Sintering control system and method

Abstract

The invention discloses a sintering control system and method, relates to the technical field of metallurgical equipment control, and realizes the production process of a samarium-cobalt permanent magnet material in a sintering stage, the requirement of different sintering atmosphere environments for different temperature sections, and the process of sintering products of different brands or testing a new process without changing programs. And a sintering control system which is convenient to operate, accurate and effective is provided for a user. The system comprises a setting module, a control module, a process execution module and a temperature execution module. The setting module is used for receiving setting operation, including forming a heating curve by temperature and time of each step and adding a corresponding process setting parameter for each step of the heating curve to obtain a heating curve set along with the process as a process heating curve; and the control module is used for receiving an instruction for writing the process heating curve, receiving an instruction for operating a first target process heating curve, and controlling the process execution module and the temperature execution module to operate according to the first target process heating curve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of metallurgical equipment control, and in particular to a sintering control system and method. Background Art

[0002] Samarium cobalt is a very scarce rare earth material with high permanent magnetic properties. It plays a particularly important role in many areas of current scientific and technological development. Compared with neodymium iron boron materials, samarium cobalt permanent magnet materials require relatively complex processes during the sintering stage to produce their unique high performance. For example, the outgassing in the low-temperature section requires rapid gas discharge, which requires a high vacuum environment; in the intermediate temperature section, low-pressure partial pressure sintering is used to ensure temperature uniformity; after rising to high temperature, a certain amount of argon needs to be filled to suppress product volatilization. Moreover, different brands of products need to be vacuum sintered, partial pressure sintered, and gas-filled sintered at different sintering temperature sections. Partial pressure sintering and gas-filled sintering also require different carrier gas volumes. When new process tests are carried out, parameters also need to be changed. This requires high flexibility of the control system. The previous control system customized different programs according to different processes, but later changes to the process required program changes, which was very cumbersome and had limited functions. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a sintering control system and method, which realizes the production process of samarium cobalt permanent magnet materials in the sintering stage. It does not need to change the program when different temperature sections require different sintering atmosphere environments, and when sintering different brands of products or testing new processes, it provides users with a convenient, accurate and effective sintering control system.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sintering control system, the system comprising: a setting module, a control module, a process execution module and a temperature execution module; The setting module is configured to receive a setting operation, wherein the setting operation includes forming a heating curve by temperature and time of each step, adding corresponding process setting parameters to each step of the heating curve, and obtaining a heating curve that follows the process setting as the process heating curve; The control module is used to receive instructions for writing the process heating curve and receiving instructions for running a first target process heating curve, and to control the operation of the process execution module and the temperature execution module according to the first target process heating curve, wherein the first target process heating curve is the target curve to be run in the process heating curve.

[0005] Preferably, the control module is configured to send a first control instruction to the temperature execution module according to the first target process heating curve, and according to the target step number currently being run by the temperature execution module, call the target process corresponding to the target step number and send a second control instruction to the process execution module; The temperature execution module is used to receive the first control instruction and operate according to the time and temperature of the first target process heating curve; The process execution module is used to receive the second control instruction and operate according to the target process.

[0006] Preferably, the setting module is an industrial computer.

[0007] Preferably, the control module is a programmable logic controller.

[0008] Preferably, the process execution module includes a vacuum system and an inflation system.

[0009] Preferably, the temperature execution module includes a temperature control meter, a heating power supply, a heater and a thermocouple.

[0010] Preferably, the setting module is further configured to receive a process change operation to obtain an updated process heating curve, wherein the process change operation includes the process heating curve to be changed, the step number to be changed, and the process to be changed; The control module is further configured to receive a modification write instruction, wherein the modification write instruction includes replacing the process heating curve to be modified with the updated process heating curve; The control module is also used to receive an instruction to run a second target process heating curve, and control the process execution module and the temperature execution module to run according to the second target process heating curve, wherein the second target process heating curve is the target curve to be run among the updated process heating curve and the unchanged process heating curve.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a sintering control method is provided, the method comprising: receiving a setting operation, wherein the setting operation includes forming a heating curve by temperature and time of each step, adding corresponding process setting parameters to each step of the heating curve, and obtaining a heating curve that follows the process setting as the process heating curve; Receive an instruction to write the process heating curve, and receive an instruction to run a first target process heating curve, and control the process execution module and the temperature execution module to run according to the first target process heating curve, wherein the first target process heating curve is the target curve to be run in the process heating curve.

[0012] Preferably, controlling the operation of the process execution module and the temperature execution module according to the first target process heating curve includes: The temperature execution module is controlled to run according to the time and temperature of the first target process heating curve, and the target process corresponding to the target step number currently running the temperature execution module is called according to the target step number, and the process execution module is controlled to run according to the target process.

[0013] Preferably, the method further comprises: receiving a process change operation to obtain an updated process heating curve, wherein the process change operation includes a process heating curve to be changed, a step number to be changed, and a process to be changed; receiving a modification write instruction, wherein the modification write instruction includes replacing the process heating curve to be modified with the updated process heating curve; Receive an instruction to run a second target process heating curve, and control the process execution module and the temperature execution module to run according to the second target process heating curve, wherein the second target process heating curve is the target curve to be run among the updated process heating curve and the unchanged process heating curve.

[0014] By means of the above technical solution, the present invention provides a sintering control system and method, the system comprising: a setting module, a control module, a process execution module, and a temperature execution module; the setting module is used to receive setting operations, wherein the setting operations include forming a heating curve by the temperature and time of each step, adding corresponding process setting parameters to each step of the heating curve, and obtaining a heating curve that follows the process setting as a process heating curve; the control module is used to receive instructions for writing the process heating curve, and receive instructions for running a first target process heating curve, and control the operation of the process execution module and the temperature execution module according to the first target process heating curve, wherein the first target process heating curve is the target curve to be run in the process heating curve. Through the technical solution of the present invention, the process setting parameters are saved as data together with the original heating curve, thereby realizing the production process requirement of different sintering atmosphere environments for different temperature sections. When sintering different brands of products or testing new processes, the corresponding process heating curve can be called, providing users with a convenient, accurate and effective sintering control system.

[0015] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present invention, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present invention are specifically listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present application. In the drawings: Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a sintering control system provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of another sintering control system provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 3 A schematic flow chart of a sintering control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 A schematic flow chart of a sintering control device provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a window for setting a heating curve in a setting operation provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a window for setting corresponding process setting parameters for steps 1-10 in a setting operation provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a window for setting corresponding process setting parameters for steps 11-20 in a setting operation provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a window for setting corresponding process setting parameters for steps 21-30 in a setting operation provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown; In the picture: 1-Industrial computer, 2-Programmable logic controller, 2.1-Temperature and time word register of heating curve, 2.2-Process setting word register, 2.2.1-Process setting bit register, 3-Vacuum system, 4-Inflating system, 5-Temperature control meter, 6-Heating power supply, 7-Heater, 8-Thermocouple. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with embodiments. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0018] This embodiment provides a sintering control system, such as Figure 1As shown, the system includes: a setting module, a control module, a process execution module and a temperature execution module; the setting module is used to receive a setting operation, wherein the setting operation includes forming a heating curve by the temperature and time of each step, adding corresponding process setting parameters for each step of the heating curve, and obtaining a heating curve that follows the process setting as a process heating curve; the control module is used to receive an instruction to write the process heating curve, and receive an instruction to run a first target process heating curve, and control the operation of the process execution module and the temperature execution module according to the first target process heating curve, wherein the first target process heating curve is the target curve to be run in the process heating curve.

[0019] Preferably, the control module is used to send a first control instruction to the temperature execution module according to the first target process heating curve, and according to the target step number currently running by the temperature execution module, call the target process corresponding to the target step number, and send a second control instruction to the process execution module; the temperature execution module is used to receive the first control instruction and operate according to the time and temperature of the first target process heating curve; the process execution module is used to receive the second control instruction and operate according to the target process.

[0020] It should be noted that, in addition to the complex sintering process for samarium cobalt products, the method can also be applied to the carrier gas sintering control method for other products, and is not limited here.

[0021] In this embodiment, process settings are added on the basis of the original heating curve, which realizes the production process's requirement for different sintering atmosphere environments in different temperature sections. When sintering different brands of products or testing new processes, the corresponding process heating curve can be called. The setting is more flexible, providing users with a convenient, accurate and effective sintering control system in production and testing.

[0022] Preferably, Figure 2 As shown, the setting module is an industrial computer 1.

[0023] Preferably, Figure 2 As shown, the control module is a programmable logic controller 2.

[0024] Preferably, Figure 2 As shown, the process execution module includes a vacuum system 3 and an inflation system 4.

[0025] Preferably, Figure 2 As shown, the temperature execution module includes a temperature control meter 5, a heating power supply 6, a heater 7 and a thermocouple 8.

[0026] For this embodiment, Figure 2The sintering control system uses a heating curve-based process setting. The vacuum system 3, inflation system 4, temperature controller 5, heating power supply 6, and heater 7 are controlled according to the heating curve and process parameters. The complete control system requires thermocouples 8, vacuum gauges, a vacuum gauge, a low-pressure control element, a power controller, a vacuum pump, an exhaust valve, an inflation valve, and a deflation valve. Each step of the heating curve can be configured with a different process setting, allowing for flexible settings tailored to different product brands and user-specific process variations. The control system is highly versatile, allowing users to customize different processes with simple operations on an industrial computer 1.

[0027] By utilizing the data type characteristics of computer registers and converting bits and words, process setting parameters are stored as data along with the heating curve. The process and heating curve are edited by industrial computer 1 and stored in programmable logic controller 2. The program logic within programmable logic controller 2 then operates to run different processes with different heating curve numbers and different number of steps. The control system controls the process execution module and the temperature execution module, enabling the product to switch between vacuum and carrier gas environments at different heating temperature ranges. The vacuum environment can be divided into high vacuum and low vacuum, and the carrier gas environment can be divided into partial pressure sintering and gas sintering, with different carrier gas volumes adjustable.

[0028] Specifically, industrial computer 1 communicates with programmable logic controller 2. First, according to the product production process requirements, temperature, time, and process setting parameters are set in industrial computer 1 and then written to programmable logic controller 2. The temperature and time constitute a heating curve. The temperature and time in each heating curve step each occupy a word register (specifically, heating curve temperature and time word register 2.1). Each step of the heating curve corresponds to a process, and each process in each step occupies a bit (specifically, process setting bit register 2.2.1). Up to 16 processes can be set for each step, occupying a word register (specifically, process setting word register 2.2). Before the heating operation, the curve number of the process heating curve to be run is set as the first target process heating curve. Temperature controller 5 controls the voltage regulator output according to this first target process heating curve, and heater 7 begins heating. Thermocouple 8 then feeds the temperature back to temperature controller 5. This heating process forms a closed loop, using proportional-integral-differential (PID) regulation to achieve a steady temperature increase with the process variable (PV) following the set value (SV). At the same time, the programmable logic controller 2 calls the target process stored corresponding to the target step number according to the target step number currently running in the temperature control table 5, and then controls the operation of the vacuum system 3 and the inflation system 4 according to the specific content of this target process. The target processes include vacuum sintering, partial pressure sintering and inflation sintering, etc. When entering the next step, the process content is also switched. According to the specific process setting parameters of each step, the operation of the vacuum system 3 and the inflation system 4 is controlled until the time of the process heating curve ends.

[0029] like Figure 5 As shown, this is the setting window of the heating curve of the industrial computer 1. The heating curve is set according to the production process requirements. Figure 5 In this example, 20 different heating curves are set, each with 30 steps. In actual application, these can be adjusted as needed and are not limited here. The curve number of the heating curve is the curve number of the process heating curve. A heating curve only has a correspondence between time and temperature, without data on process setting parameters. A process heating curve, on the other hand, has a correspondence between time, temperature, and process setting parameters.

[0030] like Figure 6-8 As shown, this is the setting window of the process setting parameters of the industrial computer 1. According to the production process requirements, the process setting parameters corresponding to each step of each heating curve can be set to control the operation of the vacuum system 3 and the inflation system 4. Figure 6The process setting parameters in the example are 1-10 steps as process 2, 11-20 steps as process 3, and 21-30 steps as process 1. In actual application, they can be adjusted as needed and are not limited here.

[0031] Preferably, the setting module is also used to receive a process change operation to obtain an updated process heating curve, wherein the process change operation includes the process heating curve to be changed, the step number to be changed, and the process to be changed; the control module is also used to receive a change write instruction, wherein the change write instruction includes replacing the process heating curve to be changed with the updated process heating curve; the control module is also used to receive an instruction to run a second target process heating curve, and control the process execution module and the temperature execution module to run according to the second target process heating curve, wherein the second target process heating curve is the target curve to be run among the updated process heating curve and the unchanged process heating curve.

[0032] For this embodiment, the method of controlling the operation of the process execution module and the temperature execution module according to the second target process heating curve is the same as the method of controlling the operation of the process execution module and the temperature execution module according to the first target process heating curve, and is not repeated here.

[0033] Furthermore, a sintering control method is provided, such as Figure 3 As shown, the method includes: 101. Receive a setting operation, wherein the setting operation includes forming a heating curve by temperature and time of each step, adding corresponding process setting parameters to each step of the heating curve, and obtaining a heating curve that follows the process setting as a process heating curve.

[0034] 102. Receive an instruction to write the process heating curve, and receive an instruction to run a first target process heating curve, and control the process execution module and the temperature execution module to run according to the first target process heating curve, wherein the first target process heating curve is the target curve to be run in the process heating curve.

[0035] The control of the process execution module and the temperature execution module according to the first target process heating curve includes: controlling the temperature execution module according to the time and temperature of the first target process heating curve, and calling the target process corresponding to the target step number according to the target step number currently running the temperature execution module, and controlling the process execution module according to the target process.

[0036] The method also includes: receiving a process change operation to obtain an updated process heating curve, wherein the process change operation includes the process heating curve to be changed, the step number to be changed, and the process to be changed; receiving a change write instruction, wherein the change write instruction includes replacing the process heating curve to be changed with the updated process heating curve; receiving an instruction to run a second target process heating curve, and controlling the process execution module and the temperature execution module to run according to the second target process heating curve, wherein the second target process heating curve is the target curve to be run in the updated process heating curve and the unchanged process heating curve.

[0037] The present invention provides a sintering control system and method, the system comprising: a setting module, a control module, a process execution module, and a temperature execution module; the setting module is used to receive setting operations, wherein the setting operations include forming a heating curve by the temperature and time of each step, adding corresponding process setting parameters to each step of the heating curve, and obtaining a heating curve that follows the process setting as a process heating curve; the control module is used to receive instructions for writing the process heating curve, and receive instructions for running a first target process heating curve, and control the operation of the process execution module and the temperature execution module according to the first target process heating curve, wherein the first target process heating curve is the target curve to be run in the process heating curve. Through the technical solution of the present invention, the process setting parameters are saved as data together with the original heating curve, thereby realizing the production process requirement that different sintering atmosphere environments are required for different temperature sections. When sintering different brands of products or testing new processes, the corresponding process heating curve can be called, providing users with a convenient, accurate and effective sintering control system.

[0038] Further, as Figure 3 The embodiment of the present invention provides a sintering control device, such as Figure 4 As shown, the device includes: a changing module 41, a writing module 42; a modification module 41 configured to receive a setting operation, wherein the setting operation includes forming a heating curve by temperature and time of each step, adding corresponding process setting parameters to each step of the heating curve, and obtaining a heating curve that follows the process setting as a process heating curve; The writing module 42 is used to receive instructions for writing the process heating curve and receiving instructions for running the first target process heating curve, and control the process execution module and the temperature execution module to run according to the first target process heating curve, wherein the first target process heating curve is the target curve to be run in the process heating curve.

[0039] In order to control the operation of the process execution module and the temperature execution module according to the first target process heating curve, the writing module 42 is specifically used to control the operation of the temperature execution module according to the time and temperature of the first target process heating curve, and according to the target step number currently running of the temperature execution module, call the target process corresponding to the target step number, and control the operation of the process execution module according to the target process.

[0040] In a specific application scenario, a sintering control device, such as Figure 4 As shown, the device also includes: an operation module 43, the operation module is used to receive a process change operation to obtain an updated process heating curve, wherein the process change operation includes the process heating curve to be changed, the step number to be changed, and the process to be changed; receive a change write instruction, wherein the change write instruction includes replacing the process heating curve to be changed with the updated process heating curve; receive an instruction to run a second target process heating curve, and control the process execution module and the temperature execution module to run according to the second target process heating curve, wherein the second target process heating curve is the target curve to be run in the updated process heating curve and the unchanged process heating curve.

[0041] It should be noted that for other corresponding descriptions of the functional units involved in the sintering control device provided in this embodiment, please refer to Figure 3 The corresponding description will not be repeated here.

[0042] Based on the above Figure 3 The method shown in FIG. 1 is a method for performing the above-mentioned operations. Accordingly, this embodiment further provides a storage medium, which may be volatile or non-volatile, and stores a computer program thereon. When the program is executed by a processor, the above-mentioned operations are performed. Figure 3 The sintering control method shown.

[0043] Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present invention can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a storage medium (which can be a CD-ROM, USB flash drive, mobile hard disk, etc.), and includes a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods of various implementation scenarios of the present invention.

[0044] Based on the above Figure 3 The method shown and Figure 4 In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present embodiment further provides a computer device, which includes a storage medium and a processor; the storage medium is used to store a computer program; the processor is used to execute the computer program to achieve the above-mentioned Figure 3 The sintering control method shown.

[0045] Optionally, the computer device may also include a user interface, a network interface, a camera, a radio frequency (RF) circuit, a sensor, an audio circuit, a Wi-Fi module, etc. The user interface may include a display, an input unit such as a keyboard, etc. Optionally, the user interface may also include a USB interface, a card reader interface, etc. The network interface may optionally include a standard wired interface, a wireless interface (such as a Wi-Fi interface), etc.

[0046] Those skilled in the art will understand that the computer device structure provided in this embodiment does not constitute a limitation on the physical device, and may include more or fewer components, or a combination of certain components, or different component arrangements.

[0047] The storage medium may also include an operating network communication module. Operating systems are programs that manage the hardware and software resources of the computer device, supporting the execution of information processing programs and other software and / or programs. The network communication module is used for communication with components within the storage medium and with other hardware and software within the information processing device.

[0048] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the present invention can be implemented by means of software plus a necessary general hardware platform, or by hardware.

[0049] The present invention provides a sintering control system and method, the system comprising: a setting module, a control module, a process execution module, and a temperature execution module; the setting module is used to receive setting operations, wherein the setting operations include forming a heating curve by the temperature and time of each step, adding corresponding process setting parameters to each step of the heating curve, and obtaining a heating curve that follows the process setting as a process heating curve; the control module is used to receive instructions for writing the process heating curve, and receive instructions for running a first target process heating curve, and control the operation of the process execution module and the temperature execution module according to the first target process heating curve, wherein the first target process heating curve is the target curve to be run in the process heating curve. Through the technical solution of the present invention, the process setting parameters are saved as data together with the original heating curve, thereby realizing the production process requirement that different sintering atmosphere environments are required for different temperature sections. When sintering different brands of products or testing new processes, the corresponding process heating curve can be called, providing users with a convenient, accurate and effective sintering control system.

[0050] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the accompanying drawings are merely schematic diagrams of a preferred implementation scenario, and that the modules or processes in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily required for the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the modules in the devices in the implementation scenarios can be distributed in the devices of the implementation scenarios according to the implementation scenario descriptions, or can be modified accordingly and located in one or more devices different from the implementation scenarios. The modules in the above-mentioned implementation scenarios can be combined into one module, or can be further split into multiple submodules. The serial numbers of the present invention are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the advantages or disadvantages of the implementation scenarios. The above disclosures are only a few specific implementation scenarios of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to them. Any changes that can be conceived by those skilled in the art should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sintering control system, characterized in that: The system includes: a setting module, a control module, a process execution module and a temperature execution module; The setting module is configured to receive a setting operation, wherein the setting operation includes forming a heating curve by temperature and time of each step, adding corresponding process setting parameters to each step of the heating curve, and obtaining a heating curve that follows the process setting as the process heating curve; The control module is used to receive instructions for writing the process heating curve and receiving instructions for running a first target process heating curve, and to control the operation of the process execution module and the temperature execution module according to the first target process heating curve, wherein the first target process heating curve is the target curve to be run in the process heating curve.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The control module is configured to send a first control instruction to the temperature execution module according to the first target process heating curve, and according to the target step number currently being run by the temperature execution module, call the target process corresponding to the target step number and send a second control instruction to the process execution module; The temperature execution module is used to receive the first control instruction and operate according to the time and temperature of the first target process heating curve; The process execution module is used to receive the second control instruction and operate according to the target process.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The setting module is an industrial computer.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The control module is a programmable logic controller.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The process execution module includes a vacuum system and an inflation system.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The temperature execution module includes a temperature control meter, a heating power supply, a heater and a thermocouple.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The setting module is further configured to receive a process change operation to obtain an updated process heating curve, wherein the process change operation includes a process heating curve to be changed, a step number to be changed, and a process to be changed; The control module is further configured to receive a modification write instruction, wherein the modification write instruction includes replacing the process heating curve to be modified with the updated process heating curve; The control module is also used to receive an instruction to run a second target process heating curve, and control the process execution module and the temperature execution module to run according to the second target process heating curve, wherein the second target process heating curve is the target curve to be run among the updated process heating curve and the unchanged process heating curve.

8. A sintering control method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving a setting operation, wherein the setting operation includes forming a heating curve by temperature and time of each step, adding corresponding process setting parameters to each step of the heating curve, and obtaining a heating curve that follows the process setting as the process heating curve; Receive an instruction to write the process heating curve, and receive an instruction to run a first target process heating curve, and control the process execution module and the temperature execution module to run according to the first target process heating curve, wherein the first target process heating curve is the target curve to be run in the process heating curve.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The controlling the process execution module and the temperature execution module to operate according to the first target process heating curve includes: The temperature execution module is controlled to run according to the time and temperature of the first target process heating curve, and the target process corresponding to the target step number currently running the temperature execution module is called according to the target step number, and the process execution module is controlled to run according to the target process.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a process change operation to obtain an updated process heating curve, wherein the process change operation includes a process heating curve to be changed, a step number to be changed, and a process to be changed; receiving a modification write instruction, wherein the modification write instruction includes replacing the process heating curve to be modified with the updated process heating curve; Receive an instruction to run a second target process heating curve, and control the process execution module and the temperature execution module to run according to the second target process heating curve, wherein the second target process heating curve is the target curve to be run among the updated process heating curve and the unchanged process heating curve.

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