Shaft forging forming die
By designing an automated feeding, conveying, and clamping mold for shaft forgings, the problem of low efficiency in manual loading and unloading in existing technologies has been solved, achieving efficient automated production and improving equipment stability and service life.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SUZHOU DONGSHENG FORGING
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
The existing shaft forging molds lack feeding and conveying structures, which requires workers to manually load and unload materials, reducing the efficiency of forging.
A shaft forging die was designed, which includes components such as a support base, a U-shaped support frame, a slide bar, an electric push rod, and a clamping plate. This allows for automatic feeding, conveying, and clamping of materials. An anti-slip layer is used to prevent the billet from shifting, and the forging is automatically ejected.
It improves the efficiency of forging, reduces manual operation, prevents billet deviation, extends equipment service life, and enhances equipment stability.
Smart Images

Figure CN224238179U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of shaft forging technology, specifically a shaft forging forming mold. Background Technology
[0002] Forging is a processing method that uses forging machinery to apply pressure to metal billets, causing them to undergo plastic deformation to obtain forgings with certain mechanical properties, shapes, and dimensions. It is one of the two major components of forging (forging and stamping). Forging can eliminate defects such as casting porosity generated during the smelting process of metals, optimize the microstructure, and because it preserves the complete metal flow lines, the mechanical properties of forgings are generally superior to those of castings made of the same material.
[0003] An existing patent (publication number: CN 218192466 U) discloses a mold for processing shaft forgings, belonging to the field of shaft forging technology. It includes a support mechanism, a cooling mechanism located on the lower inner side of the support mechanism, and a die-casting mechanism located on the upper inner side of the support mechanism. This invention uses a condensate tank to exchange heat with the internal mold, enabling rapid cooling of the mold and facilitating high-efficiency production. Furthermore, a circulating pump sends condensate into the heat exchanger for cooling, and then returns it to the condensate tank through a circulating inlet pipe, continuously cooling the mold and maintaining high production efficiency. A motor drives a pressure block to move downwards, aligning it with a connecting block. A spring in a groove locks the upper module, ensuring a complete fit. A limiting ring and guide rod maintain the upper module's balance, improving the stability of the device.
[0004] While the device described in the aforementioned comparative document solves the problems of slow cooling speed and inability to quickly demold the workpiece, it lacks a feeding and conveying structure. When loading the workpiece, workers need to use pliers to place the high-temperature shaft forging into the mold, and then use pliers to remove the forging from the lower mold after forging. This is inconvenient for workers to load and unload the forging, reducing the efficiency of forging. To solve the above problems, a shaft forging forming mold is proposed. Utility Model Content
[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this application provides a shaft forging forming mold with advantages such as feeding and conveying structures. It solves the problem that when loading and unloading workpieces, workers need to use pliers to place the high-temperature shaft forgings into the mold, and then use pliers to remove the forgings from the lower mold after forging. This operation is inconvenient for workers to load and unload forgings.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution: a shaft forging forming mold, including a support base, a U-shaped support frame fixedly connected to the front and back of the support base, a support block fixedly connected to the top side of the support base, a sliding rod fixedly connected to the top of the U-shaped support frame and the top of the support block, a top plate fixedly connected to the top of the sliding rod, and an installation groove opened inside the support base, and a lower mold core installed inside the installation groove;
[0007] A first conveying structure is fixedly connected to one side of the support base, and a second conveying structure is fixedly connected to the other side of the support base. Electric slide rails are fixedly connected to both the front and back of the support base, and the electric slide rails are located within a U-shaped support frame. First electric push rods are fixedly connected to opposite sides of the first conveying structure. Two guide rods are fixedly connected to the side of the first conveying structure. A U-shaped frame is fixedly connected to one end of each of the two first electric push rods, and the U-shaped frame is located at the bottom of the guide rods. Two pushing and rotating plates are movably connected inside the U-shaped frame via pins. Two limiting strips are fixedly connected to the top of the support base, and the two limiting strips are respectively located on the sides of the two pushing and rotating plates. An electric slider is slidably connected inside the electric slide rail. A connecting block is fixedly connected to the top of the electric slider. A second electric push rod is fixedly connected inside the connecting block, and a clamping plate is fixedly connected to one end of each second electric push rod. A limiting frame is provided on the top of the lower mold core.
[0008] The above scheme, by setting up a first conveying structure and a second conveying structure, allows for the conveying of the blank. A first electric push rod is installed; when the blank is conveyed to the top of the rotating push plate, the first electric push rod operates, pushing the blank to move. Then, under the limitation of the limiting frame, the two rotating push plates can rotate and unfold, moving the blank to the top of the ejector plate. After the movement is complete, the stamping rod operates, pushing the upper die downwards. The downward movement of the upper die allows for the stamping of the blank. After stamping, the blank is ejected from the lower die core under the action of the connecting spring and the ejector plate. After ejection, the second electric push rod moves, bringing the two clamping plates closer together to clamp the blank. After clamping, the blank is moved to the top of the second conveying structure for output via an electric slide rail and an electric slider.
[0009] Furthermore, the top of the rotating push plate is provided with a first anti-slip layer, and the side of the clamping plate is provided with a second anti-slip layer.
[0010] By pushing the first anti-slip layer on the top of the rotating plate and the second anti-slip layer on the clamping plate, the friction between the billet and the plate can be increased, which can prevent the billet from slipping or shifting during movement.
[0011] Furthermore, a stamping rod and two telescopic rods are fixedly connected to the top of the top plate. The stamping rod is positioned between the two telescopic rods. A lower pressure plate is fixedly connected to the bottom of the stamping rod and the telescopic rods. A sliding cylinder is fixedly connected inside the lower pressure plate. The sliding cylinder is slidably connected to the back of the sliding rod. An upper mold is fixedly connected to the bottom of the lower pressure plate.
[0012] The above solution uses a combination of a stamping rod and a telescopic rod to drive the lower platen, which then slides along the slide rod via a sliding cylinder. This ensures that the upper die is pressed down vertically, preventing die wear or forging dimensional deviations caused by uneven load. The telescopic rod can absorb the instantaneous impact force during stamping, extending the service life of the equipment.
[0013] Furthermore, a shrinkage groove is provided at the bottom of the mounting groove, and a vertical rod is fixedly connected to the bottom of the shrinkage groove. An annular plate is slidably connected to the surface of the vertical rod. Multiple connecting springs are fixedly connected to the bottom of the shrinkage groove, and the top of the connecting springs is fixedly connected to the bottom of the annular plate. An ejector cylinder is fixedly connected to the top of the annular plate. The top of the ejector cylinder slides through the shrinkage groove and is fixedly connected to an ejector plate.
[0014] With the above solution, the ejector plate can automatically eject the forging after forming by connecting the spring and the ring plate elastically restoring it. This can reduce the problem of mold sticking and improve the demolding efficiency. The sliding fit design between the upright and the ejector cylinder can enhance the deformation resistance of the ejection mechanism, making it suitable for high-frequency forging scenarios.
[0015] Furthermore, the top of the ejector plate and the top of the limiting frame are on the same horizontal plane, and the ejector cylinder is slidably connected to the surface of the upright.
[0016] The above solution, with the limit frame flush with the ejector plate, ensures that the forging remains horizontal during insertion or removal, thus avoiding surface scratches caused by tilting.
[0017] Furthermore, the lower mold core has two positioning holes on each of its opposite sides, and the support base has movable grooves on each of its opposite sides. Two positioning rods are slidably connected inside the movable grooves. One end of each positioning rod is engaged in the positioning hole, and the other end of each positioning rod slides through the side of the movable groove and is fixedly connected to a handle.
[0018] With the above solution, when installing the lower die core, the positioning rod can be manually engaged in the positioning hole by the handle, and then combined with the elastic reset of the positioning spring, the lower die core can be quickly fixed and disassembled, which can shorten the die replacement time. Furthermore, the locking force of the positioning rod can be enhanced by the cooperation of the movable plate and the positioning spring, which can prevent the die from loosening due to forging vibration.
[0019] Furthermore, a movable plate is fixedly connected to the surface of the positioning rod, and a positioning spring is fixedly connected to the side of the movable plate. One end of the positioning spring is fixedly connected to the inner side of the movable groove.
[0020] The above solution, by setting a positioning spring, can provide flexible buffering during mold clamping, which can reduce rigid impact during mold installation and protect the mold and positioning structure from damage.
[0021] Furthermore, support feet are fixedly connected to the four corners of the bottom of the support base, and support rods are fixedly connected to the bottom of the first and second conveying structures.
[0022] The above solution, by setting up support feet and support rods, can enhance the overall stability of the equipment and reduce the precision error caused by vibration during the forging process through multi-point support design.
[0023] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this application has the following beneficial effects:
[0024] This type of shaft forging die, by setting a first conveying structure and a second conveying structure, can convey the blank. By setting a first electric push rod, the blank can be moved to the top of the ejector plate, which facilitates the feeding of the blank. By setting a second electric push rod, the blank can be clamped. After clamping, the blank can be moved to the top of the second conveying structure for output by electric slide rail and electric slider, which facilitates the transfer of the blank. By pushing the first anti-slip layer on the top of the rotating plate and the second anti-slip layer on the clamping plate, the friction between the blank and the plate is increased, which can prevent the blank from slipping or deviating during the movement. Attached Figure Description
[0025] Figure 1 This is a frontal three-dimensional structural diagram of this application;
[0026] Figure 2 This is a side-view perspective three-dimensional structural diagram of this application;
[0027] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of the cross-section of the shrinkage channel in this application;
[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure that drives the rotating plate in this application;
[0029] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the cross-section of the movable groove in this application.
[0030] In the picture:
[0031] 1. Support base; 101. U-shaped support frame; 102. Support block; 103. Slide rod; 104. Top plate; 105. Stamping rod; 106. Telescopic rod; 107. Lower pressure plate; 108. Slide cylinder; 109. Upper mold; 1010. Mounting slot; 1011. Lower mold core; 1012. Limiting frame; 1013. Shrinkage groove; 1014. Upright rod; 1015. Connecting spring; 1016. Annular plate; 1017. Ejector cylinder; 1018. Ejector plate; 1019. Limiting strip; 1020. Movable groove; 1021. Positioning hole; 1022. Positioning rod; 1023. Handle; 1024. Movable plate; 1025. Positioning spring;
[0032] 2. First conveying structure; 201. Guide rod; 202. First electric push rod; 203. U-shaped frame; 204. Pushing rotating plate; 205. First anti-slip layer;
[0033] 3. Second conveying structure;
[0034] 4. Electric slide rail; 401. Electric slider; 402. Second electric push rod; 403. Clamping plate; 404. Second anti-slip layer; 405. Connecting block;
[0035] 5. Support legs;
[0036] 6. Support rod. Detailed Implementation
[0037] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0038] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, a shaft forging forming mold includes a support base 1. A U-shaped support frame 101 is fixedly connected to the front and back of the support base 1. A support block 102 is fixedly connected to the top side of the support base 1. A sliding rod 103 is fixedly connected to the top of the U-shaped support frame 101 and the top of the support block 102. A top plate 104 is fixedly connected to the top of the sliding rod 103. An installation groove 1010 is opened inside the support base 1. A lower mold core 1011 is installed and connected inside the installation groove 1010.
[0039] A first conveying structure 2 is fixedly connected to one side of the support base 1, and a second conveying structure 3 is fixedly connected to the other side of the support base 1. Electric slide rails 4 are fixedly connected to both the front and back of the support base 1, and the electric slide rails 4 are located within the U-shaped support frame 101. First electric push rods 202 are fixedly connected to opposite sides of the first conveying structure 2. Two guide rods 201 are fixedly connected to the side of the first conveying structure 2. A U-shaped frame 203 is fixedly connected to one end of each of the two first electric push rods 202. The U-shaped frame 203 is located at the bottom of the guide rods 201, and two rotating push plates 20 are movably connected inside the U-shaped frame 203 via pins. 4. Two limiting strips 1019 are fixedly connected to the top of the support base 1. The two limiting strips 1019 are respectively set on the sides of the two pushing rotating plates 204. An electric slider 401 is slidably connected inside the electric slide rail 4. A connecting block 405 is fixedly connected to the top of the electric slider 401. A second electric push rod 402 is fixedly connected inside the connecting block 405. A clamping plate 403 is fixedly connected to one end of the second electric push rod 402. A limiting frame 1012 is set on the top of the lower mold core 1011. By setting the first conveying structure 2 and the second conveying structure 3, the blank can be conveyed. 02. After the blank is conveyed to the top of the pusher rotating plate 204, the first electric push rod 202 operates, which can push the blank to move. Then, under the limit of the limit frame 1012, the two pusher rotating plates 204 can rotate and unfold, thereby moving the blank to the top of the ejector plate 1018. After the movement is completed, the stamping rod 105 operates, which can push the upper die 109 to move down. Then, by the downward movement of the upper die 109, the blank can be stamped. After the stamping is completed, the blank can be ejected from the lower die core 1011 under the action of the connecting spring 1015 and the ejector plate 1018. After ejection, the second electric push rod 402 moves, which brings the two clamping plates 403 closer together to clamp the billet. After clamping, the billet can be moved to the top of the second conveying structure 3 for output via the electric slide rail 4 and the electric slider 401. The top of the rotating plate 204 is provided with a first anti-slip layer 205, and the side of the clamping plate 403 is provided with a second anti-slip layer 404. By pushing the first anti-slip layer 205 on the top of the rotating plate 204 and the second anti-slip layer 404 on the clamping plate 403, the friction between the billet and the plate can be increased, which can prevent the billet from slipping or deviating during the movement.
[0040] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3A stamping rod 105 and two telescopic rods 106 are fixedly connected to the top of the top plate 104. The stamping rod 105 is positioned between the two telescopic rods 106. A lower pressure plate 107 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the stamping rod 105 and the telescopic rods 106. A slide cylinder 108 is fixedly connected inside the lower pressure plate 107. The slide cylinder 108 is slidably connected to the back of the slide rod 103. An upper mold 109 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the lower pressure plate 107. The lower pressure plate 107 is driven by the linkage between the stamping rod 105 and the telescopic rods 106. 7. Then, the upper mold 109 is pressed vertically downwards by sliding along the slide rod 103 via the slide cylinder 108, which avoids mold wear or forging dimensional deviation caused by uneven load. The telescopic rod 106 can absorb the instantaneous impact force during stamping and extend the service life of the equipment. A shrinkage groove 1013 is opened at the bottom of the mounting groove 1010. A vertical rod 1014 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the shrinkage groove 1013. An annular plate 1016 is slidably connected to the surface of the vertical rod 1014. The shrinkage groove 1013 is inside... Multiple connecting springs 1015 are fixedly connected to the bottom end. The top of the connecting springs 1015 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the annular plate 1016. The top of the annular plate 1016 is fixedly connected to the top of the ejector cylinder 1017. The top of the ejector cylinder 1017 slides through the shrinkage groove 1013 and is fixedly connected to the ejector plate 1018. The ejector plate 1018 can automatically eject the forging after forming by the elastic reset of the connecting springs 1015 and the annular plate 1016, reducing the mold sticking problem and improving the demolding efficiency. The sliding fit design between the upright 1014 and the ejector cylinder 1017 enhances the deformation resistance of the ejection mechanism and is suitable for high-frequency forging scenarios. The top of the ejector plate 1018 is on the same horizontal plane as the top of the limiting frame 1012. The ejector cylinder 1017 is slidably connected to the surface of the upright 1014. The flush design between the limiting frame 1012 and the ejector plate 1018 can ensure that the forging remains horizontal during insertion or removal, avoiding surface scratches caused by tilting.
[0041] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 5The lower mold core 1011 has two positioning holes 1021 on each of its opposite sides. The support base 1 has movable grooves 1020 on each of its opposite sides. Two positioning rods 1022 are slidably connected inside the movable grooves 1020. One end of each positioning rod 1022 is engaged in the positioning hole 1021, and the other end slides through the side of the movable groove 1020 and is fixedly connected to a handle 1023. The positioning rod 1022 can be manually engaged in the positioning hole 1021 by operating the handle 1023. Combined with the elastic return of the positioning spring 1025, this allows for quick fixing and disassembly of the lower mold core 1011, shortening mold changeover time. The cooperation between the movable plate 1024 and the positioning spring 1025 enhances the locking of the positioning rods 1022. To prevent forging vibration from causing the mold to loosen, a movable plate 1024 is fixedly connected to the surface of the positioning rod 1022. A positioning spring 1025 is fixedly connected to the side of the movable plate 1024. One end of the positioning spring 1025 is fixedly connected to the inner side of the movable groove 1020. By setting the positioning spring 1025, flexible buffering is provided when locking the mold, reducing the rigid impact during mold installation and protecting the mold and positioning structure from damage. Support feet 5 are fixedly connected to the four corners of the bottom of the support base 1. Support rods 6 are fixedly connected to the bottom of the first conveying structure 2 and the second conveying structure 3. By setting the support feet 5 and support rods 6, the overall stability of the equipment can be enhanced through multi-point support design, reducing the accuracy error caused by vibration during forging.
[0042] In this embodiment, the billet can be conveyed by setting the first conveying structure 2 and the second conveying structure 3. The billet can be moved to the top of the ejector plate 1018 by setting the first electric push rod 202, which makes it convenient for people to feed the billet. The billet can be clamped by setting the second electric push rod 402. After clamping, the billet can be moved to the top of the second conveying structure 3 for output by the electric slide rail 4 and the electric slider 401, which makes it convenient for people to move the billet. By pushing the first anti-slip layer 205 on the top of the rotating plate 204 and the second anti-slip layer 404 on the clamping plate 403, the friction between the billet and the plate is increased, which can prevent the billet from slipping or deviating during the movement.
[0043] The working principle of the above embodiment is as follows: In use, the blank can be conveyed to the top of the push rotating plate 204 through the first conveying structure 2. After the conveying is completed, the first electric push rod 202 runs and can push the blank to move. Then, under the limit of the limit frame 1012, the two push rotating plates 204 can be rotated and unfolded, so that the blank can be moved to the top of the ejector plate 1018. After the movement is completed, the stamping rod 105 runs and can push the upper mold 109 to move down. Then, the blank can be stamped by the downward movement of the upper mold 109. After the stamping is completed, the blank can be ejected from the lower mold core 1011 under the action of the connecting spring 1015 and the ejector plate 1018. After ejection, the second electric push rod 402 moves and can bring the two clamping plates 403 closer to each other to clamp the blank. After clamping is completed, the blank can be moved to the top of the second conveying structure 3 for output through the electric slide rail 4 and the electric slider 401.
[0044] When installing the lower die core 1011, the positioning rod 1022 can be manually engaged into the positioning hole 1021 by the handle 1023. Then, combined with the elastic return of the positioning spring 1025, the lower die core 1011 can be quickly fixed and disassembled, which can shorten the die change time. Then, through the cooperation of the movable plate 1024 and the positioning spring 1025, the locking force of the positioning rod 1022 can be enhanced, which can prevent the die from loosening due to forging vibration.
[0045] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.
[0046] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A shaft forging die, comprising a support base (1), characterized in that: The support base (1) is fixedly connected to the front and back of a U-shaped support frame (101), and a support block (102) is fixedly connected to the top side of the support base (1). A slide rod (103) is fixedly connected to the top of the U-shaped support frame (101) and the top of the support block (102). A top plate (104) is fixedly connected to the top of the slide rod (103). An installation groove (1010) is provided inside the support base (1), and a lower mold core (1011) is installed inside the installation groove (1010). The support base (1) is fixedly connected to a first conveying structure (2) on one side, and a second conveying structure (3) is fixedly connected to the other side of the support base (1). Electric slide rails (4) are fixedly connected to both the front and back of the support base (1). The electric slide rails (4) are located within a U-shaped support frame (101). First electric push rods (202) are fixedly connected to both opposite sides of the first conveying structure (2). Two guide rods (201) are fixedly connected to the side of the first conveying structure (2). A U-shaped frame (203) is fixedly connected to one end of each of the two first electric push rods (202). The U-shaped frame (203) is located at the bottom of the guide rods (201). (203) Two push rotating plates (204) are movably connected inside by a pin shaft. Two limit strips (1019) are fixedly connected to the top of the support base (1). The two limit strips (1019) are respectively set on the sides of the two push rotating plates (204). An electric slider (401) is slidably connected inside the electric slide rail (4). A connecting block (405) is fixedly connected to the top of the electric slider (401). A second electric push rod (402) is fixedly connected inside the connecting block (405). A clamping plate (403) is fixedly connected to one end of the second electric push rod (402). A limit frame (1012) is set on the top of the lower mold core (1011).
2. The shaft forging die according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the pushing rotating plate (204) is provided with a first anti-slip layer (205), and the side of the clamping plate (403) is provided with a second anti-slip layer (404).
3. The shaft forging die according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top plate (104) is fixedly connected to a stamping rod (105) and two telescopic rods (106). The stamping rod (105) is located between the two telescopic rods (106). The bottom ends of the stamping rod (105) and the telescopic rods (106) are fixedly connected to a lower pressure plate (107). The lower pressure plate (107) is fixedly connected to a slide cylinder (108). The slide cylinder (108) is slidably connected to the back of the slide rod (103). The bottom of the lower pressure plate (107) is fixedly connected to an upper mold (109).
4. The shaft forging die according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting groove (1010) has a shrinkage groove (1013) at its bottom. A vertical rod (1014) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the shrinkage groove (1013). An annular plate (1016) is slidably connected to the surface of the vertical rod (1014). Multiple connecting springs (1015) are fixedly connected to the bottom of the shrinkage groove (1013). The top of the connecting springs (1015) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the annular plate (1016). An ejector cylinder (1017) is fixedly connected to the top of the annular plate (1016). The top of the ejector cylinder (1017) slides through the shrinkage groove (1013) and is fixedly connected to an ejector plate (1018).
5. A shaft forging die according to claim 4, characterized in that: The top of the ejector plate (1018) and the top of the limiting frame (1012) are on the same horizontal plane, and the ejector cylinder (1017) is slidably connected to the surface of the upright (1014).
6. The shaft forging die according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower mold core (1011) has two positioning holes (1021) on each side. The support base (1) has movable grooves (1020) on each side. Two positioning rods (1022) are slidably connected inside the movable grooves (1020). One end of the positioning rod (1022) is engaged in the positioning hole (1021), and the other end of the positioning rod (1022) slides through the side of the movable groove (1020) and is fixedly connected to a handle (1023).
7. A shaft forging die according to claim 6, characterized in that: A movable plate (1024) is fixedly connected to the surface of the positioning rod (1022), and a positioning spring (1025) is fixedly connected to the side of the movable plate (1024). One end of the positioning spring (1025) is fixedly connected to the inner side of the movable groove (1020).
8. A shaft forging die according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support base (1) has support feet (5) fixedly connected to the four corners of its bottom, and the first conveying structure (2) and the second conveying structure (3) have support rods (6) fixedly connected to their bottoms.