Automation system for casting and post-processing of steering knuckle

Abstract

The invention provides an automatic system for steering knuckle casting and post-processing. According to the automatic system, a casting robot is installed on a walking shaft and reciprocates along the walking shaft; at least one pair of counter-pressure casting machines is mounted on one side of the walking shaft; the at least one pair of automatic filter screen feeding mechanisms are respectively mounted at two end parts of the walking shaft; at least one pair of casting trimming units is connected with the corresponding automatic filter screen feeding mechanism; the at least one pair of cap cutting units are connected with the corresponding casting edge cutting units; at least one pair of rotary lifting water soaking mechanisms is mounted on the other side of the walking shaft; at least one pair of post-processing robot assemblies is arranged between the two cap cutting units. According to the cooling device, multiple castings can be cooled at the same time at a time, it is guaranteed that a post-processing robot gripper can clamp the castings at the same position for multiple times through the rotating mechanism, and the automatic production efficiency is improved. And meanwhile, the post-processing robot gripper can be automatically and rapidly replaced through the rapid replacement disc according to castings of different models, and adaptability and universality are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of metal casting, and in particular to an automated system for casting and post-processing a steering knuckle. Background Art

[0002] In the existing technology, lightweighting is one of the most important ways to save energy and reduce emissions of fuel vehicles and to reduce consumption and increase range of new energy vehicles. Replacing traditional steel materials with lightweight materials such as aluminum alloys has become an inevitable choice for automobile design updates.

[0003] With the development of casting technology, more parts are cast by low-pressure casting, differential pressure casting, pressure regulation casting, squeeze casting and other casting methods.

[0004] At present, metal casting production mostly adopts manual transfer, manual picking and manual control. There is more manual participation in different links of the production line, and the degree of automation is low, which brings a series of problems. For example, the working environment is relatively bad, the degree of danger is high, the work intensity is high, the production efficiency is low, and the product quality is unstable.

[0005] With the rapid development of the automotive parts casting industry, the demand for industrial automation has become increasingly urgent, and the above problems need to be solved urgently. Moreover, with the rise of emerging industries such as new energy vehicles, the demand for automotive parts categories is becoming more and more diversified, requiring a flexible, easy-to-use and more adaptable casting system to match it.

[0006] In view of this, the inventor of the present application has designed an automated system for steering knuckle casting and post-processing in order to overcome the above technical problems. Summary of the invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defects of low degree of automation in metal casting production lines in the prior art, which result in relatively harsh working environment, high degree of danger, high work intensity, low production efficiency and unstable product quality, and to provide an automated system for steering knuckle casting and post-processing.

[0008] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:

[0009] An automated system for steering knuckle casting and post-processing, characterized in that the automated system comprises:

[0010] A casting robot and a walking shaft, wherein the casting robot is mounted on the walking shaft and reciprocates along the walking shaft;

[0011] at least one pair of differential pressure casting machines, the differential pressure casting machines being mounted on one side of the travel shaft;

[0012] At least one pair of automatic filter net feeding mechanisms, the automatic filter net feeding mechanisms are respectively mounted at two ends of the traveling shaft;

[0013] At least one pair of casting trimming units, wherein the casting trimming units are connected to corresponding automatic filter net feeding mechanisms;

[0014] At least one pair of cutting and capping units, wherein the cutting and capping units are connected to corresponding casting trimming units;

[0015] At least one pair of rotating lifting water-immersing mechanisms, wherein the rotating lifting water-immersing mechanisms are installed on the other side of the traveling shaft;

[0016] At least one pair of post-processing robot assemblies, wherein the post-processing robot assemblies are arranged between the two cutting units.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the automation system further comprises a gripper hand changer, and the gripper hand changer is arranged between the cap cutting units and adjacent to the post-processing robot assembly.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the automation system further comprises at least one pair of marking units, which are installed between the rotating lifting and soaking mechanism and the casting trimming unit and are located on the other side of the traveling axis.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gripper of the casting robot comprises a filter placement mechanism, an aluminum casting grabbing mechanism and a gripper frame assembly, wherein the filter placement mechanism and the aluminum casting grabbing mechanism are connected via the gripper frame assembly, and the filter placement mechanism is fixed to the gripper frame assembly;

[0020] A purge mechanism, wherein the purge mechanism is fixed to the gripper frame assembly;

[0021] An electrostatic spraying mechanism is installed on the purge mechanism and is used for electrostatic spraying.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the filter placement mechanism includes a filter mechanism bottom plate and a filter placement component, the filter placement bottom plate is mounted on the gripper frame component, and the filter placement component is mounted on the filter mechanism bottom plate.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the filter placement assembly includes a lifting cylinder, a cylinder transition connecting plate, a cylinder transition sleeve, a first three-finger cylinder and a filter clamping finger, the cylinder transition sleeve is installed on one side of the cylinder transition connecting plate, the lifting cylinder is installed on the other side of the cylinder transition connecting plate, the first three-finger cylinder is connected to the cylinder transition sleeve, and the filter clamping finger is installed on the first three-finger cylinder.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the grabbing aluminum casting mechanism includes a picking gripper base plate and at least one grabbing aluminum casting assembly, the picking gripper base plate is mounted on the gripper frame assembly, and the grabbing aluminum casting assembly is mounted on the picking gripper base plate.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gripping aluminum casting assembly includes a support column fixing plate, at least one floating compensation, a three-finger cylinder fixing plate, a second three-finger cylinder, a plurality of positioning sleeve support rods, a workpiece positioning sleeve, a plurality of gripping fingers and a plurality of finger chucks;

[0026] The three-finger cylinder fixing plate is installed above the support column fixing plate, and the workpiece positioning sleeve is fixed above the three-finger cylinder fixing plate through the positioning sleeve support rod, so that the support column fixing plate, the three-finger cylinder fixing plate and the workpiece positioning sleeve form a frame structure;

[0027] The floating compensation is installed on the inner side of the support column fixing plate, and the second three-finger cylinder is installed on the three-finger cylinder fixing plate, and is located between the workpiece positioning sleeve and the three-finger cylinder fixing plate;

[0028] The gripping fingers are mounted on the second three-finger cylinder and extend upward to penetrate above the workpiece positioning sleeve, and the finger chucks are mounted on the corresponding gripping fingers.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gripper skeleton assembly includes a connecting seat, a filter mechanism connecting main board, a picking gripper connecting main board, a gripper flange connecting plate, a linear bearing and a guide column;

[0030] The filter mechanism connecting main board and the picking gripper connecting main board are respectively installed on the upper and lower sides of the connecting seat, and are used to install the filter placement mechanism and the grabbing aluminum casting mechanism;

[0031] The gripper flange connecting plate is installed at one end of the connecting seat; one end of the guide column is connected to the picking gripper connecting main board, and the other end passes through the connecting seat and the filter mechanism connecting main board, and the linear bearing is installed on the guide column.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gripper skeleton assembly further includes a cylinder and a cylinder connector, wherein the cylinder connector is installed in the connecting seat, and the cylinder is installed on the cylinder connector and connected to the filter placement assembly.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gripper skeleton assembly further comprises a mounting flange, and the mounting flange is arranged between the cylinder connector and the picking gripper connection mainboard.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gripper frame assembly further comprises a blocking plate, and the blocking plate is mounted on the other end of the guide column.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gripper of the casting robot further includes a gripper side flange, a robot side flange and a flange positioning pressure plate, the gripper side flange is installed at the end of the gripper flange connecting plate of the gripper skeleton assembly, the robot side flange is installed on the casting robot, and the robot side flange and the gripper side flange are fixed by the flange positioning pressure plate.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the automatic filter net feeding mechanism includes a vibration plate feeding mechanism, a rotating feeding mechanism and a base, the vibration plate feeding mechanism and the rotating feeding mechanism are respectively installed on the base, and the vibration plate feeding mechanism and the rotating feeding mechanism are connected to each other.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotating and lifting water soaking bucket mechanism includes a lifting mechanism, a rotating mechanism, a water soaking tool, a water soaking bucket and an equipment frame, the lifting mechanism is installed on the equipment frame, the rotating mechanism is installed on the lifting mechanism, the water soaking bucket is installed on the upper part of the equipment frame, and the rotating mechanism extends upward into the water soaking bucket, the water soaking tool is installed on the rotating mechanism and is located in the water soaking bucket.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the post-processing robot assembly includes a handling robot, a post-processing robot gripper and a code scanning mechanism, the post-processing robot gripper is installed on the handling robot, and the code scanning mechanism is arranged on the side of the handling robot.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the post-processing robot gripper includes a hand-changing plate, at least one pair of compensating single-hand grippers and at least one pair of fixed single-hand grippers, the compensating single-hand grippers are respectively installed on the upper and lower sides of the hand-changing plate, and the fixed single-hand grippers are respectively installed on the upper and lower sides of the hand-changing plate.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the automation system further comprises an X-ray flaw detection unit, and the X-ray flaw detection unit is installed on the side of the cutting unit, close to the gripper hand change table.

[0041] The positive and progressive effects of the present invention are:

[0042] The automated system for casting and post-processing of the steering knuckle of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0043] 1. The automation system can realize simultaneous cooling of multiple castings at one time, and ensure that the post-processing robot gripper can clamp the castings multiple times at the same position through the rotating mechanism, thereby improving the automation production efficiency;

[0044] Second, the production line of the automation system is equipped with a post-processing robot gripper and a gripper conversion table, which can automatically and quickly replace the post-processing robot gripper through a quick-change plate according to different types of castings, thereby improving adaptability and versatility;

[0045] 3. The casting robot gripper of the automation system is suitable for castings of different models with the same runner size, and has strong versatility; the filter placement mechanism is suitable for two types of filters, and has strong versatility;

[0046] Fourth, the automation system adopts a surround layout, that is, the robot is the center, and each unit is arranged around the robot, the overall structure is more reasonable, space is saved, and production efficiency is improved;

[0047] 5. The automation system adopts robots to replace manual transportation, realizing fully automated production, reducing labor intensity and improving efficiency;

[0048] 6. The automation system uses a quick-change plate to quickly replace the robot gripper, avoiding repeated clamping while improving process stability and efficiency. It has a reasonable layout, strong versatility, high degree of automation, precise control, and is simple and easy to use.

[0049] 7. The post-processing robot gripper in the automation system can rotate the cylinder angle to meet the requirements of loading and unloading of two casting postures at the same time, thereby improving adaptability and versatility. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The above and other features, properties and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, in which the same reference numerals always represent the same features, wherein:

[0051] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the automated system for casting and post-processing of the steering knuckle of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 2 The present invention is a schematic structural diagram of a filter placement mechanism in the automated system for casting and post-processing of a steering knuckle.

[0053] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Sectional view taken along line AA.

[0054] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the filter placement component in the automated system for steering knuckle casting and post-processing of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 5 The schematic diagram of the structure of the mechanism for grabbing aluminum castings in the automated system for casting and post-processing of the steering knuckle of the present invention.

[0056] Figure 6 The present invention is a schematic structural diagram of the automatic filter mechanism in the automated system for casting and post-processing of the steering knuckle.

[0057] Figure 7 The present invention is a schematic structural diagram of a rotating and lifting water-bubbling bucket mechanism in the automated system for casting and post-processing of a steering knuckle.

[0058] Figure 8 It is a structural schematic diagram of the post-processing handling robot gripper in the automated system for casting and post-processing of the steering knuckle of the present invention.

[0059] [Reference Signs]

[0060] Casting Robot 100

[0061] Travel axis 200

[0062] Differential pressure casting machine 300

[0063] Automatic filter screen feeding mechanism 400

[0064] Casting Trimming Unit 500

[0065] Cutting unit 600

[0066] Rotating lifting water soaking mechanism 700

[0067] Post-processing robot assembly 800

[0068] Gripper hand changer 900

[0069] Marking unit 10

[0070] X-ray flaw detection unit 20

[0071] Casting robot gripper B

[0072] Filter placement mechanism 110

[0073] Grasping aluminum casting mechanism 120

[0074] Grip frame assembly 130

[0075] Purge mechanism 140

[0076] Electrostatic spraying mechanism 150

[0077] Filter mechanism bottom plate 111

[0078] Filter placement component 112

[0079] Lifting cylinder 1121

[0080] Cylinder transition plate 1122

[0081] Cylinder transition sleeve 1123

[0082] The first three-finger cylinder 1124

[0083] Filter clamp finger 1125

[0084] Pick-up gripper bottom plate 121

[0085] Grasping aluminum casting components 122

[0086] Support column fixing plate 1221

[0087] Floating compensation 1222

[0088] Three-finger cylinder fixing plate 1223

[0089] Second third finger cylinder 1224

[0090] Positioning sleeve support rod 1225

[0091] Workpiece positioning sleeve 1226

[0092] Gripping fingers 1227

[0093] Finger chuck 1228

[0094] Connecting seat 131

[0095] Filter mechanism connected to main board 132

[0096] Pick-up gripper connected to main board 133

[0097] Hand claw flange connection plate 134

[0098] Linear bearing 135

[0099] Guide column 136

[0100] Cylinder 137

[0101] Cylinder connector 138

[0102] Mounting flange 139

[0103] Blocking sheet 1311

[0104] Gripper side flange 160

[0105] Robot side flange 170

[0106] Flange positioning plate 180

[0107] Vibrating plate feeding mechanism 410

[0108] Rotary feeding mechanism 420

[0109] Base 430

[0110] Lifting mechanism 710

[0111] Rotating mechanism 720

[0112] Water soaking suit 730

[0113] Soaking bucket 740

[0114] Equipment frame 750

[0115] Transport robot 810

[0116] Post-processing robot gripper 820

[0117] Scanning mechanism 830

[0118] Change plate 840

[0119] Compensated one-hand gripper 850

[0120] Fixed one-hand gripper 860 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0121] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0122] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same or similar parts.

[0123] Furthermore, although the terms used in the present invention are selected from well-known and commonly used terms, some terms mentioned in the present invention specification may be selected by the applicant at his or her discretion, and their detailed meanings are explained in the relevant parts of the description of this document.

[0124] Furthermore, it is required that the present invention be understood not only by the actual terms used but also by the meanings connoted by each term.

[0125] like Figures 1 to 7As shown, the present invention discloses an automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing, which includes: a casting robot 100, a walking shaft 200, at least one pair of differential pressure casting machines 300, at least one pair of automatic filter net feeding mechanisms 400, at least one pair of casting trimming units 500, at least one pair of cutting units 600, at least one pair of rotating lifting and soaking mechanisms 700 and at least one pair of post-processing robot components 800. Among them, the casting robot 100 is installed on the walking shaft 200 and reciprocates along the walking shaft 200. The differential pressure casting machine 300 is installed on one side of the walking shaft 200. The automatic filter net feeding mechanisms 400 are respectively installed at both ends of the walking shaft 200.

[0126] The casting trimming unit 500 is connected to the corresponding automatic filter net feeding mechanism 400. The cap cutting unit 600 is connected to the corresponding casting trimming unit 500. The cap cutting unit 600 includes a cap cutting machine and a cap cutting fixture, and the cap cutting unit is used to remove casting process structures such as casting runners and risers.

[0127] The rotating lifting and soaking mechanism 700 is installed on the other side of the walking shaft 200. The post-processing robot assembly 800 is arranged between the two cutting units 600.

[0128] The casting trimming unit 500 includes a trimming machine and a trimming mold. The casting trimming unit 500 is used to cut off the inevitable flash, burrs, skin, outline and corresponding pouring system and overflow system on the casting product. Pneumatic and hydraulic technology can be used to achieve punching in any direction to clean the casting in one go.

[0129] The traditional flash removal process is to use files, power tools and experience to remove the flash manually. In this process, the quality of the product cannot be guaranteed, the production efficiency is low, and the labor is difficult to manage. As the requirements for die castings become higher and higher, labor costs continue to rise, and the manual deburring method will be completely eliminated. The reasonable use of trimming dies can ensure product consistency, effectively improve production efficiency, and greatly reduce on-site labor.

[0130] Preferably, the automation system further comprises a gripper hand changer 900 , which is arranged between the cap cutting units 600 and adjacent to the post-processing robot assembly 800 .

[0131] Multiple sets of post-processing handling robot grippers are placed on the gripper exchange table 900, and the grippers of the post-processing handling robot can be quickly replaced on the gripper exchange table 900 through the quick-change plate. The quick-change plate is a universal pneumatic quick locking device, consisting of a main plate and a sub-plate. The main plate is installed on the robot, and the sub-plate is installed on the robot gripper. The main plate and the sub-plate are connected and separated by pneumatic means.

[0132] In addition, the automation system further comprises at least one pair of marking units 10 , which are installed between the rotating lifting and soaking mechanism 700 and the casting trimming unit 500 , and are located on the other side of the traveling shaft 200 .

[0133] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the gripper B of the casting robot 100 includes a filter placement mechanism 110, a gripping aluminum casting mechanism 120, a gripper frame assembly 130, a purge mechanism 140, and an electrostatic spraying mechanism 150. The filter placement mechanism 110 and the gripping aluminum casting mechanism 120 are connected via the gripper frame assembly 130, and the filter placement mechanism 110 is fixed on the gripper frame assembly 130. The purge mechanism 140 is fixed on the gripper frame assembly 130. The electrostatic spraying mechanism 150 is installed on the purge mechanism 140 for electrostatic spraying.

[0134] Preferably, if Figure 3 As shown, the filter placement mechanism 110 includes a filter mechanism bottom plate 111 and a filter placement assembly 112 . The filter placement bottom plate 111 is mounted on the gripper frame assembly 130 , and the filter placement assembly 120 is mounted on the filter mechanism bottom plate 111 .

[0135] like Figure 4 As shown, the filter placement assembly 112 includes a lifting cylinder 1121, a cylinder transition connecting plate 1122, a cylinder transition sleeve 1123, a first three-finger cylinder 1124 and a filter clamp 1125. The cylinder transition sleeve 1123 is installed on one side of the cylinder transition connecting plate 1122, the lifting cylinder 1121 is installed on the other side of the cylinder transition connecting plate 1122, the first three-finger cylinder 1124 is connected to the cylinder transition sleeve 1123, and the filter clamp 1125 is installed on the first three-finger cylinder 1124.

[0136] Here, the lifting cylinder 1121, the cylinder transition connecting plate 1122, the cylinder transition sleeve 1123, the first three-finger cylinder 1124 and the filter screen clamping finger 1125 can be connected together by screws and other fixing parts.

[0137] The embodiment of the present application can achieve the clamping of a single filter screen through the filter screen placement component 112. Multiple filter screen placement components 112 are evenly distributed on the filter screen mechanism bottom plate 111, which can achieve the simultaneous clamping of multiple filter screens (for example, two specifications of filter screens) to achieve simultaneous loading and unloading of multiple filter screens.

[0138] like Figure 5 As shown, the grabbing aluminum casting mechanism 120 includes a grabbing gripper base plate 121 and at least one grabbing aluminum casting component 122 . The grabbing gripper base plate 120 is installed on the gripper frame component 130 , and the grabbing aluminum casting component 122 is installed on the grabbing gripper base plate 120 .

[0139] Preferably, the grabbing aluminum casting assembly 122 includes a support column fixing plate 1221, at least one floating compensation 1222, a three-finger cylinder fixing plate 1223, a second three-finger cylinder 1224, multiple positioning sleeve support rods 1225, a workpiece positioning sleeve 1226, multiple clamping fingers 1227 and multiple finger chucks 1228.

[0140] The filter placement mechanism 110 can grab multiple filters at one time, and the casting grabbing mechanism 120 is a floating mechanism, which can load and unload multiple castings at one time, and compensate the center distance of the castings through the floating compensation 1222. The purge mechanism 140 can purge the upper and lower molds of the casting mold to clean the impurities in the mold. The electrostatic spraying mechanism 150 sprays the upper and lower molds of the mold.

[0141] Here, the support column fixing plate 1221, at least one floating compensation 1222, the three-finger cylinder fixing plate 1223, the second three-finger cylinder 1224, multiple positioning sleeve support rods 1225, the workpiece positioning sleeve 1226, multiple clamping fingers 1227 and multiple finger chucks 1228 can preferably be composed of screw connections.

[0142] The three-finger cylinder fixing plate 1223 is installed above the support column fixing plate 1221, and the workpiece positioning sleeve 1226 is fixed above the three-finger cylinder fixing plate 1223 through the positioning sleeve support rod 1225, so that the support column fixing plate 1221, the three-finger cylinder fixing plate 1223 and the workpiece positioning sleeve 1226 form a frame structure.

[0143] The floating compensation 1222 is installed on the inner side of the support column fixing plate 1221, and the second three-finger cylinder 1223 is installed on the three-finger cylinder fixing plate 1223, and is located between the workpiece positioning sleeve 1226 and the three-finger cylinder fixing plate 1223. The gripping fingers 1227 are installed on the second three-finger cylinder 1223, and extend upward to the top of the workpiece positioning sleeve 1226, and the finger clamps 1228 are installed on the corresponding gripping fingers 1227.

[0144] In the embodiment of the present application, a single aluminum casting can be clamped by the grabbing aluminum casting assembly 122, and multiple grabbing aluminum casting assemblies are evenly distributed on the gripper bottom plate 121, so that multiple aluminum castings can be clamped at the same time, so as to realize simultaneous loading and unloading of multiple aluminum castings. In addition, the grabbing aluminum casting assembly 122 can grab aluminum castings of different models with the same runner size, and has strong applicability.

[0145] like Figure 3As shown, the gripper skeleton assembly 130 includes a connection seat 131, a filter mechanism connection main board 132, a pick-up gripper connection main board 133, a gripper flange connection plate 134, a linear bearing 135 and a guide column 136. The filter mechanism connection main board 132 and the pick-up gripper connection main board 133 are respectively installed on the upper and lower sides of the connection seat 131, and are used to install the filter placement mechanism 110 and the grabbing aluminum casting mechanism 120.

[0146] Here, the filter mechanism connecting main board 132, the picking gripper connecting main board 133, the gripper flange connecting plate 134, the linear bearing 135 and the guide column 136 can preferably be composed of screw connections.

[0147] Preferably, the gripper flange connecting plate 134 is installed at one end of the connecting seat 131, one end of the guide column 136 is connected to the picking gripper connecting main board 133, and the other end passes through the connecting seat 131 and the filter mechanism connecting main board 132, and the linear bearing 135 is installed on the guide column 136.

[0148] Further preferably, the gripper skeleton assembly 130 also includes a cylinder 137 and a cylinder connector 138 , the cylinder connector 138 is installed in the connecting seat 131 , the cylinder 137 is installed on the cylinder connector 138 , and is connected to the filter placement assembly 112 .

[0149] In addition, the gripper frame assembly 130 further includes a mounting flange 139, which is disposed between the cylinder connector 138 and the gripper connecting main board 133. The gripper frame assembly 130 further includes a blocking sheet 1311, which is mounted on the other end of the guide column 136.

[0150] like Figure 2 As shown, the gripper of the casting robot 100 further includes a gripper side flange 160, a robot side flange 170 and a flange positioning plate 180. The gripper side flange 160 is mounted on the end of the gripper flange connecting plate 134 of the gripper frame assembly 130, the robot side flange 170 is mounted on the casting robot 100, and the robot side flange 170 and the gripper side flange 160 are fixed by the flange positioning plate 180.

[0151] The claw of the casting robot 100 is connected to the casting robot via the robot side flange 170 . The casting robot 100 can perform reciprocating motion on the walking axis 200 . One casting robot 100 can serve two casting machines.

[0152] like Figure 6As shown, the automatic filter net feeding mechanism 400 includes a vibration plate feeding mechanism 410, a rotating feeding mechanism 420 and a base 430. The vibration plate feeding mechanism 410 and the rotating feeding mechanism 420 are respectively installed on the base 430, and the vibration plate feeding mechanism 410 and the rotating feeding mechanism 420 are connected to each other.

[0153] The filter screens are vibrated and loaded through the vibration disk in the vibration disk loading mechanism 410, and transmitted to the position of the rotary loading mechanism 420 through direct vibration. The loading of multiple filter screens is completed by the rotation angle of the motor at the bottom of the rotary loading mechanism 420.

[0154] like Figure 7 As shown, the rotating and lifting water soaking barrel mechanism 700 includes a lifting mechanism 710, a rotating mechanism 720, a water soaking tool 730, a water soaking barrel 740 and an equipment frame 750. The lifting mechanism 710 is installed on the equipment frame 750, the rotating mechanism 720 is installed on the lifting mechanism 710, the water soaking barrel 740 is installed on the upper part of the equipment frame 750, and the rotating mechanism 720 extends upward into the water soaking barrel 740. The water soaking tool 730 is installed on the rotating mechanism 720 and is located in the water soaking barrel 740.

[0155] like Figure 8 As shown, the post-processing robot assembly 800 includes a handling robot 810, a post-processing robot gripper 820 and a code scanning mechanism 830. The post-processing robot gripper 820 is installed on the handling robot 810, and the code scanning mechanism 830 is arranged on the side of the handling robot 810. The code scanning mechanism 830 here is responsible for identifying and reading the two-dimensional code of the marking station.

[0156] Preferably, the post-processing robot gripper 820 includes a hand-changing plate 840, at least one pair of compensating single-hand grippers 850 and at least one pair of fixed single-hand grippers 860, and the compensating single-hand grippers 850 are respectively installed on the upper and lower sides of the hand-changing plate 840, and the fixed single-hand grippers 860 are respectively installed on the upper and lower sides of the hand-changing plate 840.

[0157] The post-processing robot gripper 820 may also include a flange panel, a flange connecting plate, a flange extension column, a fixed single-hand gripper, a floating single-hand gripper, a containerized solenoid valve, an electrical box, and a quick-change plate (not shown). The quick-change plate is mounted on the flange extension column, the flange extension column is mounted on the flange connecting plate, and a fixed single-hand gripper and a floating single-hand gripper are mounted on both sides of the flange connecting plate.

[0158] The fixed and floating grippers on one side can grip two castings at the same time, and the floating gripper can compensate for the center distance. The fixed and floating grippers on the other side can also grip two castings at the same time.

[0159] In addition, the automation system further comprises an X-ray flaw detection unit 20 , which is installed on the side of the cutting unit 600 , close to the gripper hand changer 900 .

[0160] According to the above structure, the soaking bucket 740 is installed above the equipment frame 750, and the lifting mechanism 710 and the rotating mechanism 720 are arranged inside the equipment frame 750. The lifting mechanism 710 is connected with the rotating mechanism 720 to drive the rotating mechanism 720 to do lifting and lowering movement.

[0161] The rotating mechanism 720 includes a divider, a support column, and a connecting cylinder (not shown). The support column is mounted on the divider and driven to rotate by the divider. The support column passes through the bottom of the soaking bucket. The connecting cylinder is sleeved on the support column and is partially or completely arranged in the soaking bucket.

[0162] The soaking tool 730 is arranged in the soaking bucket 740, and moves up and down and rotates with the equipment frame 750. The lifting mechanism 710 is pushed out so that the casting robot 100 can place multiple castings on the soaking tool 730 at one time. The lifting mechanism 710 is retracted so that the soaking tool 730 is immersed in the soaking bucket 740.

[0163] After cooling is completed, the lifting mechanism 710 is ejected, and the post-processing robot gripper 820 reaches the casting position to clamp two workpieces at one time to the next process. The rotating mechanism 720 rotates 120 degrees to the original clamping position, waiting for the transport robot gripper to continue to clamp the casting at the same position.

[0164] The post-processing robot gripper 820 is fixed to the handling robot 810 through a quick-change plate, and the gripper can be quickly replaced through the quick-change plate. The post-processing robot gripper 820 can rotate the angle through the fixed single gripper 860 and the rotating cylinder 720 at the bottom of the floating single gripper to meet the gripping of two different casting postures at multiple stations. The floating compensation device of the floating single gripper allows the robot or handling device to make linear movements in the X and Y axes, and can automatically compensate for the center distance error to find the correct position. After the compensation process is completed, the workpiece can be re-centered.

[0165] In addition, the automation system also includes a laser marking station (not shown in the figure), which includes a marking tool, a laser marking machine, and a darkroom. The cylinder is pushed out, waiting for the handling robot gripper to place the cooled casting on the marking tool, and the cylinder is retracted into the darkroom. The laser marking machine marks the casting, which plays the role of marking the casting, thereby giving each casting a unique identification code, which is convenient for production and after-sales control.

[0166] According to the above structural description, in the automated system for steering knuckle casting and post-processing of the present invention, in working state, the casting robot can move to the casting machine position through the walking axis, and the robot casting claw enters the mold room of the casting machine to grab castings, purge, place filters, and electrostatically spray.

[0167] The robot grabs the casting and puts it into the rotating lifting water-immersing mechanism to cool the casting. After cooling, the rotating lifting water-immersing mechanism ejects the water-immersing tooling, and the post-processing handling claw grabs the casting and moves it to the laser marking station. By rotating the cylinder rotation angle, the unloading posture is adjusted to the posture required for marking and placed on the marking tooling for marking.

[0168] After marking is completed, the post-processing robot gripper rotates to take the casting and moves it to the trimming machine. After trimming is completed, the post-processing robot gripper grabs the casting and moves it to the trimming machine.

[0169] After the cutting is completed, the post-processing robot gripper grabs the casting and moves it to the code scanning station. The unqualified castings scanned are transported to the casting automation area through the unqualified product discharge slide.

[0170] Finally, qualified castings are post-processed and the handling gripper grabs the castings and places them into the X-ray flaw detection unit for flaw detection.

[0171] It can be seen that the post-processing robot gripper in the present invention can meet the requirements of two simultaneous casting feeding in two postures. The number of one-time grabbing filters, the number of one-time grabbing castings, and the number of water-immersed tooling can be changed according to the number of molds produced by the casting mold. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing is suitable for the production of aluminum alloy castings, and is specifically suitable for the production of automobile steering knuckles.

[0172] The automatic system for knuckle casting and post-processing of the present invention is centered on the casting robot, and the casting machine, the automatic filter net feeding mechanism, and the rotating lifting and soaking mechanism are arranged around the robot. The post-processing robot assembly is centered on the casting marking unit, the casting trimming unit, the casting capping unit, the casting code scanning unit, the gripper conversion table, and the casting X-ray flaw detection unit are arranged around the post-processing robot assembly.

[0173] In this embodiment, the casting machine may be any one of a differential pressure casting machine, a low pressure casting machine, an extrusion casting machine and a pressure regulating casting machine.

[0174] In the automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing, the workflow and position relationship of each device are as follows:

[0175] 1. The casting robot 100 drives the casting robot claw B to move to the automatic filter net loading mechanism 400 through the walking shaft 200, and the filter net is picked up through the filter net placement mechanism 110, so that multiple filter nets can be grabbed at one time.

[0176] 2. After the casting robot 100 drives the casting robot gripper B to take the filter, it moves to the casting machine position through the walking axis 200, waiting for the casting machine to form and open the mold to enter the casting mold room. The casting robot gripper B reaches the upper mold position of the mold and receives multiple castings through the grabbing aluminum casting mechanism 120. The casting robot gripper B purges the upper and lower molds of the mold through the purge mechanism 140, and then places multiple filters at the lower mold position at one time through the filter placement mechanism 110. Finally, the upper and lower molds of the mold are electrostatically sprayed through the electrostatic spraying mechanism 150. Finally, the casting robot gripper B exits the mold, and multiple castings are placed on the rotating lifting and soaking mechanism at the same time, and the lifting mechanism 710 retracts for soaking and cooling.

[0177] 3. After the cooling is completed, the lifting structure 710 is pushed out, and the casting is pushed out of the water, waiting for the post-processing robot gripper 820 to come to this station to clamp the casting. The post-processing robot gripper 820 can pick up materials on one side and unload materials on the other side. After the workstation is clamped, the rotating mechanism 720 rotates the angle to rotate it and the workpiece at the workstation to the clamping position of the post-processing robot gripper 820, waiting to be grasped. The rotating and lifting water bucket mechanism 700 can ensure that the post-processing robot gripper 820 always loads and unloads materials at the same position.

[0178] 4. Post-processing The robot gripper 820 simultaneously grasps two castings and transfers them to the marking unit 10, rotates them to the required marking posture, places the two castings on the marking fixture at the same time, retracts them to the marking darkroom position through the cylinder, and the laser coding machine simultaneously completes the marking action of the two castings.

[0179] 5. Post-processing The robot gripper 820 simultaneously transfers the two castings to the casting trimming unit 500, and the trimming machine simultaneously removes the burrs of the two castings.

[0180] 6. Post-processing The robot gripper 820 simultaneously transfers the two castings to the riser cutting unit 600, and the riser cutting machine simultaneously performs riser cutting on the two castings.

[0181] 7. The post-processing robot gripper 820 simultaneously transfers the two castings to the code scanning station, and the code scanning mechanism 830 scans and identifies the two castings respectively;

[0182] 8. Post-processing The robot gripper 820 simultaneously transfers the two castings to the X-ray flaw detection station, and the X-ray flaw detection unit 20 detects the castings to check whether the castings are damaged.

[0183] 9. Finally, the castings are transported out of the casting and post-processing automation system through the logistics line.

[0184] During the working process, the handling robot 810 can quickly replace the post-processing robot gripper 820 on the gripper changing table 900 through the quick-change plate according to the characteristics of the casting.

[0185] The automated system for casting and post-processing the steering knuckle of the present invention adopts a robot to completely replace manual transport, thereby realizing fully automated production, reducing labor intensity, saving labor and costs, and improving production efficiency.

[0186] For those skilled in the art, the above invention disclosure is only used as an example and does not constitute a limitation of the present application. Although not explicitly stated herein, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, improvements and amendments to the present application. Such modifications, improvements and amendments are suggested in the present application, so such modifications, improvements and amendments still belong to the spirit and scope of the exemplary implementation of the present application.

[0187] At the same time, the present application uses specific words to describe the embodiments of the present application. For example, "one embodiment", "an embodiment", and / or "some embodiments" refer to a certain feature, structure or characteristic related to at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "an alternative embodiment" mentioned twice or more in different positions in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, some features, structures or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the present application can be appropriately combined.

[0188] Similarly, it should be noted that in order to simplify the description of the disclosure of this application and thus facilitate the understanding of one or more embodiments of the invention, in the foregoing description of the embodiments of this application, multiple features are sometimes grouped into one embodiment, drawing, or description thereof. However, this disclosure method does not mean that the subject matter of this application requires more features than those mentioned in the claims. In fact, the features of an embodiment are less than all the features of a single embodiment disclosed above.

[0189] Although the specific embodiments of the present invention are described above, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these are only examples, and the protection scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, but these changes and modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing, characterized in that: The automation system comprises: A casting robot and a walking shaft, wherein the casting robot is mounted on the walking shaft and reciprocates along the walking shaft; at least one pair of differential pressure casting machines, the differential pressure casting machines being mounted on one side of the travel shaft; At least one pair of automatic filter net feeding mechanisms, the automatic filter net feeding mechanisms are respectively mounted at two ends of the traveling shaft; At least one pair of casting trimming units, wherein the casting trimming units are connected to corresponding automatic filter net feeding mechanisms; At least one pair of cutting and capping units, wherein the cutting and capping units are connected to corresponding casting trimming units; At least one pair of rotating lifting water-immersing mechanisms, wherein the rotating lifting water-immersing mechanisms are installed on the other side of the traveling shaft; At least one pair of post-processing robot assemblies, wherein the post-processing robot assemblies are arranged between the two cutting units.

2. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The automation system further comprises a gripper hand changer, which is arranged between the cap cutting units and adjacent to the post-processing robot assembly.

3. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The automation system further comprises at least one pair of marking units, which are installed between the rotating lifting and soaking mechanism and the casting trimming unit and are located on the other side of the traveling axis.

4. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The casting robot gripper comprises a filter placement mechanism, an aluminum casting grabbing mechanism and a gripper frame assembly, wherein the filter placement mechanism and the aluminum casting grabbing mechanism are connected via the gripper frame assembly, and the filter placement mechanism is fixed on the gripper frame assembly; A purge mechanism, wherein the purge mechanism is fixed to the gripper frame assembly; An electrostatic spraying mechanism is installed on the purge mechanism and is used for electrostatic spraying.

5. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: The filter placement mechanism comprises a filter mechanism bottom plate and a filter placement component. The filter placement bottom plate is mounted on the gripper frame component, and the filter placement component is mounted on the filter mechanism bottom plate.

6. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The filter placement assembly includes a lifting cylinder, a cylinder transition connecting plate, a cylinder transition sleeve, a first three-finger cylinder and a filter clamping finger. The cylinder transition sleeve is installed on one side of the cylinder transition connecting plate, the lifting cylinder is installed on the other side of the cylinder transition connecting plate, the first three-finger cylinder is connected to the cylinder transition sleeve, and the filter clamping finger is installed on the first three-finger cylinder.

7. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: The grabbing aluminum casting mechanism comprises a grabbing gripper bottom plate and at least one grabbing aluminum casting component. The grabbing gripper bottom plate is mounted on the gripper frame component, and the grabbing aluminum casting component is mounted on the grabbing gripper bottom plate.

8. The automated system for casting and post-processing of a steering knuckle according to claim 7, characterized in that: The grabbing aluminum casting assembly includes a support column fixing plate, at least one floating compensation, a three-finger cylinder fixing plate, a second three-finger cylinder, a plurality of positioning sleeve support rods, a workpiece positioning sleeve, a plurality of gripping fingers and a plurality of finger chucks; The three-finger cylinder fixing plate is installed above the support column fixing plate, and the workpiece positioning sleeve is fixed above the three-finger cylinder fixing plate through the positioning sleeve support rod, so that the support column fixing plate, the three-finger cylinder fixing plate and the workpiece positioning sleeve form a frame structure; The floating compensation is installed on the inner side of the support column fixing plate, and the second three-finger cylinder is installed on the three-finger cylinder fixing plate, and is located between the workpiece positioning sleeve and the three-finger cylinder fixing plate; The gripping fingers are mounted on the second three-finger cylinder and extend upward to penetrate above the workpiece positioning sleeve, and the finger chucks are mounted on the corresponding gripping fingers.

9. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The gripper skeleton assembly includes a connecting seat, a filter mechanism connecting main board, a picking gripper connecting main board, a gripper flange connecting plate, a linear bearing and a guide column; The filter mechanism connecting main board and the picking gripper connecting main board are respectively installed on the upper and lower sides of the connecting seat, and are used to install the filter placement mechanism and the grabbing aluminum casting mechanism; The gripper flange connecting plate is installed at one end of the connecting seat; one end of the guide column is connected to the picking gripper connecting main board, and the other end passes through the connecting seat and the filter mechanism connecting main board, and the linear bearing is installed on the guide column.

10. The automated system for casting and post-processing of a steering knuckle according to claim 9, characterized in that: The gripper skeleton assembly also includes a cylinder and a cylinder connector. The cylinder connector is installed in the connecting seat, and the cylinder is installed on the cylinder connector and connected to the filter placement assembly.

11. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing according to claim 10, characterized in that: The gripper skeleton assembly also includes a mounting flange, and the mounting flange is arranged between the cylinder connector and the picking gripper connection mainboard.

12. The automated system for casting and post-processing of a steering knuckle according to claim 9, characterized in that: The gripper frame assembly also includes a blocking plate, which is mounted on the other end of the guide column.

13. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: The gripper of the casting robot also includes a gripper side flange, a robot side flange and a flange positioning pressure plate. The gripper side flange is installed at the end of the gripper flange connecting plate of the gripper skeleton assembly, and the robot side flange is installed on the casting robot. The robot side flange and the gripper side flange are fixed by the flange positioning pressure plate.

14. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The automatic filter net feeding mechanism comprises a vibration plate feeding mechanism, a rotary feeding mechanism and a base, wherein the vibration plate feeding mechanism and the rotary feeding mechanism are respectively mounted on the base, and the vibration plate feeding mechanism and the rotary feeding mechanism are connected to each other.

15. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating and lifting water soaking bucket mechanism comprises a lifting mechanism, a rotating mechanism, a water soaking tool, a water soaking bucket and an equipment frame, the lifting mechanism is installed on the equipment frame, the rotating mechanism is installed on the lifting mechanism, the water soaking bucket is installed on the upper part of the equipment frame, and the rotating mechanism extends upward into the water soaking bucket, the water soaking tool is installed on the rotating mechanism and is located in the water soaking bucket.

16. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The post-processing robot assembly includes a handling robot, a post-processing robot gripper and a code scanning mechanism. The post-processing robot gripper is installed on the handling robot, and the code scanning mechanism is arranged on the side of the handling robot.

17. The automated system for knuckle casting and post-processing as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The post-processing robot gripper includes a hand-changing plate, at least one pair of compensating single-hand grippers and at least one pair of fixed single-hand grippers. The compensating single-hand grippers are respectively installed on the upper and lower sides of the hand-changing plate, and the fixed single-hand grippers are respectively installed on the upper and lower sides of the hand-changing plate.

18. The automated system for casting and post-processing of a steering knuckle as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The automation system also includes an X-ray flaw detection unit, which is installed on the side of the cutting unit and close to the gripper hand changer.

Images