JP2013233572A - Conveyance device of cast slab, marking method of cast slab, and gathering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conveyance device of cast slabs capable of improving the productivity of the cast slabs by efficiently performing the marking to the cast slabs.SOLUTION: A conveyance device of cast slabs includes a conveyance means that moves a plurality of cast slabs 10 in a lateral direction and conveys the plurality of cast slabs 10 to a marking position, a gathering means 20 that bundles the plurality of cast slabs by sandwiching the plurality of cast slabs 10 adjoining in the lateral direction in the marking position by a first holding part and a second holding part in the adjoining direction, and a marking means 30 that marks an end of the plurality of cast slabs.

Description

  The present invention relates to a slab conveying apparatus, a slab marking method, and a gathering apparatus.

  On the surface of the slab, marking such as printing or engraving is made for identification. For marking the slab, for example, a printing device such as an ink jet or a marking device is used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for performing marking by ejecting ink onto a cut surface of a slab using a slab marking device including a print head.

  In slab production equipment, slabs are usually mass-produced. However, in order to improve production capacity and reduce production costs, it is required to efficiently produce slabs in large quantities. For this reason, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, a large amount of slab is continuously conveyed by conveying means such as a roller and a conveyor. Thereafter, the cooled slab is loaded using a forklift or the like and stored in a predetermined place. In order to make it easy to find a desired slab in such a loaded state, the end of the slab is marked.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-24354 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-15854

  As described above, the slab is transported using a transport device that can continuously transport a plurality of slabs. When marking a slab with such a conveying device, it is required to perform marking on the slab continuously and quickly from the viewpoint of improving production efficiency. On the other hand, in order to make it easier to find the desired slab from among the slabs in the loaded state, it is preferable to mark the end of the slab, but in that case, it is accurate so that the marking position does not shift. It is required to make a correct alignment.

  However, since the slab is deformed in the cooling process after hot working, if a plurality of slabs are simply arranged, a gap is generated between them. For this reason, even if it tried to mark a some slab simultaneously, it was in the situation where it was difficult to align in the case of marking.

  As a means for avoiding such a problem, for example, it is conceivable to perform marking after detecting the position of the end face of the slab by image processing and thereby finely adjusting the position of the marking device or slab. However, in that case, a mechanism for finely adjusting the sensor and the position is required, so that the equipment cost is increased and the time for the marking process is increased. Under such circumstances, in a facility for continuously producing slabs, a technology has been established that enables marking on the end of the slab continuously and accurately without significant equipment modifications. There is a need to improve the productivity of slabs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a slab conveying apparatus capable of improving the productivity of a slab by efficiently marking the slab with high accuracy. For the purpose. Another object of the present invention is to provide a slab marking method capable of improving the slab productivity by efficiently marking the slab with high accuracy. Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gathering apparatus for marking a slab that can improve the productivity of the slab by efficiently marking the slab with high accuracy. .

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present inventors diligently studied a means capable of quickly marking a slab with high accuracy without involving a significant equipment change. As a result, it has been found that the above object can be achieved by using relatively simple means.

  That is, according to one aspect of the present invention, in one aspect, a plurality of slabs are moved in the lateral direction and transported to a marking position for marking the plurality of slabs. Gathering means for bundling a plurality of slabs by sandwiching the slab between adjacent first and second gripping parts, and marking means for marking the ends of the plurality of slabs. A piece transfer device is provided.

  Usually, gaps are generated between a plurality of slabs adjacent in the lateral direction of the slab due to vibration during transport and thermal deformation accompanying cooling of the slab during transport. For this reason, when marking a plurality of slabs collectively at a marking position for marking the slab, the marking position may be shifted depending on the degree of thermal deformation of the slab.

  However, the slab conveying device of the present invention has a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion at the marking position, and sandwiches a plurality of laterally adjacent slabs in the adjacent direction. Gathering means for bundling pieces is provided. For this reason, it becomes possible to reduce the clearance gap between adjacent slabs, and to contact slabs, and to align a some slab correctly to a predetermined position.

  Thereby, it is possible to mark a plurality of slabs with high accuracy and speed. Further, it is possible to sufficiently suppress a problem that the marking is shifted. According to the slab conveying apparatus of the present invention, the productivity of the slab can be improved by such an action.

  The slab conveying device of the present invention preferably includes at least two gathering means so as to bundle the vicinity of both ends of the plurality of slabs. As a result, the gap between adjacent slabs can be sufficiently reduced, and the marking alignment accuracy can be further increased. Therefore, even a slab having an elongated shape such as a billet can be marked with high accuracy at a predetermined position.

  The gathering means in the slab conveying device of the present invention preferably drives at least one of the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion with an actuator. Thereby, even a large slab can be bundled quickly and easily.

  Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in another aspect, the plurality of slabs are moved in the lateral direction and transported to a marking position where the plurality of slabs are marked, and the marking position includes a plurality of laterally adjacent ones. Gathering step of bundling a plurality of slabs by sandwiching the slabs in the adjacent direction between the first gripping part and the second gripping part, and marking the ends of the plurality of slabs in a state of bundling the slabs A marking step, and a slab marking method.

  The marking method of the slab of the present invention is a gathering method in which a plurality of slabs adjacent in the lateral direction are sandwiched between the first gripping part and the second gripping part in the adjacent direction at the marking position, and the plurality of slabs are bundled. It has a process. For this reason, it becomes possible to reduce the clearance gap between adjacent slabs, and to contact slabs, and to align a some slab correctly to a predetermined position. Thereby, even when casting a slab having a small end face, a plurality of slabs can be marked accurately and quickly. Further, it is possible to sufficiently suppress a problem that the marking is shifted. According to the slab marking method of the present invention, the slab productivity can be improved by such an action.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gathering device for marking a slab provided in a slab conveying device, comprising a first gripping part and a second gripping part, Provided is a gathering device for bundling a plurality of slabs by sandwiching a plurality of slabs arranged adjacent to each other in a direction adjacent to each other by a first holding part and a second holding part.

  The slab gathering apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus used when marking a slab in a slab transport facility. Such a gathering device includes a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion, and thereby bundles a plurality of slabs by sandwiching a plurality of slabs adjacent in the lateral direction in the adjacent direction. is there. According to such a gathering device, when marking, a plurality of cast pieces can be accurately aligned. As a result, the slab can be marked accurately and quickly. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently perform a series of operations such as conveyance of the slab and marking, and the productivity of the slab can be improved.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the slab conveyance apparatus which can improve the productivity of a slab can be provided by performing marking to a slab efficiently with high precision. Moreover, the marking method of the slab which can improve the productivity of a slab can be provided by performing marking to a slab efficiently with high precision. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a gathering apparatus for marking a slab that can improve the productivity of the slab by efficiently marking the slab with high accuracy.

It is a top view which shows typically suitable embodiment of the conveying apparatus of the slab of this invention. It is a side view which shows typically a part of suitable embodiment of the conveying apparatus of the slab of this invention. It is a side view of the gathering means in suitable embodiment of the slab conveying apparatus of this invention. It is a side view of the gathering means in suitable embodiment of the slab conveying apparatus of this invention. It is a front view of the gathering means in another embodiment of the conveyance apparatus of the slab of this invention. It is a front view of the gathering means in another embodiment of the conveyance apparatus of the slab of this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Further, the positional relationship such as up, down, left and right is based on the positional relationship shown in the drawings unless otherwise specified. Further, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are not limited to the illustrated ratios.

  FIG. 1 is a top view schematically showing a slab conveying apparatus of the present embodiment. The slab conveying apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus for marking a slab while conveying the slab manufactured by a continuous casting machine or the like. The slab conveying device 100 includes a first conveying unit 50 that conveys a plurality of slabs 10 manufactured by a casting machine in the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction) of the slab 10, that is, the x direction, and the plurality of slabs 10. The 2nd conveyance part 60 which conveys the horizontal direction of the slab 10, ie, the y direction, and the marking part 70 which marks the one end surface of the slab 10 in the marking position at the marking position are provided.

  The first conveyance unit 50 is arranged on the upstream side of the slab conveyance device 100. The plurality of slabs 10 are conveyed in the x direction on the roller table 12 by a roller table 12 fixed substantially horizontally. In the present embodiment, two cast pieces 10 are cast per strand in the casting machine. In the first transport unit 50, four sets of slabs 10, that is, a total of eight slabs 10 are transported simultaneously. The eight slabs 10 transported in the x direction by the first transport unit 50 stop moving in the x direction with respect to the stopper 14. As a result, the tips of the eight slabs 10 are aligned.

  The second transport unit 60 is disposed on the downstream side of the first transport unit 50. The eight cast slabs 10 whose ends are aligned by the stoppers 14 are conveyed in the lateral direction of the slab 10, that is, in the y direction by the four series conveyor chains 16 disposed below the slab 10. In this specification, the horizontal direction of the slab 10 refers to a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the slab 10 when the slab 10 conveyed as shown in FIG.

  The part where the first transport unit 50 and the second transport unit 60 intersect is a part called a transfer table. The conveyor chain 16 has a plurality of claws 18 protruding upward. The claw 18 is caught on the slab 10 arranged on the transfer table, and as a result, the slab 10 is conveyed in the moving direction of the conveyor chain 16, that is, in the y direction.

  Rails 15 extending in the horizontal direction along the conveyor chain are disposed in the second transport unit 60 so as to sandwich the conveyor chains 16. Since the rail 15 is disposed at a slightly higher position than the conveyor chain 16, the slab 10 slides on the surface of the rail 15 when it is caught by the claw 18 of the conveyor chain 16 and moved.

  The eight slabs 10 conveyed in the y direction by the second conveyance unit 60 are conveyed to the marking unit 70 on the downstream side of the second conveyance unit 60. In the marking portion 70, the claw 18 protruding above the conveyor chain 16 is moved downward by the ducking mechanism at the reference position A, and the claw 18 is separated from the slab 10. At this time, the slab 10 stops on the rail 15 at a marking position within a predetermined range from the reference position A. The marking position refers to a position where marking is performed on the slab 10, and is within a predetermined range including the reference position A to a portion downstream of the reference position A.

  The marking unit 70 includes a marking device 30 as a marking unit on one end side of the slab 10, and a gathering device 20 as a gathering unit below the slab 10. Although two gathering devices 20 are shown in FIG. 1, the number of gathering devices 20 may be one, or three or more.

  The gathering device 20 is a device that bundles a plurality of slabs 10 by sandwiching eight slabs 10 in the continuous direction. From the viewpoint of reducing gaps between adjacent slabs 10 and bringing the slabs 10 into sufficient contact with each other, the gathering device 20 has two or more so as to sandwich both ends of the slab 10 as shown in FIG. It is preferable to arrange. Moreover, it is preferable that the at least one gathering apparatus 20 is disposed so as to sandwich the end portion of the cast piece 10 on the end face side to be marked. By arranging the gathering device 20 in this way, the marking accuracy can be further increased.

  FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a part of the slab conveying apparatus of the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the stopper 14 is not drawn for explanation. The eight cast pieces 10 conveyed in the y direction by the conveyor chain 16 of the second conveying unit 60 and the claws 18 fixed thereto reach the reference position A. At that time, the claw 18 is moved downward by a known ducking mechanism (not shown), and the rear end of the slab 10 at the end of the eight slabs 10 substantially coincides with the reference position A in the marking portion 70. Stop in the state.

  In this way, the eight slabs 10 are stopped in a state in which they are lined up substantially parallel to the marking position within the predetermined range from the reference position A. At this time, there may be a slight gap between adjacent slabs 10. The eight slabs 10 adjacent in the y direction are sandwiched and bundled in the adjacent direction of the plurality of slabs 10 by a gathering device 20 installed below the rail 15.

  FIG.3 and FIG.4 is a side view of the gathering apparatus 20 with which the slab conveying apparatus of this embodiment is equipped. The gathering device 20 includes a first arm portion 21 having a substantially L shape, which is fixed to the gantry 28 so as to be able to swing in the α direction with a shaft 21 a as a fulcrum, and one end portion of the first arm portion 21. And a second arm portion 26 having a substantially I-shape connected via a shaft 26b. The first arm portion 21 has a first grip portion 22 on the other end side. The 1st arm part 21 has the structure which can contact the side surface of the slab 10 in the head among the 8 slabs 10 when the 1st holding part 22 rocks in the alpha direction. .

  The second arm portion 26 is coupled to the first arm portion 21 via a shaft 26b so as to be movable relative to the first arm portion 21. The second arm portion 26 has a hydraulic cylinder and has a structure that can be expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction, that is, in the direction of the arrow γ. The second arm portion 26 has a second grip portion 24 connected to the upper end of the second arm portion 26 via a shaft 24b.

  The second grip portion 24 has a substantially triangular prism shape having three top portions, one of which is fixed to a gantry (not shown) via a shaft 24a, and the other top portion via a shaft 24b. The second arm portion 26 is connected to the main body. The second gripping portion 24 swings in the β direction, so that a part of the side surface near another top portion contacts the side surface of the slab 10 at the rearmost among the eight slabs 10. It has a possible structure.

  The gathering device 20 is disposed below the slab 10 so as to prevent the slab 10 from moving in the y direction in the standby state. Since the gathering device 20 has a structure capable of fixing the main body to the ground or an indoor floor, it is possible to sufficiently reduce incidental facilities. Furthermore, since the gathering device 20 has a simple structure in which the two arm portions 21 and 26 are connected by the shaft 21a, the amount of operation of each portion when bundling a plurality of slabs can be sufficiently reduced.

  With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation of the gathering apparatus 20 to sandwich and bundle a plurality of slabs 10 will be described below. The eight slabs 10 are pushed by the claws 18 of the conveyor chain 16 and conveyed in the y direction while sliding on the rails 15. When the eight slabs 10 reach the reference position A, the claws 18 are lowered by the ducking mechanism, and the plurality of slabs 10 are stopped at the marking position. In this way, eight slabs 10 are collected at the marking position. At this time, the eight slabs 10 are arranged substantially parallel to the lateral direction, but a gap may be formed between adjacent slabs 10. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the gathering device 20 waits below the rail 15 so that the first gripping portion 22 and the second gripping portion 24 do not hinder the movement of the slab 10 in the y direction. doing.

  When the eight slabs 10 reach the marking position, the gathering device 20 starts an operation of bundling the eight slabs 10. Specifically, first, the rod of the hydraulic cylinder in the second arm portion 26 is advanced in the γ direction to extend the second arm portion 26. At this time, the second grip portion 24 connected to the main body of the second arm portion 26 via the shaft 24b swings in the β direction about the shaft 24a. Thereby, the 2nd holding part 24 contacts the side surface of the slab 10 in the tail. On the other hand, when the second arm portion 26 extends, the first arm portion 21 swings in the α direction about the shaft 21a, and the first gripping portion 22 contacts the side surface of the slab 10 at the head. .

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which eight cast pieces 10 are sandwiched and restrained by the first gripping portion 22 and the second gripping portion 24 of the gathering apparatus 20. In this manner, the eight cast pieces 10 are bundled by the first gripping portion 22 and the second gripping portion 24 of the gathering apparatus 20. As described above, the eight slabs 10 are restrained by the first gripping portion 22 and the second gripping portion 24, and the marking device 30 (see FIG. 1) installed in the vicinity of the gathering device 20. , Marking is performed on each end face of the eight cast pieces 10.

  When the marking is completed, the rod of the hydraulic cylinder in the second arm portion 26 is retracted to contract the second arm portion 26 of the gathering apparatus 20. And the 1st holding part 22 and the 2nd holding part 24 which were contacting the slab 10 are separated from the slab 10 by operation | movement contrary to when a 2nd arm expand | extends. After the first gripping portion 22 and the second gripping portion 24 have moved down below the rail 15, the eight cast slabs 10 that have been marked are, for example, in the y direction by a known pusher 19 shown in FIG. To the cooling bed on the downstream side.

  When the backward movement of the rod in the hydraulic cylinder of the second arm portion 26 is completed, the gathering device 20 enters a standby state as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the next eight cast pieces 10 are conveyed to the marking position and stopped. These slabs 10 are similarly sandwiched and bundled by a gathering device 20 and marked by a marking device 30 in a state where eight slabs 10 are sandwiched.

  The slab conveying device 100 of the present embodiment has a first gripping portion 22 and a second gripping portion 24 in the vicinity of the slab marking device 30 and sandwiches a plurality of slabs 10 in adjacent directions. A gathering means 20 for bundling a plurality of slabs is provided. For this reason, it is possible to sufficiently reduce the gap between adjacent slabs 10 to bring the slabs 10 into contact with each other, and it is possible to accurately align the plurality of slabs 10 at predetermined positions. For this reason, even when marking the billet or the like having a small end face as the slab 10, it is possible to mark the plurality of slabs 10 with high accuracy and speed. Therefore, according to the slab conveying apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the productivity of the slab 10 can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slab conveying device 100 of the present embodiment includes two gathering devices 20. As shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the two gathering devices 20 are arranged so as to sandwich both ends of the eight cast pieces 10 arranged at the marking position. As a result, the gap between adjacent slabs 10 is sufficiently reduced, and the accuracy of alignment when marking can be further improved. For this reason, even when marking the end face of the slab 10 having an elongated shape such as a billet, the marking can be performed with high positional accuracy.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a side view of the gathering device 80 provided in the slab conveying device of the present embodiment. The slab conveying device of this embodiment includes a gathering device 80 shown in FIG. 5 instead of the gathering device 20 in the above-described embodiment. The configuration other than the gathering device 80 may be the same as the configuration of the above-described slab conveying device 100. That is, the slab conveying device of the present embodiment, like the slab conveying device 100, includes a first conveying unit 50 that conveys a plurality of slabs 10 manufactured by a casting machine in the x direction, and a plurality of castings. The 2nd conveyance part 60 which conveys the piece 10 to ay direction, and the marking part 70 which positions the some cast piece 10 in a marking position and marks one end surface of the cast piece 10 are provided.

  The marking unit 70 has a gathering device 80. The gathering device 80 is provided so as to be movable up and down above the cast piece 10 placed on the rail 15. The gathering device 80 is supported by a support member such as a beam of a factory building, and is driven up and down by an actuator (not shown).

  The gathering device 80 includes a frame 46, a first stopper 42 connected to the hydraulic cylinder 40 and a rod of the hydraulic cylinder 40 on one end side of the frame 46, and a claw-shaped second stopper on the other end side of the frame 46. 44. The respective leading ends of the first stopper 42 and the second stopper 44 extend downward so that the plurality of cast pieces 10 arranged at the marking position within a predetermined range from the reference position A can be sandwiched from above. ing.

  The operation in which the gathering device 80 sandwiches and bundles the plurality of slabs 10 will be described below with reference to FIGS. When the eight slabs 10 reach the marking position within the predetermined range from the reference position A, the claw 18 is lowered downward by the ducking mechanism, and the plurality of slabs 10 are stopped at the marking position. In this way, eight slabs 10 are collected at the marking position. At this time, the eight slabs 10 are arranged substantially in parallel in the lateral direction, but a gap is formed between adjacent slabs 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the gathering device 80 stands by above the slab 10 so that the first stopper 42 and the second stopper 44 do not hinder the movement of the slab 10 in the y direction.

  When the eight slabs 10 reach the marking position, the eight slabs 10 are bundled by the gathering device 80. Specifically, first, an actuator that drives the frame 46 to move up and down is operated to lower the gathering device 80 toward the plurality of slabs 10 at the marking position (in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 5). When the tips of the first stopper 42 and the second stopper 44 are lowered to substantially the same height as the slab 10, the hydraulic cylinder 40 is driven to move the first stopper 42 connected to the rod to the second stopper 44. (E direction in FIG. 5). As a result, the first stopper 42 and the second stopper 44 come into contact with the side surfaces of the slab 10 at the head and tail, respectively, and the eight slabs 10 are sandwiched and bundled in directions adjacent to each other. .

  FIG. 6 is a view showing a state where eight cast pieces 10 are sandwiched and restrained by the first stopper 42 and the second stopper 44 of the gathering device 80. In this way, the eight cast pieces 10 are bundled by the gathering device 80. As shown in FIG. 6, in the state where the eight slabs 10 are restrained by the gathering device 80, the marking device 30 installed in the vicinity of the gathering device 80 causes each end face of the eight slabs 10 to be formed. Mark.

  When marking is completed, the rod of the hydraulic cylinder 40 is moved backward to move the second stopper 42, and the first stopper 42 is separated from the slab 10. Thereafter, an actuator that drives the frame 46 to move up and down is operated to raise the gathering device 80 to such an extent that the movement of the slab 10 in the y direction is not hindered. The eight cast pieces 10 marked are conveyed in the y direction by the pusher 19 shown in FIG. When the raising / lowering drive of the gathering device 80 by the actuator is completed, the gathering device 80 enters a standby state as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the next eight cast pieces 10 are conveyed to the marking position and stopped. These slabs 10 are similarly bundled and marked by a gathering device 80.

  The slab conveying device of the present embodiment has a first stopper 42 and a second stopper 44 as the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion in the vicinity of the slab marking device 30, and is in the y direction. A gathering means 80 is provided for bundling the plurality of slabs 10 by sandwiching the plurality of slabs 10 adjacent to each other in the adjacent direction. For this reason, it is possible to sufficiently reduce the gap between adjacent slabs 10 to bring the slabs 10 into contact with each other, and it is possible to accurately align the plurality of slabs 10 at predetermined positions. For this reason, it is possible to mark the plurality of slabs 10 with high accuracy and speed. According to the slab conveying apparatus of this embodiment, the productivity of the slab can be improved by the above-described action. Such a slab conveying device is more useful when an elongated billet or the like is used as the slab 10.

  Next, a preferred embodiment of the slab marking method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The slab marking method of the present embodiment is a slab marking method using the slab conveying apparatus 100, and a first transporting process of transporting a plurality of slabs to a predetermined position by moving them in the longitudinal direction. A second conveying step in which a plurality of slabs conveyed to a predetermined position are moved to a marking position by moving in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof, that is, in the lateral direction of the slab, and in the marking position, in the lateral direction. A gathering step for bundling a plurality of cast pieces 10 by sandwiching a plurality of adjacent slabs in a direction adjacent to each other by a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion, and a marking step for marking an end portion of the slab. Prepare.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first transport process is a process of transporting a plurality of slabs 10 to a predetermined position by moving them in the longitudinal direction, that is, the x direction. In this process, in the 1st conveyance part 50, the slab 10 manufactured with the casting machine is moved on the roller table 12, and is conveyed to a transfer table. The slab 10 stops moving in the x direction when it comes into contact with the stopper 14. When a plurality of slabs 10 are simultaneously manufactured in parallel by a casting machine, the plurality of slabs 10 manufactured at the same time can be simultaneously conveyed.

  In the second conveying step, the plurality of cast pieces 10 conveyed to the transfer table in the second conveying unit 60 are moved in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, that is, in the y direction to the marking position in the marking unit 70. Transport. As a conveying method, the conveyor chain 16 having the claw 18 moving in the y direction is used, the claw 18 is brought into contact with the slab 10 on the transfer table, and the slab 10 is moved in the y direction. By providing a plurality of conveyor chains 16 along the y direction, the long slab 10 can be stably conveyed. The second transport unit 60 is provided with a plurality of series of rails 15 extending in parallel with the conveyor chain 16.

  The slab 10 slides on the rail 15 while reaching the reference position A while being pressed in the y direction by the claw 18. When the slab 10 reaches the reference position A, the claw 18 of the conveyor chain 16 moves downward by the ducking mechanism. As a result, the slab 10 stops at the marking position within the predetermined range from the reference position A.

  In the gathering process, at the marking position in the vicinity of the reference position A, the eight slabs are sandwiched between the eight slabs 10 adjacent in the y direction in the adjacent direction between the first grip part and the second grip part. This is a process of bundling 10. As a method for sandwiching the eight cast pieces 10, a gathering device 20 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be used. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of slabs 10 transported to the marking position initially have a slight gap between adjacent slabs 10. The eight slabs 10 stopped in such a state are bundled by being sandwiched between the first gripping portion 22 and the second gripping portion 24 of the gathering apparatus 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the eight slabs 10 bundled by the gathering device 20 come into contact with each other in the adjacent direction and are restrained by the gathering device 20. As a result, the gap between the slabs 10 is sufficiently reduced, and it is difficult to shift from the marking position. As described above, by using the gathering device 20, it is possible to accurately align the slab 10 when marking.

  In the slab marking method of the present embodiment, a gathering device 80 shown in FIG. 5 may be used instead of the gathering device 20. In this case, the plurality of slabs 10 conveyed to the marking position may initially have some gaps between the adjacent slabs 10 as shown in FIG. The eight slabs 10 stopped in such a state are bundled by being sandwiched between the first stopper 42 and the second stopper 44 of the gathering device 80.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the eight slabs 10 bundled by the gathering device 80 come into contact with each other in the adjacent direction and are restrained by the gathering device 80. As a result, the eight slabs 10 are sufficiently constrained by the gap between adjacent slabs 10 and are restrained by the gathering device 80. Therefore, by using the gathering device 80, it is possible to accurately position the slab 10 when marking.

  In the marking process, the end face of the slab 10 is marked while the eight slabs 10 are sandwiched by the gathering device 20. Examples of the marking method include an inkjet printing method and a marking method.

  The slab 10 accurately marked on the end face of the slab 10 can be manufactured by the above-described steps. In this method of marking the slab 10, the plurality of slabs 10 can be marked sufficiently accurately even when a billet having a small end surface is cast. Therefore, according to the above-described slab marking method, the slab productivity can be improved without significant equipment modification.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, as a means for bundling a plurality of slabs, the two types of gathering devices shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, 6 have been exemplified, but a device capable of bundling a plurality of slabs in an adjacent direction. Needless to say, the present invention is applicable to the present invention. Further, the actuator that drives the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion in the gathering device is not limited to the hydraulic cylinder, and may be, for example, a pneumatic cylinder, an electric cylinder, or the like.

  Examples of the slab include, but are not limited to, slab, bloom, billet and the like. In addition, as a slab, what has an elongate shape like a billet tends to be difficult to align when marking. For this reason, if the slab conveying device and the slab marking method of the present invention are applied to mark a slab having an elongated shape, the effects of the present invention can be more effectively enjoyed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the slab conveyance apparatus which can improve the productivity of a slab, and the marking method of a slab can be provided. Moreover, the gathering apparatus for slab marking which can perform slab marking accurately and rapidly can be provided.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Slab, 12 ... Roller table, 14 ... Stopper, 15 ... Rail, 16 ... Conveyor chain, 18 ... Claw, 19 ... Pusher, 20, 80 ... Gathering device, 21, 26 ... Arm part, 22, 24 ... Grip , 28 ... frame, 30 ... marking device, 40 ... hydraulic cylinder, 42, 44 ... stopper, 46 ... frame, 50 ... first transport unit, 60 ... second transport unit, 70 ... marking unit, 100 ... transport device.

Claims (5)

A transport means for transporting a plurality of slabs to a marking position by moving in a lateral direction;
At the marking position, the gathering means for bundling the plurality of slabs by sandwiching the plurality of slabs adjacent in the lateral direction between the first gripping part and the second gripping part in the adjacent direction;
A slab conveying device comprising: marking means for marking the ends of the plurality of slabs.   The slab conveying device according to claim 1, comprising at least two gathering means so as to bundle the vicinity of both ends of the plurality of slabs.   The slab conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gathering means drives at least one of the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion with an actuator. A conveying step of moving a plurality of slabs laterally to a marking position;
In the marking position, the gathering step of bundling the plurality of slabs by sandwiching the plurality of slabs adjacent in the lateral direction between the first gripping part and the second gripping part in the adjacent direction;
And a marking step of marking the end portions of the plurality of cast pieces in a state where the plurality of cast pieces are bundled. A gathering device for marking a slab provided in a slab conveying device,
A first gripping portion and a second gripping portion;
A gathering device for bundling the plurality of slabs by sandwiching a plurality of slabs arranged adjacent to each other in the lateral direction between the first holding part and the second holding part.

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