Casting equipment, casting method using the same, and manufacturing method of castings

Abstract

To provide a casting tool which is used for a casting method in which a straw mat is arranged at a ladle port of a ladle and molten metal pouring is executed from the ladle port while damming up impurities with the straw mat, and can easily and suitably execute the setting and holding of the straw mat.SOLUTION: A casting tool comprises a straw mat holding body 2 having a biforked rod-shaped part 3 which is biforked in a horizontal direction at a tip side and supported slidably in a horizontal direction by a support body 1, and a holding member 4 for holding a straw mat held to the biforked rod-shaped part 3 of the straw mat holding body 2 from above which is supported to the support body 1 via a support rod 5. The biforked rod-shaped part 3 is inserted into a cylinder or a bag of a cylindrical or bag-shaped straw mat so that the straw mat is suspendedly held to the biforked rod-shaped part 3 in such a manner that the width direction center part of the straw mat is sagged by the biforked rod-shaped part 3 and the sagged width direction center part of the straw mat is held from above by the holding member 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a casting tool used when pouring molten metal into a mold in order to produce casting products with fewer impurities, a casting method using the same, and a method for producing castings. [Background technology]

[0002] When producing castings from molten steel, the ladle holding the molten steel is tilted and the molten steel is poured into a mold. Impurities such as slag and slag float on the surface of the molten steel held in the ladle, and it is necessary to prevent the impurities from mixing into the mold when pouring the molten steel. For this reason, a straw mat has been placed at the ladle opening to prevent the impurities floating on the surface of the molten steel from flowing out of the ladle opening, and the molten steel is poured while the straw mat is used to hold back the impurities. The reason why straw mats are used to block impurities in this way is that (i) because of their low specific gravity, they function as a dam while floating on the molten steel at the mouth of the ladle, so they can block only the impurities without interfering with the pouring of the molten steel, (ii) the straw mat burns when it comes into contact with the molten steel, but it takes at least 30 minutes to burn out, so it can function as a dam for the entire pouring time (generally about 15 minutes), and (iii) even if any unburned straw mats get mixed into the mold, they will float to the surface of the molten steel bath in the mold and will be burned by the heat of the molten steel, so they will not adversely affect the quality of the product.

[0003] When pouring molten steel into a ladle while placing a straw mat over the ladle's mouth to keep out impurities, the first step is to set (position) the straw mat over the ladle's mouth by hand or with a tool. Then, the straw mat is pressed down on the ladle's mouth with a long rod-shaped tool or similar to hold it down while pouring. In contrast to this method of pouring molten steel while blocking impurities with a straw mat, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose techniques for preventing impurities from entering the mold by making improvements to the ladle itself. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-311385 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2006-326646 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2 have the problem that the ladle needs to be extensively remodeled, which leads to a significant increase in costs. In addition, the passage of the molten steel is narrowed to prevent the inclusion of impurities, which makes it difficult to repair the refractory inside the ladle after pouring. On the other hand, in the above-mentioned method of pouring molten steel while using a straw mat to hold back impurities, it is necessary to carry out the steps of setting the straw mat at the ladle opening and then holding the straw mat down while pouring. However, during these steps, the straw mat may not be set properly at the ladle opening, it may take a long time to set, and even if it is set properly, it may fall off between the two steps. When such problems occur, not only does the efficiency of the pouring process decrease, but the temperature of the molten steel in the ladle drops, causing problems in casting the molten steel.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a casting tool for placing a straw mat over the mouth of a ladle and pouring molten metal from the mouth while using the straw mat to hold back impurities, which can smoothly and efficiently carry out the operations of setting the straw mat over the mouth of the ladle and holding the straw mat set over the mouth while pouring molten metal in a single series of operations, and which can prevent the straw mat from falling off during or between these operations. Another object of the present invention is to provide a casting method and a method for manufacturing castings that can efficiently carry out the pouring operation using such a casting tool. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The gist of the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows. [1] A support (1), A mat holder (2) having a bifurcated rod-shaped portion (3) bifurcated horizontally at the tip end and supported on the support (1) so as to be slidable horizontally; The member is for pressing down the straw held by the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the straw holder (2) from above, and is provided with a pressing member (4) supported by the support body (1) via a support rod (5); A casting tool characterized in that a cylindrical or bag-shaped straw mat is suspended from the bifurcated rod portion (3) so that the widthwise center portion of the straw mat hangs down by inserting a bifurcated rod portion (3) into the tube or bag of the straw mat, and a pressing member (4) is configured to press down the hanging widthwise center portion of the straw mat from above. [2] In the casting tool according to the above item [1], the pressing member (4) is supported by the support (1) by fixing a base end of the support rod (5) to the support (1); This casting tool is characterized in that the elastic force generated by bending the support rod (5) in the longitudinal direction presses the pressing member (4) against the upper surface of the widthwise center of the mat that is suspended and held by the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the mat holder (2).

[0008] [3] In the casting tool of the above [1], the pressing member (4) is supported by the support (1) so as to be vertically rotatable by the support (1) as a base end of the support rod (5) is pivoted to the support (1), and the support rod (5) is configured to rotate vertically by the driving force of the driving means (6); A casting tool characterized in that the pressing member (4) is pressed against the upper surface of the widthwise center of the mat that is suspended and held by the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the mat holder (2) by the driving force of the driving means (6) that rotates the support rod (5) up and down. [4] In the casting tool of the above [1], the pressing member (4) is supported by the support (1) so as to be vertically rotatable by the support (1) with the base end of the support rod (5) being pivotally supported by the support (1); A casting tool characterized in that the pressing member (4) is pressed against the upper surface of the center of the width of the mat that is suspended and held by the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the mat holder (2) due to the rotational moment caused by the weight of the pressing member (4) and the support rod (5).

[0009] [5] The casting tool according to any one of the above [1] to [4], further comprising a carriage (7) on which the support (1) is mounted in order to move the tool. [6] A casting tool according to any one of the above [1] to [5], characterized in that the height of the mat holder (2) and the pressing member (4) can be adjusted by extending or contracting the support (1). [7] The casting tool according to any one of the above [1] to [4], further comprising a robot arm (17) for holding the support body (1), and the position of the support body (1) can be adjusted by operating the robot arm (17). [8] In the casting tool according to any one of the above [1] to [7], the pressing member (4) has a protrusion (8) at its lower end that can be inserted into the straw mat.

[0010] [9] A casting method using any one of the casting tools [1] to [8] above, characterized in that the molten metal held in the ladle (B) is poured into the mold (C) in the following steps (i) to (iv). (i) A tubular or bag-shaped straw (x) is suspended and held on the forked rod portion (3) of a straw holder (2) provided in the casting tool (A). At this time, the forked rod portion (3) is inserted into the tube or bag of the straw (x) so that the straw is suspended and held on the forked rod portion (3) so that the center of the straw width direction hangs down, and the pressing member (4) presses down the hanging center of the straw width direction from above. (ii) By moving the casting tool (A), the straw (x) held by the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the straw holder (2) in the above (i) state is positioned above the ladle mouth (b) of the ladle (B). (iii) By sliding the straw holder (2) horizontally relative to the support (1), the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the straw holder (2) is pulled out from the cylindrical or bag-shaped straw (x), so that the straw (x) is placed on the mouth of the pot (b) in accordance with the shape of the mouth of the pot (b), and the pressing member (4) presses down on the center of the width of the straw from above. (iv) By tilting the ladle (B), the molten metal is poured from the ladle spout (b) into the mold (C) while impurities are held back by a strainer (x).

[10] In the casting method of [9] above, in the step (i), one or more sheets of straw (y) are stacked on top of a straw sheet (x) suspended from a bifurcated rod-shaped portion (3) so that the central portion of the straw sheet in the width direction hangs down, and a pressing member (4) presses down the central portion of the straw sheet in the width direction from above.

[0011]

[11] A method for producing a casting using any one of the casting tools [1] to [8] above, characterized in that the molten metal held in the ladle (B) is poured into a mold (C) in the following steps (i) to (iv). (i) A tubular or bag-shaped straw (x) is suspended and held on the forked rod portion (3) of a straw holder (2) provided in the casting tool (A). At this time, the forked rod portion (3) is inserted into the tube or bag of the straw (x) so that the straw is suspended and held on the forked rod portion (3) so that the center of the straw width direction hangs down, and the pressing member (4) presses down the hanging center of the straw width direction from above. (ii) By moving the casting tool (A), the straw (x) held by the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the straw holder (2) in the above (i) state is positioned above the ladle mouth (b) of the ladle (B). (iii) By sliding the straw holder (2) horizontally relative to the support (1), the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the straw holder (2) is pulled out from the cylindrical or bag-shaped straw (x), so that the straw (x) is placed on the mouth of the pot (b) in accordance with the shape of the mouth of the pot (b), and the pressing member (4) presses down on the center of the width of the straw from above. (iv) By tilting the ladle (B), the molten metal is poured from the ladle spout (b) into the mold (C) while impurities are held back by a strainer (x).

[12] A method for manufacturing a casting, characterized in that in the step (i) of the manufacturing method of the above

[11] , one or more sheets of straw (y) are stacked on top of a straw (x) suspended and held by a forked rod-shaped portion (3) so that the central portion of the straw hangs down, and a pressing member (4) presses down the central portion of the straw in the width direction from above. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The casting tool of the present invention, when used to place a straw mat over the mouth of a ladle and pour molten metal from the mouth while using the straw to hold back impurities, can be set over the mouth of the ladle while holding down the straw mat, and can keep the straw mat held down while pouring, so that the work of setting the straw mat over the mouth of the ladle and the work of holding down the straw mat set over the mouth while pouring can be carried out smoothly and efficiently in a single operation, and the straw mat can be prevented from falling off during or between these operations. Also, the safety of the worker can be ensured because the worker can operate the tool while maintaining a distance from the ladle. Furthermore, according to the casting method and the method for producing a casting of the present invention using such casting equipment, the casting operation can be carried out efficiently without introducing impurities into the mold. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a casting tool of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the casting tool of the embodiment of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the casting tool of the embodiment of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the casting tool of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 in a state where the casting tool holds a mat; [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the casting tool of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 in a state where the casting tool holds a mat; [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the casting tool of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 in a state where the casting tool holds a mat; [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a straw mat held by the casting tool of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 is placed on the ladle mouth of a ladle, with a part of the casting tool in section (a front view of the ladle from the ladle mouth side). [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which the straw held by the casting tool of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 is placed on the ladle mouth of a ladle, and then the forked rod-shaped portion of the straw holder constituting the casting tool is pulled out from the straw. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view diagrammatically illustrating the state of FIG. 8; [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the state of FIG. 8 with a part of the casting tool cut away (front view of the ladle from the ladle mouth side). [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which molten steel is poured from the ladle opening into a mold while a strainer arranged at the ladle opening is being pressed down by a pressing member constituting the casting tool of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3; [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the casting tool of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the casting tool of the embodiment of FIG. 12 in a state where the casting tool holds a mat. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the casting tool of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a side view showing the casting tool of the embodiment of FIG. 14 in a state where the casting tool holds a mat. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the casting tool of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the casting tool of the present invention. [Figure 18] 18A and 18B are schematic views showing another embodiment of the casting tool of the present invention, in which FIG. 18A is a side view and FIG. 18B is a rear view. [Figure 19] 19A and 19B are schematic diagrams showing another embodiment of a pressing member and its supporting rod constituting the casting tool of the present invention, in which FIG. 19A is a front view and FIG. 19B is a side view. [Figure 20] An explanatory diagram showing a cylindrical mat and a bag-shaped mat used in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The casting tool of the present invention is a tool used when pouring molten metal such as molten steel (hereinafter, the explanation will be given using the example where the molten metal is "molten steel") from ladle B into mold C, to set (place) a straw mat x on the spout b of ladle B to block impurities (slag, slag, etc.) floating on the surface of the molten steel bath, and to hold the straw mat x in place at the spout b during pouring. 1 to 3 are schematic diagrams showing one embodiment of a casting tool of the present invention, with FIG. 1 being a plan view, FIG. 2 being a side view, and FIG. 3 being a front view. This casting tool comprises a support 1, a mat holder 2 supported on the support 1 so as to be horizontally slidable, a pressing member 4 supported on the support 1 via a support rod 5, and a cart 7 on which the support 1 is mounted to move the tool. These components of the tool are usually made of metal.

[0015] The support 1 is constituted by a columnar member (support column) and is placed at the work site via a pedestal portion 9, but in this embodiment, it is mounted on a dolly 7 in order to move the tool. The straw mat holder 2 has a main body 10 formed of a substantially horizontal rod-shaped member, and a bifurcated rod-shaped portion 3 at the tip end, which is bifurcated in the horizontal direction. In other words, the bifurcated rod-shaped portion 3 is formed of a pair of rod-shaped portions 30 which are parallel to each other in the horizontal direction. The reed holder 2 is supported on the support 1 so as to be horizontally slidable by inserting its main body 10 into a horizontal guide hole 11 that penetrates the support 1. The casting tool can be equipped with a fixing means that can detachably fix the reed holder 2 to the support 1 at any or a predetermined sliding position. An example of this fixing means is a means that is attached to the support 1 and fastens a bolt to press the reed holder 2 (main body 10) against the inner surface of the guide hole 11 and fix it to the support 1. The straw mat holder 2 is adapted to suspend and hold the straw mat x by inserting (inserting) its forked rod-like portion 3 into the tube or bag of the straw mat x, which is tubular or bag-shaped.

[0016] The pressing member 4 is a plate-like member for pressing from above the straw x held by the forked rod-like portion 3 of the straw holder 2. The pressing member 4 is disposed below the forked rod-like portion 3 (the below the forked rod-like portion 3 when the straw holder 2 has slid to a position for holding the straw x) and in the center between the rod-like portions 30, with the plate surface aligned along the instrument width direction, and in this state is supported by the support 1 via a substantially horizontal support rod 5. Therefore, this casting tool is configured so that by inserting (plunging) the two-pronged rod-like portion 3 of the straw holder 2 into the straw's tube or bag, the straw is suspended and held by the two-pronged rod-like portion 3 so that the center portion in the straw's width direction hangs down, and the holding member 4 holds down (holds down) the hanging center portion in the straw's width direction from above. Note that the holding member 4 holding down the straw x suspended and held by the straw holder 2 from above in this manner will be described later with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

[0017] There are various possible configurations for the pressing member 4 to press (hold down) the wicker cloth x from above, but in this embodiment, the support rod 5 is bent in the longitudinal direction, and the elastic force (restoring force) of the bending imparts the pressing member 4 with a force to press down the wicker cloth x. That is, the pressing member 4 is supported by the support body 1 by fixing the base end of the support rod 5 to the support body 1, and the elastic force (restoring force) generated by bending the support rod 5 in the longitudinal direction presses the pressing member 4 against the upper surface of the widthwise center of the wicker cloth x suspended and held by the forked rod-shaped part 3 of the wicker holder 2, thereby pressing down (holding down) the wicker cloth x from above. Similarly, the elastic force (restoring force) generated by bending the support rod 5 in the longitudinal direction causes the pressing member 4 to press down (hold down) the wicker cloth x arranged on the mouth b of the ladle B from above.

[0018] For this reason, the support rod 5 is configured so as to be able to generate a moderate amount of flexibility on the upward side in the longitudinal direction, with one end (tip end) connected and fixed to the upper part of the back surface of the pressing member 4, and the other end (base end) connected and fixed to the side of the support body 1. As described above, in this embodiment, it is necessary to bend the support rod 5 upward in the longitudinal direction, and the degree of bending of the support rod 5 changes in accordance with the change in height of the strainer x that accompanies the change in height of the pot mouth b when pouring. Therefore, the second moment of area, length, thickness, etc. of the support rod 5 are appropriately selected so as to produce an appropriate bending in the longitudinal direction. In addition, in order to allow the pressing member 4 to press the straw mat x from above as described above by the elastic force (restoring force) generated by bending the support rod 5 in the longitudinal direction, the height of the pressing member 4 relative to the forked rod-shaped portion 3 is appropriately selected so that the support rod 5 bends in the longitudinal direction as described above.

[0019] The cart 7 preferably has a brake means (not shown) for stopping the cart during operation. The cart 7 in this embodiment is a cart with casters, but it may be a cart that runs on a track such as a rail. In addition, since the casting tool of the present invention only needs to be movable, the base part 9 may be made to slide on the base surface of the work site without a cart or the like. There are no particular limitations on the size and dimensions of each component of the casting tool of the present invention, and they may be appropriately determined depending on the size of the applied ladle B and ladle mouth b, the size of the sieve x to be used, etc., but examples of the size and dimensions include the following: That is, the length L1 (see FIG. 1) of the bifurcated rod-shaped portion 3 of the sieve holder 2 is set to about L×1.5 to L×0.4 relative to the length L (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 18) of the sieve x to be used. The spacing L2 (see FIG. 1) between the pair of rod-shaped portions 30 constituting the bifurcated rod-shaped portion 3 is set to about w×0.8 to w×0.3 relative to the width w (see FIG. 18) of the sieve x to be used. Furthermore, the distance L3 (see FIG. 1) between the tip of the forked rod-shaped portion 3 (the forked rod-shaped portion 3 when the reed strip holder 2 has slid to a position for holding the reed strip x) in the longitudinal direction of the reed strip holder and the pressing member 4 is set to about L×0.1 to L×0.9 with respect to the length L (see FIGS. 4 and 18) of the reed strip x to be used. Furthermore, the width w1 (see FIG. 1) of the pressing member 4 is set to about L2×0.1 to L2×0.7 with respect to the interval L2 between the pair of rod-shaped portions 30.

[0020] Next, the state in which the straw x is held by the casting tool (the straw holder 2) of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 3 and the method of attaching the straw to the casting tool (the straw holder 2) will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figures 4 to 6 are schematic diagrams showing the casting tool of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 3 in a state in which the straw is held, with Figure 4 being a plan view, Figure 5 being a side view, and Figure 6 being a front view. A straw mat is a woven fabric made from rice straw or rush, and is usually made from rice straw. The straw mat x used in this invention is cylindrical or bag-shaped. Figure 20 shows the straw mat x used in this invention, with Figure 20(a) showing a cylindrical straw mat and Figure 20(b) showing a bag-shaped straw mat. In both Figures 20(a) and 20(b), the upper figures are plan views and the lower figures are perspective views. The cylindrical straw mat in Figure 20(a) is made by sewing together parts of a flat straw mat to form a cylindrical shape. It is recommended to use a so-called kamasu straw for the bag-shaped straw mat in Figure 20(b). Like the size of each component of the casting equipment of the present invention, the size of the strainer x is not particularly limited and may be determined appropriately depending on the size of the ladle B and ladle mouth b to be applied, the size of each component of the equipment, etc., but an example of a size that can be exemplified is a width w of approximately 700 to 1000 mm and a length L of approximately 600 to 900 mm.

[0021] When a tubular or bag-shaped wicker x is suspended and held by the wicker holder 2, the forked rod-shaped portion 3 is inserted into the tube or bag of the wicker x, so that the wicker is suspended and held by the forked rod-shaped portion 3 so that the central portion in the width direction hangs down. At this time, the pressing member 4 is lifted upward by hand to bend the support rod 5 upward, and in this state, the forked rod-shaped portion 3 is inserted into the tube or bag of the wicker x so that the pressing member 4 is positioned above the wicker x. At this time, the forked rod-shaped portion 3 does not need to be inserted over the entire length of the wicker x, but in order to prevent the wicker x from falling off the forked rod-shaped portion 3, it is preferable that the forked rod-shaped portion 3 is inserted over a length that is at least more than 1 / 2 of the length L of the wicker x (see FIG. 4). Furthermore, since it is preferable for the holding member 4 to hold the straw mat x as close as possible to the center of the straw mat's length, it is preferable for it to be located within a range of straw mat length L x 0.2 from the center of the straw mat in the length direction of the held straw mat x (i.e., to hold the straw mat x at a position within that range) (see Figure 4).

[0022] As described above, the forked rod-shaped portion 3 is inserted into the tube or bag of the wicker mat x, and the wicker mat x is hung from the forked rod-shaped portion 3 so that the center of the wicker mat width hangs down, so that the pressing member 4 is positioned above the center of the wicker mat width. Now, by releasing the pressing member 4 that was being held up by hand, the elastic force of the bending support rod 5 (the restoring force of bending) causes the pressing member 4 to press down from above (press down) the center of the wicker mat width hanging down from the forked rod-shaped portion 3. This completes the attachment of the wicker mat to the casting tool, and the wicker mat is held by the casting tool (wicker mat holder 2).

[0023] The pressing member 4 can be configured to press down (hold down) the straw mat x from above using a mechanism different from that of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 6. Figures 12 and 13, and Figures 14 and 15 each show an embodiment of a casting tool equipped with such a pressing member 4. FIG. 12 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a casting tool of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of the casting tool of the embodiment of FIG. 12 in a state where a straw mat is being held. In this embodiment, the pressing member 4 is supported by the support body 1 so as to be rotatable up and down by the base end of the support rod 5 which is pivotally supported by the support body 1, and the support rod 5 is configured to rotate up and down by the driving force of the driving means 6. The pressing member 4 is pressed against the upper surface of the center part in the width direction of the straw mat x which is suspended and held by the forked rod part 3 of the straw mat holder 2 by the driving force of the driving means 6. Here, examples of the driving source for the driving means 6 include a linear actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder, a rotary actuator, a motor, etc., and the support rod 5 is rotated up and down by the driving means 6 by using an appropriate power transmission mechanism as necessary.

[0024] FIG. 14 is a side view showing another embodiment of the casting tool of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a side view showing the casting tool of the embodiment of FIG. 14 in a state where it is holding a straw mat. In this embodiment, the pressing member 4 is supported by the support body 1 so as to be able to rotate up and down by the base end of the support rod 5 being pivotally supported by the support body 1 at 12. The pressing member 4 is pressed against the upper surface of the widthwise center of the straw mat x that is suspended and held by the forked rod-shaped portion 3 of the straw mat holder 2 by the rotation moment due to the weight of the pressing member 4 and the support rod 5.

[0025] FIG. 16 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the casting tool of the present invention, in which the height of the straw mat holder 2 and the pressing member 4 can be adjusted to correspond to the height of the ladle mouth b of the ladle B. In this embodiment, the height of the mat holder 2 and the pressing member 4 can be adjusted by extending and contracting the support 1. Specifically, the support 1 is composed of a lower member 13a and an upper member 13b that can be raised and lowered relative to the lower member 13a, and the mat holder 2 is slidably held by the upper member 13b, and the pressing member 4 is held via a support rod 5. The upper member 13b may be slid manually up and down relative to the lower member 13a, for example, and detachably fixed at any height position by an appropriate fixing means, or it may be slid up and down relative to the lower member 13a by an appropriate driving means and held at any height position.

[0026] Figures 17 and 18 are side views each showing a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the casting equipment of the present invention, in which the support 1 (and the mat holder 2 and clamping member 4 supported by it) can be moved forward and backward relative to the ladle B instead of a cart, and the height of the support 1 (and the mat holder 2 and clamping member 4 supported by it) can be adjusted to correspond to the height of the mouth b of the ladle B, etc. In order to do so, the support 1 is held by a robot arm 17 (preferably a robot arm 17 having three or more degrees of freedom), and the position of the support 1 can be adjusted by operating this robot arm 17. 17, the support body 1 is held by a robot arm 17 of a general-purpose six-axis articulated robot, and the robot arm 17 holds the support body 1 (and the mat holder 2 and pressing member 4 supported thereby) by connecting a tip portion 170 of the robot arm 17 to the upper end of the support body 1. Naturally, the members (arm portions) of each axis constituting the robot arm 17 are driven by a driving mechanism.

[0027] In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the support 1 is held by a robot arm 17 of a three-axis orthogonal robot. The robot arm 17 of this embodiment includes a first slider 18 that moves on a rail 21 provided along the width direction of the instrument, a second slider 19 that moves on a rail 22 provided along the up-down direction of the first slider 18, and a cylinder device 20 (such as a hydraulic cylinder) in which a cylinder body 201 is fixed to the second slider 19 and an operating rod 200 advances and retreats along the longitudinal direction of the mat holder 2. The robot arm 17 holds the support 1 (and the mat holder 2 and the pressing member 4 supported thereon) by connecting the tip of the operating rod 200, which is the tip 170 of the robot arm 17, to the side of the support 1. The first slider 18 and the second slider 19 are slidably driven by a known driving mechanism. As in the embodiment of Figures 17 and 18, the support body 1 (and the mat holder 2 and holding member 4 supported by it) is held by the robot arm 17, and by operating the robot arm 17, the support body 1 (and the mat holder 2 and holding member 4 supported by it) can be moved forward and backward relative to the ladle B, and the height of the support body 1 (and the mat holder 2 and holding member 4 supported by it) can be adjusted to accommodate the height of the ladle mouth b of the ladle B, etc. The robot arm 17 performs a predetermined operation according to the operation of an operator or a pre-programmed operating procedure, and adjusts the position of the support body 1 (and the mat holder 2 and pressing member 4 supported thereby) as described above.

[0028] FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of the pressing member 4, where FIG. 19(A) is a front view and FIG. 19(B) is a side view. The pressing member 4 has a protrusion 8 at its lower end that can bite into the mat x so that it can stably hold the mat x from above. In this embodiment, a sawtooth-shaped protrusion 8 is provided along the lower end of the pressing member 4. In addition, in order to adjust the pressure when pressing down the straw mat x from above, the pressing member 4 is designed so that the connecting position of the support rod 5 can be adjusted in the height direction to change the degree of bending of the support rod 5. A vertically long mounting hole 14 for mounting the support rod is provided through the pressing member 4, while a screw portion 15 is provided at the tip of the support rod 5 connected to the pressing member 4. The tip of the support rod 5 is inserted into the mounting hole 14, and a pair of nuts 16 are attached to the screw portion 15 so as to sandwich the pressing member 4. The pair of nuts 16 are fastened to the pressing member 4 so as to sandwich the pressing member 4, thereby connecting and fixing the support rod 5 to the pressing member 4. The connecting position of the support rod 5 to the pressing member 4 can be adjusted in the height direction by selecting the insertion position of the tip of the support rod 5 relative to the vertically long mounting hole 14.

[0029] Next, one embodiment of a casting method (or a method for manufacturing a casting mold) using the casting tool A of the present invention described above will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 11. Below, a case where the tool of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 6 is used will be described, but the same applies to the cases where the tools of the other embodiments are used. Here, Fig. 7 is a schematic drawing (front view of the ladle from the ladle mouth side) showing a state where the sieve held by the casting tool of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3 is placed on the ladle mouth, with a part of the casting tool in section. Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a state where the sieve held by the casting tool of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3 is placed on the ladle mouth, and then the forked rod-shaped part of the sieve holder constituting the casting tool is pulled out from the sieve. Fig. 9 is a schematic side view showing the state of Fig. 8, and Fig. 10 is a schematic drawing (front view of the ladle from the ladle mouth side) showing the state of Fig. 8, with a part of the casting tool in section. Fig. 11 is an explanatory view showing a state where molten steel is poured from the ladle mouth into a mold while the sieve placed on the ladle mouth is held down by a holding member constituting the casting tool of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3. In addition, in Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 to Fig. 11, molten steel and impurities are shown in ladle B for ease of understanding. In centrifugal casting of molten steel, alloys and iron scrap are melted in a melting furnace and the composition is adjusted. During this process, any impurities (slag, slag, etc.) that arise are removed, and when the molten steel from the melting furnace is transferred to the ladle, any impurities that rise to the surface of the bath are also removed. The ladle is then transported by crane to the centrifugal casting machine, where the molten steel is poured. During this process, impurities that could not be completely removed and newly rising impurities are floating on the surface of the molten steel bath in the ladle.

[0030] In this casting method, using the casting tool A of the present invention, molten steel held in a ladle B is poured into a mold C in the following steps (i) to (iv), and the molten steel is poured (a casting is produced) while preventing impurities from being mixed into the mold C. (i) The casting tool A is placed at a position some distance away from the ladle B, and the heights of the straw holder 2 and the pressing member 4 are adjusted as necessary (for example, in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 16). Then, a cylindrical or bag-shaped straw x is suspended and held by the forked rod-like portion 3 of the straw holder 2 of the casting tool A, as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6. At this time, the forked rod-like portion 3 is inserted into the tube or bag of the straw x, so that the straw is suspended and held by the forked rod-like portion 3 so that the central portion of the straw in the width direction hangs down, and the pressing member 4 is placed in a state of pressing down (pressing) the hanging central portion of the straw from above. In other words, the pressing member 4 is placed in a state of pressing down the hanging central portion of the straw from above by the elastic force (the restoring force of the bending) of the bending support rod 5. The work content at this time and the preferable holding conditions of the straw are as described above. (ii) Next, the casting tool A is moved by the cart 7, and the straw x held by the forked rod-shaped portion 3 of the straw holder 2 in the above (i) state is positioned above the ladle mouth b of the ladle B as shown in Figure 7.

[0031] (iii) Next, as shown in Figures 8 to 10, the wicker holder 2 is slid horizontally relative to the support 1 (retracted relative to the ladle B), thereby pulling out (pulling out) the forked rod-shaped portion 3 of the wicker holder 2 from the tubular or bag-shaped wicker x. As a result, the wicker x is placed on the mouth of the pot b according to the shape of the mouth of the pot, and the elastic force of the bent support rod 5 (the restoring force of the bend) causes the pressing member 4 to press down on the center of the width of the wicker from above (pressing state). As a result, the wicker x is set on the mouth of the pot b, and is held down from above by the pressing member 4. (iv) After that, as shown in Figure 11, ladle B is tilted, and molten steel is poured from ladle spout b into mold C while impurities are held back by mesh x, and pouring is performed. During this pouring, mesh x floats in the molten steel at ladle spout b and is held down from above by presser member 4, so it functions as a dam for impurities. In other words, mesh x holds back only the impurities without interfering with the pouring of molten steel, and prevents the impurities from entering mold C. Incidentally, the height position of the pressing member 4 may be adjusted as necessary in accordance with the change in height of the ladle mouth b accompanying the tilting of the ladle B (for example, in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 16). After the pouring is completed, the pressing member 4 is lifted to release the lattice x (unburned lattice x), leaving the lattice x together with impurities in the ladle B, and the casting tool A is retreated.

[0032] In the casting method (or mold manufacturing method) described above, by using the casting tool A of the present invention, the rattan cloth x can be set on the opening b of the ladle B while being held down with the tool, and the rattan cloth x can be held down while pouring. Therefore, the work of setting the rattan cloth x on the opening b of the ladle B and the work of holding down the rattan cloth x set on the opening b while pouring can be carried out smoothly and efficiently through a series of operations, and the rattan cloth x can be appropriately prevented from falling off during or between these operations. Furthermore, since the worker can carry out the series of steps (ii) to (iv) above while maintaining a distance from ladle B, the safety of the worker can be ensured.

[0033] 12 and 13 is used as the casting tool A, in the above step (i), the driving force of the driving means 6 which rotates the support rod 5 up and down presses the pressing member 4 against the upper surface of the widthwise center of the reed mat x which is suspended and held by the forked rod-shaped portion 3 of the reed mat holder 2. In the above step (iii), the driving force of the driving means 6 which rotates the support rod 5 up and down presses the pressing member 4 against the widthwise center of the reed mat from above. 14 and 15 is used as the casting tool A, in the above step (i), the rotational moment due to the weight of the pressing member 4 and the support rod 5 presses the pressing member 4 against the upper surface of the widthwise center of the reed sheet x suspended and held by the forked rod-shaped portion 3 of the reed sheet holder 2. In the above step (iii), the rotational moment due to the weight of the pressing member 4 and the support rod 5 presses the pressing member 4 against the widthwise center of the reed sheet from above. Furthermore, when the embodiment of Figures 17 or 18 is used as the casting tool A, the robot arm 17 can be operated to move the support body 1 (and the mat holder 2 and clamping member 4 supported by it) forward and backward relative to the ladle B instead of the cart 7, and the height of the support body 1 (and the mat holder 2 and clamping member 4 supported by it) can be adjusted to accommodate the height of the ladle mouth b of the ladle B, etc.

[0034] Furthermore, if there is concern that the wicker x may burn out due to contact with the molten steel while the molten steel is being poured, one or more additional wicker sheets y may be placed on top of the wicker x suspended and held by the wicker holder 2. In this case, in the above step (i), one or more additional wicker sheets y are placed on top of the wicker x suspended and held by the forked rod-shaped portion 3 so that the center of the wicker width hangs down, and the pressing member 4 presses down the center of the wicker width from above. Since the wicker sheet y does not come into contact with the molten steel at first, it may be wetted with water to make it last longer. The casting tool and the casting method using the same (or the method for manufacturing a casting mold) of the present invention can be applied not only to the casting of molten steel, but also to the casting of various molten metals. Furthermore, there is no particular limitation on the type of casting or object to which the casting method (or mold manufacturing method) of the present invention is applied. For example, centrifugal casting of a roll body for a rolling mill roll is an example, but is not limited thereto. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Support 2 Mushiro holding body 3 Bifurcated rod-shaped part 4 Holding member 5 Support rod 6. Driving Means 7 Trolley 8 protrusions 9 Pedestal 10 Main body 11 Guide hole 12 Cardinal Branch 13a Lower member 13b Upper member 14 Mounting hole 15 Screw part 16 Nut 17 Robot Arm 18 First Slider 19 Second Slider 20 Cylinder device 21,22 Rail 30 Rod-shaped part 170 Robot arm tip 200 Working Rod 201 Cylinder body A Casting equipment B Ladle C mold b Pot mouth x,y straw mat

Claims

1. A support (1), A straw mat holder (2) having a bifurcated rod-shaped portion (3) bifurcated horizontally at the tip end and supported on the support (1) so as to be horizontally slidable; The member is for pressing down the straw held by the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the straw holder (2) from above, and is provided with a pressing member (4) supported by the support body (1) via a support rod (5); This casting tool is characterized in that a cylindrical or bag-shaped straw mat is suspended from the bifurcated rod portion (3) so that the widthwise center portion of the straw mat hangs down by inserting a bifurcated rod portion (3) into the tube or bag of the straw mat, and a pressing member (4) is configured to press down the hanging widthwise center portion of the straw mat from above.

2. The pressing member (4) is supported by the support (1) by fixing the base end of the support rod (5) to the support (1); A casting apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that the pressing member (4) is pressed against the upper surface of the widthwise center of the mat that is suspended and held by the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the mat holder (2) by the elastic force generated by bending the support rod (5) in the longitudinal direction.

3. The pressing member (4) is supported by the support (1) so as to be vertically rotatable by the support (1) as a base end of the support rod (5) is pivoted to the support (1), and the support rod (5) is configured to rotate vertically by the driving force of the driving means (6); A casting apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that the pressing member (4) is pressed against the upper surface of the widthwise center of the mat that is suspended and held by the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the mat holder (2) by the driving force of a driving means (6) that rotates the support rod (5) up and down.

4. The pressing member (4) is supported by the support (1) so as to be vertically rotatable thereon by the support rod (5) having a base end pivotally supported by the support (1). A casting apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that the pressing member (4) is pressed against the upper surface of the widthwise center of the sieve held by hanging from the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the sieve holder (2) due to the rotational moment caused by the weight of the pressing member (4) and the support rod (5).

5. A casting tool according to claim 1, further comprising a carriage (7) on which the support (1) is mounted for moving the tool.

6. 2. A casting tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the mat holder (2) and the pressing member (4) can be adjusted by extending or contracting the support (1).

7. The casting tool according to claim 1, further comprising a robot arm (17) for holding the support (1), and the position of the support (1) can be adjusted by operating the robot arm (17).

8. 2. A casting tool according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member (4) has a protrusion (8) at a lower end thereof which can be inserted into the matting.

9. A casting method using the casting tool (A) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the molten metal held in the ladle (B) is poured into the mold (C) in the following order of (i) to (iv). (i) A tubular or bag-shaped straw (x) is suspended and held on the forked rod portion (3) of a straw holder (2) provided in a casting tool (A). At this time, the forked rod portion (3) is inserted into the tube or bag of the straw (x) so that the straw is suspended and held on the forked rod portion (3) so that the center of the straw width direction hangs down, and the pressing member (4) presses down the hanging center of the straw width direction from above. (ii) By moving the casting tool (A), the straw (x) held by the forked rod portion (3) of the straw holder (2) in the above (i) state is positioned above the ladle mouth (b) of the ladle (B). (iii) By sliding the straw holder (2) horizontally relative to the support (1), the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the straw holder (2) is pulled out from the cylindrical or bag-shaped straw (x), so that the straw (x) is placed on the pot mouth (b) according to the shape of the pot mouth (b), and the pressing member (4) presses down on the center of the straw width from above. (iv) By tilting the ladle (B), the molten metal is poured from the ladle spout (b) into the mold (C) while impurities are held back by a strainer (x).

10. The casting method according to claim 9, characterized in that in step (i), one or more sheets of another matting material (y) are stacked on top of a matting material (x) suspended and held by a bifurcated rod-shaped portion (3) so that the central portion of the matting material in the width direction hangs down, and a pressing member (4) presses down the central portion of the matting material in the width direction from above.

11. A method for producing a casting using the casting tool (A) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a molten metal held in a ladle (B) is poured into a mold (C) in the following order of (i) to (iv). (i) A tubular or bag-shaped straw (x) is suspended and held on the forked rod portion (3) of a straw holder (2) provided in a casting tool (A). At this time, the forked rod portion (3) is inserted into the tube or bag of the straw (x) so that the straw is suspended and held on the forked rod portion (3) so that the center of the straw width direction hangs down, and the pressing member (4) presses down the hanging center of the straw width direction from above. (ii) By moving the casting tool (A), the straw (x) held by the forked rod portion (3) of the straw holder (2) in the above (i) state is positioned above the ladle mouth (b) of the ladle (B). (iii) By sliding the straw holder (2) horizontally relative to the support (1), the forked rod-shaped portion (3) of the straw holder (2) is pulled out from the cylindrical or bag-shaped straw (x), so that the straw (x) is placed on the pot mouth (b) according to the shape of the pot mouth (b), and the pressing member (4) presses down on the center of the straw width from above. (iv) By tilting the ladle (B), the molten metal is poured from the ladle spout (b) into the mold (C) while impurities are held back by a strainer (x).

12. The method for manufacturing a casting as described in claim 11, characterized in that in step (i), one or more sheets of straw (y) are stacked on top of a straw (x) suspended and held by a forked rod-shaped portion (3) so that the central portion of the straw hangs down, and a pressing member (4) presses down the central portion of the straw in the width direction from above.

Images