JP2019118948A - Semi-solidified casting method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for manufacturing a semi-solidified metal slurry of high quality in a manufacturing process of a cast product without reducing yield in a short time by a simple and inexpensive facility, preventing leakage of molten metal from a bottom part of the container in the manufacturing process, and stably and easily removing the prepared semi-solidified metal slurry from the container.SOLUTION: The method for manufacturing a semi-solidified metal slurry includes preparation of semi-solidified metal slurry by a processing apparatus 1 and formation of a cast product by supplying the semi-solidified metal slurry to a casting apparatus. The processing apparatus 1 includes a container 3 to which molten metal is poured, and a vibration generator to vibrate the container 3. The container includes a cylindrical member 6 having an upper end opening 6a and a lower end opening 6b, and a bottom member 7 which can close the lower end opening and be separable from the cylindrical member 6. An inner flange 8 having a predetermined dimension D1 is provided on the lower end opening. The container is configured to attach the lower end opening onto the bottom member 7 by placing the cylindrical member. The bottom member 7 is vibrated in the horizontal direction by the vibration generator, and the container 3 is thus vibrated in a horizontal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a semisolid casting method for producing a semisolid metal slurry and forming the cast product by supplying the produced semisolid metal slurry to a casting apparatus.

  Conventionally, in a semi-solid casting method, a metal slurry in a semi-solid state (semi-solid metal slurry) is produced by cooling a molten metal to a solid-liquid coexistence state, and the produced semi-solid metal slurry is supplied to a casting apparatus In some cases, the cast product is formed. Here, since the semi-solidified metal slurry as the casting material has a high solid phase ratio, the occurrence of shrinkage cavities in the cast product can be suppressed, and the reliability and the quality of the mechanical strength of the cast product can be improved. On the other hand, the semi-solidified metal slurry is higher in viscosity and inferior in fluidity than the liquid state. Therefore, it is desirable that the semi-solid metal slurry is maintained in such a state that primary crystals are separated from each other by the liquid matrix, and that crystal particles are fine and uniform non-dendritic (spherical). Much research has been done on this point.

  Here, Patent Documents 1 to 3 listed below disclose techniques relating to a method for producing a semi-solid metal slurry of this type and a semi-solid casting method using the same. The technique (conventional example 1) described in Patent Document 1 has an object of producing a semi-solid metal slurry and a semi-solid formed article in a short time and easily without being limited to the type and composition of a target metal. This technique is intended to produce a semi-solid metal slurry having a desired solid phase ratio by pouring molten metal set to a predetermined heat capacity and initial temperature into a single-cup bottomed container. . In addition, when a molten metal slurry is poured into a container, the metal slurry is supercooled without producing an initial solidified layer, and is poured to cause self-stirring in the container. . Specifically, the molten metal is poured from a predetermined height into a vessel and brought into contact with the vessel to cause a supercooling phenomenon, to generate nuclei without causing an initial solidification layer, and to stir the molten metal. This eliminates the cooling temperature gradient and produces a semi-solid metal slurry. Here, the heat capacity and the initial temperature of the vessel are set so as to achieve an equilibrium temperature at which a desired solid phase ratio can be obtained.

  Moreover, the technique (conventional example 2) of patent document 2 can take out a semi-solid metal slurry suitably from a container, and provides the manufacturing apparatus of the semi-solid metal slurry which can improve the quality of a molded article. The problem is that. In this technique, the apparatus for producing a semi-solid metal slurry has a container and an auxiliary cooling device. The container has a hollow member open at the upper and lower ends, and a bottom member capable of closing the lower end opening of the hollow member and configured to be separable from the hollow member, and pouring a liquid metal material into the container. There is. The auxiliary cooling device is configured to allow the bottom member to cool to a lower temperature than the hollow member.

  Furthermore, the technique described in Patent Document 3 (Conventional Example 3) is to manufacture a high quality semi-solid metal slurry containing fine and uniform spherical particles in a relatively short time by a relatively simple and inexpensive facility. It is an issue. In this technique, a molten metal is poured into a bottomed vessel at a temperature lower than that of the molten metal and cooled to a solid-liquid coexisting state to produce a semi-solid metal slurry. Here, when cooling the molten metal, the container is mechanically vibrated in one direction in the horizontal direction to give movement to the molten metal poured into the container so that the molten metal is convected in the container. ing. Here, the container is vibrated before pouring the molten metal into the container.

JP 2007-152435 A JP, 2015-74027, A JP, 2014-213330, A

  However, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 3 (Conventional Example 1 and Conventional Example 3), since the container is bottomed, the container is shocked to take out the produced semi-solid metal slurry from the container. Or the bottom of the container needs to be hit, which may cause the container to deform. In addition, depending on the state of the semi-solidified metal slurry, the time to take out the metal slurry from the container may vary, and there was a possibility that the metal slurry could not be taken out. On the other hand, in the technique described in Patent Document 2 (Conventional Example 2), the container is formed of a hollow member and a separable bottom member, and the bottom member is configured to be able to cool to a lower temperature than the hollow member. Ru. Therefore, the bottom portion of the molten metal poured into the container can be cooled faster than the other portions, and the bottom portion can be solidified first. Then, after the semisolid metal slurry is formed in the container, the hollow member is separated from the bottom member, and the semisolid metal slurry is pressed through the lower end opening. Thereby, the metal slurry can be stably taken out from the hollow member.

  However, in Conventional Example 2, there is a problem that the material yield as the semi-solidified metal slurry is lowered because a thick solidified layer is formed on the bottom portion of the taken out semisolidified metal slurry by cooling. Also in this prior art example 2, as in the prior art example 3, it is conceivable to give vibration to the container, but since the gap distance between the hollow member and the bottom member is short, when vibration is given, the hollow member and the bottom member Molten metal may leak from the gap. In addition, since the lower end of the hollow member is merely opened in a cylindrical shape, the strength of the opening is insufficient, and the opening may be deformed by vibration. When the hollow member is deformed, the molten metal is more likely to leak from between the hollow member and the bottom member.

  This disclosed technology is made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to make a high quality semi-solid metal slurry containing fine and uniform spherical particles relatively simple in the process of producing a cast product. Produced in a relatively short time by inexpensive equipment without lowering the material yield, and in the production process prevents leakage of molten metal from the bottom of the container even if the container is vibrated, and further, the produced semi-solid metal It is an object of the present invention to provide a semi-solid casting method which enables the slurry to be stably and easily removed from the container.

  In order to achieve the above object, the technique according to claim 1 is produced by a semi-solid metal slurry production step of producing a semi-solid metal slurry to be a casting material by a metal slurry production device and a semi-solid metal slurry production step In a semi-solid casting method comprising a casting step of forming a cast product by supplying a semi-solid metal slurry to a casting device, the metal slurry producing device vibrates a container into which molten metal is poured and a container for vibrating the container. The process for preparing a semi-solid metal slurry includes preparing a semi-solid metal slurry by pouring molten metal into a container at a temperature lower than that of the molten metal and cooling it to a solid-liquid coexistence state. And, when cooling the molten metal, mechanically vibrating the container with a vibration generator, and the container is a hollow cylindrical member having an upper opening and a lower opening. A lower end opening is closable and includes a bottom member which is separable from the cylindrical member, and the lower end opening is provided with an inner flange having a predetermined dimension in the radial direction; And the lower end opening is closed to form a container, and the container is configured to be vibrated by vibrating the bottom member by a vibration generator, and the casting apparatus comprises In the casting process, the cylinder member is separated from the bottom member after the semisolid metal slurry is produced in the container, and the extruder is provided with an extruder, an injection device for semisolid metal slurry, and a mold including a cavity. The semisolid metal slurry is extruded from the cylindrical member from the cylinder member and loaded into the injection device, and casting is performed by filling the semisolid metal slurry loaded in the injection device into the cavity of the mold by the injection device And purpose that a molding the article.

  According to the configuration of the above technology, in the semi-solidified metal slurry preparation step, by mechanically vibrating the container, the solid phase of the metal generated on the inner peripheral surface of the container is liberated in the form of particles, and the particles are dispersed. In addition, since the particles flow while interfering with each other by the convection of the molten metal, the particles have a finer rounded shape. Furthermore, since the container is mechanically vibrated, the configuration of the vibration generator can be simplified as compared with an electromagnetic vibration generator. Further, since the inner flange is provided at the lower end opening of the cylindrical member constituting the container, the mechanical strength (rigidity) of the lower end portion of the cylindrical member is increased.

  In order to achieve the above object, the technique according to claim 2 is the technique according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical member includes a peripheral wall, and the peripheral wall is tapered to expand in diameter toward the upper end opening. To be able to

  According to the configuration of the above technology, in addition to the function of the technology according to claim 1, when the upper end opening of the cylindrical member is inclined downward, detachment of the semi-solid metal slurry from the cylindrical member is facilitated, The solidified metal slurry easily falls from the cylindrical member.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the radial dimension of the inner flange is set to a constant value regardless of the inner diameter of the lower end opening. The purpose is that.

  According to the configuration of the above-mentioned technology, in addition to the operation of the technology according to claim 1 or 2, the troublesome design of the dimensions of the inner flange is not necessary for containers of any size.

  According to the technique of claim 1, in the process of producing a cast product, a high-quality semi-solid metal slurry containing fine and uniform spherical particles can be relatively easily and inexpensively installed in a relatively short time, It can be produced without lowering the material yield. In addition, even if the container is vibrated in the horizontal direction in the manufacturing process, the molten metal can be prevented from leaking from the bottom of the container, and furthermore, the prepared semi-solid metal slurry can be stably and easily taken out from the container. Can. Furthermore, high quality cast products can be formed by using the produced semi-solid metal slurry as a cast material.

  According to the technique of claim 2, in addition to the effects of the technique of claim 1, the semi-solid metal slurry can be stably taken out from the cylindrical member.

  According to the technique of claim 3, in addition to the effects of the technique of claim 1 or 2, the inner flange can be easily provided for containers of various sizes.

The flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the semi-solidifying casting method concerning one Embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which concerns on one Embodiment and which shows the outline of a metal slurry preparation apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The front view which cut | disconnects and shows a metal slurry preparation apparatus based on one Embodiment. The front view which partially cuts and shows the metal slurry preparation apparatus in 1 process of a semi-solid metal slurry preparation process concerning one Embodiment. The front view which partially cuts and shows the metal slurry preparation apparatus in 1 process of a semi-solid metal slurry preparation process concerning one Embodiment. The front view which partially cuts and shows the metal slurry preparation apparatus in 1 process of a semi-solid metal slurry preparation process concerning one Embodiment. The front view which partially cuts and shows the metal slurry preparation apparatus in 1 process of a semi-solid metal slurry preparation process concerning one Embodiment. The front view which partially cuts and shows the metal slurry preparation apparatus in 1 process of a semi-solid metal slurry preparation process concerning one Embodiment. The front view which partially broken up and shows the casting apparatus in 1 process of a casting process concerning one Embodiment. The front view which partially broken up and shows the casting apparatus in 1 process of a casting process concerning one Embodiment. The front view which partially broken up and shows the casting apparatus in 1 process of a casting process concerning one Embodiment. Sectional drawing which concerns on one Embodiment and which shows the cast product taken out. The front view according to FIG. 3 in another embodiment. The front view according to FIG. 3 in another embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a semi-solidified casting method will be described in detail with reference to the drawings for an embodiment in which the casting of high pressure gas components is embodied.

[About the outline of semi-solid casting method]
The outline | summary of the semi-solid casting method of this embodiment is shown with a flowchart by FIG. This semi-solid casting method is produced in the same step as the semi-solid metal slurry production step of producing semi-solid metal slurry MS (see FIG. 9 etc.) to be cast material by metal slurry production apparatus 1 (see FIG. 2 etc) Forming the cast product CP (see FIG. 12) by supplying the semi-solidified metal slurry MS to the casting apparatus 21 (see FIG. 9 etc.).

[About metal slurry preparation device]
First, a metal slurry production apparatus for producing a semi-solid metal slurry will be described. The outline of the metal slurry production apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. 2 by an exploded perspective view. In FIG. 3, the front view which cut the metal slurry preparation apparatus 1 in part is shown. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the metal slurry production apparatus 1 comprises a base 2, a container 3 into which molten metal is poured, a vibration generator 4 for vibrating the container 3 in the horizontal direction, and a container A funnel 5 which facilitates the pouring of molten metal to 3 and which also functions as a lid for the container 3.

  The container 3 includes a hollow cylindrical member 6 having an upper end opening 6a and a lower end opening 6b, and a bottom member 7 capable of closing the lower end opening 6b and being separable from the cylindrical member 6. The lower end opening 6b of the cylindrical member 6 is provided with an inner flange 8 having a predetermined dimension D1 in the radial direction. Here, the radial dimension D1 of the inner flange 8 can be set to a constant value regardless of the size of the inner diameter of the lower end opening 6b. For example, this constant value can be made "5 mm". Alternatively, the dimension D1 of the inner flange 8 can be appropriately changed. In this case, it is desirable to set the ratio of the area of the lower end opening 6b to the projected area of the entire lower end of the cylindrical member 6 to “60% or more and 96% or less”. The cylindrical member 6 includes a cylindrical peripheral wall 6c, and the peripheral wall 6c is provided with a taper TP so as to expand in diameter toward the upper end opening 6a. This taper TP can be set to "0.5 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less" as an example. The bottom member 7 has a disk shape, has a flat top surface 7 a, and is horizontally and vibratably supported on the top surface of the base 2. Here, the “disk shape” of the bottom member 7 is an example, and may be another shape such as a square shape.

  The vibration generator 4 is connected to the bottom member 7 so as to supply vibration. The vibration generator 4 is configured to mechanically vibrate the container 3 in a specific direction in the horizontal direction (the direction of the arrow A1 in FIG. 2 etc.). The lower end opening 6b is closed by the cylindrical member 6 being mounted on the upper surface 7a of the bottom member 7 with the lower end opening 6b down, and the container 3 is configured. Then, in the state where the container 3 is configured, the bottom member 7 is vibrated in the specific direction indicated by the arrow A1 by the vibration generator 4 so that the container 3 is vibrated in the specific direction.

  The funnel 5 includes a tubular portion 5c having an inlet 5a and an outlet 5b, and an outer flange 5d formed on the outer periphery of the inlet 5a. The cylindrical portion 5c is formed to converge toward the outlet 5b. In addition, in order to ensure the adhesiveness of the cylinder member 6 and the bottom member 7 when vibrating the container 3, you may press the container 3 suitably from the funnel 5 top.

[Semi-solidified metal slurry preparation process]
Next, the semi-solidified metal slurry production process will be described. FIGS. 4 to 8 show a partially cut front view of the metal slurry production apparatus 1 in a series of processes of the semi-solidified metal slurry production process. In order to produce the semi-solidified metal slurry, first, as shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical member 6 is placed on the upper surface 7 a of the bottom member 7 on the base 2 so as to close the lower end opening 6 b. Secondly, as shown in FIG. 5, the funnel 5 is placed on the upper end opening 6 a of the cylindrical member 6. Thirdly, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, by pouring the molten metal MM from the ladle 9 toward the funnel 5, the molten metal MM is poured into the container 3 at a temperature lower than the molten metal MM to melt the molten metal A semi-solidified metal slurry MS (see FIG. 9 etc.) is produced by cooling MM to a solid-liquid coexistence state. Here, when cooling the molten metal MM, as shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the container 3 is mechanically vibrated by the vibration generator 4 in a specific direction (direction of arrow A1) in the horizontal direction with predetermined characteristics. Thus, the molten metal MM poured into the container 3 is moved to cause the molten metal MM to convect in the container 3 as shown by the arrow A2 in FIG.

  Here, the container 3 vibrates while being kept at room temperature. As shown in FIG. 6, when the high temperature molten metal MM is poured into the vibrating container 3, the molten metal MM is rapidly cooled, and when it is cooled, the inner peripheral surface 6d of the cylindrical member 6 is crystallized. Solid phase SP of metal is generated. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the solid phase SP is liberated in the form of particles PA by the vibration of the container 3. Thus, the solid phase SP is prevented from growing in a dendritic shape on the inner circumferential surface 6 d of the cylindrical member 6.

  That is, when the high temperature molten metal MM is poured into the container 3 at room temperature, the molten metal MM loses heat by the container 3 and the temperature drops rapidly, and the solid phase SP is rapidly deposited on the inner peripheral surface 6 d of the cylindrical member 6 It occurs. At this time, by vibrating the container 3 in advance, the solid phase SP produced on the inner peripheral surface 6 d of the cylindrical member 6 is released from the inner peripheral surface 6 d in the form of particles PA, and these particles PA are container 3 Move to the center of the city and disperse. On the other hand, on the inner peripheral surface 6 d of the cylindrical member 6, a new solid phase SP is generated, and the liberated particles PA move and disperse to the central portion of the container 3 by vibration. At this time, in the container 3, convection as shown by an arrow A 2 in FIG. 8 is generated in the molten metal MM to which kinetic energy is given by vibration. The convection forms a flow that circulates between the inner circumferential surface 6 d of the cylindrical member 6 and the central portion of the container 3. Here, since the temperature of the container 3 is increased by removing heat from the molten metal MM, the rate at which the molten metal MM is cooled is gradually reduced. As a result, the amount of generation of the solid phase SP on the inner circumferential surface 6 d of the cylindrical member 6 decreases, and the solid-liquid coexistence state is maintained for several minutes. As a result, it is possible to obtain a semi-solid metal slurry in a solid-liquid coexistence state in which fine particles PA are dispersed.

  In this embodiment, as the material of the molten metal MM, a metal such as an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, a copper alloy or an iron-based alloy can be applied. The container 3 can be formed of metal such as iron.

  The vibration generator 4 of this embodiment mechanically vibrates the container 3 in a specific direction in the horizontal direction (the direction of the arrow A1), so from the device that generates ultrasonic vibration or the device that generates electromagnetic vibration. The configuration is also simple. In particular, mechanical vibration is advantageous in that the displacement, that is, large kinetic energy, can be applied to the molten metal MM more than electromagnetic vibration. Moreover, since the vibration generator 4 which generate | occur | produces mechanical vibration can control various vibration conditions easily, it can produce the semi-solid metal slurry of various and stable quality. In addition, in the electromagnetic vibration generator, large ancillary equipment such as a magnetic field generator and a current generator are required, but in the vibration generator 4, these ancillary equipment becomes unnecessary.

  In this embodiment, as the various vibration conditions of the vibration generator 4, the vibration frequency, the vibration acceleration, the vibration velocity amplitude and the vibration displacement amplitude are controlled.

  In this embodiment, the container 3 is vibrated before pouring the molten metal MM into the container 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the molten metal MM is poured into the container 3 once by pouring the molten metal MM into the funnel 5 so that the molten metal MM does not hit the inner peripheral surface 6 d of the cylindrical member 6. I try to pour into the center.

[Operation and effect of metal slurry production apparatus and semi-solid metal slurry production process]
According to the configuration of this embodiment described above, when the container 3 is mechanically vibrated, the metal solid phase SP generated on the inner peripheral surface 6 d of the cylindrical member 6 is released in the form of particles, and the particles PA are dispersed. It will be. In addition, since the particles PA flow while interfering with each other by the convection of the molten metal MM, the particles PA have a more finely rounded shape. Furthermore, since the container 3 is mechanically vibrated, the configuration of the vibration generator 4 can be simplified as compared with an electromagnetic vibration generator. Therefore, a high quality semi-solid metal slurry containing fine and uniform non-dendritic (spherical) particles can be produced in a relatively short time by a relatively simple and inexpensive facility. That is, a high quality semi-solid metal slurry containing fine and uniform non-dendritic (spherical) particles can be easily prepared without mixing impurities or air into the molten metal MM. In addition, it is not necessary to control the temperature of the molten metal MM, and by using the relatively simple and inexpensive vibration generator 4, a semi-solid metal slurry can be produced in a relatively short time.

  According to the configuration of this embodiment, since the inner flange 8 is provided at the lower end opening 6 b of the cylindrical member 6 constituting the container 3, the mechanical strength (rigidity) of the lower end portion of the cylindrical member 6 is increased. Therefore, even if the container 3 is vibrated in the horizontal direction with the molten metal MM injected, deformation of the lower end of the cylindrical member 6 can be prevented, and from the bottom of the container 3, ie, the cylindrical member 6 and the bottom member 7 Can prevent the molten metal MM from leaking.

  According to the configuration of this embodiment, the dimension D1 in the radial direction of the inner flange 8 is set to a constant value regardless of the size of the inner diameter of the lower end opening 6b. Thus, for containers 3 of any size, the cumbersome design of the dimensions of the inner flange 8 is not necessary. Therefore, the inner flange 8 can be easily provided for the containers 3 of various sizes.

  According to the configuration of this embodiment, since the container 3 vibrates before the molten metal MM is poured into the container 3, the degree of freedom in the timing of pouring the molten metal MM into the container 3 is increased. Also in this sense, the semi-solidified metal slurry MS can be easily manufactured with relatively simple and inexpensive equipment.

  According to the configuration of this embodiment, since the funnel 5 also functions as a lid, there is no possibility that the molten metal MM overflows from the container 3 by vibration. For this reason, semisolid metal slurry MS can be produced with high yield by relatively simple and inexpensive equipment. In particular, in this embodiment, unlike the prior art 2, since the bottom member 7 is not cooled, the solidified layer at the bottom of the semi-solid metal slurry MS formed in the container 3 becomes thinner. For this reason, compared with the prior art example 2, semisolid metal slurry MS with a favorable yield can be obtained.

  According to the configuration of this embodiment, since the container 3 is made of metal, the thermal conductivity of the container 3 is improved, and the cooling efficiency of the molten metal MM is improved. Also in this sense, the semi-solidified metal slurry MS can be produced in a relatively short time.

  According to the configuration of this embodiment, since the molten metal MM is an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, a copper alloy or an iron-based alloy, it is possible to use a conventional material. In this sense as well, the semi-solid metal slurry MS can be produced relatively easily and inexpensively.

[About casting equipment]
Next, the casting apparatus will be described. FIGS. 9 to 11 are front views in which the casting apparatus 21 in a series of processes of the casting process described later is partially broken. As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the casting apparatus 21 includes an extruder 22 for the semisolid metal slurry MS, an injection device 23 for the semisolid metal slurry MS, and a mold 25 including a cavity 24.

  The extruder 22 includes a known air cylinder 26 having a piston rod 26a and a pressing plate 27 fixed to the end of the piston rod 26a. The pressing plate 27 has a disk shape and is formed in a size that can pass through the lower end opening 6 b of the cylindrical member 6. Then, the air cylinder 26 is operated to move the pressing plate 27 from the lower end opening 6 b into the cylindrical member 6 as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. It is supposed to push out from 6.

  The mold 25 includes two blocks 25A and 25B configured to be moldable and mold openable as is well known, and a cavity 24 is formed inside the two blocks 25A and 25B in a clamped state. It is supposed to be.

  The injection device 23 includes a sleeve 28 and a plunger 29 provided reciprocally in the sleeve 28. As is well known, the sleeve 28 has a long cylindrical shape and is connected to one of the blocks 25B so that its tip 28a communicates with the cavity 24 of the mold 25. On the upper surface of the proximal end 28 b of the sleeve 28, an inlet 28 c for inserting the semi-solidified metal slurry MS is formed. The plunger 29 reciprocates to pressurize the semi-solidified metal slurry MS introduced into the sleeve 28.

  After the semi-solidified metal slurry MS is produced in the container 3, the cylindrical member 6 is separated from the bottom member 7 by the conveying device including the clamp 30, carried between the sleeve 28 and the extruder 22, and opened at the upper end. The cylindrical member 6 is inclined so that 6a faces the insertion port 28c.

[About the casting process]
Next, the casting process will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 9, the cylindrical member 6 held by the clamp 30 and separated from the bottom member 7 is carried between the sleeve 28 and the extruder 22, and the upper end opening 6a faces the inlet 28c. Thus, the cylinder member 6 is inclined.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the extruder 22 is brought close to the cylindrical member 6, and the piston rod 26a of the air cylinder 26 is repeatedly reciprocated. Thus, the pressing plate 27 repeatedly collides with the bottom surface of the semi-solidified metal slurry MS in the cylindrical member 6 through the lower end opening 6 b. As a result, the semi-solidified metal slurry MS is peeled off from the inner peripheral surface 6 d of the cylindrical member 6, falls from the cylindrical member 6 to the inlet 28 c and is loaded into the sleeve 28.

  In the configuration of this embodiment, a taper TP is provided on the peripheral wall 6c of the cylindrical member 6 so as to expand in diameter toward the upper end opening 6a. Therefore, when the cylindrical member 6 is inclined with the upper end opening 6 a downward, separation of the semi-solidified metal slurry MS from the cylindrical member 6 is facilitated, and the semi-solidified metal slurry MS is easily dropped from the cylindrical member 6. Therefore, the semi-solidified metal slurry MS can be stably taken out from the cylindrical member 6. Further, since the semi-solidified metal slurry MS is likely to fall from the cylindrical member 6, there is no need to increase the extrusion force by the extruder 22 more than necessary, and the extrusion force can be set small.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the semi-solid metal slurry MS is pressurized by moving the plunger 29 forward (forward) in the sleeve 28 and injected from the sleeve 28 into the cavity 24 of the mold 25. Be filled. Thereafter, the semi-solidified metal slurry MS is cooled and solidified in the cavity 24 to form a cast product.

  Thereafter, the mold 25 is opened to take out a cast product CP as shown in FIG. FIG. 12 shows the cast product CP taken out in cross section. The shape of the cast product CP shown in FIG. 12 does not show a specific product shape, but conceptually shows the cast product in general.

[Operation and effect of casting process]
According to the casting process of this embodiment, high-quality semi-solid metal slurry MS containing fine and uniform non-dendritic (spherical) particles produced in the above-described semi-solid metal slurry production process is used as a casting material doing. Therefore, the occurrence of shrinkage cavities in the cast product CP can be suppressed, and the reliability and quality of the mechanical strength of the cast product CP can be improved.

[Effect of semi-solid casting method]
According to the semi-solidified casting method of this embodiment described above, in the process of producing the cast product CP, high-quality semi-solid metal slurry MS containing fine and uniform spherical particles is obtained by relatively simple and inexpensive equipment. It can be produced in a relatively short time without lowering the material yield. Further, in the manufacturing process, leakage of the molten metal MM from the bottom of the container 3 can be prevented, and furthermore, the manufactured semi-solid metal slurry MS can be stably and easily taken out from the container 3. Furthermore, high quality cast products CP can be formed by using the produced semi-solid metal slurry MS as a casting material.

  Note that the disclosed technology is not limited to the above embodiment, and part of the configuration may be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope of the disclosed technology.

  (1) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface of the bottom member 7 constituting the container 3 is flat, but as shown in FIG. It is also possible to integrally provide a convex portion 7b that is aligned with the lower end opening 6b of the. In this case, the convex portion 7b is fitted to the lower end opening 6b. Therefore, when the container 3 is vibrated, the integrity of the cylindrical member 6 and the bottom member 7 can be enhanced, and the positional deviation of the cylindrical member 6 with respect to the bottom member 7 can be prevented. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of ribs 7 c may be integrally provided on the upper surface 7 a of the bottom member 7 so as to be aligned with the outer periphery of the lower end of the cylindrical member 6. Also in this case, the plurality of ribs 7 c are fitted to the outer periphery of the lower end of the cylindrical member 6. Therefore, when the container 3 is vibrated, the integrity of the cylindrical member 6 and the bottom member 7 can be enhanced, and the positional deviation of the cylindrical member 6 with respect to the bottom member 7 can be prevented. 13 and 14 are front views according to FIG.

  (2) In the semi-solidified metal slurry preparation step of the embodiment, the container 3 is vibrated before pouring the molten metal MM into the container 3. On the other hand, as timing to start the vibration of the container 3, the molten metal MM can be poured into the container 3 and the vibration of the container 3 can be started after a predetermined time (for example, "a time within 10 seconds") has elapsed. . In this case, since the container 3 does not vibrate when starting to pour the molten metal MM into the container 3, the molten metal MM can be easily poured into the container 3. In this sense, semi-solid metal slurry MS can be easily produced.

  The disclosed technology can be used to form various cast products, and can be effectively used to cast high pressure parts because casting cavities can be particularly reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 metal slurry preparation apparatus 3 container 4 vibration generator 6 cylinder member 6a upper end opening 6b lower end opening 6c peripheral wall 7 bottom member 8 inner flange 21 casting apparatus 22 extrusion apparatus 23 injection apparatus 24 cavity 25 mold D1 dimension TP taper MM molten metal MS Semi-solidified metal slurry CP casting products

Claims (3)

A step of preparing a semi-solid metal slurry, wherein a semi-solid metal slurry to be cast material is produced by a metal slurry production apparatus;
And a casting process for forming a cast product by supplying the semi-solid metal slurry produced in the semi-solid metal slurry production process to a casting apparatus,
The metal slurry production apparatus includes a container into which molten metal is poured, and a vibration generator for vibrating the container.
The semi-solid metal slurry production process
Preparing the semi-solid metal slurry by pouring the molten metal into the vessel at a temperature lower than the molten metal and cooling to a solid-liquid coexistence state;
Mechanically vibrating the container by the vibration generator when cooling the molten metal;
The container includes a hollow cylindrical member having an upper end opening and a lower end opening, a bottom member capable of closing the lower end opening and separable from the cylindrical member, and having a predetermined dimension in the radial direction at the lower end opening. A flange is provided,
The lower end opening is closed by the cylindrical member being placed on the bottom member with the lower end opening downward, thereby forming the container, and the container is configured by vibrating the bottom member by the vibration generator. And being configured to vibrate
The casting apparatus includes an extruder for the semi-solid metal slurry, an injection device for the semi-solid metal slurry, and a mold including a cavity.
The casting process is
After the semi-solidified metal slurry is produced in the container, the cylindrical member is separated from the bottom member, and the semi-solidified metal slurry is extruded from the cylindrical member by the extruder and loaded into the injection device. ,
Forming the cast product by filling the semisolid metal slurry loaded in the injection device into the cavity of the mold by the injection device. In the semi-solid casting method according to claim 1,
The semi-solidified casting method, wherein the cylindrical member includes a peripheral wall, and the peripheral wall is tapered so as to expand in diameter toward the upper end opening. In the semi-solid casting method according to claim 1 or 2,
The dimension in the said radial direction of the said inner flange is set to a constant value irrespective of the internal diameter of the said lower end opening, The semi-solid casting method characterized by the above-mentioned.

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