JP2005125409A - Powder molding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a powder molding machine which can be used even when a die area is small or a die is made to be transferable. <P>SOLUTION: The powder molding machine is provided with a powder feed device 100, equipped with a powder storing section 101 connecting with a powder supply pipe 102, a powder filling port 101b formed at a portion facing a space for powder molding 5a at a bottom wall 101a of the powder storing section 101, and a scraper 103 scraping off any surplus raw material powder existing outside the space for powder molding 5a by coming into slide contact with a die 5, and also blocking the powder filling port 101b. The powder molding machine is further provided with a connecting means 9 being arranged independently at each of stages A-C to position and fix a punch unit 7 at a predetermined location and release the fixing at the time of transporting it, and a unit holding means 4, positioning and holding the punch unit 7 to make it incapable of falling while a transport table 8 is moving, and releasing the hold to allow the vertical motion of the punch unit 7 at the predetermined position of each of the stages A-C. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  In the present invention, a powder raw material such as ceramics or food or medicine is supplied to a powder forming space formed by a die and a punch of a mold, and the powder raw material is pressure-molded to form a molded body. The present invention relates to a powder molding machine.

  Conventionally, as a powder supply device provided in this type of powder molding machine, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (c), the top of a powder supply box 200 having an opening 200b that opens downward. There is one in which a powder supply pipe 201 is connected to a wall 200a, and a hopper (not shown) filled with a powder raw material is connected to the powder supply pipe 201 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the powder supply apparatus, the powder supply box 200 is slidably mounted so that the opening 200b side faces the upper surface of the die 202. In this state, the powder supply box 200 is moved onto the powder molding space 202a of the die 202. The powder raw material 204 is injected into the powder molding space 202a from the opening 200b. Next, the powder supply box 200 is retracted to the original position, and the powder raw material 204 outside the powder molding space 202a is scraped off by the side wall 200c of the powder supply box 200. As a result, a predetermined amount of the powder raw material 204 is filled in the powder molding space 202a. Further, when the scraping is performed, felt or the like may be attached to the scraping surface from the viewpoint of improving the wear resistance of the scraping surface (die sliding contact surface) of the side wall 200c.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-17903

  However, in the above-described conventional powder supply apparatus, the opening of the powder supply box must always be in sliding contact with the upper surface of the die in order to prevent the powder raw material from dropping and scattering, and thus a die having a small upper surface area of the die. For example, there is a problem that it cannot be used in a continuous molding machine in which dies are sequentially fed to, for example, a powder supply unit, a powder pressure molding unit, and a molded body take-out unit.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional situation, and an object thereof is to provide a powder molding machine that can be employed when the die area is small or when the die is conveyed.

  The present invention provides a transfer table for transferring a die having a die and a punch unit between at least a powder supply stage, a pressure forming stage, and a molded body take-out stage, and powder in the powder forming space of the mold at the powder supply stage. In a powder molding machine provided with a powder supply device that supplies raw materials and a pressure molding device that performs pressure molding of powder raw materials at the pressure molding stage, the powder supply device is connected to a powder supply pipe The powder storage part, the powder injection hole formed in the part facing the powder molding space of the bottom wall of the powder storage part, and the above powder mold and slidably contact with the mold and scrape off the excess powder raw material outside the powder molding space A scraper blade that closes the powder injection hole, and is arranged independently on each stage, positioning and fixing the punch unit at a predetermined position, and releasing the fixing during conveyance And a unit holding means for positioning and holding the punch unit so that it cannot fall off during movement of the transfer table, and releasing the holding at a predetermined position of each stage and allowing the punch unit to move up and down. It is said.

  According to the powder supply apparatus of the powder molding machine according to the present invention, the powder injection hole is formed in the bottom wall of the powder storage unit, the powder raw material protruding outside the powder molding space is scraped off, and the powder injection hole is closed. Since the scraping blade is provided, it is possible to simultaneously scrape excess powder raw material and close the powder injection hole by simply moving the scraping blade. It is not necessary to make contact, and it can be used for a die having a small sliding area and can also be used for a continuous molding machine.

  In addition, the above powder supply apparatus is used in a powder molding machine that forms a compact by conveying a mold in the order of a powder supply stage, a powder pressure stage, and a compact take-out stage by a transport table. The powder supply on the stage can be performed smoothly without being scattered around the periphery, and can be used for continuous production.

  In the powder molding machine of the present invention, since the punch unit is positioned and fixed by the connecting means arranged on the pressure molding stage, the position accuracy of the punch unit at the time of molding can be improved and the continuous production of various types of molded products can be supported. . Further, since the punch unit is positioned and held by the unit holding means during the conveyance, the punch unit can be prevented from moving or dropping during the conveyance.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 to 4 are diagrams for explaining a powder molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a powder molding machine provided with a powder supply device, and FIG. 2 is a conveyance table. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the powder supply device, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the supply operation of the powder supply device.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a powder molding machine for producing a ceramic electronic component element by pressure molding a ceramic powder raw material. The powder molding machine 1 includes a die 2 including a die 5 having a powder molding space 5a, and upper and lower punch units 6 and 7, and the die 2 is used in a powder supply stage A, a pressure molding stage B, and machining. A disk-shaped transfer table 8 that is transferred between the stage C and the molded body take-out stage D, a powder supply device 100 that supplies a powder raw material to the mold 2 at the powder supply stage A, and the pressure forming stage B The pressure forming apparatus 3 for pressure forming the ceramic powder raw material, positioning connecting means 9 for detachably positioning the lower punch unit 7 at predetermined positions of the stages A to D, and the lower punch unit 7. And a unit holding means 4 for positioning and holding the transfer table 8 in a removable manner.

  The dice 5 are arranged and fixed on the outer peripheral portion of the transport table 8 every 90 degrees. The upper punch unit 6 is formed by inserting an upper second punch 6b made of a core pin into a cylindrical upper first punch 6a so as to be relatively movable, and the lower punch unit 7 is a cylindrical lower first punch as in the above. A lower second punch 7b made of a core pin is inserted into the punch 7a so as to be relatively movable. The upper punch unit 6 is disposed only on the pressure forming stage B, and the lower punch unit 7 is disposed on each die 5 of the transport table 8.

  The transfer table 8 is rotationally driven by an external rotation drive mechanism (not shown), and the mold 2 is successively connected in the order of a powder supply stage A, a powder pressurization stage B, a machining stage C, and a compact take-out stage D. It is comprised so that it may convey.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the ceramic powder raw material is filled in the die 5 by a powder supply device 100 described later, the transfer table 8 rotates 90 degrees in the direction of arrow a. As a result, the mold 2 filled with the ceramic powder raw material is transferred to the powder pressurizing stage B, where pressure molding is performed by the upper and lower punch units 6 and 7. At this time, the ceramic powder raw material is filled in the next die 5 conveyed to the powder supply stage A.

  When the pressure forming is completed, the transfer table 8 is rotated 90 degrees, and the pressure-formed formed body is transferred to the machining stage C, where machining such as cutting, drilling or deburring is performed. At this time, in the powder pressing stage B, the next ceramic powder is pressed, and in the powder supply stage A, the next die 5 is filled with the ceramic powder.

  When the predetermined machining is completed at the machining stage C, the transfer table 8 is rotated 90 degrees, and the processed molded body is transferred to the molded body take-out stage D, where the molded body is taken out to a predetermined location. To recover. Thereafter, the empty die 5 is conveyed again to the powder supply stage A. Thus, a molded object is continuously produced by rotating the conveyance table 8 sequentially.

  The pressure molding apparatus 3 has a structure shown in FIG. A drive base 10 is disposed below the transfer table 8 so as to be movable up and down, and a fixed base 11 is disposed below the drive base 10 so as not to move. The fixed base 11 includes upper ball screws 12 and 12 that constitute one of the drive shafts and are rotatably supported through bearings 13 and 13. The bearings 13 are fixedly mounted on the fixed base 11. Yes. Each upper first ball screw 12 is screwed with nuts 14, 14 fixed to the drive base 10.

  A downward U-shaped support base 17 is fixedly attached to the drive base 10. Cylindrical upper first support columns 18, 18 constituting the other of the drive shafts are erected on the upper surface of the support base 17. ing. An upper first mold support plate 19 is bridged and fixed between the upper ends of the columns 18, and the upper first punch 6 a is attached and fixed to the lower surface of the upper first mold support plate 19. . By rotating the upper first ball screws 12, the upper first punch 6 a moves up and down together with the drive base 10 and the upper first struts 18.

  Upper second ball screws 21, 21 are rotatably supported on the drive base 10 via bearings 22, 22, and the respective bearings 22 are fixedly attached to the drive base 10. Each of the upper second ball screws 21 is inserted into the upper second support columns 16 and 16 slidably supported by the support base 17, and is inserted and fixed to the lower end portion of the upper second support column 16. It is screwed on. Further, an upper second mold support plate 20 is bridged and fixed between the upper ends of the upper second support columns 16, 16, and the upper second punch 6 b is attached and fixed to the lower surface of the mold support plate 20. ing. By rotating the upper second ball screws 21, the upper second punch 6 b moves up and down together with the upper second struts 16.

  The upper first support columns 18 and 18 are formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and the upper second support columns 16 and 16 are relatively movable in the upper first support columns 18 so as to have the same axis. Has been inserted. Thus, since the upper second support column 16 is inserted into the upper first support column 18 so as to have the same axis as this, the lateral width of the drive base 10 can be reduced as compared with the case where the support columns are arranged in parallel. And the entire apparatus can be miniaturized.

  Lower first ball screws 25, 25 are rotatably supported on the drive base 10 via bearings 26, 26, and the respective bearings 26 are fixedly attached to the drive base 10. Each of the lower first ball screws 25 is inserted into lower first struts 27 and 27 slidably supported on the support base 17, and nuts 28 are inserted and fixed to the lower ends of the lower first struts 27. 28 is screwed.

  Further, a lower first mold support plate 29 is detachably connected between the upper ends of the lower first support columns 27 with the connecting means 9 interposed therebetween. A lower first punch 7a is attached and fixed. Accordingly, the lower first punch 7 a moves up and down together with the lower first support columns 27 by rotating the lower first ball screws 25.

  A lower second ball screw 30 is rotatably supported between each lower first ball screw 25 of the drive base 10 via a bearing 31, and the bearing 31 is fixedly attached to the drive base 10. The lower second ball screw 30 is inserted into a lower second support 32 that is slidably supported by the support base 17, and is screwed onto a nut 33 that is inserted and fixed to the lower end of the lower second support 32. ing.

  A lower second mold support plate 34 is detachably connected to the upper end portion of the lower second support column 32 with the connecting means 9 interposed therebetween, and the lower second mold support plate 34 is connected to the upper surface of the mold support plate 34. A punch 7b is attached and fixed. By rotating the lower second ball screw 30, the lower second punch 7 b moves up and down together with the lower second support column 32. In this way, all the ball screws 12, 21, 25, 30 are concentrated on the drive base 10.

  The upper second ball screws 21 and 21 and the lower first and second ball screws 25, 25, and 30 pass through the drive base 10 and protrude downward. The protrusions are driven pulleys 37, 44, 44 and 45 are mounted.

  An upper second timing belt 38 is wound around the driven pulley 37 of each upper second ball screw 21, and the timing belt 38 is wound around a driving pulley 40 attached to the upper second servo motor 39. Yes. As a result, when the upper second servomotor 39 rotates, the upper second punch 6b moves up and down together with the upper second support columns 16.

  A lower first timing belt 46 is wound around the driven pulley 44 of each lower first ball screw 25, and the timing belt 46 is wound around a driving pulley 48 attached to the lower first servomotor 47. Yes. When the lower first servomotor 47 rotates, the lower first punch 7a moves up and down together with the lower first support columns 27.

  A lower second timing belt 49 is wound around the driven pulley 45 of the lower second ball screw 30, and the timing belt 49 is wound around a driving pulley 51 of the lower second servomotor 50. When the lower second servo motor 50 rotates, the lower second punch 7b moves up and down together with the lower second support column 32.

  Each of the upper first ball screws 12 protrudes downward through the fixed base 11, and driven pulleys 43, 43 are attached to the protruding portions. An upper first timing belt 52 is wound around each driven pulley 43, and the timing belt 52 is wound around a driving pulley 54 attached to the upper first servomotor 53.

  The servo motors 53, 39, 47, and 50 are arranged around the drive base 10, and the upper first servo motor 53 is disposed on the fixed base 11, and the upper first servo motor 39 and the lower first and first The two servo motors 47 and 50 are fixedly attached to the drive base 10 via brackets or the like.

  By driving the upper first and second punches 6a, 6b and the lower first and second punches 7a, 7a independently by the servo motors 53, 39, 47, 50, for example, cylindrical, columnar, Processing of a molded body having a longitudinal section H shape or a longitudinal section cross shape can be performed. That is, the upper first and second ball screws 12 and 21 feed the upper first and second punches 6a and 6b, and the lower first and second ball screws 25 and 30 feed the lower first and second ball screws 25 and 30, respectively. The punches 7a and 7b are raised, and thereby compression molding is performed. In this case, the lower first and second punches 7a and 7b are lowered when the drive base 10 is lowered, so that the feed amount of the lower first and second ball screws 25 and 30 is larger than the feed amount of the upper first ball screw 12. It absorbs by doing.

  In addition, when the upper first servo motor 53 rotates with the upper second servo motor 39 and the lower first and second servo motors 47 and 50 stopped rotating, the upper first servo motor and the second first servo motor 53 are rotated together with the drive base 10. The punches 6a and 6b and the lower first and second punches 7a and 7b move up and down in synchronization. In this way, the molded product can be removed from the transport table 8 while maintaining the distance between punches. That is, when the pressure molding process is completed, the upper second servo motor 39 and the lower first and second servo motors 47 and 50 are stopped, whereby the upper second ball screw 21 and the lower first and second ball screws 25 are stopped. , 30 are fixed. In this state, each upper first ball screw 12 is rotated by the upper first servomotor 53. Then, as the drive base 10 is raised, the upper first and second punches 6a and 6b and the lower first and second punches 7a and 7b are raised while maintaining the distance between the punches.

  The connecting means 9 is arranged independently on each of the stages A to D. When the lower first and second mold support plates 29 and 34 are conveyed, the connecting means 9 is placed on the lower first and second support columns 27 and 32. The positioning is fixed and the fixing is released when transporting.

  The unit holding means 4 positions and holds the lower first and second mold support plates 29 and 34 of the lower punch unit 7 so that they cannot be dropped while the transport table 8 is moving, and is lowered at predetermined positions of the stages A to D. The holding of the first and second mold support plates 29 and 34 is released to allow the lower first and second punches 7a and 7b to move up and down. That is, when the lower first and second mold support plates 29 and 34 positioned and held by the unit holding means 4 are conveyed from the powder supply stage A to the pressure forming stage B, for example, the lower first and second The support columns 27 and 32 are raised, and the mold supporting plates 29 and 34 are clamped and fixed by the connecting means 9. Simultaneously with this operation, the holding by the unit holding means 4 is released, whereby the lower first and second punches 7a and 7b are connected to the lower first and second support columns 27 and 32 so as to be movable up and down. In this state, the upper and lower punch units 6 and 7 move up and down to perform the above-described pressure forming. When the pressure molding is completed, the positioning and fixing by the connecting means 9 is released, and at the same time, the unit holding means 4 positions and holds the lower first and second punches 7a and 7b on the transport table 8. In this state, it is conveyed to the next machining stage C.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the powder supply apparatus 100 includes a substantially hermetically sealed box-shaped powder storage unit 101 disposed so as to be movable up and down above the transfer table 8 of the powder supply stage A, and a powder in the powder storage unit 101. A powder supply pipe 102 for supplying the raw material 105, a powder injection hole 101b formed in a part of the bottom wall 101a of the powder storage unit 101 facing the powder molding space 5a, and a scraping blade 103 for opening and closing the powder injection hole 101b. And.

  The powder supply tube 102 is disposed with its powder supply port 102a offset from the center of the powder injection hole 101b by t to the side, and the powder supply port 102a is viewed in the axial direction of the powder supply tube 102. It arrange | positions so that it may not overlap with the powder injection hole 101b.

  The powder supply pipe 102 passes through the top wall 101 c and is inserted into the powder storage unit 101, and the powder supply port 102 a is located at an approximately middle part in the vertical direction of the powder storage unit 101. Here, the insertion length L of the powder supply port 102a from the top wall 101c is set according to the material, characteristics, etc. of the powder raw material. For example, when the powder material has a large friction coefficient, the insertion length L is decreased, and when the friction coefficient is small, the insertion length L is increased. A hopper (not shown) filled with a powder raw material is connected to the upstream end of the powder supply pipe 102. The powder supply from the hopper is a natural supply due to its own weight.

  The scraping blade 103 is made of ceramic such as zirconia, and the blade edge 103 a is formed at an acute angle with respect to the upper surface of the die 5. The scraping blade 103 is connected to an actuator 107 such as a cylinder mechanism disposed outside the powder storage unit 101 via a support member 106, and has a closed position where the actuator 107 closes the powder injection hole 101b. Then, it is driven to open and close between the opening position for opening the injection hole 101b. The support member 106 is connected to the actuator 107 through a slit 108 formed in the side wall 101 d of the powder storage unit 101.

  A tapered portion 109 that engages the blade edge 103a of the scraping blade 103 is formed at the edge of the powder injection hole 101b. The support member 106 is inserted with a swing shaft 110 that supports the support member 106 so as to swing in the vertical direction. Further, the support member 106 has a stepped surface 106b, and the stepped surface 106b engages with the stepped surface 111b of the cam 111 when the support member 106 advances. The cam 111 is biased toward the upper surface of the die 5 by a spring member (not shown), and when the support member 106 is retracted, the upper surface 106a of the support member 106 and the bottom surface 111a of the cam 111 are engaged by the spring member. It has become.

  The scraping blade 103 scrapes off the excess powder raw material by the advance of the support member 106, and at the same time the stepped surface 106b engages with the stepped surface 111b of the cam 111, so that the support member 106 pivots. The scraping blade 103 is slightly lifted upward by rotating around 110, whereby the blade edge 103 a rides on the tapered portion 109. As the support member 106 further advances, the stepped surface 106b and the stepped surface 111b overlap, and the scraping blade 103 is positioned and held at the closed position.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (d), when the die 5 is conveyed to the powder supply stage A, the powder supply unit 100 descends and the powder storage unit 101 in the standby position is lowered. 101a contacts the upper surface of the die 5. At this lowered position, the powder injection hole 101b and the powder molding space 5a of the die 5 coincide.

  When the scraping blade 103 is moved backward by the actuator 107, the powder injection hole 101b is opened, and the powder raw material 105 flows out of the powder injection hole 101b and is injected into the powder molding space 5a. In this state, when the scraping blade 103 is moved forward by the actuator 107, the cutting edge 103 a is scraped on the upper surface of the die 5, and the excess powder raw material 105 protruding from the powder forming space 5 a is scraped and returned to the powder storage unit 101. At the same time as the injection hole 101b is closed, the cutting edge 103a slightly rides on the taper portion 109 to close the injection hole 101b. Thereafter, the powder storage unit 101 rises to the standby position.

  According to the powder supply apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when the powder injection hole 101b is formed in the bottom wall 101a of the substantially hermetically sealed box-shaped powder storage unit 101, and the powder raw material 105 protruding outside the powder molding space 5a is scraped off, the powder supply device 101 is substantially removed. At the same time, since the scraping blade 103 for closing the powder injection hole 101b is provided, the scraping of the excess powder raw material 105 and the closing of the powder injection hole 101b can be performed almost simultaneously just by opening and closing the scraping blade 103. In addition, it is not necessary to move the entire conventional powder supply box or to always make sliding contact with the die, and it can be applied to a die having a small sliding area and can cope with continuous production.

  Further, since the cutting edge 103a of the scraping blade 103 is formed at an acute angle with respect to the die sliding contact surface, it is possible to smoothly scrape off the excess powder raw material 105 outside the powder forming space 5a without scattering the powder raw material 105. The flatness of the scraped surface can be made uniform, and variations in powder packing density and supply amount can be prevented.

  Further, since the scraping blade 103 is formed of ceramic made of zirconia or the like, wear of the blade edge 103a can be suppressed even if continuous production is performed, and the life can be improved as compared with the case of pasting a conventional felt.

  In the present embodiment, since the powder supply pipe 102 is offset laterally by t from the center of the powder injection hole 101b, the powder pressure due to the remaining amount change in the hopper does not directly act on the powder injection hole 101b. In addition, it is possible to prevent variation in the powder density in the powder storage unit 101 and, in turn, variation in the filling density into the die 5.

  Further, since the powder supply pipe 102 is inserted into the powder storage unit 101 from the top wall 101c, a space can be left in the powder storage unit 101, and the powder density in the powder storage unit 101 due to a change in the remaining amount of the hopper. From this point, variation in filling density can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, since the taper portion 109 that engages the cutting edge 103a of the cutting blade 103 is formed at the edge of the powder injection hole 101b, the cutting edge 103a closes the taper portion 109 at the same time as the powder injection hole 101b is closed by the cutting blade 103. As a result, the gap between the two parts 101b and 103 can be reliably eliminated, and the powder raw material 105 can be prevented from falling.

  Further, the scraping blade 103 is provided independently of the powder storage unit 101, and the scraping blade 103 is driven to open and close by the actuator 107 from the outside of the powder storage unit 101 via the support member 106. Therefore, the scraping blade 103 is provided. Therefore, the volume change in the powder storage unit 101 can be reduced as much as possible, and the amount of powder stored in the powder storage unit 101 can be stably held.

  Further, since the die 5 is conveyed by the conveying table 8 in the order of the powder supply stage A, the powder pressurizing stage B, the machining stage C, and the molded body taking out stage D, the powder supply at the powder supply stage A is scattered to the periphery. It can be performed smoothly and can be used for continuous production.

  In the powder molding machine of the present embodiment, since the lower punch unit 7 is positioned and fixed by the connecting means 9 arranged in the pressure molding stage B, the positional accuracy of the lower punch unit 7 at the time of molding can be improved and various types of molding can be performed. It can cope with the continuous production of the body. Further, since the lower punch unit 7 is positioned and held by the unit holding means 4 during the conveyance, it is possible to prevent the lower punch unit 7 from moving or dropping during the conveyance.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a powder molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the conveyance operation of the conveyance table of the said powder molding machine. It is a schematic block diagram of the powder supply apparatus of the said powder molding machine. It is a figure which shows supply operation | movement of the said powder supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows the conventional common powder supply apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Powder molding machine 2 Mold 4 Unit holding means 5 Die 5a Powder molding space 6 Upper punch unit 7 Lower punch unit 8 Conveying means 9 Connecting means 100 Powder supply apparatus 101 Powder storage part 101a Bottom wall 101b Powder injection hole 101c Top wall 102 Powder supply tube 103 Abrasion blade A Powder supply stage B Pressure molding stage C Molded body take-out stage

Claims (1)

  A feed table for transporting a die having a die and a punch unit between at least a powder supply stage, a pressure forming stage, and a molded body take-out stage, and a powder raw material is supplied to the powder forming space of the mold at the powder supply stage. In a powder molding machine including a powder supply device and a pressure molding device that performs pressure molding of a powder raw material at the pressure molding stage, the powder supply device includes a powder storage unit to which a powder supply pipe is connected; A powder injection hole formed in a portion of the bottom wall of the powder storage portion facing the powder molding space, and a powder contact hole for rubbing excess powder raw material outside the powder molding space in sliding contact with the mold. And a connecting means for positioning and fixing the punch unit at a predetermined position and releasing the fixing at the time of conveyance. Powder forming comprising: unit holding means for positioning and holding the punch unit so that it cannot fall off during movement of the transfer table, and releasing the holding at a predetermined position of each stage to allow the punch unit to move up and down. Machine.

Images