Sintering aging system and method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of vacuum sintering aging. The invention discloses a sintering aging system and method, and the system comprises a feeding and discharging device; a sintering aging device; the cooling device is in electrical connection or wireless communication connection with the control center, and the control center controls the cooling device to operate according to a planned path, and controls the cooling device to obtain materials from the feeding and discharging device and send the materials to the sintering aging device; or the materials are obtained from the sintering aging device and conveyed into the feeding and discharging device. Materials in the feeding and discharging device and the sintering aging device are conveyed through the cooling device, transportation, sintering aging and cooling of the materials are completed, the cooling device and the sintering aging device are independently arranged, and the temperature consistency requirement and the rapid cooling requirement in the sintering aging device are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of vacuum sintering and aging, and in particular to a sintering and aging system and method. Background Art

[0002] Rare earth permanent magnet materials are an important material basis for high-tech, emerging industries and social development. They are widely used in the fields of energy industry, information and communication industry, automobile industry, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, etc. The production operation sequence of NdFeB is as follows: ① Select raw materials such as rare earth metals such as praseodymium and neodymium, iron, and ferroboron as basic materials for batching; ② Put several metals into a vacuum electromagnetic induction melting furnace, and heat them in the melting furnace using the electromagnetic induction principle to melt them into alloy liquid, and then cast them into NdFeB alloy sheets; ③ After hydrogen crushing, air flow grinding, and magnetic field orientation pressing, the sintering process can be entered. After sintering, the material of NdFeB becomes dense, and it becomes a magnetic material with certain magnetic properties.

[0003] One of the key processes of sintering NdFeB is sintering and aging, and sintering temperature is the key process parameter that determines the magnetic properties of NdFeB materials. Generally, controlling the size of sintered NdFeB grains can optimize the material structure and improve the material magnetic properties. Experience shows that the reasonable sintered NdFeB grain size is 5-20 microns, and uniformity is the best state, and the material can obtain a higher coercive force. The factors that affect the grain size are not only the sintering temperature and process time, but also many other factors, such as alloy preparation process, material composition, powder particle size, cooling rate, etc.

[0004] NdFeB sintering and aging technology is the key process that determines the magnetic properties of NdFeB, and the demand for vacuum sintering and aging furnaces is very large. The vacuum sintering and aging method has strict requirements on the uniformity of furnace temperature and the rapid cooling of products. However, the vacuum furnaces currently used in the industry for NdFeB sintering and aging are usually single-chamber vacuum sintering furnaces. This single-chamber round furnace type is limited by the structure, and the heating device and the air-cooling structure coexist in the same vacuum chamber. It is necessary to complete both heating and insulation and rapid cooling. The two affect each other, resulting in deficiencies in the consistency of furnace temperature and rapid cooling of the vacuum furnace, and high energy consumption.

[0005] As NdFeB manufacturers' requirements for product quality and performance continue to increase, especially in terms of temperature consistency and rapid cooling, the performance of supporting equipment is becoming more and more stringent. Conventional vacuum sintering and aging furnaces can no longer meet the performance requirements of products and the needs of energy conservation and emission reduction. It is necessary to develop a high-performance NdFeB sintering and aging system to meet higher product performance requirements. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of this, the present invention provides a sintering aging system and method.

[0007] Specifically, the following technical solutions are included:

[0008] In a first aspect, a sintering aging system is provided, comprising:

[0009] Feeding and discharging devices;

[0010] Sintering aging device;

[0011] A cooling device, wherein the cooling device is electrically connected or wirelessly connected to the control center, and the control center controls the cooling device to operate according to the planned path, controls the cooling device to obtain materials from the feeding and discharging device and send them to the sintering and aging device, or obtains materials from the sintering and aging device and sends them to the feeding and discharging device.

[0012] Preferably, a map is provided in the control center;

[0013] The control center is used to obtain the positions of the cooling device, the sintering and aging device, and the feeding and discharging device, and plan the operation path of the cooling device in the map.

[0014] Preferably, at least two sintering and aging devices are provided;

[0015] The sintering and aging device is electrically connected or wirelessly connected to the control center, and the control center is used to obtain the operating status of the sintering and aging device;

[0016] The control center is used to control the cooling device to send the material obtained from the feeding and discharging device to a sintering and aging device that is in an idle operating state.

[0017] Preferably, the sintering aging system further comprises:

[0018] A driving assembly, wherein the driving assembly is connected to the cooling device;

[0019] an identification component, wherein the identification component is disposed on the driving component;

[0020] An identification sticker, the identification sticker is used to identify the position of the sintering and aging device and the feeding and discharging device, and the identification component is used to identify the identification sticker;

[0021] The driving component and the identification component are respectively connected to the control center by electrical connection or wireless communication connection.

[0022] Preferably, the positioning cruise device further comprises a track, and the driving assembly runs along the track;

[0023] The feeding and discharging device and the sintering and aging device are arranged on the same side of the track, and the cooling device is arranged corresponding to the sintering and aging device and the feeding and discharging device on the same side of the track.

[0024] Preferably, two cooling devices are arranged on the track;

[0025] The feeding and discharging device and the plurality of sintering and aging devices are arranged on the first side of the track, and one cooling device is arranged corresponding to the sintering and aging device and the feeding and discharging device on the first side of the track;

[0026] The feeding and discharging device and the plurality of sintering and aging devices are arranged on the second side of the track, and another cooling device is arranged corresponding to the sintering and aging device and the feeding and discharging device on the second side of the track.

[0027] Preferably, the sintering and aging device includes a vacuum sintering and aging furnace and a first material conveying mechanism;

[0028] The shell of the vacuum sintering aging furnace is rectangular;

[0029] The first material conveying mechanism is arranged on the vacuum sintering and aging furnace, and is used to convey materials into or out of the vacuum sintering and aging furnace.

[0030] Preferably, the cooling device comprises a cooling chamber and a second material conveying mechanism;

[0031] The shell of the cooling chamber is rectangular;

[0032] The second material conveying mechanism is arranged on the cooling chamber, and is used for conveying materials into or out of the cooling chamber.

[0033] Preferably, the feeding and discharging device comprises a third material conveying mechanism, a hanging material rack and a vacuum housing;

[0034] The hanging material rack and the third material conveying mechanism are respectively arranged in the vacuum shell, the hanging material rack and the third material conveying mechanism are connected, and the material is placed on the hanging material rack.

[0035] In a second aspect, a sintering aging method is provided, using a sintering aging system as described in the first aspect, the method comprising:

[0036] Controlling the cooling device to obtain materials from the feeding and discharging device;

[0037] Controlling the cooling device to send the obtained material to the sintering and aging device for sintering and aging;

[0038] Controlling the cooling device to obtain the sintered and aged material from the sintering and aging device, and cooling the sintered and aged material;

[0039] The cooling device is controlled to deliver the cooled material to the feeding and discharging device.

[0040] Preferably, the step of controlling the cooling device to send the acquired material to the sintering and aging device for sintering and aging includes:

[0041] Obtaining the position coordinates of the vacant sintering and aging device and the cooling device;

[0042] According to the position coordinates of the vacant sintering and aging device and the position coordinates of the cooling device, the shortest operation path of the cooling device is planned in the map;

[0043] The cooling device is controlled to operate according to the shortest operating path.

[0044] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by the present invention include at least:

[0045] In the present invention, the materials in the feeding and discharging device and the sintering and aging device are transported by the cooling device to complete the transportation, sintering and aging and cooling of the materials. The cooling device and the sintering and aging device are independently arranged to meet the temperature consistency requirements and rapid cooling requirements in the sintering and aging device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the layout of a sintering aging system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the layout of a sintering aging system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] The reference numerals in the figures represent respectively:

[0050] 1-sintering aging device; 11-vacuum sintering aging furnace; 12-heating and heat preservation mechanism; 13-first vacuum exhaust mechanism; 14-first charging and discharging mechanism; 15-first temperature measuring mechanism; 16-first gate valve mechanism; 17-first material conveying mechanism; 18-first water cooling mechanism; 19-first pneumatic mechanism; 110-power supply and power introduction mechanism; 111-sintering aging controller; 2-cooling device; 21-cooling chamber; 22-second vacuum exhaust mechanism; 23-second charging and discharging mechanism; 24-second temperature measuring mechanism Measuring mechanism; 25-second gate valve mechanism; 26-second material conveying mechanism; 27-second water cooling mechanism; 28-second pneumatic mechanism; 29-forced air cooling heat exchange mechanism; 210-cooling controller; 3-positioning cruise device; 31-identification sticker; 32-track; 4-feeding and discharging device; 41-third material conveying mechanism; 42-lifting rack; 43-vacuum shell; 5-control center; 51-upper scheduling management module; 52-vacuum furnace control module; 53-positioning cruise control module; 54-safety protection module.

[0051] The above drawings have shown a clear embodiment of the present invention, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and text descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way, but to illustrate the concept of the present invention for those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0053] Before further describing the embodiments of the present invention in detail, the directional nouns involved in the embodiments of the present invention, such as "upper part", "lower part", "side part", etc., are Figure 1 The directions shown in the figure are for reference only and do not limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0054] To make the technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] As mentioned above, the vacuum furnace currently used for sintering and aging of NdFeB is usually a single-chamber vacuum sintering furnace. This single-chamber round furnace type is limited by the structure. The heating device and the air-cooling structure coexist in the same vacuum chamber. It is necessary to complete both heating and heat preservation and rapid cooling. The two affect each other, resulting in deficiencies in the consistency of the furnace temperature and rapid cooling of the vacuum furnace, and large energy consumption. Based on this, the present invention provides a sintering and aging system, including: a sintering and aging device 1, a cooling device 2, a feeding and discharging device 4 and a control center 5. The sintering and aging device 1, the cooling device 2 and the feeding and discharging device 4 are electrically connected or wirelessly connected to the control center 5 respectively. The control center 5 is used to control the cooling device 2 to operate according to the planned path, control the cooling device 2 to obtain materials from the feeding and discharging device 4 and send them to the sintering and aging device 1 for sintering and aging, or control the cooling device 2 to obtain materials after sintering and aging from the sintering and aging device 1 and send them to the feeding and discharging device 4. In the present invention, the cooling device 2 is used to transport the materials in the feeding and discharging device 4 and the sintering and aging device 1 to complete the transportation, sintering and aging and cooling of the materials. The cooling device 2 and the sintering and aging device 1 are independently arranged to meet the temperature consistency requirements and rapid cooling requirements in the sintering and aging device 1.

[0056] Specifically, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a sintering aging system includes: a sintering aging device 1, a cooling device 2, a feeding and discharging device 4 and a control center 5. The sintering aging device 1, the cooling device 2, and the feeding and discharging device 4 are electrically connected to the control center 5 or wirelessly connected. The sintering aging device 1 is used to heat up and keep warm according to the process curve preset in the control center 5 to complete vacuum sintering aging; the cooling device 2 is used to take the material from the feeding port in the feeding and discharging device 4 and send it into the sintering aging device 1 according to the control instruction of the control center 5. After the vacuum sintering aging is completed, the cooling device 2 automatically runs to the sintering aging device 1 to take out the sintered and aged material, and force air cooling the sintered and aged material. After the air cooling is completed, the cooling device 2 automatically sends the cooled material to the feeding port of the feeding and discharging device 4. The cooling device 2 can operate under atmosphere protection or vacuum state during the whole process of transporting and cooling materials. The material transfer between the sintering aging device 1 and the cooling device 2 and the sintering aging and cooling process of the material are all controlled by the control center 5. The material transfer between the atmosphere protection inlet and outlet device and the cooling device 2 is controlled by the control center 5. The sintering aging system in this embodiment has a high degree of automation, and sintering aging and cooling are performed independently, which improves the temperature consistency and cooling efficiency of the sintering aging process.

[0057] Preferably, in one embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the sintering aging device 1 includes a vacuum sintering aging furnace 11, a heating and heat preservation mechanism 12, a first vacuum exhaust mechanism 13, a first gas charging and discharging mechanism 14, a first temperature measuring mechanism 15, a first gate valve mechanism 16, a first material conveying mechanism 17, a first water cooling mechanism 18, a first pneumatic mechanism 19, a power supply and power introduction mechanism 110 and a sintering aging controller 111. The heating and heat preservation mechanism 12, the first vacuum exhaust mechanism 13, the first gas charging and discharging mechanism 14, the first temperature measuring mechanism 15, the first gate valve mechanism 16, the first material conveying mechanism 17, the first water cooling mechanism 18, the first pneumatic mechanism 19, the power supply and power introduction mechanism 110 and the sintering aging controller 111 are respectively arranged on the vacuum sintering aging furnace 11.

[0058] The shell of the vacuum sintering aging furnace 11 is a flat rectangular structure, and the cross section of the shell is a tall and narrow rectangle. The temperature zone of the processed material in the flat vacuum furnace shell is also correspondingly rectangular, so that the sintering aging process in the sintering aging method is easier to burn through, with better uniformity and shorter time. This flat rectangular structure adopts unit-type partitioned three-dimensional multi-point temperature control to achieve furnace temperature consistency, reduce the deviation value by more than 30%, and can more quickly achieve workpiece heating and insulation, reducing energy consumption.

[0059] The first material conveying mechanism 17 is used to convey materials into or out of the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 .

[0060] During the docking process of the sintering and aging device 1 and the cooling device 2, according to the instructions of the control center 5, the pre-selected process curve is automatically executed, the first vacuum exhaust mechanism 13 is started, and the vacuum of the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 is automatically exhausted to the process requirements, and the first gate valve mechanism 16 is prepared to be opened, and the first material conveying mechanism 17 is used to dock and feed the cooling device 2. After the feeding is completed, the first gate valve mechanism 16 is closed, the power supply and power introduction mechanism 110 and the first temperature measurement mechanism 15 are started, the first heating and heat preservation mechanism 12 ensures that the temperature uniformity in the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 meets the product process requirements, the first water cooling mechanism 18 ensures that the equipment is safe and reliable during use, and will not harm personnel and equipment products, the first pneumatic mechanism 19 ensures that the valves and cylinders are accurately operated, and the first charging and discharging mechanism 14 ensures that the furnace is filled with process gas or the vacuum is destroyed according to the process requirements, and the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 is opened. According to the instructions of the control center 5, the sintering and aging controller 111 performs heating and heat preservation, vacuum sintering, and aging according to the process curve pre-set by the control center 5.

[0061] Preferably, in one embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the cooling device 2 includes a cooling chamber 21, a second vacuum exhaust mechanism 22, a second gas charging and discharging mechanism 23, a second temperature measuring mechanism 24, a second gate valve mechanism 25, a second material conveying mechanism 26, a second water cooling mechanism 27, a second pneumatic mechanism 28, a forced air cooling heat exchange mechanism 29 and a cooling controller 210. The second vacuum exhaust mechanism 22, the second gas charging and discharging mechanism 23, the second temperature measuring mechanism 24, the second gate valve mechanism 25, the second material conveying mechanism 26, the second water cooling mechanism 27, the second pneumatic mechanism 28, the forced air cooling heat exchange mechanism 29 and the cooling controller 210 are respectively arranged on the cooling chamber 21. The second material conveying mechanism 26 is used to convey materials into or out of the cooling chamber 21.

[0062] The shell of the cooling chamber 21 is a flat rectangular structure, and the cross section of the shell is a tall and narrow rectangle. The temperature zone of the treated material in the flat cooling chamber 21 is also correspondingly rectangular, so that the cooling process is more uniform and the time is shorter.

[0063] During the docking process between the cooling device 2 and the feeding and discharging device 4, after the control center 5 receives the signal that the material is ready sent by the feeding and discharging device 4, the control center 5 controls the cooling device 2 to automatically move to the position of the feeding and discharging device 4; controls the second gate valve mechanism 25 and the third gate valve mechanism of the feeding and discharging device 4 to automatically open the door, controls the second material conveying mechanism 26 to dock with the feeding and discharging device 4, and the second material conveying mechanism 26 removes the material from the feeding and discharging device 4 and sends it to the cooling chamber 21; controls the second gate valve mechanism 25 and the third gate valve mechanism of the feeding and discharging device 4 to automatically close the door, and the cooling device 2 automatically executes the pre-selected process curve according to the instruction of the control center 5, controls the second vacuum exhaust mechanism 22 to start, and automatically vacuum exhausts the cooling chamber 21 to the process requirements; at the same time, the operation path is planned according to the shortest path principle, and the cooling chamber 21 is controlled to move to the corresponding position of the nearest vacant vacuum sintering aging furnace 11 and dock with it.

[0064] During the docking process between the cooling device 2 and the sintering and aging device 1, the corresponding vacuum valve of the second vacuum exhaust mechanism 22 is opened to exhaust the vacuum in the transition chamber to the process requirements, so that the vacuum degree of the transition chamber is consistent with that of the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 and the cooling chamber 21; the first gate valve mechanism 16 and the second gate valve mechanism 25 are opened, and the material in the cooling chamber 21 is sent to the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 through the first material conveying mechanism 17 and the second material conveying mechanism 26; the first gate valve mechanism 16 and the second gate valve mechanism 25 are closed to complete the docking. When the vacuum sintering and aging of the material in the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 is completed, the cooling chamber 21 is controlled to automatically move to the position of the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11, and the material is taken out to the cooling chamber 21 through the first gate valve mechanism 16 and the second gate valve mechanism 25; the argon gas is quickly filled into the cooling chamber 21 to the process required pressure through the second filling and discharging mechanism 23; according to the instruction of the control center 5, the cooling controller 210 turns on the forced air cooling heat exchange mechanism 29 to force air cooling of the material in the cooling chamber 21, and the temperature of the material in the cooling chamber 21 is monitored in real time by the second temperature measuring mechanism 24. When the material in the cooling chamber 21 reaches the process cooling required temperature, the air cooling ends; the cooling device 2 is controlled to move to the position of the feeding and discharging device 4, and the material in the cooling chamber 21 is sent to the feeding and discharging device 4 through the second material conveying mechanism 26. During the forced air cooling process, the second water cooling mechanism 27 effectively ensures the safety of equipment and personnel, and the second pneumatic mechanism 28 ensures that the valves and cylinders in the cooling chamber 21 move accurately, and perfectly executes the process curve pre-set by the control center 5.

[0065] The second material conveying mechanism 26 is used to convey materials into or out of the cooling chamber 21 .

[0066] Preferably, the cooling controller 210 in the cooling device 2 can also directly receive the material preparation instruction sent by the feeding and discharging device 4, and perform the process of taking out the material from the feeding and discharging device 4.

[0067] Preferably, in one embodiment, Figure 2As shown, the feeding and discharging device 4 is composed of a third material conveying mechanism 41, a hoisting material rack 42, a vacuum shell 43 and a third gate valve mechanism. The hoisting material rack 42 and the third material conveying mechanism 41 are installed in the vacuum shell 43. In order to prevent oxidation of the material, the door is opened manually or automatically when discharging the material, and the material in the sealed state is sent to the vacuum shell 43. Nitrogen is automatically filled into the vacuum shell 43 to replace the air in the vacuum shell 43. When the oxygen content reaches the process requirements (equipped with an oxygen meter for automatic monitoring), the staff performs bag stripping and coding operations in the vacuum shell 43. When the material is stripped and coded on the hoisting material rack 42, the signal of material preparation completion is triggered. After receiving the signal that the material is ready, the control center 5 controls the feeding and discharging device 4, the cooling device 2 and the sintering and aging device 1 to complete the subsequent material delivery, sintering and aging method flow and cooling process flow. The entire process is controlled and completed by the control center 5. The control center 5 controls the docking of the cooling chamber 21 with the material loading and unloading device 4, and delivers the material on the hoisting rack 42 to the cooling chamber 21 through the third material conveying mechanism 41 and the second material conveying mechanism 26, or delivers the material after vacuum sintering aging and cooling to the material loading and unloading device 4, with nitrogen protection throughout the process, no human intervention, and automatic execution.

[0068] The third material conveying mechanism 41 is used to convey materials into or out of the material feeding and discharging device 4 .

[0069] The control center 5 is used to control the cooling device 2 to obtain materials from the feeding and discharging device 4, and is also used to control the cooling device 2 to send the obtained materials to the sintering and aging device 1 for sintering and aging. It is also used to control the cooling device 2 to obtain the sintered and aged materials from the sintering and aging device 1 and cool the sintered and aged materials, and is also used to control the cooling device 2 to send the cooled materials to the feeding and discharging device 4.

[0070] In this embodiment, the sintering aging device 1 and the cooling device 2 are independently arranged to completely separate cooling from heating and heat preservation, and the cooling and heating and heat preservation are carried out in independent spaces, the heat load is reduced exponentially, and the unit cooling area is increased, so that rapid cooling is achieved.

[0071] Preferably, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, at least two sintering and aging devices 1 are provided, and the control center 5 is used to obtain the operating status of the sintering and aging device 1 , and the control center 5 is used to control the cooling device 2 to send the obtained material to a sintering and aging device 1 in an empty operating status for sintering and aging.

[0072] Preferably, multiple sintering aging devices 1 are provided, and one cooling device 2 can be operated between one feeding and discharging device 4 and multiple sintering aging devices 1. One cooling device 2, one feeding and discharging device 4 and multiple sintering aging devices 1 constitute a sintering aging unit. Preferably, in one embodiment, the sintering aging system can include multiple sintering aging units.

[0073] Specifically, Figure 1 As shown, multiple sintering and aging devices 1 are arranged in sequence, and the feeding and discharging device 4 is arranged beside the multiple sintering and aging devices 1, and the multiple sintering and aging devices 1 share one feeding and discharging device 4. In other embodiments, the feeding and discharging device 4 can be flexibly placed between multiple sintering and aging devices 1.

[0074] Specifically, the control center 5 is provided with a map, and the control center 5 is used to obtain the positions of the cooling device 2 , the sintering and aging device 1 , and the feeding and discharging device 4 , and to plan the operation path of the cooling device 2 in the map.

[0075] Specifically, in one embodiment, the map is provided with the position coordinates of the sintering and aging device 1 and the feeding and discharging device 4. According to the position coordinates of the cooling device 2, the position coordinates of the sintering and aging device 1, and the position coordinates of the feeding and discharging device 4, the operation path of the cooling device 2 is planned in the map based on the shortest path principle.

[0076] Specifically, after obtaining the signal that the import and export materials are ready, the position coordinates of the sintering and aging device 1 and the cooling device 2 in the idle state are obtained; according to the position coordinates of the sintering and aging device 1 in the idle state, the position coordinates of the cooling device 2 and the position coordinates of the inlet and outlet device 4, the operation path of the cooling device 2 is planned in the map according to the shortest path principle to obtain the shortest operation path; according to the shortest operation path, the cooling device 2 is controlled to operate to the inlet and outlet device 4 to obtain the materials, and the materials are transported to the nearest sintering and aging device 1 in the idle state. Afterwards, it also includes obtaining the coordinates of the sintering and aging device 1 in the operation state of sintering and aging completion; controlling the cooling device 2 to operate to the sintering and aging device 1 in the operation state of sintering and aging completion and obtaining the materials in the sintering and aging device 1; and controlling the cooling device 2 to deliver to the inlet and outlet device 4.

[0077] Specifically, the control center 5 performs path planning for the cooling device 2 in real time. The path between the cooling device 2 and the feeding and discharging device 4, and the path between the cooling device 2 and the sintering and aging device 1 need to be replanned each time. That is, the operation path needs to be planned each time the cooling device 2 moves, and each planning is based on the principle of the shortest path.

[0078] Preferably, when the driving assembly drives the cooling device 2 to operate, it can operate along a track or without a track.

[0079] Preferably, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the sintering and aging system also includes a positioning cruise device 3. The positioning cruise device 3 includes a driving component, an identification component and an identification sticker 31. The driving component is connected to the cooling device 2, the identification component is arranged on the driving component, the identification sticker 31 is used to identify the position of the sintering and aging device 1 and the feeding and discharging device 4, and the identification component is used to identify the identification sticker 31. The driving component and the identification component are respectively electrically connected or wirelessly connected to the control center 5.

[0080] Specifically, the control center 5 controls the driving component to drive the cooling device 2 to operate, the identification component identifies the surrounding environment in real time and feeds back to the control center 5, the control center 5 determines whether the object to be identified is the identification sticker 31 according to the feedback information of the identification component, when the identification sticker 31 is identified, the control center 5 identifies whether it is the target device according to the identification sticker 31, when the target device is identified, the driving component is controlled to drive the cooling device 2 to operate to the target device. The target device is a sintering aging device 1 or a feeding and discharging device 4, when there are multiple sintering aging devices 1, the target setting can also be a sintering aging device 1 whose operating state is empty or a sintering aging device 1 whose operating state is completed. The identification component includes equipment such as a camera or a camera.

[0081] Preferably, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the positioning cruise device 3 also includes a track 32, the driving assembly runs along the track, the feeding and discharging device 4 and the sintering and aging device 1 are arranged on the same side of the track 32, and the cooling device 2 moves between the sintering and aging device 1 and the feeding and discharging device 4 on the same side.

[0082] Specifically, Figure 1 As shown, the track 32 is arranged along the arrangement of the feeding and discharging device 4 and the sintering and aging device 1. The driving component runs along the track 32, the identification sticker 31 is arranged along the extension direction of the track 32, and the identification component is arranged on the driving component. As the driving component runs, the identification component recognizes the identification sticker 31 in real time, and can locate the cooling device 2, the sintering and aging device 1 and the feeding and discharging device 4 and calculate the distance according to the identification sticker 31. The control center 5 plans the running path of the cooling device 2 according to the feedback information of the identification component, the working state of the sintering and aging device 1, and the preparation state of the feeding and discharging device 4.

[0083] Specifically, the working states of the sintering aging device 1 include sintering aging completed and vacant, the cooling device 2 is controlled to take out materials from the sintering aging device 1 that has completed sintering aging, and the cooling device 2 is controlled to transport materials to the vacant sintering aging device 1. The material preparation state of the inlet and outlet device 4 includes the material preparation state, and when the material is ready, a switch will be triggered to send a signal that the material is ready to the control center 5. The present invention ensures accurate positioning of the system, stable docking, smooth material transmission, and nitrogen protection throughout the process, which is completed automatically without human participation.

[0084] Specifically, the positioning cruise device 3 also includes a cruise controller, which collects feedback signals from the identification component and transmits them to the control center 5 , and controls the driving component to drive the cooling device 2 to run along the planned path according to the instructions of the control center 5 .

[0085] Specifically, Figure 1 The layout shown is one-to-N, with a sintering and aging device 1 and a material-in-and-out device 4 arranged on one side of a track 32, multiple sintering and aging devices 1 arranged, one cooling device 2 arranged on the track 32, and one cooling device 2 corresponding to the sintering and aging device 1 and the material-in-and-out device 4 arranged on one side of the track 32. It can be understood that the track 32 within the operating range of one cooling device 2 is consistent with the total length of the arrangement of the sintering and aging device 1 and the material-in-and-out device 4 corresponding to it.

[0086] Specifically, Figure 2 The layout of two-on-N is shown. The layout of two-on-N is arranged on the basis of one-on-N. A plurality of sintering and aging devices 1 and feeding and discharging devices 4 are respectively arranged on the first side (left side) and the second side (right side) of the track 32. Two cooling devices 2 are arranged on one track 32. One cooling device 2 is arranged corresponding to the sintering and aging device 1 and the feeding and discharging device 4 on the first side of the track 32, and the other cooling device 2 is arranged corresponding to the sintering and aging device 1 and the feeding and discharging device 4 on the second side of the track 32. Figure 2 As shown, the cooling device 2 located at the front end of the track 32 corresponds to the feeding and discharging device 4 and multiple sintering and aging devices 1 located on the left side of the track 32, and the cooling device 2 located at the rear end of the track 32 corresponds to the feeding and discharging device 4 and multiple sintering and aging devices 1 located on the right side of the track 32. The sintering and aging devices 1, the feeding and discharging devices 4, the two cooling devices 2 and the corresponding positioning and cruising devices 3 on both sides are all controlled by the control center 5.

[0087] Specifically, the material conveying mechanism (the first material conveying mechanism 17, the second material conveying mechanism 26, and the third material conveying mechanism 41) in this embodiment adopts an upper slide rail type lifting device, and a reduction motor drives a sprocket chain.

[0088] Specifically, the control center 5 also includes an upper scheduling management module 51, a vacuum furnace control module 52, a positioning cruise control module 53 and a safety protection module 54. The upper scheduling management module 51 is used to store different product brands and the process curves and process standards corresponding to each product. The upper scheduling management module 51 is also used for process monitoring and control, process measurement value archiving and management, recipe management, and historical information query; the vacuum furnace control module 52 is used to control the diffusion process in the vacuum furnace; the positioning cruise control module 53 is used to control the operation of the cooling device 2; the safety protection module 54 is used to ensure that the fully automatic operation process equipment operates normally to avoid personnel from being injured.

[0089] In this embodiment, after receiving a signal from the feed-in and discharge device 4 that a material is ready, the upper scheduling management module 51 retrieves the corresponding process information package (including process curves and process standards) according to the preset material, and the upper scheduling management module 51 transmits the corresponding information package to the vacuum furnace control module 52 and the positioning cruise control module 53. The positioning cruise control module 53 controls the cooling device 2 to complete the material collection at the feed-in and discharge device 4 and send it to the vacant vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11. The vacuum furnace control module 52 controls the sintering and aging device 1 to start the corresponding sintering and aging process. After the sintering and aging is completed, the positioning cruise control module 53 controls the cooling device 2 to run to the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 where the sintering and aging is completed to take the material from the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11, and controls the cooling device 2 to complete the forced cooling process. After meeting the process requirements, the cooling device 2 is controlled to send the material back to the feed-in and discharge device 4. At this point, one beat is completed. While waiting for the sintering and aging of the first sintering and aging device 1, the loading, exhausting and other actions of other sintering and aging devices 1 can be completed at the same time, so that a rhythm of one furnace per hour can be formed to improve production capacity.

[0090] In this embodiment, the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 and the cooling chamber 21 are both flat rectangular structures and are placed horizontally. The sintering and aging system can be configured into a one-to-N layout (such as Figure 1 As shown), two-to-N layout (shared track 32) (as shown Figure 2As shown). The vacuum sintering aging furnace 11 is placed side by side on one side or both sides of the track 32, and the feeding and discharging device 4 is placed in the middle or beside the multiple vacuum sintering aging furnaces 11. According to the instruction of the control center 5, the cooling chamber 21 moves on the track 32 through the positioning cruise device 3, removes the material from the feeding and discharging device 4 and sends it to the vacant vacuum sintering aging furnace 11. The vacuum sintering aging furnace 11 performs heating and insulation and vacuum sintering aging based on the pre-set process curve. After the vacuum sintering aging is completed, the cooling chamber 21 automatically runs to the vacuum sintering aging furnace 11 to take out the material to the cooling chamber 21. The cooling chamber 21 performs forced air cooling based on the pre-set process curve. After the air cooling is completed, the cooling chamber 21 automatically sends the material to the feeding and discharging device 4. The control center 5 ensures that the entire process of the sintering aging system is automatically operated in a protective atmosphere or vacuum state, realizing process monitoring and control, process measurement value archiving and management, recipe management, and historical information query. The entire process does not require human participation and is fully automatic.

[0091] This embodiment also provides a sintering aging method, using a sintering aging system as described above, the method comprising:

[0092] S10: Control the cooling device 2 to obtain materials from the feeding and discharging device 4.

[0093] Specifically, after obtaining the signal indicating that the material is ready sent by the feed-in / out device 4, the position coordinates of the cooling device 2 and the feed-in / out device 4 are obtained; according to the position coordinates of the cooling device 2 and the feed-in / out device 4, the cooling device 2 is controlled to run to the feed-in / out device 4, and the second material conveying mechanism 26 of the cooling device 2 and the third material conveying mechanism 41 of the feed-in / out device 4 are controlled to convey the material, so that the material in the feed-in / out device 4 enters the cooling device 2.

[0094] S20: Control the cooling device 2 to send the acquired material to the sintering and aging device 1 for sintering and aging.

[0095] Specifically, step S20 controls the cooling device 2 to send the acquired material to the sintering and aging device 1 for sintering and aging, including:

[0096] S21: Obtaining the position coordinates of the vacant sintering and aging device 1 and the cooling device 2;

[0097] S22: According to the position coordinates of the idle sintering and aging device 1 and the cooling device 2, the shortest operation path of the cooling device 2 is planned in the map.

[0098] Specifically, according to the recognition result of the identification component on the identification sticker 31 , it can be determined whether the cooling device 2 has run to the vacant sintering and aging device 1 .

[0099] S23: Control the operation of the cooling device 2 according to the shortest operation path.

[0100] Step S20 controls the cooling device 2 to send the acquired material to the sintering and aging device 1 for sintering and aging, and also includes: controlling the sintering and aging device 1 to sinter and age the material according to a pre-selected diffusion process curve, and acquiring the operating status of the sintering and aging device 1 in real time.

[0101] Specifically, the operating status includes idling and sintering aging completion.

[0102] S30: Control the cooling device 2 to obtain the sintered and aged material from the sintering and aging device 1, and cool the sintered and aged material.

[0103] Specifically, when it is determined that the operation state of the sintering-aging device 1 is that the sintering-aging is completed, the position coordinates of the sintering-aging device 1 whose operation state is that the sintering-aging is completed are obtained;

[0104] According to the position coordinates of the sintering-aging device 1 whose operating state is sintering-aging completed and the position coordinates of the cooling device 2, a first shortest path is planned in the map, and based on the first shortest path, the cooling device 2 is controlled to run to the sintering-aging device 1 whose operating state is sintering-aging completed, and the material in the sintering-aging device 1 is obtained;

[0105] Controlling the cooling device 2 to cool the material according to a pre-selected cooling process curve;

[0106] After cooling is completed, the position coordinates of the cooling device 2 and the coordinates of the feeding and discharging device 4 are obtained, a second shortest path is planned in the map, and the cooling device 2 is controlled according to the second shortest path to deliver the material to the feeding and discharging device 4.

[0107] As a specific embodiment, materials and corresponding process information packages (including process curves and process standards) are preset in the control center 5. When the staff of the feeding and discharging device 4 strips the materials from bags and completes the coding on the lifting rack 42, the feeding and discharging device 4 with a protective atmosphere gives a signal that the materials are ready, and all subsequent actions and processes are controlled and completed by the control center 5. Based on the control instruction of the control center 5, the cooling device 2 is moved to the feeding and discharging device 4 and docked with it through the positioning cruise device 3, the second gate valve mechanism 25 and the third gate valve mechanism are automatically opened, and the materials are taken out from the feeding and discharging device 4 and sent to the cooling chamber 21 through the second material conveying mechanism 26 and the third material conveying mechanism 41, and the second gate valve mechanism 25 and the third gate valve mechanism are automatically closed; according to the instruction of the control center 5, the pre-selected process curve is automatically executed, the second vacuum exhaust mechanism 22 is started, and the cooling chamber 21 is automatically vacuum exhausted to the process requirements. At the same time, according to the principle of the shortest path, the cooling device 2 is moved to the corresponding position of the nearest vacant vacuum sintering aging furnace 11 through the driving component and the track 32 of the positioning cruise device 3, and docked with it; the corresponding vacuum valve of the second vacuum exhaust mechanism 22 is opened, and the transition chamber is vacuum exhausted to the process requirements. Make it consistent with the vacuum degree of the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 and the cooling chamber 21; open the first gate valve mechanism 16 and the second gate valve mechanism 25, and send the material to the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 through the first material conveying mechanism 17 and the second material conveying mechanism 26, close the first gate valve mechanism 16 and the second gate valve mechanism 25, and complete the docking; at the same time, according to the instruction of the control center 5, the sintering and aging device 1 automatically executes the pre-selected process curve, and the first vacuum exhaust mechanism 13 is started to automatically exhaust the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 to the process requirements; at the same time, prepare to open the first gate valve mechanism 16, and dock and feed the material with the cooling device 2 through the first material conveying mechanism 17. After the feeding is completed, close the first gate valve mechanism 16, start the power supply and power introduction mechanism 110 and the first temperature measurement mechanism 15, and perform heating and insulation and vacuum sintering and aging according to the process curve pre-set by the control center 5. When the vacuum sintering and aging of the material in the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 is completed, according to the instruction of the control center 5, the cooling device 2 automatically runs to the vacuum sintering and aging furnace 11 to take out the material into the cooling chamber 21, and quickly fills the cooling chamber 21 with argon gas to the process required pressure through the second filling and discharging mechanism 23; according to the instruction of the control center 5, the cooling controller 210 turns on the forced air cooling heat exchange mechanism 29 for forced air cooling, and the temperature of the material is monitored in real time by the second temperature measuring mechanism 24. When the material reaches the process cooling required temperature, the air cooling ends; according to the instruction of the control center 5, the cooling device 2 is controlled to move to the position of the feeding and discharging device 4, and the material in the cooling chamber 21 is sent to the feeding and discharging device 4 through the second material conveying mechanism 26.At this point, one of the beats is completed. While waiting for the first sintering and aging device 1 to sinter and age, the loading, exhaust and other actions of other sintering and aging devices 1 can be completed at the same time. Finally, the high-performance NdFeB sintering and aging system forms a beat of one furnace per hour, which improves production capacity. The whole process is automatically operated in a protective atmosphere or vacuum state, realizing process monitoring and control, process measurement value archiving and management, recipe management, and historical information query. The whole process does not require human participation and is fully automatic.

[0108] The NdFeB sintering aging system and method in this embodiment improves product performance and consistency, increases the degree of automation, meets the requirements of energy conservation and emission reduction, and at the same time reduces long-term use costs and improves market competitiveness. It is a modern high-performance NdFeB sintering aging system that is easy to achieve industrial mass production, has broad application prospects, and fills an international gap.

[0109] In the present invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. The term "plurality" refers to two or more than two, unless otherwise clearly defined.

[0110] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present invention after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. The present invention is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the present invention that follow the general principles of the present invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed by the present invention. The description and examples are to be considered exemplary only.

[0111] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sintering aging system, It is characterized in that include: Feeding and discharging devices; Sintering aging device; A cooling device, wherein the cooling device is electrically connected or wirelessly connected to the control center, and the control center controls the cooling device to operate according to the planned path, controls the cooling device to obtain materials from the feeding and discharging device and send them to the sintering and aging device, or obtains materials from the sintering and aging device and sends them to the feeding and discharging device.

2. A sintering aging system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A map is set in the control center; The control center is used to obtain the positions of the cooling device, the sintering and aging device, and the feeding and discharging device, and plan the operation path of the cooling device in the map.

3. A sintering aging system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that At least two sintering and aging devices are provided; The sintering and aging device is electrically connected or wirelessly connected to the control center, and the control center is used to obtain the operating status of the sintering and aging device; The control center is used to control the cooling device to send the material obtained from the feeding and discharging device to a sintering and aging device that is in an idle operating state.

4. A sintering aging system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The sintering aging system also includes: A driving assembly, wherein the driving assembly is connected to the cooling device; an identification component, wherein the identification component is disposed on the driving component; An identification sticker, the identification sticker is used to identify the position of the sintering and aging device and the feeding and discharging device, and the identification component is used to identify the identification sticker; The driving component and the identification component are respectively connected to the control center electrically or wirelessly.

5. A sintering aging system according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The positioning cruise device also includes a track, and the driving assembly runs along the track; The feeding and discharging device and the sintering and aging device are arranged on the same side of the track, and the cooling device is arranged corresponding to the sintering and aging device and the feeding and discharging device on the same side of the track.

6. A sintering aging system according to claim 5, It is characterized in that Two cooling devices are arranged on the track; The feeding and discharging device and the plurality of sintering and aging devices are arranged on the first side of the track, and one cooling device is arranged corresponding to the sintering and aging device and the feeding and discharging device on the first side of the track; The feeding and discharging device and the plurality of sintering and aging devices are arranged on the second side of the track, and another cooling device is arranged corresponding to the sintering and aging device and the feeding and discharging device on the second side of the track.

7. A sintering aging system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The sintering and aging device includes a vacuum sintering and aging furnace and a first material conveying mechanism; The shell of the vacuum sintering aging furnace is rectangular; The first material conveying mechanism is arranged on the vacuum sintering and aging furnace, and is used to convey materials into or out of the vacuum sintering and aging furnace.

8. A sintering aging system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The cooling device comprises a cooling chamber and a second material conveying mechanism; The shell of the cooling chamber is rectangular; The second material conveying mechanism is arranged on the cooling chamber, and is used for conveying materials into or out of the cooling chamber.

9. A sintering aging system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The feeding and discharging device comprises a third material conveying mechanism, a hanging material rack and a vacuum housing; The hanging material rack and the third material conveying mechanism are respectively arranged in the vacuum shell, the hanging material rack and the third material conveying mechanism are connected, and the material is placed on the hanging material rack.

10. A sintering aging method, It is characterized in that Using a sintering aging system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprises: Controlling the cooling device to obtain materials from the feeding and discharging device; Controlling the cooling device to send the obtained material to the sintering and aging device for sintering and aging; Controlling the cooling device to obtain the sintered and aged material from the sintering and aging device, and cooling the sintered and aged material; The cooling device is controlled to deliver the cooled material to the feeding and discharging device.

Images