A new intelligent superplastic forming device

Abstract

The utility model relates to metal material forming technical field, and disclose a novel intelligent superplastic forming equipment, including host frame module, temperature control heat preservation module, motion execution module and intelligent control module, the host frame module adopts gantry type welded steel structure frame, and the inboard side integration is many groups of sensor mounting seat. The novel intelligent superplastic forming equipment, through temperature control heat preservation module in array type electric heating tube can fast and even heating, infrared temperature sensor is accurate to capture the temperature field distribution in the stove, cooperate and preserve the stove before and composite structure side heat preservation subassembly, both guarantee heating efficiency and reduce heat loss, and PLC control unit passes through the collaborative work with water cooling unit, realizes the regulation and control to temperature, records the technological parameter of entire forming process simultaneously, provides the support for subsequent process optimization and experience data accumulation, effectively solved the problem that parameter regulation and control are not accurate, data record is not complete and product consistency is poor in prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of metal material forming technology, specifically a novel intelligent superplastic forming equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, superplastic molding equipment is beginning to be used in large quantities in China. Initially, it was mainly used in the military and aerospace fields for titanium alloys. Now, with the increase in customized products in the rail transportation and automobile manufacturing industries, and the need for rapid development of small-variety, high-volume products, superplastic molding is being applied. Compared with stamping progressive dies, its molds have a shorter development cycle and a lower verification frequency, making them more suitable. Due to its high unit production cost, it is necessary to assess the balance between quantity and batch. Dynamic cost data in the production process is added to confirm the cost and compare it with traditional molding. At the same time, it can be digitally twinned with the molding process for dynamic demonstration, timely feedback, and guidance for adjusting process parameters.

[0003] There are few existing simulation software programs specifically designed for superplastic thermoforming. In complex processes such as superplastic forming, there is a lack of real-time data acquisition and intelligent analysis capabilities for the superplastic forming process. Process parameters are difficult to dynamically adjust and optimize and to record completely, resulting in some empirical data being unusable for iterative updates.

[0004] The preheating and cooling time of the mold before molding is long. A lightweight mold can be heated quickly to reduce the proportion of preparation time. Gradient simulation and analysis of the mold temperature field are also important. Since the superplastic molding process involves the dynamic coupling of multiple parameters, the molding requirements of different materials and components are significantly different. Manual control can only make a rough judgment based on past experience, making it difficult to achieve precise and dynamic control of each parameter. This leads to poor performance consistency of control in different batches, which seriously affects the stability and reliability of the product. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a novel intelligent superplastic molding equipment, which has the advantages of dynamic parameter control, complete data recording, and high product consistency, thus solving the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: A novel intelligent superplastic molding equipment, comprising a main frame module, a temperature control and insulation module, a motion execution module, and an intelligent control module. The main frame module adopts a gantry-type welded steel structure frame body, with multiple sensor mounting bases integrated inside the frame body. The temperature control and insulation module includes a front insulation furnace and a side insulation component. The front insulation furnace and the side insulation component have built-in distributed array electric heating tubes and infrared temperature sensors. Two tracks are fixed on the front of the frame body, and synchronous hydraulic rods are installed on the inner walls of the tracks. The output ends of the synchronous hydraulic rods are connected to the front insulation furnace. The motion execution module includes a worktable and a moving platform. The intelligent control module includes an electromechanical-hydraulic control cabinet, and a PLC control unit is installed inside the electromechanical-hydraulic control cabinet. The PLC control unit is connected to the electric heating tubes and infrared temperature sensors via cables.

[0007] Furthermore, the front insulation furnace adopts a detachable modular structure, and the front insulation furnace is connected to the frame body by a quick-locking buckle. The side insulation component adopts a composite structure of double-layer aluminum silicate fiber insulation cotton and stainless steel shell, and the inner side is filled with nano-level heat insulation material.

[0008] The above solution enables rapid disassembly and maintenance of the front insulation furnace, facilitating the replacement of furnace body specifications or the repair of internal components according to different molding requirements. The side insulation components can effectively reduce heat loss from the furnace body surface.

[0009] Furthermore, the workbench is a cast iron platform, and a T-slot is provided on the upper surface of the workbench. A support plate for supporting the mold is provided on the upper surface of the workbench, and a T-block is fixed on the bottom surface of the support plate. The T-block is slidably connected to the T-slot.

[0010] The above solution enables flexible movement and positioning of the support plate on the workbench surface. The combination of the T-slot and T-block structure can effectively withstand the longitudinal pressure during the molding process, preventing the support plate from shifting. The cast iron platform material ensures the overall rigidity and stability of the workbench, avoiding deformation during high-pressure molding that could affect product accuracy.

[0011] Furthermore, the mobile stage is connected to the output end of an external mobile guide rail, and the worktable is mounted on the upper surface of the mobile stage.

[0012] Through the above scheme, the moving table can drive the worktable to reciprocate horizontally along the moving guide rail, realizing the automatic transfer of molds between different workstations.

[0013] Furthermore, a hydraulic station is provided on one side of the frame body.

[0014] Through the above scheme, the hydraulic station provides power output to the motion execution module and can dynamically adjust the pressure and flow of hydraulic oil according to the instructions of the PLC control unit to ensure that the movement speed and positioning accuracy of the moving table meet the requirements of the superplastic molding process.

[0015] Furthermore, a water-cooled unit is installed on one side of the electromechanical-hydraulic control cabinet.

[0016] Through the above solution, the water-cooled unit and the temperature control and insulation module are connected through a circulation pipeline. Based on the furnace temperature signal collected by the PLC control unit, the cooling cycle can be automatically started and stopped to stabilize the working temperature of the front insulation furnace and the side insulation components within the set range, avoiding the decline in material molding performance due to temperature fluctuations. At the same time, it can quickly reduce the mold temperature after molding, shorten the cooling time, and improve production efficiency.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this utility model has the following beneficial effects: This new intelligent superplastic molding equipment utilizes an array of electric heating tubes in its temperature control and insulation module for rapid and uniform heating. Infrared temperature sensors accurately capture the temperature field distribution within the furnace. Combined with a detachable front insulation furnace and a composite side insulation component, it ensures heating efficiency while reducing heat loss. The PLC control unit in the intelligent control module works in conjunction with the water-cooled unit to regulate the temperature and record the process parameters throughout the molding process. This provides support for subsequent process optimization and the accumulation of experience data, effectively solving the problems of inaccurate parameter control, incomplete data recording, and poor product consistency in existing technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present application; Figure 2 For the purposes of this application as a whole Figure 1 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point A; Figure 3 This is a side view of the overall front insulation furnace of this application; Figure 4 This is a side view of the overall framework of this application. Figure 5 This is a side view of the overall workbench of this application.

[0019] In the picture: 1. Host framework module; 101. Framework body; 2. Temperature control and insulation module; 201. Front insulation furnace; 202. Side insulation component; 203. Track; 204. Synchronous hydraulic rod; 3. Motion execution module; 301. Worktable; 302. Moving table; 303. Support plate; 304. T-slot; 305. T-block; 4. Intelligent control module; 401. Electromechanical-hydraulic control cabinet; 5. Hydraulic station; 6. Water-cooled unit. Detailed Implementation

[0020] 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.

[0021] Please see Figure 1 - Figure 5 This embodiment of a novel intelligent superplastic molding equipment includes a main frame module 1, a temperature control and insulation module 2, a motion execution module 3, and an intelligent control module 4. The main frame module 1 adopts a gantry-type welded steel structure frame body 101. Multiple sensor mounting bases are integrated inside the frame body 101. The temperature control and insulation module 2 includes a front insulation furnace 201 and a side insulation component 202. The front insulation furnace 201 and the side insulation component 202 have built-in distributed array electric heating tubes and infrared temperature sensors. Two tracks 203 are fixed on the front of the frame body 101. Synchronous hydraulic rods 204 are installed on the inner wall of each track 203. The output ends of the synchronous hydraulic rods 204 are connected to the front insulation furnace 201. The motion execution module 3 includes a worktable 301 and a moving table 302. The intelligent control module 4 includes an electromechanical-hydraulic control cabinet 401. A PLC control unit is installed inside the electromechanical-hydraulic control cabinet 401. The PLC control unit is connected to the electric heating tubes and infrared temperature sensors through cables.

[0022] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The front insulation furnace 201 adopts a detachable modular structure. The front insulation furnace 201 is connected to the frame body 101 by a quick-locking buckle. The side insulation component 202 adopts a composite structure of double-layer aluminum silicate fiber insulation cotton and stainless steel shell, and the inner side is filled with nano-level heat insulation material, which realizes the quick disassembly and maintenance of the front insulation furnace 201. It is convenient to change the furnace body specifications or carry out internal component maintenance according to different molding requirements. The side insulation component 202 can effectively reduce the heat loss of the furnace body surface.

[0023] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5The worktable 301 is a cast iron platform. A T-slot 304 is provided on the upper surface of the worktable 301. A support plate 303 for supporting the mold is provided on the upper surface of the worktable 301. A T-block 305 is fixed on the bottom surface of the support plate 303. The T-block 305 is slidably connected to the T-slot 304, which can realize the flexible movement and positioning of the support plate 303 on the surface of the worktable 301. The cooperation structure of the T-slot 304 and the T-block 305 can effectively withstand the longitudinal pressure during the molding process and prevent the support plate 303 from shifting. The cast iron platform material ensures the overall rigidity and stability of the worktable 301 and avoids deformation during high pressure molding, which would affect the product accuracy. The moving table 302 is connected to the output end of the external moving guide rail. The worktable 301 is installed on the upper surface of the moving table 302. The moving table 302 can drive the worktable 301 to reciprocate horizontally along the moving guide rail, realizing the automatic transfer of the mold between different workstations.

[0024] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 A hydraulic station 5 is installed on one side of the frame body 101. The hydraulic station 5 provides power output to the motion execution module 3. It can dynamically adjust the pressure and flow of hydraulic oil according to the instructions of the PLC control unit to ensure that the movement speed and positioning accuracy of the moving table 302 meet the requirements of the superplastic molding process. A water-cooled unit 6 is installed on one side of the electromechanical-hydraulic control cabinet 401. The water-cooled unit 6 is connected to the temperature control and insulation module 2 through a circulation pipeline. It can automatically start and stop the cooling cycle according to the furnace temperature signal collected by the PLC control unit, stabilize the working temperature of the front insulation furnace 201 and the side insulation component 202 within the set range, avoid the material molding performance degradation due to temperature fluctuations, and at the same time, quickly reduce the mold temperature after molding, shorten the cooling time, and improve production efficiency.

[0025] It should be noted that during use, the interfaces of the connecting cables of each module should be checked regularly for looseness, especially the signal lines between the PLC control unit and the electric heating tube and the infrared temperature sensor, as well as the hydraulic pipeline connections between the hydraulic station 5 and the synchronous hydraulic rod 204. This is to prevent poor contact or leakage from affecting the normal operation of the equipment. At the same time, the guide rails of the moving platform 302 should be lubricated and maintained regularly according to the equipment's operating time to avoid the lubricant from failing under high temperature conditions, which would lead to accelerated wear of the guide rails. When the equipment is running, the operator needs to monitor the PLC control unit display screen on the electromechanical-hydraulic control cabinet 401 in real time, paying attention to key parameters such as furnace temperature, hydraulic pressure, and the position of the moving platform 302.

[0026] The working principle of the above embodiment is as follows: First, the superplastic molding process parameters are preset by the PLC control unit of the intelligent control module 4, including heating temperature, holding time, moving speed of worktable 301 and molding pressure, etc. After the equipment is started, the moving table 302 drives the mold on the worktable 301 and the support plate 303 to enter the designated position along the moving guide rail. The hydraulic station 5 starts to work, providing power to the synchronous hydraulic rod 204 and the moving table 302. The synchronous hydraulic rod 204 pushes the front heat preservation furnace 201 to move along the track 203 to the inside of the frame body 101 until it closes with the side heat preservation component 202 to form a closed heat preservation space. At this time, the array electric heating tube of the temperature control heat preservation module 2 starts to heat. The infrared temperature sensor collects the temperature inside the furnace in real time and feeds it back to the PLC control unit. When the temperature reaches the set value, the PLC control unit controls the electric heating tube to enter the heat preservation mode.

[0027] Within the insulation space, the T-slot 304 and T-block 305 work together to ensure mold positioning. During the molding process, the PLC control unit dynamically adjusts the hydraulic output of the hydraulic station 5 and the power of the electric heating tube based on real-time data such as temperature and pressure collected by sensors. The water-cooled unit 6 automatically starts when the temperature exceeds the upper limit, using circulating water to remove excess heat and maintain a stable temperature inside the furnace. After molding is completed, the synchronous hydraulic rod 204 drives the front insulation furnace 201 to reset, and the moving table 302 moves the worktable 301 out of the insulation space. At the same time, the water-cooled unit 6 accelerates mold cooling. The process parameters of the entire process are recorded in real time by the PLC control unit and stored in the storage module of the electromechanical-hydraulic control cabinet 401 for subsequent process analysis and optimization.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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 novel intelligent superplastic molding equipment, comprising a main frame module (1), a temperature control and insulation module (2), a motion execution module (3), and an intelligent control module (4), characterized in that: The host frame module (1) adopts a gantry-type welded steel structure frame body (101). Multiple sensor mounting bases are integrated inside the frame body (101). The temperature control and insulation module (2) includes a front insulation furnace (201) and a side insulation component (202). The front insulation furnace (201) and the side insulation component (202) have built-in distributed array electric heating tubes and infrared temperature sensors. Two tracks (203) are fixed on the front of the frame body (101). Synchronous hydraulic rods (204) are installed on the inner wall of the tracks (203). The output ends of the synchronous hydraulic rods (204) are connected to the front insulation furnace (201). The motion execution module (3) includes a workbench (301) and a moving table (302). The intelligent control module (4) includes an electromechanical-hydraulic control cabinet (401). A PLC control unit is installed inside the electromechanical-hydraulic control cabinet (401). The PLC control unit is connected to the electric heating tubes and infrared temperature sensors through cables.

2. The novel intelligent superplastic molding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front insulation furnace (201) adopts a detachable modular structure. The front insulation furnace (201) is connected to the frame body (101) by a quick-locking buckle. The side insulation component (202) adopts a composite structure of double-layer aluminum silicate fiber insulation cotton and stainless steel shell, and the inner side is filled with nano-level heat insulation material.

3. The novel intelligent superplastic molding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The workbench (301) is a cast iron platform. A T-slot (304) is provided on the upper surface of the workbench (301). A support plate (303) for supporting the mold is provided on the upper surface of the workbench (301). A T-block (305) is fixed on the bottom surface of the support plate (303). The T-block (305) is slidably connected to the T-slot (304).

4. The novel intelligent superplastic molding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mobile stage (302) is connected to the output end of the external mobile guide rail, and the worktable (301) is installed on the upper surface of the mobile stage (302).

5. The novel intelligent superplastic molding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: A hydraulic station (5) is provided on one side of the frame body (101).

6. The novel intelligent superplastic molding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water-cooled unit (6) is installed on one side of the electromechanical-hydraulic control cabinet (401).

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