阅读说明：本技术 用于压铸装置的模块 (Module for a die casting device ) 是由 C·普拉策 于 2019-03-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于压铸装置的模块(1),模块(1)包括底座(2)、螺杆筒单元(3)以及填充室(4),底座(2)可以被紧固到压铸装置的安装板,螺杆筒单元(3)用于生成触变材料,其中螺杆筒单元(3)和填充室(4)被以螺杆筒单元(3)生成的触变材料可以被传送到填充室(4)中的这样的方式、直接地或间接地布置在底座(2)上。(The invention relates to a module (1) for a die casting device, the module (1) comprising a base (2), a screw barrel unit (3) and a filling chamber (4), the base (2) being fastenable to a mounting plate of the die casting device, the screw barrel unit (3) being used for generating a thixotropic material, wherein the screw barrel unit (3) and the filling chamber (4) are arranged directly or indirectly on the base (2) in such a way that the thixotropic material generated by the screw barrel unit (3) can be transferred into the filling chamber (4).)

1. A module (1) for a die casting device (D1), the module (1) comprising a base (2), a screw barrel unit (3) and a filling chamber (4), the base (2) being fastenable to a mounting plate (21) of the die casting device (D1), the screw barrel unit (3) being used for generating a thixotropic material, wherein the screw barrel unit (3) and the filling chamber (4) are arranged directly or indirectly on the base (2) in such a way that the thixotropic material generated by the screw barrel unit (3) can be transferred into the filling chamber (4).

2. The module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the screw (32) of the screw barrel unit (3) is axially displaceable.

3. Module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filling chamber (4) comprises a sealing seat (44), against which sealing seat (44) the first end (321) of the screw (32) can be positioned.

4. Module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the screw barrel units (3) are arranged vertically.

5. Module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the filling chamber (4) is arranged horizontally.

6. Module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the base (2) comprises a central open space (22), the screw barrel unit (3) projecting into the central open space (22).

7. Module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a first lifting device (5) is provided, with which first lifting device (5) the screw (32) of the screw barrel unit (3) can be axially displaced.

8. Module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the screw barrel unit (3) is mounted on a plate (7) at the top end, the plate (7) being fastened to the base (2).

9. Module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the screw barrel unit (3) is mounted on the filling chamber (4).

10. Module (1) according to claim 9, wherein the screw barrel unit (3) is mounted on an external part (41) of the filling chamber (4), wherein the external part (41) is connected to the base (2).

11. Module (1) according to claim 10, wherein an inner part (42) of the filling chamber (4) is detachably connected to the outer part (41) of the filling chamber (4) by displacement.

12. Module (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein second lifting means (6) are provided, with which second lifting means (6) the screw drum unit (3) can be axially displaced with respect to the outer part (41) of the filling chamber (4).

13. A die-casting device (D1), the die-casting device (D1) having a module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A method for producing a molded part with a die casting device (D1) according to claim 13.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a module for a die casting device.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a molded part using a die casting device.

Background

Die casting devices, such as those known in the art, make it possible to manufacture molded parts from light metals or light metal alloys (e.g., aluminum alloys or magnesium alloys) in a short time and in large quantities with high precision. These devices are widely used due to the quantitatively high yield of molded parts using die casting devices.

The production of similar or identical molded parts in thixoforming processes is also known. Similarly to die casting, the material is introduced into the filling chamber by means of a screw which acts as a plunger in this process step and is injected or pressed from the filling chamber via a nozzle into the mold cavity. In contrast to die casting, in which a pure melt of a metal or alloy is used, thixoforming works in the semi-solid region between the solid-phase curve and the liquid-phase curve. In this region two phases are present, namely, on the one hand, the melt and, on the other hand, the solid particles. By additionally applying a shear force, a thixotropic state is achieved so that the thixotropic material can be injected. It has been shown that this type of material basis results in molded parts with improved properties.

Although thixomolding processes can result in improved molded parts, it has not been possible to date to replace the widely used die casting with this technique. Thixomolding apparatuses with short cycle times of a few seconds require considerable technical expertise, in particular because the injected material is in a thixotropic state and must for this purpose be treated first and then injected. The relatively complex process technology can lead to substantial waste and also to machine down time. The complexity of this technique is also evident from the fact that only a few companies worldwide produce thixoforming devices. Although in principle it is possible to produce improved moulded parts by a touch moulding process, for these reasons the technique has not been popular.

This is solved by the present invention.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a module for a die casting device with which the die casting device can be easily converted such that a thixomolding process can be run using the die casting device.

It is a further object to provide a method for producing a molded part using a die casting device.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with a module for a die casting device, comprising a base which can be fastened to a mounting plate of the die casting device, a screw barrel unit for generating a thixotropic material, and a filling chamber, wherein the screw barrel unit and the filling chamber are arranged directly or indirectly on the base in such a way that the thixotropic material generated by the screw barrel unit can be transferred into the filling chamber.

One advantage achieved by the present invention is that a module is provided that can be easily integrated into existing die casting apparatus. In this way, the die-casting device can be switched from a typical die-casting process to a thixomolding process in a short amount of time. A large number of die-casting devices already in use can thus be used to produce molded parts by means of thixoforming. The invention is thus also advantageous in that the module can be fastened to the mounting plate of the die-casting device or fastened there during use. Therefore, the die casting device itself does not require any large changeover work; instead, the module according to the invention can be fastened only in front of the mounting plate on the die-casting device, closer to the plunger necessary for injection. The module can thus be arranged between the mounting plates and thus in the actual tool compartment. The two mold halves of the casting tool used to form the mold cavity may then be arranged in a typical manner on the opposing mounting plate and base of the module. Thus, by arranging the modules between the mounting plates, a double layer is created. This concept allows the conversion expenditure to be minimized.

The screw barrel unit comprises a screw barrel and a screw. The screw is disposed inside the barrel. The screw is used to bring the material being fed (typically a metal or alloy) to a thixotropic state, which metal or alloy will be used to inject into the mold cavity after the mold halves are closed. In order to achieve the desired temperature within the screw barrel unit, a temperature control unit is provided. The temperature control unit is typically implemented as a heating element. The heating element may be disposed outside the screw barrel unit. For example, the heating element may be a resistance heating element arranged in the region of the periphery of the screw barrel unit or over the entire extension.

It is also often necessary to control the temperature of the filling chamber. For this purpose, the temperature control unit of the screw barrel unit may also extend to the outside of the filling chamber. Alternatively, an additional temperature control unit may be provided for the filling chamber, and the additional unit may be controlled separately from the temperature control unit for the screw barrel unit. The temperature control unit used to fill the chamber may also be a resistive heating element. The one or more temperature control units are designed such that in the screw barrel unit and the filling chamber the necessary temperature for processing the light metal or light metal alloy is reached, for example in the temperature range of 400 ℃ to 700 ℃.

For the injection operation, it is necessary that the thixotropic material is generated and introduced into the filling chamber by the screw barrel unit. For these purposes, the screw of the screw barrel unit is rotatably mounted. A motor is provided for rotating the screw. In addition, the screw is axially displaceable. Since the screw is arranged such that it can be axially displaced in the screw barrel, the thixotropic material that has been generated can be pressed forward into the filling chamber by the screw which is axially displaced in the direction of the filling chamber. It has been shown that as a result of the corresponding axial displacement, excellent feed control for the filling chamber is possible. However, it is also possible that only the screw is rotated and the filling chamber is filled via the generated feed pressure. The screw then only needs to be moved a few millimetres to close the passage into the filling chamber or to clear the filling chamber channel for filling.

After a predetermined amount of thixotropic material has been introduced into the filling chamber, it is necessary for the injection operation to prevent the thixotropic material from flowing back from the filling chamber back into the screw barrel unit. For this purpose, the filling chamber comprises a sealing seat against which the first end of the screw can be positioned. The sealing seat can be embodied, in particular when viewed in the direction of the screw, as conically tapering. Backflow of material into the screw barrel unit is avoided if the screw is positioned against the sealing seat by axial displacement. Of course, for this purpose, the first end of the screw is embodied with a contact surface at this end, which corresponds to the sealing seat of the filling chamber, so that the desired sealing function is achieved.

The screw barrel unit may be arranged in any desired manner with respect to the base, and thus ultimately also with respect to the die casting device. Advantageously, the screw barrel unit is vertically arranged. However, it is also possible to place the screw barrel unit horizontally and fill the filling chamber from the side.

The filling chamber is usually arranged horizontally, so that a usually horizontally arranged plunger of the die casting device to be converted can be guided into the filling chamber without additional retrofitting measures.

The base may be constructed to be relatively thin subject to the limits of the applied force. A substantially plate-like structure is preferred, since the module can then be fastened to the mounting plate in a planar manner. In order to provide a sufficient space for accommodating the screw barrel unit, the base may include a central open space into which the screw barrel unit extends. The open space extends at least to the filling chamber so that the screw barrel unit can be coupled to the filling chamber.

For the necessary axial displaceability of the screw barrel unit, a first lifting device may be provided, with which the screw of the screw barrel unit may be axially displaced. This may be a hydraulic or pneumatic lifting device. The first lifting means may be mounted in a fixed manner on the base or on a component connected to the base, so that a relative displaceability of the screw with respect to the screw barrel of the screw barrel unit is made possible.

The screw barrel unit may be connected to the base in various ways. In one variation, the screw barrel unit may be mounted on a plate at the top end, the plate being fastened to the base. The first lifting means may then be mounted on the plate so that the screws of the screw barrel unit may be displaced relative to the plate, and thus relative to the base, and subsequently also relative to the filling chamber, which is mounted on the base.

It is also possible that the screw barrel unit is mounted on the filling chamber. For example, the screw barrel may be mounted on an external part of the filling chamber, wherein the external part is connected to the base. An advantage of this variant is that the inner part of the filling chamber can be connected to the outer part of the filling chamber, so that the inner part can be detached by displacement. If a second lifting device is additionally provided, with which the screw barrel unit can be axially displaced relative to the outer part of the filling chamber, the inner part of the filling chamber can be removed with a corresponding axial displacement of the screw barrel unit. This is important because the interior components are subject to the greatest wear due to the high pressures prevailing during injection and the thixotropic materials used. With a corresponding lifting movement, the screw barrel unit is thus detached from the filling chamber, the internal components of the filling chamber are exposed and can be removed from the front side and replaced with the internal components in a new condition.

According to the preceding statements, a die casting device can be equipped with a module according to the invention.

A further object of the invention is achieved with a method for producing a molded part using a die casting device with a module according to the invention.

The advantage achieved with this method is that the molded parts can be manufactured in a thixomolding process using conventional die casting machines equipped with a module according to the invention. High quality molded parts can thus be manufactured in large quantities. Contrary to the prior art, it is thus also possible to provide that the plunger is not formed between the screw barrel unit and the filling chamber during injection, since this is typical in thixomolding processes in some cases so far. In contrast, with temperature control, the entire transition region between the screw barrel unit on the one side and the filling chamber on the other side is maintained at a temperature at which plunger formation does not occur. This has proven to be advantageous in terms of accurate dosing of the thixotropic material into the filling chamber. Between the filling chamber and the mould cavity, a plunger may be formed at the end of the nozzle, in a typical manner, during or at the end of the injection operation.

Drawings

Additional features, advantages and effects of the present invention are derived from the exemplary embodiments described below. In the referenced drawings:

fig. 1 shows a first variant of the module;

fig. 2 shows a side view of the module according to fig. 1;

fig. 3 shows the rear side of the module according to fig. 1;

fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the module according to fig. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the module along the line V-V in FIG. 3;

fig. 6 shows another cross section of the module according to fig. 1;

fig. 7 shows a die casting device with a module according to fig. 1;

fig. 8 to 12 show a processing sequence for an injection operation into a mold;

figure 13 shows a section of a second variant of the module;

fig. 14 shows another cross section of the module according to fig. 13.

Detailed Description

A first variant of a module 1 is shown in fig. 1 to 6, which can be used to convert a conventional die casting device D1 (fig. 7) so that thixotropic material can be injected into one or more mold cavities with the device in order to produce corresponding molded parts. However, the module 1 can of course also already be integrated in the new die casting device D1 or delivered together with the new die casting device D1.

The module 1 comprises a base 2. As shown, the base 2 may be embodied as rectangular or substantially square. Other basic shapes of the base 2 are of course possible. However, the base 2 is implemented as small as possible for efficiency, especially because the base 2 is mainly used to provide the screw cylinder unit 3 and the filling chamber 4 with the bottom mechanism and their connection to the mounting plate D2 of the die casting device D1. In addition, the base 2 accommodates a casting mold, for which reason the base 2 is approximately the size of the mounting plate D2, whenever possible. As can be seen from fig. 4, the base 2 is embodied substantially with a constant thickness and comprises a central open space 22. In addition, openings 23 are provided, the openings 23 being used to guide suitable fasteners therethrough, so that the base 2 can be fastened to the mounting plate D2 of the die-casting device D1 using suitable fasteners.

As can be seen from fig. 1 and 4, the base 2, which in principle is embodied with a substantially uniform thickness, comprises a preferably central open space 22 or recess. In which a screw barrel unit 3 projecting downward in the vertical direction extends. If the implantation is performed from the side, the situation shown in fig. 1 will be rotated 90 to the left or right^°. However, in order to constantly supply the material from the screw barrel unit 3 to the filling chamber 4, a vertical arrangement is also preferable. After the module 1 has been fastened to the mounting plate D2, the plunger D4 of the die-casting device D1 can project into the filling chamber 4.

The screw barrel unit 3 is mounted on a top plate 7, the plate 7 in turn being connected to the base 2. In addition, the electric motor 8 is mounted indirectly on the plate 7, i.e. indirectly on the plate 7 via an axially displaceable intermediate plate 71.

As can be seen in the cross sections in fig. 5 and 6, the screw barrel unit 3 comprises an outer barrel 31, in which barrel 31 a screw 32 is arranged. The screw 32 may be rotatably arranged by the motor 8. In addition, the screw 32 can be axially displaced in the screw barrel 31 by means of the first lifting device 5 provided, wherein the intermediate plate 71 together with the electric motor 8 mounted thereon can be displaced in cascade in a corresponding axial displacement.

The filling chamber 4 is mounted on the base 2, and is detachably connected to the vertically arranged screw barrel unit 3. As can be seen in particular from fig. 2, the filling chamber 4 extends through the base and comprises at the end a nozzle 43, the nozzle 43 opening into the mold half during the injection operation. The filling chamber 4 extends from the nozzle 43 to the opposite end of the filling chamber 4 for receiving a plunger D4, plunger D4 being part of a conventional die casting device D1.

The interaction of the screw barrel unit 3 with the filling chamber 4 is further explained with the aid of fig. 5 and 6. As can be seen in cross section, the screw 32 extends inside the screw barrel 31 of the screw barrel unit 3. At a first end 31, the screw 32 is embodied conically tapering, while at the opposite end 322 of the screw a substantially horizontal termination can be provided. In order to accommodate the first end 321 of the screw 32, the filling chamber 4 comprises a corresponding sealing seat 44. From the point of view of the screw 32, the sealing seat 44 is preferably also embodied conically tapering. In this way, the thixotropic material can be prevented from flowing back into the screw barrel unit 3 from the filling chamber 4 during the injection operation, which will be described below. The screw 32 can be moved up and down inside the screw cylinder 31 by the first elevating means 5. A rotational movement or rotation of the screw 32 may be generated by means of a motor 8 operatively connected to the screw 32.

In fig. 7, a die casting device D1 is illustrated, the module 1 being secured to the die casting device D1. It can be seen that the module 1 is fastened to the first mounting plate D2 of the die-casting device D1, for which purpose the mentioned opening 23 in the base 2 is used. It can be seen that the module 1 is fastened to the fixed mounting plate D2 and is positioned opposite the movably mounted mounting plate D3 of the die casting device D1. Furthermore, it can be seen that the plunger D4 of the die-casting device D1 engages in the filling chamber 4 of the module 1. To manufacture the molded part, the two necessary mold halves are also mounted on the mounting plates D2, D3. The thixotropic material supplied via the screw drum unit 3 can then be injected into the closed mould cavity via the nozzles 43, for which purpose the movable clamping plate D3, on which the mould halves are mounted, is first positioned against the fixed clamping plate D2 with the mould halves being mounted in this position on the module 1 in order to create the mould cavity. The injection operation may then occur. This operation is explained below.

In fig. 8 to 12, an injection operation for producing a molded part from a thixotropic material by means of a conventional diecasting machine D1 which has been converted using the module 1 is shown as an example. Fig. 8 shows an initial state in which the screw 32 is locked, which corresponds to a state at the end of the injection operation. According to fig. 9, the screw 32 is then unlocked and set in rotation by the motor 8. Not illustrated, but self-evident, a suitable granular material or powder is fed into the screw barrel unit 3 to produce a thixotropic material. As a result of the rotational movement of the screw 32 and the temperature set in the screw barrel unit 3 via a heating element (not shown), the supplied granular material or powder is in a thixotropic state. This occurs even during the process stage according to fig. 10, in which the plunger D4 is retracted in order to accurately release this space in the filling chamber 4 that is necessary for feeding the thixotropic material.

Once this has been achieved, the screw 32 is axially displaced downwards in the direction of the filling chamber 4, according to fig. 11. In this way, the thixotropic material produced is introduced into the filling chamber 4. Finally, the first end 321 of the screw 32, which is conically tapered, moves into contact with the sealing seat 44 of the filling chamber. The screw 32 is then locked. In this way, an excellent seal is produced between the screw barrel unit 3 and the filling chamber 4. Then, according to fig. 12, the plunger D4 is moved forward, thereby performing the injection operation. At the end of the injection operation, the plunger D4 is again placed in the position according to fig. 8, and the operation is restarted. Here, it should be mentioned that, as is typical in the thixomolding process, no plunger is formed between the screw barrel unit 3 and the filling chamber 4 during the injection operation. Instead, the entire area is maintained at a temperature such that plunger formation does not occur. This has proven advantageous for the filling of the filling chamber 4 or the filling of the filling chamber 4, which is necessary for producing high-quality molded parts.

In fig. 13 and 14, a cross section of a variant of the module 1 is illustrated. The main difference of this variant of the module 1 is the installation of the screw barrel unit 3. Contrary to the previously described modification, the screw barrel unit 3 is mounted on the filling chamber 4. For this purpose, the filling chamber 4 comprises an outer part 41 and an inner part 42. The outer part 41 is connected to the base 2, wherein the filling chamber 4 is guided through the base opening 21 as in the first variant, but also in all other alternative variants, and preferably projects out of the opening together with the nozzle 43. At the bottom end of the outer member 41, a second lifting device 6 is provided. This can also be a hydraulically or pneumatically operated lifting device 6. Of course, the same is true for the first lifting means 5, alternative drive means are possible, such as a spindle drive. As in the first embodiment, the screw barrel unit 3 vertically protrudes into the central open space 22 of the base 2. The entire screw barrel unit 3 can thus be axially displaced by means of the second lifting means 6 fastened to the outer member 41 of the filling chamber 4. If the second lifting means 6 is embodied as a hydraulic lifting means, the plunger is not displaced when hydraulic medium is applied to the lifting means 6, but instead the housing, and thus the connected support 9, is displaced together with the guide means 10 of the plate 7 connected to the top end. The corresponding upstroke exposes the inner part 42 of the filling chamber 4. The inner part 42 is the part that is subject to the greatest wear during operation, since the strongest forces act in its region during injection. With the axial lifting of the screw barrel unit 3, the inner member 42 can be easily exposed, and can be removed by being pulled forward. Only then a new wear or inner part 42 needs to be inserted.