JP5965890B2 - Molding apparatus, semi-solid metal production apparatus, molding method, and semi-solid metal production method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a forming apparatus, a semi-solid metal manufacturing apparatus, a forming method, and a semi-solid metal manufacturing method. The molding method is, for example, a semi-solid die casting method.

  The semi-solid metal is formed by cooling a liquid metal material in a container. Since the metal material adheres to the inner surface of the container in the process of becoming a semi-solid state, the semi-solid metal cannot be smoothly taken out from the container even if the container is turned upside down after the metal material becomes the semi-solid state. is there.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses the following method as a method for taking out the semi-solid metal from the container. First, a container is comprised by the hollow member which upper and lower ends open, and the bottom member which block | closes the opening below the hollow member. A liquid metal material is poured into the container to form a semi-solid metal. Once the semi-solid metal is formed, the bottom member is removed from the container. Then, a long push member is inserted from one opening of the hollow member, and the semi-solid metal is pushed out to the other opening of the hollow member by the push member.

JP 2006-334665 A

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, if the tip surface of the pressing member is thin, the pressing member is reduced to the semi-solid metal, and the semi-solid metal may not be extruded. That is, the front end surface of the push member must be made equal to the diameter of the hollow member, and the degree of freedom in design is low.

  Accordingly, a molding apparatus, a semi-solid metal production apparatus, a molding method, and a semi-solid metal production method capable of suitably taking out the semi-solid metal from the container and improving the quality of the molded product are provided. desirable.

  The molding apparatus of the present invention includes a sleeve that communicates with a mold, a semi-solid metal manufacturing apparatus that supplies semi-solid metal to the sleeve, and a plunger that pushes the semi-solid metal supplied to the sleeve into the mold. The semi-solid metal manufacturing apparatus has a hollow member that opens in the vertical direction, and a bottom member that can close the opening below the hollow member and is separable from the hollow member, A container into which a metal material is poured, and a cooling device capable of cooling the bottom member more than the hollow member.

  Preferably, in the semi-solid metal production apparatus, the upper side of the semi-solid metal in the container faces the mold side, and the bottom side of the semi-solid metal in the container faces the plunger side. When the semi-solid metal is supplied to the sleeve, and the semi-solid metal is filled into the mold by the plunger, the portion of the bottom portion of the semi-solid metal having a high solid phase ratio is accommodated in the design part.

  Preferably, the semi-solid metal production apparatus further includes a temperature sensor disposed on the bottom member.

  Preferably, the bottom member is thicker than the hollow member.

  Suitably, the manufacturing apparatus of the said semi-solid metal further has a pushing apparatus which pushes the bottom part of the said semi-solid metal in the said hollow member toward the opening above the said hollow member.

  Preferably, the pushing device repeatedly causes the pushing member to collide with the bottom of the one semi-solid metal.

  Preferably, the semi-solid metal production apparatus further includes a transport device for transporting the hollow member, the push device reciprocates the push member, and the transport device is configured to move the semi-solid metal in the container. After the solid metal is generated, the hollow member holding the semi-solid metal is separated from the bottom member, and then the opening below the hollow member is moved closer to the pushing member that reciprocates. The hollow member is conveyed.

  Preferably, the apparatus for producing a semi-solid metal further includes a pouring device for pouring the liquid metal material to be the semi-solid metal into the container in two or more times.

  An apparatus for producing a semi-solid metal of the present invention has a hollow member that opens in the vertical direction, a bottom member that can close the opening below the hollow member and is separable from the hollow member, and the liquid metal material is A container to be poured; and a cooling device capable of cooling the bottom member more than the hollow member.

  The forming method of the present invention includes a disposing step of disposing a hollow member opening in the vertical direction on a bottom member to constitute a container, a pouring step of pouring a liquid metal material into the container, and the liquid metal In the container into which the material has been poured, a cooling step for cooling the bottom member more than the hollow member, and a sleeve for passing the semi-solid metal produced by cooling the metal material in the container to the mold A supplying step, and an injection step of pushing the semi-solid metal in the sleeve into the mold by a plunger.

  Preferably, when the semi-solid metal is filled in the mold in the injection step, a portion of the bottom portion of the semi-solid metal having a high solid phase ratio is accommodated in the design portion.

  The method for producing a semi-solid metal of the present invention includes a disposing step of disposing a hollow member that opens in a vertical direction on a bottom member to constitute a container, a pouring step of pouring a liquid metal material into the container, A cooling step for cooling the bottom member more than the hollow member in the container in which the liquid metal material is poured.

  According to the present invention, the semi-solid metal can be suitably taken out from the container. Moreover, the quality of a molded article (product) can be improved.

The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the molding machine containing the manufacturing apparatus of the semi-solidified metal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the container peripheral part of the manufacturing apparatus of the semi-solidified metal of FIG. Sectional drawing in the III-III line of FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the pushing apparatus of the manufacturing apparatus of the semi-solidified metal of FIG. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the molding machine centering on the operation of the semi-solid metal production apparatus. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D are schematic diagrams for explaining the continuation of FIG. FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are diagrams for explaining a modification of the pouring operation. Fig.8 (a) and FIG.8 (b) are figures which show temperature changes, such as a container in an Example. FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of a semi-solid metal material, and FIGS. 9B to 9D are micrographs of cross sections of the metal material of Example in regions IXb to IXd of FIG. 9A, FIGS. 9E to 9G are micrographs corresponding to FIGS. 9B to 9D in the comparative example. FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are micrographs of cross sections of the metal material of the example in the regions Xa and Xb of FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a molding machine (forming apparatus) 101 including a semi-solid metal manufacturing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The molding machine 101 solidifies the metal material M in the cavity 103a of the mold 103 to manufacture a molded product. The molding machine 101 is, for example, a die casting machine. In this case, the metal material M is, for example, an aluminum alloy.

  The molding machine 101 includes a manufacturing apparatus 1 that manufactures a semi-solid metal material M from a liquid metal material M, an injection apparatus 105 that injects the semi-solid metal material M into a cavity 103a in a mold 103, And a control device 107 that controls the manufacturing device 1 and the injection device 105 and the like. Although not particularly shown, the molding machine 101 includes a mold clamping device for clamping the mold 103, an extrusion device for extruding a molded product formed by the mold 103, and the like. Controls the mold clamping device and the extrusion device.

  The injection device 105 includes a sleeve 109 that communicates with the cavity 103a in the mold 103, a plunger 111 that slides inside the sleeve 109 to push out the metal material M, and a drive device (not shown) that drives the plunger 111. Yes. A supply port 109 a is opened on the upper surface of the sleeve 109. The semi-solid metal material M is dropped into the sleeve 109 through the supply port 109a.

  The control device 107 is constituted by a computer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an external storage device, for example. The control device 107 may be configured by a control device provided for each of various devices included in the molding machine 101, or may be configured by one control device that controls all the devices included in the molding machine 101. Alternatively, it may be configured by a control device that controls a plurality of devices included in the molding machine 101 and a control device that controls other devices.

  The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes, for example, a holding furnace 3 that holds a liquid metal material M, a pouring device 5 that pumps the liquid metal material from the holding furnace 3, and a liquid metal material is poured by the pouring apparatus 5. And a semi-solidifying device 7 for bringing the poured liquid metal material into a semi-solid state.

  The holding furnace 3 may have a known configuration. The holding furnace 3 may also serve as a melting furnace. For example, the holding furnace 3 includes a furnace body 11 that houses the metal material M, a heating device 13 that heats the metal material M housed in the furnace body 11, and the temperature of the metal material M housed in the furnace body 11. And a first temperature sensor 15 for detecting.

  Although the furnace body 11 is not specifically illustrated, for example, a container made of a metal having a solidus temperature or a melting point higher than the liquidus temperature of the metal material M is placed in a container made of a material having excellent heat insulation such as ceramic. Arranged and configured. The heating device 13 includes, for example, a coil that heats the metal material M by electromagnetic induction, or a combustion device that heats the metal material M by burning gas. The first temperature sensor 15 is constituted by, for example, a thermocouple type temperature sensor or a radiation thermometer.

  The pouring device 5 may have a known configuration. For example, the pouring device 5 includes a ladle 17 and a ladle transport device 19 that can drive the ladle 17.

  The ladle 17 is a container having a spout 17a made of a material having a solidus temperature or a melting point higher than the liquidus temperature of the metal material M, and can store the metal material M for one shot. The ladle transport device 19 is constituted by, for example, an articulated robot, and can move the ladle 17 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and can tilt the ladle 17 so as to move the spout 17a up and down. Is possible.

  The semi-solidifying device 7 includes, for example, a container 21 into which the liquid metal material M is poured by the hot water pouring device 5, a pre-cooling device 23 that cools the container 21 before pouring the liquid metal material into the container 21, In order to take out the semi-solid metal material M from the container 21, the placement device 25 on which the container 21 is placed when the liquid metal material M is poured into the container 21, the container transport device 27 that transports the container 21, and the container 21. The pushing device 29 is provided.

  The container 21 is made of a material (preferably metal) having a solidus temperature or a melting point higher than the liquidus temperature of the metal material M and preferably having a relatively high thermal conductivity. The container 21 can store the metal material M for one shot.

  The pre-cooling device 23 cools the container 21 by immersing the container 21 in a cooling medium, for example. The cooling medium may be a gas or a liquid. As will be described later, the mounting device 25 also has a cooling function of the container 21. By providing the pre-cooling device 23 in addition to the placement device 25, for example, the metal material M is poured into the container 21 placed on the placement device 25, and the container 21 into which the metal material is poured next is pre-cooled. Cooling by the apparatus 23 can shorten the cycle time.

  The container transport device 27 is constituted by, for example, an articulated robot, can move the container 21 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and changes the vertical direction of the container 21 (the container 21 is turned upside down). Is possible). The container transport device 27 performs transfer of the container 21 from the pre-cooling device 23 to the mounting device 25, transfer of the container 21 from the mounting device 25 onto the sleeve 109, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the container 21 of the semi-solid metal production apparatus 1. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

  The container 21 has the hollow member 31 which comprises the wall part of the said container 21, and the bottom member 33 which comprises the bottom part of the container 21, These are separable. A funnel 35 for assisting pouring the liquid metal material M into the container 21 is disposed above the container 21.

  In addition, the mounting device 25 includes an auxiliary cooling device 37 (FIG. 3) for cooling the container 21 and a second temperature sensor 39 that detects the temperature of the metal material M in the container 21.

  The hollow member 31 may be transported and turned upside down, etc., but the upper and lower sides of the hollow member 31 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are based on the upper and lower sides when the liquid metal material M is poured. Words such as downward are used. The same applies to the semi-solid metal material M held by the hollow member 31.

  The hollow member 31 is formed in a hollow shape whose upper and lower ends are open. Although the shape seen in the opening direction of the hollow member 31 may be appropriately set, a circular shape is preferable from the viewpoint of cooling the metal material M evenly (the hollow member 31 is preferably cylindrical). The thickness of the hollow member 31 is constant, for example.

  In addition, in FIG. 3, the case where the internal diameter of the hollow member 31 is enlarged as the upper side is illustrated. However, the inner diameter of the hollow member 31 may be constant from the upper end to the lower end. In addition, a portion having an appropriate shape may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow member 31 so that the holding (for example, gripping) of the hollow member 31 by the container transport device 27 can be easily or reliably performed.

  The bottom member 33 is a substantially plate-shaped member, for example. The planar shape of the bottom member 33 may be appropriately set. In the present embodiment, a circular shape is illustrated. The outer shape of the bottom member 33 in plan view is set wider than the opening of the hollow member 31. The thickness of the bottom member 33 is, for example, constant. However, the thickness may be different between the central side and the outer peripheral side. Further, the upper surface 33a of the bottom member 33 may be provided with an inclination such that the height is different between the center side and the outer peripheral side.

  The hollow member 31 is placed on the upper surface 33 a of the bottom member 33, and the opening below the hollow member 31 is closed by the bottom member 33, whereby the container 21 is configured. In FIG. 2, the region surrounded by the dotted line in the upper surface 33 a constitutes the bottom surface 21 b of the container 21.

  In addition, between the hollow member 31 and the bottom member 33, the metal material M cannot flow out and the comparatively small clearance gap in which air (gas) can flow out may be formed. Such a gap serves to prevent air from being released when the metal material M is poured into the container 21 and to prevent air from being caught in the metal material M.

  For example, the hollow member 31 and the bottom member 33 are fixed to each other when the bottom member 33 is supported by the base body 43 of the mounting device 25 and the hollow member 31 is pressed from above by the funnel 35. The position of the funnel 35 is held by, for example, the container transport device 27 or another robot, and a force for pressing the hollow member 31 is applied.

  Note that the hollow member 31 and the bottom member 33 may be fixed to each other by appropriate clamping means. A means for fixing the hollow member 31 and the bottom member 33 to each other, such as a clamping means, may not be provided, and the hollow member 31 may only be placed on the bottom member 33. The bottom member 33 is preferably fixed to the base body 43. For example, the bottom member 33 is fixed to the base body 43 by screws (not shown). The hollow member 31 and the bottom member 33 may have a positioning portion for positioning each other in the horizontal direction. For example, the bottom member 33 may be formed with a groove that accommodates the lower edge of the hollow member 31.

  The materials of the hollow member 31 and the bottom member 33 may be the same as each other or different from each other. When they are different from each other, the material of the bottom member 33 preferably has a higher thermal conductivity than the material of the hollow member 31. For example, the hollow member 31 is made of stainless steel, whereas the bottom member 33 is made of copper (pure copper).

  Moreover, the thickness of the hollow member 31 and the bottom member 33 may be the same as each other, or may be different from each other. When they are different from each other, the thickness of the bottom member 33 is preferably thicker than the thickness of the hollow member 31.

  The funnel 35 is made of a material (preferably metal) having a solidus temperature or a melting point higher than the liquidus temperature of the metal material M and preferably having a relatively high thermal conductivity. The funnel 35 is a hollow member whose diameter increases toward the upper side, and the lower end is inserted into the opening above the container 21. The inclination of the inner wall of the funnel 35 is preferably larger than the inclination of the inner wall of the container 21.

  The auxiliary cooling device 37 (FIG. 3) cools the bottom member 33 in the container 21, for example. The auxiliary cooling device 37 includes, for example, a flow path 33c formed in the bottom member 33, a heat exchanger 45 that cools the refrigerant that flows through the flow path 33c, and a pump 47 that generates the flow of the refrigerant. Yes.

  The refrigerant is, for example, water. The shape of the flow path 33c may be set as appropriate. FIG. 3 illustrates a flow path 33 c having a shape that circulates around the center of the bottom member 33. The heat exchanger 45 and the pump 47 may have a known configuration.

  The second temperature sensor 39 is, for example, a contact type temperature sensor, and more specifically, for example, a thermocouple type temperature sensor. The second temperature sensor 39 is disposed on the bottom member 33. More specifically, for example, the second temperature sensor 39 is fitted into a hole that vertically penetrates the bottom member 33 and is exposed in the container 21 at the bottom surface 21b. Therefore, the 2nd temperature sensor 39 can contact | abut to the metal material M poured into the container 21, and can detect the temperature of the metal material M directly.

  The top surface of the second temperature sensor 39 is preferably continuous with the top surface 33a of the bottom member 33 so that no step is generated on the bottom surface 21b of the container 21. The second temperature sensor 39 may be disposed at an appropriate position on the bottom surface 21b, and in the present embodiment, the case where the second temperature sensor 39 is disposed at a position slightly shifted from the center of the bottom surface 21b is illustrated.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the pushing device 29.

  The pushing device 29 includes, for example, an air cylinder 49 and a pneumatic circuit 51 that supplies air to the air cylinder 49.

  The air cylinder 49 is constituted by, for example, a single-acting cylinder with a spring. The air cylinder 49 is fixed to the cylinder portion 53, the piston 55 slidable in the cylinder portion 53, and extends from the cylinder portion 53. A piston rod 57 and a spring 59 that biases the piston 55 are provided.

  The piston 55 divides the inside of the cylinder portion 53 into a front (piston rod 57 side) rod side chamber 53r and a rear (opposite side to the piston rod 57) head side chamber 53h. Then, when air is supplied to the head side chamber 53h, the piston 55 and the piston rod 57 move forward. The rod side chamber 53r is open to the atmosphere, for example.

  The spring 59 is accommodated in, for example, the rod side chamber 53 r and urges the piston 55 backward with respect to the cylinder portion 53. Therefore, when the pressure in the head side chamber 53h is released, the piston 55 and the piston rod 57 move backward.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the air cylinder 49 is fixedly provided to the sleeve 109 above the supply port 109a of the sleeve 109 and on the rear side of the supply port 109a. Further, the air cylinder 49 is disposed obliquely in the front-rear direction with respect to the vertical direction so that the direction in which the piston rod 57 extends extends toward the supply port 109a. Note that the entire air cylinder 49 does not have to be located behind the entire supply port 109a.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the hollow member 31 holding the semi-solid metal material M is transported between the supply port 109 a and the air cylinder 49. The hollow member 31 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction in substantially the same direction as the air cylinder 49, and the upper side is directed to the supply port 109 a and the bottom side is directed to the air cylinder 49.

  Accordingly, by moving the holding portion 27a of the container transport device 27 holding the hollow member 31 to the air cylinder 49 side and / or by causing the piston rod 57 to protrude from the cylinder portion 53, the piston rod 57 is It is possible to contact the bottom of the semi-solid metal material M.

  Although not particularly illustrated, the pneumatic circuit 51 includes a pump, an accumulator, a valve, and the like, and operates based on a control signal from the control device 107. The pneumatic circuit 51 is connected to the head side chamber 53h and can control the pressure in the head side chamber 53h.

  For example, the pneumatic circuit 51 can supply air of a predetermined pressure accumulated in the accumulator to the head side chamber 53h at an appropriate timing and time length by opening and closing a valve between the accumulator and the head side chamber 53h. is there. In addition, the pneumatic circuit 51 can release the pressure in the head side chamber 53h at an appropriate timing and time length by opening and closing a valve between the outside of the pneumatic circuit 51 (atmosphere) and the head side chamber 53h. is there.

  Further, the pneumatic circuit 51 can repeat the above-described supply of air to the head side chamber 53h and depressurization of the head side chamber 53h at an appropriate cycle. In this case, the piston rod 57 repeats forward movement by the pressure of the head side chamber 53 h and backward movement by the spring 59. That is, the pushing device 29 can reciprocate (vibrate) the piston rod 57 in the direction of approaching and separating from the semi-solid metal material M.

(Operation of manufacturing equipment)
Next, the operation of the molding machine 101 will be described focusing on the operation of the manufacturing apparatus 1.

The controller 107, based on the detection value of the first temperature sensor 15 controls the heater 13 to maintain the temperature of the metallic material M contained in the furnace body 11 to a predetermined first temperature T _1. The first temperature T ₁ of is a temperature higher than the liquidus temperature of the metallic material M, a metal material M, the whole is a liquid.

The bottom member 33 of the container 21 is placed on the base body 43 of the mounting device 25 throughout the entire process of the molding machine 101. The control device 107 controls the auxiliary cooling device 37 based on the temperature sensor (not shown) or the detection value of the second temperature sensor 39, and sets the temperature of the bottom member 33 before the metal material M is poured into the container 21 to a predetermined value. the second to a temperature _{T 2.} The second temperature T ₂ is a temperature lower than the liquidus temperature of the metallic material M.

The hollow member 31 of the container 21 is movable between the pre-cooling device 23, the mounting device 25 and the sleeve 109 by being conveyed to the container conveying device 27. The controller 107 controls the vessel conveying device 27 to convey the hollow member 31 to the pre-cooling device 23, controls the pre-cooling device 23 so that the temperature of the hollow member 31 to a predetermined third temperature T ₃ To do. Third temperature T ₃ is a temperature lower than the liquidus temperature of the metallic material M.

T ₂ and T ₃ may be the same or different from each other. When different from each other, it is preferable that T ₂ <T ₃ . In the case of T ₂ <T ₃ , solidification of the metal material M easily proceeds on the bottom side of the container 21 as compared with T ₂ = T ₃ .

Figure 5 (a) ~ FIG 5 (d) and FIG. 6 (a) ~ FIG 6 (d) is a bottom member 33 and the hollow member 31 in which the metal material M has not yet been poured second temperature _{T 2} and the 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process after cooling to a temperature T _3.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the control device 107 controls the container transport device 27 so as to transport the hollow member 31 onto the bottom member 33. Thereby, the container 21 including the hollow member 31 and the bottom member 33 is configured.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the control device 107 controls the container transport device 27 or another robot (not shown) so as to transport the funnel 35 onto the hollow member 31. Thereby, as already stated, the hollow member 31 is pressed down and held by the funnel 35.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the control device 107 controls the ladle transport device 19 so that the ladle 17 pours the liquid metal material M into the container 21 through the funnel 35.

  At this time, the position of the ladle 17 and the like are preferably controlled so that the metal material M contacts (collises) the inner surface of the funnel 35. In this case, the heat of the metal material M is transferred to the funnel 35 and convection occurs in the metal material M. As a result, it is expected that the metal material M is quickly cooled.

  As shown in FIG. 5D, when the metal material M is poured into the container 21, the heat of the metal material M is transferred to the container 21, and the metal material M is cooled. In addition, the metal material M is poured into the container 21 from a certain height, thereby causing a flow and stirring. As a result, the metal material M is semi-solidified.

  At this time, cooling at the bottom of the container 21 is performed in preference to cooling at the middle and top of the container 21. That is, the cooling rate at the bottom of the metal material M is faster than the cooling rate at the middle and top of the metal material M. In another aspect, the metal material M has a temperature gradient in which the bottom temperature is lower than the middle and top temperatures.

Such cooling is realized by, for example, at least one of the configurations or operations listed below. The thickness of the bottom member 33 is thicker than the thickness of the hollow member 31. The thermal conductivity of the bottom member 33 is higher than the thermal conductivity of the hollow member 31. T ₂ <T ₃ . Even after pouring, the cooling of the bottom member 33 by the auxiliary cooling device 37 is continued.

Further, by such cooling, as will be described later, a bottom portion having a higher solid phase ratio than other portions of the semi-solid metal material M generated in the container 21 is formed.
In addition, by performing experiments and simulations, as described later, the amount of the bottom of the semi-solid metal material M to be generated is, for example, less than half of the amount of the plan part (biscuits). In addition, the thickness of the bottom member 33, the amount of cooling to the bottom member 33 by the auxiliary cooling device 37, and the like are designed or set.

  As the hatching of the metal material M is shown differently at the bottom, the middle, and the top, the metal material M has a cooling rate at the bottom that is faster than the cooling rate at the middle and the top. The solid phase rate is higher than the solid phase rates of the middle and upper parts of the metal material M.

  Moreover, since the cooling rate in the bottom part of the metal material M is faster than the cooling rate in the middle part and the upper part, the stirring in the bottom part tends to be insufficient than the stirring in the middle part and the upper part. The bottom portion has a high cooling rate and insufficient stirring, so that the crystals become dendritic and fine. On the other hand, in the middle part and the upper part, the cooling rate is slow and the stirring is sufficient, so that the crystals become round (granular).

In the process of cooling the metal material M, the control device 107 monitors the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 39. The temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 39 rapidly rises when the liquid metal material M is poured into the container 21 and the metal material M comes into contact with the second temperature sensor 39, and then the heat of the metal material M is increased. It is lowered by being taken away by the container 21. The control device 107 determines whether or not the decreasing temperature reaches a predetermined target temperature _Tt .

There is a correlation between the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 39 and the solid phase ratio of the semi-solid metal. The target temperature T _t is set to a temperature corresponding to a desired solid phase rate based on experiments using the manufacturing apparatus 1 or the like.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the bottom part of the metal material M is intended to have a high solid phase ratio. Further, since the second temperature sensor 39 is affected by the auxiliary cooling device 37, the detected temperature of the second temperature sensor 39 may be lower than the temperature of the bottom of the metal material M depending on the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 1. is there. Therefore, the target temperature T _t need not be higher than the solidus temperature of the metal material M.

Further, the container 21 is sufficiently cooled in advance and / or the metal material so that the container 21 and the metal material M do not reach thermal equilibrium before the detected temperature of the second temperature sensor 39 reaches the target temperature T _t. Even after M is poured, the cooling by the auxiliary cooling device 37 is continued.

When the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 39 reaches the target temperature T _t , the control device 107 stops the cooling of the metal material M and starts a process for taking out the metal material M from the container 21.

  Specifically, first, the container transport device 27 or another robot (not shown) is controlled so as to remove the funnel 35, and further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the container transport device so as to lift the hollow member 31. 27 is controlled. The semi-solid metal material M is held by the hollow member 31 and is separated from the bottom member 33 together with the hollow member 31.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the control device 107 conveys the container so that the hollow member 31 holding the metal material M is conveyed between the supply port 109 a of the sleeve 109 and the air cylinder 49. The device 27 is controlled. The hollow member 31 is disposed obliquely with respect to the vertical direction, with the bottom side facing the air cylinder 49 and the top side facing the supply port 109a.

  At this time, the bottom surface of the metal material M is not in contact with the tip of the piston rod 57. For example, the bottom surface of the metal material M is located outside the stroke of the piston rod 57 (the tip thereof) or within the stroke of the piston rod 57 and a position separated from the piston rod 57 located at the retreat limit by a predetermined distance. Is located.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, the control device 107 controls the pneumatic circuit 51 so as to reciprocate the piston rod 57 (see arrow y1) and brings the hollow member 31 closer to the air cylinder 49. Thus, the container transport device 27 is controlled. Note that the speed at which the hollow member 31 approaches the air cylinder 49 is slower than the speed at which the piston rod 57 moves backward. Further, either the movement of the hollow member 31 or the vibration of the piston rod 57 may be started first or simultaneously.

  As a result of the above operation, the piston rod 57 repeatedly collides with the bottom surface of the semi-solid metal material M. Due to the collision, the metal material M is peeled off from the inner surface of the hollow member 31 and falls from the hollow member 31.

  Note that the stroke of the air cylinder 49, the operation of the air cylinder 49, the operation of the container transport device 27, etc. are performed only by gravity after the metal material M has deviated to some extent from the initial position with respect to the hollow member 31. M may be set so as to fall out of the hollow member 31, or the piston rod 57 is set so as to abut against the metal material M until almost the entire metal material M is located outside the hollow member 31. Also good.

  The metal material M dropped from the hollow member 31 is accommodated in the sleeve 109 via the supply port 109a. Since the hollow member 31 is inverted so as to be inclined obliquely with respect to the vertical direction so that the upper opening is directed from the rear to the front of the sleeve 109, the metal material M has a metal upper portion in the sleeve 109. The bottom part is directed to the plunger 111 side toward the mold 103 (cavity 103a) side.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6D, when the plunger 111 advances in the sleeve 109, the metal material M is injected into the cavity 103 a in the mold 103. Then, the metal material M is cooled and solidified in the cavity 103a (in the mold 103), whereby a molded product is formed.

  At this time, the bottom part with a high solid-phase rate among the metal materials M fits in a design part (biscuit). The size of the plan part is, for example, 15 mm to 30 mm in the movement direction of the plunger 111. The bottom having a high solid phase ratio is, for example, less than half of the amount.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the semi-solid metal production apparatus 1 includes the container 21 and the auxiliary cooling device 37. The container 21 has a hollow member 31 that opens in the vertical direction, and a bottom member 33 that can close the opening below the hollow member 31 and that can be separated from the hollow member 31, and a liquid metal material M is poured into the container 21. The auxiliary cooling device 37 directly cools only the bottom member 33 of the container 21. In other words, the auxiliary cooling device 37 can cool the bottom member 33 more than the hollow member 31.

  Therefore, the bottom part of the semi-solid metal exposed from the hollow member 31 by separating the bottom member 33 from the hollow member 31 has a high solid phase ratio. As a result, for example, a portion having a high solid phase ratio can be pushed, and as a result, the semi-solid metal can be suitably taken out. For example, the piston rod 57 is suppressed from being reduced into the metal material M. As a result, for example, the need to increase the contact area of the member pushing the metal material M with the metal material M is reduced. That is, the degree of freedom in design increases. On the other hand, since only a part (bottom part) of the solid phase ratio is high, the quality as a whole can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the pushing device 29 repeatedly causes the piston rod 57 to collide with the bottom of one semi-solid metal material M.

  Therefore, the impact which peels off the metal material M from the container 21 (hollow member 31) can be effectively given to the metal material M. From another viewpoint, the pushing device 29 (air cylinder 49) can be downsized as compared with the case where the metal material M is slowly pushed out by one stroke. For the container transport device 27 that holds the container 21 when the metal material M is pushed out, a reduction in the holding force of the holding portion 27a is expected.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus 1 has the container conveyance apparatus 27 which conveys at least one part of the container 21. FIG. The container 21 includes a hollow member 31 that constitutes a wall portion of the container and that is open at both upper and lower ends, and a bottom member 33 that closes the opening at the lower end of the hollow member 31 and forms the bottom of the container 21. Yes. The pushing device 29 reciprocates the piston rod 57. After the semi-solid metal is generated in the container 21, the container transport device 27 separates the hollow member 31 holding the semi-solid metal from the bottom member 33, and then reciprocates the opening below the hollow member 31. The hollow member 31 is conveyed so that it may approach the piston rod 57 currently performed.

  Therefore, the configuration for repeatedly causing the piston rod 57 to collide with the bottom of the metal material M as described above is simply and effectively configured as a whole. Specifically, first, the bottom of the metal material M is easily exposed by separating the container 21. Further, the container transport device 27 is used for both the separation operation of the container 21 and the collision operation of the piston rod 57 against the metal material M. With this combination, for example, the stroke of the air cylinder 49 can be reduced. From another viewpoint, it is not necessary to move the air cylinder 49 (cylinder portion 53). Moreover, since the metal material M collides with the sum of the moving speed of the hollow member 31 by the container conveying device 27 and the moving speed of the piston rod 57, the collision is effectively performed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the molding machine 101 includes the semi-solid metal production apparatus 1 that exhibits various effects as described above, the sleeve 109 that communicates with the cavity 103a in the mold 103, and the half that is supplied to the sleeve 109. And a plunger 111 for extruding the solidified metal material M into the cavity 103a in the mold 103. The manufacturing apparatus 1 supplies the metal material M to the sleeve 109 such that the upper side of the semi-solid metal material M faces the mold 103 (cavity 103a) and the bottom side of the metal material M faces the plunger 111 side. . Moreover, in this embodiment, the thickness of the bottom part which makes a solid-phase rate higher than a center part or upper part among the semi-solid-state metal materials M produced | generated in the container 21 using results, such as experiment and simulation. The semi-solid metal material M is generated so that the thickness is less than half of the thickness of the plan part (biscuits). The cross-sectional area parallel to the bottom surface of the container 21 and the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the injection direction of the sleeve 109 are approximate.

  Accordingly, in the semi-solid metal material M, the bottom portion where the crystals did not grow in the granular form is located on the plan portion side, and the upper portion and the middle portion where the crystals have grown in the granular form are located on the product portion side. More preferably, the bottom part of the metal material M fits into the plan part. That is, in the molding of the molded product, the bottom portion of the semi-solid metal material M in which the crystals have not grown in a granular form does not become a portion that forms the molded product (product). As a result, it is possible to improve the quality of the product (molded product) while obtaining a preferable effect by increasing the solid phase ratio on the bottom side as described above.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the production | generation method of a semi-solid metal has the arrangement | positioning step (FIG. 5 (a)) which comprises the container 21 by arrange | positioning the hollow member 31 opened to an up-down direction on the bottom member 33, and liquid state. Pouring step (FIG. 5C) for pouring the metallic material M into the container 21, and a cooling step for cooling the bottom member 33 rather than the hollow member 31 in the container 21 into which the liquid metallic material M is poured ( 5 (d)). Accordingly, the same effects as those of the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment described above are exhibited.

  In the present embodiment, the forming method includes each step of the above generation method, a supply step (FIG. 6C) for supplying semi-solid metal to the sleeve 109 that leads to the cavity 103 a in the mold 103, and the sleeve. And an injection step (FIG. 6D) for extruding the semi-solid metal in 109 into the cavity 103 a in the mold 103 by the plunger 111. In the supply step, the semi-solid metal is supplied to the sleeve 109 so that the upper side of the semi-solid metal faces the mold 103 (cavity 103a) and the bottom side of the semi-solid metal faces the plunger 111 side. Therefore, the same effects as those of the molding machine 101 of the present embodiment described above are exhibited.

(Modification of pouring operation)
FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are diagrams for explaining a modification of the pouring operation of the liquid metal material M into the container 21.

  In this modification, the structures of the molding machine 101 and the semi-solid metal production apparatus 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and operations other than the pouring operation of the liquid metal material M into the container 21 are also performed. This is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In the pouring operation of this modified example, first, the liquid metal material M is poured into the container 21 through the funnel 35 as in the embodiment (see FIG. 5C). However, in the embodiment, the metal material M for one shot held by the ladle 17 is all poured into the container 21 at one time. In this modification, as shown in FIG. As such, the pouring is temporarily interrupted.

  While the pouring is interrupted, the metal material M that has already been poured into the container 21 is cooled by transferring its heat to the container 21. On the other hand, the metal material M remaining in the ladle 17 is not cooled. That is, a temperature difference occurs between them. From another viewpoint, the solid phase ratio is increased in the metal material M already poured. In addition, the amount of the metal material M poured into the container 21 once the pouring is interrupted is determined based on the results of experiments, simulations, and the like. The height that the material M forms in the container 21 is determined to be an amount that is not more than half the thickness of the design part (biscuit). The cross-sectional area parallel to the bottom surface of the container 21 and the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the injection direction of the sleeve 109 are approximate.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, pouring of the liquid metal material M into the container 21 is resumed. The poured metal material M is transferred to the container 21 and cooled together with the metal material M already in the container 21. In the container 21, the metal material M is poured to cause stirring.

  Therefore, the metal material M poured into the container 21 is semi-solid as a whole, and the metal material M poured first mainly constitutes the bottom of the semi-solid metal. And since this bottom part was cooled previously, a solid-phase rate becomes higher than a center part and an upper part. As a result, various effects similar to those of the embodiment can be obtained.

  Thus, in the container 21, the method of cooling the metal material M at the bottom in preference to the cooling of the metal material M at the middle and top is the same as the cooling rate at the bottom and the cooling rate at the middle and top shown in the embodiment. It is not limited to the method of making it faster, but it can also be realized by pouring the liquid metal material that becomes one semi-solid metal into the container 21 in two or more times.

  Note that the method exemplified in the embodiment may be combined with the method of the modification. In addition, when the pouring is divided into two or more times, the temperature of the container 21 rises due to the heat of the metal material M poured first, so that the cooling rate of the metal material M poured later tends to be moderate. . Therefore, the modified method often involves a change in the cooling rate.

  In the method of the modified example, effects different from those of the embodiment are also exhibited. For example, since the solid phase ratio of the metal material M poured first increases and the load of all the metal material M is applied to the bottom of the metal material M, the hollow member 31 and the bottom member 33 The metal material M is prevented from leaking from the gap.

(Example)
The molding machine 101 (manufacturing apparatus 1) shown in the embodiment was actually manufactured to produce a semi-solid metal and to mold a molded product. Measurement results of various temperatures and photographs of the metal material M in this example are shown below. In addition, the solidus temperature of the metal material M in an Example is about 555 degreeC, and liquidus temperature is 610-620 degreeC.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a temperature change at the bottom of the container 21. The horizontal axis represents time over a plurality of cycles (shots), and the numbers attached to the horizontal axis represent the number of shots. The vertical axis represents the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 39 (FIG. 2).

  The temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 39 generally repeats a temperature decrease due to cooling of the auxiliary cooling device 37 before pouring and a temperature increase due to pouring. The temperature near the maximum value in each cycle may be roughly regarded as the temperature at the bottom of the metal material M in the container 21.

  In this figure, the temperature change is stable after about 15 shots. During this period, the maximum value of the temperature of each cycle is about 420 ° C., and it can be seen that the temperature of the bottom of the metal material M is sufficiently lower than the solidus temperature.

  FIG. 8B is a diagram showing temperature changes in the container 21 and the middle part of the metal material M. FIG. The horizontal axis represents time (seconds) in one shot, and the vertical axis represents temperature. A line L1 indicates the temperature of the middle part of the metal material M (further, the central part in plan view), and a line L2 indicates the temperature of the outer surface of the middle part of the container 21.

  FIG. 8A shows the detection result of the second temperature sensor 39 provided in the manufacturing apparatus 1, and thus the measurement result is obtained over many cycles. On the other hand, FIG. Since the temperature sensor is arranged and the temperature is measured, the measurement result is only one shot. In addition, the measurement result of FIG.8 (b) is a thing of the cycle from which the temperature change was fully stabilized.

  As shown in this figure, in the middle part of the metal material M, the temperature of the metal material M is stagnant at a temperature higher than the solidus temperature and lower than the liquidus temperature. That is, the temperature of the metal material M is stable in a temperature range where a semi-solid metal is obtained.

  FIG. 9A is a schematic view of a semi-solid metal material M. FIG. FIG. 9B to FIG. 9D are micrographs of cross sections of the metal material M in the regions IXb to IXd of FIG. That is, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C, and FIG. 9D are photomicrographs of the middle part, the top part of the bottom part, and the bottom part of the semi-solid metal material M.

  From these photographs, in the examples, it was confirmed that the crystals were dendritic and fine at the bottom of the metal material M, and the crystals were granular at the middle. That is, it was confirmed that a difference was caused in the middle and bottom tissues due to the temperature gradient in the container 21.

  9 (e) to 9 (g) are micrographs corresponding to FIGS. 9 (b) to 9 (d) in the comparative example. In the comparative example, the configuration that increases the cooling rate on the bottom side as exemplified in the embodiment is not employed. That is, the temperature is basically constant from the top to the bottom of the container.

  In the example and the comparative example, there is almost no difference in the structure of the metal material M in the middle part, but a clear difference is recognized in the bottom part.

  FIGS. 10A and 10B are micrographs of a cross section of the metal material M in the regions Xa and Xb of FIG. That is, FIG. 10A is a micrograph of the product portion, and FIG. 10B is a micrograph of a range including the portion that was the bottom of the metal material M in the container 21 in the design portion. .

  First, from these figures, it was confirmed that in the product part, the crystal was granular and coarse, and in the design part, the crystal was dendritic and a fine part was generated. Furthermore, in the plan portion, it was confirmed that a boundary line was generated between the portion that was the bottom of the metal material M in the container 21 and the other portion. The confirmed boundary line extends in a direction substantially along the moving direction of the plunger 111.

  In the above embodiment, the auxiliary cooling device 37 is an example of a cooling device, the piston rod 57 is an example of a push member, and the container transport device 27 is an example of a transport device.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be implemented in various aspects.

  The semi-solid metal production apparatus may not be a part of the molding machine. That is, the semi-solid metal manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus may not be directly supplied to the sleeve of the injection apparatus, but may be rapidly solidified to form a semi-molten metal material (billet).

  The overall configuration of the semi-solid metal production apparatus is not limited to a configuration in which a liquid metal material is pumped out from a holding furnace by a ladle and poured into a container. For example, instead of the holding furnace and the ladle, a crucible for melting one shot of metal material may be used, and the metal material may be poured into the container with the crucible. Further, for example, a liquid metal material may be poured from the holding furnace to the container through an appropriate flow path.

  The production of semi-solid metal does not have to be performed automatically by the production equipment in all steps. For example, at least one of the control of the heating device, the control of the pouring device, and the control of the semi-solidifying device may be performed by an operator. Further, for example, at least one of heating, pouring, and cooling may be realized without using equipment that can be said to be an apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the semi-solid metal is stirred only by pouring a liquid metal material from a certain height into the container, but there is a stirring device that moves the container and a stirring device that moves the member within the metal material. It may be provided. Further, in the present embodiment, a part of the liquid phase portion is not discharged at all from the semi-solid metal, but the discharge may be performed.

  The (second) temperature sensor disposed on the bottom member of the container may not be exposed in the container (it may not contact the metal material). For example, a thin portion may be formed on the bottom member, and the temperature sensor may be disposed so that the temperature sensor contacts the thin portion from below.

  The pre-cooling device may not be provided. The auxiliary cooling device may cool the bottom member of the container from the outside (a flow path for flowing the refrigerant may not be formed in the bottom member), and cools not only the bottom member but also the hollow member. It may be possible. The refrigerant is not limited to water. For example, other liquid (for example, oil) may be sufficient and gas (for example, air) may be sufficient.

  The method of pushing the bottom of the semi-solid metal is not limited to the method of moving both the container (semi-solid metal) and the push member, and may be realized by moving only one of them.

  The pushing device is not limited to pushing the semi-solid metal from the upper side (in the absolute coordinate system) to the lower side on the sleeve. For example, a relatively small hole is formed in the bottom member 33, and a push member that can move between a position that closes the hole and a position that protrudes upward from the position is provided. The air cylinder may be driven by an air cylinder provided in the vehicle. In this case, the pushing device contributes to peeling off the semi-solid metal from the hollow member 31 and the bottom member 33 so that the semi-solid metal can be easily taken out from the hollow member 31.

  The pressing member may be used for other purposes. For example, the push member may be a part of the container. Specifically, as described above, when the hole of the bottom member is closed by the pressing member, the pressing member can be regarded as a part of the container. Alternatively, the inner diameter of the hollow member may be the same as the outer diameter of the bottom member, and the entire bottom member may be used as the pushing member. A plunger for extruding the semi-solid metal into the mold may be used as the pushing member.

In addition, the following another invention can be extracted from this specification.
(Invention 1)
A container that cools a liquid metal material poured from an upper opening to produce a semi-solid metal, and that cools the metal material at the bottom in preference to cooling the metal material at the middle and top When,
A pushing device that pushes the bottom of the semi-solid metal toward the upper opening;
An apparatus for producing semi-solid metal.
(Invention 2)
The apparatus for producing a semi-solid metal according to another aspect 1, further comprising a cooling device that cools the bottom of the container from the outer periphery of the container.
(Invention 3)
The bottom part of the said container is thicker than the outer peripheral part of the said container, The manufacturing apparatus of the semi-solid metal of another invention 1 or 2.
(Invention 4)
The heat conductivity of the bottom part of the said container is higher than the heat conductivity of the outer peripheral part of the said container, The manufacturing apparatus of the semi-solidified metal of any one of another invention 1-3.
(Invention 5)
The apparatus for producing a semi-solid metal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a pouring device that divides the liquid metal material that becomes one semi-solid metal into the container in two or more times.
(Another invention 6)
The said pushing apparatus makes a pushing member repeatedly collide with the bottom part of the said one semi-solid metal, The manufacturing apparatus of the semi-solid metal of any one of another invention 1-5.
(Another invention 7)
Further comprising a transport device for transporting at least a part of the container;
The container is
A hollow member that constitutes the wall of the container and that is open at both upper and lower ends;
Closing the opening at the lower end of the hollow member, and having a bottom member constituting the bottom of the container;
The pushing device reciprocates the pushing member,
After the semi-solid metal is generated in the container, the transport device separates the hollow member holding the semi-solid metal from the bottom member, and then reciprocates through an opening below the hollow member. The semi-solid metal manufacturing apparatus according to another invention 6, wherein the hollow member is conveyed so as to approach the moving push member.
(Another invention 8)
The semi-solidified metal production apparatus according to any one of separate inventions 1 to 7,
A sleeve leading to the mold,
A plunger for pushing the semi-solid metal supplied to the sleeve into the mold;
Have
The semi-solid metal manufacturing apparatus supplies the semi-solid metal to the sleeve such that the upper side of the semi-solid metal faces the mold side and the bottom side of the semi-solid metal faces the plunger side.
(Another invention 9)
A production step of pouring a liquid metal material into the container from an upper opening of the container and cooling the liquid metal material in the container to produce a semi-solid metal,
Removing the semi-solid metal from the container;
Have
In the generating step, cooling of the metal material at the bottom of the container is performed in preference to cooling of the metal material at the middle and top of the container, and the solid fraction of the bottom is compared with the solid fraction of the middle and top. To produce the semi-solid metal to be high,
In the removing step, the bottom of the semi-solid metal is pushed toward the upper opening of the container, and the semi-solid metal is peeled off from the inner surface of the container.
(Another Invention 10)
Each step of the method for producing a semi-solid metal according to another invention 9,
Supplying a semi-solid metal to a sleeve leading to a mold;
An injection step of extruding the semi-solid metal in the sleeve into the mold by a plunger;
Have
In the supplying step, the semi-solid metal is supplied to the sleeve so that the upper side of the semi-solid metal faces the mold side and the bottom side of the semi-solid metal faces the plunger side.
(Another invention 11)
When the semi-solid metal is filled in the mold in the injection step, a portion having a high solid fraction at the bottom of the semi-solid metal is accommodated in a design part.

  In this another invention, the container does not need to be separable into the hollow member and the bottom member. As described above, the pressing member can be brought into contact with the semi-solid metal from the hole formed in the bottom member. In this case, the hollow member and the bottom member are not necessarily separable. In addition, as exemplified in the embodiment, there are various methods for cooling the metal material at the bottom of the container in preference to the cooling of the metal material at the middle and top of the container, and the bottom member is cooled more than the hollow member. The method is not limited. Therefore, in another invention, the auxiliary cooling device may not be provided.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Manufacturing apparatus, 21 ... Container, 29 ... Pushing device, 31 ... Hollow member, 33 ... Bottom member, 37 ... Auxiliary cooling device (cooling device), 101 ... Molding machine (molding device), 103 ... Mold, 109 ... Sleeve, 111 ... plunger, M ... metal material.

Claims (12)

A liquid metal poured from the upper opening of the hollow member, having a hollow member open at both upper and lower ends and a bottom member that closes the lower opening of the hollow member and is separable from the hollow member A container that cools the material to produce semi-solid metal, the container that cools the metal material at the bottom in preference to cooling the metal material at the middle and top;
A pushing device that pushes the bottom of the semi-solid metal toward the upper opening;
An apparatus for producing semi-solid metal. The apparatus for producing a semi-solid metal according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling device that cools a bottom portion of the container from an outer peripheral portion of the container. The semi-solid metal manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a bottom portion of the container is thicker than an outer peripheral portion of the container. The apparatus for producing a semi-solid metal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a thermal conductivity of a bottom portion of the container is higher than a thermal conductivity of an outer peripheral portion of the container. The apparatus for producing a semi-solid metal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a pouring device that divides the liquid metal material that becomes one semi-solid metal into the container in two or more times. The semi-solid metal production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the push device repeatedly causes the push member to collide with a bottom portion of the one semi-solid metal. The pushing device reciprocates the pushing member,
The transport device that transports the container so that the bottom of the semi-solid metal is brought closer to the pushing member that reciprocates after the semi-solid metal is generated in the container. Semi-solid metal production equipment. A container that cools a liquid metal material poured from an upper opening to produce a semi-solid metal, and that cools the metal material at the bottom in preference to cooling the metal material at the middle and top When,
The bottom part of the semi-solid metal is pushed toward the upper opening by a pushing member that constitutes a part or the whole of the bottom part of the container and is movable to the upper opening side with respect to the outer peripheral part of the container. A pushing device;
An apparatus for producing semi-solid metal. An apparatus for producing a semi-solid metal according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
A sleeve leading to the mold,
A plunger for pushing the semi-solid metal supplied to the sleeve into the mold;
Have
The semi-solid metal manufacturing apparatus supplies the semi-solid metal to the sleeve such that the upper side of the semi-solid metal faces the mold side and the bottom side of the semi-solid metal faces the plunger side. A production step of pouring a liquid metal material into the container from an upper opening of the container and cooling the liquid metal material in the container to produce a semi-solid metal,
Removing the semi-solid metal from the container;
Have
The container is
A hollow member whose upper and lower ends are open and a bottom member that closes the lower opening of the hollow member and is separable from the hollow member, or
A part or all of the bottom of the container is constituted by a pressing member for pressing the bottom of the semi-solid metal, movable to the upper opening side with respect to the outer peripheral part of the container,
In the generating step, cooling of the metal material at the bottom of the container is performed in preference to cooling of the metal material at the middle and top of the container, and the solid fraction of the bottom is compared with the solid fraction of the middle and top. To produce the semi-solid metal to be high,
In the extracting step, the bottom of the semi-solid metal is pushed toward the upper opening of the container, and the semi-solid metal is peeled off from the inner surface of the container. Each step of the method for producing a semi-solid metal according to claim 10 ,
Supplying a semi-solid metal to a sleeve leading to a mold;
An injection step of extruding the semi-solid metal in the sleeve into the mold by a plunger;
Have
In the supplying step, the semi-solid metal is supplied to the sleeve so that the upper side of the semi-solid metal faces the mold side and the bottom side of the semi-solid metal faces the plunger side. The molding method according to claim 11 , wherein when the semi-solid metal is filled in the mold in the injection step, a portion of the bottom portion of the semi-solid metal having a high solid phase ratio is accommodated in a design portion.

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