Molten metal supply mechanism for casting machine and melt supply method for casting machine

Abstract

To realize correct feeding of melt by enhancing the accuracy of melt level.SOLUTION: A mechanism for feeding melt for a caster 10 comprises a ladle 11 that reserves melt 25 and posture the melt into a melt-feed port of a caster 51, a robot arm 12 that controls the position and posture of the ladle 11, a melt supply unit 21 that posture melt 25 in the ladle 11, a level detecting sensor 31 that is allowed to detect a level of the melt 25 poured in the ladle 11 from the melt supply unit 21, and a melt-receiving can 41 that is placed immediately below the ladle 11 in pouring the melt 25 into the ladle 11 from the melt supply unit 21. By maintaining the posture of the ladle 11 in an inclined state by the robot arm 12 in pouring the melt 25 into the ladle 11 from the melt supply unit 21, the melt 25 poured into the ladle 11 is intentionally flooded to be spilled in the melt-receiving can 41, thereby holding the poured melt 25 reserved in the ladle 11 in a predetermined amount at all times.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine and a molten metal supply method for a casting machine. [Background technology]

[0002] When casting die-cast products using various casting machines such as die-casting machines, it is necessary to supply a predetermined amount of molten metal to the injection sleeve of the die-casting machine or the cavity of the mold using a ladle. A conventional, general method of supplying molten metal to a casting machine involves using a ladle to pump a predetermined amount of molten metal from a molten metal holding furnace to supply the molten metal to the casting machine. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below is a prior art document that discloses this type of conventional, general method of supplying molten metal to a casting machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6396052 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6613106 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 requires the molten metal holding furnace to be constantly operating to maintain the molten metal at a predetermined temperature, which poses a problem of increased energy consumption.

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology, a portable pressurizing pot is proposed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2. This portable pressurizing pot has a mechanism for maintaining the molten metal at a predetermined temperature by an electric heater and for discharging the molten metal by air pressure.

[0006] However, the portable pressurized pot disclosed in Patent Document 2 has problems with the accuracy of the amount of molten metal discharged by air pressure, and there is still room for improvement before it can be used in actual manufacturing sites.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the various problems present in the prior art described above, and its purpose is to reduce energy consumption loss by eliminating the need for a molten metal holding furnace, and to achieve accurate molten metal supply by increasing the accuracy of the amount of molten metal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention will be described below. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numbers in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated forms.

[0009] The molten metal supply mechanism (10) for a casting machine according to the present invention includes a ladle (11) that stores molten metal (25) and supplies the molten metal to a supply port of a casting machine (51), a robot arm (12) that controls the position and attitude of the ladle (11), a molten metal supply unit (21) that pours the molten metal (25) into the ladle (11), a molten metal level detection sensor (31) that can detect the level of the molten metal (25) poured from the molten metal supply unit (21) into the ladle (11), and a molten metal level detection sensor (31) that detects the level of the molten metal (25) poured from the molten metal supply unit (21) into the ladle (11). and a molten metal receiving can (41) arranged directly below the ladle (11), wherein when the molten metal (25) is poured from the molten metal supply section (21) into the ladle (11), the robot arm (12) holds the ladle (11) in an inclined position, thereby intentionally causing the molten metal (25) poured into the ladle (11) to overflow and spill into the molten metal receiving can (41), thereby maintaining a predetermined amount of the molten metal (25) stored in the ladle (11).

[0010] Another molten metal supply mechanism (100) for a casting machine according to the present invention includes a ladle (11) that stores molten metal (25) and supplies the molten metal to a molten metal supply port of a casting machine (51), a robot arm (12) that controls the position and attitude of the ladle (11), a molten metal supply unit (21) that pours the molten metal (25) into the ladle (11), a molten metal level detection sensor (31) that can detect the molten metal level of the molten metal (25) poured from the molten metal supply unit (21) into the ladle (11), and a molten metal receiving can (41) that is disposed directly below the ladle (11) when the molten metal (25) is poured from the molten metal supply unit (21) into the ladle (11), When pouring the molten metal (25) into the ladle (11) from the molten metal supply section (21), the robot arm (12) holds the ladle (11) in a horizontal position. After the molten metal (25) is poured from the molten metal supply section (21) into the horizontal ladle (11), the robot arm (12) tilts the ladle (11) to intentionally spill the molten metal (25) poured into the ladle (11) into the molten metal receiving can (41). After a predetermined time has elapsed, the robot arm (12) returns the ladle (11) to its horizontal position, thereby always maintaining a predetermined amount of molten metal (25) remaining in the ladle (11).

[0011] Furthermore, in the molten metal supply mechanism (10) for a casting machine according to the present invention, the molten metal supply section (21) includes at least one portable pressurizing pot, and the molten metal level detection sensor (31) is capable of transmitting a stop command signal to the portable pressurizing pot to stop pouring of the molten metal (25) into the ladle (11) when the molten metal level detection sensor (31) detects the level of the molten metal (25) in the ladle (11) immediately after the molten metal (25) poured into the ladle (11) starts to overflow and spill into the molten metal receiving can (41), and the portable pressurizing pot is capable of stopping pouring of the molten metal (25) into the ladle (11) when it receives the stop command signal from the molten metal level detection sensor (31).

[0012] In addition, the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present invention (10 )inTwo portable pressure pots can be provided for one set of ladle (11) and robot arm (12).

[0013] The method for supplying molten metal to a casting machine according to the present invention includes a ladle (11) for storing molten metal (25) and supplying the molten metal to a supply port of a casting machine (51), a robot arm (12) for controlling the position and attitude of the ladle (11), a molten metal supply unit (21) for pouring the molten metal (25) into the ladle (11), a molten metal level detection sensor (31) capable of detecting the level of the molten metal (25) poured from the molten metal supply unit (21) into the ladle (11), and a molten metal receiving can (41) disposed directly below the ladle (11) when the molten metal (25) is poured from the molten metal supply unit (21) into the ladle (11). and a method for supplying molten metal to a casting machine (51) by using a molten metal supply mechanism (10) for a casting machine comprising the above. When pouring molten metal (25) from the molten metal supply section (21) into the ladle (11), the robot arm (12) holds the ladle (11) in an inclined position, thereby intentionally causing the molten metal (25) poured into the ladle (11) to overflow and spill into the molten metal receiving can (41), thereby maintaining a predetermined amount of molten metal (25) stored in the ladle (11) at all times.

[0014] Another molten metal supply method for a casting machine according to the present invention is a casting method performed when supplying molten metal to a casting machine (51) by using a molten metal supply mechanism (100) for a casting machine, the casting method including: a ladle (11) that stores molten metal (25) and supplies the molten metal to a molten metal supply port of the casting machine (51); a robot arm (12) that controls the position and attitude of the ladle (11); a molten metal supply unit (21) that pours the molten metal (25) into the ladle (11); a molten metal level detection sensor (31) that can detect the molten metal level of the molten metal (25) poured from the molten metal supply unit (21) into the ladle (11); and a molten metal receiving can (41) that is placed directly below the ladle (11) when pouring the molten metal (25) from the molten metal supply unit (21) into the ladle (11). This is a method for supplying molten metal to a machine, characterized in that when pouring molten metal (25) from the molten metal supply section (21) into the ladle (11), the robot arm (12) holds the ladle (11) in a horizontal position, and after the molten metal (25) is poured from the molten metal supply section (21) into the horizontal ladle (11), the robot arm (12) tilts the ladle (11) to intentionally spill the molten metal (25) poured into the ladle (11) into the molten metal receiving can (41), and after a predetermined time has passed, the robot arm (12) returns the ladle (11) to its horizontal position, thereby always maintaining a predetermined amount of molten metal (25) remaining in the ladle (11). [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the loss of energy consumption can be reduced by eliminating the need for a molten metal holding furnace, and accurate supply of molten metal can be achieved by increasing the accuracy of the amount of molten metal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and in particular shows a state in which a ladle constituting the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine is positioned at a home position. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of a molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and in particular shows the state in which molten metal is being poured into a ladle that constitutes the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a side view of another molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to this embodiment, particularly showing the state in which the ladle constituting the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine is positioned at the home position. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by another molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by another molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 16]FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by another molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by another molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by another molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by another molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the inventions according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0018] First, a specific configuration of a molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figures 1 and 2 are side views of the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to this embodiment. In particular, Figure 1 shows a ladle constituting the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine positioned at a home position, and Figure 2 shows a state in which molten metal is being poured into the ladle constituting the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine. Figure 3 is a front view of the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to this embodiment, and Figure 4 is a plan view of the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to this embodiment.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the molten metal supply mechanism 10 for a casting machine in this embodiment is configured to include a ladle 11 that stores molten metal 25 and supplies it to the molten metal supply port of the casting machine 51, a robot arm 12 that controls the position and posture of the ladle 11, a molten metal supply unit 21 that pours the molten metal 25 into the ladle 11, a molten metal level detection sensor 31 that can detect the molten metal level of the molten metal 25 poured into the ladle 11 from the molten metal supply unit 21, and a molten metal receiving can 41 that is positioned directly below the ladle 11 when the molten metal 25 is poured into the ladle 11 from the molten metal supply unit 21.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the ladle 11 is a member capable of storing molten metal 25 such as an aluminum alloy. In the ladle 11 of this embodiment, the portion on the right side of the drawing in Fig. 2 serves as a molten metal overflow port for pouring the molten metal 25 from the molten metal supply part 21, while the portion on the left side of the drawing in Fig. 2 serves as a molten metal pouring port for supplying the molten metal to the molten metal supply port of the casting machine 51.

[0021] The robot arm 12 is capable of moving the ladle 11 to three positions indicated by the symbols (A), (B), and (C) in Figures 3 and 4. Furthermore, as is clear from a comparison of Figures 1 and 2, the robot arm 12 is configured to be able to change the inclination of the ladle 11. In other words, the robot arm 12 of this embodiment is capable of controlling the position and posture of the ladle 11 within a movable range that covers the three positions indicated by the symbols (A), (B), and (C) in Figures 3 and 4.

[0022] The molten metal supply unit 21 is configured as a portable pressurized pot and includes a mechanism for maintaining the molten metal at a predetermined temperature using an electric heater and discharging the molten metal using air pressure. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the molten metal supply unit 21 according to this embodiment includes two portable pressurized pots for one ladle 11 and robot arm 12. The reason why the casting machine molten metal supply mechanism 10 according to this embodiment includes two portable pressurized pots is that even if one portable pressurized pot runs out of molten metal 25, the other portable pressurized pot continues to supply molten metal 25. By replacing the portable pressurized pot filled with molten metal 25, the molten metal supply operation to the casting machine 51 can be continued without interruption. Thus, the casting machine molten metal supply mechanism 10 according to this embodiment includes two portable pressurized pots as the molten metal supply unit 21, thereby achieving a highly productive molten metal supply system.

[0023] The molten metal level detection sensor 31 is composed of three contact sensors, and these three contact sensors have lower end positions that differ from one another. In this embodiment, the lower end of the contact sensor located on the left side of the drawing in FIGS. 1 and 2 is located at the lowest position (closest to the ground), and the lower ends of the contact sensors are located at higher positions (farthest from the ground) as they progress from the central contact sensor to the right side of the drawing. The contact sensor located on the left side of the drawing in FIGS. 1 and 2, whose lower end is located at the lowest position, is the contact sensor that first comes into contact with the molten metal 25 when the molten metal 25 is poured into the ladle 11, as shown in FIG. 2, and serves as an earth. Next, the central contact sensor, whose lower end is located in the middle, is a contact sensor that detects the level of the molten metal 25 in the ladle 11 immediately after the molten metal 25 poured into the tilted ladle 11 begins to overflow and spill into the molten metal receiving can 41, as shown in FIG. 2. When this central contact sensor comes into contact with the molten metal 25 in the ladle 11, it can send a stop command signal to the portable pressure pot, which is the molten metal supply unit 21, to stop pouring the molten metal 25 into the ladle 11. The molten metal supply unit 21, which includes the portable pressure pot, is configured to stop pouring the molten metal 25 into the ladle 11 upon receiving the stop command signal from the molten metal level detection sensor 31. Finally, the contact sensor located on the right side of the drawing in FIGS. 1 and 2, with its lower end positioned at the highest position, is a contact sensor for detecting an abnormality. If this contact sensor located on the right side of the drawing detects the molten metal 25, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, and the operation of the casting machine molten metal supply mechanism 10 according to this embodiment is stopped.

[0024] 2, the molten metal receiving can 41 is a member used to recover and reuse the molten metal 25 that has spilled when the molten metal 25 poured into the ladle 11 overflows. The molten metal receiving can 41 of this embodiment can be moved using a forklift, an overhead crane, or the like (not shown), making it possible to recycle the molten metal 25 in a solidified state.

[0025] 1 to 4 , the specific configuration of the molten metal supply mechanism 10 for a casting machine according to this embodiment has been described above. However, a feature of the molten metal supply mechanism 10 for a casting machine according to this embodiment is that, as shown in FIG. 2 , when pouring molten metal 25 from the molten metal supply unit 21 into the ladle 11, the robot arm 12 holds the ladle 11 in an inclined position. In this manner, the robot arm 12 holds the ladle 11 in an inclined position, pours the molten metal 25 from the molten metal supply unit 21 into the ladle 11 in this position, and intentionally causes the molten metal 25 poured into the ladle 11 to overflow and spill into the molten metal receiving can 41. This allows the amount of molten metal 25 poured into the ladle 11 to be constantly maintained at a predetermined amount. In other words, the portable pressurized pot serving as the molten metal supply unit 21 according to this embodiment had difficulty in accurately discharging the amount of molten metal by air pressure. However, by supplying molten metal 25 to the inclined ladle 11, an accurate amount of molten metal 25 can be constantly stored in the ladle 11. Therefore, according to the casting machine molten metal supply mechanism 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the amount of molten metal 25, thereby achieving accurate molten metal supply.

[0026] The specific configuration of the melting pot mechanism 10 for a casting machine according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, a melting pot method for a casting machine executed by the melting pot mechanism 10 for a casting machine according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 12. Here, Figures 5 to 12 are diagrams for explaining the melting pot method for a casting machine executed by the melting pot mechanism for a casting machine according to this embodiment.

[0027] The initial state of the melt supply mechanism 10 for a casting machine according to this embodiment is shown in Fig. 5. In the initial state shown in Fig. 5, the position of the ladle 11 attached to the tip of the robot arm 12 is the home position of the ladle 11.

[0028] By operating the robot arm 12 from the initial state shown in Fig. 5, the ladle 11 is vertically lowered to a position midway between the molten metal level detection sensor 31 and the molten metal receiving can 41 as shown in Fig. 6, and then by moving the ladle 11 horizontally toward the molten metal supply section 21 as shown in Fig. 7, the ladle 11 is moved to a position sandwiched between the molten metal level detection sensor 31 and the molten metal receiving can 41. As the robot arm 12 rises from the state shown in Fig. 7 and the ladle 11 is tilted, the state shown in Fig. 8 is achieved. The state shown in Fig. 8 is a state in which preparations for pouring molten metal 25 into the ladle 11 have been completed.

[0029] 8 is achieved, molten metal 25 is poured from the portable pressure pot, which is the molten metal supply unit 21, into the ladle 11. At this time, the robot arm 12 holds the ladle 11 in an inclined position, and the molten metal 25 poured into the ladle 11 is intentionally made to overflow and spill into the molten metal receiving can 41, so that the amount of molten metal 25 stored in the ladle 11 can always be a predetermined amount. Such an operation is shown in FIG.

[0030] 9, that is, immediately after the molten metal 25 poured into the tilted ladle 11 starts to overflow and spill into the molten metal receiving can 41, the central contact sensor of the molten metal level detection sensors 31 comes into contact with the molten metal 25 in the ladle 11, and sends a stop command signal to the portable pressure pot, which is the molten metal supply unit 21, to stop pouring of the molten metal 25 into the ladle 11. Upon receiving the stop command signal from the molten metal level detection sensor 31, the molten metal supply unit 21, which includes the portable pressure pot, performs an operation to stop pouring of the molten metal 25 into the ladle 11.

[0031] When the supply of molten metal 25 from the portable pressure pot, which is the molten metal supply section 21, to the ladle 11 stops, a predetermined amount of molten metal 25 remains stored in the ladle 11, so the robot arm 12 changes its position so that the ladle 11 is horizontal while slightly lowering it as shown in Figure 10, and then moves the ladle 11 horizontally away from the molten metal supply section 21 as shown in Figure 11.

[0032] Then, the robot arm 12 is rotated from the state shown in Figure 11 to move the ladle 11 to the position of the supply port of the casting machine 51. This state is shown in Figure 12. The position of the ladle 11 shown in Figure 12 is the same as the position indicated by the symbol (C) in Figure 4. In the state shown in Figure 12, the robot arm 12 is driven to tilt the ladle 11, thereby supplying the molten metal 25 to the supply port of the casting machine 51.

[0033] Finally, when the supply of molten metal 25 from ladle 11 shown in Fig. 12 to the supply port of casting machine 51 is completed, robot arm 12 is rotated again and ladle 11 returns to the home position shown in Fig. 5. The series of operations described using Figs. 5 to 12 completes the execution of the molten metal supply method for a casting machine according to this embodiment.

[0034] The casting machine molten metal supply mechanism 10 and casting machine molten metal supply method according to the present embodiment described above can reduce energy consumption loss by eliminating the need for a molten metal holding furnace, and can achieve accurate molten metal supply by improving the accuracy of the amount of molten metal 25. This makes it possible to carry out casting that is more advantageous than conventional techniques in terms of cost, productivity, material yield, environmental friendliness, etc.

[0035] The above describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiment and includes various modifications. Therefore, using Figures 13 to 19, we will explain another molten metal supply mechanism 100 for a casting machine according to this embodiment and a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed using this molten metal supply mechanism 100 for a casting machine.

[0036] Here, Fig. 13 is a side view of another molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to this embodiment, particularly showing a state in which the ladle constituting the molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine is positioned at the home position. Also, Figs. 14 to 19 are diagrams for explaining a molten metal supply method for a casting machine executed by another molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to this embodiment.

[0037] First, the initial state of another molten metal supply mechanism 100 for a casting machine according to this embodiment is shown in Figure 13. The configuration of another molten metal supply mechanism 100 for a casting machine according to this embodiment shown in Figure 13 is the same as the content of Figures 1 and 5 shown in the description of the embodiment described above. Therefore, the device configuration of another molten metal supply mechanism 100 for a casting machine according to this embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as in the embodiment described above, and description thereof will be omitted. However, since the operation of another molten metal supply mechanism 100 for a casting machine according to this embodiment differs from that of the embodiment described above, the operation will be described below using Figures 13 to 19.

[0038] In another melt supply mechanism 100 for a casting machine according to this embodiment, in the initial state shown in FIG. 13, the position of the ladle 11 attached to the arm tip of the robot arm 12 is the home position of the ladle 11.

[0039] By operating the robot arm 12 from the initial state shown in FIG. 13 , the ladle 11 is vertically lowered to a position midway between the molten metal level sensor 31 and the molten metal receiving can 41, as shown in FIG. 14 . The ladle 11 is then moved horizontally toward the molten metal supply unit 21, as shown in FIG. 15 , until it is sandwiched between the molten metal level sensor 31 and the molten metal receiving can 41. From the state shown in FIG. 15 , the robot arm 12 raises the ladle 11 while maintaining the horizontal position. Furthermore, molten metal 25 is poured from the portable pressurized pot (the molten metal supply unit 21) toward the ladle 11, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 16 . Preferably, the amount of molten metal 25 poured into the horizontally maintained ladle 11 is set to be slightly more than the required amount. This setting can be controlled by receiving and utilizing a stop command signal from the molten metal level sensor 31 in the molten metal supply unit 21, including the portable pressurized pot.

[0040] After realizing the state shown in Fig. 16, the robot arm 12 tilts the ladle 11 to intentionally spill the molten metal 25 poured into the ladle 11 into the molten metal receiving can 41. Such an operation is shown in Fig. 17.

[0041] The robot arm 12 maintains the ladle 11 in an inclined state as shown in Fig. 17 for a predetermined time, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the robot arm 12 returns the ladle 11 to a horizontal position, thereby making it possible to maintain a predetermined amount of molten metal 25 remaining in the ladle 11. Such an operation is shown in Figs. 17 and 18.

[0042] As shown in Figure 18, after a predetermined amount of molten metal 25 has been stored in the ladle 11, the robot arm 12 is driven to rotate, thereby moving the ladle 11 to the position of the supply port of the casting machine 51. This state is shown in Figure 19. The position of the ladle 11 shown in Figure 19 is the same as the position indicated by the symbol (C) in Figure 4. In the state shown in Figure 19, the robot arm 12 is driven to tilt the ladle 11, thereby supplying the molten metal 25 to the supply port of the casting machine 51.

[0043] Finally, when the supply of molten metal 25 from ladle 11 shown in Figure 19 to the supply port of casting machine 51 is completed, robot arm 12 is rotated again and ladle 11 returns to the home position shown in Figure 13. The series of operations described using Figures 13 to 19 completes the execution of another molten metal supply method for a casting machine according to this embodiment.

[0044] According to the alternative casting machine molten metal supply mechanism 100 and casting machine molten metal supply method of the present embodiment described above, energy loss can be reduced by eliminating the need for a molten metal holding furnace, and accurate molten metal supply can be achieved by increasing the accuracy of the amount of molten metal 25. Furthermore, according to the alternative casting machine molten metal supply mechanism 100 and casting machine molten metal supply method of the present embodiment, the amount of molten metal 25 poured into the ladle 11 that intentionally spills into the molten metal receiving can 41 can be minimized, thereby enabling efficient molten metal supply to the casting machine. This makes it possible to perform casting that is more advantageous than conventional techniques in terms of cost, productivity, material yield, environmental aspects, etc.

[0045] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments.

[0046] For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, two portable pressure pots were installed as the molten metal supply section 21, but the number of portable pressure pots constituting the molten metal supply section of the present invention may be one, or three or more.

[0047] For example, in the ladle 11 of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the portion on the right side of the page in Figure 2 serves as the molten metal overflow port when the molten metal 25 is poured from the molten metal supply section 21, while the portion on the left side of the page in Figure 2 serves as the molten metal pouring port when the molten metal is supplied to the molten metal supply port of the casting machine 51. However, the shape and direction of use of the ladle according to the present invention can be changed as desired within the range in which the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiments can be achieved.

[0048] It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements may also be included within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10,100 Casting machine molten metal supply mechanism, 11 ladle, 12 robot arm, 21 molten metal supply unit, 25 molten metal, 31 molten metal level detection sensor, 41 molten metal receiving can.

Claims

1. a ladle for storing molten metal and supplying it to the casting machine's supply port; a robot arm for controlling the position and attitude of the ladle; a molten metal supply unit that pours molten metal into the ladle; a molten metal level detection sensor capable of detecting the level of the molten metal poured into the ladle from the molten metal supply portion; a molten metal receiving can disposed immediately below the ladle when the molten metal is poured from the molten metal supply portion into the ladle; A molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine, comprising: A molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine, characterized in that when molten metal is poured from the molten metal supply section into the ladle, the robot arm holds the ladle in an inclined position, thereby intentionally causing the molten metal poured into the ladle to overflow and spill into the molten metal receiving can, thereby maintaining a predetermined amount of molten metal stored in the ladle at all times.

2. a ladle for storing molten metal and supplying it to the casting machine's supply port; a robot arm for controlling the position and attitude of the ladle; a molten metal supply unit that pours molten metal into the ladle; a molten metal level detection sensor capable of detecting the level of the molten metal poured into the ladle from the molten metal supply portion; a molten metal receiving can disposed immediately below the ladle when the molten metal is poured from the molten metal supply portion into the ladle; A molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine, comprising: A melt supply mechanism for a casting machine characterized in that when pouring molten metal from the molten metal supply section into the ladle, the robot arm holds the ladle in a horizontal position, and after molten metal is poured from the molten metal supply section into the horizontal ladle, the robot arm tilts the ladle to intentionally spill the molten metal poured into the ladle into the molten metal receiving can, and after a predetermined time has passed, the robot arm returns the ladle to its horizontal position, thereby always maintaining a predetermined amount of molten metal remaining in the ladle.

3. The molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to claim 1, the molten metal supply unit includes at least one portable pressurized pot; the molten metal level detection sensor is capable of transmitting a stop command signal to the portable pressurizing pot to stop pouring of the molten metal into the ladle when it detects the molten metal level in the ladle immediately after the molten metal poured into the ladle starts to overflow and spill into the molten metal receiving can, A melt supply mechanism for a casting machine, characterized in that the portable pressurizing pot stops pouring molten metal into the ladle when it receives the stop command signal from the melt level detection sensor.

4. The molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine according to claim 3, A melt supply mechanism for a casting machine, characterized in that two portable pressure pots are provided for one set of ladle and robot arm.

5. a ladle for storing molten metal and supplying it to the casting machine's supply port; a robot arm for controlling the position and attitude of the ladle; a molten metal supply unit that pours molten metal into the ladle; a molten metal level detection sensor capable of detecting the level of the molten metal poured into the ladle from the molten metal supply portion; a molten metal receiving can disposed immediately below the ladle when the molten metal is poured from the molten metal supply portion into the ladle; A molten metal supply method for a casting machine that is executed when supplying molten metal to a casting machine by using a molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine that includes: A method of supplying molten metal for a casting machine, characterized in that when pouring molten metal from the molten metal supply section into the ladle, the robot arm holds the ladle in an inclined position, thereby intentionally causing the molten metal poured into the ladle to overflow and spill into the molten metal receiving can, thereby maintaining a predetermined amount of molten metal stored in the ladle at all times.

6. a ladle for storing molten metal and supplying it to the casting machine's supply port; a robot arm for controlling the position and attitude of the ladle; a molten metal supply unit that pours molten metal into the ladle; a molten metal level detection sensor capable of detecting the level of the molten metal poured into the ladle from the molten metal supply portion; a molten metal receiving can disposed immediately below the ladle when the molten metal is poured from the molten metal supply portion into the ladle; A molten metal supply method for a casting machine that is executed when supplying molten metal to a casting machine by using a molten metal supply mechanism for a casting machine that includes: A method for supplying molten metal to a casting machine, characterized in that when pouring molten metal from the molten metal supply section into the ladle, the robot arm holds the ladle in a horizontal position, and after molten metal has been poured from the molten metal supply section into the horizontal ladle, the robot arm tilts the ladle to intentionally spill the molten metal poured into the ladle into the molten metal receiving can, and after a predetermined time has passed, the robot arm returns the ladle to a horizontal position, thereby maintaining a predetermined amount of molten metal remaining in the ladle.

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