A metal continuous casting apparatus and method

Abstract

The application relates to a metal continuous casting device and method, which comprises a base provided with a lifting mechanism and a limiting mechanism, the lifting mechanism is connected with a casting mold, the side of the casting mold is provided with a vertically arranged strip-shaped metal liquid inlet, the limiting mechanism comprises a support, the top of the support is provided with a pouring cup, the pouring cup extends into the metal liquid inlet, a metal liquid flow channel in the pouring cup is communicated with a bottom-closed cavity in the casting mold, and a sealing strip embedded in the metal liquid inlet and sealing the metal liquid inlet is fixed to the bottom surface of the pouring cup, and the device overcomes the defects existing in the prior casting process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of casting technology, and specifically to a continuous metal casting apparatus and method. Background Technology

[0002] The statements herein provide only background information in relation to this invention and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] Currently, the casting of metals such as copper alloys employs either ingot casting or bottom casting. Ingot casting involves pouring molten copper alloy from above into the ingot mold using a ladle. Because the molten metal falls directly from a height into the bottom of the mold, problems such as splashing and cold shuts can easily occur, affecting casting quality. Bottom casting, also known as bottom casting, involves pouring molten metal through a central conduit, through a flow block, and then upwards from the bottom of the ingot mold. This method requires larger risers and gates, resulting in more scrap and material waste. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this invention is to provide a continuous metal casting apparatus that overcomes the defects of ingot casting process and bottom mold casting process.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution:

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a continuous metal casting apparatus, including a base, the base having a lifting mechanism and a limiting mechanism, the lifting mechanism being connected to a casting mold, the side of the casting mold having a vertically arranged elongated metal liquid inlet, the limiting mechanism including a support, the top of the support having a pouring cup, the pouring cup extending into the metal liquid inlet, the metal liquid flow channel inside the pouring cup communicating with a bottom-closed cavity inside the casting mold, and a sealing strip fixed to the bottom surface of the pouring cup, which is embedded in the metal liquid inlet and seals the metal liquid inlet.

[0007] Optionally, the lifting mechanism includes a linear slide fixed to the base, a transmission beam slidably connected to the linear slide, the transmission beam being connected to the lifting platform via a connecting beam, the lifting platform being connected to the casting mold, and the transmission beam being connected to a lifting drive component installed on the base.

[0008] Optionally, the lifting drive component is a lifting hydraulic cylinder.

[0009] Optionally, the bottom of the casting mold is provided with a mold base, the casting mold and the mold base are detachably connected, the mold base is fixed on the lifting platform, and the mold base is made of heat insulation material.

[0010] Optionally, the casting mold is composed of a first mold part and a second mold part that are detachably connected, and the first mold part and the second mold part constitute a cavity;

[0011] Optionally, the cavity is open at both ends, and a pad can be placed at the bottom of the cavity to seal the bottom of the cavity. The pad is used to receive the molten metal.

[0012] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for a continuous metal casting apparatus, comprising the following steps:

[0013] The lifting mechanism moves the casting mold to the initial position, so that the flow channel of the molten metal in the pouring cup is connected to the cavity inside the casting mold, and the sealing strip blocks the bottom part of the molten metal inlet of the casting mold;

[0014] Molten metal is injected into the closed space at the bottom of the cavity formed by the casting mold and the sealing strip through the pouring cup;

[0015] After the injected molten metal solidifies, the pouring cup and sealing strip remain stationary. The casting mold descends at a constant speed under the action of the lifting mechanism. Molten metal is poured into the casting mold at a constant speed through the pouring cup to maintain a constant distance between the molten metal flow channel and the molten metal surface inside the casting mold until casting is completed.

[0016] Optionally, before casting, a release agent is applied to the casting mold, the molten metal flow channel inside the pouring cup, and the inner surface of the sealing strip, and then baked to the set temperature.

[0017] Optionally, the set temperature is 200℃-300℃.

[0018] Optionally, the release agent is zircon powder.

[0019] Optionally, the casting mold is composed of a first mold part and a second mold part that are detachably connected. Before casting, a fixing clamp is fitted between the upper parts of the first mold part and the second mold part.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0021] The casting apparatus and method of the present invention include a casting mold connected to a lifting mechanism, and a vertically arranged elongated metal liquid inlet on the side of the casting mold. The metal liquid inlet communicates with the metal liquid flow channel in the pouring cup, and the bottom of the mold cavity is closed. A sealing strip is provided on the bottom surface of the pouring cup. During casting, the metal liquid can be poured into the sealed space between the sealing strip and the bottom of the casting mold cavity through the pouring cup. After the metal liquid solidifies, a new mold base is formed. Then, the casting mold can be lowered at a uniform speed under the drive of the lifting mechanism, and the pouring cup pours the metal liquid into the casting mold at a uniform speed. During the whole process, the metal liquid enters the cavity from the side of the casting mold, and the height difference of the metal liquid is small. Compared with ingot mold casting, it reduces the problems of splashing and cold shut caused by the metal liquid falling directly from a height. Moreover, compared with the bottom casting process, the casting speed can be adjusted according to the cooling speed of the metal liquid. The metal liquid can be poured while solidifying, which plays the role of feeding risers and can significantly reduce the generation of scrap materials such as risers and pouring gates. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a top view of the pouring cup, casting mold, and spacer block in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the pouring cup, sealing strip, casting mold, and pad block in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the combination of the first mold part and the second mold part and their fixation with the mold base in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0027] Among them, 1. base, 2. support, 3. pouring cup, 4. sealing strip, 5. linear slide, 6. transmission beam, 7. connecting beam, 8. lifting platform, 9. lifting hydraulic cylinder, 10. casting mold, 11. mold base, 12. pad block, 13. screw, 14. fixing bolt, 15. fixing clamp. Detailed Implementation

[0028] For ease of description, the words "upper" and "lower" appearing in this invention only indicate that they are consistent with the upper and lower directions of the accompanying drawings and do not limit the structure. They are merely for the purpose of facilitating the description of this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] This embodiment provides a continuous metal casting apparatus, such as... Figures 1-4 As shown, it includes a base 1, a lifting mechanism, a casting mold, a limiting mechanism, a pouring cup, a sealing strip, and a pad.

[0031] The base 1 is used to fix the device on a horizontal foundation to ensure the stability of the entire casting device. In this embodiment, the base 1 adopts a rectangular structure and serves as a support component for other parts.

[0032] The base 1 is equipped with a lifting mechanism and a limiting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is connected to the casting mold and can drive the casting mold to move up and down. The limiting mechanism includes a support 2, a pouring cup 3 is provided on the top of the support 2, and a sealing strip 4 is provided on the bottom surface of the pouring cup 3. During casting, the pouring cup 3 and the sealing strip 4 are fixed in place.

[0033] The lifting mechanism includes a linear slide 5, the bottom end of which is fixed vertically to the base 1, and plays a guiding role in the lifting movement. In order to increase the fixing strength between the linear slide 5 and the base 1 and ensure the verticality of the linear slide 5, a stiffening plate is provided between the linear slide 5 and the base 1.

[0034] A transmission beam 6 is slidably connected to the linear slide block 5. The transmission beam 6 can slide along the linear slide block 5, thereby performing lifting and lowering movements. The transmission beam adopts a U-shaped structure, with its vertical portions at both ends slidably connected to the linear slide block 5.

[0035] The horizontal portion at the top of the transmission beam 6 is fixed to the top of the connecting beam 7, and the bottom end of the connecting beam 7 is connected to the lifting platform 8. The transmission beam 6 can transmit the lifting motion to the lifting platform 8 through the connecting beam 7, thereby driving the lifting platform 8 to perform lifting motion.

[0036] The transmission beam 6 is connected to the lifting drive component installed on the base 1. The lifting drive component can drive the transmission beam 6 to move up and down. The lifting drive component is a hydraulic lifting drive component or an electric lifting drive component. In this embodiment, the lifting drive component is a lifting hydraulic cylinder 9. The cylinder body of the lifting hydraulic cylinder 9 is fixed to the base, and its piston rod is connected to the horizontal part of the top of the transmission beam.

[0037] The casting mold 10 is detachably and fixedly connected to the lifting platform 8, and can move up and down with the lifting platform 8. The side of the casting mold 10 near the limiting mechanism is provided with a molten metal inlet. The molten metal inlet adopts a vertically arranged elongated structure and is connected to the cavity inside the casting mold.

[0038] The support 2 includes a first support portion and a second support portion at the top of the first support portion. The first support portion includes two parallel side plates, with multiple horizontal and vertical plates between the two side plates. The second support portion is made of square steel, with its bottom end fixed to the middle of the uppermost horizontal plate and its top end fixed to the pouring cup 3. The liquid outlet end of the pouring cup 3 extends into the metal liquid inlet. A metal liquid flow channel is provided on the top surface of the pouring cup. The metal liquid flow channel includes a receiving part and a flow part. The receiving part is used to receive the metal liquid poured in by the ladle. One end of the flow part is connected to the receiving part, and the other end is connected to the cavity of the casting mold to guide the metal liquid into the cavity of the casting mold.

[0039] The bottom surface of the pouring cup 3 extending into the molten metal inlet is fixed to the top of the sealing strip 4, and the outer side of the sealing strip 4 is fixed to the second support. The shape of the sealing strip matches the shape of the molten metal inlet, which can block the molten metal inlet.

[0040] To achieve demolding, the casting mold is composed of a first mold part and a second mold part of the same shape, which are detachably connected by threaded fasteners. The threaded fasteners are multiple screws 13. The screws pass through the first mold part and the second mold part through fixing holes, and the two ends are threaded to fixing nuts. The fixing nuts on both sides press and fix the first mold part and the second mold part. Grooves are opened on the surfaces of the first mold part and the second mold part for splicing. After the first mold part and the second mold part are connected by screws 13, the two grooves form a cavity. In this embodiment, the grooves penetrate through the upper and lower surfaces of the first mold part and the second mold part, so the cavity formed is open at both ends. In use, a pad 12 is placed at the bottom of the cavity. The pad 12 matches the shape of the cavity to seal the bottom of the cavity, so that the bottom of the cavity is closed to receive the molten metal. At the same time, the outer side of the pad can fit and contact the sealing strip to form a sealed space.

[0041] In some other embodiments, the bottom of the grooves of the first mold part and the second mold part are integrally provided with a sealing part, which is used to seal the bottom of the cavity after splicing.

[0042] Both the first mold section and the second mold section are provided with a mold base 11 at the bottom. The mold base 11 is provided with a fixing hole and is fixed to the lifting platform through the fixing hole and bolts.

[0043] In this embodiment, the bottom of the first mold part is provided with a fixing hole, and the first mold part is detachably fixed to the mold base by fixing bolts 14. In some other embodiments, the second mold part can also be fixed to the mold base by bolts, or both the first mold part and the second mold part can be fixed to the mold base by bolts.

[0044] The first mold section and the second mold section are made of cast iron, and the mold base is made of heat insulation material. By setting the mold base, the heat of the casting mold can be prevented from being transferred to the lifting platform and causing thermal damage to the lifting mechanism.

[0045] Example 2

[0046] This embodiment provides a method for the continuous metal casting apparatus described in Embodiment 1, wherein the metal is a copper alloy, and includes the following steps:

[0047] Step 1: Before the casting mold 10 is installed on the lifting platform 8, spray release agent on the inner surface of the casting mold 10, the surface of the molten metal flow channel of the pouring cup 3, the inner side of the sealing strip 4 and the surface of the pad block, and then bake it to the set temperature.

[0048] In this embodiment, the release agent is zircon powder, and the set temperature is 200℃-300℃. Those skilled in the art can select a suitable release agent and set the temperature according to actual needs.

[0049] Step 2: Fix the first mold part of the casting mold to the mold base with bolts, and fix the second mold part to the first mold part with screw 13. Place a pad at the bottom of the cavity formed by the first mold part and the second mold part, and place the pad on the mold base. Fit the top of the first mold part and the second mold part with a fixing clamp 15 to prevent copper from seeping into the gaps in the first mold part and the second mold part due to thermal expansion when the liquid copper alloy is poured into the casting mold.

[0050] In this embodiment, the fixing clamp 15 adopts a U-shaped structure, including a first clamping part and a second clamping part and a third clamping part respectively disposed at both ends of the first clamping part. The bottom end of the second clamping part is provided with a 90° bend and a first clamping block is provided at the end of the bend. The end of the third clamping part is threadedly connected to a clamping rod. The end of the clamping rod near the second clamping part is provided with a second clamping block, and the other end is provided with a handle. The fixing clamp is placed above the casting mold, so that the first clamping block contacts the outer side of the first mold part. By rotating the clamping rod with the handle, the clamping rod moves in the axial direction, and the second clamping block contacts the outer side of the second mold part. If the clamping rod is rotated further, the first clamping block and the second clamping block clamp the upper part of the casting mold.

[0051] Step 3: The lifting hydraulic cylinder 9 operates, driving the casting mold 10 to the initial position via the lifting platform 8. The initial position causes the sealing strip 4 to work with the pad block 12 to seal the bottom of the molten metal inlet of the casting mold 10.

[0052] Step 4: Pouring begins. The liquid copper alloy is swung into the molten metal channel of the pouring cup 3, and then flows into the closed space formed between the bottom sealing strip 4 of the casting mold 10 cavity, the casting mold 10, and the pad block 12. After this part of the liquid copper alloy solidifies, it acts as a new mold base. Then, the lifting mechanism drives the casting mold 10 to descend at a uniform speed. In this embodiment, the descent speed of the casting mold 10 is 29mm / s-31mm / s, preferably 30mm / s. The pouring speed of the pouring cup 3 is adjusted according to the cooling rate of the copper alloy. Liquid copper alloy is poured uniformly into the casting mold through the pouring cup 3. The pouring speed is determined according to the cooling rate of the copper alloy, so that the distance between the liquid surface in the casting mold and the liquid outlet end of the molten metal channel of the pouring cup remains constant until the casting is completed.

[0053] Using the casting apparatus and method of this embodiment, the molten metal enters the cavity from the side of the casting mold throughout the process. The height difference of the molten metal is small. Compared with ingot casting, it reduces problems such as splashing and cold shut caused by the molten metal falling directly from a height. Moreover, compared with bottom casting, the casting speed is adjusted according to the cooling speed of the molten metal. The molten metal can be cast while solidifying, which plays the role of feeding risers and can significantly reduce the generation of scrap materials such as risers and gates.

[0054] In this embodiment, the casting mold is detachably connected to the mold base by bolts, which is an easy-to-disassemble structure. After the first set of casting molds is completed, it can be immediately removed and replaced with the second set of casting molds to continue casting, thus achieving continuous casting and high work efficiency.

[0055] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A method for continuous metal casting, characterized in that, include: The lifting mechanism moves the casting mold to its initial position, connecting the molten metal flow channel in the pouring cup with the cavity inside the casting mold. The sealing strip blocks the bottom part of the molten metal inlet of the casting mold. Molten metal is injected into the closed space at the bottom of the cavity formed by the casting mold and the sealing strip through the pouring cup. After the injected molten metal solidifies, the pouring cup and the sealing strip remain stationary. The casting mold descends at a constant speed under the action of the lifting mechanism. Molten metal is poured into the casting mold at a constant speed through the pouring cup to maintain a constant distance between the molten metal flow channel and the molten metal surface inside the casting mold until casting is completed. The continuous metal casting device used includes a base, which is equipped with a lifting mechanism and a limiting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is connected to the casting mold. The side of the casting mold is provided with a vertically arranged long strip of molten metal inlet. The limiting mechanism includes a support, and a pouring cup is provided at the top of the support. The pouring cup extends into the molten metal inlet. The molten metal flow channel inside the pouring cup is connected to the bottom-closed cavity inside the casting mold. A sealing strip is fixed on the bottom surface of the pouring cup, which is embedded in the molten metal inlet and seals the molten metal inlet. The casting mold is composed of a first mold part and a second mold part that are detachably connected, and the first mold part and the second mold part form a cavity. The cavity is open at both ends, and a pad can be placed at the bottom of the cavity to seal the bottom of the cavity. The pad is used to receive the molten metal.

2. The continuous metal casting method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism includes a linear slide fixed to the base, a transmission beam slidably connected to the linear slide, the transmission beam being connected to the lifting platform via a connecting beam, the lifting platform being connected to the casting mold, and the transmission beam being connected to a lifting drive component installed on the base.

3. The continuous metal casting method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The lifting drive component is a lifting hydraulic cylinder.

4. The continuous metal casting method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Before casting, apply a release agent to the casting mold, the molten metal flow channel inside the pouring cup, and the inner surface of the sealing strip, and then bake to the set temperature.

5. The continuous metal casting method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The set temperature is 200℃-300℃.

6. The continuous metal casting method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The release agent is zircon powder.

7. The continuous metal casting method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Before casting, a fixing fixture is fitted between the upper parts of the first mold section and the second mold section.

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