Aluminum alloy wheel blank machining method

Abstract

The invention discloses a machining method for an aluminum alloy wheel blank. The machining method comprises the following steps that S1, casting is conducted; s2, heat treatment; s3, cooling; s4, detecting; s5, removing a pouring gate; and S6, machining is conducted. Compared with the prior art, the step of dipping the blank in water is omitted, the blank directly enters the heat treatment furnace with part of original heat, energy is saved, consumption is reduced, blank die drawing deformation caused by too large temperature difference during temperature rising is avoided, the blank deformation amount is reduced, more machining allowance can be provided for the subsequent machining link, and the machining efficiency is improved. And further, the machining precision of machining is improved. The pouring gate removing process can be adjusted before the machining process. Compared with the prior art, the machining allowance is sufficient, even if cracks and deformation are generated, the cracks and the deformation can be treated through a subsequent machining process, so that the one-step process from die casting to detection can be realized, and finally, a pouring gate is removed, so that repeated positioning of a blank in the prior art is omitted, and the production efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of nonferrous metal casting for automobiles, and more specifically, to a method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank. Background Art

[0002] At present, the conventional process of aluminum alloy wheel manufacturing in the domestic and foreign markets is: smelting, low-pressure casting, blank cooling with water, de-gating, X-ray inspection, heat treatment, machining, painting, such as Figure 1 As shown, the specific process of the first three processes is: the aluminum liquid is pressed into the mold after being pressurized in the insulation furnace of the low-pressure casting machine, and is cooled to form an aluminum alloy wheel blank. The blank is then dipped in water for cooling (if it is not cooled, the temperature will be too high and the gate will be soft, resulting in large deformation of the cover when the gate is removed, affecting the machining size. In addition, if it is not cooled, the hot blank will affect the X-ray machine during X-ray inspection, shortening the service life of the X-ray machine), and then sent to the gate removal point, the gate is removed by a drilling machine, and then X-ray inspection is performed, and finally enters the heat treatment furnace for heat treatment.

[0003] Because the temperature of the blank is as high as 300℃~450℃ when it just comes out of the mold, considering the deformation of the riser when removing the gate and the impact of high temperature on the X-ray machine, the freshly die-cast blank must be cooled in water. When it is heat treated later, the blank needs to be heated up, which will lead to energy waste and reduce production efficiency.

[0004] In addition, during the heat treatment and solution treatment, the blank will quickly rise from room temperature to about 540°C. The rapid temperature rise will increase the stress of the blank, causing the blank to be deformed by the die and affecting the machining size.

[0005] To this end, the present invention provides a method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank in order to solve the above-mentioned problem. Summary of the invention

[0006] A series of simplified concepts are introduced in the Summary of the Invention, which will be further described in detail in the Detailed Description of the Invention. The Summary of the Invention does not mean to attempt to define the key features and essential technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor does it mean to attempt to determine the scope of protection of the claimed technical solution.

[0007] In order to at least partially solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank, comprising the following steps: S1: casting; S2: heat treatment; S3: cooling; S4: Detection; S5: de-gating; S6: Machining.

[0008] Preferably, step S1 comprises: S101: melting aluminum ingots into aluminum liquid; S102: transfer the aluminum liquid to the holding furnace of the low-pressure casting machine and wait for die casting; S103: Low-pressure casting machine hydraulically casts aluminum into blanks; S104: The first transfer device transfers the blank from the low-pressure casting machine to the first conveying track provided with a heat preservation device.

[0009] Preferably, step S2 comprises: S201: The blank is transported to the heat treatment furnace by the conveyor track; S202: The blank is heat treated in a heat treatment furnace; S203: The heat-treated blank is sent to a second conveying track provided with a cooling device.

[0010] Preferably, step S3 comprises: S301: The heat-treated blank is cooled by a cooling device during transportation on the second conveyor track; S302: The cooled blank is transported to a testing device for testing.

[0011] Preferably, the heat-insulating device is a heat-insulating board.

[0012] Preferably, the cooling device is an air-cooling cooling device. Preferably, the detection device is an X-ray machine.

[0013] Preferably, in step 104, the first transfer device transfers the blank from the low-pressure casting machine to the positioning module of the first conveying track, and the positioning module is used to position the blank on the first conveying track, the heat treatment furnace, the second conveying track, the detection equipment, the de-gate equipment, and the machining equipment.

[0014] Preferably, the positioning module consists of a positioning part with a first hole, and a fixing part detachably connected to the positioning part, a positioning end 12 is provided at the bottom of the positioning part, the blank is provided at the top of the positioning part, and is connected to the positioning part through the fixing part.

[0015] Preferably, the fixing portion is composed of a fixing end abutting against the blank, and a connecting column penetrating the fixing end, one end of the connecting column is provided with a disassembly block, and the other end is detachably connected to the top of the positioning portion.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: The present invention solves the shortcomings of the traditional method. Compared with the prior art, the step of dipping the blank in water is eliminated, and the blank is allowed to directly enter the heat treatment furnace with part of the original heat, which not only saves energy and reduces consumption, but also avoids the deformation of the blank drawing die caused by excessive temperature difference during heating, reduces the deformation of the blank, and thus can provide more machining allowance for subsequent machining links, thereby improving the machining accuracy of machining. At the same time, due to the increase in machining allowance, the present invention can adjust the de-gate process to before the machining process. In the prior art, the de-gating process needs to be before the X-ray inspection. Because the prior art has a small machining allowance, cracks and deformations are prone to occur during de-gating. Therefore, the gate needs to be inspected after de-gating. The de-gating process is usually separated by a drill or a pouring and riser separator. This operation requires the blank to be taken off the production line first, then the gate is removed, and then it is sent for inspection in sequence. After the inspection, the blank needs to be positioned again during machining. The positioning times are large, a large amount of manual operation is required, and the production efficiency is low. The present application has sufficient machining allowance, and even if cracks and deformations occur, they can be processed through subsequent machining processes. Therefore, the present invention can realize a one-stop process from die-casting to inspection, and finally the gate is removed. This can omit the repeated positioning of the blank during inspection in the prior art, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0017] The aluminum alloy wheel blank processing method described in the present invention, other advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be partially reflected in the following description, and will also be partially understood by those skilled in the art through research and practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings are used to provide further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. They are used to explain the present invention together with the embodiments of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 1 The processing flow chart of the prior art.

[0020] Figure 2 The present invention is a flowchart of the processing of the aluminum alloy wheel blank.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a first implementation of a positioning module.

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the central fixing part.

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A is the main view and B is the left view.

[0024] Figure 6It is a schematic diagram of a second implementation of the positioning module.

[0025] In the figure: fixed end 1, connecting column 2, extension column 3, limit groove 4, disassembly block 5, top plate 6, support tube 7, clamping ring 8, insertion surface 9, annular groove 10, groove 11, positioning end 12, tapered block 13, cushion block 14, blank 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments so that those skilled in the art can implement the invention with reference to the description.

[0027] It should be understood that terms such as “having”, “including” and “comprising” used herein do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other elements or combinations thereof.

[0028] like Figure 1-Figure 6 As shown, the present invention provides a method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank, comprising the following steps (such as Figure 2 shown): S1: casting; S101: melting aluminum ingots into aluminum liquid; S102: transfer the aluminum liquid to the holding furnace of the low-pressure casting machine and wait for die casting; S103: Low-pressure casting machine hydraulically casts aluminum into blanks; S104: The first transfer device transfers the blank at 300℃~450℃ from the low-pressure casting machine to the first conveying track provided with a heat preservation device. In order to reduce the heat loss of the blank on the first conveying track, a heat preservation device needs to be provided on the first conveying track. Usually, the heat preservation device is spliced ​​by heat preservation boards, and the heat preservation boards are wrapped around the first conveying track.

[0029] S2: heat treatment; S201: The blank is transported to the heat treatment furnace by the conveyor track; S202: The blank is heat treated in a heat treatment furnace. During the heat treatment and solid solution treatment, the blank temperature rises from 200°C to 300°C to about 540°C to reduce the blank stress, reduce the blank die deformation, increase the machining allowance, and thus improve the machining accuracy; S203: The heat-treated blank is sent to a second conveying track provided with a cooling device.

[0030] S3: cooling; S301: The heat-treated blank is cooled by a cooling device during transportation on the second conveying track. Usually, the cooling device is an air-cooled cooling device and is installed in the middle of the second conveying track to achieve the effect of cooling during transportation. S302: The cooled blank is transported to a testing device for testing, wherein the testing device is an X-ray machine.

[0031] S4: Detection; S5: de-gating; S6: Machining.

[0032] The working principle and beneficial effects of the above technical solution: the prior art is to remove the riser first and then heat treat. Before the heat treatment, the internal structure of the material has not been tempered. At this time, the blank is relatively soft and has poor deformation resistance. It is easy to deform when the gate is removed. The present invention solves the shortcomings of the traditional method. Compared with the prior art, the step of dipping the blank in water is eliminated, so that the blank can directly enter the heat treatment furnace with part of the original heat, and then remove the riser. One of the functions of heat treatment is to harden the aluminum alloy wheel, and the riser area, flange, and spokes of the wheel are also hardened and have strong deformation resistance. At this time, it is not easy to deform when the riser is removed. It not only saves energy and reduces consumption, but also avoids the deformation of the blank drawing die caused by excessive temperature difference during heating, reduces the deformation of the blank, and can provide more processing allowance for subsequent machining links, thereby improving the machining accuracy of machining. At the same time, because of the increase in processing allowance, the present invention can adjust the process of removing the gate to before the machining process. In the prior art, the de-gating process needs to be before the X-ray inspection. Because the prior art has a small machining allowance, cracks and deformations are prone to occur during de-gating. Therefore, the gate needs to be inspected after de-gating. The de-gating process is usually separated by a drill or a pouring and riser separator. This operation requires the blank to be taken off the production line first, then the gate is removed, and then it is sent for inspection in sequence. After the inspection, the blank needs to be positioned again during machining. The positioning times are large, a large amount of manual operation is required, and the production efficiency is low. The present application has sufficient machining allowance, and even if cracks and deformations occur, they can be processed through subsequent machining processes. Therefore, the present invention can realize a one-stop process from die-casting to inspection, and finally the gate is removed. This can omit the repeated positioning of the blank during inspection in the prior art, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0033] In the above embodiments, we mentioned that the present invention can adopt a "one-stop" production mode, omitting the repeated positioning operation process. In actual production, a more specific implementation of step 104 is that the first transfer device transfers the blank from the low-pressure casting machine to the positioning module of the first conveying track (provided with a heat preservation device), and the positioning module is used to position the blank on the first conveying track, the heat treatment furnace, the second conveying track, the detection equipment, the de-gate equipment, and the machining equipment. In the above equipment, there is a mounting groove for positioning the positioning module (according to actual needs, a clamping component can be provided in the mounting groove for fixing the positioning module, wherein the clamping component can be a commercially available product, or any existing technology that can realize the connection of the fixing positioning module). The positioning module is composed of a positioning part with a first hole, and a fixing part detachably connected to the positioning part. The bottom of the positioning part is provided with a positioning end 12, and the positioning end 12 is used for connecting and fixing the positioning module with the mounting groove, and the positioning end 12 is detachably connected to the mounting groove.

[0034] In step S104, a robotic arm can be selected as the first transfer device, which takes the blank off the low-pressure casting machine and places the blank on the top of the positioning part. Then the second transfer device (usually a robotic arm) carries the fixing part to move above the blank and connects the fixing part with the first hole on the top of the positioning part until the fixing part abuts against the blank, so that the blank and the positioning module are fixed. Then the first transfer device and the second transfer device are reset. At this time, the blank is set on the top of the positioning part and is connected to the positioning part through the fixing part. The blank and the positioning module move together as a whole, thereby realizing the positioning of the blank in each device.

[0035] After machining is completed, the fixing part can be separated from the positioning part by a second transfer device, and the separated positioning part will be sent back to the first conveying track by a third transfer device, and the separated positioning part will be transported by the second transfer device to the first conveying track to repeat the previous operation. The fixing part is composed of a fixed end 1 that abuts against the blank, and a connecting column 2 that passes through the fixed end 1. The fixed end 1 is a conical structure, and the diameter of the end facing the blank is smaller than the diameter of the end away from the blank. The fixed end 1 is provided with a second hole passing through both ends, and the connecting column 2 passes through the fixed end 1 through the second hole. The connecting column 2 located on the side with a smaller diameter of the fixed end 1 is the connecting side, and the connecting column 2 located on the side with a larger diameter of the fixed end 1 is the limiting side. The end of the fixed end 1 close to the limiting side is provided with an extension column 3 extending away from the blank. The second transfer device transfers and installs the fixing part through the extension column 3. In order to facilitate the second transfer device to position, pick up and rotate the fixed end 1, a limiting groove 4 is provided on the limiting side of the fixed end 1, such as Figure 3-6 As shown, a disassembly block 5 is provided at one end of the connection column 2 located on the limiting side, and the other end located on the connection side is detachably connected to the top of the positioning portion. Furthermore, we provide two implementations of the positioning module.

[0036] In the first embodiment, there is an interference fit between the connecting column 2 and the second hole, so that when the connecting column 2 rotates, the fixed end 1 can rotate synchronously. Similarly, when the second transfer device drives the fixed end 1 to rotate, it will also drive the connecting column 2 to rotate. The positioning part is a liftable device, usually composed of a top plate 6 and a support tube 7 that are threaded together (any lifting structure that can withstand high temperatures in the prior art can also be used). The first hole is set on the top plate 6. According to the different sizes of the blanks, the relative height between the top plate 6 and the support tube 7 is first adjusted to adjust the overall height of the positioning part. The bottom of the support tube 7 is the positioning end 12, which is connected and fixed to the mounting groove on the first conveying track and other equipment.

[0037] The outer wall of the connecting column 2 located on the connecting side is provided with a plurality of snap rings 8 in parallel along the radial direction, and an annular groove 10 is formed between two adjacent snap rings 8. The outer side wall of the connecting column 2 located on the connecting side is symmetrically provided with two planes, called insertion surfaces 9. The insertion surfaces 9 are provided to realize the quick plugging of the connecting column 2. The shape of the first hole is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the connecting column 2 (including the snap ring 8), and the thickness of the top plate 6 is not greater than the height of the annular groove 10.

[0038] In the first embodiment, it is necessary to first adjust the relative position between the top plate 6 and the support tube 7, and adjust it to a position where the blank will not touch the first conveying track after being placed on the top plate 6. By adjusting to this height, the blank can be prevented from hitting the surface of the equipment as much as possible when the equipment is replaced. The first transfer device takes the blank out of the low-pressure casting machine and then places it on the top plate 6. Then the second transfer device moves the fixed end 1 to the top of the blank and moves downward until the connecting column 2 passes through the blank and the first hole and is inserted into the support tube 7. When the conical surface of the fixed end 1 abuts against the blank, the second transfer device drives the fixed part to move upward to prevent the blank from being crushed. The height of the fixed part is adjusted until the top plate 6 is just located between the annular grooves 10. Then the second transfer device rotates the connecting column 2 so that the top plate 6 is located between the two clamping rings 8, completing the positioning and fixing of the blank. The reason why the positioning method of "first straight insertion, then rotation" needs to be moved up to the nearest annular groove 10 before rotating is mainly to prevent the fixed end 1 from crushing the blank. If the fixed end 1 is made of high-temperature resistant elastic material, as long as it does not damage the blank, it can also be fixed by moving down to the nearest annular groove 10 and then rotating. When replacing different equipment, the second transfer equipment directly transfers the blank and the positioning module through the extension column 3. When removing the blank from the positioning module, the fixing part can be automatically removed by the second transfer equipment, or the disassembly block 5 can be manually rotated to release the connection between the fixing part and the positioning part.

[0039] In the first embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned straight plug-in and then rotation fixation method, the connection column 2 and the first hole can also be connected by thread. If the thread connection is used, there will be no gap between the blank and the fixed end 1, and the fixing effect on the blank will be more solid. However, because the top plate 6 and the support tube 7 have adopted the lifting method of thread connection, if the connection column 2 and the first hole are still connected by thread, it may cause the top plate 6 and the support tube 7 to rotate when the connection column 2 is tightened. Because the bottom of the support tube 7 is set in the installation groove through the positioning end 12, the first embodiment usually adopts the above-mentioned "first straight plug and then rotation" method. Because the connection column 2 and the first hole are connected by thread, the blank can have a higher stability. Therefore, through in-depth research on the reasons why the connection column 2 and the first hole in the first embodiment cannot be connected by thread, we found that the main reason lies in the structural problem of the positioning part, because the overall height of the positioning part needs to be adjustable, and the positioning part needs to be able to withstand high temperatures in the heat treatment furnace, and the structure of the positioning part cannot be too complicated. After discovering the above-mentioned influencing factors, we provide a second embodiment.

[0040] In the second embodiment, a groove 11 is provided at one end of the fixed end 1 close to the connection side, so that the thickness of the contact part between the fixed end 1 and the blank is reduced, and deformation can be generated after abutting against the blank, so as to avoid crushing the blank. The positioning part is composed of a positioning end 12, a conical block 13 arranged on the top of the positioning end 12, and a cushion block 14 sleeved on the outside of the conical block 13. The first hole is arranged on the top of the conical block 13, and the first hole is a threaded hole. The cushion block 14 is provided with a conical hole adapted to the conical block 13. The bottom of the cushion block 14 is usually abutted against the top of the positioning end 12 (the conical block 13 is adapted to the conical hole), or it can be connected to the conical hole by only the conical block 13 (the maximum opening diameter of the conical hole is smaller than the maximum diameter of the conical block 13). The connecting column 2 located on the connection side is provided with an external thread, and the connecting column 2 can be threadedly connected with the first hole.

[0041] Therefore, during installation, the blank will be pressed on the cushion block 14, and then the second transfer device will insert the connecting column 2 into the first hole, and then drive the connecting column 2 to rotate, so that the fixed end 1 fixes the blank on the cushion block 14. When processing blanks of different models, cushion blocks 14 of different heights can be placed. In this embodiment, the fixing part and the positioning part can be connected by threaded connection, and the blank can be prevented from being crushed by adding a groove 11 to the positioning end 12. Compared with the first embodiment, this embodiment is more secure in fixing the blank, and the structure of the positioning part is simpler, which can greatly reduce the procurement cost of the positioning module.

[0042] In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms “center”, “longitudinal”, “lateral”, “length”, “width”, “thickness”, “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside”, “outside”, “clockwise”, “counterclockwise”, “axial”, “radial”, “circumferential”, etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0043] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral one; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or communication with each other; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0044] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed as above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and the implementation methods. They can be fully applied to various fields suitable for the present invention. For those familiar with the art, additional modifications can be easily implemented. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and the scope of equivalents, the present invention is not limited to the specific details and the illustrations shown and described herein.

Claims

1. A method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank, characterized in that: The steps include: S1: casting; S2: heat treatment; S3: cooling; S4: Detection; S5: de-gating; S6: Machining.

2. The method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step S1 includes: S101: melting aluminum ingots into aluminum liquid; S102: transfer the aluminum liquid to the holding furnace of the low-pressure casting machine and wait for die casting; S103: Low-pressure casting machine hydraulically casts aluminum into blanks; S104: The first transfer device transfers the blank from the low-pressure casting machine to the first conveying track provided with a heat preservation device.

3. The method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank according to claim 2, characterized in that: Step S2 includes: S201: The blank is transported to the heat treatment furnace by the conveyor track; S202: The blank is heat treated in a heat treatment furnace; S203: The heat-treated blank is sent to a second conveying track provided with a cooling device.

4. The method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank according to claim 3, characterized in that: Step S3 includes: S301: The heat-treated blank is cooled by a cooling device during transportation on the second conveyor track; S302: The cooled blank is transported to a testing device for testing.

5. The method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heat-insulating device is a heat-insulating plate.

6. The method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cooling device is an air-cooling cooling device.

7. The method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank according to claim 4, characterized in that: The detection equipment is an X-ray machine.

8. The method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank according to claim 4, characterized in that: In step 104, the first transfer device transfers the blank from the low-pressure casting machine to the positioning module of the first conveying track, and the positioning module is used to position the blank on the first conveying track, the heat treatment furnace, the second conveying track, the detection equipment, the de-gate equipment, and the machining equipment.

9. The method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank according to claim 8, characterized in that: The positioning module consists of a positioning part with a first hole and a fixing part detachably connected to the positioning part. A positioning end 12 is arranged at the bottom of the positioning part. The blank is arranged at the top of the positioning part and connected to the positioning part through the fixing part.

10. The method for processing an aluminum alloy wheel blank according to claim 9, characterized in that: The fixing part is composed of a fixing end abutting against the blank and a connecting column penetrating the fixing end. A disassembly block is arranged at one end of the connecting column, and the other end is detachably connected to the top of the positioning part.

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