the passage to close the passage prevents a material flowing through the passage from flowing through the passage. A high level of security is achieved when the blocking body closes the passage in the closed position in a material-tight manner, in particular in a liquid-tight manner.

For a simple arrangement of the blocking element in the passage, it is advantageous if the blocking body can be or is at least partially or completely introduced into the passage through an opening in the passage in order to close the passage. For this purpose, it has proven useful that the blocking body can be or is at least partially or completely inserted into the passage from the side of the open mold.

An efficient closing of the passage is achieved if an outer surface of the blocking body is designed at least in sections as a surface of rotation, in particular with an axis of rotation in the direction of an insertion direction of the blocking element.

It goes without saying that an insertion direction denotes a direction of the blocking body provided for inserting the blocking element into a passage.

In order to achieve a robust closure of the passage, it is advantageously provided that the connecting piece and the blocking body are designed in such a way that a contact surface on which the blocking body is in a closed position with the

Connecting piece is connected, is at least partially designed as a rotational surface. To stabilize the plug, it is advantageously provided that the blocking body is located on a side of the blocking element facing an insertion direction of the blocking element

Blocking body has a spring-loaded movable impact element in order to apply a spring force with the impact element to the plug in a closed position in which the blocking body contacts a plug.

It is advantageous if the blocking body has a, in particular movable, working element on a side of the blocking body facing an insertion direction in order to provide a time-dependent or time-dependent function in a working position in which the blocking body is arranged in the passage, preferably a closed position of the blocking body.

Apply time-varying force to a plug formed in the passage. As a result, the plug can be mechanically loosened or deliberately destabilized, in particular during or before the blocking body is removed from the passage, in order to make it easier to shoot out or press out the plug in a subsequent manufacturing cycle.

It is favorable if the blocking body, after the blocking body has been arranged on and / or in the passage, can be detached in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner with the

Connection piece and / or a part of the mold can be connected in order to achieve a fixed position fixation of the blocking body on or in the passage. It has proven useful if the blocking body can be magnetically connected to the connecting piece and / or a part of the mold. For this purpose, the blocking body can expediently have a magnet or electromagnet, for example one on an electrical one

Energy supply source connected electrical coil, in order to generate a magnetic field with a current flow caused by the energy supply source through the coil.

It is advantageously provided that the blocking body, in particular with a preferably controllable holding device, is releasably fastened to the positioning device so that the blocking body after the blocking body has been arranged on or in the

Passage can be decoupled from the positioning device.

It has proven useful that the blocking body has a temperature measuring device and / or pressure measuring device in order to measure a temperature or a pressure in the passage measure up. A measured temperature or measured pressure can advantageously flow into a control of the device and / or the blocking device.

It is favorable if the blocking body has a temperature control device in order to heat and / or cool an outer surface of the blocking body. In this way, a sealing effect of the blocking body in a closed position of the blocking body on or in the passage can be improved by an in the

Closure position with the blocking body in contact with material, for example the plug, is cooled or heated. In this way, in particular, the stability of the plug can be increased, for example by advantageously cooling the plug with the temperature control device. The temperature control device can be practicable as

Heating device and / or cooling device can be formed. The heating device can preferably be designed as an electrical resistance heater or Peltier element heater. For the cooling device, a design as a Peltier element heater has preferably proven successful. It is beneficial if the temperature control device

is designed to heat or cool an outer surface of the impact element and / or the end face of the blocking body.

Further features, advantages and effects result from the following

illustrated embodiments. In the drawings to which reference is made:

1 shows a schematic representation of a device for producing a metallic component in a thixomolding process;

FIGS. 2 to 9 show schematic representations of method steps of a

process sequence according to the invention;

10 shows a schematic representation of a time sequence of a method according to the invention.

In Fig. 1, a typical device 1 for producing a metallic component 2 with a thixomolding process is shown. The device 1 usually comprises a container 3 in which the material to be processed is usually stored as granules. The material is expediently conveyed from the container 3 into a filling chamber 4 via a feed conveyor, for example a suction conveyor, wherein in the filling chamber 4, also referred to as a barrel, a conveying device in the form of a screw 5 is arranged. The filling chamber 4 usually has a heater, usually an electrical one

Resistance heating, with which the material, usually with simultaneous shearing of the material with the screw 5, is converted into a thixotropic state. Downstream of the filling chamber 4 is a connecting piece which is designed with or as a nozzle 6, the nozzle 6 opening downstream into a cavity of a multi-part shape. The multi-part mold is formed with an immovable first plate 8 and a second plate 9, which is movable relative to the second plate 9. Surfaces of the first plate 8 and / or second plate 9 have a

Negative shape of the component 2 to be created. By placing the first plate 8 and the second plate 9 against one another, the mold is closed and a cavity corresponding to the component 2 is formed. The nozzle 6 adjoins the first plate 8, usually starting from the filling chamber 4, or is arranged integrated into the first plate 8, so that a passage 7 of the nozzle 6 opens directly into the cavity.

In particular, the nozzle 6 can be designed to pierce the first plate 8 or form a unit with the first plate 8.

As part of a provision or metering of the material in the filling chamber 4, the material is converted into a thixotropic state or kept in such a state by the screw 5, as well as a suitable amount of material in the thixotropic state, in particular based on the mass of the component 2 to be produced arranged between the screw 5 and the nozzle 6. A subsequent pressing in or injection of the material via the nozzle 6 into the cavity of the mold takes place through an axial

Forward movement of the screw 5 in the direction of the nozzle 6.

1 shows a process state after the component 2 has been allowed to solidify in the mold, a plug 10 having been formed in the passage 7 of the nozzle 6. The mold is open, provision being made advantageously that the component 2 produced is removed from the mold with an arm of a robot. The plug 10 formed in the passage 7 prevents material from escaping from the passage 7 into the open mold. The plug 10 is usually pressed or shot into the mold in a next production cycle when material is pressed into the mold for the production of the next component 2. This process state corresponds to a typical process state of the prior art. The plug 10 prevents a material leakage when the mold is opened, but is not stable enough to withstand a greater pressure load, as would occur in a simultaneous process of providing material for the next component 2 in the filling chamber 4, for a longer period of time and safely.

Fig. 2 to Fig. 9 show schematic representations of a filling chamber 4, one of these downstream connecting pieces in the form of a nozzle 6 and a form downstream of the nozzle 6, in particular as a section of the device 1 of Fig. 1, in various successive process steps of a process according to the invention .

FIG. 2 shows a process state in which the mold is opened after the component 2 has been allowed to solidify. A plug 10 is formed in the nozzle 6, so that when the mold is opened, material is prevented from escaping from the nozzle 6 into the mold. In a next method step shown in FIG. 3, with the mold open, in particular while the mold is being opened, a passage 7 of the nozzle 6 is advantageously closed with a blocking device, which is expediently formed with a blocking body 11, by pulling the blocking body 11 from the side the opened mold is inserted into a passage 7 of the nozzle 6, shown in Fig. 4. The blocking body 11 touches or presses advantageously against the plug 10, whereby it is stabilized against occurring pressure loads. The blocking body 11 advantageously has a size and shape of the passage 7 in a cross section of the

Passage 7 has a corresponding size and shape, so that a material flow through the passage 7 or from the passage 7 in the direction of the open mold is prevented. After the passage 7 is closed with the blocking device, a

Provision of a material provided for the creation of the next component 2 in the filling chamber 4 has begun and the component 2 is removed from the mold with an arm of a robot at the same time, shown in FIG. 5. Then, in particular, the provision of the material in the Filling chamber 4, the mold cleaned and applied with a release agent, shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. It is favorable if after the completion of the provision of the material for the next component 2 in the filling chamber 4 or before opening of the passage 7 with the

Blocking device, in particular by removing the blocking body 11 from

Passage 7, the screw 5 is brought into a position in which a with the The pressing pressure caused by the screw 5 is reduced to a material located in the passage 7, so that when the mold is open and the blocking device is in the open state, i.e. usually when the blocking body 11 is or is removed from the passage 7, the pressing pressure on the material located in the passage 7 is reduced. For this purpose, the conveying device or screw 5 is axially shifted back in order to reduce a pressing pressure on a material in the passage 7, shown in FIG. 7. Then, after the provision of the material for the next component 2 in the

Filling chamber 4 when the mold is open, in particular while the mold is being closed, the passage 7 with the blocking device is opened again by removing the blocking body 11, shown in FIG. 8. The mold is then closed. FIG. 9 shows a subsequent process state in which the mold is closed and the creation of the next component 2 can be started by the

Screw 5 is moved axially in the direction of the nozzle 6 in order to press the material provided for the next component 2 in the filling chamber 4 via the nozzle 6 into the cavity of the mold.

FIG. 10 shows a time sequence of a method according to the invention, which can be carried out in particular with the device 1 shown in FIG. 1, and which can be seen in particular as an extension of the method according to FIGS. 2 to 9 or concretizes it . A preferred method sequence of a method according to the invention is shown over a time axis t. After a

Allowing the component 2 to solidify in the mold, denoted by A, the mold is opened, denoted by B, wherein during and / or after the opening of the mold, the passage 7 of the connector or the nozzle 6 is closed with a blocking device, preferably in the a blocking body 11 is inserted or inserted into the passage 7, denoted by C. After the mold has been opened, the component 2 is removed from the mold

removed, denoted by D. A component removal from the mold generally comprises a process of ejecting the component 2 from the mold, wherein the

Component 2 with ejector pins, which are moved to penetrate the surface relative to a surface of a part of the mold, usually the movable second part of the mold, so that a component 2 resting on the surface of the molded part is pressed out of the mold or at least from the mold by the ejector pins the mold is released, as well as removing the component 2 from the mold with a removal device, for example a robot arm, which grips the component 2 and transports it away. After closing the passage 7, preferably immediately after closing the Passage 7 begins with the provision of a material intended for the creation of the next component 2 in the filling chamber 4, denoted by E. After the component 2 has been removed from the mold, the mold is cleaned and / or a release agent is applied to the mold , denoted by F. After completion of the provision of the material for the next component 2 in the filling chamber 4, the passage 7 with the blocking device, preferably by removing the

Blocking body 11 from the passage 7, reopened, denoted by G, after which or during which the mold is closed, denoted by H. After the mold has been closed, the material provided in the filling chamber 4 is pressed into the mold via the passage 7 to get the next one To produce component 2, denoted by I. The illustrated process sequence thus begins again from the beginning. As can be seen in FIG. 9, provision is preferably made that the provision of the material in the filling chamber 4, denoted by E, takes place simultaneously with a component removal from the mold, denoted by D, and a cleaning or application of the mold with release agent, denoted by F, takes place.

In this way, time-consuming process steps are parallelized, so that a cycle time for manufacturing a component 2 can be reduced. In addition, by providing a material intended for the creation of the next component 2 in the filling chamber 4 when the mold is open, the component 2 can be removed from the mold at a time that is favorable for the component 2, whereby a high quality of the component 2 produced can be achieved .

Claims

1. A method for producing at least one component (2), wherein flowable metallic material, in particular in the thixotropic state, is provided in a filling chamber (4) and then under pressure via at least one downstream

downstream connecting piece, such as a nozzle (6), is pressed from the filling chamber (4) via at least one passage (7) of the connecting piece into at least one cavity of a multi-part mold, after which the component (2) is allowed to solidify in the mold, whereby a particularly solid plug (10) forms in the passage (7), after which the mold is opened and the component (2) is removed, after which the mold is closed and a next component (2) is created, characterized in that one for creating the next component (2) provided flowable material is provided in the filling chamber (4) with the mold open, the passage (7) being at least partially closed with a blocking device, so that while the material provided for the production of the next component (2) is being provided in the filling chamber (4) the passage (7) of the connecting piece is closed to prevent material from escaping from the connecting piece in the direction of the open F orm during the preparation of the material in the filling chamber (4).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the passage (7) of the connecting piece with the blocking device is closed downstream after the plug (10).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the

The blocking device has a blocking body (11) which is arranged on and / or in the passage (7) to at least partially close the passage (7), so that the blocking body (11) represents an obstacle for a material guided through the passage (7) to prevent material from escaping from the connector in the direction of the open mold.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the

When the mold is open, the blocking body (11) is at least partially inserted into the passage (7) from the side of the open mold in order to close the passage (7).

5. The method according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the blocking body (11) is arranged on and / or in the passage (7) in such a way that the blocking body (11) touches the plug (10).

6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the blocking body (11) is arranged on and / or in the passage (7) that the plug (10) through the blocking body (11) with a, in particular upstream directed, force is applied.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the blocking body (11) after arranging the blocking body (11) on and / or in

Passage (7) is positively and / or non-positively connected to the connecting piece and / or a part of the mold.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a relative to the connecting piece, preferably controllable, movable

Positioning device is provided with which the blocking body (11) is arranged on and / or in the passage (7), in particular in a fixed position, in order to close the passage (7).

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the provision of the material provided for the creation of the next component (2) in the filling chamber (4) in parallel with an opening of the mold, a component removal, a cleaning of the mold and / or a release agent is applied to the mold.

10. Device (1) for producing at least one metallic component (2), in particular according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 9, having a filling chamber (4) for providing flowable metallic material, in particular in the thixotropic state, a conveyor for the Flowable metallic material, at least one connecting piece downstream of the filling chamber (4), such as a nozzle (6), as well as a multi-part shape that is arranged downstream of the connecting piece and has at least one cavity for the component (2) to be created, the material for creating of the at least one component (2) with the conveyor device from the filling chamber (4) via at least one passage (7) of the at least one connecting piece can be pressed into the at least one cavity of the mold and the mold for removing the at least one component (2)

Solidification of the component (2) and formation of a plug (10) in the connecting piece can be opened in order to remove the component (2) and, after the mold has been closed, to produce a next component (2), characterized in that a blocking device is provided with which a passage (7) of the connecting piece can be at least partially closed in order to prevent material from escaping from the connecting piece in the direction of the open mold during an operation carried out with the mold open

To prevent a flowable material provided for the creation of the next component (2) in the filling chamber (4).

11. The device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the

The passage (7) with the blocking device can be closed downstream after a plug (10) formed in the passage (7) when the component (2) solidifies.

12. The device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the blocking device has a blocking body (11) and one relative to the

Connecting piece movable positioning device is provided, wherein the positioning device is designed, the blocking body (11), in particular when the mold is open, for closing the passage (7) on and / or in

To arrange passage (7) so that the blocking body (11) is an obstacle for a through the passage (7) downstream material to prevent material from escaping from the connecting piece in the direction of the open mold.

13. The device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the

The blocking body (11) can be introduced at least partially or completely into the passage (7) through an opening in the passage (7) in order to close the passage (7).

14. Device (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that an outer surface of the blocking body (11) at least in sections as a surface of rotation, in particular with a rotation axis in the direction of an insertion direction of the

Blocking element, is formed.

15. Device (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the blocking body (11) on a side facing the insertion direction

Blocking body (11) has a spring-loaded movable impact element in order to apply a spring force with the impact element to the plug (10) in a closed position in which the blocking body (11) contacts a plug (10).

16. Device (1) according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the blocking body (11) after arrangement of the blocking body (11) on and / or in the passage (7) positively and / or non-positively releasable with the connecting piece and / or a part of the mold can be connected in order to achieve a fixed position fixing of the blocking body (11) on the connecting piece or in the passage (7).

17. Device (1) according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the blocking body (11), in particular with a holding device, is detachably connected to the positioning device, so that the blocking body (11) after the blocking body (11) has been arranged on or in the passage (7) from the

Positioning device can be decoupled.

18. Device (1) according to one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the blocking body (11) has a temperature measuring device and / or

Has pressure measuring device to measure a temperature or a pressure in the passage (7).

19. Device (1) according to one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the blocking body (11) has a temperature control device to a

To heat and / or cool the outer surface of the blocking body (11).

20. Device according to one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the blocking body on a side facing an insertion direction of the

Blocking body has a, in particular movable, working element in order to apply a time-dependent or time-variable force to a plug formed in the passage in a working position in which the blocking body is arranged in the passage.