JPH10137916A - Low pressure casting method and apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the productivity by enabling shortening of a cycle time even in the same pressure time, etc., as the conventional method. SOLUTION: Arrangement stations B, C are arranged at the right and left sides of one of casting station A and these stations are constituted so that the whole body of a metallic mold 10 is reciprocatively shiftable from this casting station to each arrangement station B, C. The whole body of the metallic mold 10 after casting at the casting station A is shifted to one of the arrangement station B and the product 30 is taken out and the following casting arrangemint is executed. During this operation, the same metallic mold or the different kind of the metallic mold 10A is shifted from the other arrangement station C to the casting station A, and after casting, this metallic mold is returned back to the original arrangement station C and the following cast arrangement is executed. During this operation, the metallic mold 10 at one of the arrangement station B is shifted to the original casting station A and the casting is executed and the abovementioned processes are repeatedly executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention according to this application has a casting station and a setup station, and the mold is moved between the casting station and the setup station in a reciprocating (shuttle system) or circulation (loop system) form to improve productivity. The present invention relates to a low-pressure casting method and an apparatus therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, low-pressure casting has been widely used mainly for casting aluminum alloys.

In this casting method, as can be seen from FIG. 6, a casting machine 53 having a mold opening / closing mechanism 52 on a molten metal holding furnace 51 is used.
, A mold 55 is attached to the fixing plate 54, air or an inert gas is supplied into the molten metal holding furnace 51 through the inlet 56, and a low pressure (0.3 to 0.4 kg / cm ² ) is applied to the stalk 57.
This is a method of obtaining a casting by pushing up a molten metal 58 and guiding the molten metal 58 through a pouring gate 59 into a cavity 60 of a mold 55.

In this case, when a certain cooling time has elapsed after the pressurization is completed, the opening / closing cylinder 52a is operated to raise only the upper die 55A together with the movable plate 61 to take out the product. The lower mold 55B remains fixed to the fixing plate 54. Then, the core is again prepared for casting, such as a set, and is cast as described above.

This kind of prior art is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-33468.
There is a casting device described in Japanese Patent Publication No. In particular, in this apparatus, the lower die is allowed to reciprocate in the horizontal direction between the alignment position immediately above the lower die and the rest position retracted outside the lower die by using the movable die while the lower die remains fixed on the fixed base. , Making the preparation work for the lower mold easier.

[0006]

In the above conventional method,
After a certain cooling time elapses after the completion of the pressurization, the casting is naturally stopped until the mold is opened, the product is taken out, and the preparation for the next casting such as the setting of the core is completed. Therefore, mold 1
Even on a surface, continuous casting cannot be performed, and the time required for one cycle becomes longer (usually about 9 minutes per cycle), and the productivity must be deteriorated.

[0007] The above-mentioned conventional method / apparatus only considers casting on one surface of a mold. For casting of a different type of mold, a mold is used each time the mold is changed. It is necessary to reset it, and it is not practically applicable from the viewpoint of productivity improvement. This point is the same in the casting apparatus described in JP-B-59-33468, in which the lower mold is kept stationary and the entire mold is not moved.

[0008] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-37820 discloses that
In a frameless casting line, there is disclosed a movable carriage that is provided with a set station, a cleaning station, and a release station, and reciprocates between these three positions. The main purpose is to simultaneously transfer the mold from the unraveling line to the mold of the pouring line, and does not improve the productivity by reciprocating the entire mold as in the present application.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a casting station and a setup station, in which a mold is reciprocated (shuttle system) or recirculated (loop system). Moving low pressure casting method or apparatus. According to this, the time required for one cycle of casting is reduced even if the pressing time is the same, and the productivity is improved. It is also suitable for continuous casting of dies of different types.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A set-up station is disposed on the left and right of each of the two casting stations, and the entire mold can be reciprocated from this cast station to each set-up station. At this casting station, the entire mold after casting is moved to one set-up station. The product is taken out and prepared for the next casting.In the meantime, the same mold or a different type of mold is moved from the other setup station to the above casting station, casting is performed, and then returned to the original setup station and the next casting is performed. Preparation is performed, during which the mold in one setup station is moved to the original casting station to perform casting, and the above steps are repeated. Even if the pressurizing time is the same as the conventional one, the cycle time of casting is shortened, and the productivity is improved. In particular, continuous casting of two different-model molds is facilitated.

In another low-pressure casting method, one casting station and one set-up station are arranged so that the entire mold can be circulated and moved between the two stations. The entire mold is moved to one setup station, during which the same mold or a heterogeneous mold at the setup station is moved to the casting station to perform casting, and from the mold moved to the setup station during that time. The product is taken out, prepared for the next casting, moved to the original casting station to perform casting, and the above steps are repeated. Also in this case, the cycle time of the casting is shortened, and the casting using two different model dies is easy.

Another low-pressure casting method comprises one casting station and two or more setup stations,
The entire mold can be circulated and moved between them in a loop.
To the casting station, during which the same mold or a different kind of mold at another setup station is moved to the casting station to perform casting, and products from the mold that has been moved to one setup station during that time. After taking out another setup station and preparing for the next casting during that time, it is moved to the original casting station to perform casting, and the above steps are repeated.
This is particularly suitable when casting is to be carried out by further increasing the number of faces of the different model dies.

Further, if the mold is preheated in the setup station, the temperature of the mold can be stabilized, and casting can be started immediately after shifting to the casting station.

Further, the low-pressure casting apparatus arranged in the casting station comprises a molten metal holding furnace and a casting machine. The casting machine has a mold having an upper mold and a lower mold, and can hold the upper mold. It has a movable plate that can be moved up and down by a mold opening / closing cylinder, and has a carriage that can move the entire mold to the setup station, and installs the mold opening / closing cylinder on this carriage and clamps the lower mold to the movable plate. It is provided with a clamping device that performs the following. The apparatus is suitable for performing the low-pressure casting method by moving the mold, and there is no possibility of breakage of the sand core because the clamping apparatus does not open the mold when moving the mold.

In the above-mentioned clamp device, a clamp cylinder is provided on a movable plate, and a clamp rod extending to a lower mold is connected to the rod so as to swing freely or rotatable around its axis. It is composed of a lower mold that can be freely disengaged. Since the clamp cylinder is arranged on the movable plate, the structure of the mold can be simplified. In this case, if the lower mold is provided with a bracket having an engagement recess and a flange engaging and disengaging the engagement recess is provided at the lower end of the clamp bar, the structure of the engagement and disengagement portion is simplified.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an entire casting apparatus suitable for performing the low-pressure casting method of the present invention, which is disposed in a casting station described below. This apparatus mainly includes a molten metal holding furnace 1 and a casting machine 2. Is configured. A fixing plate 3 for covering an upper opening of the holding furnace 1 is provided on the top of the molten metal holding furnace 1, and a tubular stalk 4 facing a gate of the following mold hangs down in the center of the fixing plate 3. It is provided in the form. The stalk 4 penetrates into a molten metal (melt) 5 such as aluminum held in the molten metal holding furnace 1. An inlet 6 for pressurized air or an inert gas is provided at an upper portion of the molten metal holding furnace 5 so that the molten metal 5 can be pushed up through the stalk 4 by pressurizing the inside of the furnace. Reference numeral 7 denotes an exhaust port.

A mold 10 composed of an upper mold 8 and a lower mold 9 is provided on the fixed plate 3, and the mold 10 is set so that the gate 11 of the lower mold 9 and the upper end opening 4a of the stalk 4 communicate with each other. Is done. Pouring water is poured into the space (cavity) 10a formed between the upper die 8 and the lower die 9 from the stalk 4 through the sprue 11, and an engine cylinder, a cylinder head, or the like as a product is cast. A movable plate 13 is provided on the fixed member 12 of the upper die 8, and the upper die 8 is fixed to the movable plate 13 via the fixed member 12. Reference numeral 14 denotes the fixing bracket. On the fixed plate 3 is a gate-shaped guide support 1
The movable plate 13 can be moved up and down along the guide column 15.

A carriage 16 is provided above the movable plate 13. A mold opening / closing cylinder 17 is provided on the carriage 16.
Is installed, and its rod 17a extends downward to
The end 7a is fixed to the movable plate 13. Therefore, the movable plate 1 is moved by the expansion and contraction of the mold opening and closing cylinder 17.
3 can be moved up and down. A traveling roller 18 is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 16 so that the carriage 16 can move on a rail 19 to a setup station described later while holding the movable plate 13 and the like. In addition,
The rail 19 is held by the guide post 15.

In this case, the upper die 8 together with the movable plate 13
A clamp device 20 is provided so that the and the lower mold 9 can be moved together (that is, the entire mold).

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a swing-in type clamping device. A clamp cylinder 21 is provided on the movable plate 13, and its rod 21 a is attached to the movable plate 13.
The opening 13a extends downward. A clamp rod 22 is connected to the end of the rod 21a and extends to the lower die 9. A hinge 22a is provided at the connecting portion so that the lower part of the clamp rod 22 can swing in a direction away from the lower mold 9, and a flange 22b is provided at the lower end of the clamp rod 22. On the other hand, on the side surface of the lower mold 9, an L-shaped bracket 23 is provided with a flange 22b.
One side is fixed to the side surface of the lower mold 9 at a position where it can be engaged with the lower die 9, and a keyhole-shaped notch (locking member) is provided at the tip of one side (free end) of the bracket 23 as shown in FIG. A combined recess 23a is provided. The clamp rod 22 enters from the engagement recess 23a, and the clamp cylinder 21 is operated to slightly shorten the rod 21a and retract the clamp rod 22, whereby the flange 22b is engaged with the bracket 23 and the lower die 9 is clamped. It has become. Therefore, FIG.
To release the clamped state shown in FIG. 2A, first, the clamp cylinder 21 is operated to slightly extend the rod 21a and lower the flange 22b, and then, as shown in FIG. The position of 22a is slightly lower than the lower surface of the movable plate 13), and the clamp rod 22 may be swung from the engagement recess 23a of the bracket 23 to disengage it. FIG. 2C is a main view of the engaging portion of the rotary retractable clamp device. When the rod 21a rotates around the axis, the clamp rod 22 integrally extended from the rod 21a also rotates. As shown in FIG. 2 (c), when the collar 22b is rotated by 90 degrees from a state where the flange 22b is positioned below the engagement recess 23a, the rod is shortened, and the clamp rod 22 is retracted.
2b is locked to the lower surface of the bracket 23, and the lower mold 9 is clamped.

FIG. 3 shows a wedge device (attached to the front side in FIG. 1) for positioning and fixing when a slide mold is used. (a) The rod 24a of the wedge cylinder 24 provided on the upper die 8 is extended as shown in FIG.
Is pressed along the tapered surface 26 of the lower die 9, the lower die 9 is fixed at a predetermined position as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the clamp device 20 is operated in this state, the clamp is reliably performed.

By providing the clamp device 20 as described above, the carriage 16 can be moved together with the movable plate 13 while the upper die 8 and the lower die 9 are clamped when the carriage 16 is moved. This is effective in the casting cycle of the present invention described below.

FIG. 4 relates to a so-called shuttle type casting method in which a mold reciprocates between setup stations B and C where molds are arranged on the left and right sides with respect to a casting station A where the above-mentioned casting apparatus is arranged at the center. is there. At the setup stations B and C, the cast product is taken out, the core is set, and the mold is preheated. The casting station A and the setup stations B and C are arranged on a straight line in plan view.

In the casting station A shown in FIG. 4, after setting the mold 10 on the molten metal holding furnace 1, the furnace is pressurized to push up the molten metal 5 from the stalk 4 and to pour the molten metal into the mold cavity through the sprue. Casting. (In the meantime, casting preparation such as a core set is proceeded at the right setup station C.) When the pressurization is completed, the mold opening / closing cylinder 17 is operated while the lower mold 9 is clamped by the clamp device 20. The mold together with the movable plate 13. Thereafter, the mold 1 having the casting while the carriage 16 is solidifying
While keeping 0, it is moved laterally along the rail 19 to the setup station B on the left. Cooling time during the movement.

At the setup stations B and C, a preheating furnace 27 is provided for stabilizing the mold temperature.
7 has a fixing plate 2 having an opening 28a at the center thereof.
8 is provided, and on the fixed plate 28, a portal-shaped guide column 15 similar to that of the casting station A is erected.

The carriage 16 having been moved from the casting station A as described above is stopped at the position of the setup station B, and the opening and closing cylinder 17 is operated (extended) to place the mold 10 on the fixed plate 28, and the lower mold 9 Is clamped to the fixing plate 28, and then the clamp cylinder 21 is operated to release the clamp between the upper die 8 and the lower die 9 in the manner described above.
The opening / closing cylinder 17 is operated (shortened) again to lift the upper die 8 together with the product, and push down the pressing member 29 to take out the product 30. Thereafter, a preparation operation such as a core set for performing the next casting is performed at the casting station A. Until the mold 10 is sent to the casting station A, the mold 10 is
Is kept at a constant temperature. That is, heated air is supplied from the supply port 31 into the preheating furnace 27, and the heated air flows into the cavity from the gate 11 of the lower mold 9 set at a position communicating with the opening 28 a at the center of the fixed plate 28. The temperature of the mold 10 is not reduced by being fed. The temperature of the heated air is controlled in conjunction with the mold temperature. A heater may be provided in the preheating furnace instead of supplying the heating air. Or you may heat with a gas burner.

Immediately after the mold is moved to the left setup station B as described above, the same mold or a different mold 10A is moved from the right setup station C to the casting station A in the same manner as described above. Will come. Then, after the casting is completed at the casting station A, the mold returns to the original setup station C in the same manner as described above, the product is taken out, and the preparation for the next casting is advanced. At this time, the mold is sent from the setup station B on the left to the casting station A again. Then, the above operations and operations are repeatedly performed.

As described above, continuous casting can be performed by alternately moving the two surfaces of the mold with one casting station, and the productivity can be improved. In particular, there is an advantage that different types of dies can be continuously and alternately cast. Further, the cycle time can be reduced (about half) even if the pressurizing time and the like are the same as in the related art, and the productivity can be improved.

The above-mentioned casting method is as shown in FIG.
This is a shuttle type that reciprocates the mold.
A loop method as shown in (b) and (c) can be adopted. That is, as shown in FIG.
By circulating the entire mold between the two setup stations B, it is possible to perform casting using two molds of different types.
Further, in order to further increase the number of faces of the heterogeneous mold, one casting station A and two (or more) setup station stations B and C are arranged in a loop as shown in FIG. It is effective to circulate the entire mold. In the case where two setup stations are provided as shown in the figure, at least three different-type molds are provided, and these are sequentially moved to the casting station for continuous casting. If there are two setup stations, take out the product at one setup station,
The core setting may be performed at another setup station. It can also be used as a mold change. Further, a dedicated station for mold replacement may be added.

[0031]

According to the low-pressure casting method of the present invention, the cycle time can be reduced even if the pressurizing time is the same as the conventional method, and the productivity can be improved.

Casting can be performed by a different type of mold at one casting station, and the two different types of molds can be alternately moved and cast to increase productivity.

In particular, by using a loop type, it is possible to increase the number of surfaces of different model dies and to perform casting.

If the mold is preheated in the setup station, the temperature of the mold can be stabilized, and casting can be started immediately after the transfer to the casting station. Connect.

The casting apparatus of the present invention is suitable for carrying out the low-pressure casting method. In particular, since the upper and lower dies are firmly clamped by the clamp device, the mold is opened when the mold is moved. There is no risk of damage to the sand core. If the clamp cylinder is arranged on the movable plate, the structure of the mold can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an entire casting apparatus disposed at a casting station, which is suitable for performing the low-pressure casting method of the present application.

FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are schematic views of a swing retractable clamping device, showing a state in which the clamped state of FIG. (c) is a plan view thereof. (d) is a plan view of the engaging portion of the rotary retractable clamp device, showing a state where the engagement portion is disengaged by rotation of the flange.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams of a positioning device when a slide mold is used, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams before and after pushing a wedge.

FIG. 4 is an apparatus diagram in a case where a low-pressure casting method is performed by reciprocating a die (shuttle method) between a central casting station A and left and right setup stations B and C.

5 (a) is a conceptual diagram of a low-pressure casting method of a shuttle system corresponding to FIG. 4, and (b) and (c) are low-pressure casting methods of a loop system in which a mold is circulated to perform a low-pressure casting method. FIG.
(b) is a case where one setup station B is arranged for one casting station A, and (c) is a case where two (plural) setup stations B and C are arranged for one casting station A. Show.

FIG. 6 is an apparatus diagram for performing a conventional low-pressure casting method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Molten holding furnace 2 ... Casting machine 3 ... Fixed plate 4 ... Stoke 5 ... Molten 8 ... Upper mold 9 ... Lower mold 10 ... Mold 13 ... Movable plate 15 ... Guide support 16 ... Dolly 17 ... Mold opening / closing cylinder 19 ... Rail 20: Clamping device 21: Clamp cylinder 22: Clamp rod 22a: Hinge 22b: Flange 23: Bracket 23a: Engagement recess 27: Preheating furnace

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A set-up station is arranged on the left and right of one casting station, and the entire mold can be reciprocated from this casting station to each set-up station. Move to the setup station to take out the product and prepare for the next casting, meanwhile, move the same mold or a different kind of mold from the other setup station to the casting station and perform casting. And preparing for the next casting, during which the mold in one set-up station is moved to the original casting station to perform casting, and the above steps are repeated so as to be repeated. . 2. One casting station and one setup station are arranged so that the whole mold can be circulated and moved between them in a loop. Move to the setup station, meanwhile, move the same mold or different kind of mold at the setup station to the above casting station to perform casting, take out the product from the mold that has moved to the setup station during that time, and perform the next casting A low-pressure casting method comprising preparing, moving to an original casting station, performing casting, and repeating the above steps. 3. A casting station and two or more setup stations are arranged between them so that the whole mold can be circulated in a loop between them, and the whole mold after casting at the casting station. To the one set-up station, meanwhile, the same mold or a different type of mold at another set-up station is moved to the casting station to perform casting, and from the mold moved to the one set-up station during that time. A low-pressure casting method characterized in that the product is taken out, passed through another setup station, during which the next casting preparation is made, then moved to the original casting station to perform casting, and the above steps are repeated. . 4. The low pressure casting method according to claim 1, wherein the die is preheated in the setup station. 5. A low-pressure casting apparatus disposed at a casting station, wherein the low-pressure casting method comprises a molten metal holding furnace and a casting machine, and the casting machine has a mold having an upper mold and a lower mold. It has a movable plate that can hold the upper mold and can move up and down by the mold opening / closing cylinder, and has a bogie that can move the entire mold to the setup station. A low-pressure casting apparatus comprising a clamp device for clamping a lower die to a movable plate. 6. A clamp device, wherein a clamp cylinder is provided on a movable plate, and a clamp rod extending to a lower mold is connected to the rod so as to be swingable or rotatable around its axis, and a lower end of the clamp rod is provided. 6. The low-pressure casting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said low-pressure casting apparatus is configured so as to be freely detachable from a lower mold. 7. The low-pressure casting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a bracket having an engagement concave portion is provided on the lower die, and a flange engaged with and disengaged from the engagement concave portion is provided at a lower end portion of the clamp rod.