Molding system

Abstract

The molding system according to the present invention is a molding system for heating a metal material, and is provided with: an energization heating unit for energizing and heating the metal material; a processing unit for processing the heated metal material; and a roller conveying part for conveying the heated metal material between the electric heating part and the processing part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a molding system. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a device for processing a heated metal material, there is known a device described in Patent Document 1. This processing device is a forming device that can quench a heated metal pipe material while bringing it into contact with a forming die for forming.

[0003] Previous technical literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-220141 Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the processing device described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, an electrode in a forming device is used for electric heating. This electric heating unit is sometimes arranged outside the processing device. At this time, if the metal material is heated by the external electric heating unit, it is transported to the processing device by a robot arm or the like. However, in this method, time is required to clamp the metal material and a three-dimensional transport trajectory, and there is a problem that the transport takes time and the temperature of the metal material drops. On the other hand, there is a problem that high-speed robot arms are expensive and clamping still takes time.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a forming system capable of quickly conveying a metal material after being electrically heated to a processing part.

[0009] Means for solving technical problems

[0010] The present invention relates to a forming system, which is a forming system for heating metal materials. The forming system comprises: an electric heating part for electrically heating the metal material; a processing part for processing the heated metal material; and a roller conveying part for conveying the heated metal material between the electric heating part and the processing part.

[0011] The forming system includes an electric heating section for electrically heating the metal material and a processing section for processing the heated metal material. Therefore, the metal material electrically heated by the electric heating section is processed in the processing section. Here, the forming system includes a roller conveying section for conveying the heated metal material between the electric heating section and the processing section. Therefore, the roller conveying section can use a plurality of rollers to quickly convey the metal material electrically heated by the electric heating section to the processing section without clamping or other operations. Thus, the metal material electrically heated can be quickly conveyed to the processing section.

[0012] The roller conveyor can convey the heated metal material in the same posture as the metal material when being processed by the processing unit. In this case, the processing unit can process the conveyed metal member quickly without changing the direction of the metal member.

[0013] When the reference axis of the metal material is set when the metal material is placed in the processing unit, the roller conveyor unit can convey the metal material in parallel with the reference axis at a position offset from the reference axis. At this time, the roller conveyor unit can convey the heated metal material in the same posture as the metal material when it is processed by the processing unit. Therefore, the processing unit can quickly process the conveyed metal part without changing its direction, etc. by parallel moving the conveyed metal part by a distance equivalent to the offset from the reference axis.

[0014] The processing unit may be a forming device that performs press forming on the metal material. In this case, the forming device can quickly form the metal material after being electrically heated while suppressing a temperature drop.

[0015] The processing part may be a high temperature heating part that heats the metal material at a higher temperature than the electric heating part. In this case, the high temperature heating part can quickly heat the metal material after the electric heating to a higher temperature while suppressing the temperature drop.

[0016] The forming system may further include a conveying unit for conveying the metal material heated by the electric heating unit to the roller conveying unit. In this case, the conveying unit can quickly convey the metal material heated by the electric heating unit to the roller conveying unit.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a forming system capable of quickly conveying a metal material that has been electrically heated to a processing portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of the molding system involved in this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of the molding system involved in this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the molding system.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the molding system.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of a molding system according to a modified example.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of a molding system according to a modified example.

[0025] Explanation of symbols:

[0026] 1-processing section, 2-electric heating section, 3-roller conveying section, 4-transfer section, 5-metal pipe material (metal material), 10-forming device, 50-high temperature heating section, 100-forming system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same or equivalent parts are marked with the same reference numerals, and repeated description is omitted.

[0028] Figure 1 and Figure 2 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of the molding system 100 involved in this embodiment. The molding system 100 is a system for molding a metal material. The molding system 100 also has a function as a heating system for heating the metal material. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the molding system 100 includes a processing unit 1, an electric heating unit 2, a roller conveying unit 3, and a transfer unit 4. In this embodiment, a metal pipe material 5 is used as a metal material.

[0029] The processing unit 1 is a device for processing the heated metal tube material 5. In the present embodiment, a forming device 10 for press-forming the heated metal tube material 5 is used as the processing unit 1. The forming device 10 is a device for forming the heated metal tube material 5 using a forming die 11. In the present embodiment, a forming device 10 is used that supplies a fluid to the heated metal tube material 5 so that the heated metal tube material 5 contacts the forming surface of the forming die 11, thereby forming and quenching a hollow metal tube.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the forming device 10 is set on a horizontal plane. The forming device 10 includes a forming die 11, a holding portion 12, and a fluid supply portion 13. In addition, in this specification, the metal tube material 5 refers to a hollow object before the forming in the forming device 10 is completed. The metal tube material 5 is a tube material of a steel type that can be quenched. And, when the metal tube material 5 is set in the forming device 10, the reference axis CL1 of the metal tube material 5 is set. Sometimes the direction in which the reference axis CL1 extends is referred to as the "axial direction D1". And sometimes the direction orthogonal to the axial direction D1 in the horizontal direction is referred to as the "width direction D2".

[0031] The forming die 11 is a die for forming the metal tube material 5 into a metal tube, and is provided with a lower die 16 and an upper die 17 which are opposed to each other in the up-down direction. The lower die 16 and the upper die 17 are made of steel blocks. Concave portions for accommodating the metal tube material 5 are respectively provided on the lower die 16 and the upper die 17. When the lower die 16 and the upper die 17 are in close contact with each other (closed die state), a space for forming the metal tube material 5 into a target shape is formed by each concave portion. Therefore, the surface of each concave portion serves as a forming surface of the forming die 11. The lower die 16 is fixed to a base 18 via a die seat or the like. The upper die 17 is fixed to a slide of a driving mechanism via a die seat or the like. In addition, the driving mechanism is a mechanism for moving at least one of the lower die 16 and the upper die 17. In addition, a cooling mechanism for cooling the die 16 and 17 is provided inside each die 16 and 17.

[0032] The holding portion 12 is a mechanism for holding the metal tube material 5 disposed between the lower die 16 and the upper die 17. The holding portion 12 includes a holding component 21A for holding the metal tube material 5 at one end side in the axial direction D1 of the forming die 11, and a holding component 21B for holding the metal tube material 5 at the other end side in the axial direction D1 of the forming die 11. The holding components 21A and 21B on both sides in the axial direction D1 are respectively divided into an upper component and a lower component, and the metal tube material 5 is held by clamping the vicinity of the end of the metal tube material 5 from the upper and lower directions. A driving mechanism not shown in the figure is provided on the holding components 21A and 21B, which can move the holding components 21A and 21B in the upper and lower directions. In addition, the holding component may not be divided into an upper side and a lower side, for example, it may be divided into a left side and a right side.

[0033] The fluid supply unit 13 is a mechanism for supplying a high-pressure fluid into the metal tube material 5 held between the lower mold 16 and the upper mold 17. The fluid supply unit 13 supplies a high-pressure fluid to the metal tube material 5 in a high-temperature state to expand the metal tube material 5. The fluid supply unit 13 is provided at both end sides in the axial direction D1 of the forming mold 11. The fluid supply unit 13 includes: nozzles 22A and 22B, which supply fluid to the inside of the metal tube material 5 from the openings at the ends of the metal tube material 5, respectively; and driving mechanisms 23A and 23B, which move the nozzles 22A and 22B forward and backward relative to the openings of the metal tube material 5. In addition, the fluid supply unit 13 can supply a gas such as high-pressure air or an inert gas as a fluid. Furthermore, the fluid supply unit 13 can also be provided as the same device together with the holding unit 12 having a mechanism for moving the metal tube material 5 in the up-down direction.

[0034] The electric heating unit 2 is a device for electrically heating the metal tube material 5. The electric heating unit 2 heats the metal tube material 5 by energizing the metal tube material 5. The electric heating unit 2 is arranged adjacent to each other at a position separated from the molding device 10 in the axial direction D1. The electric heating unit 2 is provided on the base 26. The electric heating unit 2 includes electrodes 27A and 27B, which are arranged separated from each other in the axial direction D1. The electrodes 27A and 27B are respectively divided into an upper part and a lower part, and the metal tube material 5 is held by clamping the vicinity of the end of the metal tube material 5 from the upper and lower directions. The electrodes 27A and 27B are supported by bases 28A and 28B provided on the base 26. The electric heating unit 2 supplies current to the metal tube material 5 from a power source not shown via the electrodes 27A and 27B in a state where the metal tube material 5 is held by the electrodes 27A and 27B. The electrodes 27A and 27B are provided with a driving mechanism (not shown) which can move the divided components in the vertical direction. In addition, the electrodes 27A and 27B are not divided vertically, but may be divided horizontally.

[0035] The roller conveying unit 3 conveys the heated metal tube material 5 between the electric heating unit 2 and the forming device 10. The roller conveying unit 3 includes a plurality of rollers 31 extending parallel to the width direction D2 (see FIG. Figure 2 ). The plurality of rollers 31 are arranged in a state of being spaced apart from each other at equal intervals in the axial direction D1. The height position of the upper ends of the plurality of rollers 31 is set at the same position as the lower side of the metal tube material 5, which is in a state of being held by the electrodes 27A and 27B of the energized heating section 2. Thus, the metal tube material 5 is smoothly transferred from the energized heating section 2 to the roller conveying section 3. The plurality of rollers 31 are arranged from a position adjacent to the electrode 27A on the side of the molding device 10 to a position of the holding member 21A of the molding device 10. The roller conveying section 3 has a driving section that rotates each roller 31. The plurality of rollers 31 are arranged between the dies 16 and 17 when conveying the metal tube material 5. In contrast, the roller conveying section 3 has a mechanism that moves the plurality of rollers 31 in the width direction D2 to avoid the dies 16 and 17 (refer to Figure 4 (c)).

[0036] The transfer unit 4 is a device that transfers the metal tube material 5 heated by the electric heating unit 2 to the roller conveying unit 3. The transfer unit 4 is arranged on the base portion 26 at a position adjacent to the electric heating unit 2 in the axial direction D1. The transfer unit 4 is arranged on the side opposite to the molding device 10 and the roller conveying unit 3 with respect to the electric heating unit 2. The transfer unit 4 includes a main body 32 arranged on the base portion 26, and a push-out unit 33. The push-out unit 33 is supported on the main body 32 in a manner that allows reciprocating movement in the axial direction. The push-out unit 33 pushes the metal tube material 5 arranged on the electric heating unit 2 to the roller conveying unit 3.

[0037] The positions of the metal tube material 5 at various locations will be described. The reference axis CL2 of the metal tube material 5 held by the electrodes 27A and 27B is parallel to the axial direction D1. Figure 1 In the front view shown, the reference axis CL2 is arranged above the reference axis CL1 in the forming device 10. The center line of the metal tube material 5 when conveyed by the roller conveyor 3 is parallel to the reference axis CL1 at a position offset upward relative to the reference axis CL1. Figure 2 In the top view shown, reference axis CL1 and reference axis CL2 are parallel to and coincide with each other. Figure 2 In the top view shown, the center line of the metal tube material 5 when being conveyed by the roller conveyor 3 is parallel to and coincides with the reference axis CL1. The reference axis CL3 of the push-out portion 33 of the transfer portion 4 coincides with the reference axis CL2 of the energized heating portion 2. In addition, the coincidence of the reference axes means that the reference axes may not completely coincide with each other, and as long as the subject of the present application can be solved, there may be some deviation between the reference axes (not completely coincident).

[0038] Next, the operation of the molding system 100 will be described. First, the metal tube material 5 is held by the electrodes 27A and 27B of the electric heating unit 2. The metal tube material 5 is placed on the electric heating unit 2 by a robot arm or a conveying device (not shown) or by manual operation of a worker. Next, the electric heating unit 2 electrically heats the metal tube material 5 via the electrodes 27A and 27B. As a result, a current in the axial direction D1 flows through the metal tube material 5, and the metal tube material 5 itself is heated by Joule heat through the resistance of the metal tube material 5 itself. After heating, the holding of the electrodes 27A and 27B is released.

[0039] In the transfer section 4, the metal tube material 5 of the electric heating section 2 is pushed out by the pusher 33 and transferred to the roller conveyor 3. Figure 3 (a) and Figure 4 As shown in (a), the metal tube material 5 is conveyed to the forming device 10 by the roller conveying unit 3. When the metal tube material 5 reaches the position of the molds 16 and 17, Figure 3 (b) and Figure 4 As shown in (b), the positioning member 41 extends from the lower side toward the metal tube material 5. The positioning member 41 extends to the upper side of the roller 31 and restricts the movement of the metal tube material 5 in the width direction (refer to Figure 4 In this state, the holding members 21A and 21B move upward to hold the metal tube material 5 on the roller conveying unit 3. In addition, the movement of the metal tube material 5 in the conveying direction is restricted by the restriction member 42 (refer to Figure 4 (b)).

[0040] Then, if Figure 3 (c) and Figure 4As shown in (c), the roller 31 of the roller conveyor 3 retreats from the position of the dies 16 and 17. In addition, the positioning member 41 and the holding members 21A and 21B are lowered together with the metal tube material 5. As a result, the metal tube material 5 is held by the holding members 21A and 21B at the molding position.

[0041] The molding device 10 lowers the upper mold 17 and approaches the lower mold 16, thereby closing the molding die 11. On the other hand, the fluid supply unit 13 seals the openings at both ends of the metal tube material 5 with the nozzles 22A and 22B, and supplies the fluid. As a result, the metal tube material 5 softened by heating expands and contacts the molding surface of the molding die 11. Moreover, the metal tube material 5 is molded along the shape of the molding surface of the molding die 11. In addition, when forming a metal tube with a flange, after a part of the metal tube material 5 is allowed to enter the gap between the lower mold 16 and the upper mold 17, the mold is further closed to flatten the entered part to form a flange. When the metal tube material 5 contacts the molding surface, the metal tube material 5 is quenched by rapidly cooling it with the cooled molding die 11.

[0042] Next, the effects of the molding system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0043] The forming system 100 includes an electric heating unit 2 for electrically heating a metal tube material 5 and a processing unit 1 for processing the heated metal tube material 5. Therefore, the metal tube material 5 electrically heated by the electric heating unit 2 is processed in the processing unit 1. Here, the forming system 100 includes a roller conveying unit 3 for conveying the heated metal tube material 5 between the electric heating unit 2 and the processing unit 1. Therefore, the roller conveying unit 3 can quickly convey the metal tube material 5 electrically heated by the electric heating unit to the processing unit 1 using a plurality of rollers 31 without performing operations such as clamping. As a result, the metal tube material 5 electrically heated can be quickly conveyed to the processing unit 1.

[0044] The roller conveyor 3 can convey the heated metal tube material 5 in the same posture as the metal tube material 5 when being processed by the processing unit 1. At this time, the processing unit 1 can quickly process the conveyed metal tube material 5 without changing its direction, etc. In the embodiment, if the reference axis CL1 of the metal tube material 5 is set when the metal tube material 5 is set in the processing unit 1, the roller conveyor 3 conveys the metal tube material 5 along the axial direction D1 extending from the reference axis CL1.

[0045] If the reference axis CL1 of the metal tube material 5 is set when the metal tube material 5 is set in the processing unit 1, the roller conveyor 3 can convey the metal tube material 5 in parallel with the reference axis CL1 at a position offset from the reference axis CL1. At this time, the roller conveyor 3 can convey the heated metal tube material 5 in the posture of the metal tube material 5 when it is processed by the processing unit 1. Therefore, the processing unit 1 can quickly process the conveyed metal tube material 5 without changing its direction, etc. by parallel moving the conveyed metal tube material 5 by the distance offset from the reference axis CL1. In the present embodiment, in the front view, the roller conveyor 3 conveys the metal tube material 5 in parallel with the reference axis CL1 at a position offset upward from the reference axis CL1. Therefore, the metal tube material 5 can be arranged at the forming position of the forming device 10 by simply lowering the metal tube material 5 from the roller conveyor 3 in a state parallel to the reference axis CL1. Furthermore, in a plan view, the roller conveyor 3 can convey the metal tube material 5 on the reference axis CL1 , and therefore the metal tube material 5 can be arranged at the forming position of the forming device 10 without eliminating the deviation by parallel movement.

[0046] The processing unit 1 may be a forming device 10 that performs press forming on the metal tube material 5. In this case, the forming device 10 can quickly form the metal tube material 5 that has been electrically heated while suppressing a temperature drop.

[0047] The molding system 100 may further include a conveying unit 4 for conveying the metal tube material 5 heated by the electric heating unit 2 to the roller conveying unit 3. In this case, the conveying unit 4 can quickly convey the metal tube material 5 heated by the electric heating unit 2 to the roller conveying unit 3.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the molding device 10 is used as the processing unit 1. Instead of or in addition to this, other devices may be used. For example, Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the processing unit 1 may be a high temperature heating unit 50 that heats the metal tube material 5 at a higher temperature than the electric heating unit 2. At this time, the high temperature heating unit 50 can quickly heat the metal material after electric heating to a higher temperature while suppressing the temperature drop.

[0050] A high temperature heating unit 50 is disposed between the electric heating unit 2 and the forming device 10. The roller conveying unit 3 conveys the metal tube material 5 from the electric heating unit 2 to the high temperature heating unit 50. When the heating by the high temperature heating unit 50 is completed, the roller conveying unit 3 conveys the metal tube material 5 to the forming device 10. For example, the electric heating unit 2 heats the metal tube material 5 from 20°C to 600°C. The high temperature heating unit 50 heats the metal tube material 5 from 600°C to 1000°C.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the transfer unit 4 transfers the metal tube material 5 to the roller conveyor unit 3 by pushing out the metal tube material 5 . However, the metal tube material 5 may be pulled out from the electric heating unit 2 using a jig and transferred to the roller conveyor unit 3 .

[0052] In the above embodiment, the center line of the metal tube material 5 conveyed by the roller conveyor 3 and the reference axis CL2 of the electric heating unit 2 are offset upward from the reference axis CL1 of the molding device 10, but they may be completely arranged on the reference axis CL1.

[0053] The direction in which the roller conveyor 3 conveys the metal pipe material 5 to the processing unit 1 is not particularly limited, and the metal pipe material 5 may be conveyed in the width direction D2.

[0054] The metal material is not limited to the metal tube material, and may also be a metal plate. In this case, a forming device without a fluid supply portion is used.

[0055] [Method 1]

[0056] A molding system is a molding system for heating a metal material, wherein the molding system is characterized by comprising:

[0057] An electric heating unit is used to electrically heat the metal material;

[0058] a processing section for processing the heated metal material; and

[0059] The roller conveying unit conveys the heated metal material between the electric heating unit and the processing unit.

[0060] [Method 2]

[0061] The molding system according to embodiment 1 is characterized in that:

[0062] The roller conveying unit conveys the heated metal material in the posture of the metal material when it is processed by the processing unit.

[0063] [Method 3]

[0064] The molding system according to embodiment 1 or 2 is characterized in that:

[0065] When a reference axis of the metal material is set when the metal material is set in the processing unit, the roller conveying unit conveys the metal material in parallel with the reference axis at a position offset from the reference axis.

[0066] [Method 4]

[0067] The forming system according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the processing unit is a forming device that performs press forming on the metal material.

[0068] [Method 5]

[0069] The molding system according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the processing portion is a high-temperature heating portion that heats the metal material at a higher temperature than the energization heating portion.

[0070] [Method 6]

[0071] The molding system according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, further comprising: a transfer unit that transfers the metal material heated by the electric heating unit to the roller conveying unit.

Claims

1. A molding system, which is a molding system for molding a metal material, characterized in that it has: An electric heating unit is used to electrically heat the metal material; a processing section for processing the heated metal material; and The roller conveying unit conveys the heated metal material between the electric heating unit and the processing unit.

2. The molding system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The roller conveying unit conveys the heated metal material in the posture of the metal material when it is processed by the processing unit.

3. The molding system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When a reference axis of the metal material is set when the metal material is placed in the processing unit, the roller conveying unit conveys the metal material in parallel with the reference axis at a position offset from the reference axis.

4. The molding system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processing unit is a forming device that performs press forming on the metal material.

5. The molding system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processing portion is a high-temperature heating portion that heats the metal material at a higher temperature than the energization heating portion.

6. The molding system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also available: The transfer unit transfers the metal material heated by the electric heating unit to the roller conveying unit.

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