JP2016198806A - Method for forging semi-solidified alloy and forging device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for forging a semi-solidified alloy capable of promptly filling a semi-solidified material in the whole area of a metal mold as much as possible, and manufacturing a product with satisfactory quality with sufficient pressure applied to the whole while the semi-solidified material maintains fluidity, and a forging device thereof.SOLUTION: The present invention provides a method for forging a semi-solidified alloy for pressurizing a semi-solidified material 11 consisting of an Al alloy or an Mg alloy to be molded by using metal molds 12, 13 to be paired, and a forging device 10 thereof, in which a recess 15 for arranging the semi-solidified material 11 is formed in one metal mold 13, the other metal mold 12 has: a pressurization part 18 of the semi-solidified material; and a closed space formation part 20 movably provided in its pressurization direction, after arranging the semi-solidified material 11 in the recess 15 of the metal mold 13, a parting surface 19 of the metal mold 13 is abutted against a parting surface 27 of the closed space formation part 20, the semi-solidified material 11 in the recess 15 is pressurized and molded by the pressurization part 18 while suppressing insertion of the semi-solidified material 11 into the parting surfaces 19, 27.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a forging method and a forging device for a semi-solid material (semi-solid alloy) made of an alloy.

Casting and forging methods are used as molding methods for semi-solidified materials (hereinafter also referred to as semi-solid materials). However, when following conventional molding techniques, Since the characteristics (fluidity) are significantly different from materials in the solid state or liquid state, various obstacles occur.
In particular, the forging method involves placing a solid-state material in the recess of the lower mold (mold), and pressing the upper mold (mold) against the lower mold with the pressure of a press machine, In this method, the shape of the material is deformed (plastically deformed) so as to have the shape of the space formed by the concave portion of the lower mold.

For this reason, when the conventional concept of forging is applied to forging semi-solid materials as it is, a large pressing force is required compared to solid materials due to the difference in fluidity (movement distance) due to material pressurization. The following problems occur although they disappear.
-Failure in which the semi-solidified material is first inserted into the parting surface (mating surface) of the mold and the part that becomes the product (semi-solidified material in the recess) is not sufficiently pressurized.
-Difference in fluidity due to temperature difference between the surface (outer peripheral surface) of semi-solid material touching the mold and the inside.
・ Differences in pressure transmission due to the use of semi-solid materials.
For these reasons, the entire space of the mold cannot be filled with the semi-solid material, and as a result, it has been difficult to manufacture a good product with stable performance.

In order to solve the above-described problems, for example, the following methods have been sought by various technical studies.
1) A method of forging by increasing the solid fraction of the semi-solidified material to make it more solidified and suppressing the fluidity of the semi-solidified material by pressurization.
2) Raise the temperature of the mold itself and suppress the rapid temperature drop of the semi-solid material that touches the inner surface of the mold to ensure fluidity (running water) and ensure the semi-solid material throughout the mold space. How to fill.
3) Focused on the weighing method that tries to suppress the insertion of the semi-solid material into the parting surface by matching the volume of the semi-solid material (product) to be molded with the volume of the mold space. Method (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

However, even when the above methods 1) to 3) were used, there were the following problems.
In the method 1), since the difference from the conventional method for forging a solid material is reduced, it is possible to suppress the obstacle that the semi-solid material is inserted into the parting surface of the mold to a certain extent. However, because the fluidity that is a characteristic of semi-solidified materials is impaired, the movement distance of semi-solidified materials due to pressurization is limited. Is necessary, and it is inevitable to increase the size of mechanical equipment, which directly increases the product cost.
Furthermore, the problems that conventional forging facilities have, such as difficulty in forming complicated shapes, cannot be solved.

In the method 2), since the temperature drop of the semi-solid material is suppressed, the above-described problem of inserting the semi-solid material into the parting surface of the mold is not only amplified, but the heating and cooling of the mold is also performed. This complicates the mold configuration, such as the arrangement of lines, and complicates the forging operation method, resulting in an increase in manufacturing costs and an increase in product costs.
Further, the rapid cooling of the semi-solid material, which is most required for improving the mechanical performance of the alloy, cannot be performed, and as a result, the crystal grains inside the semi-solid material are enlarged (coarsed), which is required. It is difficult to ensure product quality.

In the method of 3), filling the appropriate amount of the semi-solid material into the mold space is surely an important factor, but the semi-solid material is inserted into the parting surface, It is impossible to prevent the occurrence of unmolded parts (defects) caused by local cooling of the semi-solid material and the occurrence of defective products due to insufficient pressurization of the entire semi-solid material.
As for pressurization, for example, a method in which pressure is directly applied to the material from the start of molding to the completion of the product (see, for example, Patent Document 2), or after semi-solidified material is pressure-molded, it becomes a solid state. There is also a method (for example, see Patent Document 3) in which the material is further subjected to pressure molding. However, even if this method is used, the problem which the above-mentioned conventional forging equipment has cannot be solved.

The greatest merit of the semi-solidified material described above is that it has fluidity compared to a solid-state material.
This makes it possible to feed the material to every corner of the part that requires the molding of complex and thin shapes, which is a specialty of conventional casting methods. The occurrence of casting voids (also referred to as casting voids or entrainment voids) can be suppressed, and the strength can be improved by pressurization specific to forging.

However, on the other hand, there are no problems with conventional techniques such as molten metal casting or solid forging, for example, due to differences in the surface and internal properties (oxidation, etc.) of semi-solid materials and differences in internal and external temperatures. New issues such as the occurrence of defective products due to differences in fluidity and insufficient pressure due to the difference in pressure transmission rate to the semi-solidified material when the pressure direction and the flow direction of the semi-solidified material are different Turned out to be.
For this reason, it was found that stable quality products could not be produced efficiently without solving these problems.

In particular, when planning a mold for each product shape, these issues must be taken into consideration.
However, not only the optimization of the filling amount of the semi-solidified material in 3), but also problems such as insertion of the semi-solidified material into the parting surface and hot water (fluidity) of the semi-solidified material in the mold In reality, it is not possible to sufficiently impart the benefits (such as improved mechanical performance) originally obtained by forging a semi-solid material to the product.

JP 2005-34851 A Japanese Patent No. 4379621 JP-A-2005-40813

In the forging method using a semi-solid material, as shown in FIG. 10, a semi-solid material 90 having fluidity is put into a recess 92 of a lower die (die) 91, and an upper die arranged at the upper side. By lowering the (mold) 93, pressure is applied to the semi-solidified material 90 placed on the lower mold 91, and the semi-solid material 90 does not retain its shape and starts to deform easily. Will start moving in the direction. Specifically, first, the semi-solid material 90 that has moved downward with the least resistance due to the pressure from above starts to solidify from the portion in contact with the lower die 91 and reaches the entire surface of the recess 92 of the lower die 91. However, it also starts to move upward with less resistance, and also moves toward the parting surfaces 94 and 95 that are the mating surfaces of the upper die 93 and the lower die 91 with the least resistance.
This protruding part of the material creates a defective part of the product (insufficient material), and is further subjected to pressure because it solidifies before the product part, hindering downward movement of the mold. This causes insufficient pressure on the product material.

Part of the semi-solidified material 90 that has been in contact with the lower mold 91 from the beginning of material supply is deprived of heat from this contact site and gradually solidifies, but it is solidified thicker than the planned product thickness. In this case, this locally solidified portion becomes an element that hinders the lowering of the upper mold 93.
Accordingly, even in this case, the upper mold 93 is not normally closed with respect to the lower mold 91, and there is a possibility that a lack of pressure or a defective part of the product is produced, resulting in a defective product.

  Further, even if a local solidified portion does not occur, the upper mold 93 is normally closed with respect to the lower mold 91, and the semi-solid material is spread over the entire area of the mold (fully filled state), the addition to the product There is also a risk of insufficient pressure. In this case, the pressure transmission rate to the material changes due to the difference in the material flow direction with respect to the pressure direction of the material, resulting in a difference in the moving speed of the material trying to move in each direction, resulting in the surface of the material. The site where solidification has started becomes a hot water boundary, which may cause internal defects in the product due to insufficient pressurization. In addition, the hot water boundary means a phenomenon in which a material surface is inserted into the inside of the product, and the material at the inserted portion cannot be fused with each other, resulting in a boundary.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and while the semi-solid material is maintaining fluidity, the semi-solid material is filled as quickly as possible throughout the mold, and sufficient pressure is applied to the whole. It is an object of the present invention to provide a forging method and a forging apparatus for a semi-solid alloy capable of producing a good quality product.

The semi-solid alloy forging method according to the first invention in accordance with the above object is a semi-solid alloy forging method in which a semi-solid material made of Al alloy or Mg alloy is pressed and molded using a pair of molds.
One mold is provided with a recess for placing the semi-solid material, and the other mold is movable in a pressurizing portion for pressurizing the semi-solid material and in the pressurizing direction of the pressurizing portion. And a closed space forming part provided in the
After the semi-solid material is disposed in the recess of one of the molds, the parting surface of one of the molds and the parting surface of the closed space forming portion are brought into contact with each other, and the semi-solid material is in contact with these parting surfaces. While the insertion of the solidified material is suppressed, the semi-solid material in the concave portion is pressed and molded by the pressure portion.

  In the semi-solid alloy forging method according to the first aspect of the invention, one of the molds may be a fixed lower mold, and the other mold may be an upper mold that can be moved up and down.

In the semi-solid alloy forging method according to the first aspect of the present invention, a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material is supported by a movable member that is normally protruded in the recess of the lower mold, It is preferable that the upper surface of the movable member is lowered to the same height level as the bottom surface of the concave portion of the lower mold as the pressurizing portion is lowered.
Further, in the semi-solid alloy forging method according to the first aspect of the invention, a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material is supported by a movable member which is always provided in a protruding state in the recess of the lower mold, and the movable Maintaining the protruding state of the member, lowering the pressure part of the upper mold and spreading the semi-solid material in the concave part of the upper mold formed by the pressure part and the closed space forming part, It is preferable that the movable member is lowered with further lowering of the pressurizing portion of the upper mold.

Here, a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material supported by the movable member may be a portion that requires strength in the semi-solid material after molding.
Further, after the semi-solid material is molded, the movable member can be protruded upward from the bottom surface of the concave portion of the lower mold, and the semi-solid material after molding can be removed from the concave portion of the lower mold.

  In the semi-solid alloy forging method according to the first aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the semi-solid material after pressurization by the pressurizing unit is further pressurized by an adjusting means provided in the pressurizing unit of the upper die.

A semi-solid alloy forging device according to the second invention that meets the above-mentioned object is a semi-solid alloy forging device having a pair of molds for pressurizing and molding a semi-solid material made of an Al alloy or an Mg alloy.
On one of the molds, a recess for arranging the semi-solid material is formed,
The other mold is provided with a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the semi-solid material, and is movable in the pressurizing direction of the pressurizing unit, and before the pressurization of the semi-solid material by the pressurizing unit, A closed space forming portion that faces the parting surface of the mold and suppresses insertion of the semi-solidified material into the parting surface during pressurization by the pressurizing unit.

  In the semi-solid alloy forging device according to the second invention, it is preferable that the closed space forming portion is movable relative to the pressurizing portion by an elastic member.

  In the semi-solid alloy forging device according to the second aspect of the invention, one of the molds may be a fixed lower mold, and the other mold may be an upper mold that can be moved up and down.

In the semi-solid alloy forging device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the recess of the lower die is normally provided in a protruding state to support a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material and pressurize the upper die. It is preferable that a movable member is provided that descends until the top surface thereof is at the same height level as the bottom surface of the recess of the lower mold as the portion descends.
Further, in the semi-solid alloy forging device according to the second invention, the concave portion of the lower die is normally provided in a protruding state to support a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material, and By maintaining the protruding portion until the semi-solid material spreads in the concave portion of the upper mold formed by the pressing portion and the closed space forming portion by the lowering of the pressing portion, It is preferable that a movable member that descends with further lowering is provided.
Here, the movable member may further have a function of projecting upward from the bottom surface of the recess of the lower mold after the semi-solid material is molded, and removing the semi-solid material after molding from the recess of the lower mold. it can.

  In the semi-solid alloy forging device according to the second invention, the pressurizing portion of the upper mold is provided with adjusting means for further pressurizing the semi-solid material after being pressurized by the pressurizing portion. preferable.

The semi-solid alloy forging method and the forging device according to the present invention include a semi-solid material disposed in a recess of one mold, and then a parting surface of one mold and a closed space forming portion of the other mold. The semi-solid material is maintained in fluidity by pressing the semi-solid material in the recess with the pressurizing part while suppressing the insertion of the semi-solid material into the parting surface. During this time, the semi-solid material can be spread over every corner of the mold (recess) to produce a good quality product with sufficient pressure applied throughout. Thereby, for example, the non-defective product rate at the time of mass production can be improved.
In particular, the moldability of the semi-solidified material can be maintained while maintaining the fluidity.For example, the press machine can be reduced in size and labor saving, and with a simple structure, the alloy performance can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. You can plan.

It is explanatory drawing of the forging apparatus of the semi-solid alloy which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the closed space formation process of the forging method applied to the forging apparatus of the semi-solidified alloy. It is explanatory drawing of the pressurization process of the forging method. It is explanatory drawing of the adjustment process of the forging method. It is explanatory drawing of the forging apparatus of the semi-solid alloy which concerns on a modification. It is explanatory drawing of the closed space formation process of the forging method applied to the forging apparatus of the semi-solidified alloy. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st pressurization process of the forging method. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd pressurization process of the forging method. It is explanatory drawing of the adjustment process of the forging method. It is explanatory drawing of the forging method of the semi-solid alloy which concerns on a prior art example.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a semi-solid alloy forging device (hereinafter also simply referred to as a forging device) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an Al alloy (aluminum alloy) or Mg alloy (magnesium alloy). A semi-solid material 11 made of a lower mold (an example of one mold) 13 and an upper mold (an example of the other mold) 12 that form a pair to be pressed and molded. It is a device that can manufacture quality products. This will be described in detail below.

The lower mold 13 is fixedly arranged, and the upper mold 12 can be moved up and down with respect to the fixedly arranged lower mold 13.
The upper mold 12 and the lower mold 13 are made of, for example, tool steel, but may be made of ceramics, or may be a contact surface with the semi-solidified material 11 subjected to a surface treatment of an abrasion resistant material.
The space 14 formed inside by the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 13 has a shape corresponding to (transferred to) the shape of the product finally obtained. Here, the space portion 14 (that is, the product shape) is formed by the concave portion 15 having a rectangular shape in plan view in which the semi-solid material 11 is disposed and the flat pressing surface 16 of the upper die 12 formed in the lower die 13. Although formed, for example, the space portion can be formed by a rectangular concave portion and a lower concave portion in plan view formed in the upper die.

The upper die 12 is integrally provided with a pressure base 17 having a reverse concave cross section and a semi-solid material 11 disposed in the concave portion 15 in a state of protruding downward from the center of the pressure base 17. Prior to pressurization by the pressurization unit 18 that pressurizes and the pressurization unit 18 of the semi-solid material 11 (before the pressurization unit 18 pressurizes the semi-solid material 11), the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13 A closed space forming portion 20 to be abutted (abutted).
Here, all of the pressure base 17, the pressure portion 18, and the closed space forming portion 20 are quadrangular in plan view, but, for example, according to the shape of the space portion (product shape) Other shapes can also be used.

The closed space forming unit 20 is disposed so as to be movable along the outer peripheral surface 21 of the pressurizing unit 18 in the pressurizing direction of the pressurizing unit 18 (here, the vertical direction). Specifically, the inner peripheral surface 22 of the closed space forming portion 20 having a rectangular tube shape is slidable with respect to the outer peripheral surface 21 of the rectangular pressure portion 18 in plan view.
Further, the pressure base 17 is provided with a suspension portion 23 having an L-shaped cross section on the outer periphery thereof so as to protrude downward, and the closed space forming portion 20 is suspended (clamped) by the suspension portion 23. Has been. Specifically, a slide part 24 provided in a projecting state toward the pressurizing part 18 is formed at the tip part (lower end part) of the suspension part 23 over the circumferential direction of the side wall of the closed space forming part 20. It is arranged in the slide groove 25 and is slidable in the vertical direction along the slide groove 25.

A plurality of compression coil springs (an example of an elastic member) 26 is disposed between the pressure base 17 and the closed space forming portion 20, and normally (in a free state) the parting surface 27 of the closed space forming portion 20. The (lower surface) is in a state of projecting downward from the pressing surface 16 (lower surface) of the pressure unit 18.
Each compression coil spring 26 enables the closed space forming unit 20 to move relative to the pressurizing unit 18, and raises and lowers the closed space forming unit 20 together with the pressurizing unit 18 as the upper mold 12 moves up and down. be able to. A mechanical structure other than the compression coil spring 26 may be used as long as the closed space forming unit 20 and the pressurizing unit 18 are relatively movable.

With this configuration, in use, by lowering the upper mold 12 with respect to the lower mold 13, first, the parting surface 27 of the closed space forming portion 20 is placed on the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13. Abut (see FIG. 2). Further, by lowering the upper mold 12, the semi-solid material 11 applied to the parting surfaces 19 and 27 is maintained in a state in which the parting surfaces 19 and 27 are kept in contact with each other without hindering the lowering of the pressure unit 18. While suppressing the insertion, the semi-solid material 11 in the recess 15 can be pressurized and molded by the pressurizing portion 18 (see FIG. 3).
Therefore, when the closed space forming portion 20 is lowered, the pressure of the semi-solidified material 11 is not intended, and therefore, a pressure lower than the applied pressure of the semi-solidified material 11 is sufficient (high pressure is unnecessary).

The contour shape (planar shape) of the pressing surface 16 of the pressurizing unit 18 is the same as the planar shape of the concave portion 15 of the lower mold 13 (the inner peripheral contour shape of the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13). . Here, although the pressing surface 16 of the pressing unit 18 is a flat surface, for example, unevenness may be provided according to the shape of the product.
In addition, the shape of the parting surface 27 of the closed space forming unit 20 is the same shape as the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13 (the respective inner peripheral contour shapes are the same shape). Here, both the parting surfaces 19 and 27 are flat, but irregularities can be provided as necessary.

As described above, the pressurization by the pressurizing unit 18 may be performed only on the semi-solid material 11 without being performed on the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13.
For this reason, for example, depending on the shape of the product, the contour shape of the pressing surface of the pressurizing portion can be made smaller than the planar shape of the concave portion of the lower mold ((the area of the pressing surface of the pressurizing portion) < (A planar area of the concave portion of the lower mold)). In this case, the inner peripheral contour shape of the parting surface of the closed space forming portion is made smaller than the inner peripheral contour shape of the lower parting surface in accordance with the contour shape of the pressing surface of the pressing portion. At this time, the parting surface of the closed space forming portion may press the semi-solid material, but this pressing is applied to the semi-solid material located inside the lower parting surface in plan view. Do it only for.
As a result, it is possible to suppress the insertion of the semi-solid material into the parting surface when pressurizing the semi-solid material of the pressurizing unit. For example, by providing a sealing material (for example, an O-ring) on the parting surface, Further suppression of this can be achieved.

In the recess 15 of the lower mold 13, a movable pin (an example of a movable member) 28 that supports a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material 11 in order to suppress cooling and solidification of the semi-solid material 11 due to contact with the lower mold 13. Is provided. The movable pin 28 is, for example, a tool steel or ceramics having a circular cross section, but the material and shape are not limited thereto.
The movable pin 28 is incorporated in the lower mold 13, and is normally endured by the weight of the semi-solid material 11 to be supported by the compression coil spring (elastic body) 29, and maintains a state of protruding from the bottom surface 30 of the recess 15. As is provided. Here, the term “always” means a state in which the semi-solidified material 11 is supported and no pressure is applied to the semi-solidified material 11 by the pressurizing portion 18 of the upper mold 12 (non-pressurized state).

In use, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper surface (support surface) 31 of the movable pin 28 is moved as the pressurizing portion 18 of the upper mold 12 is lowered (by pressing the semi-solid material 11). Then, the lower mold 13 is lowered to the same level as the bottom surface 30 of the recess 15.
Therefore, if the movable pin 28 can be operated, for example, a hydraulic cylinder can be used instead of the compression coil spring. In this case, the pressure relief from the upper pressurizing part is accommodated by a hydraulic relief valve, or the movable pin is lowered by the lowering position of the pressurizing part. Program control is in effect.

Here, the number of the movable pins 28 to be installed on the lower mold 13 is one here, but there is no particular limitation, and there are two or more plural pieces depending on the shape and volume of the semi-solid material (product). It may be a book.
Moreover, the installation position (elevating position) of the movable pin is such that the upper surface of the movable pin comes into contact with a portion (for example, the bottom surface of the product) that requires strength in the semi-solidified material after molding. It is preferable to adjust. This is because the contact portion with the movable pin is rapidly cooled, so that the crystal grains can be refined and the product quality can be further improved.

Furthermore, the movable pin has a function of protruding upward from the bottom surface of the recess of the lower mold after the semi-solid material is molded, and having a function of removing the semi-solid material after molding from the recess of the lower mold (that is, used as an extrusion pin). You can also.
In this case, it is necessary to provide the lower mold with a pressurizing mechanism required for peeling the product fixed to the recess from the recess.
The movable pin described above may be provided in the lower mold as necessary, and may not be provided if unnecessary. In this case, the semi-solidified material is disposed in the lower mold recess.

The pressurizing unit 18 of the upper mold 12 is provided with an adjusting unit 32 that further pressurizes the semi-solidified material 11 after being pressurized by the pressurizing unit 18. The adjusting means 32 includes a pressure pin 33 and a hydraulic line 34 that operates the pressure pin 33.
The pressure pin 33 has a T-shaped cross section when viewed from the side, can move up and down in the space 35 formed in the pressure portion 18, and has a pressure surface 36 (lower surface). ) Is provided in a state in which it can project downward from the pressing surface 16 of the pressurizing portion 18 (a state in which the semi-solidified material 11 in the space portion 14 can be locally pressurized).
The hydraulic line 34 raises and lowers the pressure pin 33 by supplying oil into the space 35 and discharging oil from the space 35.

In use, it operates as follows.
When the pressurizing unit 18 is lowered, the operation of the pressurizing pin 33 is stopped and waited (that is, the pressing surface 16 of the pressurizing unit 18 and the pressing surface 36 of the pressurizing pin 33 are at the same height level. State).
As shown in FIG. 4, after the lowering of the pressurizing unit 18 is stopped, the pressurizing pin 33 is operated by the hydraulic line 34 (that is, the pressurizing surface of the pressurizing pin 33 from the pressing surface 16 of the pressurizing unit 18). 36 is projected downward).
Thereby, the semi-solidified material 11 in the space part 14 is further exposed to a pressurized state, which not only leads to an improvement in strength but also an error in the volume of the semi-solidified material 11 with respect to the volume of the space part 14 (about 10% by volume or less). ) Can also be adjusted. In addition, the effect obtained by the pressure pin 33 is not only the above-described adjustment (relaxation) of errors and improvement of strength, but also measures against shrinkage due to shrinkage due to cooling of the alloy, which is a problem in casting and forging techniques. Also effective.

In addition, since a dent generate | occur | produces in the part pressurized with the pressurization pin 33, it is good to post-process the semi-solidified material 11 after shaping | molding, and to remove a dent. Therefore, the pressure pin is preferably installed in a portion (for example, a lower die) that can be post-processed in consideration of the shape of the final product.
The number of the pressure pins 33 installed on the pressure unit 18 is one here, but may be two or more. As described above, by providing a plurality of pressure pins, the depth of the dent generated in the semi-solidified material after molding can be made shallower than when only one is provided.
The above-described pressure pin may be provided as necessary, and may not be provided if unnecessary.

Then, the forging method of the semi-solid alloy which concerns on one embodiment of this invention is demonstrated, referring FIGS. 1-4.
<Preparation process>
First, as shown in FIG. 1, the semi-solid material 11 made of Al alloy or Mg alloy is placed on the movable pin 28 arranged in a protruding state in the lower mold 13. Here, the Al alloy includes, for example, 60% by mass or more of Al (aluminum), and is composed of Al, an alloy element, and unavoidable impurities. The Mg alloy includes, for example, 60 Mg (magnesium). It is an alloy containing not less than mass% and composed of Mg, alloy elements, and inevitable impurities.
Thereby, the lower surface of the semi-solid material 11 comes into contact only with the upper surface 31 of the movable pin 28, and the lower surface can be prevented from contacting the bottom surface 30 of the recess 15 of the lower mold 13.

The semi-solidified material 11 is a state-adjusted Al alloy or Mg alloy that has been prepared by cooling an aluminum alloy or Mg alloy that has been melted in advance, and is more fluid than a solid material. Such a semi-solid material has a solid phase ratio of, for example, 45% or more and 55% or less. In this case, the temperature of the semi-solid material disposed in the concave portion of the lower mold is expressed by, for example, a state diagram. Based on the above, the temperature is adjusted to the above-mentioned solid phase ratio.
The semi-solidified material is not limited to the above-described solid phase ratio as long as it has a fluidity than a solid material and can be placed on the upper surface of the movable pin.
In addition, the volume of the semi-solid material disposed in the concave portion of the lower mold is preferably equal to the volume of the space formed by the upper mold and the lower mold (product volume). If it is difficult to measure the volume, the volume of the semi-solidified material may be slightly larger than the volume of the space.

<Closed space formation process>
Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper die 12 (pressurizing portion 18 and closed space forming portion 20) is lowered with respect to the lower die 13, and the parting surface 19 of the lower die 13 and the upper die 12 are closed. The parting surface 27 of the space forming part 20 is abutted.
Thereby, the inside of the upper mold | type 12 and the lower mold | type 13 will be in the state closed from the outside.
Here, when the pressing surface 16 of the pressurizing unit 18 contacts the semi-solid material 11, the semi-solid material 11 is pushed downward, and the movable pin 28 starts to descend.

<Pressurization process>
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper mold 12 is lowered with respect to the lower mold 13.
Here, due to the action of the compression coil spring 26, the pressurizing unit 18 is lowered without the closed space forming unit 20 preventing the lowering of the pressurizing unit 18. At this time, as the pressurizing unit 18 is lowered, the upper surface 31 of the movable pin 28 is also lowered to the same height level as the bottom surface 30 of the recess 15 of the lower mold 13.
Here, the pressurization unit 18 is lowered until the pressing surface 16 is at the same height level as the parting surface 27 of the closed space forming unit 20, but even at a position higher than the parting surface 27. Alternatively, the position may be lower than the parting surface 27.

Thereby, while maintaining the state in which the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13 and the parting surface 27 of the closed space forming portion 20 of the upper mold 12 are in contact with each other, that is, a semi-solidified material between the parting surfaces 19 and 27. The semi-solid material 11 in the space 14 is pressurized by the pressurizing unit 18 while suppressing the insertion of the 11. For this reason, the semi-solidified material 11 in which the part with low resistance such as between the parting surfaces 19 and 27 is blocked is deformed while searching for a place with low resistance, and finally spreads throughout the entire space 14, It becomes a state close to the shape.
Therefore, the semi-solid material 11 in the space portion 14 can be pressed and molded by the pressurizing portion 18 while suppressing the insertion of the semi-solid material 11 between the parting surfaces 19 and 27.

<Adjustment process>
If the volume of the semi-solidified material 11 in the space portion 14 is less than the volume of the space portion 14, it may cause a product defect. Therefore, the volume of the semi-solidified material 11 is always greater than or equal to the volume of the space portion 14. Must be planned.
However, as described above, for example, when it is difficult to measure the volume of the semi-solidified material, the volume of the semi-solidified material may be slightly larger than the volume of the space portion.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13 and the parting surface 27 of the closed space forming part 20 of the upper mold 12 are in contact with each other and are semi-solidified by the pressing part 18. In a state where the material 11 is pressurized, the pressure pin 33 is operated to apply pressure to the semi-solidified material 11.
Thereby, the adjustment (relaxation) of the error of the excessively supplied semi-solid material and the improvement of the strength can be achieved.

<Final process>
Then, after the semi-solid material 11 is solidified in a pressurized state, the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 13 are separated, and the solidified material 11 solidified from the recess 15 is taken out using the movable pin 28 as necessary.
The semi-solid material 11 thus taken out is post-processed as necessary to obtain a final product.

  Next, a semi-solid alloy forging device (hereinafter also simply referred to as a forging device) 40 according to a modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. The forging device 40 includes the forging device 10 described above. Since the configuration is substantially the same, the same number is assigned to the same member, and different configurations will be described in detail.

The forging device 40 includes a lower mold (an example of one mold) 42 (corresponding to the lower mold 13) and an upper mold (an example of the other mold) 41 (upper mold) to be paired by pressurizing and molding the semi-solid material 11. Equivalent to 12).
A space 43 (corresponding to the space 14) formed inside by the upper mold 41 and the lower mold 42 is a shape corresponding to the shape of the product finally obtained. Here, the recess 44 of the upper mold 41 is used. A space portion 43 is formed by the recess 45 of the lower mold 42 (corresponding to the recess 15).

  The upper die 41 is integrally provided in a state protruding downward in the center of the pressure base 17 and pressurizes the semi-solid material 11 disposed in the recess 45 (corresponding to the pressure unit 18). And a closed space forming portion 48 (corresponding to the closed space forming portion 20) that abuts against the parting surface 47 (corresponding to the parting surface 19) of the lower mold 42 before being pressed by the pressing portion 46 of the semi-solid material 11. And have. In other words, the pressing portion 46 and the closed space forming portion 48 form the concave portion 44 of the upper mold 41 described above.

The closed space forming part 48 is arranged so as to be movable in the pressurizing direction of the pressurizing part 46 along the pressurizing part 46 and is suspended by the suspension part 23 provided on the pressurizing base 17. It is held.
A plurality of compression coil springs (an example of an elastic member) 49 (corresponding to the compression coil spring 26) is disposed between the pressurizing base 17 and the closed space forming portion 48. The parting surface 50 (corresponding to the parting surface 27) protrudes downward from the pressing surface 51 (corresponding to the pressing surface 16) of the pressing part 46. In addition, the convex part 52 is provided in the lower end part of the pressurization part 46, and the press surface 51 of the pressurization part 46 is stepped.

A movable plate (an example of a movable member) 53 that supports a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material 11 is provided in the recess 45 of the lower mold 42. The movable plate 53 is, for example, a plate shape made of tool steel or ceramics, but the material and shape are not limited to this.
The movable plate 53 is incorporated in the lower die 42, and with a compression coil spring 54 (corresponding to the compression coil spring 29), it always withstands the weight of the semi-solid material 11 to be supported and is spaced from the bottom surface 55 of the recess 45. So as to maintain a protruding state.

In order to set the compression coil spring 54 in a compressed state, a larger load is required than in the case where the compression coil spring 49 is set in a compressed state. That is, when the upper die 41 is lowered, the compression coil spring 49 is compressed and then the compression coil spring 54 is compressed.
If such an operation is possible, for example, a hydraulic cylinder can be used instead of the compression coil spring. In this case, a method and program control for releasing the pressure oil by the above-described hydraulic relief valve are effective.

With the above configuration, in use, by lowering the upper mold 41 with respect to the lower mold 42, first, the parting surface 50 of the closed space forming portion 48 contacts the parting surface 47 of the lower mold 42. (See FIG. 6).
Further, by lowering the upper mold 41, the contact state between the parting surfaces 47 and 50 is maintained and the protruding state of the movable plate 53 is maintained without hindering the lowering of the pressurizing unit 46. The pressurizing part 46 of the upper die 41 is lowered. Thereby, the semi-solid material 11 is quickly filled in the recesses 44 of the upper mold 41 where the semi-solid material 11 is most difficult to move while suppressing the insertion of the semi-solid material 11 into the parting surfaces 47 and 50. (See FIG. 7).
By further lowering the upper mold 41, the movable plate 53 is lowered as the pressurizing portion 46 is further lowered, and pressurization is performed while suppressing insertion of the semi-solid material 11 into the parting surfaces 47 and 50. The semi-solid material 11 in the recessed part 45 of the lower mold | type 42 can be pressurized and shape | molded by the part 46 (refer FIG. 8).

Note that the movable pin 28 described above can be provided on the movable plate to suppress the cooling and solidification of the semi-solid material due to the contact with the movable plate.
In addition, the movable plate has a function of projecting upward from the bottom surface of the recess of the lower mold after the semi-solid material is molded, and removing the molded semi-solid material from the recess of the lower mold (that is, used as an extrusion plate). You can also

The pressurizing portion 46 of the upper die 41 is provided with an adjusting means 57 (corresponding to the adjusting means 32) having a pressurizing pin 56 (corresponding to the pressurizing pin 33) and a hydraulic line 34.
In use, it operates as follows.
When the pressurizing unit 46 is lowered, the operation of the pressurizing pin 56 is stopped and waited (that is, the pressing surface 51 of the pressurizing unit 46 and the pressurizing surface 58 of the pressurizing pin 56 (corresponding to the pressurizing surface 36). State with the same height level). Then, as shown in FIG. 9, after the lowering of the pressurizing unit 46 stops, the pressurizing pin 56 is operated by the hydraulic line 34, and the pressurizing surface of the pressurizing pin 56 from the pressing surface 51 of the pressurizing unit 46. 58 is projected downward.
Thereby, in addition to the pressure by the pressurizing part 46, an appropriate pressure by the pressurizing pin 56 can be further applied to the semi-solidified material 11 that has spread throughout the space 43, and the entire semi-solidified material 11 is fused. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate defect factors such as the aforementioned hot water boundary.

Next, a semi-solid alloy forging method according to a modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. However, since the method is substantially the same as the semi-solid alloy forging method according to the above-described embodiment, a different configuration is used. Will be described in detail.
<Preparation process>
First, as shown in FIG. 5, the semi-solid material 11 made of Al alloy or Mg alloy is placed on the movable plate 53 arranged in a protruding state in the lower mold 42.

<Closed space formation process>
Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper die 41 (pressurizing portion 46 and closed space forming portion 48) is lowered with respect to the lower die 42, and the parting surface 47 of the lower die 42 and the upper die 41 are closed. The parting surface 50 of the space forming part 48 is abutted.
Thereby, the inside of the upper mold | type 41 and the lower mold | type 42 will be in the state closed from the outside.
At this time, even if the pressing surface 51 of the pressurizing unit 46 contacts the semi-solid material 11 and the semi-solid material 11 is pressed downward, the movable plate 53 maintains the protruding state (the current height level).

<First pressurizing step>
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper die 41 is lowered with respect to the lower die 42.
Here, due to the action of the compression coil spring 49, the pressurizing part 46 is lowered without the closed space forming part 48 preventing the lowering of the pressurizing part 46. Specifically, the parting surface 47 of the lower die 42 and the parting surface 50 of the closed space forming portion 48 of the upper die 41 are maintained in contact with each other, that is, halfway between the parting surfaces 47 and 50. While suppressing the insertion of the solidified material 11 and maintaining the protruding state of the movable plate 53, the pressurizing portion 46 of the upper mold 41 is lowered.
As a result, the semi-solidified material 11 in which the portion with a low resistance such as the parting surfaces 47 and 50 is closed is quickly filled into the recess 44 of the upper mold 41 where the semi-solidified material 11 is most difficult to move. Can be made.

<Second pressurizing step>
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper die 41 is lowered with respect to the lower die 42.
Here, the movable plate 53 descends as the pressurizing unit 46 further descends. Specifically, the parting surface 47 of the lower die 42 and the parting surface 50 of the closed space forming portion 48 of the upper die 41 are maintained in contact with each other, that is, halfway between the parting surfaces 47 and 50. The movable plate 53 descends while suppressing the insertion of the solidified material 11.
As a result, the semi-solid material 11 that has blocked the part with a low resistance such as between the parting surfaces 47 and 50 is deformed while searching for a place with a low resistance, and finally spreads throughout the space 43 to produce a product. It becomes a state close to the shape.
Accordingly, the semi-solid material 11 in the space 43 can be pressurized and molded by the pressurizing unit 46.

<Adjustment process>
As shown in FIG. 9, the semi-solid material 11 is applied by the pressurizing unit 46 in a state where the parting surface 47 of the lower mold 42 and the parting surface 50 of the closed space forming part 48 of the upper mold 41 are in contact with each other. In the pressurized state, the pressure pin 56 is operated to apply pressure to the semi-solidified material 11.
Thereby, the whole semi-solidified material 11 can be united and defect factors, such as the above-mentioned hot water boundary, can be excluded.

<Final process>
Then, after the semi-solid material 11 is solidified in a pressurized state, the upper die 41 and the lower die 42 are separated, and the solidified material 11 solidified from the recess 45 is taken out using the movable plate 53 as necessary.
The semi-solid material 11 thus taken out is post-processed as necessary to obtain a final product.

From the above, by using the forging method and the forging apparatus of the semi-solid alloy according to the present invention, the semi-solid material can be spread as quickly as possible throughout the mold while the semi-solid material is maintaining fluidity. Good quality products can be produced that can be filled and with sufficient pressure throughout.
In addition, when the present inventors forged a semi-solid material using the forging method and the forging apparatus of the semi-solid alloy of this invention, it has confirmed that the product without a defect was obtained. The product having no defect means a product in which the burr is not generated due to the insertion of the semi-solid material into the parting surface and the shape is adjusted.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment, and the matters described in the scope of claims. Other embodiments and modifications conceivable within the scope are also included. For example, the case where the semi-solid alloy forging method and the forging device of the present invention are configured by combining some or all of the above-described embodiments and modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, the case where the metal mold | die used as a pair was arrange | positioned so that the pressurization direction might become a perpendicular direction (one metal mold | die is a lower mold | type, and the other metal mold | die is an upper mold | type) was demonstrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and depending on the state of forging of the semi-solid alloy, the paired molds may be inclined so that the pressurizing direction is an oblique direction. You may arrange horizontally so that it may become a direction.

10: semi-solid alloy forging device, 11: semi-solid material, 12: upper mold (other mold), 13: lower mold (one mold), 14: space, 15: recess, 16: pressing surface 17: Pressure base, 18: Pressure part, 19: Parting surface, 20: Closed space forming part, 21: Outer peripheral surface, 22: Inner peripheral surface, 23: Suspension part, 24: Slide part, 25: Slide groove, 26: compression coil spring (elastic member), 27: parting surface, 28: movable pin (movable member), 29: compression coil spring, 30: bottom surface, 31: top surface, 32: adjusting means, 33: addition Pressure pin, 34: Hydraulic line, 35: Space, 36: Pressurized surface, 40: Semi-solid alloy forging device, 41: Upper mold (other mold), 42: Lower mold (one mold), 43: Space part 44, 45: Recessed part 46: Pressurizing part 47: Parting surface 48: Closed space forming part 4 : Compression coil spring (elastic member), 50: parting surface, 51: pressing surface, 52: convex portion, 53: movable plate (movable member), 54: compression coil spring, 55: bottom surface, 56: pressure pin, 57: Adjustment means, 58: Pressure surface

  The present invention relates to a forging method and a forging device for a semi-solid material (semi-solid alloy) made of an alloy.

Casting and forging methods are used as molding methods for semi-solidified materials (hereinafter also referred to as semi-solid materials). However, when following conventional molding techniques, Since the characteristics (fluidity) are significantly different from materials in the solid state or liquid state, various obstacles occur.
In particular, the forging method involves placing a solid-state material in the recess of the lower mold (mold), and pressing the upper mold (mold) against the lower mold with the pressure of a press machine, In this method, the shape of the material is deformed (plastically deformed) so as to have the shape of the space formed by the concave portion of the lower mold.

For this reason, when the conventional concept of forging is applied to forging semi-solid materials as it is, a large pressing force is required compared to solid materials due to the difference in fluidity (movement distance) due to material pressurization. The following problems occur although they disappear.
-Failure in which the semi-solidified material is first inserted into the parting surface (mating surface) of the mold and the part that becomes the product (semi-solidified material in the recess) is not sufficiently pressurized.
-Difference in fluidity due to temperature difference between the surface (outer peripheral surface) of semi-solid material touching the mold and the inside.
・ Differences in pressure transmission due to the use of semi-solid materials.
For these reasons, the entire space of the mold cannot be filled with the semi-solid material, and as a result, it has been difficult to manufacture a good product with stable performance.

In order to solve the above-described problems, for example, the following methods have been sought by various technical studies.
1) A method of forging by increasing the solid fraction of the semi-solidified material to make it more solidified and suppressing the fluidity of the semi-solidified material by pressurization.
2) Raise the temperature of the mold itself and suppress the rapid temperature drop of the semi-solid material that touches the inner surface of the mold to ensure fluidity (running water) and ensure the semi-solid material throughout the mold space. How to fill.
3) Focused on the weighing method that tries to suppress the insertion of the semi-solid material into the parting surface by matching the volume of the semi-solid material (product) to be molded with the volume of the mold space. Method (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

However, even when the above methods 1) to 3) were used, there were the following problems.
In the method 1), since the difference from the conventional method for forging a solid material is reduced, it is possible to suppress the obstacle that the semi-solid material is inserted into the parting surface of the mold to a certain extent. However, because the fluidity that is a characteristic of semi-solidified materials is impaired, the movement distance of semi-solidified materials due to pressurization is limited. Is necessary, and it is inevitable to increase the size of mechanical equipment, which directly increases the product cost.
Furthermore, the problems that conventional forging facilities have, such as difficulty in forming complicated shapes, cannot be solved.

In the method 2), since the temperature drop of the semi-solid material is suppressed, the above-described problem of inserting the semi-solid material into the parting surface of the mold is not only amplified, but the heating and cooling of the mold is also performed. This complicates the mold configuration, such as the arrangement of lines, and complicates the forging operation method, resulting in an increase in manufacturing costs and an increase in product costs.
Further, the rapid cooling of the semi-solid material, which is most required for improving the mechanical performance of the alloy, cannot be performed, and as a result, the crystal grains inside the semi-solid material are enlarged (coarsed), which is required. It is difficult to ensure product quality.

In the method of 3), filling the appropriate amount of the semi-solid material into the mold space is surely an important factor, but the semi-solid material is inserted into the parting surface, It is impossible to prevent the occurrence of unmolded parts (defects) caused by local cooling of the semi-solid material and the occurrence of defective products due to insufficient pressurization of the entire semi-solid material.
As for pressurization, for example, a method in which pressure is directly applied to the material from the start of molding to the completion of the product (see, for example, Patent Document 2), or after semi-solidified material is pressure-molded, it becomes a solid state. There is also a method (for example, see Patent Document 3) in which the material is further subjected to pressure molding. However, even if this method is used, the problem which the above-mentioned conventional forging equipment has cannot be solved.

The greatest merit of the semi-solidified material described above is that it has fluidity compared to a solid-state material.
This makes it possible to feed the material to every corner of the part that requires the molding of complex and thin shapes, which is a specialty of conventional casting methods. The occurrence of casting voids (also referred to as casting voids or entrainment voids) can be suppressed, and the strength can be improved by pressurization specific to forging.

However, on the other hand, there are no problems with conventional techniques such as molten metal casting or solid forging, for example, due to differences in the surface and internal properties (oxidation, etc.) of semi-solid materials and differences in internal and external temperatures. New issues such as the occurrence of defective products due to differences in fluidity and insufficient pressure due to the difference in pressure transmission rate to the semi-solidified material when the pressure direction and the flow direction of the semi-solidified material are different Turned out to be.
For this reason, it was found that stable quality products could not be produced efficiently without solving these problems.

In particular, when planning a mold for each product shape, these issues must be taken into consideration.
However, not only the optimization of the filling amount of the semi-solidified material in 3), but also problems such as insertion of the semi-solidified material into the parting surface and hot water (fluidity) of the semi-solidified material in the mold In reality, it is not possible to sufficiently impart the benefits (such as improved mechanical performance) originally obtained by forging a semi-solid material to the product.

JP 2005-34851 A Japanese Patent No. 4379621 JP-A-2005-40813

In the forging method using a semi-solid material, as shown in FIG. 10, a semi-solid material 90 having fluidity is put into a recess 92 of a lower die (die) 91, and an upper die arranged at the upper side. By lowering the (mold) 93, pressure is applied to the semi-solidified material 90 placed on the lower mold 91, and the semi-solid material 90 does not retain its shape and starts to deform easily. Will start moving in the direction. Specifically, first, the semi-solid material 90 that has moved downward with the least resistance due to the pressure from above starts to solidify from the portion in contact with the lower die 91 and reaches the entire surface of the recess 92 of the lower die 91. However, it also starts to move upward with less resistance, and also moves toward the parting surfaces 94 and 95 that are the mating surfaces of the upper die 93 and the lower die 91 with the least resistance.
This protruding part of the material creates a defective part of the product (insufficient material), and is further subjected to pressure because it solidifies before the product part, hindering downward movement of the mold. This causes insufficient pressure on the product material.

Part of the semi-solidified material 90 that has been in contact with the lower mold 91 from the beginning of material supply is deprived of heat from this contact site and gradually solidifies, but it is solidified thicker than the planned product thickness. In this case, this locally solidified portion becomes an element that hinders the lowering of the upper mold 93.
Accordingly, even in this case, the upper mold 93 is not normally closed with respect to the lower mold 91, and there is a possibility that a lack of pressure or a defective part of the product is produced, resulting in a defective product.

  Further, even if a local solidified portion does not occur, the upper mold 93 is normally closed with respect to the lower mold 91, and the semi-solid material is spread over the entire area of the mold (fully filled state), the addition to the product There is also a risk of insufficient pressure. In this case, the pressure transmission rate to the material changes due to the difference in the material flow direction with respect to the pressure direction of the material, resulting in a difference in the moving speed of the material trying to move in each direction, resulting in the surface of the material. The site where solidification has started becomes a hot water boundary, which may cause internal defects in the product due to insufficient pressurization. In addition, the hot water boundary means a phenomenon in which a material surface is inserted into the inside of the product, and the material at the inserted portion cannot be fused with each other, resulting in a boundary.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and while the semi-solid material is maintaining fluidity, the semi-solid material is filled as quickly as possible throughout the mold, and sufficient pressure is applied to the whole. It is an object of the present invention to provide a forging method and a forging apparatus for a semi-solid alloy capable of producing a good quality product.

The semi-solid alloy forging method according to the first aspect of the present invention is a semi- solid material made of an Al alloy or Mg alloy using a pair of a fixed lower mold and an upper mold that can be moved up and down. In the forging method of semi-solid alloy that pressurizes and forms
The lower mold is formed with a recess in which the semi-solid material is disposed, and the upper mold is provided so as to be capable of moving in the pressurizing direction of the pressurizing unit that pressurizes the semi-solid material and the pressurizing unit. A closed space forming part,
After placing the semi-solid material into the lower mold recess, said lower mold parting surfaces, abutting the parting surface of the closed space forming unit, insertion of the semi-solidified material to these parting surfaces while suppressing, upon which the pressure of the semi-solid material pressurized molding the recess by the pressing,
A part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material is supported by a movable member that is always in a protruding state in the recess of the lower mold, and the pressing part of the upper mold is maintained by maintaining the protruding state of the movable member. The movable member is lowered and spreads the semi-solid material in the concave portion of the upper mold formed by the pressurizing portion and the closed space forming portion, and then the movable member is further lowered as the pressurizing portion of the upper die is further lowered. Is lowered .

Here, a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material supported by the movable member may be a portion that requires strength in the semi-solid material after molding.
Further, after the semi-solid material is molded, the movable member can be protruded upward from the bottom surface of the concave portion of the lower mold, and the semi-solid material after molding can be removed from the concave portion of the lower mold.

  In the semi-solid alloy forging method according to the first aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the semi-solid material after pressurization by the pressurizing unit is further pressurized by an adjusting means provided in the pressurizing unit of the upper die.

The semi-solid alloy forging device according to the second invention that meets the above-mentioned object is a pair of a press-molded semi-solid material made of an Al alloy or Mg alloy that forms a pair, a fixedly arranged lower mold, and an up and down direction. In a semi-solid alloy forging device having an upper die ,
The lower mold is formed with a recess for arranging the semi-solid material.
The upper die has a pressing pressurizing the semi-solidified material, movably provided in the pressing direction of the pressurized pressure section, of the lower mold the before pressurizing by pressing of the semi-solid material against the parting surface, possess a suppressing closed space forming part the of the semi-solidified material insertion of the to the parting surface of the pressurization by the pressurizing unit,
In the recess of the lower mold, it is normally provided in a protruding state to support a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material, and the pressurizing part and the closed space forming part are lowered by lowering the pressurizing part of the upper mold in the form maintaining the projecting state to the semi-solidified material is spread in the recess of the upper die, and a movable member that descends with the further lowering of the pressure of the upper die that is provided.

  In the semi-solid alloy forging device according to the second invention, it is preferable that the closed space forming portion is movable relative to the pressurizing portion by an elastic member.

In the forging device of the semi-solidified alloy according to the second invention, even before Symbol movable member, wherein after molding of the semi-solidified material, it protrudes from the bottom surface of the lower die recess upwardly, the semi-solid material after molding A function of removing from the concave portion of the lower mold can also be provided.

  In the semi-solid alloy forging device according to the second invention, the pressurizing portion of the upper mold is provided with adjusting means for further pressurizing the semi-solid material after being pressurized by the pressurizing portion. preferable.

The semi-solid alloy forging method and the forging apparatus according to the present invention are such that a semi-solid material is disposed in a recess of a lower mold , and then a lower parting surface and a parting surface of an upper mold closed space forming part are butted together. Since the semi-solid material in the recess is pressed and molded by the pressurizing part while suppressing the insertion of the semi-solid material into the parting surface, the semi-solid material is maintained while the semi-solid material is maintaining fluidity. Good quality products with sufficient pressure applied to the whole can be manufactured by spreading the material throughout the mold (recess). Thereby, for example, the non-defective product rate at the time of mass production can be improved.
In particular, the moldability of the semi-solidified material can be maintained while maintaining the fluidity.For example, the press machine can be reduced in size and labor saving, and with a simple structure, the alloy performance can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Can be planned.

It is explanatory drawing of the forging apparatus of the semi-solid alloy which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the closed space formation process of the forging method applied to the forging apparatus of the semi-solidified alloy. It is explanatory drawing of the pressurization process of the forging method. It is explanatory drawing of the adjustment process of the forging method. It is explanatory drawing of the forging apparatus of the semi-solid alloy which concerns on a modification. It is explanatory drawing of the closed space formation process of the forging method applied to the forging apparatus of the semi-solidified alloy. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st pressurization process of the forging method. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd pressurization process of the forging method. It is explanatory drawing of the adjustment process of the forging method. It is explanatory drawing of the forging method of the semi-solid alloy which concerns on a prior art example.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a semi-solid alloy forging device (hereinafter also simply referred to as a forging device) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an Al alloy (aluminum alloy) or Mg alloy (magnesium alloy). A semi-solid material 11 made of a lower mold (an example of one mold) 13 and an upper mold (an example of the other mold) 12 that form a pair to be pressed and molded. It is a device that can manufacture quality products. This will be described in detail below.

The lower mold 13 is fixedly arranged, and the upper mold 12 can be moved up and down with respect to the fixedly arranged lower mold 13.
The upper mold 12 and the lower mold 13 are made of, for example, tool steel, but may be made of ceramics, or may be a contact surface with the semi-solidified material 11 subjected to a surface treatment of an abrasion resistant material.
The space 14 formed inside by the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 13 has a shape corresponding to (transferred to) the shape of the product finally obtained. Here, the space portion 14 (that is, the product shape) is formed by the concave portion 15 having a rectangular shape in plan view in which the semi-solid material 11 is disposed and the flat pressing surface 16 of the upper die 12 formed in the lower die 13. Although formed, for example, the space portion can be formed by a rectangular concave portion and a lower concave portion in plan view formed in the upper die.

The upper die 12 is integrally provided with a pressure base 17 having a reverse concave cross section and a semi-solid material 11 disposed in the concave portion 15 in a state of protruding downward from the center of the pressure base 17. Prior to pressurization by the pressurization unit 18 that pressurizes and the pressurization unit 18 of the semi-solid material 11 (before the pressurization unit 18 pressurizes the semi-solid material 11), the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13 A closed space forming portion 20 to be abutted (abutted).
Here, all of the pressure base 17, the pressure portion 18, and the closed space forming portion 20 are quadrangular in plan view, but, for example, according to the shape of the space portion (product shape) Other shapes can also be used.

The closed space forming unit 20 is disposed so as to be movable along the outer peripheral surface 21 of the pressurizing unit 18 in the pressurizing direction of the pressurizing unit 18 (here, the vertical direction). Specifically, the inner peripheral surface 22 of the closed space forming portion 20 having a rectangular tube shape is slidable with respect to the outer peripheral surface 21 of the rectangular pressure portion 18 in plan view.
Further, the pressure base 17 is provided with a suspension portion 23 having an L-shaped cross section on the outer periphery thereof so as to protrude downward, and the closed space forming portion 20 is suspended (clamped) by the suspension portion 23. Has been. Specifically, a slide part 24 provided in a projecting state toward the pressurizing part 18 is formed at the tip part (lower end part) of the suspension part 23 over the circumferential direction of the side wall of the closed space forming part 20. It is arranged in the slide groove 25 and is slidable in the vertical direction along the slide groove 25.

A plurality of compression coil springs (an example of an elastic member) 26 is disposed between the pressure base 17 and the closed space forming portion 20, and normally (in a free state) the parting surface 27 of the closed space forming portion 20. The (lower surface) is in a state of projecting downward from the pressing surface 16 (lower surface) of the pressure unit 18.
Each compression coil spring 26 enables the closed space forming unit 20 to move relative to the pressurizing unit 18, and raises and lowers the closed space forming unit 20 together with the pressurizing unit 18 as the upper mold 12 moves up and down. be able to. A mechanical structure other than the compression coil spring 26 may be used as long as the closed space forming unit 20 and the pressurizing unit 18 are relatively movable.

With this configuration, in use, by lowering the upper mold 12 with respect to the lower mold 13, first, the parting surface 27 of the closed space forming portion 20 is placed on the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13. Abut (see FIG. 2). Further, by lowering the upper mold 12, the semi-solid material 11 applied to the parting surfaces 19 and 27 is maintained in a state in which the parting surfaces 19 and 27 are kept in contact with each other without hindering the lowering of the pressure unit 18. While suppressing the insertion, the semi-solid material 11 in the recess 15 can be pressurized and molded by the pressurizing portion 18 (see FIG. 3).
Therefore, when the closed space forming portion 20 is lowered, the pressure of the semi-solidified material 11 is not intended, and therefore, a pressure lower than the applied pressure of the semi-solidified material 11 is sufficient (high pressure is unnecessary).

The contour shape (planar shape) of the pressing surface 16 of the pressurizing unit 18 is the same as the planar shape of the concave portion 15 of the lower mold 13 (the inner peripheral contour shape of the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13). . Here, although the pressing surface 16 of the pressing unit 18 is a flat surface, for example, unevenness may be provided according to the shape of the product.
In addition, the shape of the parting surface 27 of the closed space forming unit 20 is the same shape as the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13 (the respective inner peripheral contour shapes are the same shape). Here, both the parting surfaces 19 and 27 are flat, but irregularities can be provided as necessary.

As described above, the pressurization by the pressurizing unit 18 may be performed only on the semi-solid material 11 without being performed on the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13.
For this reason, for example, depending on the shape of the product, the contour shape of the pressing surface of the pressurizing portion can be made smaller than the planar shape of the concave portion of the lower mold ((the area of the pressing surface of the pressurizing portion) < (A planar area of the concave portion of the lower mold)). In this case, the inner peripheral contour shape of the parting surface of the closed space forming portion is made smaller than the inner peripheral contour shape of the lower parting surface in accordance with the contour shape of the pressing surface of the pressing portion. At this time, the parting surface of the closed space forming portion may press the semi-solid material, but this pressing is applied to the semi-solid material located inside the lower parting surface in plan view. Do it only for.
As a result, it is possible to suppress the insertion of the semi-solid material into the parting surface when pressurizing the semi-solid material of the pressurizing unit. For example, by providing a sealing material (for example, an O-ring) on the parting surface, Further suppression of this can be achieved.

In the recess 15 of the lower mold 13, a movable pin (an example of a movable member) 28 that supports a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material 11 in order to suppress cooling and solidification of the semi-solid material 11 due to contact with the lower mold 13. Is provided. The movable pin 28 is, for example, a tool steel or ceramics having a circular cross section, but the material and shape are not limited thereto.
The movable pin 28 is incorporated in the lower mold 13, and is normally endured by the weight of the semi-solid material 11 to be supported by the compression coil spring (elastic body) 29, and maintains a state of protruding from the bottom surface 30 of the recess 15. As is provided. Here, the term “always” means a state in which the semi-solidified material 11 is supported and no pressure is applied to the semi-solidified material 11 by the pressurizing portion 18 of the upper mold 12 (non-pressurized state).

In use, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper surface (support surface) 31 of the movable pin 28 is moved as the pressurizing portion 18 of the upper mold 12 is lowered (by pressing the semi-solid material 11). Then, the lower mold 13 is lowered to the same level as the bottom surface 30 of the recess 15.
Therefore, if the movable pin 28 can be operated, for example, a hydraulic cylinder can be used instead of the compression coil spring. In this case, the pressure relief from the upper pressurizing part is accommodated by a hydraulic relief valve, or the movable pin is lowered by the lowering position of the pressurizing part. Program control is in effect.

Here, the number of the movable pins 28 to be installed on the lower mold 13 is one here, but there is no particular limitation, and there are two or more plural pieces depending on the shape and volume of the semi-solid material (product). It may be a book.
Moreover, the installation position (elevating position) of the movable pin is such that the upper surface of the movable pin comes into contact with a portion (for example, the bottom surface of the product) that requires strength in the semi-solidified material after molding. It is preferable to adjust. This is because the contact portion with the movable pin is rapidly cooled, so that the crystal grains can be refined and the product quality can be further improved.

Furthermore, the movable pin has a function of protruding upward from the bottom surface of the recess of the lower mold after the semi-solid material is molded, and having a function of removing the semi-solid material after molding from the recess of the lower mold (that is, used as an extrusion pin). You can also.
In this case, it is necessary to provide the lower mold with a pressurizing mechanism required for peeling the product fixed to the recess from the recess.
The movable pin described above may be provided in the lower mold as necessary, and may not be provided if unnecessary. In this case, the semi-solidified material is disposed in the lower mold recess.

The pressurizing unit 18 of the upper mold 12 is provided with an adjusting unit 32 that further pressurizes the semi-solidified material 11 after being pressurized by the pressurizing unit 18. The adjusting means 32 includes a pressure pin 33 and a hydraulic line 34 that operates the pressure pin 33.
The pressure pin 33 has a T-shaped cross section when viewed from the side, can move up and down in the space 35 formed in the pressure portion 18, and has a pressure surface 36 (lower surface). ) Is provided in a state in which it can project downward from the pressing surface 16 of the pressurizing portion 18 (a state in which the semi-solidified material 11 in the space portion 14 can be locally pressurized).
The hydraulic line 34 raises and lowers the pressure pin 33 by supplying oil into the space 35 and discharging oil from the space 35.

In use, it operates as follows.
When the pressurizing unit 18 is lowered, the operation of the pressurizing pin 33 is stopped and waited (that is, the pressing surface 16 of the pressurizing unit 18 and the pressing surface 36 of the pressurizing pin 33 are at the same height level. State).
As shown in FIG. 4, after the lowering of the pressurizing unit 18 is stopped, the pressurizing pin 33 is operated by the hydraulic line 34 (that is, the pressurizing surface of the pressurizing pin 33 from the pressing surface 16 of the pressurizing unit 18). 36 is projected downward).
Thereby, the semi-solidified material 11 in the space part 14 is further exposed to a pressurized state, which not only leads to an improvement in strength but also an error in the volume of the semi-solidified material 11 with respect to the volume of the space part 14 (about 10% by volume or less). ) Can also be adjusted. In addition, the effect obtained by the pressure pin 33 is not only the above-described adjustment (relaxation) of errors and improvement of strength, but also measures against shrinkage due to shrinkage due to cooling of the alloy, which is a problem in casting and forging techniques. Also effective.

In addition, since a dent generate | occur | produces in the part pressurized with the pressurization pin 33, it is good to post-process the semi-solidified material 11 after shaping | molding, and to remove a dent. Therefore, the pressure pin is preferably installed in a portion (for example, a lower die) that can be post-processed in consideration of the shape of the final product.
The number of the pressure pins 33 installed on the pressure unit 18 is one here, but may be two or more. As described above, by providing a plurality of pressure pins, the depth of the dent generated in the semi-solidified material after molding can be made shallower than when only one is provided.
The above-described pressure pin may be provided as necessary, and may not be provided if unnecessary.

Then, the forging method of the semi-solid alloy which concerns on one embodiment of this invention is demonstrated, referring FIGS. 1-4.
<Preparation process>
First, as shown in FIG. 1, the semi-solid material 11 made of Al alloy or Mg alloy is placed on the movable pin 28 arranged in a protruding state in the lower mold 13. Here, the Al alloy includes, for example, 60% by mass or more of Al (aluminum), and is composed of Al, an alloy element, and unavoidable impurities. The Mg alloy includes, for example, 60 Mg (magnesium). It is an alloy containing not less than mass% and composed of Mg, alloy elements, and inevitable impurities.
Thereby, the lower surface of the semi-solid material 11 comes into contact only with the upper surface 31 of the movable pin 28, and the lower surface can be prevented from contacting the bottom surface 30 of the recess 15 of the lower mold 13.

The semi-solidified material 11 is a state-adjusted Al alloy or Mg alloy that has been prepared by cooling an aluminum alloy or Mg alloy that has been melted in advance, and is more fluid than a solid material.
Such a semi-solid material has a solid phase ratio of, for example, 45% or more and 55% or less. In this case, the temperature of the semi-solid material disposed in the concave portion of the lower mold is expressed by, for example, a state diagram. Based on the above, the temperature is adjusted to the above-mentioned solid phase ratio.
The semi-solidified material is not limited to the above-described solid phase ratio as long as it has a fluidity than a solid material and can be placed on the upper surface of the movable pin.
In addition, the volume of the semi-solid material disposed in the concave portion of the lower mold is preferably equal to the volume of the space formed by the upper mold and the lower mold (product volume). If it is difficult to measure the volume, the volume of the semi-solidified material may be slightly larger than the volume of the space.

<Closed space formation process>
Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper die 12 (pressurizing portion 18 and closed space forming portion 20) is lowered with respect to the lower die 13, and the parting surface 19 of the lower die 13 and the upper die 12 are closed. The parting surface 27 of the space forming part 20 is abutted.
Thereby, the inside of the upper mold | type 12 and the lower mold | type 13 will be in the state closed from the outside.
Here, when the pressing surface 16 of the pressurizing unit 18 contacts the semi-solid material 11, the semi-solid material 11 is pushed downward, and the movable pin 28 starts to descend.

<Pressurization process>
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper mold 12 is lowered with respect to the lower mold 13.
Here, due to the action of the compression coil spring 26, the pressurizing unit 18 is lowered without the closed space forming unit 20 preventing the lowering of the pressurizing unit 18. At this time, as the pressurizing unit 18 is lowered, the upper surface 31 of the movable pin 28 is also lowered to the same height level as the bottom surface 30 of the recess 15 of the lower mold 13.
Here, the pressurization unit 18 is lowered until the pressing surface 16 is at the same height level as the parting surface 27 of the closed space forming unit 20, but even at a position higher than the parting surface 27. Alternatively, the position may be lower than the parting surface 27.

Thereby, while maintaining the state in which the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13 and the parting surface 27 of the closed space forming portion 20 of the upper mold 12 are in contact with each other, that is, a semi-solidified material between the parting surfaces 19 and 27. The semi-solid material 11 in the space 14 is pressurized by the pressurizing unit 18 while suppressing the insertion of the 11. For this reason, the semi-solidified material 11 in which the part with low resistance such as between the parting surfaces 19 and 27 is blocked is deformed while searching for a place with low resistance, and finally spreads throughout the entire space 14, It becomes a state close to the shape.
Therefore, the semi-solid material 11 in the space portion 14 can be pressed and molded by the pressurizing portion 18 while suppressing the insertion of the semi-solid material 11 between the parting surfaces 19 and 27.

<Adjustment process>
If the volume of the semi-solidified material 11 in the space portion 14 is less than the volume of the space portion 14, it may cause a product defect. Therefore, the volume of the semi-solidified material 11 is always greater than or equal to the volume of the space portion 14. Must be planned.
However, as described above, for example, when it is difficult to measure the volume of the semi-solidified material, the volume of the semi-solidified material may be slightly larger than the volume of the space portion.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the parting surface 19 of the lower mold 13 and the parting surface 27 of the closed space forming part 20 of the upper mold 12 are in contact with each other and are semi-solidified by the pressing part 18. In a state where the material 11 is pressurized, the pressure pin 33 is operated to apply pressure to the semi-solidified material 11.
Thereby, the adjustment (relaxation) of the error of the excessively supplied semi-solid material and the improvement of the strength can be achieved.

<Final process>
Then, after the semi-solid material 11 is solidified in a pressurized state, the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 13 are separated, and the solidified material 11 solidified from the recess 15 is taken out using the movable pin 28 as necessary.
The semi-solid material 11 thus taken out is post-processed as necessary to obtain a final product.

  Next, a semi-solid alloy forging device (hereinafter also simply referred to as a forging device) 40 according to a modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. The forging device 40 includes the forging device 10 described above. Since the configuration is substantially the same, the same number is assigned to the same member, and different configurations will be described in detail.

The forging device 40 includes a lower mold (an example of one mold) 42 (corresponding to the lower mold 13) and an upper mold (an example of the other mold) 41 (upper mold) to be paired by pressurizing and molding the semi-solid material 11. Equivalent to 12).
A space 43 (corresponding to the space 14) formed inside by the upper mold 41 and the lower mold 42 is a shape corresponding to the shape of the product finally obtained. Here, the recess 44 of the upper mold 41 is used. A space portion 43 is formed by the recess 45 of the lower mold 42 (corresponding to the recess 15).

  The upper die 41 is integrally provided in a state protruding downward in the center of the pressure base 17 and pressurizes the semi-solid material 11 disposed in the recess 45 (corresponding to the pressure unit 18). And a closed space forming portion 48 (corresponding to the closed space forming portion 20) that abuts against the parting surface 47 (corresponding to the parting surface 19) of the lower mold 42 before being pressed by the pressing portion 46 of the semi-solid material 11. And have. In other words, the pressing portion 46 and the closed space forming portion 48 form the concave portion 44 of the upper mold 41 described above.

The closed space forming part 48 is arranged so as to be movable in the pressurizing direction of the pressurizing part 46 along the pressurizing part 46 and is suspended by the suspension part 23 provided on the pressurizing base 17. It is held.
A plurality of compression coil springs (an example of an elastic member) 49 (corresponding to the compression coil spring 26) is disposed between the pressurizing base 17 and the closed space forming portion 48. The parting surface 50 (corresponding to the parting surface 27) protrudes downward from the pressing surface 51 (corresponding to the pressing surface 16) of the pressing part 46. In addition, the convex part 52 is provided in the lower end part of the pressurization part 46, and the press surface 51 of the pressurization part 46 is stepped.

A movable plate (an example of a movable member) 53 that supports a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material 11 is provided in the recess 45 of the lower mold 42. The movable plate 53 is, for example, a plate shape made of tool steel or ceramics, but the material and shape are not limited to this.
The movable plate 53 is incorporated in the lower die 42, and with a compression coil spring 54 (corresponding to the compression coil spring 29), it always withstands the weight of the semi-solid material 11 to be supported and is spaced from the bottom surface 55 of the recess 45. So as to maintain a protruding state.

In order to set the compression coil spring 54 in a compressed state, a larger load is required than in the case where the compression coil spring 49 is set in a compressed state. That is, when the upper die 41 is lowered, the compression coil spring 49 is compressed and then the compression coil spring 54 is compressed.
If such an operation is possible, for example, a hydraulic cylinder can be used instead of the compression coil spring. In this case, a method and program control for releasing the pressure oil by the above-described hydraulic relief valve are effective.

With the above configuration, in use, by lowering the upper mold 41 with respect to the lower mold 42, first, the parting surface 50 of the closed space forming portion 48 contacts the parting surface 47 of the lower mold 42. (See FIG. 6).
Further, by lowering the upper mold 41, the contact state between the parting surfaces 47 and 50 is maintained and the protruding state of the movable plate 53 is maintained without hindering the lowering of the pressurizing unit 46. The pressurizing part 46 of the upper die 41 is lowered. Thereby, the semi-solid material 11 is quickly filled in the recesses 44 of the upper mold 41 where the semi-solid material 11 is most difficult to move while suppressing the insertion of the semi-solid material 11 into the parting surfaces 47 and 50. (See FIG. 7).
By further lowering the upper mold 41, the movable plate 53 is lowered as the pressurizing portion 46 is further lowered, and pressurization is performed while suppressing insertion of the semi-solid material 11 into the parting surfaces 47 and 50. The semi-solid material 11 in the recessed part 45 of the lower mold | type 42 can be pressurized and shape | molded by the part 46 (refer FIG. 8).

Note that the movable pin 28 described above can be provided on the movable plate to suppress the cooling and solidification of the semi-solid material due to the contact with the movable plate.
In addition, the movable plate has a function of projecting upward from the bottom surface of the recess of the lower mold after the semi-solid material is molded, and removing the molded semi-solid material from the recess of the lower mold (that is, used as an extrusion plate). You can also

The pressurizing portion 46 of the upper die 41 is provided with an adjusting means 57 (corresponding to the adjusting means 32) having a pressurizing pin 56 (corresponding to the pressurizing pin 33) and a hydraulic line 34.
In use, it operates as follows.
When the pressurizing unit 46 is lowered, the operation of the pressurizing pin 56 is stopped and waited (that is, the pressing surface 51 of the pressurizing unit 46 and the pressurizing surface 58 of the pressurizing pin 56 (corresponding to the pressurizing surface 36). State with the same height level). Then, as shown in FIG. 9, after the lowering of the pressurizing unit 46 stops, the pressurizing pin 56 is operated by the hydraulic line 34, and the pressurizing surface of the pressurizing pin 56 from the pressing surface 51 of the pressurizing unit 46. 58 is projected downward.
Thereby, in addition to the pressure by the pressurizing part 46, an appropriate pressure by the pressurizing pin 56 can be further applied to the semi-solidified material 11 that has spread throughout the space 43, and the entire semi-solidified material 11 is fused. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate defect factors such as the aforementioned hot water boundary.

Next, a semi-solid alloy forging method according to a modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. However, since the method is substantially the same as the semi-solid alloy forging method according to the above-described embodiment, a different configuration is used. Will be described in detail.
<Preparation process>
First, as shown in FIG. 5, the semi-solid material 11 made of Al alloy or Mg alloy is placed on the movable plate 53 arranged in a protruding state in the lower mold 42.

<Closed space formation process>
Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper die 41 (pressurizing portion 46 and closed space forming portion 48) is lowered with respect to the lower die 42, and the parting surface 47 of the lower die 42 and the upper die 41 are closed. The parting surface 50 of the space forming part 48 is abutted.
Thereby, the inside of the upper mold | type 41 and the lower mold | type 42 will be in the state closed from the outside.
At this time, even if the pressing surface 51 of the pressurizing unit 46 contacts the semi-solid material 11 and the semi-solid material 11 is pressed downward, the movable plate 53 maintains the protruding state (the current height level).

<First pressurizing step>
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper die 41 is lowered with respect to the lower die 42.
Here, due to the action of the compression coil spring 49, the pressurizing part 46 is lowered without the closed space forming part 48 preventing the lowering of the pressurizing part 46. Specifically, the parting surface 47 of the lower die 42 and the parting surface 50 of the closed space forming portion 48 of the upper die 41 are maintained in contact with each other, that is, halfway between the parting surfaces 47 and 50. While suppressing the insertion of the solidified material 11 and maintaining the protruding state of the movable plate 53, the pressurizing portion 46 of the upper mold 41 is lowered.
As a result, the semi-solidified material 11 in which the portion with a low resistance such as the parting surfaces 47 and 50 is closed is quickly filled into the recess 44 of the upper mold 41 where the semi-solidified material 11 is most difficult to move. Can be made.

<Second pressurizing step>
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper die 41 is lowered with respect to the lower die 42.
Here, the movable plate 53 descends as the pressurizing unit 46 further descends. Specifically, the parting surface 47 of the lower die 42 and the parting surface 50 of the closed space forming portion 48 of the upper die 41 are maintained in contact with each other, that is, halfway between the parting surfaces 47 and 50. The movable plate 53 descends while suppressing the insertion of the solidified material 11.
As a result, the semi-solid material 11 that has blocked the part with a low resistance such as between the parting surfaces 47 and 50 is deformed while searching for a place with a low resistance, and finally spreads throughout the space 43 to produce a product. It becomes a state close to the shape.
Accordingly, the semi-solid material 11 in the space 43 can be pressurized and molded by the pressurizing unit 46.

<Adjustment process>
As shown in FIG. 9, the semi-solid material 11 is applied by the pressurizing unit 46 in a state where the parting surface 47 of the lower mold 42 and the parting surface 50 of the closed space forming part 48 of the upper mold 41 are in contact with each other. In the pressurized state, the pressure pin 56 is operated to apply pressure to the semi-solidified material 11.
Thereby, the whole semi-solidified material 11 can be united and defect factors, such as the above-mentioned hot water boundary, can be excluded.

<Final process>
Then, after the semi-solid material 11 is solidified in a pressurized state, the upper die 41 and the lower die 42 are separated, and the solidified material 11 solidified from the recess 45 is taken out using the movable plate 53 as necessary.
The semi-solid material 11 thus taken out is post-processed as necessary to obtain a final product.

From the above, by using the forging method and the forging apparatus of the semi-solid alloy according to the present invention, the semi-solid material can be spread as quickly as possible throughout the mold while the semi-solid material is maintaining fluidity. Good quality products can be produced that can be filled and with sufficient pressure throughout.
In addition, when the present inventors forged a semi-solid material using the forging method and the forging apparatus of the semi-solid alloy of this invention, it has confirmed that the product without a defect was obtained. The product having no defect means a product in which the burr is not generated due to the insertion of the semi-solid material into the parting surface and the shape is adjusted.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment, and the matters described in the scope of claims. Other embodiments and modifications conceivable within the scope are also included. For example, the case where the semi-solid alloy forging method and the forging device of the present invention are configured by combining some or all of the above-described embodiments and modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention .

10: semi-solid alloy forging device, 11: semi-solid material, 12: upper mold (other mold), 13: lower mold (one mold), 14: space, 15: recess, 16: pressing surface 17: Pressure base, 18: Pressure part, 19: Parting surface, 20: Closed space forming part, 21: Outer peripheral surface, 22: Inner peripheral surface, 23: Suspension part, 24: Slide part, 25: Slide groove, 26: compression coil spring (elastic member), 27: parting surface, 28: movable pin (movable member), 29: compression coil spring, 30: bottom surface, 31: top surface, 32: adjusting means, 33: addition Pressure pin, 34: Hydraulic line, 35: Space, 36: Pressurized surface, 40: Semi-solid alloy forging device, 41: Upper mold (other mold), 42: Lower mold (one mold), 43: Space part 44, 45: Recessed part 46: Pressurizing part 47: Parting surface 48: Closed space forming part 4 : Compression coil spring (elastic member), 50: parting surface, 51: pressing surface, 52: convex portion, 53: movable plate (movable member), 54: compression coil spring, 55: bottom surface, 56: pressure pin, 57: Adjustment means, 58: Pressure surface

Claims (14)

In the forging method of a semi-solid alloy that presses and molds a semi-solid material made of an Al alloy or Mg alloy using a pair of molds,
One mold is provided with a recess for placing the semi-solid material, and the other mold is movable in a pressurizing portion for pressurizing the semi-solid material and in the pressurizing direction of the pressurizing portion. And a closed space forming part provided in the
After the semi-solid material is disposed in the recess of one of the molds, the parting surface of one of the molds and the parting surface of the closed space forming portion are brought into contact with each other, and the semi-solid material is in contact with these parting surfaces. A semi-solid alloy forging method, comprising pressing the semi-solid material in the recess by the pressurizing portion while suppressing insertion of the solid material.   2. The semi-solid alloy forging method according to claim 1, wherein one of the molds is a fixed lower mold, and the other mold is an upper mold that can be moved up and down. Alloy forging method.   3. The method for forging a semi-solid alloy according to claim 2, wherein a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material is supported by a movable member provided in a normally protruding state in the recess of the lower die, and the upper die is added. A semi-solid alloy forging method comprising lowering the upper surface of the movable member to the same level as the bottom surface of the concave portion of the lower mold as the pressure portion is lowered.   3. The semi-solid alloy forging method according to claim 2, wherein a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material is supported by a movable member that is normally provided in a protruding state in the recess of the lower mold, and the protruding of the movable member. Maintaining the state, lowering the pressure part of the upper mold, and spreading the semi-solid material into the concave part of the upper mold formed by the pressure part and the closed space forming part, then the upper mold A semi-solid alloy forging method, wherein the movable member is lowered as the pressurizing part further descends.   5. The semi-solid alloy forging method according to claim 3, wherein a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material supported by the movable member is a portion requiring strength in the semi-solid material after molding. A semi-solid alloy forging method characterized by the above.   The method for forging a semi-solid alloy according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein after the semi-solid material is formed, the movable member is protruded upward from the bottom surface of the recess of the lower mold, A semi-solid alloy forging method, wherein the semi-solid material is removed from the recess of the lower mold.   The semi-solid alloy forging method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the semi-solid material after being pressed by the pressurizing part is adjusted by an adjusting means provided in the pressurizing part of the upper die. A method for forging a semi-solid alloy characterized by further pressurizing. In a semi-solid alloy forging device having a pair of molds that press and mold a semi-solid material made of Al alloy or Mg alloy,
On one of the molds, a recess for arranging the semi-solid material is formed,
The other mold is provided with a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the semi-solid material, and is movable in the pressurizing direction of the pressurizing unit, and before the pressurization of the semi-solid material by the pressurizing unit, A semi-solid alloy having a closed space forming portion that abuts against a parting surface of the mold and suppresses insertion of the semi-solid material into the parting surface during pressurization by the pressurizing portion. Forging equipment.   9. The semi-solid alloy forging device according to claim 8, wherein the closed space forming portion is movable relative to the pressurizing portion by an elastic member.   The semi-solid alloy forging device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein one of the molds is a fixed lower mold, and the other mold is an upper mold that can be moved up and down. Semi-solid alloy forging equipment.   11. The semi-solid alloy forging device according to claim 10, wherein the lower mold recess is normally provided in a protruding state to support a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material, and to pressurize the upper mold. The semi-solid alloy forging device is provided with a movable member that descends as the lower surface of the lower die is lowered to the same level as the bottom surface of the lower mold recess.   11. The semi-solid alloy forging device according to claim 10, wherein the lower mold recess is normally provided in a protruding state to support a part of the lower surface of the semi-solid material, and to pressurize the upper mold. Is maintained in a protruding state until the semi-solid material is spread in the recess of the upper mold formed by the pressurizing part and the closed space forming part, and the pressurizing part of the upper mold is further lowered A semi-solid alloy forging device characterized in that a movable member that descends along with is provided.   13. The semi-solid alloy forging device according to claim 11, wherein the movable member further protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the concave portion of the lower mold after the semi-solid material is molded, and the semi-solid material after the molding is formed. A semi-solid alloy forging device having a function of removing from the concave portion of the lower die.   14. The semi-solid alloy forging device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein an adjusting means for further pressurizing the semi-solid material after pressurization by the pressurizing part is applied to the pressurizing part of the upper die. A semi-solid alloy forging device characterized in that is provided.

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