JP2008279456A - System, apparatus, and method for applying mold releasing agent - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To supply a mold releasing agent to an atomizer with a simple configuration of an apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The system 10 for applying the mold releasing agent comprises the atomizer 50 for spraying the mold releasing agent. A tank for storing the mold releasing agent is attached to the atomizer 50. A moving device moves the atomizer 50 to a waiting position and an applying position. A device 80 for supplying the mold releasing agent to the tank for storing the mold releasing agent is arranged in the neighborhood of the waiting position. When the atomizer 50 is located at the waiting position, the tank for storing the mold releasing agent can be connected to the device 80 for supplying the mold releasing agent, and also the mold releasing agent can be supplied from the device 80 to the tank. When the atomizer 50 is located at the applying position, the device 80 is separated from the tank, and the atomizer 50 sprays the mold releasing agent on molding dies 34, 36. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for applying a release agent to a mold used for casting, injection molding, or the like.

For example, when casting using a mold, a release agent is applied to the cavity surface of the mold before pouring the molten metal in order to make it easier to release the casting from the mold. Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for applying a release agent to a mold.
The device of Patent Document 1 includes a release agent supply source that supplies a release agent and a spray device that sprays the release agent. The release agent supply source is installed at a position away from the mold. The spraying device is arranged in the vicinity of the mold. The release agent supply source and the spray device are always connected by piping. The release agent of the release agent supply source is sent to the spraying device through a pipe by a pressure feeding device. The spraying device sprays the release agent sent by the pressure feeding device onto the mold.
JP 2005-254280 A

In the above-described conventional technology, a release agent can be always supplied to the spray device from a release agent supply source installed at a position away from the mold. For this reason, piping that always connects the release agent supply source and the spraying device and a pumping device for constantly pumping the release agent from the release agent supply source to the spraying device are required, which complicates the device configuration. There was a problem.
In particular, recently, a method of spraying a plurality of types of release agents onto a mold (hereinafter referred to as a hybrid spray method) has been proposed. That is, when a product is molded using a mold, a part that is easy to release and a part that is difficult to release are generated due to the shape of the product. For this reason, a release agent having a high release capability (for example, an oil-based release agent) is sprayed on a site that is difficult to release, while a release agent having a low release capability (for example, an oil release agent) It has been proposed to efficiently release a product from a mold by spraying an inorganic release agent). In this hybrid spray system, it is difficult to send a plurality of types of release agents to the spraying device through the same pipe. This is because the quality of other types of release agents is deteriorated by the release agent remaining in the pipe. For this reason, if it is going to implement | achieve a hybrid spray system with the prior art mentioned above, for every kind of mold release agent, the piping which always connects the mold release agent supply source and the spray apparatus, and the spray apparatus from the mold release agent supply source A pumping device for constantly pumping the mold release agent is required, and the device configuration becomes extremely complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and is a pipe that always connects a release agent supply source and a spray device installed at a position away from a mold, or a release agent supply source to a spray device. An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of eliminating a pumping device for constantly pumping a mold release agent.

  The release agent application system of the present invention is a system for applying a release agent to a mold, and includes a spray device, a release agent tank, a moving device, and a release agent supply device. The spray device sprays the release agent. The release agent tank is attached to the spray device and stores the release agent supplied to the spray device. The moving device moves the spray device to the application position and the standby position. The release agent supply device is installed in the vicinity of the standby position, and supplies the release agent to the release agent tank. When the spraying device is in the standby position, the release agent tank and the release agent supply device can be connected and the release agent can be supplied from the release agent supply device to the release agent tank. On the other hand, when the spray device is in the application position, the release agent supply device and the release agent tank are separated from each other and the release agent sprayed from the spray device is applied to the mold.

In this release agent coating system, the spray device is moved between the standby position and the coating position by the moving device. When the spraying device moves to the standby position, the release agent tank attached to the spraying device and the release agent supply device (that is, the release agent supply source installed at a position away from the mold) can be connected. The release agent can be supplied from the release agent supply device to the release agent tank. When the spray device is moved from the standby position to the application position, the release agent tank is disconnected from the release agent supply device. When the spraying device moves to the application position, the release agent in the release agent tank is sprayed from the spraying device and applied to the mold.
In this release agent application system, a release agent tank is attached to the spray device, and the release agent is stored in the release agent tank. For this reason, when spraying the release agent from the spray device, it is not necessary to connect the release agent tank and the release agent supply device (release agent supply source). This eliminates the need for piping that always connects the release agent tank and the release agent supply device, and also provides an apparatus for pumping the release agent from the release agent supply device to the release agent tank. It can be unnecessary. Even if there is no pipe that always connects the release agent tank and the release agent supply device, when the spray device moves to the standby position, the release agent supply device and the release agent tank are connected to release the mold. Since the agent can be supplied to the release agent tank, the release agent in the release agent tank does not become empty.

  In the release agent application system, the release agent tank or the release agent supply device includes a detection unit that detects the amount of the release agent in the release agent tank, and the release agent supply device detects the detection agent. It is preferable that a release agent supply means is provided for supplying the release agent to the release agent tank when the amount of the release agent detected by the means is equal to or less than the first set amount. According to such a configuration, the release agent is released only when the amount of the release agent in the release agent tank is equal to or less than the first set amount (only when the release agent needs to be replenished). The release agent is supplied from the release agent supply device to the release agent tank. For this reason, it is possible to efficiently supply (supplement) the release agent to the release agent tank.

  Further, the release agent supply means supplies the release agent tank to the release agent tank when the amount of the release agent detected by the detection means when the release agent is supplied to the release agent tank is equal to or larger than the second set amount. It is preferable to stop the supply of the release agent. According to such a configuration, the release agent can be supplied to the release agent tank in a necessary amount.

The present invention also provides a novel release agent coating apparatus that can be suitably used in the above release agent coating system. That is, the release agent application device of the present invention is a release agent application device that applies a release agent to a mold, and is attached to the spray device that sprays the release agent and the spray device. A release agent tank is provided for storing a release agent to be supplied.
The release agent application system can be easily constructed by assembling the release agent application device to the moving device.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a novel mold release agent coating method in which a mold release agent is applied to a mold using a spraying device to which a mold release agent tank is attached. That is, the mold release agent application method of the present invention includes a step of moving the spray device from the standby position to the application position, a step of spraying the mold release agent stored in the release agent tank at the application position, and a mold. After spraying the release agent, the method includes a step of moving the spraying device from the application position to the standby position, and a step of supplying the release agent to the release agent tank at the standby position.
According to this method, the mold release agent can be supplied to the mold release agent tank while being molded with the mold, so that the mold release agent can be efficiently supplied to the mold release agent tank.

Here, the main features of the techniques described in the following examples are summarized.
(Embodiment 1) The casting system includes a die casting machine having a mold and a mold release agent application system for applying a mold release agent to the mold.
(Mode 2) The release agent coating system includes a mobile robot that moves the spray device to a spray position and a standby position. The spraying device is attached to the tip of the arm of the mobile robot.
(Mode 3) The release agent coating system includes an air supply device. The air supply device and the spray device are connected by an air path (air pipe). The air compressed by the air supply device is supplied to the spraying device through the air path.
(Mode 4) The release agent coating system includes a water storage tank. The water storage tank and the spray device are connected by a water path (water pipe). The water in the water storage tank is sent to the spray device through the water path.
(Mode 5) A release agent tank is attached to the spray device. When spraying one type of release agent from the spraying device, one release agent tank is attached to the spraying device. When spraying a plurality of types of release agents from the spraying device, a release agent tank is attached to the spraying device for each type of release agent.
(Mode 6) The spray device includes a spray nozzle. One end of an air path (air pipe) is connected to the spray nozzle, and compressed air from an air supply device is supplied. One end of a water path (water pipe) is connected to the spray nozzle, and water sent from the water storage tank is supplied. The spray nozzle and the release agent tank are connected by a release agent path (release agent pipe). The release agent in the release agent tank is supplied to the spray nozzle by its own weight.
(Mode 7) The spray nozzle can spray (1) only the release agent, (2) only water, and (3) the release agent and water at the same time.
(Mode 8) A float is accommodated in the release agent tank. The float position moves up and down according to the amount of the release agent stored in the release agent tank.
(Mode 9) The mold release agent supply apparatus includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor detects that the release agent in the release agent tank is equal to or lower than the first set value. The second sensor detects that the release agent in the release agent tank is equal to or higher than the second set value (> first set value).
(Mode 10) The release agent supply device is provided with a supply nozzle. The release agent tank is provided with a nozzle inlet for receiving the supply nozzle. When the spray device is located at the standby position, the supply nozzle is inserted into the nozzle inlet of the release agent tank. When the supply nozzle is inserted into the nozzle inlet, the release agent can be injected from the supply nozzle into the release agent tank.

  A casting system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are diagrams schematically showing a casting system 10 according to the present embodiment. The casting system 10 includes a die casting machine 30 having dies 34 and 36, and a release agent application system (20, 28, 40, 50, 80, etc.) for applying a release agent to the dies 34 and 36. ing. In FIGS. 1 and 2, each component is shown in a very simplified manner, and an apparatus for injecting molten metal into the molds 34 and 36 and an apparatus for releasing a molded product (casting) from the molds 34 and 36 are shown. Etc. are omitted.

  The die casting machine 30 includes a fixed mold 36, a movable mold 34, and a drive device 32 that moves the movable mold 34 forward and backward with respect to the fixed mold 36. The driving device 32 is connected to the control device 12 by a signal line 38. The driving device 32 is controlled by the control device 12, and the fixed die 36 and the movable die 34 are opened (the state shown in FIG. 1), and the fixed die 36 and the movable die 34 are closed (the state shown in FIG. 2). Is switched to.

The release agent application system includes an air supply device 20, a water storage tank 28, a mobile robot 40, a spray device 50, and a release agent supply device 80.
The air supply device 20 and the spray device 50 are connected by an air pipe (air path) 18. The air pipe 18 guides the air compressed by the air supply device 20 to the spray device 50. The air pipe 18 is provided with a solenoid valve 16. The electromagnetic valve 16 is connected to the control device 12 by a signal line 14. The electromagnetic valve 16 is opened and closed by the control device 12. When the electromagnetic valve 16 is opened, air is supplied from the air supply device 20 to the spraying device 50, and when the electromagnetic valve 16 is closed, the air supply from the air supply device 20 to the spraying device 50 is stopped.

  Water 28 a is stored in the water storage tank 28. The water storage tank 28 and the spray device 50 are connected by a water pipe (water path) 24. A pump (not shown) for compressing and discharging the water 28 a is disposed in the water storage tank 28. The water discharged from this pump is sent to the spraying device 50 through the water pipe 24. The water pipe 24 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 26. The electromagnetic valve 26 is connected to the control device 12 by a signal line 15. The electromagnetic valve 26 is opened and closed by the control device 12. When the electromagnetic valve 26 is opened, water 28a is supplied from the water storage tank 28 to the spraying device 50, and when the electromagnetic valve 26 is closed, the supply of water 28a from the water storage tank 28 to the spraying device 50 is stopped.

  The mobile robot 40 includes arms 42, 44, 46, joints that connect the arms 42, 44, 46, and actuators (not shown) that drive the joints. A spray device 50 is attached to the tip of the arm 46. The control device 12 is connected to the mobile robot 40 via a signal line 48. The control device 12 drives each joint by driving the actuator of the mobile robot 40. By driving each joint by the actuator, the spray device 50 is moved to the application position (position shown in FIG. 1) and the standby position (position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1 (position shown in FIG. 2)).

  A plurality of release agent tanks 52a and 52b are attached to the spray device 50 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 but shown in FIGS. 3 and 5). The spray device 50 is a device that ejects (sprays) the release agent stored in the release agent tanks 52 a and 52 b, the air supplied from the air supply device 20, and the water in the water storage tank 28. The spray device 50 is connected to the control device 12 by a signal line 72. The spray device 50 is controlled by the control device 12. The spray device 50 and the release agent tanks 52a and 52b will be described in detail later.

  The release agent supply device 80 is installed in the vicinity of the standby position of the spray device 50. When the spray device 50 is positioned at the standby position, the release agent tanks 52a and 52b attached to the spray device 50 and the release agent supply device 80 are connected. When both are connected, the release agent supply device 80 detects the amount of the release agent stored in the release agent tanks 52a and 52b, and releases the release agent tanks 50a and 50b under predetermined conditions. Supply (replenish) the agent. The release agent supply device 80 is connected to the control device 12 by a signal line 74. The release agent supply device 80 is controlled by the control device 12. The configuration of the release agent supply device 80 will be described in detail later.

The spray device 50 described above will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spray device 50 includes two spray nozzles 60 a and 60 b facing the cavity surface side of the fixed mold 36 and two spray nozzles 60 c facing the cavity surface side of the movable mold 34. 60d. These four spray nozzles 60 a to 60 d are attached to the housing of the spray device 50.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the connection relationship between the spray nozzles 60a and 60b and the release agent tanks 52a and 52b. A release agent tank 52a is connected to the spray nozzle 60a via a release agent pipe (release agent path) 55a. The release agent tank 52a is attached to the surface of the housing of the spraying device 50 at a position vertically above the spray nozzle 60a. For this reason, the release agent in the release agent tank 52a flows through the release agent pipe 55a by its own weight and is sent to the spray nozzle 60a. The release agent pipe 55a is provided with an electromagnetic valve 54a. The electromagnetic valve 54 a is connected to the control device 12 by a signal line 72. The electromagnetic valve 54a is opened and closed by the control device 12. When the electromagnetic valve 54a is opened, the release agent in the release agent tank 52a is supplied to the spray nozzle 60a, and when the electromagnetic valve 54a is closed, supply of the release agent from the release agent tank 52a to the spray nozzle 60a is stopped. . The spray nozzle 60a is connected to the water pipe 24 through the water pipe 56 and the branch pipe 56a, and is further connected to the air pipe 18 through the air pipe 58 and the branch pipe 58a. Thereby, the air from the air supply device 20 and the water from the water storage tank 28 are also supplied to the spray nozzle 60a.

  On the other hand, a release agent tank 52b is connected to the spray nozzle 60b via a release agent pipe 55b. The release agent tank 52b is attached to the housing surface of the spraying device 50 at a position vertically above the spray nozzle 60b. For this reason, the release agent in the release agent tank 52b also flows through the release agent pipe 55b by its own weight and is sent to the spray nozzle 60b. A release valve 55b is provided with an electromagnetic valve 54b. The electromagnetic valve 54b is also opened and closed by the control device 12. By opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 54b, the release agent supply from the release agent tank 52b to the spray nozzle 60b is controlled. The spray nozzle 60b is also connected to the water pipe 24 and the air pipe 18 in the same manner as the spray nozzle 60a, and is supplied with water and air.

  The two spray nozzles 60c and 60d facing the movable mold 34 are configured in the same manner as the spray nozzles 60a and 60b described above. That is, the spray nozzle 60c is connected to the release agent tank 52a, the water pipe 24, and the air pipe 18, and the release agent, water, and air in the release agent tank 52a are supplied. The spray nozzle 60d is connected to the release agent tank 52b, the water pipe 24, and the air pipe 18, and is supplied with the release agent, water, and air in the release agent tank 52b.

Here, an example of a specific configuration of the spray nozzles 60a to 60d will be described. Since all the spray nozzles 60a to 60d have the same configuration, only the spray nozzle 60a will be described here. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle 60a.
As shown in FIG. 4, the spray nozzle 60a has a housing 62a. The housing 62a accommodates a release agent nozzle 66a, a water nozzle 68a, and a cylindrical member 64a. The release agent nozzle 66a has a cylindrical shape. The release agent nozzle 66a communicates with the release agent pipe 55a (see FIG. 3). A release agent (release agent in the release agent tank 52a) is ejected from the release agent nozzle 66a in the direction of the arrow D1. The water nozzle 68a has a cylindrical shape. The water nozzle 68a communicates with the water pipe 24 (see FIG. 1). Water 28a is ejected from the water nozzle 68a in the direction of arrow D2. The cylindrical member 64a is disposed so as to surround the release agent nozzle 66a and the water nozzle 68a. A gap 70a is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 64a and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 62a. The gap 70a communicates with the air pipe 18 (see FIG. 1). The air that has passed through the air pipe 18 flows as indicated by an arrow D3 and is ejected to the outside from the tip of the spray nozzle 60a. The spray nozzle 60a according to the present embodiment can miniaturize the release agent and water 28a by ejecting air while ejecting the release agent and water 28a from the nozzles 66a and 68a.

As is apparent from the above description, in this embodiment, the spray nozzles 60a and 60c are connected to the release agent tank 52a, and the spray nozzles 60b and 60d are connected to the release agent tank 52b. Therefore, the release agent 29a stored in the release agent tank 52a and the release agent 29b stored in the release agent tank 42b can be sprayed toward either the fixed mold 36 or the movable mold 34. it can.
Moreover, a mold release agent, water, and air can each be supplied to each spray nozzle 60a-60d. Therefore, by controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valves 16, 26, 54a, 54b, the molds 34, 36 are sprayed with the release agent and water simultaneously, or only the release agent is sprayed, or only water is sprayed. Can be sprayed or sprayed with air only.

Next, the release agent tanks 52a and 52b will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the release agent tanks 52a and 52b and the release agent supply device 80. As shown in FIG. Since the release agent tank 52a and the release agent tank 52b have the same configuration, only the release agent tank 52a will be described here.
As shown in FIG. 5, the release agent tank 52a includes a tank body 57a and a float 53a accommodated in the tank body 57a. The tank main body 57a is a hollow container and stores a release agent therein. A nozzle inlet 57c is formed on a side surface near the upper end of the tank body 57a. A lid 51a is rotatably attached to the upper side of the nozzle inlet 57c. In a state where no external force acts on the lid 51a, the lid 51a hangs downward due to its own weight, and closes the nozzle inlet 57c. When an external force acts on the lid 51a, the lid 51a rotates according to the direction of the external force. Release agent pipes 55a and 55c (pipe 55c connected to the spray nozzle 60c) are attached to the lower end of the tank body 57a. Accordingly, the release agent in the tank main body 57a flows out to the release agent pipes 55a and 55c by its own weight. A guide 57b is formed on the inner wall surface of the tank body 57a. The guide 57b guides the float 53a in the vertical direction. The float 53a moves in the vertical direction according to the amount of the release agent 29a stored in the tank body 57a. That is, the position of the float 53a is the same as the liquid level of the release agent 29a. A metal piece 59a is attached to a part of the outer peripheral edge of the float 53a.

  In this embodiment, the release agent 29a stored in the release agent tank 52a is an oil release agent, and the release agent 29b stored in the release agent tank 52b is an inorganic release agent. The oil-based release agent has a feature that the effective temperature range is wide, and the inorganic release agent has a feature that gas generation is small. In the casting system 10 of the present embodiment, the release agent to be sprayed can be switched between an oily release agent and an inorganic release agent depending on the portions of the molds 34 and 36 (that is, the product shape).

  Next, the release agent supply device 80 will be described in detail. The release agent supply device 80 includes a release agent supply unit that supplies (supplements) the release agents 29a and 29b to the release agent tanks 52a and 52b. In FIG. 5, only the release agent supply unit for supplying the release agent 29a to the release agent tank 52a is shown, but the release agent supply device 80 supplies the release agent 29b to the release agent tank 52b. A release agent supply unit is also provided. Since the two release agent supply units have the same configuration, only the release agent supply unit that supplies the release agent 29a to the release agent tank 52a will be described here.

As shown in FIG. 5, the release agent supply unit includes a release agent storage tank 82a, a supply nozzle 94a, and a liquid level detection unit 96a. The release agent storage tank 82a stores the release agent 29a supplied to the release agent tank 52a. The amount of the release agent 29a in the release agent storage tank 82a is confirmed by an operator at the start of work or the like, and is replenished by the operator when the amount of the release agent 29a is small.
The supply nozzle 94a is disposed so as to face the inlet opening 57c of the release agent tank 52a attached to the spray device 50 when the spray device 50 is positioned at the standby position. When the spraying device 50 is in the standby position, the supply nozzle 94a pushes up the lid 51a of the release agent tank 52a, and the tip of the supply nozzle 94a is inserted into the release agent tank 52a.
The supply nozzle 94a and the release agent storage tank 82a are connected by a release agent pipe 92a. The release agent pipe 92a is provided with a pump 84a and an electromagnetic valve 86a. The pump 84a sucks and discharges the release agent in the release agent storage tank 82a. The electromagnetic valve 86 a is connected to the control device 12 by a signal line 74. The electromagnetic valve 86 a is opened and closed by the control device 12. One end of a return pipe 98a is connected between the pump 84a and the electromagnetic valve 86a. The other end of the return pipe 98a is connected to the release agent storage tank 82a. When the solenoid valve 86a is opened while the pump 84a is operating, a part of the release agent discharged from the pump 84a flows to the supply nozzle 94a through the release agent pipe 92a, and a part thereof returns. It returns to the release agent storage tank 82a through the pipe 98a. When the electromagnetic valve 86a is closed while the pump 84a is operating, all of the release agent discharged from the pump 84a is returned to the release agent storage tank 82a through the return pipe 98a.

The liquid level detection unit 96a includes two proximity sensors 88a and 90a. The proximity sensors 88a and 90a are disposed so as to face the release agent tank 52a attached to the spray device 50 when the spray device 50 is positioned at the standby position. The proximity sensors 88a and 90a are arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction.
The proximity sensors 88a and 90a detect the metal piece 59a of the float 53a accommodated in the release agent tank 52a. Specifically, when the liquid level of the release agent 29a in the release agent tank 52a reaches substantially the same level as the proximity sensor 88a, the proximity sensor 88a detects the metal piece 59a of the float 53a. When the liquid level of the release agent 29a in the release agent tank 52a reaches substantially the same level as the proximity sensor 90a, the proximity sensor 90a detects the metal piece 59a of the float 53a. For this reason, when the metal piece 59a is detected by the proximity sensor 88a, the controller 12 causes the liquid level of the release agent 29a in the release agent tank 52a to be lower than the first set position (that is, the release agent 29a It is determined that the amount has become equal to or less than the first set amount. Further, when the metal piece 59a is detected by the proximity sensor 90a, the controller 12 raises the liquid level of the release agent 29a in the release agent tank 52a from the second set position (that is, the release agent 29a It is determined that the amount is equal to or greater than the second set amount).

Next, a procedure for manufacturing a casting (product) by the casting system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a casting manufacturing procedure. Here, the procedure from when the molds 34 and 36 are opened to take out the casting until the next casting is formed is shown.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the casting is taken out, first, the spray device 50 is moved from the standby position to the application position (S2). Specifically, the control device 12 drives the mobile robot 40 to move the spray device 50 to the standby position.
When the spraying device 50 moves to the standby position, water is sprayed from the spraying device 20 onto the molds 34 and 36 to cool the molds 34 and 36 (S4). That is, the control device 12 opens the electromagnetic valves 16 and 26. At this time, the electromagnetic valves 54a, 54b,... Of the spray device 50 are closed. Thereby, only the water 28a is sprayed from the spraying apparatus 50, and the metal mold | dies 34 and 36 are cooled.
When spraying of the water 28a onto the dies 34, 36 is completed, air is blown onto the surfaces of the dies 34, 36, and the water adhering to the surfaces of the dies 34, 36 is dried (S6). That is, the control device 12 opens only the electromagnetic valve 16 and closes the other electromagnetic valves 26, 54a, 54b,. As a result, only the air is ejected from the spray device 50 and the surfaces of the molds 34 and 36 are dried.

When the surfaces of the molds 34 and 36 are dried, next, the release agent is sprayed onto the molds 34 and 36 from the spraying device 50 to apply the release agent to the surfaces of the molds 34 and 36 (S8). That is, the control device 12 opens the electromagnetic valve 16 and opens any one of the electromagnetic valves 54a, 54b,. At this time, the electromagnetic valve 26 may be closed or open. When the electromagnetic valve 26 is closed, only the release agent (29a or 29b) is sprayed on the molds 34 and 36. When the solenoid valve 26 is opened, the mold release agent (29a or 29b) and water are sprayed onto the molds 34 and 36 at the same time.
As already described, in this embodiment, the release agent 29a of the release agent tank 52a is sprayed from the spray nozzles 60a and 60c of the spray device 50, and the release agent tank 52b is released from the spray nozzles 60b and 60d. The mold 29b is sprayed. For this reason, only the mold release agent 29a is sprayed toward the molds 34 and 36, or only the mold release agent 29b is sprayed, and further, the mold release agent 29a and the mold release agent 29b are sprayed simultaneously. Can do. Therefore, even if there are a part that is easy to release and a part that is difficult to release depending on the product shape, the casting can be molded with a small amount of the release agent by selecting a release agent to be applied according to the part. , 36 can be released. In addition, control of the position which sprays a mold release agent (29a or 29b) can be performed when the control apparatus 12 controls the mobile robot 40. FIG.

  When the release agent is applied to the molds 34 and 36, the control device 12 drives the mobile robot 40 to move the spray device 50 from the application position to the standby position (S10). When the spray device 50 moves to the standby position, the supply nozzles 94a and 94b of the release agent supply device 80 are inserted into the nozzle inlets of the release agent tanks 52a and 52b. As a result, the release agent can be supplied from the release agent supply device 80 to the release agent tanks 52a and 52b. Further, the float in the release agent tanks 52 a and 52 b can be detected by the proximity sensor of the release agent supply device 80.

  When the spray device 50 moves to the standby position, the control device 12 next checks the amounts of the release agents 29a and 29b in the release agent tanks 52a and 52b (S12). That is, the control device 12 determines whether or not the proximity sensor 88a (proximity sensor disposed on the lower side) of the release agent supply device 80 detects the metal piece 59a of the float 53a. When the proximity sensor 88a detects the metal piece 59a, it is determined that the release agent 29a in the release agent tank 52a is equal to or less than the first set amount. The release agent tank 52b is determined in the same manner as the release agent tank 52a.

  Next, the control device 12 determines whether or not the amounts of the release agents 29a and 29b in the release agent tanks 52a and 52b are equal to or less than the first set amount (S14). If none of the release agents 29a and 29b in the release agent tanks 52a and 52b is less than or equal to the first set amount (NO in step S14), the process proceeds directly to step S18.

On the other hand, if any of the release agents 29a and 29b in the release agent tanks 52a and 52b is equal to or less than the first set amount (YES in step S14), the release agent tanks that are equal to or less than the first set amount A release agent is supplied (supplemented) (S16). Specifically, when only the release agent 29a in the release agent tank 52a is equal to or less than the first set amount, the release agent 52a is replenished to the release agent tank 52a. When only the release agent 29b in the release agent tank 52b is equal to or less than the first set amount, the release agent tank 52b is replenished with the release agent 52b. When both of the release agent 29a and 29b in the two release agent tanks 52a and 52b are equal to or less than the first set amount, the release agent 29a and 29b are replenished to both of the release agent tanks 52a and 52b. .
When the release agents 29a and 29b are replenished to the release agent tanks 52a and 52b, the release agent tanks 52a and 52b are prevented from being replenished with the release agents 29a and 29b exceeding the second set amount. The case where the release agent 29a is replenished to the release agent tank 52a will be specifically described as an example. First, the control device 12 operates the pump 84a of the release agent supply device 80 and opens the electromagnetic valve 86a. As a result, the release agent 29a is supplied from the release agent storage tank 82a to the release agent tank 52a through the supply nozzle 94a. Next, the control device 12 determines whether or not the proximity sensor 90a has detected the metal piece 59a of the float 53a. Until the metal piece 59a is detected by the proximity sensor 90a, the supply of the release agent 29a to the release agent tank 52a is continued. When the metal piece 59a is detected by the proximity sensor 90a, it is determined that the release agent 29a of the second set amount or more is stored in the release agent tank 52a, the operation of the pump 84a is stopped, and the electromagnetic valve 86a is closed. Thereby, the supply of the release agent 29a to the release agent tank 52a is stopped.

  In step S <b> 18, the molds 34 and 36 are closed, and the molten metal is poured into the molds 34 and 36. When the poured molten metal is solidified, the molds 34 and 36 are opened to take out the molded product (casting). In the actual manufacturing process, the pouring / forming process in step S18 and the replenishment process of the release agent in steps S12 to S16 are performed in parallel.

  As is apparent from the above description, in the casting system 10 of the present embodiment, two types of release agents 29a and 29b can be sprayed from the spraying device 50. For this reason, the mold release agent according to it can be apply | coated to the site | part which is hard to release mold 34,36, and the mold release agent according to it can be apply | coated to the site | part which is easy to release. Thus, the molded product can be suitably taken out from the molds 34 and 36 (that is, the molded product can be released without causing casting defects such as galling). In addition, since an appropriate release agent can be used for each part, the amount of the release agent to be used can be reduced.

In the casting system of the present embodiment, release agent tanks 52 a and 52 b are attached to the spray device 50. For this reason, as in the prior art, the spray device attached to the tip of the mobile robot and the release agent supply source installed away from the spray device are connected by piping, and the release agent is released by the pressure feeding device. There is no need to send from the agent source to the spray device. As a result, the spray device can be moved relatively freely by the mobile robot 40, and the configuration of the device can be simplified to achieve low cost, small space, and energy saving. In particular, in this embodiment, the release agents 29a and 29b in the release agent tanks 52a and 52b are supplied to the spray nozzles 60a to 60d by their own weight. Thereby, low cost, small space, and energy saving can be further achieved.
Since the release agent tanks 52a and 52b are attached to the spray device 50, it is necessary to supply the release agents 29a and 29b to the release agent tanks 52a and 52b in order to continuously form a large number of molded products. Arise. However, replenishment of the release agent to the release agent tanks 52a and 52b is performed in parallel with the pouring / forming process when the spraying device 50 is in the standby position. For this reason, it is not necessary to set separately the time for supplying the release agent 29a, 29b to the release agent tanks 52a, 52b. This prevents a reduction in productivity.

Further, in the casting system 10 of the present embodiment, the spray device 50 is moved to the standby position (position where the release agent can be supplied to the release agent tank) and the application position for each molding. For this reason, it is sufficient that the release agent tanks 52a and 52b can store the release agent in an amount necessary for one molding. Accordingly, the capacity of the release agent tanks 52a and 52b can be reduced. Since the spray device 50 is moved to the standby position and the application position for each molding, the control device 12 does not need to perform different processes for each molding, and the program of the control device 12 can be simplified.
Further, since the capacity of the release agent tanks 52a and 52b can be reduced, it is possible to suppress an increase in the weight of the structure (the spray device 50 and the release agent tanks 52a and 52b) attached to the tip of the arm 46 of the mobile robot 40. it can. Accordingly, the rigidity required for the mobile robot 40 can be reduced, and the mobile robot 40 can be made compact. Moreover, since the mobile robot 40 can be moved at high speed, the application of the release agent can be completed in a short time even when a plurality of release agents are applied.

  Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.

  For example, a release agent tank 160 as shown in FIG. 7 can be used. In the release agent tank 160, a branch pipe 162 is provided in the tank body 160a. A float 168 is accommodated in the branch pipe 162, and a metal piece 170 is attached to the float 168. The float 168 is guided in the vertical direction in the branch pipe 162 by a guide 166 formed on the inner wall surface of the branch pipe 162. Thus, by accommodating the float 168 in the branch pipe 162 different from the tank main body 160a, the smooth movement of the float 168 according to the change in the liquid level of the release agent 29a is ensured. Thereby, the amount of the release agent 29a in the release agent tank 160 can be detected with high accuracy.

  Moreover, in the Example mentioned above, two mold release agent tanks were attached to the spraying apparatus 50, and two types of mold release agents were apply | coated to the metal mold | dies 34 and 36 using the spray nozzles 60a-60d. However, the type of release agent (that is, the number of release agent tanks) sprayed from the spraying device 50 onto the mold can be set to an arbitrary number, and the number of spray nozzles is different for each type of release agent. It can be increased or decreased arbitrarily. Furthermore, the type / combination of the release agent can be arbitrarily set according to the shape of the molded product.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the spray device 50 is moved to the standby position for each molding, and the amount of the release agent in the release agent tank is detected at the standby position, and if necessary, to the release agent tank. It was configured to replenish the mold release agent. However, the method of replenishing the release agent to the release agent tank is not limited to such an example. For example, when the amount of the release agent used for each molding can be regarded as substantially constant, the release agent tank A predetermined amount of the release agent may be replenished for each molding without detecting the amount of the release agent. Further, it is not necessary to supply the release agent to the release agent tank every molding, and the release agent may be supplied to the release agent tank every preset number of times. Furthermore, when the frequency of supplying the release agent to the release agent tank is low, an operator may manually supply the release agent to the release agent tank. Further, when the amount of the release agent used for each molding differs depending on the type of the release agent, the first set value and the second set value may be changed for each type of the release agent.

  In the embodiment described above, the release agent supply device is provided with a sensor for detecting the amount of the release agent in the release agent tank. However, this sensor may be provided on the release agent tank side. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the release agent in the release agent tank is sent to the spray nozzle by its own weight, but it is possible to adopt a form in which the release agent is pumped by a pump or the like.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

It is the schematic of the casting system which concerns on a present Example, and has shown the state which has a spraying apparatus in an application position. It is the schematic of the casting system which concerns on a present Example, and has shown the state which has a spraying apparatus in a standby position. It is a figure which shows typically the connection relation of a spray nozzle and a mold release agent tank. It is sectional drawing of a spray nozzle. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of a mold release agent tank and a mold release agent supply apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a casting manufacturing procedure. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of a mold release agent tank.

Explanation of symbols

10. Casting system 20. Air supply device 28 Water storage tank 30 Die casting machine 34 Movable type 40 Mobile robot 50 Spraying device 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d Spray nozzle 80・ Mold release agent supply device

Claims (5)

A release agent application system that applies a release agent to a mold.
A spraying device for spraying a release agent;
A release agent tank that is attached to the spray device and stores a release agent to be supplied to the spray device;
A moving device for moving the spraying device between the application position and the standby position;
A release agent supply device that is installed in the vicinity of the standby position and supplies the release agent to the release agent tank;
When the spray device is in the standby position, the release agent tank and the release agent supply device can be connected and the release agent can be supplied from the release agent supply device to the release agent tank.
When the spray device is in the application position, the release agent supply device and the release agent tank are separated from each other, and the release agent sprayed from the spray device is applied to the mold. system.   The release agent tank or the release agent supply device is provided with detection means for detecting the amount of the release agent in the release agent tank, and the release agent supply device is provided with the release agent detected by the detection means. The release agent application system according to claim 1, further comprising a release agent supply means for supplying the release agent to the release agent tank when the amount is equal to or less than the first set amount.   The release agent supply means is configured to release the release agent into the release agent tank when the amount of the release agent detected by the detection means when the release agent is supplied to the release agent tank is equal to or larger than the second set amount. 3. The release agent coating system according to claim 2, wherein the supply of the agent is stopped. It is a release agent application device that applies a release agent to a mold.
A spraying device for spraying a release agent;
A release agent coating apparatus, comprising: a release agent tank that is attached to the spray device and stores a release agent supplied to the spray device. It is a method of applying a release agent to a mold by a spraying device to which a release agent tank is attached,
Moving the spraying device from the standby position to the application position;
Spraying the mold release agent stored in the mold release agent tank at the application position;
Moving the spraying device from the application position to the standby position after spraying the release agent;
Supplying the release agent to the release agent tank at the standby position.

Images