GB2128517A

GB2128517A - Squeeze-forming press

Info

Publication number: GB2128517A
Application number: GB08319960A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Barlow; Ronald Crooks; Norman Bird; Gwynne Williams
Original assignee: GKN Technology Ltd
Current assignee: GKN Technology Ltd
Priority date: 1982-07-27
Filing date: 1983-07-25
Publication date: 1984-05-02
Also published as: GB8319960D0

Abstract

A squeeze forming press comprises a frame (10) having a vertically downward acting hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanism (17, 18) carrying a punch (19) engageable within a die mounted in the press. A pair of horizontally opposed hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanisms (15, 16) act on opposed die parts (12, 13) closable together to define a die cavity and being separable to release a squeeze-formed article therefrom. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Squeeze forming press This invention relates to a press for carrying out a squeeze forming operation. Squeeze forming, also sometimes termed squeeze casting, involves the pouring of molten metal, e.g., an aluminium alloy, into a die and applying pressure to the metal in the die by means of a punch which enters the die, the pressure being maintained during solidification of the metal. The invention has been developed in relation to such a process in which the die comprises two or more parts which have to be held in an assembled relation for the squeeze forming operation, and separated to permit removal of the formed article.

The invention provides a press for carrying out a squeeze forming operation in a die mounted in the press, comprising a frame, a first pressing means carried by the frame and arranged to introduce a punch into the die, and second pressing means also carried by the frame and arranged to hold parts of the die in an assembled relation during the squeeze forming operation and to separate said parts to permit removal of a formed article therefrom.

The first pressing means preferably comprises at least one fluid pressure piston and cylinder mechanism, of which the or each cylinder is mounted on or incorporated in the frame and of which the piston is a ram to which the punch is connected. The first pressing means preferably operates vertically.

The second pressing means preferably comprises at least one fluid pressure piston and cylinder mechanism of which the or each cylinder is incorporated in or mounted on the frame of the press, and which preferably operates horizontally.

The press may further comprise an ejector for removing the formed article from the die after the parts thereof have been separated.

The accompanying drawing is a purely diagrammatic representation of a press according to the invention. It comprises a frame 10 whose base supports a die 11 which is split vertically into two parts 12, 1 3 together defining a die cavity 1 4.

The parts 12, 13 of the die are arranged to be held in their assembled positions, and separated when required, by respective hydraulic piston-cylinder mechanisms 1 5, 1 6 of which the cylinders are mounted in the frame 10 of the press.

The upper part of the frame 10 of the press incorporates the cylinder 1 7 of a hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanism which constitutes a first pressing means of the press. The piston is a ram 18 which carries a punch 1 9 arranged to enter the die 11.

In use of the press to squeeze form a typical article, the die parts 12, 1 3 would be prepared for use while separated. A second pressing means of the apparatus, in the form of piston and cylinder mechanisms 15, 1 6 would then be operated to move the die parts together to be able to receive molten metal which is poured into the die in the required quantity from a source not shown. The first pressing means of the apparatus then is operated to lower ram 1 8 and introduce punch 19 into the die, to pressurise the molten metal within the die and hold it under pressure during solidification. During this time, the hydraulic cylinders 15, 1 6 must exert sufficient force on the die parts to hold them together.After solidification of the metal, the punch 19 can be retracted and the parts of the die separated. Thereafter an ejector, not shown, can be brought into operation to remove the formed article from the die.

In the example described herein both of the die parts 12, 1 3 are separable permitting ejection of the squeeze formed article by, for example, a vertically upwardly acting ejector rod or rods.

However it should be appreciated that more than two die parts may be provided all or only some of which are movable by associated pressing means.

Furthermore, for example, in a two part die, one of the die parts may be fixed in position with respect to the press frame whilst the other cooperating die part is movable towards and away from the fixed die part by a pressing means. In such an arrangement the ejector means may act horizontally through the fixed die part whereby the squeeze formed article may fall downwardly out of the separated die parts into a receiver.

1. A press for carrying out a squeeze forming operation in a die mounted in the press, comprising a frame, a first pressing means carried by the frame and arranged to introudce a punch into the die, and second pressing means also carried by the frame and arranged to hold parts of the die in an assembled relation during the squeeze forming operation and to separate said parts to permit removal of a formed article therefrom.

2. A press as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first pressing means comprises at least one fluid pressure piston and cylinder mechanism of which the or each cylinder is mounted on or incorporated in the press frame and of which the piston is a ram to which the punch is connected.

3. A press as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said first pressing means operates vertically.

4. A press as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said second pressing means comprises at least one fluid pressure piston and cylinder mechanism of which the or each cylinder is incorporated in or mounted on the frame of the press and of which the or each piston is a ram to which an associated said die part is connected.

5. A press as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said second pressing means operates horizontally.

6. A press as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said second pressing means comprises at least two horizontally opposed fluid pressure piston and cylinder mechanisms wherein each cylinder is mounted on or incorporated in the frame of the press and wherein each piston is connected to a respective

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Squeeze forming press This invention relates to a press for carrying out a squeeze forming operation. Squeeze forming, also sometimes termed squeeze casting, involves the pouring of molten metal, e.g., an aluminium alloy, into a die and applying pressure to the metal in the die by means of a punch which enters the die, the pressure being maintained during solidification of the metal. The invention has been developed in relation to such a process in which the die comprises two or more parts which have to be held in an assembled relation for the squeeze forming operation, and separated to permit removal of the formed article. The invention provides a press for carrying out a squeeze forming operation in a die mounted in the press, comprising a frame, a first pressing means carried by the frame and arranged to introduce a punch into the die, and second pressing means also carried by the frame and arranged to hold parts of the die in an assembled relation during the squeeze forming operation and to separate said parts to permit removal of a formed article therefrom. The first pressing means preferably comprises at least one fluid pressure piston and cylinder mechanism, of which the or each cylinder is mounted on or incorporated in the frame and of which the piston is a ram to which the punch is connected. The first pressing means preferably operates vertically. The second pressing means preferably comprises at least one fluid pressure piston and cylinder mechanism of which the or each cylinder is incorporated in or mounted on the frame of the press, and which preferably operates horizontally. The press may further comprise an ejector for removing the formed article from the die after the parts thereof have been separated. The accompanying drawing is a purely diagrammatic representation of a press according to the invention. It comprises a frame 10 whose base supports a die 11 which is split vertically into two parts 12, 1 3 together defining a die cavity 1 4. The parts 12, 13 of the die are arranged to be held in their assembled positions, and separated when required, by respective hydraulic piston-cylinder mechanisms 1 5, 1 6 of which the cylinders are mounted in the frame 10 of the press. The upper part of the frame 10 of the press incorporates the cylinder 1 7 of a hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanism which constitutes a first pressing means of the press. The piston is a ram 18 which carries a punch 1 9 arranged to enter the die 11. In use of the press to squeeze form a typical article, the die parts 12, 1 3 would be prepared for use while separated. A second pressing means of the apparatus, in the form of piston and cylinder mechanisms 15, 1 6 would then be operated to move the die parts together to be able to receive molten metal which is poured into the die in the required quantity from a source not shown. The first pressing means of the apparatus then is operated to lower ram 1 8 and introduce punch 19 into the die, to pressurise the molten metal within the die and hold it under pressure during solidification. During this time, the hydraulic cylinders 15, 1 6 must exert sufficient force on the die parts to hold them together.After solidification of the metal, the punch 19 can be retracted and the parts of the die separated. Thereafter an ejector, not shown, can be brought into operation to remove the formed article from the die. In the example described herein both of the die parts 12, 1 3 are separable permitting ejection of the squeeze formed article by, for example, a vertically upwardly acting ejector rod or rods. However it should be appreciated that more than two die parts may be provided all or only some of which are movable by associated pressing means. Furthermore, for example, in a two part die, one of the die parts may be fixed in position with respect to the press frame whilst the other cooperating die part is movable towards and away from the fixed die part by a pressing means. In such an arrangement the ejector means may act horizontally through the fixed die part whereby the squeeze formed article may fall downwardly out of the separated die parts into a receiver. CLAIMS

6. A press as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said second pressing means comprises at least two horizontally opposed fluid pressure piston and cylinder mechanisms wherein each cylinder is mounted on or incorporated in the frame of the press and wherein each piston is connected to a respective movable said die part.

7. A press as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said first and second pressing means comprise hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanisms.

8. A press for carrying out a squeeze forming operation in a die mounted in the press constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.