JP2012245546A - Powder feeding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To uniformize the filling density of raw material powders to be filled in the die cavity of a die composing a powder compacting press.SOLUTION: The powder feeding apparatus 1 comprises: a powder box 11 which has a housing space 15 of the raw material powder P opening at the upper face 3a side of the die 3 and in which the housing space 15 can move between a supply position A facing a die cavity 7 and an evacuating position B non-facing the cavity 7; a platy shutter member 13 which can move between a communication position communicating the housing space 15 with the die cavity 7 and a blocking position blocking out the space 15 and the cavity 7 in such a state that the powder box 11 is disposed at the supply position A; and a damping plate 32 which is provided in the housing space 15 to be inserted or pulled out and inhibits the vibration of the raw material powder P housed in the space 15 in such a state as to be inserted into the space 15.

Description

  The present invention relates to a powder supply apparatus for supplying raw material powder to a powder molding press apparatus.

Generally, a powder molding press apparatus is configured to compress a raw material powder filled in a die cavity opened on an upper surface of a die to produce a compacted body. A powder supply device for supplying raw powder to the cavity is attached.
For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the powder supply apparatus includes a powder box that can store the raw powder, and the powder box moves on the upper surface of the die cavity so as to move forward and backward with respect to the upper opening of the die cavity. It can be moved horizontally. The powder box has a lower supply port that opens downward. The lower supply port overlaps the upper opening of the die cavity, so that the raw material powder in the powder box falls into the die cavity and is supplied. .

By the way, in the powder molding press apparatus, the raw material filled in the die cavity in the stage before compression so as to obtain a compact molded body having a desired size and so that the density of the compact compact is constant. There is a demand for uniform powder density (packing density).
In response to such a requirement, conventionally, as in Patent Document 1, for example, a powder mechanism is provided with a shutter mechanism that opens and closes the lower supply port of the powder box, thereby achieving a uniform density of the raw material powder in the die cavity. Yes. Specifically, in the powder supply apparatus of this configuration, after the powder box containing the raw material powder is moved to the upper opening of the die cavity with the lower supply port closed by the shutter mechanism, the shutter mechanism By opening the lower supply port, the raw material powder is uniformly dropped from the powder box into the die cavity.

JP 2006-37219 A

However, when a speed change is applied to the powder box by moving or stopping the powder box on the die, an inertial force acts on the raw material powder in the powder box, and this raw material powder moves in the direction of movement of the powder box. Or vibrate in the thickness direction of the raw material powder like sloshing. Then, when the raw material powder in the powder box vibrates, when the raw material powder is dropped from the powder box to the die cavity by opening the lower supply port by the shutter mechanism, the packing density of the raw material powder in the die cavity is reduced. There is a problem of non-uniformity.
If the powder supply device has a shutter mechanism, after the powder box is stopped on the die cavity, the lower supply port may be opened by the shutter mechanism after a predetermined time has elapsed until the vibration of the raw material powder is settled. In this case, however, there is a problem that the time required for supplying the raw material powder to the die cavity becomes long.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides a powder supply apparatus capable of uniformizing the packing density of the raw material powder in the die cavity and supplying the raw material powder to the die cavity in a short time. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve this problem, a powder supply apparatus of the present invention supplies raw material powder to a die cavity that opens in the upper surface of a die that constitutes a mold of a powder molding press apparatus. A powder box that has a storage space for the raw material powder that opens on the upper surface side, the storage space being movable between a supply position facing the die cavity and a retreat position not facing the die cavity; In a state where the powder box is arranged at the supply position, the powder box is movable between a communication position where the storage space communicates with the die cavity and a blocking position which partitions the storage space and the die cavity. The plate-shaped shutter member and the raw material powder stored in the storage space while being inserted into the storage space and inserted into the storage space Characterized in that it comprises a suppressing damping plate vibrations.

And in the said powder supply apparatus, the said damping plate is good to divide | segment at least one part of the raw material powder accommodated in the said storage space in the state inserted in the said storage space in the moving direction of the said powder box.
Further, in the powder supply device, the damping plate may divide at least a part of the raw material powder stored in the storage space in a state of being inserted into the storage space in the thickness direction of the raw material powder.

In these powder supply devices, by inserting the damping plate into the storage space, at least a part of the storage space in which the raw material powder is stored (longitudinal dimension along the moving direction of the powder box) or depth dimension (Dimension along the thickness direction of the raw material powder) is shortened. For this reason, it becomes possible to attenuate the vibration of the raw material powder in the powder box generated when the powder box is moved from the retracted position to the supply position in a short time.
Therefore, in the state where the powder box is arranged at the supply position, the vibration of the raw material powder in the powder box is suppressed, and as a result, the shutter member is moved from the shut-off position to the communication position, and the raw material powder in the powder box is die-cut. Even if the cavities are filled, it is possible to suppress unevenness of the packing density of the raw material powder due to the vibration of the raw material powder.
In addition, since the vibration of the raw material powder in the powder box can be attenuated in a short time, the time from when the powder box is stopped at the supply position to when the shutter member is opened is set short, so that the raw material powder can be dies in a short time. It is also possible to supply to the cavity.

  Furthermore, in the powder supply device, it is preferable that the damping plate is inserted into the storage space between the time when the powder box storing the raw material powder leaves the retracted position and reaches the supply position. .

  In this powder supply device, since the damping plate is located outside the storage space with the powder box arranged at the retreat position, for example, when raw material powder is supplied to the storage space of the powder box only at the retreat position In addition, the damping plate does not hinder the supply of the raw material powder to the powder box. In other words, the raw material powder can be supplied to the storage space of the powder box in a short time.

Further, in the powder supply apparatus, the damping plate is formed to have a hollow inside and have an opening hole that communicates the inside and the outside of the damping plate, and the damping plate is configured to be in the storage space. Air may be supplied from the opening hole into the raw material powder stored in the storage space.
The air supply flow rate into the raw material powder is preferably such that the raw material powder does not flow in the powder box, although fine gaps are formed between the raw material powder particles by this air supply. Specifically, for example, it is preferable that the supply of air does not cause a lump of air such as bubbles in the raw material powder and that the raw material powder does not rise upward.

  In this powder supply device, when the storage space and the die cavity are communicated with the powder box placed at the supply position, the raw material powder in the powder box falls from the powder box into the die cavity due to its own weight. The air in the die cavity can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the die cavity through the minute gaps between the raw material powder particles formed by the air supply. Therefore, the raw material powder in the powder box can be supplied to the die cavity in a short time.

  Furthermore, in the powder supply device, the damping plate is formed to have a hollow inside and have an opening hole that communicates the inside and outside of the damping plate, and the powder box is located at the supply position. When the storage space and the die cavity communicate with each other in the arranged state, the die cavity may communicate with the outside through the opening hole and the inside of the damping plate.

  In this powder supply device, when the storage space and the die cavity are communicated with the powder box placed at the supply position, the raw material powder in the powder box falls from the powder box into the die cavity due to its own weight. In addition, the air in the die cavity can be efficiently discharged from the opening hole of the damping plate to the outside of the die cavity through the inside of the damping plate. Therefore, the raw material powder in the powder box can be supplied to the die cavity in a short time. The air in the die cavity may be forcibly discharged using a vacuum pump or the like, but may be discharged using the fact that the air in the die cavity is compressed as the raw material powder falls. it can.

According to the present invention, since the vibration density of the raw material powder in the powder box is suppressed by the damping plate, the packing density of the raw material powder in the die cavity can be made uniform. It becomes possible to manufacture a compacting body.
Further, since the raw material powder can be supplied to the die cavity in a short time, it is possible to improve the production efficiency of the green compact by the powder molding press.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state which attached the powder supply apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention to the powder shaping press apparatus, and has distribute | arranged the powder box in the retracted position. It is a figure which shows the state which looked at the powder supply apparatus of FIG. 1 in the direction which goes to the retreat position side from the supply position side of a powder box by a cross section, and is a figure which shows the air control mechanism which comprises this powder supply apparatus. In the powder supply apparatus of FIG. 1, it is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state in the middle of moving a powder box from a retracted position to a supply position. It is a figure which shows the air control mechanism while showing the state which looked at the powder supply apparatus of FIG. 3 in the direction which goes to the retreat position side from the supply position side of a powder box. In the powder supply apparatus of FIG. 1, it is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state immediately after a powder box reached | attained a supply position. In the powder supply apparatus of FIG. 1, it is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state immediately after moving a lower shutter member from the interruption | blocking position to the communication position with respect to the powder box arrange | positioned at the supply position. It is a figure which shows the air control mechanism while showing the state which looked at the powder supply apparatus of FIG. 6 from the supply position side of the powder box in the direction which goes to the retreat position side. It is a schematic sectional drawing which is a modification of the powder supply apparatus shown in FIG. In the powder supply apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, it is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the powder box arranged in the supply position, (a) shows a state where the lower shutter member is arranged in the blocking position, (B) has shown the state which has arrange | positioned the lower shutter member to the interruption | blocking position.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a powder supply apparatus 1 according to this embodiment supplies raw material powder to a mold of a powder molding press apparatus 2. The die is configured to include a die 3, a lower punch 4, and an upper punch 5, and the die 3 is formed to have a thick plate shape and a through hole 6 penetrating in the thickness direction. Has been. The lower punch 4 and the upper punch 5 can be inserted into the through-hole 6 from the lower surface 3b side and the upper surface 3a side of the die 3, respectively. Then, by inserting the lower punch 4 into the through hole 6, a die cavity 7 for opening the upper surface 3 a of the die 3 and filling the raw material powder P by the through hole 6 and the lower punch 4 is defined.

  The powder supply device 1 is arranged on the upper surface 3 a of the die 3, stores a powder box 11 having a storage space 15 in which the raw material powder P can be stored, and stores a large amount of the raw material powder P, and stores a storage space 15 in the powder box 11. And a plate-like lower shutter member (shutter member) 13 that opens and closes the lower opening 15B of the storage space 15 that opens to the upper surface 3a side of the die 3. It is roughly structured.

The storage space 15 of the powder box 11 is formed so as to penetrate in the thickness direction of the powder box 11, and opens to the upper surface 3 a side of the die 3 and the upper side of the die 3. That is, the storage space 15 has a lower opening 15B that opens to the upper surface 3a side of the die 3 and an upper opening 15A that opens to the upper side of the die 3.
The powder box 11 includes a supply position A (a position shown in FIGS. 5 to 7) in which the lower opening 15 </ b> B of the storage space 15 faces the die cavity 7 and a retreat position that does not face the die cavity 7 by a drive source (not shown). B (position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is movable in one direction (CD direction) along the upper surface 3 a of the die 3.

The hopper portion 12 is arranged above the die 3 and connected to the hopper main body 17 capable of storing a large amount of raw material powder P and the lower end of the hopper main body 17 so that the raw material powder P in the hopper main body 17 is moved to the retreat position B. And a supply pipe portion 18 that leads to the storage space 15 of the arranged powder box 11.
The lower end opening of the supply pipe portion 18 is positioned so as to face the upper opening portion 15A of the powder box 11 disposed at the retreat position B. Further, the supply pipe portion 18 is inclined so as to extend in a direction (C direction) from the retreat position B side toward the supply position A side as it goes downward from the lower end of the hopper body 17. With this configuration, the raw material powder P in the hopper body 17 can reach the storage space 15 of the powder box 11 disposed at the retreat position B by passing through the supply pipe portion 18 so as to fall due to its own weight. .

A plate-like upper shutter member 21 that opens and closes the lower end opening of the supply pipe portion 18 is fixed to the upper surface of the powder box 11 where the upper opening portion 15A of the storage space 15 opens. The upper shutter member 21 is formed so as to extend in the direction (D direction) from the supply position A side toward the retreat position B side with the powder box 11 as a base point.
The upper shutter member 21 is formed with a through hole 22 that penetrates in the thickness direction and exposes the storage space 15 outward from the upper opening 15A side, and the powder box 11 is disposed at the retreat position B. In this state, the upper opening portion 15 </ b> A of the storage space 15 communicates with the lower end opening of the supply pipe portion 18 through the through hole 22.

  Further, the supply pipe portion 18 is formed to be extendable and contractable in the longitudinal direction, and the lower end portion of the supply pipe portion 18 is pressed toward the upper surface of the upper shutter member 21 by an urging means (not shown) such as a spring. Yes. Thereby, the upper surface of the upper shutter member 21 is in close contact with the lower end opening of the supply pipe portion 18 regardless of the movement of the powder box 11 in the CD direction, and the powder box 11 is located away from the retreat position B (for example, FIG. 3). In the state shown in FIGS. 7 to 7, the lower end opening of the supply pipe portion 18 is closed by the upper shutter member 21. In other words, in this configuration, the powder box 11 moves between the retracted position B and a position spaced from the retracted position B, so that the lower end opening of the supply pipe portion 18 can be opened and closed by the upper shutter member 21.

The lower shutter member 13 is formed with a communication hole 23 penetrating in the thickness direction. Note that only one communication hole 23 may be formed as in the illustrated example, but a plurality of communication holes 23 may be formed, for example.
The lower shutter member 13 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the lower surface of the powder box 11 and the upper surface 3 a of the die 3. Furthermore, the lower shutter member 13 is an open position where the communication hole 23 overlaps the lower opening 15B of the storage space 15 with respect to the powder box 11 and the die 3 using a pneumatic actuator using the air cylinder 25 as a drive source ( For example, the position is movable between a position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and a closed position (for example, a position shown in FIGS. 1 to 5) that closes the lower opening 15 </ b> B of the storage space 15 of the powder box 11. The moving direction of the lower shutter member 13 from the closed position to the open position is set to a direction (C direction) from the retracted position B of the powder box 11 toward the supply position A.

  Here, the cylinder portion 26 of the air cylinder 25 described above is fixed to the upper shutter member 21, and the piston portion 27 of the air cylinder 25 is fixed to the lower shutter member 13. That is, the lower shutter member 13 is attached to the powder box 11 via the air cylinder 25 and the upper shutter member 21, and can be moved between the supply position A and the retreat position B together with the powder box 11. Has been.

  The movement of the lower shutter member 13 with respect to the powder box 11 moves the powder box 11 to the supply position A where the storage space 15 of the powder box 11 and the die cavity 7 of the die 3 face each other, as shown in FIGS. It is done in the arranged state. Therefore, in the state where the powder box 11 is arranged at the supply position A, the lower shutter member 13 is arranged at the above-described open position as shown in FIGS. It corresponds to being arranged in the position (communication position) which makes 15 and the die cavity 7 communicate. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower shutter member 13 being arranged at the closed position corresponds to being arranged at a position (blocking position) that partitions the storage space 15 and the die cavity 7.

Furthermore, the powder supply apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided with the damping plate 32 and the air control mechanism 34, as shown in FIGS.
The damping plate 32 is formed in a flat plate shape and can be moved in the CD direction between the supply position A and the retreat position B together with the powder box 11 and can be inserted into and removed from the storage space 15 of the powder box 11. It is said that. More specifically, the vibration damping plate 32 includes a pair of arm portions 35 extending from both side portions of the powder box 11 to both side portions of the die 3, and the top surface 3 a of the die 3 with respect to each arm portion 35. It is attached to the powder box 11 through a pair of lifting air cylinders 36 provided so as to protrude upward, and a rod-shaped support portion 37 spanning the upper ends of the pair of lifting air cylinders 36. In the present embodiment, the support portion 37 is located above the powder box 11, and the damping plate 32 is formed integrally with the support portion 37 so as to be suspended from the support portion 37.
By being configured as described above, the damping plate 32 can move in the CD direction together with the powder box 11. Further, the damping plate 32 is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the powder box 11 by using a pneumatic actuator using the lifting air cylinder 36 as a drive source. Thereby, the damping plate 32 can be inserted into and removed from the inside and outside of the storage space 15 from the upper opening 15 </ b> A side through the through hole 22 of the upper shutter member 21.

And this damping plate 32 is arranged so that the plate | board thickness direction follows the moving direction (CD direction) of the powder box 11, and in the state inserted in the storage space 15 as shown in FIG. It plays the role of dividing the raw material powder P in the box 11 in the moving direction of the powder box 11.
3 and 4, only a part of the raw material powder P is divided in the CD direction with the damping plate 32 inserted into the storage space 15. In other words, only a part (center portion) in the width direction of the storage space 15 is divided in the CD direction by the damping plate 32, and the remaining portions (both end portions) in the width direction of the storage space 15 are not divided.

The damping plate 32 is set to be inserted into the storage space 15 after the powder box 11 storing the raw material powder P leaves the retreat position B and reaches the supply position A.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the state where the powder box 11 is disposed at the retreat position B, the upper opening 15 </ b> A of the powder box 11 is closed by the hopper portion 12, so The vibration plate 32 is located above the powder box 11 so as not to interfere with the hopper portion 12. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the damping plate 32 is located between the retreat position B and the supply position A after the powder box 11 containing the raw material powder P is separated from the retreat position B. It is inserted into the storage space 15 in between. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in the state where the powder box 11 reaches the supply position A and stops, the damping plate 32 remains inserted in the storage space 15.

The air control mechanism 34 includes an air supply source 38 (for example, a compressor and a cylinder), a pressure reducing valve 39 (for example, a pressure reducing valve with a relief), a direction control valve 40, a silencer, in addition to the above-described vibration damping plate 32 and support portion 37. 41 and the like.
If it demonstrates concretely, the inside of the damping plate 32 and the support part 37 will be formed in hollow, and these internal spaces are mutually connected. An opening hole 33 is formed in the lower end portion of the damping plate 32 that is inserted into and removed from the storage space 15 of the powder box 11 so as to communicate the inside and the outside. The inside of the vibration damping plate 32 is connected to either the air supply source 38 or the silencer 41 according to the set position of the direction control valve 40. For example, in the state where the directional control valve 40 is set to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the inside of the damping plate 32 communicates with the outside through the support portion 37, the directional control valve 40 and the silencer 41. Is done. On the other hand, in the state where the direction control valve 40 is set to the position shown in FIG. 4, the inside of the damping plate 32 is connected to the air supply source 38 through the support portion 37, the direction control valve 40, and the pressure reducing valve 39. Is done.
A pressure gauge 42 is provided in the pipe between the direction control valve 40 and the pressure reducing valve 39, and the air supply source 38 is connected with the inside of the damping plate 32 and the air supply source 38. The pressure of the air supplied into the damping plate 32 can be measured.

And in the powder supply apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the position of this direction control valve 40 is controlled in conjunction with the movement of the powder box 11 and the damping plate 32 or the movement of the lower shutter member 13. It has become.
That is, after the damping plate 32 is inserted into the storage space 15 of the powder box 11 storing the raw material powder P as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower shutter member 13 is blocked as shown in FIGS. During the period from the position to the communication position, the position of the direction control valve 40 is controlled so that the connection state between the inside of the damping plate 32 and the air supply source 38 is maintained. On the other hand, a state in which the damping plate 32 is disposed outside the storage space 15 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or a state in which the lower shutter member 13 is disposed at the communication position as shown in FIGS. Then, the position of the direction control valve 40 is controlled so that the inside of the damping plate 32 communicates outward through the silencer 41.

Next, a powder supply method for supplying the raw material powder P to the die cavity 7 by the powder supply apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the raw material powder P is supplied to the die cavity 7, first, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the powder box 11 is arranged at the retreat position B, and the upper opening 15 </ b> A of the storage space 15 and the supply pipe portion 18 are arranged. The raw material powder P in the hopper 12 is supplied to the storage space 15 of the powder box 11 by communicating with the lower end opening. At this time, since the lower shutter member 13 is disposed at a closing position that closes the lower opening 15B of the storage space 15, the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 is deposited on the lower shutter member 13. It will be.
In the state where the powder box 11 is arranged at the retreat position B, the damping plate 32 is disposed outside the storage space 15 and the inside of the damping plate 32 is communicated outward through the silencer 41. Yes.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the powder box 11 containing the raw material powder P is moved from the retreat position B toward the supply position A in the C direction. At this time, the lower shutter member 13 moves together with the powder box 11 and does not move relative to the powder box 11. Further, when the powder box 11 is separated from the retreat position B, the lower end opening of the supply pipe portion 18 is closed by the upper shutter member 21.
Further, the vibration control plate 32 is inserted into the storage space 15 of the powder box 11 that is separated from the retreat position B and located between the retreat position B and the supply position A so as to be interlocked with the movement of the powder box 11. . In this state after insertion, the lower end portion of the damping plate 32 may be in contact with the upper surface of the lower shutter member 13, but is arranged so that a gap is formed between the lower shutter member 13 and the lower shutter member 13. May be.

  Immediately after the damping plate 32 is inserted into the storage space 15, the position of the direction control valve 40 is switched to connect the inside of the damping plate 32 to the air supply source 38. The material is supplied into the raw material powder P stored in the storage space 15 through the opening hole 33 of the damping plate 32. In addition, the supply flow rate of air into the raw material powder P may prevent the raw material powder P from flowing in the powder box 11 although a minute gap is formed between the particles of the raw material powder P by this supply of air. preferable. Specifically, it is preferable to adjust the air supply flow rate so that, for example, the supply of air does not cause air bubbles such as bubbles in the raw material powder P, and the raw material powder P does not rise upward. .

  Thereafter, the powder box 11 is stopped at the supply position A as shown in FIG. Thus, when the powder box 11 moves from the retreat position B to the supply position A, the inertial force accompanying this movement acts on the raw material powder P in the powder box 11. For this reason, in the state where the powder box 11 has reached the supply position A, the area on the supply position A side in the storage space 15 is an area where the storage amount of the raw material powder P is small, and the area on the retreat position B side is the raw material powder. It is an area with a large amount of P stored.

6 and 7, the lower shutter member 13 is moved in the C direction from the shut-off position (closed position) to the communication position (open position) by the driving force of the air cylinder 25. In this movement, the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 deposited on the lower shutter member 13 moves in the C direction together with the lower shutter member 13, in other words, stored from the side of the region having a large storage amount. Move to the smaller area side. Thereby, the uneven distribution of the storage amount distribution of the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 generated based on the movement of the powder box 11 from the retreat position B to the supply position A can be eliminated.
Further, when the lower shutter member 13 moves from the blocking position to the communication position, the raw material powder P falls from the storage space 15 based on its own weight and is supplied to the die cavity 7. That is, it is possible to supply the raw material powder P to the die cavity 7 while eliminating the uneven distribution of the raw material powder P in the powder box 11.

  Furthermore, when the lower shutter member 13 is moved to connect the storage space 15 and the die cavity 7, the position of the direction control valve 40 is switched to allow the inside of the damping plate 32 to communicate outward. The switching of the direction control valve 40 may be performed simultaneously with, for example, moving the lower shutter member 13 from the blocking position to the communication position, or may be performed simultaneously with the lower shutter member 13 stopping at the communication position. . As a result, the die cavity 7 is communicated to the outside through the opening hole 33 and the inside of the damping plate 32.

  As described above, in the powder supply apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the damping plate 32 is inserted into the storage space 15 before reaching the supply position A, and at least one of the raw material powder P in the storage space 15 is inserted. Since the portion is divided in the moving direction of the powder box 11, the longitudinal dimension (the dimension along the moving direction of the powder box 11) of at least a part of the storage space 15 is shortened. Thereby, the inertial force accompanying the movement of the powder box 11 from the retreat position B to the supply position A acts on the raw material powder P in the powder box 11, and this raw material powder P moves in the powder box 11 (CD direction). The vibration of the raw material powder P can be damped in a short time as compared with the case where the damping plate 32 is not inserted as in the prior art.

Therefore, in the state where the powder box 11 is arranged at the supply position A, the vibration of the raw material powder P described above is suppressed, so the lower shutter member 13 is opened and the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 is transferred to the die cavity 7. When filling the material, non-uniformity of the packing density of the raw material powder P due to the vibration of the raw material powder P can be suppressed. In other words, the packing density of the raw material powder P in the die cavity 7 can be made uniform, and a powder compact with a constant density can be produced in the powder molding press apparatus 2.
Moreover, since the vibration of the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 can be attenuated in a short time, the time from when the powder box 11 is stopped at the supply position A to when the lower shutter member 13 is opened is set short, It is also possible to supply the raw material powder P to the die cavity 7 in a short time.

Furthermore, according to the powder supply apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the damping plate 32 is inserted into the storage space 15 after the powder box 11 is separated from the retreat position B. The supply of the raw material powder P to the 11 storage spaces 15 is not hindered. That is, the raw material powder P of the hopper 12 can be supplied to the storage space 15 in a short time.
Moreover, according to the powder supply apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the raw powder P stored in the powder box 11 is in the period from when the lower shutter member 13 is opened until the storage space 15 and the die cavity 7 are communicated. Since air is supplied, when the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 falls into the die cavity 7 from the powder box 11 due to its own weight, it is between the particles of the raw material powder P formed by the supply of air. The air in the die cavity 7 can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the die cavity 7 through the minute gap.

Further, when the lower shutter member 13 is opened and the storage space 15 and the die cavity 7 are communicated with each other, the die cavity 7 is communicated outwardly through the opening hole 33 and the inside of the damping plate 32. When the powder P falls from the powder box 11 into the die cavity 7 due to its own weight, the air in the die cavity 7 is passed through the opening hole 33 of the damping plate 32 through the inside of the damping plate 32. It can be discharged efficiently to the outside. The discharge of the air in the die cavity 7 utilizes the fact that the air in the die cavity 7 is compressed as the raw material powder P falls.
From the above, the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 can be supplied to the die cavity 7 in a short time.

Moreover, according to the powder supply apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 is stored from the region where the storage amount is large by moving the lower shutter member 13 from the blocking position to the communication position. Move to the smaller area side. For this reason, it is possible to make the distribution of the raw material powder P stored in the powder box 11 uniform, and to further make the packing density of the raw material powder P uniform in the die cavity 7.
Furthermore, since the movement of the lower shutter member 13 described above makes the storage amount distribution of the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 uniform and supplies the raw material powder P to the die cavity 7 at the same time, the raw material powder P It is possible to make the distribution of the storage amount of the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 uniform without reducing the time efficiency of supplying to the die cavity 7.

  Furthermore, in this powder supply apparatus 1, since the lower shutter member 13 is attached to the powder box 11, the powder box 11 and the lower shutter member 13 are bundled with respect to the die 3 of the powder molding press apparatus 2. The powder supply device 1 can be easily handled. Moreover, since it can attach or detach similarly with respect to the die | dye 3 of various shapes, it becomes possible to provide the powder supply apparatus 1 with high versatility.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the damping plate 32 inserted into the storage space 15 is not limited to being arranged so as to divide at least a part of the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 in the moving direction of the powder box 11, but at least the storage space. 15 may be arranged so as to suppress the vibration of the raw material powder P stored in 15. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the damping plate 43 inserted into the storage space 15 has at least a part of the raw material powder P stored in the storage space 15 in the thickness direction of the raw material powder P (powder box). 11 in the vertical direction). In this configuration, for example, the damping plate 43 can be inserted into and removed from the storage space 15 by moving the damping plate 43 in the width direction with respect to the powder box 11.

  According to the said structure, the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 vibrates in the thickness direction of the raw material powder P like sloshing by the inertial force accompanying the movement of the powder box 11 from the retreat position B to the supply position A. In addition, since the depth dimension of the storage space 15 (the dimension along the vertical direction of the powder box 11) is shortened by the insertion of the damping plate 43, the vibration of the raw material powder P can be attenuated in a short time. Therefore, when the lower shutter member 13 is opened and the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 is filled into the die cavity 7 as in the case of the above embodiment, the raw material powder P is filled due to the vibration of the raw material powder P. Density of density can be suppressed.

The air control mechanism 34 plays a role of supplying air into the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 and a function of discharging the air inside the die cavity 7 outward. You may play a role.
Furthermore, the damping plates 32 and 43 only have to play a role of suppressing at least the vibration of the raw material powder P in the powder box 11, and the damping plates 32 and 43 and the support portion 37 are not formed hollow, for example. May be.

Moreover, the damping plates 32 and 43 divide only a part of the raw material powder P in the CD direction while being inserted into the storage space 15, but for example, the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 is divided into the CD direction. May be completely divided. In other words, the storage space 15 may be completely divided in the CD direction by the damping plates 32 and 43.
Further, the number of the damping plates 32 and 43 is not limited to one, and a plurality of damping plates may be provided, for example. The plurality of damping plates 32 and 43 may be arranged at least at intervals, and may be arranged so as to be divided into three or more in the moving direction or the vertical direction of the powder box 11, for example. Alternatively, the powder boxes 11 may be arranged in a zigzag shape in the moving direction or the vertical direction.
The damping plates 32 and 43 are not limited to being formed in a flat plate shape, and may be formed in any shape that suppresses vibration.

Furthermore, the direction in which the lower shutter member 13 is moved from the blocking position to the communication position with the powder box 11 disposed at the supply position A is the direction from the retreat position B of the powder box 11 toward the supply position A (C direction). The setting is not limited, and the direction may be set in any direction as long as there is no bias in the distribution of the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 that has reached the supply position A from the retreat position B.
However, when there is a bias in the distribution amount of the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 that has reached the supply position A from the retreat position B, the direction in which the lower shutter member 13 is moved from the blocking position to the communication position is It is preferable that the direction is set in a direction from the region where the amount of the raw material powder P is stored in the storage space 15 of the powder box 11 arranged at the position A to the region where the amount of storage is small.
For example, the distribution of the storage amount of the raw material powder P in the storage space 15 of the powder box 11 that has reached the supply position A from the retreat position B is directed from the retreat position B side to the supply position A side, contrary to the above embodiment. Therefore, when it increases, the moving direction of the lower shutter member 13 from the blocking position to the communication position may be set to the direction (D direction) from the supply position A of the powder box 11 to the retreat position B.

  Furthermore, although the lower shutter member 13 is attached to the powder box 11 and moves between the retreat position B and the supply position A together with the powder box 11, at least the powder box 11 is arranged at the supply position A. It is only necessary to be provided so as to be movable between a communication position where the storage space 15 and the die cavity 7 communicate with each other and a blocking position where the storage space 15 and the die cavity 7 are partitioned. Therefore, the lower shutter member 13 may be attached to the die 3 so as to open and close the opening portion of the die cavity 7 that opens to the upper surface 3a of the die 3, for example.

  Further, although the communication hole 23 is formed in the lower shutter member 13, the lower shutter member 13 has at least a communication position where the storage space 15 and the die cavity 7 are communicated, and the storage space 15 and the die cavity 7. For example, a position where the lower shutter member 13 itself is retracted from between the die cavity 7 and the storage space 15 without forming the communication hole 23 is sufficient. Further, it may be moved between a position arranged between the die cavity 7 and the storage space 15.

Further, the drive source for moving the lower shutter member 13 between the communication position and the blocking position is not limited to the pneumatic actuator using the air cylinder 25 as in the above embodiment, but is a pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical Any one of the actuators of formulas or the like, or a combination of these may be used.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, as the system which supplies the raw material powder P to the powder box 11 from the hopper part 12, the shutter feeder which supplies the raw material powder P with respect to the powder box 11 by the powder box 11 moving ( (Shuttle feeder) method is employed, for example, regardless of the movement of the powder box 11, the connection state between the powder box 11 and the supply pipe portion 18 of the hopper 12 is maintained, and the raw material powder P is put into the powder box 11. On the other hand, a method of supplying continuously may be used.

  Furthermore, the switching of communication / blocking between the storage space 15 of the powder box 11 and the die cavity 7 of the die 3 is not limited to being performed only by one lower shutter member 13, but for example, as shown in FIG. It may be implemented by a configuration in which a plate-like lower shutter member (shutter member) 51 having a plurality of communication holes 52 and 54 penetrating in the plate thickness direction and an interposed plate 53 are stacked in the plate thickness direction.

  In this configuration, in a state where the powder box 11 is arranged at the supply position A, the lower shutter member 51 is disposed on the lower side so that the lower shutter member 51 is sandwiched between the lower surface of the powder box 11 and the interposition plate 53. An intervening plate 53 is disposed on the surface. Further, in this state, as shown in FIG. 9B, the lower shutter member 51 is connected to the storage space 15 by the communication holes 52 and 54 of the lower shutter member 51 and the interposed plate 53 overlapping in the plate thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 9A, the lower shutter member 51 and the interposition plate 53 cover the openings of the communication holes 52 and 54 so that the storage space 15 and the die cavity are connected. 7 is movable between the blocking positions that divide 7.

  Both the lower shutter member 51 and the intervening plate 53 may be attached to either the powder box 11 or the die 3, but at least in the state where the powder box 11 is arranged at the supply position A, the storage space For example, the lower shutter member 51 may be attached to the lower surface of the powder box 11 and the interposition plate 53 may be attached to the opening portion of the die cavity 7.

In the above configuration, since the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 is deposited on the lower shutter member 51 as in the case of the above embodiment, the lower shutter member 51 is moved from the blocking position to the communication position. Inertial force based on the movement of the lower shutter member 51 can act on the raw material powder P in the powder box 11.
Therefore, when there is a bias in the distribution amount of the raw material powder P in the powder box 11 that has reached the supply position A from the retreat position B, the direction in which the lower shutter member 13 is moved from the blocking position to the communication position is supplied. The raw material powder in the powder box 11 is set in advance in a direction from the region where the raw material powder P is stored in the storage space 15 of the powder box 11 arranged at the position A to the region where the storage amount is small. It is possible to move P from the region side where the storage amount is large to the region side where the amount is small. Therefore, the distribution of the amount of raw material powder P stored in the powder box 11 can be made uniform.

  Further, in this configuration, since the plurality of communication holes 52 and 54 are formed in the lower shutter member 51 and the interposition plate 53, respectively, when the lower shutter member 51 is moved from the communication position to the blocking position, As in the embodiment, it is not necessary to move the lower shutter member 51 to a position where the communication hole 52 of the lower shutter member 51 does not overlap the lower opening 15B of the storage space 15. That is, the moving length of the lower shutter member 51 that moves between the communication position and the blocking position can be set short. Further, the lower shutter member 51 can be formed small, and the powder supply device can be downsized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Powder supply apparatus 2 Powder shaping press apparatus 3 Die 7 Die cavity 11 Powder box 13 Lower shutter member (shutter member)
15 Storage space 15B Lower openings 32, 43 Damping plate 33 Open hole 34 Air control mechanism 37 Support portion 38 Air supply source 40 Direction control valve 41 Silencer 51 Lower shutter member (shutter member)
52 Communication hole 53 Intervening plate 54 Communication hole A Supply position B Retraction position P Raw material powder

Claims (6)

A powder supply device for supplying raw material powder to a die cavity opening on the upper surface of a die constituting a mold of a powder molding press device,
A powder box having a storage space for the raw material powder that opens on the upper surface side of the die, and the storage space being movable between a supply position facing the die cavity and a retreat position not facing the die cavity. When,
In a state where at least the powder box is disposed at the supply position, the powder box can be moved between a communication position for communicating the storage space and the die cavity and a blocking position for partitioning the storage space and the die cavity. A plate-shaped shutter member formed;
A powder supply device comprising: a damping plate provided so as to be insertable / removable with respect to the storage space, and suppressing vibrations of the raw material powder stored in the storage space while being inserted into the storage space. .   The said damping plate is inserted in the said storage space after the said powder box which accommodated the raw material powder leaves the said retreat position, and reaches | attains the said supply position. Powder supply device.   The said damping plate divides | segments at least one part of the raw material powder accommodated in the said storage space in the state inserted in the said storage space in the moving direction of the said powder box, The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The powder supply apparatus described in 1.   The said damping plate divides | segments at least one part of the raw material powder accommodated in the said storage space in the state inserted in the said storage space in the thickness direction of the said raw material powder. 4. The powder supply apparatus according to any one of 3 above. The damping plate is formed to have a hollow inside and an opening hole that communicates the inside and outside of the damping plate.
5. The air according to claim 1, wherein air is supplied into the raw material powder stored in the storage space from the opening hole in a state where the damping plate is inserted into the storage space. The powder supply apparatus according to Item 1. The damping plate is formed to have a hollow inside and an opening hole that communicates the inside and outside of the damping plate.
When the storage space and the die cavity communicate with each other with the powder box disposed at the supply position, the die cavity communicates with the outside through the opening hole and the inside of the damping plate. The powder supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:

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