JP2011147961A - Molding method and molding device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a molding method and a molding device, wherein when a metal is melted and molded, the molding can be performed by a simple and inexpensive device constitution, and further, the efficiency of the molding can be improved. <P>SOLUTION: The molding device 1 includes: a material feeding part 10 feeding a feeding material 12; a material holding member 8 made of a nonconductive material, having an inlet opening part through which the feeding material 12 can pass and an outlet opening part formed with an opening preventing the passage of the feeding material 12 and further larger than the maximum outside diameter in the horizontal direction upon melting of the feeding material 12, and holding the feeding material 12 at the inside face; an induction coil 7 making induction current flow through the held feeding material 12 and floating and melting the feeding material 12 without coming into contact with the material holding member 8 to form a melt at the upper part of the outlet opening part; and a die installing part 5 installed with a die 6 opened toward the outlet opening part at the lower side of the material holding member 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a forming method and a forming apparatus.

Conventionally, in casting in which a metal is melted and formed, induction heating is known as a heating means for melting the metal.
For example, in Patent Document 1, as such a floating melting apparatus using induction heating, a crucible having low conductivity and good thermal conductivity is made of aluminum nitride, and the crucible has an inner circumference and an outer circumference that are substantially parallel, and a rotating ellipse. The body is divided into parallel halves and the shape of a halved body. An induction heating coil made of the same pipe is wound around the entire circumference from the peripheral wall to the bottom wall, cooling water is introduced into the inside, and the induction heating coil is a water-cooled pipe. A configuration that also serves as a function is described.
In a molding apparatus that performs molding such as casting, it is necessary to supply the molten metal that has been melted and floated in this manner to a mold.
In a molding processing apparatus using a conventional melting apparatus using a crucible, an opening connected to the molten metal pipe line is formed at the bottom of the crucible, and a movable plug is provided in the opening to open the movable plug. It is known that the molten metal is discharged downward or the crucible is inverted to drop the molten metal.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-280874

However, the conventional molding apparatus as described above has the following problems.
Since the molten metal floating in the crucible by induction heating does not come into contact with the crucible, impurities are not mixed in through the contact with the crucible. Since it comes into contact with the opening, the movable stopper, and the molten metal pipe line, maintenance work for these contact portions is required. For example, when performing continuous molding, there is a problem that the molding is interrupted by maintenance work and efficient molding cannot be performed. Further, since the movable stopper is provided, there is a problem that the device configuration becomes complicated and the device becomes expensive.
In addition, the apparatus for reversing the crucible requires a mechanism for reversing the crucible and the induction heating coil disposed around the crucible, which causes a problem that the apparatus configuration becomes complicated and the apparatus becomes expensive.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, and can perform molding with a simple and inexpensive apparatus configuration and improve molding efficiency when molding by melting metal. It is an object of the present invention to provide a molding method and a molding apparatus that can perform the above process.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is a forming method for forming a metal material by melting the metal material and introducing the molten metal material into a mold, and the metal material is required for forming. A metal solid supplying step for supplying a metal solid formed in a large amount, a non-conductive material, an inlet opening through which the metal solid can pass, and a lower side than the inlet opening. The metal solid supply step using a metal solid holding member that prevents the passage of the metal solid and has an outlet opening formed with an opening larger than the maximum horizontal outer diameter in a lump state of the solid state of the solid metal. A metal solid holding step for holding the metal solid supplied by the inner surface of the metal solid holding member between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and the metal held by the metal solid holding member A metal material floating and melting step in which an inductive current is passed through the body to float and melt the metal solid without contacting the metal solid holding member to form a massive melt that floats above the outlet opening; and A melt dropping step in which the melt formed in the metal material floating melting step is dropped and passed through the inside of the outlet opening of the metal solid holding member in a non-contact state, and toward the outlet opening. And a molding step of performing molding by introducing the melt into the opened mold.

  The present invention is a forming apparatus for forming a metal material by melting the metal material, introducing the molten metal material into a mold, and forming the metal material into a lump of an amount necessary for forming the metal solid A metal solid supply part for supplying the metal solid, an entrance opening through which the metal solid can pass, and provided below the entrance opening to prevent the metal solid from passing through and An outlet opening formed with an opening larger than the horizontal maximum outer diameter in the solid floating mass state of the metal solid, and the metal solid supply on the inner surface between the inlet opening and the outlet opening A metal solid holding member that holds the metal solid supplied from the inlet opening by the unit, and an induced current is passed through the metal solid provided around the metal solid holding member and held by the metal solid holding member. The A metal material floating and melting part that floats and melts a genus solid without contacting the metal solid holding member to form a massive melt floating above the outlet opening, and the metal solid holding member It is set as the structure provided with the metal mold | die installation part which installs the metal mold | die opened toward this exit opening part on the downward side of an exit opening part.

  In the molding apparatus of the present invention, the inner surface of the metal solid holding member between the inlet opening and the outlet opening is formed from the floating center of the melt in the metal material melting portion. It is preferably provided at a position away from the radius of a sphere having a volume at the time of melting.

  Moreover, in the shaping | molding processing method and shaping | molding processing apparatus of this invention, it is preferable that the opening of the said exit opening part was formed in the magnitude | size which can pass the ball | bowl which has the volume at the time of the melting of the said metal solid.

  Moreover, in the shaping | molding processing method and shaping | molding processing apparatus of this invention, the said metal solid holding member may consist of a cylindrical body in which the said inlet opening part was provided in the upper end side, and the said outlet opening part was provided in the lower end side. preferable.

  In the molding method and the molding apparatus according to the present invention, when the metal solid holding member is formed of the cylindrical body, the cylindrical body has an opening size from the inlet opening toward the outlet opening. Is preferably gradually reduced.

  Moreover, in the shaping | molding processing method and shaping | molding processing apparatus of this invention, the said metal solid holding member is equipped with the window part which can visually recognize the said metal solid hold | maintained on the said inner surface, and the said molten body suspended from a side. Is preferred.

  In the molding method of the present invention, in the metal material floating melting step, an upper opening through which the metal solid can pass is formed on the upper end side, and a lower opening through which the melt can pass is formed on the lower end side. Using the formed induction coil, the induction coil has a state in which the upper opening faces the inlet opening of the metal holding member and the lower opening faces the outlet opening of the metal holding member. It is preferable that the metal solid holding member is disposed around.

  In the molding apparatus of the present invention, the metal material floating and melting portion has an upper opening through which the metal solid can pass on the upper end side, and a lower opening through which the melt can pass through the lower end side. The induction coil includes a formed induction coil, the upper opening facing the inlet opening of the metal holding member and the lower opening facing the outlet opening of the metal holding member, respectively. It is preferable that the metal solid holding member is disposed around.

  Moreover, in the shaping | molding processing apparatus of this invention, when the said metal material floating melting part is provided with the said induction coil, the said upper side opening part of the said induction coil may have an opening of the magnitude | size which can pass the said metal holding member. preferable.

  Moreover, in the shaping | molding processing apparatus of this invention, it is preferable to use the said metal solid formed in the spherical body.

  Moreover, in the shaping | molding processing apparatus of this invention, when the said metal solid holding member is provided with the said window part, the said metal solid holding member was formed with the mesh body, and the said window part was formed with the mesh | network of the said mesh body. It is preferable.

  Moreover, in the shaping | molding processing apparatus of this invention, when the said metal solid holding member is provided with the said window part, the said window part may become a slit penetrated from the side surface of the said metal solid holding member to the inner side. preferable.

  Moreover, in the shaping | molding processing apparatus of this invention, it is preferable that the said metal solid holding member was formed with the material which has a light transmittance.

  According to the forming method and the forming apparatus of the present invention, the metal solid is held by the metal solid holding member, the metal solid is floated and melted to form a melt, and the melt is formed on the metal solid holding member. By dropping it in a non-contact state downward through the outlet opening, it is possible to perform molding by introducing a melt into the mold, so forming with a simple and inexpensive device configuration when molding by melting metal There exists an effect that it can process and can improve the efficiency of fabrication.

It is a typical fragmentary sectional view of the front view which shows schematic structure of the shaping | molding processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical perspective view which shows the example of the metal solid used for shaping | molding. It is the typical sectional view showing the principal part of the forming device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, and the top view of the A view. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the shaping | molding processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and its top view of the B view. It is a process flow figure of the forming method using the forming device of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the shaping | molding processing apparatus which concerns on the modification (1st modification) of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and the top view of the C view. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the shaping | molding apparatus which concerns on the modification (2nd modification) of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and the top view of the E view. It is a typical fragmentary sectional view of the front view which shows schematic structure of the shaping | molding processing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical front view of the metal solid holding member used for the shaping | molding processing apparatus which concerns on the modification (3rd modification) of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical front view of the metal solid holding member used for the shaping | molding processing apparatus which concerns on the modification (4th modification) of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all the drawings, even if the embodiments are different, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and common description is omitted.

[First Embodiment]
A molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view in front view showing a schematic configuration of a molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a metal solid used for forming. Fig.3 (a) is typical sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the shaping | molding processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG.3 (b) is a top view of A view in Fig.3 (a). Fig.4 (a) is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the shaping | molding processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4B is a plan view as viewed from B in FIG.
Each figure is a schematic diagram, and the size and shape of each member are exaggerated for ease of viewing (the same applies to the following drawings).

As shown in FIG. 1, the molding apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment holds a supply material 12 (metal solid) that is a metal material by a material holding member 8 (metal solid holding member) and melts the material by induction heating. The molten metal is floated without contacting the holding member 8 and introduced into the mold 6 to perform molding. Although the shaping | molding which the shaping | molding processing apparatus 1 performs is not specifically limited if it is shaping | molding using a molten metal, below, it demonstrates by the example in the case of performing centrifugal casting as an example.
For this reason, the mold 6 is provided with, for example, a molten metal introduction hole 6a composed of a vertical hole extending downward to introduce the molten metal into the center of the upper surface of the block member having a substantially cylindrical outer shape. A molding space 6b, which is a recess surrounded by a mold surface that transfers the shape of the molded product, is formed from the side surface on the lower end side of the hole 6a toward the radially outer side. The mold 6 is composed of an assembly of a plurality of parts so that it can be disassembled when taking out a molded product, for example.

The supply material 12 is a metal solid formed from a metal material in a lump shape necessary for molding. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the supply material 12 is a circle having a diameter d ₁ and an axial length h ₁ . A columnar one is used. Reference symbol G indicates the position of the center of gravity.
Here, the amount required for molding is an amount that can form at least the shape of the molded product when it is introduced into the molding space 6b and solidified, for example, filled into the runner part and finally molded product. An amount to be removed from may be included.
The amount necessary for this molding is determined in advance for each mold 6 corresponding to the shape of the molded product, and each supply material 12 is formed in a certain shape within an allowable error range.

The volume V of the feed material 12, because it is _{V = h 1 · π · (} d 1/2) 2, is converted feed material 12 to the spherical shape, with a radius _{r S} of the virtual sphere ', the following equation It is represented by (1).
Also, assuming that the feed material 12 becomes a sphere when melted, the radius r _S of the melting phantom sphere S (a sphere having a volume when the metal solid is melted) is such that α is a linear expansion coefficient of the feed material 12 and ΔT is melted. Is expressed by the following equation (2).

_{r S '= {(3 ·} h 1/4) · (d 1/2) 2} 1/3 ··· (1)
r _S = α · ΔT · r _S '(2)

The relationship between the diameter d ₁ and the axial length h ₁ is preferably flat, that is, d ₁ > h ₁ in that the supply material 12 is securely held by the material holding member 8. In terms of efficiently dissolving 12, it is preferable not to be too flat. For this reason, when d ₁ / h ₁ = η, a range of about 1 <η ≦ 3 is preferable. In particular, in the case of eta = 1.5, a diameter _{d 1,} 2 · _{r S.} Therefore equal, when the inner diameter of the outlet opening 8b of the material retention member 8 which will be described later 2 · _{r S} is, eta> It is preferable to set it to 1.5.
In the present embodiment, an example in the case of η> 1.5 will be described below.

As the material of the supply material 12, a suitable single metal and alloy can be adopted as long as it is a metal material that can be melted by induction heating. For example, as an alloy that can be suitably formed by centrifugal casting, it is made amorphous by rapid cooling, so that it has excellent corrosion resistance and high-precision transfer properties, such as low Young's modulus, high strength, and high elasticity. A group of alloys obtained (so-called “metal glass”) can be mentioned. As a raw material alloy of such an amorphous alloy, for example, a Zr (zirconium) -based alloy is known.
In the following description, as an example, the case where the material of the supply material 12 is a Zr-based alloy having a composition of Zr ₅₅ Cu ₃₀ Al ₁₀ Ni ₅ will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the schematic configuration of the molding apparatus 1 includes a chamber 2, a rotating shaft part 4, a motor 3, a mold installation part 5, an induction coil 7 (metal material floating melting part), a material holding member 8, and a material. A supply unit 10 (metal solid supply unit) and a radiation thermometer 11 are provided. Further, although not particularly shown, a control means for controlling the operation of these configurations is provided.

The chamber 2 is composed of a housing that allows the inside air to be discharged and an inert gas forming a non-oxidizing atmosphere to be introduced so that the molten metal is not oxidized or mixed with impurities.
For this reason, although not particularly illustrated, a vacuum pump for sucking and discharging the atmosphere and an inert gas source for introducing an inert gas such as argon gas are connected.

The rotary shaft 4 rotates the mold 6 around an axis passing through the center of the molten metal introduction hole 6a in order to perform centrifugal casting, and is provided so as to penetrate the bottom of the chamber 2 in the vertical direction. .
In order to position the mold 6 with respect to the rotation center axis R of the rotary shaft portion 4 and to be detachably fixed to the upper end portion of the rotary shaft portion 4 inserted into the chamber 2, a disc block-shaped die The installation part 5 is fixed.
For this reason, although not shown in particular, on the upper surface of the mold installation part 5, an appropriate positioning part for positioning and attaching the mold 6 and a mold fixing means for fixing the mold 6 are provided. .
As the mold fixing means, for example, bolt fastening, an appropriate chuck mechanism, a clamp mechanism, or the like can be employed.
A motor 3 that rotationally drives the rotary shaft 4 is connected to the lower end of the rotary shaft 4 that extends below the bottom of the chamber 2.

The induction coil 7 generates a high-frequency magnetic field of about 10 kHz to 100 kHz, for example, causes an induction current to flow through a metal solid disposed therein, floats and melts it, and forms a massive melt M from the supply material 12. It is connected to a high-frequency power source (not shown), and is disposed in the chamber 2 above the mold installation unit 5.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the induction coil 7 of the present embodiment is a cylinder whose coil diameter gradually increases from the lower coil opening 7d (lower opening) which is the opening on the lower end side toward the upper side. A coil lower portion 7b wound in a shape, a cylindrical shape whose coil diameter gradually decreases from the upper end of the coil lower portion 7b toward the upper side, is wound in the opposite direction to the coil lower portion 7b, and an upper coil opening 7c ( A coil upper portion 7a formed with an upper opening). A central axis O which is a turning center of the winding of the induction coil 7 is arranged coaxially with the rotation center axis R of the rotation shaft portion 4.
The number of turns and the cylindrical shape of the coil lower part 7b and the coil upper part 7a are set so that a high-frequency magnetic field that positions the center of gravity of the melt M at a certain floating center position F in the induction coil 7 is formed.
The floating center position F of the present embodiment is set on the central axis O of the coil near the boundary between the coil lower part 7b and the coil upper part 7a.

Moreover, the magnitude | size of the coil lower part 7b and the coil upper part 7a is made into the magnitude | size which can accommodate the supply material 12 hold | maintained at the material holding member 8 and the material holding member 8 mentioned later inside.
Note that when the melt M is formed, the melt M tends to condense into a spherical shape, but as shown in FIG. 4A, in the floating state, a substantially spheroid elongated in the vertical direction mainly by the action of gravity. It becomes like a lump. The floating shape of the melt M is fixed depending on the condition of the mass of the feed material 12 and the electromagnetic force acting from the induction coil 7. Hereinafter, the horizontal maximum outer diameter of the melt M is defined as an outer diameter d _M (where d _M <2 · r _S ). Here, the melt M is a substantially spheroid-like lump that is elongated in the vertical direction, and the center of the circular horizontal section at the midpoint between the top and bottom ends of the lump is substantially the same as the floating center position F of the induction coil 7. Surfaced to match.

The inner diameter of upper coil opening 7c is feed 12 is the inner diameter D ₁ can pass.
The inner diameter D ₁ is not particularly limited as long pass feed material 12. For example, when the posture of the supply material 12 is maintained in a specific posture depending on the supply form of the material supply unit 10, it may be of a size that allows the maximum horizontal outline in this specific posture to pass. For example, when the material supply unit 10 can supply the supply material 12 with the center axis of the supply material 12 aligned with the vertical axis, D ₁ > d ₁ may be satisfied.
In the present embodiment, the inner diameter D _{1 is set} to a dimension larger than d _max which is the maximum outer dimension of the supply material 12 so that the feed material 12 can be passed through the upper coil opening 7 c in any posture. It is set. In the case of the feed material 12, d _max = √ (d ₁ ² + h ₁ ² ) (see FIG. 2A).
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner diameter D ₁ is in an out possible dimensions material retention member 8 which will be described later in the vertical direction.
The inner diameter D ₂ of the lower coil opening 7d is melt M is dimension passable vertically, i.e., is set to D _2> d _M.

The material holding member 8 is a member that is disposed inside the induction coil 7 and holds the supply material 12 supplied through the upper coil opening 7c. In this embodiment, a through hole is formed in the vertical direction. It consists of a cylindrical body.
The material holding member 8 is detachably fixed to the distal end side of a rod-like support member 9 that extends horizontally from the inner surface of the chamber 2 and is inserted into the induction coil 7, and is attached to the support member 9. Sometimes it is supported at a fixed position in the induction coil 7 and surrounded by the induction coil 7.
The shape of the material holding member 8 is such that the inlet opening 8a which is the opening on the upper end side has a larger diameter than the outlet opening 8b which is the opening on the lower end side, and the inner peripheral surface 8c is directed from the upper end side to the lower end side. Thus, it is formed in a partial conical surface shape that gradually decreases in diameter.
The inlet opening 8a is disposed so as to face the range covered from the upper side by the opening region of the upper coil opening 7c of the induction coil 7. Further, the outlet opening 8b is disposed in the opening region of the lower coil opening 7d of the induction coil 7 so as to face the range covered from the lower side.

The material holding member 8 is made of a non-conductive material so that it is not heated by the high frequency magnetic field formed inside by the induction coil 7. The material holding member 8 of the present embodiment employs a molded product using alumina having excellent heat resistance.
However, the material of the material holding member 8 is not limited to alumina, and may be other ceramics. Examples include zirconia, zircon, barium titanate, mullite, fluorine phlogopite, and silicon nitride.
In addition, a non-conductive polymer material can be employed as long as the melt M has heat resistance against radiant heat received while the melt M is suspended in the induction coil 7. That is, since the inside of the chamber 2 is depressurized, heat transfer is small, and the time for which the melt M is floated on the induction coil 7 is only a short time until it is heated to a temperature required for molding after melting. Therefore, depending on the heat capacity of the material, it does not necessarily have heat resistance to a high temperature above the melting point of the supply material 12.

The inner diameter of the inlet opening 8a is an inner diameter D ₄ (where D ₄ <D ₁ ) through which the feed material 12 can pass.
Here, “passable” is used in the same meaning as the upper coil opening 7c of the induction coil 7 in terms of size. That is, the inner diameter D ₄ is the means that feed material 12 is in a circle diameter which can pass slip through.
In the present embodiment, D ₄ > d _max is set so that the feed material 12 can pass through the inlet opening 8a in any posture, but the feed material 12 is fed in a specific posture. For example, D ₄ > d ₁ may be used.
However, the supply material 12 held by the material holding member 8 does not necessarily need to be held by the material holding member 8 in a state where the entire supply material 12 passes through the inlet opening 8a.

The outer diameter of the inlet opening 8a is smaller outer diameter D ₃ than the inner diameter D ₁ of the upper coil opening 7c. For this reason, the material holding member 8 passes through the upper coil opening 7 c in the vertical direction and can advance and retreat in and out of the induction coil 7.

Further, the inner diameter of the outlet opening 8b is set to be an inner diameter D ₅ (where D ₅ ≦ D ₂ ) that can prevent the feed material 12 from passing and is larger than the maximum outer diameter d _{M in} the horizontal direction of the melt M.
The size of the opening of the outlet opening 8b, in the present embodiment, be provided in any position feed material 12, so that it can block the passage at the outlet opening 8b, inner diameter D ₅ is the feedstock It is set to a dimension smaller than the outer diameter d ₁ of 12.

Here, “can be prevented from passing” means that the whole of the supply material 12 does not have to be completely removed from the outlet opening 8b, and a part of the supply material 12 passes through the outlet opening 8b and protrudes downward. It may be held in the state.
For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 3A, since the supply material 12 is supplied so as to be coaxial with the central axis of the material holding member 8, the supply material 12 is below the outlet opening 8 b. It does not protrude and does not protrude above the inlet opening 8a. However, when the supply material 12 is supplied so that the axial direction is horizontal, the supply material 12 protrudes below the outlet opening 8b or above the inlet opening 8a depending on the dimensions of the material holding member 8. Will be held.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the supply material 12 should just be hold | maintained in the position of the internal peripheral surface 8c which is an inner surface from the inlet opening part 8a to the outlet opening part 8b, and a part of supply material 12 is material. It may protrude outside the holding member 8.

The shape and arrangement position of the inner peripheral surface 8c of the material holding member 8 are such that the supply material 12 supplied through the inlet opening 8a and held by the inner peripheral surface 8c is melted by the high frequency magnetic field from the induction coil 7. At this time, the melt M is set to float away from the inner peripheral surface 8c.
In order to set in this way, when the melt M is formed and the center of gravity is located at the floating center position F, the inner peripheral surface 8c is placed so as to be spaced apart from the outer shape of the melt M. That's fine.
In the present embodiment, as a simple setting method, as shown in FIG. 3A, the central axis of the inner peripheral surface 8c is coaxial with the central axis O of the induction coil 7, and the inner peripheral surface 8c from the floating center position F is set. distance H ₁ to has set the positional relationship larger than with a radius r _S of the molten virtual sphere S.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the melt M has a substantially spheroid shape extending in the vertical direction. However, as the major axis increases and the deformation from the shape of the melt phantom sphere S increases, the melt M becomes horizontal. Thin in the direction. On the other hand, the lower side of the melt M, are provided a wide outlet opening 8b than the maximum outer diameter d _M in the horizontal direction of the melt M.
For this reason, even in the simple setting method as described above, in most cases, the melt M does not contact the inner peripheral surface 8c. However, when there is not enough space between the inner peripheral surface 8c and the melt M, the actual shape of the melt M is simulated so that the inner peripheral surface 8c does not come into contact with the melt M. It is preferable to set the arrangement position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the material supply unit 10 holds a plurality of supply materials 12 and can supply the supply materials 12 one by one from above the induction coil 7 toward the material holding member 8 in the induction coil 7. It is what I did.
In the present embodiment, a system is adopted in which the supply material 12 is parabolically dropped and supplied to the material holding member 8 through the center of the upper coil opening 7c toward the center of the inlet opening 8a of the material holding member 8. . For this reason, the material supply part 10 is arrange | positioned diagonally above the upper coil opening part 7c in the side of the upper coil opening part 7c.
The schematic configuration of the material supply unit 10 includes an inclined groove 10c that is inclined in a fixed direction obliquely upward with respect to the central axis O of the induction coil 7, and a plurality of supply materials 12 are inclined in the inclined groove 10c. The holding member 10a movably held along the lower end of the holding member 10a, and the feed material 12 is discharged one by one at the lower end side of the inclined holding member 10a and dropped toward the inside of the inlet opening 8a of the material holding member 8 And a mechanism 10b.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the inclined groove 10 c has a groove shape sandwiching the bottom surface and the upper surface of the supply material 12, and a plurality of supply materials 12 are arranged so that the central axis of each supply material 12 is orthogonal to the inclination direction. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which each supply material 12 is rotated around its central axis so as to roll and move in an inclined direction. Further, the inclined groove 10 c may have a groove shape sandwiching the side surface of the supply material 12 so that the groove bottom surface can slide smoothly with the bottom surface of the supply material 12.
The configuration of the delivery mechanism 10b is not particularly limited because it is not necessary to control the posture for supplying the supply material 12. For example, the feed mechanism 10b moves forward and backward on the inclined groove 10c, and when advanced, the first and second from the tip end. It is possible to employ a configuration in which a first advance / retreat member 10d and a second advance / retreat member 10e that respectively lock the supply material 12 from the lower side are provided and the advance / retreat operation thereof is controlled.
Such a delivery mechanism 10b is, for example, compared with a mechanism using a mobile robot or the like that holds the supply material 12 by chucking the supply material 12 and moves it into the material holding member 8 so as to be in a fixed posture. Therefore, it can be installed at a low cost with a simple configuration.

The radiation thermometer 11 receives the radiation of the melt M and measures the temperature of the melt M when the feed material 12 supplied into the induction coil 7 is melted to form the melt M. It is provided outside the chamber 2 above the induction coil 7.
The arrangement position of the radiation thermometer 11 is not particularly limited as long as the radiation light of the melt M can be detected. In the present embodiment, the material supply unit 10 is provided on the side of the upper coil opening 7c. For this reason, the melt M is disposed on an extension line of the central axis O of the induction coil 7 in which the melt M is suspended. The measurement result of the radiation thermometer 11 is displayed on a display unit (not shown) so that the operator can measure the molding start timing from the temperature of the melt M.

Next, operation | movement of the shaping | molding processing apparatus 1 is demonstrated with the shaping | molding processing method of this embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram of a forming method using the forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The molding method according to the present embodiment uses the molding apparatus 1 to melt the feed material 12 and introduce the melted feed material 12 into the mold 6 for molding. FIG. As shown, the metal solid supply step S1, the metal solid holding step S2, the metal material floating melting step S3, the melt dropping step S4, and the forming step S5 are performed in this order.

The metal solid supply step S1 is a step of supplying a supply material 12 in which a metal material used for forming is formed into a lump of an amount necessary for forming.
In this step, the Zr-based alloy used for molding in this embodiment is weighed based on the amount required for molding determined from the shape of the molded product and the mold 6 and is formed into a cylindrical shape having a diameter d ₁ and an axial length h _1. A plurality of molded supply materials 12 are prepared in advance.
These supply materials 12 are stored in the material supply unit 10 in the chamber 2.
On the other hand, the mold 6 is positioned and fixed to the mold installation part 5 so that the molten metal introduction hole 6 a is coaxial with the rotation center axis R of the rotation shaft part 4.

Next, after the atmosphere in the chamber 2 is exhausted by a vacuum pump (not shown), an inert gas is introduced to form a non-oxidizing atmosphere in the chamber 2.
After the non-oxidizing atmosphere is formed, the supply material 12 at the tip of the inclined holding member 10a is discharged by the delivery mechanism 10b of the material supply unit 10 and dropped toward the inside of the inlet opening 8a.
For example, when the first supply / retraction member 10d is retracted in a state where the second supply material 12 is locked from the lower side by the second advance / retreat member 10e, the lock of the first supply material 12 is released and 1 Only the second feed 12 is parabolically dropped. Then, with the first advance / retreat member 10d advanced, the second advance / retreat member 10e is retracted, the second and subsequent supply materials 12 are sequentially moved to the lower end side, and the second advance / retreat member is advanced 10e. Let By repeating these steps, the feed materials 12 can be dropped one by one.

Since the inner diameter D ₁ of the upper coil opening 7 c and the inner diameter D ₄ of the inlet opening 8 a are larger than the maximum outer dimensions of the supply material 12, the supply material 12 passes through the upper coil opening 7 c and passes through the material holding member 8. The supply material 12 is supplied to the inner side of the induction coil 7.
At this time, in the present embodiment, since the supply material 12 can be held by the material holding member 8 regardless of the posture, the supply material 12 needs to be supplied in a specific posture. Absent. As a result, the material supply unit 10 can adopt a simple and inexpensive configuration.
Above, metal solid supply process S1 is complete | finished.

Next, the metal solid holding step S2 is performed. In this step, the material holding member 8 is used to hold the supply material 12 supplied in the metal solid supply step S1 on the inner peripheral surface 8c between the inlet opening 8a and the outlet opening 8b of the material holding member 8. It is a process.
The inner diameter D ₅ of the lower end of the outlet opening 8b of the material retention member 8 is sized to be blocking passage of the feed material 12, and, in this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface 8c towards the outlet opening 8b 3 (a), the feed material 12 that has passed through the upper coil opening 7c and the inlet opening 8a is discharged from the inlet opening 8a to the outlet opening. It is held on the inner peripheral surface 8c up to 8b.
However, since the material supply unit 10 causes the supply material 12 to parabolically drop, the posture of the supply material 12 on the inner peripheral surface 8c is not necessarily constant, but the supply material 12 passes through the outlet opening 8b and moves downward. Since it does not come off, it is securely held on the inner peripheral surface 8c.
Thus, the metal solid holding step S2 is completed.

Next, a metal material floating melting step S3 is performed. In this process, an inductive current is supplied to the supply material 12 held by the material holding member 8 to float the supply material 12 from the material holding member 8 and melt it so that the molten material floats above the outlet opening 8b. This is a step of forming M.
First, in a state where the supply material 12 is held by the material holding member 8, a high frequency current is passed through the induction coil 7 to form a high frequency magnetic field in the induction coil 7. As a result, an induced current is generated in the supply material 12, and the supply material 12 is heated by Joule heat and melted when the melting point is exceeded. Further, it is lifted by receiving a force upward from the magnetic field applied from the induction coil 7.
The melted melt M moves to the central axis O side in order to agglomerate into a spherical shape, is affected by gravity, becomes a substantially spheroid-like lump that is slightly longer in the vertical direction, and the center of gravity is the floating center. Positioned at position F.
The inner circumferential surface 8c, because apart than r _s from the floating center position F, the melt M is suspended in a state of being spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface 8c.
The temperature of the melt M is measured by the radiation thermometer 11, and this process is continued until the melt M reaches a temperature at which it can be appropriately molded. For example, in the case of the Zr-based alloy of this embodiment, this process is terminated when the temperature reaches 1200 ° C.

Next, the melt dropping step S4 is performed. This step is a step in which the melt M formed in the metal material floating melting step S3 is dropped and passed through the inside of the outlet opening 8b of the material holding member 8 in a non-contact state.
That is, the current supply to the induction coil 7 is stopped and the levitation force is lost. Thereby, the melt M falls free. In this case, the melt M is adapted to the maximum outer diameter d _M in the horizontal direction, the outlet opening 8b is a larger diameter than the d _M, the center of the floating center position F and the outlet opening 8b, coaxial Because it is above, the melt M passes through the outlet opening 8b in a non-contact manner.
For this reason, since the melt M does not contact the material holding member 8 through the metal material floating melting step S3 and the melt dropping step S4, there is no possibility that impurities are mixed by contacting the material holding member 8.
In addition, since the melt M falls freely, it becomes a weightless state and gradually condenses into a spherical shape under the influence of the surface tension of the melt M, but immediately after the fall, it is dropped while maintaining its elongated shape due to inertia. .

Next, the molding step S5 is performed. This step is a step of performing molding by introducing the melt M into the molten metal introduction hole 6a of the mold 6 opened toward the outlet opening 8b.
For this reason, before starting this process, the rotating shaft portion 4 is rotated by the motor 3 so as to reach a constant rotational speed at which centrifugal casting is performed. For example, the rotation of the motor 3 is started while any one of the metal solid supply step S1, the metal solid holding step S2, and the metal material floating melting step S3 is performed, so that the rotation speed becomes constant at the start of the melt dropping step S4. Keep it.
The melt M dropped from the material holding member 8 passes through the outlet opening 8b and the lower coil opening 7d, falls into the molten metal introduction hole 6a, and is supplied to the mold 6 as molten metal. This molten metal is filled into the molding space 6b by centrifugal force, cooled and solidified by the mold 6, and the shape of the mold surface of the molding space 6b is transferred.
When the molten metal is solidified to such an extent that it does not change, the rotation of the motor 3 is stopped.
Thus, the molding step S5 is completed.

When the molding step S5 is completed, the atmosphere in the chamber 2 is returned to the air atmosphere, the mold 6 is removed from the mold installation unit 5, moved to the outside of the chamber 2, and the molded product is removed from the mold 6. .
Further, when the centrifugal casting is continued, the mold 6 is mounted on the mold setting unit 5 and the above steps are repeated. At that time, replenishment of the supply material 12 can be omitted until the supply material 12 accommodated in the material supply unit 10 runs out. Further, since the melt M does not come into contact with the material holding member 8, the material holding member 8 is not contaminated or deteriorated. Therefore, the molding can be continued without performing the cleaning work or the maintenance work. it can.
Therefore, repeated molding can be performed efficiently.
Moreover, since the material holding member 8 can be comprised with a material with low heat resistance and durability compared with the case where the melt M is made to contact, it can be manufactured at low cost.

  Thus, according to the molding method and the molding apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the material holding member 8 holds the supply material 12, the supply material 12 is floated and melted to form the melt M, By dropping the melt M downward in a non-contact state through the outlet opening 8b of the material holding member 8, the melt M can be introduced into the mold 6 and can be molded. When molding is performed, molding can be performed with a simple and inexpensive apparatus configuration.

[First Modification]
Next, a modified example (first modified example) of the present embodiment will be described.
Fig.6 (a) is typical sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the shaping | molding processing apparatus which concerns on the modification (1st modification) of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6B is a plan view as viewed from C in FIG.

In this modification, instead of the supply material 12 of the first embodiment, a supply material 13 (metal solid) having a shape different from that of the supply material 12 is used. As shown in FIG. 8, instead of the material holding member 8, a material holding member 8A (metal solid holding member) can be mounted.
Hereinafter, a description will be given centering on differences from the first embodiment.

The feed material 13 is made of a Zr-based alloy similar to the feed material 12, and is different from the feed material 12 in that the feed material 13 is a sphere having a diameter d ₂ = 2 · r _S ′, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the material holding member 8A has the same inlet opening 8a, outlet opening 8b, and inner peripheral surface 8c as the material holding member 8 of the first embodiment. However, each dimension is changed in accordance with the supply material 13.
That is, the inner diameter D ₄ of the inlet opening 8a is than d ₂ is the maximum outer diameter of the feed material 13 so that it can pass through the feed 13 is set to be larger in diameter, the inner diameter D ₅ of the outlet opening 8b is supplied In order to prevent passage of the material 13, the diameter is set to be smaller than 2 · r _S ′ which is the maximum outer dimension of the supply material 13 and larger than d _M. Further, the distance H ₁ from the floating center position F to the inner peripheral surface 8 c is set in a positional relationship that is larger than the radius r _S of the molten phantom sphere S, as in the first embodiment.
In addition, when these conditions are satisfied by the shape of the material holding member 8 of the first embodiment, the material holding member 8 can be used as it is for molding.

According to this modification, since the supply material 13 is held by the material holding member 8A in the same manner as the supply material 12, the casting material is centrifugally cast by the supply material 13 by the same molding method as in the first embodiment. It can be performed.
In this modification, since the supply material 13 is a sphere, the supply material 13 is held at a fixed position inscribed in the inner peripheral surface 8c regardless of how the supply material 13 is supplied into the material holding member 8A. For this reason, since the high frequency magnetic field of the induction coil 7 has only to be optimized at a certain position where the supply material 13 is held, the induction coil 7 has to be designed in consideration of variations in the holding position of the supply material 13. Therefore, it can be designed more easily.
Further, since the center of gravity G of the supply material 13 is securely held on the central axis of the inner peripheral surface 8c, and thus on the lower side of the floating center position F on the central axis O of the induction coil 7, the supply material 13 The variation in the levitation force of the supply material 13 based on the variation in the holding position is eliminated. As a result, the time during which the melt M floats and melts and a stable shape is formed becomes substantially constant, and efficient molding can be performed.

[Second Modification]
Next, another modified example (second modified example) of the present embodiment will be described.
Fig.7 (a) is typical sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the shaping | molding apparatus which concerns on the modification (2nd modification) of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG.7 (b) is a top view of E view in Fig.7 (a).

In this modification, the supply material 13 of the first modification is used instead of the supply material 12 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the molding apparatus 1 is replaced with the material holding member 8. The material holding member 18 (metal solid holding member) can be mounted.
Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment and the first modification will be mainly described.

Material holding member 18, FIG. 7 (a), the (b), the inner surface from the outer periphery portion conical shape that increases in diameter toward the upper circular base 18e having an inner diameter D ₆ 18c and an outer surface 18d is extended, in which the inner diameter _{D 4} at the upper end, the inlet opening 18a of the outer diameter _{D 3} is formed a circular outlet opening 18b of the inner diameter _{D 7} in the center of the bottom surface 18e is provided through is there. The center of the outlet opening 18 b is arranged coaxially with the central axis O of the induction coil 7.
Here, the inlet opening 18a inside diameter _{D 4} of the outer diameter _{D 3,} respectively, the first modification inner diameter _{D 4} of the same size as the outer diameter _{D 3.} The inside diameter _{D 6} of the bottom surface 18e is the outer diameter _{d 2} larger than the size of the feed material 13.
Further, the inner diameter D ₇ of the outlet opening 18b is smaller than 2 · r _S ′ and smaller than d _M so that the feed material 13 can be prevented from passing, similarly to the inner diameter D ₅ of the first modified example. It is set to have a large diameter.
The inner surface 18c and the bottom surface 18e which is the inner surface between the inlet opening 18a of the material retention member 18 to the outlet opening 18b is from the respective floating center position F and the distance _{H 2} and _{H 3.} The material holding member 18 is installed in a positional relationship in which the distances H ₂ and H ₃ are both larger than the radius r _S of the molten phantom sphere S.

According to this modification, when the supply material 13 is supplied into the material holding member 18 by the material supply unit 10, the supply material 13 is blocked from passing on the ridge line on the upper end side of the outlet opening 18b intersecting the bottom surface 18e. Since it is held on this ridgeline, centrifugal casting can be performed with the supply material 13 by the same molding method as in the first embodiment.
Also in this modified example, similarly to the first modified example, regardless of how the supply material 13 is supplied into the material holding member 18, the supply material 13 is inscribed in the ridge line on the upper end side of the outlet opening 18b. It is held at a fixed position, and the induction coil 7 can be easily designed.
Further, since the center of gravity of the supply material 13 is securely held on the central axis of the induction coil 7, there is no variation in the buoyancy of the supply material 13 based on the variation in the holding position of the supply material 13, and the melt M floats. The time during which the molten and stable shape is formed becomes substantially constant, and efficient molding can be performed.
Moreover, this modification is an example in the case where the metal solid holding member has a shape that is not a cylindrical body.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 8: is a typical fragmentary sectional view of the front view which shows schematic structure of the shaping | molding processing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the molding apparatus 1A of the present embodiment replaces the material holding member 8 and the material supply unit 10 of the first embodiment with a material holding member 8B (metal solid holding member) and a material, respectively. A supply portion 10A is provided, and a radiation thermometer 11 is provided outside the chamber 2 on the side of the material holding member 8B.
Hereinafter, a description will be given centering on differences from the first embodiment.

  The material holding member 8B has the same shape as the material holding member 8 of the first embodiment and is formed of a material having optical transparency. In this embodiment, glass is used, but it is a non-conductive material that has optical transparency and has heat resistance against radiant heat received while the melt M is suspended in the induction coil 7. Appropriate ceramics or polymer materials can be used. Examples of the ceramic having transparency include alumina, yttrium / aluminum / garnet, yttria, magnesia, and the like.

  The radiation thermometer 11 is configured to receive the light emitted from the inside of the material holding member 8B through the side surface of the material holding member 8B and the gap between the windings of the induction coil 7 to the side. In FIG. 3, the floating center position F is set at substantially the same height.

10 A of material supply parts are arrange | positioned above the upper coil opening part 7c, hold | maintain the some supply material 12 inside, and supply material along the central axis O of the induction coil 7 from the upper part of the upper coil opening part 7c 12 can be supplied one by one.
In the present embodiment, although not shown in particular, a drop opening provided in a position that can be opened and closed coaxially with the central axis O, and a transport mechanism that transfers the internal supply material 12 one by one onto the drop opening are provided, and the drop opening is opened. Thus, a method is adopted in which the supply material 12 is dropped along the central axis O and supplied to the material holding member 8.
Thus, the material supply part 10A can be disposed so as to block the upper side of the upper coil opening 7c because the radiation thermometer 11 is disposed on the side of the material holding member 8B.
In addition, since the material supply unit 10A can be horizontally disposed in a range overlapping the upper coil opening 7c above the upper coil opening 7c as described above, the chamber 2 has a higher capacity than that of the first embodiment. The height can be reduced, and the apparatus can be miniaturized.

  According to the molding apparatus 1A of the present embodiment, the supply material 12 is dropped directly below by the material supply unit 10A, so that the supply material 12 is passed through the upper coil opening 7c and the inlet opening 8a into the material holding member 8B. (Metal solid supply step S1), and the supply material 12 can be held on the inner peripheral surface 8c of the material holding member 8B (metal solid hold step S2). Thereafter, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the metal material floating melting step S3, the melt dropping step S4, and the molding step S5 can be performed to perform a molding process by centrifugal casting.

In the metal solid supply step S1 of the present embodiment, the feed material 12 can be dropped linearly and dropped from a position close to the upper coil opening 7c, so that the feed material 12 does not need to be chucked and moved. It becomes easy to drop while maintaining a specific posture.
For example, the diameter d ₁ of the feed material 12, even if the diameter is smaller than the inner diameter D ₅ of the outlet opening 8b, by dropping toward the central axis of the feed 12 in the horizontal direction, the feed 12, it can be made to be held on reliably inner circumferential surface 8c by a large axial length h ₁ than the inner diameter D _5.
In the metal material floating melting step S3 of the present embodiment, the temperature of the melt M can be measured by the radiation thermometer 11 arranged at substantially the same height as the floating center position F. Therefore, the measurement can be performed without changing the focus of the measurement position in accordance with the position variation of the melt M. For this reason, accurate temperature measurement can be easily performed.
Moreover, since the material holding member 8B has light transmittance, the operator can easily visually recognize the supply material 12 held in the material holding member 8B and the suspended melt M. Therefore, workability is improved as compared with the case where the feed material 12 and the melt M cannot be visually recognized. Moreover, even when a process is not normally performed, it can respond quickly.

[Third Modification]
Next, a modified example (third modified example) of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of a metal solid holding member used in a forming apparatus according to a modification (third modification) of the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the present modification includes a material holding member 8C (metal solid holding member) instead of the material holding member 8B of the second embodiment.
Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the second embodiment.

The material holding member 8C is obtained by replacing the material of the material holding member 8B according to the second embodiment from a plate-shaped molded glass with a net-like body made of a non-conductive material. For this reason, in the material holding member 8C, a plurality of window portions penetrating from the inner peripheral surface 8c to the side surface 8d are formed by a mesh 8e. The mesh 8e constitutes a window portion through which the supply material 12 held on the inner peripheral surface 8c and the melt M can be viewed from the side.
As the material of the mesh body, an appropriate ceramic or polymer material that has heat resistance against the radiant heat received while the melt M floats in the induction coil 7 and can be formed into the mesh body can be employed. In that case, the material of the mesh body itself may not have light transmittance.

  According to this modification, the temperature of the supply material 12 or the melt M in the material holding member 8C is measured from the side through the mesh 8e by the radiation thermometer 11, or the operator can supply the material 12 or the melt. The body M can be visually recognized.

[Fourth Modification]
Next, another modified example (fourth modified example) of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of a metal solid holding member used in a forming apparatus according to a modification (fourth modification) of the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, this modification includes a material holding member 8D (metal solid holding member) instead of the material holding member 8B of the second embodiment.
Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the second embodiment.

The material holding member 8D has the same outer shape as the material holding member 8B of the second embodiment, and is formed with a plurality of slits 8f penetrating from the inner peripheral surface 8c to the side surface 8d. The slit 8f constitutes a window portion through which the supply material 12 held on the inner peripheral surface 8c and the melt M can be viewed from the side.
As the material of the material holding member 8D, the same material as that of the material holding member 8 of the first embodiment can be adopted, and the material itself does not have to be light transmissive.

  According to this modification, the temperature of the supply material 12 and the melt M in the material holding member 8D is measured from the side through the slit 8f by the radiation thermometer 11, or the operator can supply the supply material 12 and the melt. The body M can be visually recognized.

  In the above description of each embodiment, an example in which the inner surface of the metal solid holding member has a partial conical surface shape has been described. However, the shape is not limited to a partial conical surface shape as long as the metal solid can be held. . For example, a curved surface other than a conical surface may be used, and a horizontal cross section may be a polygonal shape.

Moreover, in the description of each of the above embodiments, the case where the metal solid is cylindrical (feed material 12) or spherical (supply material 13) has been described, but the metal solid is not limited to these shapes. For example, an appropriate shape such as a polygonal column shape, a pyramid shape, a truncated cone shape, a truncated pyramid shape, a polyhedron shape, a spheroid shape, and a ring shape can be employed. In addition, in these shapes, a shape in which corner portions are appropriately removed or rounded can be employed.
Moreover, between the metal solid and the inner surface of the metal solid holding member, a shape that fits in a certain positional relationship may be provided. For example, it is possible to adopt a shape in which the metal solid has a cubic shape, the outlet opening of the metal solid holding member has an equilateral triangle shape, and the corner of the metal solid fits into the outlet opening.

  Further, in the fourth modification of the second embodiment described above, the case where the window portion includes the slit 8f provided on the side surface has been described. However, the slit 8f is a slit that penetrates to the inlet opening portion 8a. Also good.

Moreover, in each modification of said 2nd Embodiment, although the shape of a window part demonstrated in the example in case it consists of a mesh and a slit, the shape of a window part is not limited to these. For example, a round hole or a square hole may be used.
Moreover, the window part does not need to be provided on the entire circumference of the side surface of the metal solid holding member, and the arrangement position may be limited to the arrangement direction of the radiation thermometer 11 or a fixed direction that is easy for the operator to see. .

  In the description of each of the above embodiments, the upper opening portion of the metal material floating and melting portion has been described as an example in which the metal solid holding member is opened in a size that can be inserted in the vertical direction. Since the metal solid holding member is not contaminated by contact with a melt or the like, it is not necessary to frequently remove the metal solid holding member. Therefore, the size of the upper opening is set to a small diameter that the metal solid holding member cannot be inserted in the vertical direction, and when removing the metal solid holding part, the metal material floating melting part should be disassembled and removed. Also good.

Moreover, all the components described in the above embodiments and modifications can be implemented by appropriately combining or deleting them within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.
For example, the shape of the material holding member 18 may be formed of glass by combining the second embodiment with the second modification of the first embodiment.
Moreover, if it is the objective for an operator to visually recognize the supply material 12 and the melt M, as the metal solid holding member of the said 1st Embodiment, material holding member 8B of the said 2nd Embodiment, 8C, 8D may be adopted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A Molding apparatus 2 Chamber 4 Rotating shaft part 5 Mold installation part 6 Mold 6a Molten metal introduction hole 7 Induction coil 7c Upper coil opening (upper opening)
7d Lower coil opening (lower opening)
8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 18 Material holding member (metal solid holding member)
8a, 18a Inlet opening 8b, 18b Outlet opening 8c Inner peripheral surface (inner surface between the inlet opening and the outlet opening in the metal solid holding member)
8e mesh (window)
8f Slit (window)
10, 10A Material supply unit 10b Delivery mechanism 11 Radiation thermometer 12, 13 Supply material (metal solid)
18c Inner side surface (inner surface between the inlet opening and the outlet opening in the metal solid holding member)
18d outer surface 18e bottom surface (inner surface between the inlet opening and the outlet opening in the metal solid holding member)
d _M outer diameter (horizontal maximum outer diameter in a solid solid lump state)
d _max (maximum external dimensions of metal solid)
F Floating center position M Melt O Center axis R Rotation center axis r _S radius (radius of sphere having volume when metal solid melts)
S Fused phantom sphere (sphere with volume when metal solid melts)
S1 Metal solid supply process S2 Metal solid holding process S3 Metal material floating melting process S4 Melt dropping process S5 Molding process

Claims (20)

A molding method for melting a metal material and introducing the molten metal material into a mold for molding,
A metal solid supplying step of supplying a metal solid formed into a lump of an amount necessary for forming the metal material;
An entrance opening made of a non-conductive material, through which the metal solid can pass, and provided below the entrance opening to block the passage of the metal solid and in a massive floating molten state of the metal solid A metal solid holding member having an outlet opening formed with an opening larger than the maximum outer diameter in the horizontal direction, and the metal solid supplied by the metal solid supply step is passed from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. A metal solid holding step of holding on the inner surface of the metal solid holding member between,
An inductive current is passed through the metal solid held by the metal solid holding member to float and melt the metal solid without contacting the metal solid holding member, and a lump-like shape floating above the outlet opening. A metal material floating melting process for forming a melt,
A melt dropping step of dropping the melt formed in the metal material floating melting step and passing the melt in a non-contact state through the inside of the outlet opening of the metal solid holding member;
A molding step of performing molding by introducing the melt into a mold opened toward the outlet opening; and
A forming method characterized by comprising: The inner surface between the inlet opening and the outlet opening in the metal solid holding member is
2. The forming method according to claim 1, wherein the forming method is provided at a position away from a floating center of the melt from a radius of a sphere having a volume when the metal solid is melted.   3. The forming method according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the outlet opening is formed to have a size that allows passage of a sphere having a volume at the time of melting of the metal solid. The metal solid holding member is
The molding method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a cylindrical body provided with the inlet opening on the upper end side and with the outlet opening on the lower end side. The cylindrical body is
The molding method according to claim 4, wherein the size of the opening is gradually reduced from the inlet opening toward the outlet opening. The metal solid holding member is
The molding method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a window portion that allows the metal solid held on the inner surface and the floating melt to be visually recognized from the side. In the metal material floating melting step,
Using an induction coil in which an upper opening through which the metal solid can pass is formed on the upper end side and a lower opening through which the melt can pass is formed on the lower end side,
The induction coil surrounds the metal solid holding member with the upper opening facing the inlet opening of the metal holding member and the lower opening facing the outlet opening of the metal holding member. The molding method according to claim 1, wherein the molding method is arranged. A molding apparatus that melts a metal material and introduces the melted metal material into a mold to perform molding,
A metal solid supply section for supplying a metal solid formed into a lump of an amount necessary for forming the metal material;
An entrance opening made of a non-conductive material, through which the metal solid can pass, and provided below the entrance opening to block the passage of the metal solid and in a massive floating molten state of the metal solid An outlet opening formed with an opening larger than the maximum outer diameter in the horizontal direction, and is supplied from the inlet opening by the metal solid supply part on the inner surface between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. A metal solid holding member for holding the metal solid;
It is provided around the metal solid holding member, an induced current is passed through the metal solid held by the metal solid holding member to float and melt the metal solid without contacting the metal solid holding member, A metal material floating melting part that forms a massive melt floating above the outlet opening;
On the lower side of the outlet opening of the metal solid holding member, a mold installation part that installs a mold opened toward the outlet opening, and
A molding apparatus characterized by comprising: The inner surface between the inlet opening and the outlet opening in the metal solid holding member is
9. The forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the forming apparatus is provided at a position away from a floating center of the melt in the metal material melting portion, than a radius of a sphere having a volume when the metal solid is melted. .   10. The molding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the opening of the outlet opening is formed to have a size through which a sphere having a volume at the time of melting of the metal solid can pass. The metal solid holding member is
The molding apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising a cylindrical body provided with the inlet opening on the upper end side and with the outlet opening on the lower end side. The cylindrical body is
The molding apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the size of the opening is gradually reduced from the inlet opening toward the outlet opening. The metal solid holding member is
The molding apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, further comprising a window portion that allows the metal solid held on the inner surface and the floating melt to be visually recognized from the side. The metal material floating melting part is
An upper opening portion through which the metal solid can pass is formed on the upper end side, and an induction coil in which a lower opening portion through which the melt can pass is formed on the lower end side,
The induction coil surrounds the metal solid holding member with the upper opening facing the inlet opening of the metal holding member and the lower opening facing the outlet opening of the metal holding member. The molding apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the molding apparatus is arranged as described above.   The molding apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the upper opening of the induction coil has an opening having a size through which the metal holding member can pass. The metal solid supply unit includes:
The molding apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein the metal solid is supplied from above into the inlet opening of the metal solid holding member.   The said metal solid uses the thing formed in the spherical body, The shaping | molding processing apparatus in any one of Claims 8-16 characterized by the above-mentioned. The metal solid holding member is formed of a mesh body,
The molding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the window portion is formed by a mesh of the mesh body.   The molding processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the window portion is a slit provided penetrating from a side surface of the metal solid holding member to an inner side.   The molding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the metal solid holding member is made of a light transmissive material.

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