Method for heating a lance or a riser, and heating station for carrying out the method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for heating a lance (7) of a melt transport device (1) located at the bottom of a melt container (3), the method comprising the method steps: - providing a heating station (12) comprising: + a base assembly (13); + a heating element carrier (14) arranged on the base assembly (13), wherein the heating element carrier (14) has a lance receptacle (16) for inserting the lance (7); + a heating element (15) received on the heating element carrier (14), which heating element is designed to heat a lance (7) received in the lance receptacle (16) by means of thermal radiation, wherein the method further comprises the following method steps: - inserting the lance (7) into the lance receptacle (16) of the heating station (12); - heating the lance (7) by means of thermal radiation from the heating element (15) of the heating station (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for heating a lance of a melt transport device located at the bottom of a melt container, as well as a method for heating a riser pipe of a casting plant, as well as a heating station for heating a lance of a melt transport device or a riser pipe located at the bottom of a melt container.

[0002] AT526114A1 discloses a preheating station for preheating a melt transport device, the preheating station comprising: a base assembly; a flow channel for transporting a volume of air, wherein the flow channel is arranged on the base assembly; a coupling for coupling the melt transport device to the base assembly, wherein the coupling is designed to establish a flow connection between the flow channel and the melt transport device; an air heater for heating the volume of air, wherein the air heater is coupled to the flow channel; a fan for conveying the volume of air in the flow channel in a flow direction.

[0003] The preheating station described in AT526114A1 is ideal for preheating a melt transport device that is not yet filled with melt. However, once the melt transport device is filled with melt, the preheating station described in AT526114A1 cannot maintain the desired temperature.

[0004] The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a method and a device by means of which freezing or solidification of the melt in the melt transport device can be avoided or at least delayed.

[0005] This object is achieved by a method and a device according to the claims.

[0006] According to the invention, a method is provided for heating a lance of a melt transport device located at the bottom of a melt container. The method comprises the following steps: Providing a heating station comprising: + a base assembly; + a heating element carrier arranged on the base assembly, wherein the heating element carrier has a lance holder for inserting the lance; + a heating element received on the heating element carrier, which heating element is designed to heat the lance received in the lance holder by means of thermal radiation, wherein the method further comprises the following method steps: Insert the lance into the lance holder of the heating station; heat the lance using thermal radiation from the heating element of the heating station.

[0007] The method according to the invention has the advantage that precisely that area of the melt transport device which is at risk of excessive cooling, namely the lance, is heated. This measure can effectively prevent freezing of the melt transport device, particularly in the lance, whereby the melt transport device can retain its functionality even after a certain period of time. This period of time can be required, for example, by transporting the melt transport device from the melting furnace to the casting mold. The method according to the invention also has the advantage that precisely that component of the melt transport device in which the melt first solidifies, namely the lance, can be heated locally without having to heat the entire melt container. This can increase energy efficiency.Compared to the methods already mentioned, it is also advantageous that the melt transport device can not only be used in its empty state at temperature, but also a lance of the melt transport device filled with melt can be heated.

[0008] Additionally, the melt container can be heated, for example, with an internal heater. This can further extend the holding time of the filled melt transport device. An external heater for the lance is particularly advantageous in this case, since an integrated heater within the lance is difficult to implement.

[0009] Furthermore, it may be expedient to heat the lance using the heating element of the heating station before the lance is moved to a casting mold and the casting of a workpiece, wherein a first distance between the heating station and the casting mold is smaller than a second distance between the heating station and a melting furnace in which the melt container is filled with melt. This has the advantage that the heating station can serve as a waiting position for the melt transport device, so that when the casting mold becomes free, the melt transport device can be moved to the casting mold in the shortest possible time in order to cast a workpiece there. This can improve the efficiency of the casting process, since there is no need to wait to fill the melt container from the melting furnace until it is certain that the casting mold is ready to be filled with melt.Rather, the melt container can be moved from the melting furnace to the vicinity of the mold at an early stage and remain in the heating station, which is located near the mold, until the mold is ready for pouring.

[0010] Furthermore, it can be provided that the heating element carrier of the heating station has a lateral opening, wherein the lance is inserted into the lance holder of the heating station by moving it through the lateral opening. This has the advantage that the lance can be inserted into the lance holder simply by moving the melt transport device sideways. This means that it is not necessary to move the melt transport device or the heating station vertically and change their potential energy in order to be able to insert the lance into the lance holder. This brings with it energy savings. In addition, this brings about a reduction in transport time, since the transport routes can be shortened.

[0011] Furthermore, it can be provided that the heating element carrier of the heating station has a first heating element carrier part and a second heating element carrier part, wherein the second heating element carrier part is displaceable relative to the first heating element carrier part, wherein after the lance has been positioned in the lance holder, the second heating element carrier part is moved towards the first heating element carrier part in order to reduce the distance between the second heating element carrier part and the first heating element carrier part and / or that the first heating element carrier part and the second heating element carrier part are displaceable relative to the base assembly. This has the advantage that this measure allows the heating elements to be positioned at the most efficient distance from the lance possible. Furthermore, this measure can achieve the most enclosing positioning of the heating elements relative to the lance. This allows efficient heating of the lance.

[0012] In particular, it can be provided that in the closed state of the first heating element carrier part and the second heating element carrier part, the individual heating elements are arranged at an equal radial distance from the outer surface of the lance.

[0013] Alternatively, it can also be provided that heating elements with different radial distances from the lance have different radiation intensities.

[0014] In addition, it can be provided that the first heating element carrier part and the second heating element carrier part are both displaceable in the horizontal direction, so that a uniform enclosure of the inserted lance between the first heating element carrier part and the second heating element carrier part is achieved.

[0015] In particular, it may be advantageous if the first heating element support part and the second heating element support part are positioned at such a distance from each other or from the lance that the heating element is arranged at a distance of between 20 mm and 80 mm, in particular between 35 mm and 65 mm, preferably between 45 mm and 55 mm, from the lance. Efficient heating of the lance can be achieved, particularly with such a configuration.

[0016] Another advantageous embodiment is one in which the lance is blown off in a blow-off station before being inserted into the lance holder of the heating station. This allows the outer area of the lance to be freed of any adhering melt residue. This offers the advantage that the adhering melt residue can be removed from the lance to prevent contaminating the heating station and to clean the outer surface of the lance for even heat input and for a non-contact temperature sensor.

[0017] According to a further development, it is possible to arrange several heating stations one behind the other, with the lance being moved through the several heating stations during transport to a casting mold. This has the advantage that this measure allows the lance to be heated continuously or intermittently during transport from the melting furnace to the casting mold along the transport route, or at least along part of the transport route, thus preventing the melt from freezing inside the lance.

[0018] Furthermore, it may be useful to cast several workpieces using the melt held in the melt container. Between individual casting processes, the lance is inserted into the lance holder of the heating station to keep the lance at operating temperature and prevent the melt in the lance from solidifying. This measure makes it possible to cast several workpieces without the risk of the melt freezing in the lance. Thus, the melt container can hold a sufficient amount of melt to cast several workpieces. This increases the efficiency of the overall process.

[0019] Surprisingly, it turned out that the heating station is also suitable for preheating a riser pipe, as described in AT521190B1.

[0020] According to the invention, a method for heating a riser pipe of a casting plant is provided. The method comprises the following steps: Providing a heating station comprising: + a base assembly; + a heating element carrier arranged on the base assembly, wherein the heating element carrier has a lance holder for inserting the riser pipe; + a heating element received on the heating element carrier, which heating element is designed to heat one of the riser pipes received in the lance holder by means of thermal radiation, wherein the method further comprises the following method steps: inserting the riser pipe into the lance holder of the heating station; heating the riser pipe by means of thermal radiation from the heating element of the heating station; inserting the riser pipe into a melting furnace, in particular a melting furnace of a low-pressure casting system or a counter-pressure casting system.

[0021] This process offers the advantage that the riser tube can be heated to the required temperature before being inserted into the melting furnace. This prevents thermal shock when inserting a cooler riser tube and any freezing or solidification of the melt in the area of the riser tube. Furthermore, the riser tube can be heated to such an extent that any residual melt remaining in the riser tube from a previous use of the riser tube can be liquefied and removed from the riser tube.

[0022] In particular, it can be provided that the riser pipe is guided by means of a manipulation device and inserted into the melting furnace.

[0023] According to the invention, a heating station is provided for heating a lance of a melt transport device or a riser pipe located at the bottom of a melt container. The heating station comprises: a base assembly; a heating element carrier arranged on the base assembly, the heating element carrier having a lance receptacle for inserting the lance or the riser pipe; a heating element received on the heating element carrier, which is designed to heat the lance or the riser pipe received in the lance receptacle by means of thermal radiation.

[0024] The heating station according to the invention offers the advantage that the heat radiation can act on an outer surface of the lance or the riser pipe, thereby heating the melt in the lance or heating the riser pipe. Efficient heating can be achieved, in particular, through heat radiation. The heat radiation can be infrared radiation, for example.

[0025] As can be seen from the above description, the term "lance receptacle" is not limited to the receptacle for a lance, but can also accommodate a riser tube. The riser tube and the lance have a fundamentally similar shape.

[0026] Furthermore, it may be expedient if the heating element has a longitudinal extension, wherein the lance can be heated over a longitudinal extension, wherein the longitudinal extension is between 50 % and 100 % , especially between 70 % and 95 % , preferably between 80 % and 90 % of a lance length. This has the advantage that the lance can be heated in its essential areas.

[0027] Furthermore, it can be provided that several heating elements are distributed around the lance holder, allowing the lance to be heated evenly over its circumference. This has the advantage that, on the one hand, more heat energy can be introduced into the lance than with a single heating element, and, on the other hand, that the lance is heated evenly.

[0028] Furthermore, it can be provided that the heating element carrier of the heating station has a first heating element carrier part and a second heating element carrier part, wherein the lance holder is formed between the first heating element carrier part and the second heating element carrier part, wherein the first heating element carrier part and the second heating element carrier part have a vertical longitudinal extent and wherein the second heating element carrier part is displaceable in a horizontal direction relative to the first heating element carrier part. This has the advantage that this measure allows the lance to be received in the lance holder in the best possible way. In particular, it can be provided that the first heating element carrier part and the second heating element carrier part are displaceable relative to the base assembly.

[0029] Furthermore, it can be provided that individual heating elements are arranged rigidly relative to the base assembly and that only individual heating elements are displaced to provide the lateral opening for inserting the lance.

[0030] Another advantageous embodiment is one in which a drip tray is arranged below the heating element support to collect melt that drips from the lance. This has the advantage that any melt that drips from the lance does not cause damage to the heating station.

[0031] According to a further development, the heating element can be designed in the form of an infrared radiator. A heating element designed in this way is particularly highly efficient.

[0032] Furthermore, it may be advantageous for the heating element to comprise a heating coil surrounded by an outer quartz jacket. A heating element designed in this way, in particular, provides high efficiency.

[0033] Furthermore, a reflection element can be arranged between the heating element carrier and the heating element on the side of the heating element facing away from the lance holder. This has the advantage that, on the one hand, the heating element carrier can be protected from the radiation of the heating element and, on the other hand, excessive heating of the heating element carrier can be prevented. Furthermore, this measure can make the heating of the lance more efficient. The reflection element can be in the form of a film or coating, which can be applied to a shaping support structure.

[0034] Furthermore, a temperature sensor can be provided that can detect the temperature of the outer surface of the lance without contact. Of course, multiple temperature sensors can also be provided that can detect the temperature of the outer surface of the lance at different positions.

[0035] For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0036] They show in a highly simplified, schematic representation: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a melt transport device and a heating station; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a first heating element carrier part; Fig. 3 shows a top view in a sectional view of the heating station; Fig. 4 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of a casting system with a heating station; Fig. 5 shows a schematic top view of a further embodiment of a casting system with several heating stations; Fig. 6 shows a schematic top view of a further embodiment of a casting system with a rotary table with several casting molds; Fig. 7 shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of a casting system with a melting furnace and a manipulation device for manipulating a riser pipe.

[0037] By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the variously described embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or component designations, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied mutatis mutandis to identical parts with identical reference symbols or component designations. Furthermore, the positional information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refers to the directly described and illustrated figure, and in the event of a change in position, these positional information must be applied mutatis mutandis to the new position.

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a melt transport device 1, which serves to transport melt 2.

[0039] In this document, the melt transport device 1 is described only to the extent that the described features are required for the description of the heating station 12. With regard to a detailed description of the melt transport device 1 and possible designs of the melt transport device 1, reference is made to AT 523 252 A1, the content of which is hereby incorporated into this application.

[0040] The melt transport device 1 has a melt container 3 in which a melt receiving space 4 is formed, which serves to receive the melt 2.

[0041] Furthermore, the melt transport device 1 can comprise a spout 5, which is coupled to the melt container 3. The spout 5 can be designed as an integral part of the melt container 3. Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the spout 5 to be designed as a separate component, which is coupled to the melt container 3. The spout 5 can have a pouring opening 6, through which the melt 2 received in the melt container 3 can flow out of the melt transport device 1 into a casting mold or a filling chamber of an injection molding system.

[0042] As from Fig. 1 As can also be seen, the spout 5 can be designed in the form of a lance 7.

[0043] Furthermore, a gas valve 8 can be formed, which is fluidly connected to the melt receiving chamber 4 and which is designed to regulate the gas input into the otherwise gas-tight melt receiving chamber 4. The gas valve 8 is arranged above a maximum filling level 9 so that no melt 2 can flow into the gas valve 8.

[0044] As from Fig. 1 As can also be seen, the melt transport device 1 can be provided with a siphon 10 or another outlet opening. In particular, the siphon 10 can be arranged on the underside of the lance 7. Furthermore, it can of course also be provided that the siphon 10 is integrated directly into the lance 7.

[0045] In Fig. 1 the melt container 3 is shown partially filled with melt 2.

[0046] As from Fig. 1As can be further seen, the melt transport device 1 can be provided with a vacuum pump 11 or be coupled to a vacuum pump 11. By means of the vacuum pump 11, a volume of air can be sucked out of the melt receiving space 4. As a result, a negative pressure can be generated in the melt receiving space 4 during operation of the melt transport device 1.

[0047] Fig. 1 further shows a first embodiment of a heating station 12 for heating the lance 7 of the melt transport device 1.

[0048] As from Fig. 1As can also be seen, it can be provided that the heating station 12 comprises a base assembly 13, which serves to hold further components of the heating station 12. In particular, it can be provided that a heating element carrier 14 is formed, in which heating elements 15 can be arranged. Furthermore, a lance holder 16 can be formed, into which the lance 7 of the melt transport device 1 can be inserted. The heating elements 15 can be arranged in an unobstructed line of sight to the lance holder 16, so that a lance received in the lance holder 16 can be heated by means of the heating elements 15 by means of heat radiation from the heating elements 15. In particular, an outer surface of the lance 7 can be directly irradiated, so that a melt 2 located in the lance 7 can be protected from solidification. The heating elements 15 can be supplied with the energy required for heating by means of electrical current.

[0049] Furthermore, it can be provided that the heating element carrier 14 has a first heating element carrier part 17 and a second heating element carrier part 18. In particular, it can be provided that the second heating element carrier 18 is designed to be displaceable in the horizontal direction 23 relative to the first heating element carrier part 17, so that a distance 19 between the first heating element carrier part 17 and the second heating element carrier part 18 can be adjusted. In particular, it can be provided that a lateral opening 20 is formed between the first heating element carrier part 17 and the second heating element carrier part 18, through which opening the lance 7 can be pushed into the lance holder 16 or moved out of it.

[0050] Furthermore, it can be provided that a computing unit 21 is formed, which can be coupled to the heating station 12 and can serve to control the heating station 12. Furthermore, it can be provided that the melt transport device 1 is controlled by means of the computing unit 21. In particular, it can be provided that the sequence of the casting operation or a casting process is controlled by means of the computing unit 21.

[0051] In particular, it can be provided that a temperature sensor 36 is formed, which can preferably detect the temperature of the outer surface of the lance 7 in a contactless manner, wherein the temperature sensor 36 can be coupled to the computing unit 21. In particular, it can be provided that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 36 is used to regulate the energy input into the heating elements 15.

[0052] In particular, it can be provided that the first heating element support part 17 and the second heating element support part 18 have a vertical longitudinal extension 22. In particular, it can be provided that the vertical longitudinal extension 22 is greater than a lance length 24 of the lance 7. This has the advantage that the entire lance 7 can be accommodated in the lance holder 16 in order to be heated by means of the heating elements 15. Furthermore, it can be provided that the heating element 15 has a longitudinal extension 25. The longitudinal extension 25 of the heating element 15 can be less than the vertical longitudinal extension 22 of the heating element supports 17, 18.

[0053] Furthermore, it can be provided that the heating station 12 comprises a drip tray 26, which serves to receive melt 2 dripping from the lance 7. In particular, it can be provided that the drip tray 26 is arranged between the first heating element carrier part 17 and the second heating element carrier part 18.

[0054] Fig. 2 shows a first heating element carrier part 17 in a perspective view, wherein again the same reference numerals or component designations are used for the same parts as in the previous Fig. 1 To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the detailed description in the previous Fig. 1 pointed out or referred to.

[0055] As from Fig. 2As can be seen, it can be provided that the first heating element carrier part 17 has a tower-shaped structure. The second heating element carrier part 18 can also have a tower-shaped or identical structure to the first heating element carrier part 17. In particular, it can be provided that the first heating element carrier part 17 is fixedly coupled to the base assembly 13. Furthermore, it can be provided that the second heating element carrier part 18 is coupled to the base assembly 13 by means of a guide rail so that it can be displaced in the horizontal direction 23. In particular, it can be provided that the first heating element carrier part 17 and the second heating element carrier part 18 each comprise a plurality of components.

[0056] Furthermore, it can be provided that one or more of the heating elements 15 are accommodated in the first heating element carrier part 17. In the present embodiment, three of the heating elements 15 are accommodated in the first heating element carrier part 17.

[0057] Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view through the first heating element carrier part 17 or the second heating element carrier part 18 and the lance 7 accommodated therebetween according to a section line III - III as shown in Fig. 2 is indicated, whereby again the same reference symbols or component designations are used for the same parts as in the previous Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the detailed description in the previous Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 pointed out or referred to.

[0058] The heating element carrier 14 is shown in an open state, with the second heating element carrier part 18 being arranged at a distance 19 from the first heating element carrier part 17. The distance 19 is selected such that the lance 7 can be inserted through a lateral opening 20 into the lance receptacle 16 between the first heating element carrier part 17 and the second heating element carrier part 18.

[0059] As from Fig. 3As can also be seen, it can be provided that the individual heating elements 15 can be received at a regular distance around the lance holder 16 in the first heating element carrier part 17 or in the second heating element carrier part 18, so that the lance 7 can be heated evenly over the circumference. In particular, it can be provided that one to five of the heating elements 15 are formed per heating element carrier part 17, 18. Of course, in further embodiments, it can also be provided that more than five of the heating elements 15 are formed per heating element carrier part 17, 18.

[0060] As from Fig. 3As can also be seen, it can be provided that a reflection element 27 is arranged between the heating element carrier 14 and the heating element 15. Of course, it can be provided that a separate reflection element 27 is provided for each heating element carrier part 17, 18. In particular, it can be provided that the reflection element 27 is in the form of a film which is arranged on the first heating element carrier part 17 or on the second heating element carrier part 18. In particular, it can be provided that the heating element carrier parts 17, 18 have a carrier element with a predetermined contour, which serves to receive a film as a reflection element 27.

[0061] Fig. 4 shows a possible embodiment of a casting system 34 in a plan view, wherein again the same reference numerals or component designations are used for the same parts as in the previous Fig. 1 to Fig. 3To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the detailed description in the previous Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 pointed out or referred to.

[0062] The individual components of the casting system 34 are shown in a highly conceptual manner for ease of illustration.

[0063] As from Fig. 4 As can be seen, the casting system 34 can comprise a casting mold 28, which serves for casting a workpiece. The melt transport device 1 serves to transport the melt 2 from a melting furnace 30 to the casting mold 28.

[0064] In particular, it can be provided that the casting mold 28 has a pouring opening 35 into which the lance 7 of the melt transport device 1 can be introduced in order to let the melt 2, which is transported in the melt transport device 1, from the melt transport device 1 into the casting mold 28 and thus to cast the workpiece.

[0065] As from Fig. 4 As can be seen, it can be provided that the heating station 12 is spaced a first distance 29 from the casting mold 28. The first distance 29 is measured from the travel path of the lance 7 calculated from a heating position in the heating station 12 to a position centrally of the pouring opening 35 of the casting mold 28.

[0066] Furthermore, it can be provided that the melting furnace 30 is arranged at a second distance 31 from the heating station 12. The second distance 31 is calculated from the travel path of the lance 7 from a melt receiving position in the melting furnace 30 to a heating position in the heating station 12.

[0067] In particular, it can be provided that a blow-off station 32 is arranged between the heating station 12 and the melting furnace 30. The blow-off station 32 can serve to remove melt 2 adhering to the lance 7. In particular, it can be provided that the blow-off station 32 has one or more blow-off nozzles 33, by means of which the melt can be blown off the lance 7. In particular, it can be provided that the blow-off nozzles 33 are supplied with compressed air as the blow-off fluid. Thus, the melt 2 can be blown off the lance 7 by means of a blast of compressed air.

[0068] In a particular embodiment, it can be provided that the blow-off station 32 is arranged directly above the melting furnace 30, so that the melt 2 blown off in the blow-off station 32 returns to the melting furnace 30.

[0069] In the following, the Fig. 4An embodiment of a casting process for casting a workpiece on the casting system 34 is described. In a first process step, melt 2 located in the melting furnace 30 can be received into the melt container 3 of the melt transport device 1. The melt transport device 1 is located in the area of the melting furnace 30.

[0070] Subsequently, the melt transport device 1 can overcome the second distance 31 and be moved to the heating station 12. This process is preferably started when it is foreseeable that the casting mold 28 will be ready to cast a workpiece at a certain point in the future, wherein the movement of the melt transport device 1 away from the melting furnace 30 is preferably designed such that the time required for the movement of the melt transport device 1 from the melting furnace 30 to the casting mold 28 is slightly longer than the time until the casting mold 28 is ready for the introduction of the melt.

[0071] In particular, it can be provided that the duration of the transport of the melt transport device 1 from the heating station 12 to the casting mold 28 is known or determined in advance, so that the temperature of the melt 2 can be predetermined when it is introduced into the casting mold 28 in order to achieve an improved casting result.

[0072] Ideally, the first distance 29 of the heating station 12 from the casting mold 28 is designed to be as short as possible in order to enable the highest possible output of the casting system 34.

[0073] If several casting molds 28 are arranged linearly to one another and the distances 29 are different, the computing unit 21 can take the changed conditions into account, for example by increasing the transport speed or heating in the heating station 12 to a higher temperature, so that the most consistent conditions possible can be achieved when pouring into the different casting molds 28.

[0074] The melt transport device 1, in particular the lance 7, can be moved through the blow-off station 32, whereby melt 2 adhering to the lance 7 can be blown off by means of the blow-off nozzles 33.

[0075] Shortly before the lance 7 is picked up in the heating station 12 or when the lance 7 is picked up in the heating station 12, a check can be made again to determine whether the casting mold 28 is actually ready to cast a workpiece. If this is the case, the melt transport device 1 can be moved from the heating station 12 to the casting mold 28, where the lance 7 can be inserted into the pouring opening 35 in order to subsequently transfer the melt 2 from the melt transport device 1 into the casting mold 28 and thus cast the workpiece.

[0076] If the casting mold 28 is not yet ready to cast a new workpiece, the lance 7 can remain in the heating station 12 and be heated by the heating elements 15 so that the melt 2 in the lance 7 does not freeze. This can continue until the casting mold 28 is ready to cast a workpiece.

[0077] In a further embodiment, it is of course also conceivable that the time sequence is selected such that the transport time of the melt transport device 1 from the melting furnace 30 to the casting mold 28 is shorter than the time period in which the casting mold 28 is ready for casting and that the lance 7 has a targeted residence time in the heating station 12 in order to compensate for cooling of the lance 7 or the melt 2 located therein during transport from the melting furnace 30 to the heating station 12.

[0078] In another method, it can be provided that there is enough melt 2 in the melt transport device 1 to cast several workpieces. In this case, the lance 7 can be introduced into the heating station 12 after casting a first workpiece to wait there until the casting mold 28 is ready to cast another workpiece.

[0079] In the Fig. 5 a further and possibly independent embodiment of the casting system 34 is shown, wherein again the same reference numerals or component designations are used for the same parts as in the previous Figures 1 to 4 To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the detailed description in the previous Figures 1 to 4 pointed out or referred to.

[0080] As from Fig. 5As can be seen, it can of course also be provided that several of the heating stations 12 are arranged one behind the other in the travel path of the lance 7 from a melt receiving position in the melting furnace 30 to the casting mold 28.

[0081] In the Fig. 6 a further and possibly independent embodiment of the casting system 34 is shown, wherein again the same reference numerals or component designations are used for the same parts as in the previous Figures 1 to 5 To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the detailed description in the previous Figures 1 to 5 pointed out or referred to.

[0082] As from Fig. 6 As can be seen, it can be provided that several casting molds 28 are arranged on a rotary table 38, wherein by rotating the rotary table 38 the individual casting molds 28 can be brought to the heating station 12 at the same distance from the respective casting mold 28.

[0083] If several casting molds 28 are operated, they can be arranged on a rotary table 38 in order to achieve the same distance from the heating station 12 and thus the same conditions for each of the casting molds 28.

[0084] In the Fig. 7 a further and possibly independent embodiment of the casting system 34 is shown, wherein again the same reference numerals or component designations are used for the same parts as in the previous Figures 1 to 6 To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the detailed description in the previous Figures 1 to 6 pointed out or referred to.

[0085] As from Fig. 7 As can be seen, the melting furnace 30 can be configured in a low-pressure casting system or a counter-pressure casting system. The casting mold 28 can be configured directly above the melting furnace 30.

[0086] With regard to a detailed description of the melting furnace 30 or to possible designs of the melting furnace 30 of a low-pressure casting system or a counter-pressure casting system, which has a riser pipe 37, reference is made to AT 521 190 B1, the content of which is hereby incorporated into this application.

[0087] Furthermore, it can be provided that a riser pipe 37 is arranged in the melting furnace 30, which serves to fill the casting mold 28 with melt.

[0088] In particular, before the start of the casting process, it can be provided that the riser pipe 37 in the heating station 12 is brought to a predetermined temperature by means of the mechanisms already described. The riser pipe 37 can be held by a manipulation device 39. The riser pipe 37 can then be inserted into its intended position in the melting furnace 30 by means of the manipulation device 39. By preheating, a temperature shock when inserting the riser pipe 37 into its intended position in the melting furnace 30 can be minimized as much as possible, since the riser pipe 37 is already adapted as well as possible to the internal temperature in the melting furnace 30. The manipulation device 39 can be designed, for example, in the form of an articulated-arm robot.

[0089] The embodiments show possible embodiments, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments thereof, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiments with one another are also possible and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in the art in this technical field due to the teaching of technical action by means of the objective invention.

[0090] The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and drawings must be used to interpret the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the various embodiments shown and described may represent independent inventive solutions. The problem underlying the independent inventive solutions can be derived from the description.

[0091] All information on value ranges in this description is to be understood as including any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g. the information 1 to 10 is to be understood as including all sub-ranges starting from the lower limit of 1 and the upper limit of 10, ie all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0092] For the sake of clarity, it should finally be pointed out that, in order to better understand the structure, some elements have been shown out of scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size. Reference symbol list 1 Melt transport device 31 second distance heating station - melting furnace 2 melt 3 Melt container 32 Blow-off station 4 Melt receiving chamber 33 Blow-off nozzle 5 spout 34 Casting plant 6 Spout opening 35 Pouring opening 7 lance 36 Temperature sensor 8 Gas valve 37 riser pipe 9 Maximum filling level 38 Round table 10 siphon 39 Manipulation device 11 vacuum pump 12 heating station 13 Basic assembly 14 Heating element carrier 15 heating element 16 Lance holder 17 first heating element carrier part 18 second heating element carrier part 19 Distance 20 side opening 21 Computing unit 22 vertical longitudinal extension 23 horizontal direction 24 Lance length 25 Longitudinal extension of heating element 26 drip tray 27 reflection element 28 mold 29 first distance heating station - casting mold 30 melting furnace

Claims

1. A method for heating a lance (7) of a melt transport device (1) located at the bottom of a melt container (3), the method comprising the method steps: - providing a heating station (12) comprising: + a base assembly (13); + a heating element carrier (14) arranged on the base assembly (13), wherein the heating element carrier (14) has a lance holder (16) for inserting the lance (7); + a heating element (15) received on the heating element carrier (14), which heating element is designed to heat a lance (7) received in the lance holder (16) by means of thermal radiation, the method further comprising the following method steps: - inserting the lance (7) into the lance holder (16) of the heating station (12); - heating the lance (7) by means of thermal radiation from the heating element (15) of the heating station (12).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe heating of the lance (7) by means of the heating element (15) of the heating station (12) takes place before the lance (7) is brought to a casting mold (28) and the casting of a workpiece, wherein a first distance (29) of the heating station (12) to the casting mold (28) is smaller than a second distance (31) of the heating station (12) to a melting furnace (30) in which the melt container (3) is filled with melt (2).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heating element carrier (14) of the heating station (12) has a lateral opening (20), wherein the lance (7) is inserted into the lance holder (16) of the heating station (12) by moving it through the lateral opening (20).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe heating element carrier (14) of the heating station (12) has a first heating element carrier part (17) and a second heating element carrier part (18), wherein the second heating element carrier part (18) is displaceable relative to the first heating element carrier part (17), wherein after the positioning of the lance (7) in the lance holder (16), the second heating element carrier part (18) is moved towards the first heating element carrier part (17) in order to reduce the distance (19) between the second heating element carrier part (18) and the first heating element carrier part (17) and / or the first heating element carrier part (17) and the second heating element carrier part (18) are displaceable relative to the base assembly (13).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lance (7) is blown off in a blow-off station (32) before being inserted into the lance holder (16) of the heating station (12) in order to free the outer area of the lance (7) from adhering residues of melt (2).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several heating stations (12) are arranged one behind the other, wherein the lance (7) is moved through the several heating stations (12) when being brought to a casting mold (28).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several workpieces are cast by means of the melt (2) held in the melt container (3), wherein between individual casting processes for casting one workpiece at a time, the lance (7) is introduced into the lance holder (16) of the heating station (12) in order to keep the lance (7) at operating temperature and to prevent the melt (2) from solidifying in the lance (7).

8. A method for heating a riser pipe (37) of a casting plant (34), the method comprising the method steps: - providing a heating station (12) comprising: + a base assembly (13); + a heating element carrier (14) arranged on the base assembly (13), wherein the heating element carrier (14) has a lance holder (16) for inserting the riser pipe (37); + a heating element (15) received on the heating element carrier (14), which heating element is designed to heat a riser pipe (37) received in the lance holder (16) by means of thermal radiation, the method further comprising the following method steps: - inserting the riser pipe (37) into the lance holder (16) of the heating station (12); - heating the riser pipe (37) by means of thermal radiation from the heating element (15) of the heating station (12); - inserting the riser pipe (37) into a melting furnace (30).

9. Heating station (12) for heating a lance (7) of a melt transport device (1) or of a riser pipe (37) located at the bottom of a melt container (3), the heating station (12) comprising: - a base assembly (13); - a heating element carrier (14) arranged on the base assembly (13), wherein the heating element carrier (14) has a lance holder (16) for inserting the lance (7) or the riser pipe (37); - a heating element (15) received on the heating element carrier (14), which heating element is designed to heat the lance (7) received in the lance holder (16) or the riser pipe (37) by means of thermal radiation.

10. Heating station (12) according to claim 9, characterized in that the heating element (15) has a longitudinal extension (25), wherein the lance (7) can be heated over the longitudinal extension (25), wherein the longitudinal extension (25) is between 50 % and 100 % , especially between 70 % and 95 % , preferably between 80 % and 90% a lance length (24).

11. Heating station (12) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that several of the heating elements (15) are arranged distributed on the lance holder (16) so that the lance (7) can be heated distributed over the circumference.

12. Heating station (12) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in thatthe heating element carrier (14) of the heating station (12) has a first heating element carrier part (17) and a second heating element carrier part (18), wherein the lance holder (16) is formed between the first heating element carrier part (17) and the second heating element carrier part (18), wherein the first heating element carrier part (17) and the second heating element carrier part (18) have a vertical longitudinal extent (22) and wherein the second heating element carrier part (18) is displaceable in a horizontal direction (23) relative to the first heating element carrier part (17) and / or the first heating element carrier part (17) and the second heating element carrier part (18) are displaceable relative to the base assembly (13).

13. Heating station (12) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that a drip tray (26) is arranged below the heating element carrier (14), which serves to collect melt (2) that drips from the lance (7).

14. Heating station (12) according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the heating element (15) is designed in the form of an infrared radiator.

15. Heating station (12) according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the heating element (15) comprises a heating coil which is surrounded by an outer quartz jacket.

16. Heating station (12) according to one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that on the side of the heating element (15) facing away from the lance holder (16), a reflection element (27) is arranged between the heating element carrier (14) and the heating element (15).

17. Heating station (12) according to one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that the heating element (15) has a power between 10 W / cm and 70 W / cm, in particular between 30 W / cm and 65 W / cm, preferably between 45 W / cm and 55 W / cm.

Images