GB1392930A - Ladling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1392930 Casting machines JOSEPH LUCAS (INDUSTRIES) Ltd 30 June 1972 [22 July 1971] 34328/71 Heading B3F [Also in Division B8] A molten metal ladling apparatus 11 for a die casting machine includes a movable ladle assembly 25, 26, a guide 21 for guiding the assembly during movement between a filling position and an emptying station wherein metal is discharged from the assembly, and means 31, 32 for moving the assembly between the positions. The guide includes a pair of tracks 22a, 22b, and the assembly includes two track followers 27, 28 each engaging a respective track. The tracks are shaped to cause the assembly to tilt at the emptying station. As illustrated the ladling assembly includes a carrier 26 and a cast iron ladle 25 provided with tongues 35 adjacent its upper open end received in grooves in the carrier 26. The carrier is pivotally connected to a crosshead 29 on the end of a piston-rod 31 of hydraulic ram 32. The ladle is retained on the carrier by a removable bar 36, and includes an opening 38 intermediate its ends. Two guide tracks 23a, 23b are also engaged by further rollers 27, 28, attached to the carrier. The crosshead includes passages through which cooling water passes in use. The speed of movement of the ladle can be preset by means of one or more hydraulic flow restrictors. A die casting machine having a fixed die 14 and a movable die 15, and a plunger 16 hydraulically reciprocable in a sleeve 17 defining the shot well, includes the ladling apparatus 11 for supplying molten aluminium to aperture 18 when the plunger is retracted. In operation an ejected cast component falls from the open dies on to a tray and causes closure of a microswitch which effects spraying of the dies, die closure, and lifting of the ladle from the Fig. 3 position. The level of aluminium in reservoir 41 is maintained by means (not shown) between the limits indicated by dashed lines. As the ladle approaches the curved portions of the slots 22a &c., a cam (not shown) on the carrier operates a second microswitch connected in the control circuit such that if the dies are not fully closed and/or the plunger 16 is not fully retracted, the operation of the ram 32 will be halted. Normally the operation of the second microswitch will have no effect so that the ladle will move to its emptying position. When in the latter position, the ladle carrier operates a third microswitch to stop flow of hydraulic fluid to the ram 32 and to initiate a timer. After timing out the timer will cause fluid to be supplied to the ram 32 so as to extend the latter. When the filling position is reached a fourth microswitch will be closed to stop slow of fluid to the ram. The timer on timing out will also initiate operation of an injection timer which delays operation of the ram controlling the plunger 16 to allow metal to flow along launcher 42 and into the shot well. The dies open after a period sufficient for the charge to solidify whereupon a further cycle is initiated.