Multi-station automatic transfer spark plasma sintering equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides automatic transfer multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment which comprises a loading system, a multi-station furnace chamber, an automatic transfer device and a vacuum system, the loading system comprises a loading oil cylinder, and the loading oil cylinder is connected with the multi-station furnace chamber through a sealing corrugated pipe so as to load the multi-station furnace chamber; the multi-station furnace chamber comprises an upper electrode pressure head and a lower electrode pressure head which are respectively connected into the furnace chamber through a loading oil cylinder; the automatic transfer device is used for transferring the parts among the multi-station furnace chambers; and the vacuum system is used for maintaining a vacuum environment in the furnace chamber in the sintering process. By means of the scheme, multi-station simultaneous sintering can be achieved, the equipment with the automatic transferring function is achieved, and the overall production efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of material handling and processing equipment, and in particular to a multi-station automatic transport equipment used in a plasma sintering process. Background Art

[0002] Plasma sintering technology is a high-efficiency material processing technology that is widely used in the preparation of cemented carbide, ceramics and other composite materials. However, most existing plasma sintering equipment is designed for a single station, resulting in low production efficiency, poor product consistency and susceptibility to human factors during operation. In addition, in the sintering process of multiple materials, traditional equipment often requires manual operation, resulting in long production cycles and high costs. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a device that can achieve simultaneous sintering of multiple stations and has an automatic transfer function to improve overall production efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a multi-station automatic transfer device for use in a plasma sintering process, which at least partially solves the problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] The present invention discloses an automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering device, comprising: a loading system, a multi-station furnace chamber, an automatic transport device, and a vacuum system.

[0005] The loading system comprises a loading oil cylinder, which is connected to the multi-station furnace chamber via a sealing bellows to load the multi-station furnace chamber;

[0006] The multi-station furnace chamber includes an upper electrode pressure head and a lower electrode pressure head, which are respectively connected to the furnace chamber through a loading cylinder;

[0007] The automatic transfer device is used to realize the transfer of parts between multi-station furnace chambers; and

[0008] The vacuum system is used to maintain the vacuum environment in the furnace chamber during the sintering process.

[0009] In one embodiment, the equipment further comprises a rapid cooling device, which is installed on the furnace cavity of the end station and is used to accelerate the temperature reduction process of the parts.

[0010] In one embodiment, the loading system is of frame type or column type, and further comprises an upper crossbeam and a lower base, and the loading cylinder is fixedly mounted on the upper crossbeam and the lower base respectively.

[0011] In one embodiment, the multi-station furnace cavity comprises one or more double-layer furnace bodies, and the double-layer furnace bodies are equipped with independent heat-insulating furnace doors.

[0012] In one embodiment, a cooling water channel is provided between the inner and outer walls of the double-layer furnace body.

[0013] In one embodiment, a heat-insulating gate valve is provided between each furnace body of the multi-station furnace chamber, and the heat-insulating gate valve is controlled by a driving device to be selectively closed or opened during sintering.

[0014] In one embodiment, the automatic transfer device includes an electric cylinder and an electric push rod, wherein a sealing device is provided at the connection between the electric push rod and the double-layer furnace body, and a positioning device is also provided.

[0015] In one embodiment, the vacuum system includes a vacuum obtaining device and a vacuum pipeline, wherein the vacuum obtaining device is composed of a fore-stage pump and a Roots pump.

[0016] In one embodiment, the multi-station furnace chamber includes a preheating chamber, a sintering chamber and a cooling chamber, wherein the sintering equipment operates as follows:

[0017] Before the equipment is started, the preheating chamber, sintering chamber and cooling chamber are independent of each other, and the material is placed in the preheating chamber;

[0018] The preheating chamber, the sintering chamber and the cooling chamber are evacuated to a set vacuum degree;

[0019] heating the preheating chamber to a first temperature, heating the sintering chamber to a second temperature, and not heating the cooling chamber, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature;

[0020] After the material is preheated in the preheating chamber, the heat-insulating gate valve between the preheating chamber and the sintering chamber is opened, and the material is transported to the sintering chamber by the automatic transport device;

[0021] The lower electrode press head of the sintering chamber lifts the material, and the upper electrode press head presses down to provide pressing force. After the electrode provides high-frequency current and sintering is completed, the upper electrode press head and the lower electrode press head return to the initial state;

[0022] The thermal insulation gate valve between the sintering chamber and the cooling chamber is opened, and the formed parts are transferred to the cooling chamber and the thermal insulation gate valve is closed;

[0023] Turn on the quick cooling device to quickly cool the workpiece;

[0024] After completion, open the cooling chamber door to take out the parts.

[0025] In one embodiment, the multi-station furnace chamber includes three sintering chambers, and the vacuum degree and heating temperature of each sintering chamber can be set individually.

[0026] An automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment in the disclosed embodiment includes: a loading system, a multi-station furnace chamber, an automatic transport device, and a vacuum system, wherein the loading system includes a loading cylinder, and the loading cylinder is connected to the multi-station furnace chamber via a sealing bellows to load the multi-station furnace chamber; the multi-station furnace chamber includes an upper electrode pressure head and a lower electrode pressure head, which are respectively connected to the furnace chamber through the loading cylinder; the automatic transport device is used to realize the transport of parts between the multi-station furnace chambers; and the vacuum system is used to maintain the vacuum environment in the furnace chamber during the sintering process. Through the solution of the present application, it is possible to realize equipment that can realize multi-station simultaneous sintering and has an automatic transport function to improve the overall production efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0028] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the vacuum system of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the heat-insulating gate valve of the multi-station furnace chamber of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] The following describes the embodiments of the present disclosure through specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present disclosure from the contents disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments. The present disclosure can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0033] It should be noted that various aspects of the embodiments within the scope of the appended claims are described below. It should be apparent that the aspects described herein may be embodied in a wide variety of forms, and any specific structure and / or function described herein is merely illustrative. Based on the present disclosure, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that an aspect described herein may be implemented independently of any other aspect, and two or more of these aspects may be combined in various ways. For example, any number of aspects described herein may be used to implement the device and / or practice the method. In addition, other structures and / or functionalities other than one or more of the aspects described herein may be used to implement this device and / or practice this method.

[0034] It should also be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic illustrations of the basic concept of the present disclosure. The drawings only show components related to the present disclosure rather than being drawn according to the number, shape and size of components in actual implementation. In actual implementation, the type, quantity and proportion of each component may be changed arbitrarily, and the component layout may also be more complicated.

[0035] Additionally, in the following description, specific details are provided to facilitate a thorough understanding of the examples. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the aspects described may be practiced without these specific details.

[0036] First, refer to Figure 1 , describing the structural schematic diagram of an automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, it includes a loading system 1, a multi-station furnace chamber 2, an automatic transfer device 3, a vacuum system 4, and a fast cooling device 5.

[0037] The loading system 1 adopts a frame type or a column type, providing a stable carrier to support multiple sintering stations, which includes an upper crossbeam 101, a lower base 102, and a loading cylinder 103 respectively installed and fixed on the upper crossbeam and the lower base. A sealing bellows 104 is installed between the loading cylinder 103 and the multi-station furnace chamber 2 to achieve the fitting of the two sealing end faces to ensure the dynamic sealing of the furnace chamber, and at the same time absorb the axial displacement of the cylinder caused by temperature and pressure changes during operation. In the example, upper and lower loading cylinders 103 are respectively installed in the multiple station furnace chambers, and each station can achieve upper and lower composite loading.

[0038] The multi-station furnace chamber 2 includes one or more double-layer furnace bodies 201, and the double-layer furnace bodies 201 are equipped with independent heat-insulating furnace doors 206, all of which are made of stainless steel to improve heat resistance and stability. A cooling water channel is provided between the inner and outer walls of the double-layer furnace body 201 to ensure that the furnace body will not deform due to high temperature during the sintering process. An insulation gate valve 202 is provided between each furnace body, which can control the heat transfer inside each furnace cavity and adjust the vacuum degree in different chambers. The insulation gate valve is controlled by a drive device 203 and can be selectively closed or opened during sintering to realize the transfer of parts under vacuum (see Figure 3 ). The upper electrode pressure head 204 and the lower electrode pressure head 205 are connected to the furnace chamber through the loading cylinder 103 respectively, and can realize the precise control of the upper and lower loading as needed, so as to ensure the uniform force of the sintered material. The upper and lower electrode pressure heads are made of high-purity metals such as tungsten, copper, molybdenum, etc., which are connected to the pulse power supply to quickly form plasma and improve the sintering speed and uniformity. The pressure heads all adopt a special water-cooling structure, which has the advantages of good water cooling effect, no deformation during repeated pressurization, long service life, and small leakage during movement.

[0039] The automatic transfer device 3 is used to realize the transfer of parts between multiple stations. Its structure includes an electric cylinder 301, an electric push rod 302, and a sealing device 303 is provided at the connection between the electric push rod 302 and the double-layer furnace body 201 to ensure that there will be no leakage or contamination during the transfer process. At the same time, a positioning device 304 is equipped to ensure the accuracy of each transfer.

[0040] In addition, reference Figure 2 The vacuum system includes a vacuum obtaining device 401 and a vacuum pipeline 402. In the example, the vacuum obtaining device 401 can be composed of a front pump 4011 and a roots pump 4012, which can quickly and effectively maintain the vacuum environment in the furnace chamber during the sintering process, reduce the impact of gas on the material, and improve the sintering quality.

[0041] The fast cooling device 5 is installed on the furnace chamber of the end station in the example, and adopts argon gas circulation cooling to ensure that the argon gas can circulate quickly inside and accelerate the cooling process of the workpiece.

[0042] The above reference drawings describe the various components of the automatic transfer multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment of the present application. Next, the loading system 1, multi-station furnace chamber 2, automatic transfer device 3, vacuum system 4 and rapid cooling device 5 included therein are described in more detail.

[0043] In the present invention, the loading system 1 is used to mechanically load the multi-station furnace chamber 2. The loading system 1 mainly includes a loading cylinder 103. The loading cylinder 103 is connected to the multi-station furnace chamber 2 via a sealing bellows 104. This connection method ensures that the loading force can be evenly and stably transmitted to the inside of the furnace chamber during the loading operation, and the sealing bellows 104 can also prevent external air from entering the furnace chamber, ensuring that the environment in the furnace chamber is sealed.

[0044] The multi-station furnace chamber 2 is the core part of the entire equipment and is used to realize the spark plasma sintering process. An upper electrode press head 204 and a lower electrode press head 205 are provided inside the furnace chamber. The two electrode press heads are connected to the furnace chamber through the loading cylinder 103 to form a closed-loop mechanical loading system. By controlling the pressure of the loading cylinder 103, different loading requirements for the workpiece can be achieved to meet different sintering process requirements. In addition, the multiple station layout design inside the furnace chamber allows multiple parts to be processed at the same time, improving production capacity and efficiency.

[0045] The automatic transfer device 3 is responsible for transferring the parts to be processed between different workstations. This device is usually a cylinder push rod, which can be controlled according to a preset program to achieve efficient and accurate part transfer. The design of the automatic transfer device 3 enables the parts to maintain a stable positioning and posture when transferred between different workstations, ensuring the consistency and stability of the sintering process.

[0046] The vacuum system 4 is an important component to ensure the sintering quality, and is used to maintain the vacuum environment in the furnace chamber during the sintering process. The vacuum system 4 includes a vacuum pump and a control system. By evacuating the air and moisture in the furnace chamber, the interference of the external environment on the sintering process can be avoided. Maintaining a high vacuum environment is not only conducive to improving the temperature and pressure control accuracy of sintering, but also can reduce the generation of impurities and improve the quality of sintered materials.

[0047] In actual operation, when this device is used, first, the vacuum system 4 will start and evacuate the air in the multi-station furnace chamber 2 to ensure that a pure vacuum environment is maintained during the sintering process. This process is crucial to improving the quality and performance of material sintering. Subsequently, the loading system 1 starts to operate through the loading cylinder 103, which is connected to the multi-station furnace chamber 2 by means of a sealing bellows 104, so that pressure can be accurately applied to the parts to be processed in the furnace chamber, ensuring that the pressure at each station is uniform and consistent to meet the process requirements.

[0048] During this process, the upper electrode pressing head 204 and the lower electrode pressing head 205 inside the multi-station furnace chamber 2 will gradually approach and contact the parts to be processed under the action of the loading cylinder 103, and quickly heat and sinter them by means of discharge plasma. At the same time, the automatic transfer device 3 operates efficiently between the multi-station furnace chambers 2, and transfers the parts from one station to another accurately and quickly according to the preset process. This not only greatly improves the automation level of the entire production process, but also effectively reduces the errors caused by human factors, ensuring the quality consistency of each product.

[0049] In general, from the evacuation of the vacuum system 4, to the precise pressurization of the loading system 1, to the spark plasma sintering in the multi-station furnace chamber 2, and the precise positioning and transportation of the automatic transfer device 3, all links work closely together to form a set of efficient and reliable automatic transfer multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment, which significantly improves production efficiency and product quality.

[0050] Through careful design and optimization, the above-mentioned components have solved the technical problem of equipment with multi-station simultaneous sintering and automatic transfer function to improve the overall production efficiency. First, the design of the multi-station furnace chamber 2 allows multiple parts to be sintered at the same time, greatly improving the production capacity per unit time. Secondly, the introduction of the loading system 1 ensures the stability and consistency of loading at each station and reduces defects in the sintering process. The application of the automatic transfer device 3 realizes automated operation, reduces dependence on manual operation, and improves production efficiency. Finally, the cooperation of the vacuum system 4 ensures a pure environment inside the furnace chamber and improves the quality and performance of the sintered products. Overall, the multifunctional integrated design and efficient automated operation mode of the equipment provide advanced solutions for industrial production.

[0051] In one embodiment, a rapid cooling device 5 of an automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment of the present application is installed on the furnace chamber of the end station of the equipment. The rapid cooling device 5 is designed to quickly cool the parts after the sintering process is completed, thereby shortening the entire production cycle. Specifically, the rapid cooling device 5 is mainly composed of two parts: a cooling medium supply system and a temperature control system. The cooling medium supply system is responsible for providing low-temperature gas, such as inert gas, into the furnace chamber to quickly reduce the temperature in the furnace. The temperature control system monitors the temperature changes in the furnace chamber in real time through sensors, and adjusts the flow and temperature of the cooling medium according to a preset cooling curve to ensure that the parts are not subjected to excessive thermal stress during the cooling process, thereby ensuring their performance and dimensional stability.

[0052] For example, the technical implementation of the rapid cooling device 5 can adopt a circulating cooling system, in which the cooling medium (such as nitrogen or cooling water) is connected to the air inlet and outlet or the inlet and outlet of the furnace cavity of the terminal station through a pipeline. After sintering is completed, the control system automatically opens the cooling medium supply valve and adjusts the flow controller and the temperature controller so that the cooling medium circulates in the furnace cavity to take away the heat in the furnace, thereby achieving a rapid cooling effect.

[0053] In one embodiment, a loading system 1 of an automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering device of the present application adopts a frame-type or column-type design. The loading system 1 includes an upper crossbeam 101 and a lower base 102, which provide stable structural support in these two ways. The upper crossbeam 101 is located at the top of the loading system 1, and maintains a fixed vertical distance with the lower base 102, providing good rigidity and stability for the overall structure of the equipment. The loading cylinder 103, as a key actuator, is fixedly mounted on the upper crossbeam 101 and the lower base 102 respectively. This layout enables the loading cylinder 103 to provide the required loading force in the vertical direction, thereby meeting the pressure requirements for the workpiece during the spark plasma sintering process.

[0054] In one embodiment, specifically, the upper crossbeam 101 is usually made of high-strength material and has sufficient bending rigidity to ensure stability when subjected to force. The lower base 102 is firmly mounted on the ground by anchor bolts or other fixing devices to prevent displacement during operation. The connection between the loading cylinder 103 and the upper crossbeam 101 and the lower base 102 is achieved by welding or by fasteners to ensure stable operation under high pressure and high load conditions. In addition, reinforcing ribs or crossbeams can be added between the upper crossbeam 101 and the lower base 102 to further enhance the stability of the overall structure.

[0055] In one embodiment, a multi-station furnace chamber 2 of an automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering device of the present application includes one or more double-layer furnace bodies 201. Each double-layer furnace body 201 is composed of an inner layer and an outer layer, and a heat-insulating material is provided between the two layers to ensure that the high temperature in the furnace chamber will not dissipate too quickly. The outer layer is used for protection and to improve the overall safety of the equipment. The double-layer furnace body 201 of each multi-station furnace chamber 2 is equipped with an independent heat-insulating furnace door 206, which is designed as an independent switch to ensure that the furnace door state of each station can be individually controlled at different sintering stages. In this way, the heating conditions of different stations in the furnace chamber can be flexibly adjusted to meet the requirements of different samples for the sintering environment.

[0056] In one embodiment, specifically, the inner layer of the double-layer furnace body 201 is made of high-temperature resistant material, and the outer layer is made of insulation material to reduce heat loss. The insulation material between the double-layer furnace body 201 can be ceramic fiber or other high-performance insulation materials. The independent insulation furnace door 206 is installed at the front of the double-layer furnace body 201, connected to the furnace body by a hinge, and equipped with a sealing device 303 to ensure the sealing performance when closed. A locking mechanism is also provided on one side of the furnace door to ensure the safe locking of the furnace door during the sintering process. The opening and closing of the furnace door can be achieved manually or electrically, depending on the specific design of the equipment and the needs of the user.

[0057] In another embodiment, a cooling water channel is provided between the inner and outer walls of a double-layer furnace body 201 of an automatic transfer multi-station spark plasma sintering device of the present application. The design of the cooling water channel is intended to ensure that during the operation of the equipment, the heat generated is effectively removed by the circulating water flow, and the operating temperature is kept within a reasonable range, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the equipment and extending its service life. The double-layer furnace body 201 includes an inner wall and an outer wall, and a closed space is formed between the two walls, and the cooling water channel is arranged in this closed space. The width of the gap between the inner and outer walls is adjusted according to actual needs to ensure sufficient cooling effect.

[0058] For example, the cooling water channel can be realized by a plurality of longitudinally or transversely distributed pipeline structures. These pipelines can be evenly arranged along the entire area between the inner and outer walls to ensure that the cooling water can flow evenly through the entire space to achieve the effect of uniform heat dissipation. Specifically, the inlet and outlet of the cooling water are respectively arranged at different parts of the double-layer furnace body 201 to ensure that the water flow direction is reasonable and the cooling efficiency is maximized. The cooling water channel can also be equipped with a flow regulating device and a temperature detection sensor to monitor and adjust the cooling effect in real time.

[0059] In one embodiment, an automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering device of the present application is characterized in that a heat-insulating gate valve 202 is provided between each furnace body of the multi-station furnace chamber 2. These heat-insulating gate valves 202 are designed to selectively close or open during the sintering process, thereby effectively isolating or connecting adjacent furnace bodies to ensure the working requirements of each furnace body at different process stages. The heat-insulating gate valve 202 is controlled by a drive device 203, and commands are transmitted through electrical signals or other means to achieve precise switching operation of the gate valve. Such a design can ensure that each furnace body maintains temperature stability when it needs to work independently, and achieves effective heat exchange and gas circulation when it needs to work together.

[0060] Specifically, the thermal insulation gate valve 202 is installed at the connecting port between adjacent furnace bodies to physically isolate or connect the adjacent furnace bodies. The driving device 203 is usually installed on one side or above the gate valve and is connected to the gate valve through a connecting mechanism such as a rod or a screw. When the gate valve needs to be closed, the driving device 203 receives a control signal and pushes or pulls the gate valve through mechanical movement to make it fit tightly against the sealing gasket at the connecting port of the furnace body, thereby achieving a good thermal insulation effect. When the gate valve needs to be opened, the driving device 203 operates in reverse to move the gate valve from the sealing position to restore the connection state between the adjacent furnace bodies. For example, the driving device 203 can be an electric motor, a cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder, and the appropriate type and model are selected according to the actual working conditions.

[0061] In one embodiment, an automatic transport device 3 of an automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment of the present application includes an electric cylinder 301 and an electric push rod 302. A sealing device 303 is provided at the connection between the electric push rod 302 and the double-layer furnace body 201, and a positioning device is also provided. The electric cylinder 301 is used to provide power to drive the electric push rod 302 to move precisely on a predetermined track. The design of the electric push rod 302 allows it to move smoothly and efficiently between multiple stations, thereby realizing the automatic transport of samples. By providing a sealing device 303, it is ensured that during the transportation process, the connection between the electric push rod 302 and the double-layer furnace body 201 always maintains good sealing performance to prevent the external environment from affecting the atmosphere in the furnace. In addition, the positioning device is used to accurately calibrate the position of the electric push rod 302 to ensure that the sample can be accurately placed at the preset station.

[0062] For example, in a specific implementation, the electric cylinder 301 is installed on one side of the equipment base and connected to the electric push rod 302 through a connecting rod. The electric push rod 302 is arranged in a vertical or horizontal direction, one end of which is connected to the double-layer furnace body 201, and a sealing ring or other sealing material is provided at the connection position. The positioning device can be a series of sensors or mechanical limiters, which are installed at key points of the movement path of the electric push rod 302, and feedback signals are used to ensure that the electric push rod 302 can accurately reach the target position every time.

[0063] In one embodiment, the vacuum system 4 of an automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment of the present application is an important component of the equipment, which is used to ensure a high vacuum environment during the sintering process. The vacuum system 4 mainly includes two parts: a vacuum obtaining device 401 and a vacuum pipeline 402. The vacuum obtaining device 401 is composed of a front pump 4011 and a roots pump 4012, and these two pumps work together to achieve the required vacuum degree. The front pump 4011 is usually used for primary vacuuming to reduce the ambient atmospheric pressure to a certain level; while the roots pump 4012 is used to further increase the vacuum degree to achieve higher vacuum requirements. The vacuum pipeline 402 connects the vacuum obtaining device 401 with the sintering chamber to ensure the effective transmission of the vacuum environment.

[0064] In one embodiment, the front pump 4011 and the roots pump 4012 are installed at the bottom or side of the equipment, and the specific location depends on the overall layout of the equipment. The front pump 4011 is connected to one end of the vacuum pipe 402 through its air inlet, and its air outlet is directly discharged into the atmosphere. The roots pump 4012 is also installed near the front pump 4011, and its air inlet is connected to the air outlet of the front pump 4011, and the air outlet continues to be connected to the vacuum pipe 402. The vacuum pipe 402 is made of a material that is resistant to high pressure and has a low leakage rate, and is connected to the sintering chamber and other necessary components by a flange or other sealing method to ensure the overall sealing and reliability of the vacuum system 4. For example, the vacuum pipe 402 can be made of stainless steel, and the risk of leakage can be reduced by a metal bellows and a welding interface.

[0065] In an embodiment of the actual operation of the device, the multi-station furnace chamber 2 in an automatic transfer multi-station spark plasma sintering device of the present application includes a preheating chamber, a sintering chamber and a cooling chamber. Before the equipment is started, the three chambers are independent of each other, and the material is first placed in the preheating chamber. In order to ensure the accuracy and controllability of the sintering process, these chambers need to be evacuated to a set vacuum degree. On this basis, the preheating chamber is heated to a first temperature to complete the preheating of the material; the sintering chamber is heated to a higher second temperature to prepare for the sintering process; and the cooling chamber is not heated. This temperature control process is achieved through independent heating systems to ensure precise control of the temperature of each chamber.

[0066] After the material is preheated, the insulation gate valve 202 between the preheating chamber and the sintering chamber is opened, and the automatic transfer device 3 transfers the material from the preheating chamber to the sintering chamber. In the sintering chamber, the lower electrode press head 205 lifts the material, and the upper electrode press head 204 presses down to provide the necessary pressing force. At the same time, the electrode provides high-frequency current for sintering. After sintering is completed, the upper electrode press head 204 and the lower electrode press head 205 return to their initial positions to prepare for the next cycle. Next, the insulation gate valve 202 between the sintering chamber and the cooling chamber is opened, and the sintered formed parts are transferred to the cooling chamber, and the insulation gate valve 202 is then closed. In order to quickly cool the formed parts, the cooling chamber is equipped with a quick cooling device 5, which can quickly reduce the temperature of the workpiece. After the cooling process is completed, the furnace door of the cooling chamber is opened and the operator can take the parts.

[0067] For example, these thermal insulation gate valves 202 can be pneumatically or electrically driven, and the opening and closing times can be accurately controlled by the control system to ensure the isolation between the chambers. The automatic transfer device 3 can be a high-precision hydraulic cylinder with precise positioning function, which can accurately transfer materials from one chamber to another to ensure the efficient operation of the entire process.

[0068] In another practical embodiment, the multi-station furnace chamber 2 of the automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment of the present application includes three independent sintering chambers. Each sintering chamber can independently control the vacuum degree and heating temperature inside it, so as to meet the sintering requirements of different materials under different process conditions. This design ensures the flexibility and efficiency of the equipment and is suitable for the sintering of a variety of different materials.

[0069] Each sintering chamber is designed with sealing performance and thermal stability in mind. Specifically, the structure of the sintering chamber usually includes a main furnace body and a matching furnace door. The furnace door adopts a double-layer sealing ring design to ensure that it can maintain a good sealing effect in high pressure and high vacuum environments. The furnace body is equipped with a temperature-adjustable heating element, and the heating process of each sintering chamber is precisely controlled by a temperature controller. In addition, each sintering chamber is also equipped with a vacuum pump interface, which can be connected to an external vacuum pump to achieve independent control of the vacuum degree in each sintering chamber.

[0070] For example, to achieve the above features, multiple vacuum pumps and temperature control units can be used, connected to each sintering chamber. Through the central control system, operators can select different programs and set different temperature curves and vacuum requirements for each sintering chamber. This configuration not only ensures the independence of each sintering chamber, but also simplifies the operation process and improves production efficiency.

[0071] That is to say, in one embodiment, the device can be formed in the form of a preheating chamber + a sintering chamber + a cooling chamber, and its working process is as follows:

[0072] ① Before the equipment is started, the three furnace chambers are independent of each other, and the forming material is placed in the first furnace chamber;

[0073] ② All three furnace chambers are evacuated to the set vacuum degree;

[0074] ③The first furnace chamber is heated to low temperature, the second furnace chamber is heated to high temperature, and the third furnace chamber is not heated to room temperature;

[0075] ④ After the material is preheated in the first furnace chamber, the insulation gate valve between the first and second furnace chambers is opened, and the material is transferred to the second furnace chamber by the automatic transfer mechanism, and the positioning device performs precise positioning;

[0076] ⑤ The lower electrode pressure head of the second furnace chamber lifts the material, and the upper electrode pressure head presses down to provide pressing force. After the electrode provides high-frequency current and sintering is completed, the upper and lower electrode pressure heads return to the initial state;

[0077] ⑥Open the thermal insulation gate valve between the second and third furnace chambers, and close the thermal insulation gate valve after the formed parts are transferred to the third furnace chamber;

[0078] ⑦ Turn on the quick cooling device to quickly cool the workpiece.

[0079] ⑧After completion, open the third furnace door to take out the parts.

[0080] In another embodiment, the device can be formed into three sintering chambers, and the vacuum degree and heating temperature inside different furnace chambers can be set according to product requirements. The device can sinter three identical parts or different parts at the same time.

[0081] The above is only a specific implementation of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present disclosure should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment, characterized in that: include: A loading system (1), a multi-station furnace chamber (2), an automatic transfer device (3), and a vacuum system (4), wherein The loading system (1) comprises a loading oil cylinder (103), wherein the loading oil cylinder (103) is connected to the multi-station furnace chamber (2) via a sealing bellows (104) to load the multi-station furnace chamber (2); The multi-station furnace chamber (2) comprises an upper electrode pressure head (204) and a lower electrode pressure head (205), which are respectively connected to the furnace chamber via a loading oil cylinder (103); The automatic transfer device (3) is used to realize the transfer of parts between the multi-station furnace chambers (2); and The vacuum system (4) is used to maintain the vacuum environment in the furnace chamber during the sintering process.

2. The automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The equipment also includes a quick cooling device (5), which is installed on the furnace cavity of the end station and is used to accelerate the temperature reduction process of the parts.

3. The automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The loading system (1) is of frame type or column type, and further comprises an upper crossbeam (101) and a lower base (102), and the loading cylinder (103) is respectively fixedly mounted on the upper crossbeam (101) and the lower base (102).

4. The automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The multi-station furnace chamber (2) comprises one or more double-layer furnace bodies (201), and the double-layer furnace bodies (201) are equipped with independent heat-insulating furnace doors (206).

5. The automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment according to claim 4 is characterized in that: A cooling water channel is provided between the inner and outer walls of the double-layer furnace body (201).

6. The automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: A heat-insulating gate valve (202) is provided between each furnace body (201) of the multi-station furnace chamber (2), and the heat-insulating gate valve (202) is controlled by a driving device (203) to be selectively closed or opened during sintering.

7. The automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The automatic transfer device (3) comprises an electric cylinder (301) and an electric push rod (302), wherein a sealing device (303) is provided at the connection between the electric push rod (302) and the double-layer furnace body (201), and a positioning device (304) is also provided.

8. The automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vacuum system (4) comprises a vacuum obtaining device (401) and a vacuum pipeline (402).

9. The automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that: The multi-station furnace chamber (2) comprises a preheating chamber, a sintering chamber and a cooling chamber, wherein the sintering equipment operates as follows: Before the equipment is started, the preheating chamber, sintering chamber and cooling chamber are independent of each other, and the material is placed in the preheating chamber; The preheating chamber, the sintering chamber and the cooling chamber are evacuated to a set vacuum degree; heating the preheating chamber to a first temperature, heating the sintering chamber to a second temperature, and not heating the cooling chamber, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature; After the material is preheated in the preheating chamber, the heat-insulating gate valve between the preheating chamber and the sintering chamber is opened, and the material is transported to the sintering chamber by the automatic transport device; The lower electrode press head of the sintering chamber lifts the material, and the upper electrode press head presses down to provide pressing force. After the electrode provides high-frequency current and sintering is completed, the upper electrode press head and the lower electrode press head return to the initial state; The thermal insulation gate valve between the sintering chamber and the cooling chamber is opened, and the formed parts are transferred to the cooling chamber and the thermal insulation gate valve is closed; Turn on the quick cooling device to quickly cool the workpiece; After completion, open the cooling chamber door to take out the parts.

10. The automatic transport multi-station spark plasma sintering equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that: The multi-station furnace chamber (2) comprises three sintering chambers, and the vacuum degree and heating temperature of each sintering chamber can be set individually.

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