JP2008145095A - Burning tool assembling apparatus, burning tool disassembling apparatus, circulating apparatus, ceramic compact burning method, and method of manufacturing honeycomb structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a circulating apparatus for a burning tool, burning a ceramic compact without requiring man power and efficiently. <P>SOLUTION: A system includes: a burning tool assembling apparatus 111; a burning furnace; a burning tool disassembling apparatus; and a carrying conveyer, wherein the burning tool assembling apparatus includes: a lid member fitting mechanism 115B for fitting a lid member 103 to a predetermined position of a burning tool 100 placed on a table 112 or a conveyer; and a tool delivery mechanism 113B loaded with a ceramic compact 11 and adapted to deliver the burning tool fitted with the lid member to the burning furnace, and the burning tool disassembling apparatus includes: a tool receiving mechanism loaded with the burnt ceramic compact and adapted to receive the burning tool fitted with the lid from the burning furnace; and a lid member removing mechanism for removing the lid member from the burning tool fitted with the lid member, which is placed on the table or the conveyer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a firing jig assembling apparatus, a firing jig disassembling apparatus, a circulation device, a ceramic molded body firing method, and a honeycomb structure manufacturing method.

Recently, it has become a problem that particulates such as soot contained in exhaust gas discharged from internal combustion engines such as vehicles such as buses and trucks and construction machinery cause harm to the environment and the human body.
Accordingly, various honeycomb filters using a honeycomb structure have been proposed as filters for collecting particulates in exhaust gas and purifying the exhaust gas.

Conventionally, when manufacturing a honeycomb structure, for example, first, a ceramic powder, a binder, a dispersion medium liquid, and the like are mixed to prepare a wet mixture. Then, the wet mixture is continuously extruded with a die, and the extruded molded body is cut into a predetermined length to produce a columnar honeycomb molded body.

Next, the obtained honeycomb formed body is subjected to a drying process using microwave drying or hot air drying.
Then, the honeycomb fired body is manufactured by sealing the ends of the honeycomb formed body in a checkered pattern with the above-mentioned sealing material paste containing ceramic powder as a main component, and then performing degreasing and firing processes.

After that, by applying a sealing material paste to the side surfaces of the honeycomb fired bodies and bonding the honeycomb fired bodies to each other using an adhesive, a large number of honeycomb fired bodies are bundled through the sealing material layer (adhesive layer). An aggregate of the honeycomb fired bodies is prepared. Next, the obtained honeycomb fired body aggregate is cut into a predetermined shape such as a cylinder or an elliptical column using a cutting machine or the like to form a honeycomb block, and finally, the outer periphery of the honeycomb block is sealed. The manufacturing of the honeycomb structure is completed by applying the material paste to form the sealing material layer (coat layer).

In such a method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure, the firing treatment is usually performed by placing the honeycomb formed body on a firing jig and attaching a lid member to the firing jig. The firing jig and the lid member are usually used repeatedly.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of circulating a tray in order to repeatedly use the tray on which the honeycomb formed body is placed.

International Publication No. 2005/024326 Pamphlet

When the firing jig and the lid member are used repeatedly, after use, it is necessary to transport them to an apparatus used in the step of attaching the lid member to the firing jig.
When these operations are performed manually, it is difficult to improve the operation speed and productivity.
Moreover, since the receiving tray repeatedly used disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used for the honeycomb molded body in the drying process, the heat resistant temperature is low for use in the firing process, and the honeycomb molded body is simply placed. In addition, since it is not assumed that a lid member is attached so as to cover the molded body when the molded body is processed, it could not be applied to the firing method.

The present inventors have intensively studied to solve the above-mentioned problems and completed the present invention.
That is, the firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention includes a robot arm and a table or conveyor on which the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body is mounted when the ceramic molded body is fired, A firing jig assembling apparatus for attaching a lid member to the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body is mounted,
A lid member attaching mechanism for attaching the lid member by using the robot arm is provided at a predetermined position of the firing jig placed on the table or conveyor.

The firing jig assembling apparatus preferably has a jig stacking mechanism for stacking the firing jigs on which the ceramic molded body is mounted in multiple stages.
The firing jig is preferably composed of a bottom member and a side wall member.

In the firing jig assembling apparatus, the conveyor moves intermittently,
When the conveyor stops, it is desirable that the conveyor shift from a moving state with a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state.

A firing jig disassembling apparatus according to the present invention includes a robot arm, a table or a conveyor on which a firing jig having a ceramic member mounted thereon and a lid member mounted thereon is mounted when the ceramic body is fired. A firing jig disassembling device for removing the lid member attached to the firing jig on a table or conveyor,
A lid member detaching mechanism for removing the lid member from the firing jig mounted on the table or conveyor and attached with the lid member using the robot arm is provided.

The firing jig disassembling apparatus preferably has a jig take-out mechanism for taking out one firing jig from the firing jigs stacked in multiple stages.
The firing jig is preferably composed of a bottom member and a side wall member.

In the firing jig disassembling apparatus, the conveyor moves intermittently,
When the conveyor stops, it is desirable that the conveyor shift from a moving state with a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state.

The circulation device of the present invention includes a robot arm and a table or a conveyor on which a firing jig on which the ceramic molded body is mounted when the ceramic molded body is fired, and the ceramic molded body is placed on the table or the conveyor. A firing jig assembling apparatus for attaching a lid member to the mounted firing jig,
A firing furnace for firing a ceramic molded body mounted on a firing jig;
A robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a ceramic molded body is mounted at the time of firing the ceramic molded body and on which a firing jig with a lid member attached is placed, and the firing jig is mounted on the table or conveyor. A firing jig disassembling device for removing the lid member attached to the tool, and
A circulation device comprising a conveyor for conveying at least one of the lid member and the firing jig removed by the firing jig disassembling apparatus to the firing jig assembling apparatus;
The firing jig assembling apparatus includes a lid member attaching mechanism for attaching the lid member to the predetermined position of the firing jig placed on the table or conveyor using the robot arm,
A jig delivery mechanism for delivering the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body is mounted and the lid portion is attached to the firing furnace;
The firing jig disassembling apparatus includes a jig receiving mechanism that receives the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body subjected to the firing treatment is mounted and the lid portion is attached from the firing furnace,
A lid member removing mechanism for removing the lid member from the firing jig mounted on the table or conveyor and having the lid member attached thereto using the robot arm.

In the circulating apparatus, the firing jig assembling apparatus has a jig stacking mechanism for stacking a plurality of firing jigs on which the ceramic molded body is mounted in multiple stages,
The firing jig disassembling apparatus preferably has a jig take-out mechanism for taking out one firing jig from the firing jigs stacked in multiple stages.
The firing jig is preferably composed of a bottom member and a side wall member.
Furthermore, it is desirable that the bottom member can be used as a degreasing jig.

In the circulating apparatus, the firing jig assembling apparatus and / or the firing jig disassembling apparatus includes the conveyor that moves intermittently,
When the conveyor stops, it is desirable that the conveyor shift from a moving state with a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state.

The ceramic molded body firing method of the present invention includes a robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a firing jig on which the ceramic molded body is mounted at the time of firing the ceramic molded body. A firing jig assembling apparatus for attaching a lid member to a firing jig on which a ceramic molded body is mounted,
A firing furnace for firing a ceramic molded body mounted on a firing jig;
A robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a ceramic jig is mounted and a firing jig with a lid member mounted thereon are mounted when the ceramic compact is fired, and the firing jig is placed on the table or conveyor. A firing jig disassembling device for removing the lid member attached to, and
Using a circulation device provided with a transport conveyor for transporting at least one of the lid member and firing jig removed by the firing jig disassembling apparatus to the firing jig assembling apparatus,
A method for firing a ceramic molded body that is performed by passing the firing jig loaded with the ceramic molded body through the firing furnace,
The firing jig assembling apparatus includes a lid member attaching mechanism for attaching the lid member to the predetermined position of the firing jig placed on the table or conveyor using the robot arm,
A jig delivery mechanism for delivering the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body is mounted and the lid portion is attached to the firing furnace;
The firing jig disassembling apparatus includes a jig receiving mechanism that receives the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body subjected to the firing treatment is mounted and the lid portion is attached from the firing furnace,
A lid member removing mechanism for removing the lid member from the firing jig mounted on the table or conveyor and having the lid member attached thereto using the robot arm.

In the firing method of the ceramic molded body, the firing jig assembling apparatus has a jig stacking mechanism for stacking a plurality of the firing jigs on which the ceramic molded body is mounted in multiple stages,
The firing jig disassembling apparatus preferably has a jig take-out mechanism for taking out one firing jig from the firing jigs stacked in multiple stages.
The firing jig is preferably composed of a bottom member and a side wall member. Furthermore, it is desirable that the bottom member can be used as a degreasing jig.

In the firing method of the ceramic molded body, the firing jig assembling apparatus and / or the firing jig disassembling apparatus includes the conveyor that moves intermittently,
When the conveyor stops, it is desirable that the conveyor shift from a moving state with a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state.

The method for manufacturing a honeycomb structured body of the present invention is to form a columnar honeycomb formed body in which a large number of cells are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction with cell walls separated by forming a ceramic raw material. A method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure, which is mounted on a jig and subjected to a firing treatment to produce a honeycomb structure made of a honeycomb fired body,
The firing treatment includes a robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a firing jig on which the honeycomb molded body is mounted when the honeycomb molded body is fired, and the honeycomb molded body is mounted on the table or conveyor. A firing jig assembling apparatus for attaching a lid member to the firing jig,
A firing furnace for firing a honeycomb formed body mounted on a firing jig;
A robot arm; and a table or a conveyor on which a firing jig on which the honeycomb molded body is mounted and a lid member is mounted is mounted when the honeycomb molded body is fired. A firing jig disassembling device for removing the lid member attached to, and
Performed using a circulation device provided with a transport conveyor for transporting at least one of the lid member and the firing jig removed by the firing jig disassembling apparatus to the firing jig assembling apparatus,
The firing jig assembling apparatus includes a lid member attaching mechanism for attaching the lid member to the predetermined position of the firing jig placed on the table or conveyor using the robot arm,
A jig delivery mechanism for delivering the firing jig on which the honeycomb formed body is mounted and the lid portion is attached to the firing furnace;
The firing jig disassembling apparatus includes a jig receiving mechanism that receives the firing jig on which the fired honeycomb formed body is mounted and the lid portion is attached from the firing furnace,
A lid member removing mechanism for removing the lid member from the firing jig mounted on the table or conveyor and having the lid member attached thereto using the robot arm.

In the method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure, the firing jig assembling apparatus includes a jig stacking mechanism that stacks a plurality of firing jigs on which the honeycomb formed body is mounted in multiple stages.
The firing jig disassembling apparatus preferably has a jig take-out mechanism for taking out one firing jig from the firing jigs stacked in multiple stages.

In the method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure, the firing jig is preferably composed of a bottom member and a side wall member. In this case, it is desirable that the bottom member can be used as a degreasing jig.

Moreover, it is also desirable that the firing jig is composed of a molded body placing member and a side wall member provided integrally therebelow. In this case, it is desirable that the firing jig can be used as a degreasing jig.

In the method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure, the firing jig assembling apparatus and / or the firing jig disassembling apparatus includes the conveyor that moves intermittently,
When the conveyor stops, it is desirable that the conveyor shift from a moving state with a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state.

The firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention includes a robot arm, a table, or a conveyor, and automatically performs the process of attaching the lid member to the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body is mounted. This can be done efficiently without spending time.

The firing jig disassembling apparatus of the present invention includes a robot arm, a table, or a conveyor, and automatically removes the lid member from the firing jig on which the fired ceramic molded body (ceramic fired body) is placed. Therefore, this process can be performed efficiently without manpower.

Since the circulation device of the present invention uses a circulation device including a firing jig assembling device, a firing furnace, a firing jig disassembling device, and a conveyor, a step of attaching a lid member to the firing jig, A series of steps such as a firing step, a step of removing the lid member, and a step of transporting the removed lid member can be automatically performed, and the honeycomb formed body can be efficiently fired without manpower.

Since the firing method of the ceramic molded body of the present invention is performed using a firing jig assembling apparatus, a firing furnace, a firing jig disassembling apparatus, and a circulation device including a conveyor, a lid member is attached to the firing jig. A series of firing steps such as attaching a step, firing step, removing the lid member, and transporting the removed lid member can be automatically performed, and the ceramic molded body can be efficiently and efficiently handled without manpower. It can be fired.

In the honeycomb structure manufacturing method of the present invention, the firing jig assembling apparatus, the firing furnace, the firing jig disassembling apparatus, and the circulation device including the transfer conveyor are used. A series of firing processes of the honeycomb formed body such as a step of attaching, a firing step, a step of removing the lid member, and a step of conveying the removed lid member can be automatically performed, and the honeycomb can be efficiently performed without manpower. A structure can be manufactured.

First, the firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention will be described.
The firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention includes a robot arm and a table or a conveyor on which a firing jig on which a ceramic molded body is mounted when the ceramic molded body is fired. A firing jig assembling apparatus for attaching a lid member to a firing jig on which a ceramic molded body is mounted,
A lid member attaching mechanism for attaching the lid member by using the robot arm is provided at a predetermined position of the firing jig placed on the table or conveyor.

In this specification, the robot arm refers to an arm having an active joint having a motor or the like and an inactive joint not having a motor or the like as necessary.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an outline of a firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the firing jig assembling apparatus 111 includes two robot arms 113 (113A and 113B), two robot arms 114 (114A and 114B), and two robot arms 115 (115A and 115B). And a rotary table 112 functioning as a table on which the firing jig 100 on which the ceramic molded body 11 is mounted is mounted. Here, the firing jig 100 is composed of a bottom member 101 and a side wall member 102.
In the firing jig assembling apparatus 111, a process of attaching the lid member 103 to the firing jig 100 on which the ceramic molded body 11 is mounted is automatically performed.
Further, in the firing jig assembling apparatus 111, as will be described in detail later, the step of attaching the side wall member to the bottom member 101 on the rotary table 112 can be automatically performed.

In the firing jig assembling apparatus 111, the robot arm 113 has a gripping mechanism, thereby having a role of gripping and moving the firing jig 100 including the bottom member 101. Has a gripping mechanism, thereby having a role of gripping the side wall member 102 to move, assemble, etc., and the robot arm 115 has a suction mechanism, whereby the lid member 103 is It has a role of moving, assembling and the like by sucking.

In the firing jig assembling apparatus 111, the robot arms 113 to 115 have the above-described mechanism, but the robot arms 113 to 115 may have both a suction mechanism and a gripping mechanism. You may have only one mechanism.
Moreover, the robot arms 113 to 115 are provided with an air cylinder, and thereby move in the vertical direction. Further, the portion extending from the cylinder is screwed into a ball screw provided in the horizontal direction, and is moved in the horizontal direction by a moving mechanism using the ball screw.

The firing jig 100 used in the firing jig assembling apparatus 111 is a firing jig composed of a bottom member and a side wall member. Such a firing jig will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an example of a firing jig used in the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, the firing jig 100 includes a plate-like bottom member 101 and a side wall member 102 having a hollow prismatic shape.
Further, in the firing jig 100, through holes 101 a are formed in the vicinity of the four corners of the upper surface of the bottom member 101, and convex portions 102 a are formed in the vicinity of the four corners of the bottom surface of the side wall member 102. The side wall member 102 can be securely attached to the bottom member 101 by fitting the convex portion 102a into the through hole 101a.
In the firing jig used in the present invention, the through hole and the convex portion are not necessarily formed.

Further, although not formed in the bottom member 101 shown in FIG. 2, the bottom member constituting the firing jig used in the present invention may have a groove formed on the bottom surface. In addition, it may have a shape that allows a part of the gripping part to be fitted when gripping with the robot arm. This is because the bottom member 101 can be reliably gripped by the robot arm.
Although not formed on the side wall member 102 shown in FIG. 2, the side wall member constituting the firing jig used in the present invention has convex portions similar to the convex portion 102a also in the vicinity of the four corners of the upper surface. It may be formed. For example, when the lid is covered with a lid member having a through-hole that fits with the convex portion, the lid member is securely attached.

In the firing jig 100 having such a configuration, as will be described later, the ceramic molded body can be reliably fired in the firing furnace by attaching the lid member so as to cover the ceramic molded body.
The bottom member and the side wall member may be appropriately formed with air holes.

The firing jig used in the firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention is preferably composed of a bottom member and a side wall member as shown in FIG.
By setting the bottom member and the side wall member as separate members, the ceramic molded body can be placed on the bottom member before the side wall member is attached, so that the ceramic molded body can be easily placed. This is because providing the members makes it easy to stack firing jigs in multiple stages.

Further, two thin strip-like carbon fiber mats 104 are fixed in parallel on the bottom member 101 of the firing jig 100 shown in FIG. 2, and the ceramic molded body is mounted via the carbon fiber mats 104. It is comprised so that it may be placed. The carbon fiber mat 104 may be provided as necessary.
The carbon fiber mat is provided to prevent the ceramic molded body from coming into direct contact with the upper surface of the bottom member. From the fiber other than the carbon fiber mat, the carbon fiber mat may have any durability against the firing temperature. May be provided, and a porous member made of ceramic or the like may be provided instead of the carbon fiber mat.

In the firing jig assembling apparatus 111, first, the side wall member 102 conveyed from the outside by the conveyor 125 is placed on the rotary table 112 by the robot arm 114A.
The robot arm 114 </ b> A includes a gripping mechanism. The robot arm 114 </ b> A grips the side surface of the side wall member 102 with the gripping portion 114 a and moves the side wall member 102 onto the rotary table 112.

Next, when the rotary table 112 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the bottom member 101 on which the ceramic molded body 11 is placed which has been transported from the outside by the bottom member transport conveyor 119 is placed on the turntable 112 by the robot arm 113A. Is done.
The robot arm 113 </ b> A includes a gripping mechanism, grips the bottom member 101 with the gripping portion 113 a, and moves the bottom member 101 onto the rotary table 112 while the ceramic molded body 11 is placed. The rotary table 112 repeats rotating and stopping intermittently.

Next, when the turntable 112 rotates, the side wall member 102 is gripped by the robot arm 114B, and the side wall member 102 is attached to the bottom member 101 on which the ceramic molded body 11 is placed. The robot arm 114B has the same configuration as the robot arm 114A.
As a result, the ceramic molded body is mounted on the firing jig.

Next, when the rotary table 112 rotates, the plate-like lid member 103 conveyed from the outside by the conveyor 124 is placed on the rotary table 112 by the robot arm 115A.
The robot arm 115 </ b> A includes a suction mechanism, and the suction unit 115 a sucks the upper surface of the lid member 103 and moves the lid member 103 onto the rotary table 112.

Next, when the turntable 112 rotates, this time, the lid member 103 is sucked by the robot arm 115 </ b> B and attached to the side wall member 102 so as to cover the firing jig 100.
The robot arm 115B has the same configuration as the robot arm 115A.
Therefore, in the firing jig assembling apparatus 111, the robot arm 115B functions as a lid member attaching mechanism.

Further, the lid member 103 shown in FIG. 1 has a flat plate shape. For example, when the side wall member having convex portions formed in the vicinity of the four corners of the upper surface is used as the side wall member, Through holes may be formed in the vicinity of the four corners, and may have a shape that fits with the convex portion on the upper surface of the side wall member.
The lid member 103 may be appropriately formed with a vent hole.

Next, when the turntable 112 rotates, the firing jig 100 on which the ceramic molded body 11 is mounted and the lid member 103 is attached is placed on the conveyor 123 by the robot arm 113B. And the baking jig | tool 100 mounted on the conveyor 123 is carried out to the apparatus (for example, baking process) used at the next process.
The robot arm 113B has the same configuration as the robot arm 113A.

Specific examples of the bottom member transport conveyor 119 and the conveyors 123 to 125 included in the firing jig assembling apparatus 111 include a belt conveyor, a chain conveyor, a roller conveyor, and a pallet conveyor.

Further, in the firing jig assembling apparatus 111, the bottom member transport conveyor 119 moves intermittently. When the intermittently moving bottom member transport conveyor 119 stops, the conveyor moves at a moving speed. It is desirable to shift from a moving state of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state.
This is because if the moving speed of the conveyor immediately before shifting to the stop state is higher than 1.5 m / min, the ceramic molded body 11 may move on the bottom member 101 due to inertial force when stopped.

In the firing jig assembling apparatus described so far, the side wall member is attached to the bottom member on the turntable 112. For example, the bottom member in which the ceramic molded body 11 is placed on the turntable 112. The side wall member 102 may be attached to the bottom member 101 when the 101 is conveyed.
In the firing jig assembling apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the number of robot arms is not limited to six, and may be less than six. In this case, a single robot arm may perform a plurality of roles. Further, the number of robot arms may exceed six.

Further, the configuration of the firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the configuration provided with the rotary table as shown in FIG. 1, and for example, the configuration provided with the conveyor as shown in FIGS. You may have.
3 and 4 are conceptual diagrams schematically showing the outline of another example of the firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention.

The firing jig assembling apparatus 211 shown in FIG. 3 includes robot arms 213 to 216 and jig assembling belt conveyors 212 </ b> A and 212 </ b> B that function as conveyors for placing the firing jig 100 on which the ceramic molded body 11 is mounted. It has.
This firing jig assembling apparatus 211 can also automatically perform the process of attaching the lid member 103 to the firing jig 100 on which the ceramic molded body 11 is mounted. The configuration of the firing jig is as already described.

Moreover, in the firing jig assembling apparatus 211, as will be described in detail later, a process of stacking firing jigs 100 on which ceramic molded bodies are mounted in multiple stages can be automatically performed.

In the firing jig assembling apparatus 211, the robot arm 213 has the same configuration as the robot arm 113 constituting the firing jig assembling apparatus 111, and the robot arm 214 includes the firing jig assembling apparatus 111. The robot arm 114 has the same configuration as the robot arm 114, and the robot arm 215 has the same configuration as the robot arm 115 that constitutes the firing jig assembling apparatus 111.
Further, the robot arm 216 has a gripping mechanism (a gripping portion 216a), and thereby has a role of gripping one stage of firing jigs or stacked firing jigs and moving them up and down. For example, by gripping and lifting the firing jig and moving the firing jig 100 by the jig assembly belt conveyors 212A and 212B to the lower side of the raised firing jig,
By newly disposing another firing jig and stacking the raised firing jig on the other firing jig, the firing jigs can be stacked in multiple stages. Note that the robot arm 216 includes an air cylinder, which moves in the vertical direction.

In the firing jig assembling apparatus 211, first, a jig assembly that intermittently moves the bottom member 101 on which the ceramic molded body 11 that has been conveyed from the outside by the bottom member conveyer 219 is placed by the robot arm 213. It is mounted on the belt conveyor 212A.
At this time, the jig assembling belt conveyor 212A is stopped.

Next, when the jig assembling belt conveyor 212A moves again for a predetermined distance and then stops again, the side wall member 102 conveyed by the conveyor 225 from the outside is gripped by the robot arm 214, and the side wall member 102 is ceramic molded body. 11 is attached to the bottom member 101 on which it is placed.

Thereafter, the firing jig 100 including the bottom member and the side wall member on which the ceramic molded body 11 is mounted is used in the next jig assembly belt conveyor 212B by the movement of the jig assembly belt conveyor 212A. It is transported to the device.
Here, on the jig assembling belt conveyor 212 </ b> B side, the firing jig 100 that has been conveyed first is lifted upward by the robot arm 216, and below the raised firing jig 100. The firing jig 100 that has been newly conveyed is placed. Thereafter, the firing jig 100 that has been lifted onto the newly transported firing jig 100 is stacked.
In this way, on the jig assembly belt conveyor 212B side, first, the firing jigs 100 are stacked in a predetermined number of stages. Therefore, in the firing jig assembling apparatus 211, the robot arm 216 functions as a jig stacking mechanism.

When the firing jig 100 is stacked a predetermined number of times, the jig assembly belt conveyor 212B then moves a predetermined distance and then stops again, and the lid member 103 conveyed from the outside by the conveyor 224 is moved to the robot. Suction with the arm 215 is attached so as to cover the uppermost firing jig.
Therefore, in the firing jig assembling apparatus 211, the robot arm 215 functions as a lid member attaching mechanism.
And after attaching the cover member 103, it is carried out to the apparatus used at the next process (for example, baking process).
In addition, when stacking the firing jig 100 on the jig assembling belt conveyor 212B, the number of stages is not particularly limited and may be any number, but is usually 5 to 10 stages. Of course, you may attach a cover member and carry it out to the apparatus used at the next process, without stacking.

In the degreasing jig assembling apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the number of robot arms is not limited to four, and may be less than four. In this case, a single robot arm may perform a plurality of roles. Further, the number of robot arms may exceed four.
When the number of the robot arms is less than four, specifically, for example, instead of the robot arm 213 for moving the bottom plate and the robot arm 214 for attaching the side wall member, the movement of the bottom plate and the side wall member by one robot arm are used. You may be comprised so that attachment can be performed.

Further, in the firing jig assembling apparatus 211 shown in FIG. 3, when the firing jigs 100 are stacked in multiple stages, the firing jig 100 that is transported later is placed below the firing jig 100 that has been transported earlier. The jigs 100 are stacked in multiple stages by feeding them. However, in the firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention, the firing jig 100 to be transported later is placed on the upper side of the firing jig 100 transported first. By sequentially laminating, the firing jigs 100 may be stacked in multiple stages.

In the firing jig assembling apparatus 211 shown in FIG. 3, the jig assembling belt conveyors 212A and 212B are intermittently moving conveyors. Here, the jig assembling belt conveyors 212A and 212B are When stopping, it is desirable that the conveyor shift from a moving state with a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state.
This is because if the moving speed of the conveyor immediately before shifting to the stop state is higher than 1.5 m / min, the ceramic molded body 11 may move on the bottom member 101 due to inertial force when stopped.
When the ceramic molded body 11 moves on the bottom member 101, the interval between the ceramic molded bodies 11 placed at a predetermined interval changes according to the firing conditions, and the firing degree varies. Further, when the ceramic body 11 is moved, the ceramic body 11 may come into contact with each other, or the ceramic body 11 and the side wall member 102 may come into contact with each other.
Further, when the conveyor moves from a moving state with a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state, it may instantaneously move from the moving state to the stopped state, or gradually from the moving state. The movement speed may be reduced and a stop state may be entered.
Therefore, when the ceramic molded body 11 placed on the bottom member 101 is transported at a speed higher than 1.5 m / min, the speed is once reduced to a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less before stopping. Then, it is desirable to reach a stop state.

In the firing jig assembling apparatus 211 shown in FIG. 3, the bottom member transport conveyor 219 is also a conveyor that moves intermittently. However, when the bottom member transport conveyor 219 stops, the conveyor moves. It is desirable to shift from a moving state with a speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state.

The firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention may have a configuration as shown in FIG.
The firing jig assembling apparatus 311 shown in FIG. 4 is a jig assembling pallet conveyor that functions as a conveyor for placing the robot arms 313 to 315, 316A, and 316B and the firing jig 100 on which the ceramic molded body 11 is mounted. 312A and 312B.
This firing jig assembling apparatus 311 can also automatically perform the process of attaching the lid member 103 to the firing jig 100 on which the ceramic molded body 11 is mounted. The configuration of the firing jig is as already described.
The firing jig assembling apparatus 311 includes jig assembling pallet conveyors 312A and 312B in place of the jig assembling belt conveyors 212A and 212B, as compared with the firing jig assembling apparatus 211 shown in FIG. , Except that robot arms 316A and 316B functioning as a jig stacking mechanism are provided, and the other configuration is the same as that of the firing jig assembling apparatus 211.

In the firing jig assembling apparatus 311, first, the bottom member 101 on which the ceramic molded body 11 that has been conveyed from the outside by the bottom member conveying conveyor 319 is placed on the jig assembling pallet conveyor 312 </ b> A by the robot arm 313. Place on the pallet 312a.

Next, with the bottom member 101 placed, the pallet 312a moves after a predetermined distance to the jig assembly pallet conveyor 312B side, stops, and the side wall member 102 conveyed from the outside by the conveyor 325 is moved to the robot arm 314. The side wall member 102 is attached to the bottom member 101 on which the ceramic molded body 11 is placed on the pallet 312a.

Next, the pallet 312a moves again to the jig assembly pallet conveyor 312B side, and then stops.
At this time, on the jig assembly pallet conveyor 312B side, the firing jig 100 that has been transported first is gripped by the gripping portion 316b of the robot arm 316B and lifted upward. As a new firing jig 100, the firing jig 100 on the pallet 312a is gripped and moved by the grip portion 316a of the robot arm 316A and placed on the lower pallet 312b of the jig 100. The Thereafter, the firing jig 100 lifted on the newly placed firing jig 100 is stacked.
In this way, on the jig assembly pallet conveyor 312B side, first, the firing jigs 100 are stacked in a predetermined number of stages. Therefore, in the firing jig assembling apparatus 311, the robot arms 316A and 316B function as a jig stacking mechanism.

When a predetermined number of firing jigs 100 are stacked on the pallet 312b, the jig assembling pallet conveyor 312B is moved again by a predetermined distance and then stopped again and conveyed from the outside by the robot arm 315. The lid member 103 is sucked and attached so as to cover the uppermost firing jig.
Therefore, in the firing jig assembling apparatus 311, the robot arm 315 functions as a lid member attaching mechanism.
And after attaching the cover member 103, it is carried out to the apparatus used at the next process (for example, baking process).
In addition, when stacking the firing jig 100 on the jig assembly pallet conveyor 312B, the number of stages is not particularly limited and may be any number, but is usually 5 to 10 stages. Of course, you may attach a cover member and carry it out to the apparatus used at the next process, without stacking.

In the firing jig assembling apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the number of robot arms is not limited to five, and may be less than five. In this case, a single robot arm may perform a plurality of roles. Further, the number of robot arms may exceed five.
When the number of the robot arms is less than 5, specifically, for example, instead of the robot arm 313 for moving the bottom plate and the robot arm 314 for attaching the side wall member, the movement of the bottom plate and the side wall member by one robot arm are used. It may be configured to be able to be attached.

Further, in the firing jig assembling apparatus 311 shown in FIG. 4, when the firing jigs 100 are stacked in multiple stages, the firing jigs 100 are transported later to the lower side of the firing jigs 100 transported earlier. The jigs 100 are stacked in multiple stages by feeding them. However, in the firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention, the firing jig 100 to be transported later is placed on the upper side of the firing jig 100 transported first. By sequentially laminating, the firing jigs 100 may be stacked in multiple stages.

Also, in the firing jig assembling apparatus 311 shown in FIG. 4, when the jig assembling pallet conveyors 312A and 312B and the bottom member conveying conveyor 319 that move intermittently stop, the conveyor moves at a moving speed. It is desirable to shift from a moving state of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state.

Further, the firing jig used in the firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the firing jig 100 shown in FIG. 2, and is, for example, a firing jig as shown in FIG. May be.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of a firing jig used in the present invention.

A firing jig 200 shown in FIG. 5 includes a molded body placing member 201 and a side wall member 202 provided integrally therebelow.
Further, on the molded body mounting member 201 of the firing jig 200 shown in FIG. 5, two thin strip-like carbon fiber mats 204 are fixed in parallel as in the firing jig 100 shown in FIG. The ceramic molded body is placed via the carbon fiber mat 204. The carbon fiber mat 204 may be provided as necessary.

Such a firing jig 200 can be suitably used when stacking in multiple stages.
This is because a side wall member is formed on the lower firing jig 200 simply by stacking another firing jig 200 on one firing jig 200.

In the firing jig 200, convex portions 201 a are formed in the vicinity of the four corners of the upper surface of the molded body mounting member 201, and convex portions 202 a are formed in the vicinity of the four corners of the bottom surface of the side wall member 202.
Therefore, when stacking a plurality of firing jigs 200, the upper firing jig 200 can be securely attached to the lower firing jig 200 by fitting the convex parts 202a to the convex parts 201a. .
In addition, what is necessary is just to form the said convex part and the said recessed part as needed.

In the firing jig assembling apparatus 211 shown in FIG. 3, when the firing jig 200 shown in FIG. 5 is used, a conveyor 225 for conveying the side wall member and a robot for attaching the side wall member The arm 214 is not necessary.
The same applies to the case where the firing jig 200 shown in FIG. 5 is used in the firing jig assembling apparatus 311 shown in FIG.

Further, the firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention is not particularly illustrated, but, for example, in the firing jig assembling apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. It is also possible to provide a table that can be moved through.
In this case, the lid can be attached to the firing jig on the table by moving the table in the same manner as the pallet of the jig assembly pallet conveyor.

Next, the firing jig disassembling apparatus of the present invention will be described.
The firing jig disassembling apparatus of the present invention comprises a robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a firing jig having a ceramic member mounted thereon and a lid member mounted thereon is mounted at the time of firing the ceramic body.
A firing jig disassembling device for removing the lid member attached to the firing jig on the table or conveyor,
A lid member detaching mechanism for removing the lid member from the firing jig mounted on the table or conveyor and attached with the lid member using the robot arm is provided.

Hereinafter, the firing jig disassembling apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the outline of the firing jig disassembling apparatus of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 6, the constituent members of the firing jig disassembling apparatus of the present invention are substantially the same as the constituent members of the above-described firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention.
That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the firing jig disassembling apparatus 131 includes two robot arms 133 (133A, 133B), two robot arms 134 (134A, 134B), and two robot arms 135 (135A). 135B) and one robot arm 137, and a rotary table 132 functioning as a table on which the firing jig 100 on which the fired ceramic molded body (ceramic fired body) 13 is mounted is mounted.
In the present specification, the fired ceramic molded body is referred to as a ceramic fired body.

In the firing jig disassembling apparatus 131, a process of automatically removing the lid member 103, which includes the side wall member 102 and the bottom member 101 and is attached so as to cover the firing jig 100 on which the ceramic fired body 13 is placed, is automatically removed. Do. The firing jig 100 is as already described in the description of the firing jig assembling apparatus.

In the firing jig disassembling apparatus 131, the firing jig 100 mounted with the ceramic fired body 13 and conveyed with the lid member attached by the conveyor 143 is first placed on the rotary table 132 by the robot arm 133A. Placed. Note that the conveyor 143 moves intermittently. The robot arm 133A has the same configuration as the robot arm 113 already described.

Next, when the turntable 132 rotates by a predetermined angle, the lid member 103 is removed from the firing jig 100 by the robot arm 135A. The robot arm 135A has the same configuration as the robot arm 115 already described.
Therefore, in the firing jig disassembling apparatus 131, the robot arm 135A functions as a lid member removing mechanism.
The rotary table 132 repeats rotating and stopping intermittently.

Subsequently, when the rotary table 132 rotates, the lid member 103 that has already been removed is delivered to the conveyor 144 by the robot arm 135B having a suction mechanism. Thereby, the lid member 103 is transported to the outside. The robot arm 135B has the same configuration as the robot arm 115 already described.

On the other hand, in the firing jig 100 from which the lid member 103 has been removed, the side wall member 102 is removed by the robot arm 134A after the rotary table 132 has further rotated. The robot arm 134A has the same configuration as the robot arm 114 already described.

Further, when the turntable 132 rotates, the ceramic fired body 13 placed on the bottom member 101 is moved onto the fired body carry-out conveyor 139 by the robot arm 137, and this ceramic fired body 13 is fired. It is carried out by the body carry-out conveyor 139 to an apparatus used in the next process.
Here, the robot arm 137 has a gripping portion 137 a, grips the ceramic fired body 13 on the bottom member 101, and places it on the fired body carry-out conveyor 139. The robot arm 137 may include a suction mechanism or may include a suction mechanism and a gripping mechanism.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the robot arm 137 holds and moves the ceramic fired bodies 13 one by one. However, the firing jig disassembling device 131 has a plurality of ceramics instead of the robot arm 137. A robot arm capable of simultaneously holding or sucking the fired body 13 may be provided.

Next, when the rotary table 132 is rotated, the bottom member 101 and the side wall member 102 are moved to the conveyors 145 and 146 by the robot arms 133B and 134B, respectively, and are conveyed to the outside by these conveyors. . The robot arms 133B and 134B have the same configuration as the robot arms 113 and 114 already described.

In the degreasing jig disassembling apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the number of robot arms is not limited to seven, and may be less than seven. In this case, a single robot arm may perform a plurality of roles. Further, the number of robot arms may exceed seven.
Specifically, for example, instead of the two robot arms 133B and 134B, the bottom plate may be moved and the side wall member may be attached by one robot arm.

Specific examples of the fired body carry-out conveyor 139 and the conveyors 143 to 146 included in the firing jig disassembling apparatus include a belt conveyor, a chain conveyor, a roller conveyor, and a pallet conveyor.
In the firing jig disassembling apparatus 131 shown in FIG. 6, the conveyor 143 moves intermittently. When the intermittently moving conveyor 143 stops, the conveyor moves at a moving speed of 1 It is desirable to shift from a moving state of 5 m / min or less to a stopped state.

Further, the configuration of the firing jig disassembling apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the configuration including the rotary table as shown in FIG. 6, and for example, the configuration including the conveyor as shown in FIGS. You may have.
7 and 8 are conceptual diagrams each schematically showing an outline of another example of the firing jig disassembling apparatus of the present invention. 7 and 8 show a firing jig disassembling apparatus for disassembling the firing jig that has been conveyed in a stacked state.

The firing jig disassembling apparatus 231 shown in FIG. 7 is a jig that functions as a conveyor on which the robot arm 233 to 237 and the ceramic fired body 13 are mounted and the firing jig 100 to which the lid member 103 is attached is placed. Disassembly belt conveyors 232A and 232B are provided.

This firing jig disassembling apparatus 231 also automatically removes the lid member 103 which is composed of the side wall member 102 and the bottom member 101 and is attached so as to cover the firing jig 100 on which the ceramic fired body 13 is placed. To do. The firing jig 100 has already been described.
Further, in the firing jig disassembling apparatus 231, the robot arms 233 to 235 and 237 have the same configuration as the robot arms 134 to 135 and 137 constituting the firing jig disassembling apparatus 131, respectively.

In the firing jig disassembling apparatus 231, the firing jig 100 mounted with the ceramic fired bodies 13 and conveyed from the outside in a stacked state is first placed on the jig disassembling belt conveyor 232A. The

On the jig disassembling belt conveyor 232 </ b> A, first, the lid member 103 is removed from the firing jig 100 by the robot arm 235, and the removed lid member 103 is conveyed to the outside by the conveyor 244.
Therefore, in the firing jig disassembling apparatus 231, the robot arm 235 functions as a lid member removing mechanism. In this operation, the jig disassembling belt conveyor 232A is stopped.

Subsequently, when the jig disassembling belt conveyor 232 </ b> A moves after a predetermined distance and then stops, among the baking jigs 100 stacked in multiple stages, the jig is sequentially moved from the upper baking jig 100 by the robot arm 236. It is moved onto the belt conveyor 232B for disassembly. At this time, the jig disassembling belt conveyor 232B moves intermittently. Accordingly, in the firing jig disassembling apparatus 231, the robot arm 236 functions as a jig taking out mechanism.
The robot arm 236 has the same configuration as the robot arm 133 that constitutes the firing jig disassembling apparatus 131.

In addition, here, when the firing jig 100 is moved one by one from the firing jig 100 stacked in multiple stages, the firing jig 100 is sequentially moved from the upper stage. In the firing jig disassembling apparatus, it is not always necessary to move the firing jig 100 from the upper stage, and for example, the firing jig 100 may be moved sequentially from the lower firing jig 100. In this case, for example, a robot arm having the same configuration as the robot arms 316A and 316B shown in FIG. 4 may be used.

Next, when the jig disassembling belt conveyor 232B moves by a predetermined distance, the robot arm 234 removes the side wall member 102 from the firing jig 100 on which the ceramic fired body 13 is mounted, and the removed side wall member 102 is transferred to the conveyor. It is placed on 246 and transported to the outside.

Further, when the jig disassembling belt conveyor 232B moves by a predetermined distance, the ceramic fired body 13 placed on the bottom member 101 is moved onto the fired body carry-out conveyor 239 by the robot arm 237. The ceramic fired body 13 is carried out to a device used in the next process by the fired body carrying-out conveyor 239.
Here, similarly to the firing jig disassembling apparatus 131 already described, a robot arm capable of simultaneously grasping or sucking a plurality of ceramic fired bodies 13 may be provided instead of the robot arm 237.

Next, when the jig disassembling belt conveyor 232 </ b> B moves by a predetermined distance, the bottom member 101 is moved to the conveyor 245 by the robot arm 233 and conveyed to the outside by the conveyor 245.

In the firing jig disassembling apparatus 231 of the aspect shown in FIG. 7, the fired body carry-out conveyor 239 and the conveyors 244 to 246 constituting the firing jig disassembling apparatus are, for example, a belt conveyor, a chain conveyor, a roller What is necessary is just a conveyor, a pallet conveyor, etc.

In the firing jig disassembling apparatus 231 shown in FIG. 7, the jig disassembling belt conveyors 232A and 232B are intermittently moving conveyors. Here, the jig disassembling belt conveyors 232A and 232B are When stopping, it is desirable that the conveyor shift from a moving state with a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state.
This is because when the moving speed of the conveyor immediately before shifting to the stop state is higher than 1.5 m / min, the ceramic fired body 13 may move on the bottom member 101 due to inertial force when stopped.
When the ceramic fired body 13 moves on the bottom member 101, the ceramic fired bodies 13 come into contact with each other when moved, or the ceramic fired body 13 and the side wall member 102 come into contact with each other. This is because the fired body 13 may be damaged.
Further, when the conveyor moves from a moving state with a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state, it may instantaneously move from the moving state to the stopped state, or gradually from the moving state. The movement speed may be reduced and a stop state may be entered.
Therefore, when the ceramic fired body 13 placed on the bottom member 101 is transported at a speed faster than 1.5 m / min, the speed is temporarily reduced to 1.5 m / min or less before stopping. Then, it is desirable to reach a stop state.

In the degreasing jig disassembling apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the number of robot arms is not limited to five, and may be less than five. In this case, a single robot arm may perform a plurality of roles. Further, the number of robot arms may exceed five.

The firing jig disassembling apparatus of the present invention may have a configuration as shown in FIG.
The firing jig disassembling apparatus 331 shown in FIG. 8 is a jig that functions as a conveyor on which the robot arm 333 to 337 and the ceramic fired body 13 are mounted and the firing jig 100 to which the lid member 103 is attached is placed. Disassembly pallet conveyors 332A and 332B are provided.
Also in this firing jig disassembling apparatus 331, the process of automatically removing the lid member 103 composed of the side wall member 102 and the bottom member 101 and attached so as to cover the firing jig 100 on which the ceramic fired body 13 is placed is automatically removed. To do. The firing jig 100 has already been described.
Also, the firing jig disassembling apparatus 331 is provided with jig disassembling pallet conveyors 332A and 332B instead of the jig disassembling belt conveyors 232A and 232B, and the firing jig disassembling shown in FIG. The configuration is the same as that of the device 231. Therefore, the robot arms 333 to 337 have the same configuration as the robot arms 233 to 237.

In the firing jig disassembling apparatus 331, the firing jig 100 mounted with the ceramic fired bodies 13 and conveyed from the outside in a stacked state is first placed on the pallet 332a of the jig disassembling pallet conveyor 332A. Placed.

On the jig disassembling pallet conveyor 332A, first, the lid member 103 is detached from the firing jig 100 by the robot arm 335, and the removed lid member 103 is conveyed to the outside by the conveyor 344.
Therefore, in the firing jig disassembling apparatus 331, the robot arm 335 functions as a lid member removing mechanism. In this operation, the jig disassembling pallet conveyor 332A is stopped.

Subsequently, when the jig disassembling pallet conveyor 332A moves after a predetermined distance and then stops, among the baking jigs 100 stacked in multiple stages, the jig is sequentially moved from the upper baking jig 100 by the robot arm 336. It is moved onto the disassembling pallet conveyor 332B. At this time, the jig disassembling pallet conveyor 332B moves intermittently. Therefore, in the firing jig disassembling apparatus 331, the robot arm 336 functions as a jig removing mechanism.

In addition, here, when the firing jig 100 is moved one by one from the firing jig 100 stacked in multiple stages, the firing jig 100 is sequentially moved from the upper stage. It is not necessary to move from the firing jig 100, and for example, the firing jig 100 may be moved sequentially from the lower stage.

Next, when the jig disassembling pallet conveyor 332B moves a predetermined distance, the robot arm 334 removes the side wall member 102 from the firing jig 100 on which the ceramic fired body 13 is mounted, and the removed side wall member 102 is transferred to the conveyor. It is placed on 346 and transported to the outside.

Further, when the jig disassembling pallet conveyor 332B moves a predetermined distance, the ceramic fired body 13 placed on the bottom member 101 is moved onto the fired body carry-out conveyor 339 by the robot arm 337. The ceramic fired body 13 is carried out by a fired body carry-out conveyor 339 to an apparatus used in the next process.

Next, when the jig disassembling pallet conveyor 332 </ b> B moves by a predetermined distance, the bottom member 101 is moved to the conveyor 345 by the robot arm 333, and is conveyed outside by the conveyor 345.

In the firing jig disassembling apparatus 331 of the aspect shown in FIG. 8, the fired body carry-out conveyor 339 and the conveyors 344 to 346 constituting the firing jig disassembling apparatus are, for example, a belt conveyor, a chain conveyor, a roller What is necessary is just a conveyor, a pallet conveyor, etc.

In the firing jig disassembling apparatus 331 shown in FIG. 8, when the jig disassembling pallet conveyors 332A and 332B that move intermittently stop, the conveyor moves at a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less. It is desirable to shift from the moving state to the stopped state.

In the firing jig disassembling apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the number of robot arms is not limited to five, and may be less than five. In this case, a single robot arm may perform a plurality of roles. Further, the number of robot arms may exceed five.

Further, although the firing jig disassembling apparatus of the present invention is not particularly illustrated, for example, in the firing jig disassembling apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. It is also possible to provide a table that can be moved through.
In this case, the lid member can be removed on the table by moving the table in the same manner as the pallet of the jig disassembling pallet conveyor.
In addition, in the firing jig disassembling apparatus 331 shown in FIG. 8, when the jig disassembling pallet conveyors 332A and 332B provided with the intermittently moving pallet are switched between the moving state and the stopped state, they are gradually moved. It is desirable to switch by decreasing or increasing the speed.

Next, the circulation device of the present invention will be described.
The circulation device of the present invention includes a robot arm and a table or a conveyor on which a firing jig on which the ceramic molded body is mounted when the ceramic molded body is fired, and the ceramic molded body is placed on the table or the conveyor. A firing jig assembling apparatus for attaching a lid member to the mounted firing jig,
A firing furnace for firing a ceramic molded body mounted on a firing jig;
A robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a ceramic molded body is mounted at the time of firing the ceramic molded body and on which a firing jig with a lid member attached is placed, and the firing jig is mounted on the table or conveyor. A firing jig disassembling device for removing the lid member attached to the tool, and
A circulation device comprising a conveyor for conveying at least one of the lid member and the firing jig removed by the firing jig disassembling apparatus to the firing jig assembling apparatus;
The firing jig assembling apparatus includes a lid member attaching mechanism for attaching the lid member to the predetermined position of the firing jig placed on the table or conveyor using the robot arm,
A jig delivery mechanism for delivering the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body is mounted and the lid portion is attached to the firing furnace;
The firing jig disassembling apparatus includes a jig receiving mechanism that receives the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body subjected to the firing treatment is mounted and the lid portion is attached from the firing furnace,
A lid member removing mechanism for removing the lid member from the firing jig mounted on the table or conveyor and having the lid member attached thereto using the robot arm.

Hereinafter, the circulation device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an example of the circulation device of the present invention.
The circulation device 110 includes a firing jig assembling device 111, a firing furnace 151, a firing jig disassembling device 131, a lid member transport conveyor 161, and side wall member transport conveyors 162A to 162C.
Here, as the firing jig assembling apparatus 111 and the firing jig disassembling apparatus 131, the firing jig assembling apparatus 111 (see FIG. 1) and the firing jig disassembling apparatus 131 (see FIG. 6) already described. Each of them can be used, and the detailed description thereof is omitted here.
Here, the circulation device 110 will be described along the flow of the ceramic molded body 11.

In the circulation device 110 of the present invention, first, in the firing jig assembling apparatus 111, the side wall member 102 conveyed by the side wall member conveyance conveyor 162C (conveyor 125 in FIG. 1) and the bottom member conveyance conveyor 119 are conveyed. A lid member 103 is attached to the firing jig 100 formed of the bottom member 101 so as to cover the firing jig 100.

Next, the firing jig 100 on which the ceramic molded body 11 is mounted and the lid member 103 is attached is placed on the in-furnace conveyor 156 (conveyor 123 in FIG. 1) of the firing furnace 151 by the robot arm 113B. Further, after being fired at a predetermined temperature in the firing furnace 151, it is transported to the firing jig disassembling device 131 by the in-furnace transport conveyor 156 (conveyor 143 in FIG. 6).
In the circulation device 110, the robot arm 113B functions as a jig delivery mechanism.

Next, the firing jig 100 on which the fired ceramic molded body 11 (ceramic fired body 13) is mounted is transferred to the firing jig disassembling device 131 by the robot arm 133A, and then the firing jig. The lid member 103 attached to 100 is removed, and the ceramic fired body 13 is taken out. Then, the ceramic fired body 13 is transferred to the conveyor 139 by the robot arm 137 and is carried out to an apparatus used in the next process by the conveyor.
Further, the lid member 103 and the robot arm 135B are placed on the lid member transport conveyor 161 (in FIG. 6, the conveyor 144, and the conveyor 124 in FIG. 1), and the lid member transport conveyor 161 allows the firing jig assembling apparatus. It will be returned to 111.
In the circulation device 110, the robot arm 133A functions as a jig receiving mechanism.

Further, in the circulation device 110, the side wall member 102 removed from the bottom member 101 by the firing jig disassembling device 131 is also returned to the firing jig assembling device 111. As shown in FIG. 9, the side wall member 102 is returned to the firing jig assembling apparatus 111 via the side wall member conveying conveyors 162 </ b> A to 162 </ b> C.
Further, the bottom member 101 may be configured to be conveyed to a degreasing device by a conveyor after the honeycomb fired body 13 is taken out, although not particularly illustrated.

Moreover, the firing furnace 151 which comprises the circulation apparatus 110 is not specifically limited, A conventionally well-known firing furnace can be used. Here, the firing furnace may be a continuous furnace or a batch furnace, but is preferably a continuous furnace from the viewpoint of improvement in work efficiency and ease of adaptation to automation.
In addition, as a conveyor with which the said baking furnace is provided, a belt conveyor, a chain conveyor, a roller conveyor, a pallet conveyor etc. are mentioned, for example.

In the circulation device 110, the lid member transport conveyor 161 that circulates the lid member 103 and the side wall member transport conveyors 162A to 162C that circulate the side wall member 102 are configured separately. The member 103 and the side wall member 102 may be conveyed from the firing jig disassembling device 131 toward the firing jig assembling device 111 by the same conveyor.

Moreover, in order to improve conveyance efficiency, in these conveyors, a part or all of a side wall member conveyance conveyor may be comprised by the multiple steps | paragraphs of two or more steps.
Specific examples of the lid member transport conveyor 161 and the side wall member transport conveyors 162A to 162C include a belt conveyor, a chain conveyor, a roller conveyor, and a pallet conveyor.

Further, the configuration of the circulation device of the present invention is a configuration as shown in FIG. 9, that is, a configuration having a firing jig assembling apparatus equipped with a rotating table and a firing jig disassembling apparatus equipped with a rotating table. For example, the configuration shown in FIG. 10 may be used.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an outline of another example of the circulation device of the present invention.
In the circulation device shown in FIG. 10, the firing process can be performed in a state where the firing jigs are stacked in multiple stages.

The circulation device 210 shown in FIG. 10 includes a firing jig assembling apparatus 211 (see FIG. 3), a firing furnace 251, a firing jig disassembling apparatus 231 (see FIG. 7), lid member conveyors 261A to 261C, and Side wall member conveyors 262A to 262C are provided.

In the circulation device 210, in the firing jig assembling apparatus 211, the side wall member 102 conveyed by the side wall member conveyance conveyor 261C (conveyor 225 in FIG. 3) and the bottom member 101 conveyed by the bottom member conveyance conveyor 219. Are stacked in multiple stages on the jig assembling belt conveyors 212A and 212B, and the lid member 103 is attached so as to cover the multi-layered baking jigs 100.

Next, the firing jig 100 stacked in multiple stages and attached with the lid member 103 is conveyed to the firing furnace 251 by the jig assembling belt conveyor 212B and fired at a predetermined temperature in the firing furnace 251. Then, it is transported to the firing jig disassembling device 231 by the in-furnace transport conveyor 256.
In the circulation device 210, the jig assembling belt conveyor 212B and the in-furnace transport conveyor 256 are integrated. However, the two are not necessarily integrated with each other, and the firing jig may be transferred from the jig assembling belt conveyor 212B to the in-furnace transport conveyor 256.
In the circulation device 210, the jig assembling belt conveyor 212B also functions as a jig delivery mechanism.

Next, the firing jig 100 on which the fired ceramic molded body 11 (ceramic fired body 13) is mounted is conveyed to the firing jig disassembling apparatus 231 and is first attached to the firing jig 100. The lid member 103 is removed, placed one by one on the jig disassembling belt conveyor 232B, and the ceramic fired body 13 is taken out. The ceramic fired body 13 is transferred to the fired body carry-out conveyor 239 by the robot arm 237, and is carried out to an apparatus used in the next process by the conveyor.

In the circulation device 210, the jig disassembling belt conveyor 232A and the in-furnace transport conveyor 256 are integrated. However, both are not necessarily integrated, and the firing jig may be transferred from the in-furnace transport conveyor 256 to the jig disassembling belt conveyor 232A.
In the circulation device 210, the jig disassembling belt conveyor 232A also functions as a jig receiving mechanism.

The lid member 103 is placed on the lid member transport conveyor 261A (conveyor 244 in FIG. 7) by the robot arm 235, and further via the lid member transport conveyors 261B and 261C (conveyor 224 in FIG. 3). Then, it is returned to the firing jig assembling apparatus 211.

Further, in the circulation device 210, the side wall member 102 removed from the bottom member 101 by the firing jig disassembling device 231 is also returned to the firing jig assembling device 211. As shown in FIG. 10, the side wall member 102 is returned to the firing jig assembling apparatus 211 via the side wall member conveying conveyors 262A to 262C.
Further, the bottom member 101 may be configured to be conveyed to a degreasing device by a conveyor after the ceramic fired body 13 is taken out, although not particularly illustrated.

The configurations of the firing furnace, lid member transport conveyor, and side wall member transport conveyor that constitute the circulation device 210 are the same as those of the firing furnace, lid member transport conveyor, and sidewall member transport conveyor that constitute the circulation device 110, respectively.

The circulator of the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. For example, in the circulator shown in FIG. 10, the firing jig shown in FIG. An assembly apparatus 311 may be provided, and a firing jig disassembling apparatus 331 shown in FIG. 8 may be provided as a firing jig disassembling apparatus.

Further, in the circulation device described so far, the firing jig assembling device and the firing jig disassembling device constituting the circulation device are each provided with a table or a conveyor in the same mode. May be composed of a firing jig assembling apparatus and a firing jig disassembling apparatus provided with tables or conveyors of different modes.
That is, the circulation device is composed of a firing jig assembling apparatus equipped with a rotary table and a firing jig disassembling apparatus equipped with a jig disassembling belt conveyor, and firing with a jig assembling belt conveyor. It may be composed of a jig assembling apparatus and a firing jig disassembling apparatus provided with a jig disassembling pallet conveyor.

In the circulation device of the present invention, the lid member conveyance conveyor, the side wall member conveyance conveyor, and the bottom member conveyance conveyor may be configured by separate conveyance conveyors, or the lid member, the side wall member, and the bottom portion by one or two conveyance conveyors. You may be comprised so that material may be conveyed.
Moreover, in the said circulation apparatus, you may make it circulate at least 1 of a cover member, a side wall member, and a bottom member with a conveyance conveyor, and preserve | save the remainder. Further, when the side wall member and the bottom member are circulated, the side wall member may be circulated as a firing jig with the side wall member attached to the bottom member.
The firing jig may be a jig that can be separated from the side wall member and the bottom member, or may be an integrated jig, and the lid member has a shape that also serves as the side wall member. You may do it. In addition, you may circulate such an integrated jig | tool and the cover member which has the shape which served as the side wall member with a conveyance conveyor.

Next, a method for firing the ceramic molded body of the present invention will be described.
The ceramic molded body firing method of the present invention includes a robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a firing jig on which the ceramic molded body is mounted at the time of firing the ceramic molded body. A firing jig assembling apparatus for attaching a lid member to a firing jig on which a ceramic molded body is mounted,
A firing furnace for firing a ceramic molded body mounted on a firing jig;
A robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a ceramic jig is mounted and a firing jig with a lid member mounted thereon are mounted when the ceramic compact is fired, and the firing jig is placed on the table or conveyor. A firing jig disassembling device for removing the lid member attached to, and
Using a circulation device provided with a transport conveyor for transporting at least one of the lid member and firing jig removed by the firing jig disassembling apparatus to the firing jig assembling apparatus,
A method for firing a ceramic molded body that is performed by passing the firing jig loaded with the ceramic molded body through the firing furnace,
The firing jig assembling apparatus includes a lid member attaching mechanism for attaching the lid member to the predetermined position of the firing jig placed on the table or conveyor using the robot arm,
A jig delivery mechanism for delivering the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body is mounted and the lid portion is attached to the firing furnace;
The firing jig disassembling apparatus includes a jig receiving mechanism that receives the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body subjected to the firing treatment is mounted and the lid portion is attached from the firing furnace,
A lid member removing mechanism for removing the lid member from the firing jig mounted on the table or conveyor and having the lid member attached thereto using the robot arm.

In the method for firing a ceramic molded body of the present invention, the ceramic molded body is fired using a circulation device. Here, as the circulation device, the circulation device of the present invention described above can be preferably used.
Here, preferable firing conditions and the like will be described by taking as an example a case where a columnar honeycomb formed body in which a large number of cells are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction with a cell wall interposed therebetween is used as the ceramic formed body to be fired.
Of course, the material to be fired in the firing method of the present invention is not limited to the honeycomb formed body, and various ceramic formed bodies are to be fired.
In this specification, the fired honeycomb formed body is referred to as a honeycomb fired body.

In the firing method of the present invention, first, a firing jig on which the honeycomb formed body is mounted is carried into a firing jig assembling apparatus, and in this firing jig assembling apparatus, a lid member is attached to the firing jig.
In the firing jig assembling apparatus, the method for attaching the lid member to the firing jig is the same as that already described in the description of the firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

Next, the honeycomb formed body placed on the firing jig is put into a firing furnace to perform a firing process.
Since it varies depending on the specific firing conditions, the size and shape of the honeycomb formed body, etc., it cannot be specified unconditionally. For example, when the size of the honeycomb formed body is 34 × 34 × 15 to 40 mm, the honeycomb It is desirable to place the compacts at an interval of 5 to 8 mm and perform a baking treatment at 1400 to 2300 ° C. for 5 to 20 hours.

Next, the firing jig on which the honeycomb fired body is mounted is transported to the firing jig disassembling apparatus, where the lid member is removed from the firing jig on which the honeycomb fired body is placed, and the firing jig is further removed. Remove the honeycomb fired body from the jig.
Since the method for removing the lid member from the firing jig in the firing jig disassembling apparatus is as already described in the description of the firing jig disassembling apparatus of the present invention, the description thereof is omitted here.

The lid member removed by the firing jig disassembling apparatus is returned to the firing jig assembling apparatus via the lid member transport conveyor.
Therefore, the lid member is repeatedly used.
In addition, since it is as having already demonstrated in the description of the circulation apparatus of this invention about the structure of a cover member conveyance conveyor, the description is abbreviate | omitted here.

Further, it is desirable that the bottom member of the firing jig used in the firing method of the present invention can be used as a degreasing jig.
Before the firing treatment, the honeycomb formed body is usually degreased, but the honeycomb formed body after the degreasing treatment is brittle and fragile. It is not preferable to hold and move to the firing jig.
Therefore, the degreasing treatment is performed in a state where the honeycomb formed body is previously placed on the bottom member constituting the firing jig, and after the degreasing treatment, the degreased honeycomb formed body is placed on the bottom member, It is desirable to attach a side wall member to make a firing jig.

The ceramic molded body firing method of the present invention having such a configuration includes a firing jig assembling apparatus, a firing furnace, a firing jig disassembling apparatus, and a conveyor, so that a series of firing steps is automatically performed. The ceramic molded body can be fired efficiently without manpower.

Next, the manufacturing method of the honeycomb structure of the present invention will be described.
The method for manufacturing a honeycomb structured body of the present invention is to form a columnar honeycomb formed body in which a large number of cells are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction with cell walls separated by forming a ceramic raw material. A method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure, which is mounted on a jig and subjected to a firing treatment to produce a honeycomb structure made of a honeycomb fired body,
The firing treatment includes a robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a firing jig on which the honeycomb molded body is mounted when the honeycomb molded body is fired, and the honeycomb molded body is mounted on the table or conveyor. A firing jig assembling apparatus for attaching a lid member to the firing jig,
A firing furnace for firing a honeycomb formed body mounted on a firing jig;
A robot arm; and a table or a conveyor on which a firing jig on which the honeycomb molded body is mounted and a lid member is mounted is mounted when the honeycomb molded body is fired. A firing jig disassembling device for removing the lid member attached to, and
Performed using a circulation device provided with a transport conveyor for transporting at least one of the lid member and the firing jig removed by the firing jig disassembling apparatus to the firing jig assembling apparatus,
The firing jig assembling apparatus includes a lid member attaching mechanism for attaching the lid member to the predetermined position of the firing jig placed on the table or conveyor using the robot arm,
A jig delivery mechanism for delivering the firing jig on which the honeycomb formed body is mounted and the lid portion is attached to the firing furnace;
The firing jig disassembling apparatus includes a jig receiving mechanism that receives the firing jig on which the fired honeycomb formed body is mounted and the lid portion is attached from the firing furnace,
A lid member removing mechanism for removing the lid member from the firing jig mounted on the table or conveyor and having the lid member attached thereto using the robot arm.

The honeycomb structure manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention only needs to be made of a honeycomb fired body obtained by sintering a honeycomb formed body in which a large number of cells are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction with cell walls interposed therebetween. Therefore, in the honeycomb structure, a columnar honeycomb formed body in which a large number of cells are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction with a cell wall interposed therebetween is fired, and the obtained honeycomb fired body is passed through a sealing material layer (adhesive layer). A plurality of cells (see FIG. 11), or a columnar shape made of one honeycomb sintered body obtained by firing a honeycomb formed body in which a large number of cells are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction with a cell wall therebetween. The honeycomb structure may be used. In the present specification, a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of the former honeycomb fired bodies are bundled through a sealing material layer (adhesive layer) is referred to as a collective honeycomb structure, and the latter is a columnar shape made of one honeycomb sintered body. This honeycomb structure is referred to as an integral honeycomb structure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a honeycomb structure (aggregate-type honeycomb structure), and FIG. 12 (a) schematically shows a honeycomb fired body constituting the honeycomb structure shown in FIG. (B) is the AA sectional view taken on the line.

In the honeycomb structure 30, a honeycomb block 33 in which a plurality of honeycomb fired bodies 40 as shown in FIG. 12A are bundled through a sealing material layer (adhesive layer) 31 is formed. A sealing material layer (coat layer) 32 is formed on the outer periphery of the substrate.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the honeycomb fired body 40 has a large number of cells 41 arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction (see a in FIG. 12A), and separates the cells 41 from each other. The cell wall 43 functions as a filter.

That is, in the cells 41 formed in the honeycomb fired body 40, either the inlet side or the outlet side end of the exhaust gas is plugged by the sealing material layer 42 as shown in FIG. The exhaust gas flowing into one cell 41 always passes through the cell wall 43 separating the cells 41 and then flows out from the other cell 41. When the exhaust gas passes through the cell wall 43, the particulates It is captured by the cell wall 43 and the exhaust gas is purified.

As a main component of the material of the honeycomb structure manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention, for example, nitride ceramic such as aluminum nitride, silicon nitride, boron nitride, titanium nitride, silicon carbide, zirconium carbide, titanium carbide, tantalum carbide, Examples thereof include carbide ceramics such as tungsten carbide, and oxide ceramics such as alumina, zirconia, cordierite, mullite, and aluminum titanate. Of these, silicon carbide powder having high heat resistance, excellent mechanical properties, and high thermal conductivity is desirable. In addition, a silicon-containing ceramic in which metal silicon is mixed with the above-described ceramic, a ceramic bonded with silicon or a silicate compound, or the like may be used. For example, silicon carbide mixed with metal silicon is preferable.
Hereinafter, the method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure of the present invention will be described in the order of steps, taking as an example a method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure having silicon carbide as a main component of a constituent material.

First, an inorganic powder such as silicon carbide powder having a different average particle size and an organic binder are dry mixed to prepare a mixed powder, and a liquid plasticizer, a lubricant and water are mixed to prepare a mixed liquid, Subsequently, a wet mixture for molding is prepared by mixing the mixed powder and the mixed liquid using a wet mixer.

The particle size of the silicon carbide powder is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to have less shrinkage in the subsequent firing step, for example, 100 parts by weight of powder having an average particle size of 0.3 to 50 μm and 0.1 to 1.0 μm. A combination of 5 to 65 parts by weight of a powder having an average particle diameter of 5 to 65 parts by weight is preferred.
In order to adjust the pore diameter and the like of the honeycomb fired body, it is necessary to adjust the firing temperature, but the pore diameter can be adjusted by adjusting the particle size of the inorganic powder.

The organic binder is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and polyethylene glycol. Of these, methylcellulose is desirable.
The amount of the binder is usually preferably 1 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the inorganic powder.

It does not specifically limit as said plasticizer, For example, glycerol etc. are mentioned.
The lubricant is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyoxyalkylene compounds such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ether and polyoxypropylene alkyl ether.
Specific examples of the lubricant include polyoxyethylene monobutyl ether and polyoxypropylene monobutyl ether.
In some cases, the plasticizer and the lubricant may not be contained in the mixed liquid.

Moreover, when preparing the said wet mixture, you may use a dispersion medium liquid, As said dispersion medium liquid, alcohol, such as water, organic solvents, such as benzene, methanol, etc. are mentioned, for example.
Furthermore, a molding aid may be added to the wet mixture.
The molding aid is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include ethylene glycol, dextrin, fatty acid, fatty acid soap, polyalcohol and the like.

Furthermore, a pore-forming agent such as balloons that are fine hollow spheres containing oxide-based ceramics, spherical acrylic particles, and graphite may be added to the wet mixture as necessary.
The balloon is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include an alumina balloon, a glass micro balloon, a shirasu balloon, a fly ash balloon (FA balloon), and a mullite balloon. Of these, alumina balloons are desirable.

Moreover, it is desirable that the temperature of the wet mixture using the silicon carbide powder prepared here is 28 ° C. or less. It is because an organic binder may gelatinize when temperature is too high.
The organic content in the wet mixture is desirably 10% by weight or less, and the water content is desirably 8 to 20% by weight.

Next, this wet mixture is extruded by an extrusion method or the like. Then, the molded body obtained by extrusion molding is cut with a cutting machine, so that the honeycomb molded body having the same shape as the columnar honeycomb fired body 40 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B is not sealed. Is made.

Next, if necessary, the honeycomb formed body is filled with a predetermined amount of a sealing material paste serving as a sealing material at one end of each cell, and the cells are sealed.
Specifically, when manufacturing a honeycomb structure that functions as a ceramic filter, one of the ends of each cell is sealed.
Further, before sealing the honeycomb formed body, a drying treatment may be performed as necessary. In this case, the drying treatment is performed by a microwave dryer, a hot air dryer, a vacuum dryer, a dielectric dryer, or the like. It may be carried out using a machine, a freeze dryer or the like.

Although it does not specifically limit as said sealing material paste, The thing from which the porosity of the sealing material manufactured through a post process becomes 30 to 75% is desirable, For example, the thing similar to the said wet mixture can be used. .

The sealing material paste may be filled as necessary. When the sealing material paste is filled, for example, a honeycomb structure obtained through a subsequent process is preferably used as a honeycomb filter. In the case where the sealing material paste is not filled, for example, a honeycomb structure obtained through a subsequent process can be suitably used as a catalyst carrier.

Next, a degreasing process is performed on the honeycomb formed body filled with the plug material paste as necessary under predetermined conditions (for example, at 200 to 500 ° C. for 2 to 4 hours).

Next, the honeycomb formed body that has been degreased is subjected to a firing process using a circulation device, so that a plurality of cells are juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction across the cell wall, and either one end of the cells. Since the firing method using the above circulating device for producing a columnar honeycomb fired body in which is sealed is as already described as the firing method of the present invention, the description thereof is omitted here.
In addition, the conditions currently used when manufacturing the filter which consists of porous ceramics can be applied to the degreasing | defatting conditions and baking conditions of the said honeycomb molded object.

Here, it is desirable that the firing jig used when performing the firing treatment is composed of a bottom member and a side wall member, or composed of a molded body mounting member and a side wall member. It is desirable to use the molded body mounting member also when performing the degreasing treatment. The reason for this is as already described.
Therefore, it is desirable that the bottom member of the firing jig and the molded body placing member used in the method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure of the present invention can be used as a firing jig.

Such a degreasing process and a baking process will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory view schematically showing an example of a degreasing step and a firing step in the method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the degreasing step and the firing step in the method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure of the present invention, it has been conveyed from the previous step (for example, a step of filling a sealing material paste) by a molded body charging conveyor 159. First, the honeycomb formed body 11 is placed on the bottom member 101 in the degreasing apparatus 171.
Then, the honeycomb formed body 11 mounted on the bottom member 101 is degreased in a degreasing furnace, and further, the firing jig assembling apparatus 111 described above in a state where the honeycomb formed body 11 is placed on the bottom member 101. It is conveyed to.
In the firing jig assembling apparatus 111, the side wall member 102 and the lid member 103 are attached to the bottom member 101 on which the honeycomb molded body is placed, and then the honeycomb molded body 11 is mounted, and the lid member 103 is mounted. The attached firing jig 100 is transported into the firing furnace 151 by the in-furnace transport conveyor 156.

The honeycomb formed body fired in the firing furnace 151 is directly transported to the firing jig disassembling device 131 by the in-furnace transport conveyor 156, and the lid member 103, the side wall member 102, Then, the honeycomb fired body 13 is taken out, and this honeycomb fired body 13 is carried out by the fired body carrying-out conveyor 139 to an apparatus used in the next step.

On the other hand, in the firing jig disassembling apparatus 131, the lid member 103 removed from the bottom member 101 is fired from the firing jig disassembling apparatus 131 by the lid member transport conveyor 161, and the side wall member 102 is fired from the firing jig disassembly apparatus 131 by the side wall member transport conveyor 162. Returned to the jig assembly apparatus 111.
The bottom member 101 constituting the firing jig 100 is returned from the firing jig disassembling device 131 to the degreasing device 171 by the conveyor 163 after the honeycomb fired body is taken out.
By performing such a degreasing step and a firing step, a firing jig composed of a bottom member and a side wall member and a lid member attached so as to cover the firing jig can be repeatedly used. Since it is not necessary to grab and move the formed honeycomb formed body, the degreasing treatment and the firing treatment can be suitably performed.

Here, the firing jig assembling apparatus 111 shown in FIG. 1 is used as the firing jig assembling apparatus, and the firing jig disassembling apparatus 131 shown in FIG. 6 is used as the firing jig disassembling apparatus. As described above, the degreasing process and the firing process have been described. In this process, the firing jig assembling apparatus of the present invention can be used as the firing jig assembling apparatus, and the present invention as the firing jig disassembling apparatus. The firing jig disassembling apparatus can be used.
Further, the firing jig to be used is not limited to the firing jig comprising the bottom member and the side wall member (see FIG. 2), and the molded body placing member and the side wall member provided integrally therebelow. A firing jig composed of (see FIG. 5) and the like can also be suitably used.

Next, a sealing material paste to be a sealing material layer (adhesive layer) is applied to the side surface of the honeycomb fired body with a uniform thickness, and another honeycomb fired body is sequentially laminated on the sealing material paste layer. The process is repeated to produce a honeycomb fired body aggregate having a predetermined size.

As said sealing material paste, what consists of an inorganic binder, an organic binder, an inorganic fiber, and / or an inorganic particle etc. are mentioned, for example.
Examples of the inorganic binder include silica sol and alumina sol. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the inorganic binders, silica sol is desirable.

Examples of the organic binder include polyvinyl alcohol, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the organic binders, carboxymethyl cellulose is desirable.

Examples of the inorganic fiber include ceramic fibers such as silica-alumina, mullite, alumina, and silica. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the inorganic fibers, alumina fibers are desirable.

Examples of the inorganic particles include carbides and nitrides, and specific examples include inorganic powders made of silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and boron nitride. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the inorganic particles, silicon carbide having excellent thermal conductivity is desirable.

Furthermore, a pore-forming agent such as a balloon, which is a fine hollow sphere containing an oxide-based ceramic, spherical acrylic particles, or graphite, may be added to the sealing material paste as necessary.
The balloon is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include an alumina balloon, a glass micro balloon, a shirasu balloon, a fly ash balloon (FA balloon), and a mullite balloon. Of these, alumina balloons are desirable.

Next, the aggregate of the honeycomb fired bodies is heated to dry and solidify the sealing material paste to form a sealing material layer (adhesive layer).
Next, using a diamond cutter or the like, an aggregate of honeycomb fired bodies in which a plurality of honeycomb fired bodies are bonded through a sealing material layer (adhesive layer) is cut to produce a cylindrical honeycomb block.

Then, by forming a sealing material layer (coat layer) on the outer periphery of the honeycomb block using the sealing material paste, a plurality of honeycomb fired bodies are bonded to each other through the sealing material layer (adhesive layer). A honeycomb structure in which a sealing material layer (coat layer) is provided on the outer periphery of the honeycomb block can be manufactured.

Thereafter, if necessary, a catalyst is supported on the honeycomb structure. The catalyst may be supported on the honeycomb fired body before producing the aggregate.
When the catalyst is supported, it is desirable to form an alumina film having a high specific surface area on the surface of the honeycomb structure, and to apply a promoter such as platinum and a catalyst such as platinum to the surface of the alumina film.

As a method for forming an alumina film on the surface of the honeycomb structure, for example, a method in which a honeycomb structure is impregnated with a solution of a metal compound containing aluminum such as Al (NO ₃ ) ₃ and heated, an alumina powder is contained. For example, the honeycomb structure may be impregnated with a solution to be heated and heated.
Examples of a method for applying a promoter to the alumina film include a method in which a honeycomb structure is impregnated with a solution of a metal compound containing a rare earth element such as Ce (NO ₃ ) ₃ and heated. .
As a method for imparting a catalyst to the alumina membrane, for example, a dinitrodiammine platinum nitric acid solution ([Pt (NH ₃ ) ₂ (NO ₂ ) ₂ ] HNO ₃ , platinum concentration 4.53% by weight) or the like is applied to the honeycomb structure. Examples of the method include impregnation and heating.
Alternatively, the catalyst may be applied by a method in which a catalyst is applied to the alumina particles in advance, and the honeycomb structure is impregnated with a solution containing the alumina powder to which the catalyst is applied and heated.

Further, the manufacturing method of the honeycomb structure described so far is a manufacturing method of the aggregated honeycomb structure, but the honeycomb structure manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention is a honeycomb fired body having one columnar honeycomb block. May be a honeycomb structure (integrated honeycomb structure).
Note that the main constituent material of the aggregated honeycomb structure is preferably silicon carbide or silicon carbide mixed with metallic silicon, and the main constituent material of the integral honeycomb structure is preferably cordierite or aluminum titanate.

When manufacturing such an integral honeycomb structure, first, the aggregated honeycomb structure is formed except that the size of the honeycomb molded body formed by extrusion molding is larger than that when manufacturing the aggregated honeycomb structure. A honeycomb formed body is manufactured by using the same method as that for manufacturing.

Next, as in the production of the aggregated honeycomb structure, drying treatment and filling with a sealing material paste are performed as necessary, and then degreasing and firing are performed in the same manner as in the production of the aggregated honeycomb structure. By performing this, a honeycomb block is manufactured, and if necessary, a sealing material layer (coat layer) is formed, whereby an integrated honeycomb structure can be manufactured. Further, the above-mentioned integral honeycomb structure may be loaded with a catalyst by the method described above.

As described above, in the method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure of the present invention described above, a honeycomb structure having a predetermined shape can be preferably manufactured.
Further, here, the honeycomb structure has been described mainly with respect to a honeycomb filter used for the purpose of collecting particulates in exhaust gas. However, a honeycomb structure in which cells are not sealed is a catalyst carrier (honeycomb) that purifies exhaust gas. It can also be suitably used as a catalyst.

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.
(Example 1)
250 kg of α-type silicon carbide powder having an average particle size of 10 μm, 100 kg of α-type silicon carbide powder having an average particle size of 0.5 μm, and 20 kg of an organic binder (methyl cellulose) were mixed to prepare a mixed powder.
Next, separately, 12 kg of lubricant (Unilube manufactured by NOF Corporation), 5 kg of plasticizer (glycerin), and 65 kg of water are mixed to prepare a liquid mixture, and this liquid mixture and the mixed powder are mixed in a wet mixer. And mixed to prepare a wet mixture.

Next, this wet mixture was conveyed to an extrusion molding machine using a conveyance device, and charged into a raw material inlet of the extrusion molding machine.
And the molded object of the shape similar to the shape shown to Fig.12 (a) was produced except that the edge part of the cell was not sealed by extrusion molding.

Next, the honeycomb formed body was dried using a dryer in which microwaves and hot air were used in combination, and then a predetermined paste was filled with a sealing material paste having the same composition as the wet mixture.

Subsequently, degreasing and baking were performed using the degreasing apparatus and the circulation apparatus 210 of the present invention (see FIGS. 10 and 11).
Here, the degreasing conditions were set to 400 ° C. for 3 hours. At this time, the honeycomb molded bodies were placed on the bottom plate of the degreasing jig with a gap of 6 mm.
The firing conditions were 3200 hours at 2200 ° C. in an atmospheric argon atmosphere.
By such degreasing and firing treatment, the porosity is 40%, the average pore diameter is 12.5 μm, the size is 34.3 mm × 34.3 mm × 254 mm, and the number of cells (cell density) is 46.5 cells / cell. A honeycomb fired body made of a silicon carbide sintered body having a cm ² cell wall thickness of 0.25 mm was produced.

In the circulation device 210, jig assembly belt conveyors 212A and 212B constituting the firing jig assembling apparatus 211 and jig disassembling belt conveyors 232A and 232B constituting the firing jig disassembling apparatus 231 are: Both are moving intermittently.
Specifically, at the time of conveyance, the belt conveyor moves at a moving speed of 3 m / min. When shifting from the moving state to the stopped state, first, the belt conveyor moves from the moving speed of 3 m / min to the moving speed (before stopping). (Movement speed) Decelerate to 0.5 m / min, and then shift to the stop state.

Next, 30% by weight of alumina fibers having an average fiber length of 20 μm, 21% by weight of silicon carbide particles having an average particle diameter of 0.6 μm, 15% by weight of silica sol, 5.6% by weight of carboxymethyl cellulose, and 28.4% by weight of water were added. The thickness of the sealing material layer (adhesive layer) is obtained by adhering a large number of honeycomb fired bodies using the heat-resistant sealing material paste, and drying at 120 ° C., followed by cutting with a diamond cutter. A 1 mm cylindrical honeycomb block was produced.

Next, silica-alumina fiber (average fiber length: 100 μm, average fiber diameter: 10 μm) is 23.3% by weight as inorganic fibers, 30.2% by weight of silicon carbide powder having an average particle diameter of 0.3 μm as inorganic particles, and silica sol as an inorganic binder (SiO ₂ content in sol: 30% by weight) 7% by weight, 0.5% by weight of carboxymethyl cellulose and 39% by weight of water as an organic binder were mixed and kneaded to prepare a sealing material paste.

Next, using the sealing material paste, a sealing material paste layer having a thickness of 0.2 mm was formed on the outer periphery of the honeycomb block. And this sealing material paste layer was dried at 120 degreeC, and the cylindrical honeycomb structure of diameter 143.8mm x length 254mm in which the sealing material layer (coat layer) was formed in the outer periphery was produced.

In the method of this example, a honeycomb structure having a desired shape could be manufactured.
Further, in this example, when the honeycomb fired body prepared in the manufacturing process was visually observed using a magnifying glass having a magnification of 5 times, no honeycomb fired body in which chipping or the like occurred was found. In the visual observation, the number of samples is 300.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows typically the outline | summary of the jig | tool assembly apparatus for baking of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows typically an example of the jig | tool for baking. It is a conceptual diagram which shows typically the outline | summary of another example of the jig assembly apparatus for baking of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows typically the outline | summary of another example of the jig assembly apparatus for baking of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows typically another example of the jig | tool for baking. It is a conceptual diagram which shows typically the outline | summary of the jig | tool decomposition | disassembly apparatus for baking of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows typically the outline | summary of another example of the jig | tool decomposition | disassembly apparatus for baking of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows typically the outline | summary of another example of the jig | tool decomposition | disassembly apparatus for baking of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows typically an example of the circulation apparatus of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows typically the outline | summary of another example of the circulation apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows typically an example of a honeycomb structure. (A) is a perspective view schematically showing a honeycomb fired body constituting the honeycomb structure shown in FIG. 11, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically an example of the degreasing process and a baking process in the manufacturing method of the honeycomb structure of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Ceramic molded body (honeycomb molded body)
13 Ceramic fired body (honeycomb fired body)
30 Honeycomb structure 100, 200 Firing jig 101 Bottom member 102, 202 Side wall member 103 Lid member 110, 210, 310 Circulating device 111, 211, 311 Firing jig assembling device 112, 132 Turntable 113A, 114A, 114B 115A, 213, 214, 313, 314 Robot arm 113B Robot arm (jig delivery mechanism)
115B, 215, 315 Robot arm (lid member mounting mechanism)
216, 316A, 316B Robot arm (jig stacking mechanism)
131,231,331 Firing jig disassembling device 133A Robot arm (jig receiving mechanism)
133B, 134A, 134B, 135B, 137, 233, 234, 237, 333, 334, 337 Robot arm 135A, 235, 335 Robot arm (lid member removal mechanism)
236, 336 Robot arm (Jig removal mechanism)
151,251 Firing furnaces 161,261A-261C Lid member conveying conveyor 212A Jig assembly belt conveyor 212B Jig assembly belt conveyor (jig delivery mechanism)
232A Jig disassembly belt conveyor (jig receiving mechanism)
232B Jig disassembly belt conveyor 312A, 312B Jig assembly pallet conveyor 332A, 332B Jig disassembly pallet conveyor

Claims (25)

A firing jig having a robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a firing jig on which the ceramic compact is mounted when firing the ceramic compact is mounted, the ceramic compact being mounted on the table or conveyor In addition, a firing jig assembling apparatus for attaching a lid member,
A firing jig assembling apparatus comprising a lid member attaching mechanism for attaching the lid member using the robot arm at a predetermined position of the firing jig placed on the table or conveyor. . The firing jig assembling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a jig stacking mechanism that stacks a plurality of the firing jigs on which the ceramic molded body is mounted in multiple stages. The firing jig assembling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the firing jig includes a bottom member and a side wall member. The conveyor moves intermittently,
4. The firing jig assembling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the conveyor stops, the conveyor shifts from a moving state having a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state. 5. A robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a ceramic jig is mounted and a firing jig to which a lid member is attached are mounted when the ceramic molded body is fired, and the firing jig is placed on the table or conveyor. A firing jig disassembling apparatus for removing the lid member attached to
A firing treatment comprising a lid member removing mechanism for removing the lid member from the firing jig mounted on the table or conveyor and having the lid member attached thereto using the robot arm. Disassembly device. The firing jig disassembling apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a jig taking-out mechanism for taking out one firing jig from the firing jigs stacked in multiple stages. The firing jig disassembling apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the firing jig includes a bottom member and a side wall member. The conveyor moves intermittently,
The firing jig disassembling apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein when the conveyor stops, the conveyor shifts from a moving state having a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state. A firing jig having a robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a firing jig on which the ceramic compact is mounted when firing the ceramic compact is mounted, the ceramic compact being mounted on the table or conveyor A firing jig assembling apparatus for attaching a lid member to
A firing furnace for firing a ceramic molded body mounted on a firing jig;
A robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a ceramic molded body is mounted at the time of firing the ceramic molded body and on which a firing jig with a lid member attached is placed, and the firing jig is mounted on the table or conveyor. A firing jig disassembling device for removing the lid member attached to the tool, and
A circulation device including a transport conveyor for transporting at least one of the lid member and the firing jig removed by the firing jig disassembling apparatus to the firing jig assembling apparatus;
The firing jig assembling apparatus includes a lid member attachment mechanism for attaching the lid member to the predetermined position of the firing jig placed on the table or conveyor using the robot arm,
A jig delivery mechanism for delivering the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body is mounted and the lid portion is attached to the firing furnace;
The firing jig disassembling apparatus includes a jig receiving mechanism that receives the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body that has been fired is mounted and has a lid attached thereto, from the firing furnace,
A circulation device comprising: a lid member removal mechanism for removing the lid member from the firing jig mounted on the table or conveyor and having the lid member attached thereto, using the robot arm. The firing jig assembling apparatus has a jig stacking mechanism that stacks a plurality of firing jigs on which the ceramic molded body is mounted in multiple stages,
The circulating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the firing jig disassembling apparatus includes a jig taking-out mechanism for taking out one firing jig from the firing jigs stacked in multiple stages. The circulation device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the firing jig includes a bottom member and a side wall member. The circulating device according to claim 11, wherein the bottom member can be used as a degreasing jig. The firing jig assembling apparatus and / or the firing jig disassembling apparatus includes the conveyor that moves intermittently,
The circulating device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein when the conveyor stops, the conveyor shifts from a moving state having a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state. A firing jig having a robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a firing jig on which the ceramic compact is mounted when firing the ceramic compact is mounted, the ceramic compact being mounted on the table or conveyor A firing jig assembling apparatus for attaching a lid member to
A firing furnace for firing a ceramic molded body mounted on a firing jig;
A robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a ceramic jig is mounted and a firing jig to which a lid member is attached are mounted when the ceramic molded body is fired, and the firing jig is placed on the table or conveyor. A firing jig disassembling device for removing the lid member attached to, and
Using a circulation device including a transport conveyor that transports at least one of the lid member and the firing jig removed by the firing jig disassembling apparatus to the firing jig assembling apparatus,
A method for firing a ceramic molded body that is performed by passing the firing jig loaded with a ceramic molded body through the firing furnace,
The firing jig assembling apparatus includes a lid member attachment mechanism for attaching the lid member to the predetermined position of the firing jig placed on the table or conveyor using the robot arm,
A jig delivery mechanism for delivering the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body is mounted and the lid portion is attached to the firing furnace;
The firing jig disassembling apparatus includes a jig receiving mechanism that receives the firing jig on which the ceramic molded body that has been fired is mounted and has a lid attached thereto, from the firing furnace,
A ceramic molded body comprising: a lid member removing mechanism for removing the lid member from the firing jig mounted on the table or conveyor and having the lid member attached thereto, using the robot arm. Firing method. The firing jig assembling apparatus has a jig stacking mechanism that stacks a plurality of firing jigs on which the ceramic molded body is mounted in multiple stages,
The method for firing a ceramic molded body according to claim 14, wherein the firing jig disassembling apparatus includes a jig taking-out mechanism for taking out one firing jig from the firing jigs stacked in multiple stages. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the firing jig includes a bottom member and a side wall member. The method of firing a ceramic molded body according to claim 16, wherein the bottom member can be used as a degreasing jig. The firing jig assembling apparatus and / or the firing jig disassembling apparatus includes the conveyor that moves intermittently,
The method for firing a ceramic molded body according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein when the conveyor stops, the conveyor shifts from a moving state having a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state. By forming the ceramic raw material, a columnar honeycomb formed body in which a large number of cells are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction across the cell wall is manufactured, and the honeycomb formed body is mounted on a firing jig and subjected to a firing process. A method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure for manufacturing a honeycomb structure including a honeycomb fired body,
The firing treatment includes a robot arm and a table or conveyor on which a firing jig on which the honeycomb formed body is mounted when the honeycomb formed body is fired, and the honeycomb formed body is mounted on the table or conveyor. A firing jig assembling apparatus for attaching a lid member to the firing jig,
A firing furnace for firing a honeycomb formed body mounted on a firing jig;
A robot arm; and a table or a conveyor on which a firing jig on which a honeycomb molded body is mounted and a lid member is mounted is mounted when the honeycomb molded body is fired, and the firing jig on the table or the conveyor A firing jig disassembling device for removing the lid member attached to, and
Performed using a circulation device including a transport conveyor that transports at least one of the lid member and firing jig removed by the firing jig disassembling apparatus to the firing jig assembling apparatus,
The firing jig assembling apparatus includes a lid member attachment mechanism for attaching the lid member to the predetermined position of the firing jig placed on the table or conveyor using the robot arm,
A jig delivery mechanism for delivering the firing jig on which the honeycomb formed body is mounted and the lid portion is attached to the firing furnace;
The firing jig disassembling apparatus includes a jig receiving mechanism that receives the firing jig on which the fired honeycomb formed body is mounted and the lid portion is attached from the firing furnace,
A honeycomb structure having a lid member removal mechanism for removing the lid member from the firing jig mounted on the table or conveyor and attached with the lid member, using the robot arm. Production method. The firing jig assembling apparatus has a jig stacking mechanism that stacks a plurality of firing jigs on which the honeycomb formed body is mounted in multiple stages,
The method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure according to claim 19, wherein the firing jig disassembling apparatus includes a jig taking-out mechanism for taking out one firing jig from the firing jigs stacked in multiple stages. The method for manufacturing a honeycomb structured body according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the firing jig includes a bottom member and a side wall member. The method for manufacturing a honeycomb structured body according to claim 21, wherein the bottom member can be used as a degreasing jig. 21. The method for manufacturing a honeycomb structured body according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the firing jig includes a molded body placing member and a side wall member provided integrally therebelow. The method for manufacturing a honeycomb structured body according to claim 23, wherein the firing jig can be used as a degreasing jig. The firing jig assembling apparatus and / or the firing jig disassembling apparatus includes the conveyor that moves intermittently,
The method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein when the conveyor stops, the conveyor shifts from a moving state having a moving speed of 1.5 m / min or less to a stopped state.

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