Powder compact transport mechanism and powder compact molding device

Abstract

This green compact conveying mechanism 8 comprises: a conveyance path 18 for a green compact 14 obtained by compressively forming powder in a sheet shape; an extrusion part which sends the green compact 14 to the downstream side of the conveyance path 18 by extruding the green compact 14 out; and a buckling inducing part 36 which is disposed in the conveyance part, causes the green compact to be easily bent locally, and induces buckling at that site.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a powder compact transfer mechanism and a powder compact molding device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a powder sintering device in which raw material powder is passed through pressure rolls to form it into a plate, the formed green compact is transported by a conveyor to a heat compression unit, and the green compact is heated and pressurized in the heat compression unit to produce a sintered body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-157227 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conveyors, which are commonly used as transport mechanisms for articles, are complex in structure and relatively expensive because they themselves have a drive system. This can lead to the complex structure and high cost of powder sintering equipment equipped with a conveyor. In contrast, if the pushing force of a pressure roll is used to transport the green compact, the structure of the transport mechanism and, consequently, the equipment equipped with the transport mechanism can be simplified and the cost reduced.

[0005] However, when the compact is transported using the extrusion force of the pressure roll, clogging of the transport path or other issues can cause the compact to bend and eventually buckle. When the compact buckles, the extrusion force of the pressure roll is less likely to be transmitted evenly downstream from the buckling point. This results in the transport of the compact stalling. However, it is difficult to determine which part of the compact has buckled. Therefore, every time the transport of the compact stalls, the buckled part must be located and removed. Because the transport distance of the compact can be as long as 10 meters or more, restoring the transport of the compact takes a great deal of time and effort, potentially reducing the availability of the transport mechanism.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in light of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technique for improving the availability of a transport mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a powder compact transport mechanism that includes a transport path for a powder compact formed by compressing powder into a sheet, an extrusion unit that extrudes the powder compact to send it downstream along the transport path, and a buckling induction unit that is disposed in the transport path and that locally makes the powder compact more likely to bend, inducing buckling at that location.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a powder compact molding apparatus, which includes a press roll that compresses and molds powder into a sheet shape and the powder compact transport mechanism of the above aspect, and the press roll also serves as an extrusion section of the powder compact transport mechanism.

[0009] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the expression of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the availability of the transport mechanism. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] Fig. 1(A) is a perspective view schematically showing a powder compact molding apparatus according to an embodiment, and Fig. 1(B) is a cross-sectional view of a conveying path. [Figure 2] 2(A) to 2(C) are schematic diagrams showing the state of the powder compact in the conveying path. [Figure 3] 3(A) to 3(D) are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of restoring the transportation of the powder compact. [Figure 4] 4(A) to 4(C) are schematic diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of the powder compact transfer mechanism. [Figure 5]Fig. 5(A) is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a powder compact transfer mechanism according to Modification 1. Fig. 5(B) is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a powder compact transfer mechanism according to Modification 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to preferred embodiments and drawings. The embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present disclosure, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the present disclosure. The same or equivalent components, parts, and processes shown in each drawing are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted where appropriate. The scale and shape of each part shown in each drawing are set for convenience to facilitate explanation and should not be interpreted as limiting unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, when terms such as "first" and "second" are used in this specification or claims, unless otherwise specified, these terms do not indicate any order or importance, but are intended to distinguish one configuration from another. Furthermore, some components that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted from each drawing.

[0013] Fig. 1(A) is a perspective view schematically showing a powder compact molding apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1(B) is a cross-sectional view of a conveying path 18. The powder compact molding apparatus 1 includes a hopper 2, a feeder 4, a press roll 6, a powder compact conveying mechanism 8, a preheating furnace 10, and a heat press roll 12.

[0014] The hopper 2 stores powder 16, which is the raw material for the powder compact 14. The material of the powder 16 is, for example, an aggregate of particles having a particle diameter of less than 100 μm, and the particle diameter distribution is not particularly limited.

[0015] Powder 16 is supplied from hopper 2 to feeder 4. Feeder 4 can be configured as a known screw feeder or the like. Feeder 4 supplies powder 16 to press roll 6. In this embodiment, press roll 6 is configured as a pair of rolls arranged at a predetermined interval. As powder 16 passes between the pair of rolls, powder 16 is compressed and molded into a sheet. This results in a sheet-like green compact 14. By compressing powder 16 with press roll 6 to form green compact 14, the green compact 14 is given strength that prevents it from collapsing even when transported. Green compact 14 is continuously sent out from press roll 6 to transport path 18. Therefore, green compact 14 is in the shape of a long strip in transport direction A.

[0016] The transport path 18 in this embodiment is a tunnel-like path extending in the transport direction A of the powder compact 14, and guides the progress of the powder compact 14. By making the transport path 18 tunnel-like, it is possible to easily maintain the shape of the powder compact 14 during transport. As an example, the transport path 18 extends horizontally.

[0017] The conveying path 18 has a floor surface 20, a pair of side surfaces 22, and a ceiling surface 24. The powder compact 14 slides on the floor surface 20 in the conveying direction A. The pair of side surfaces 22 are aligned in a width direction B of the powder compact 14 that is perpendicular to the conveying direction A. The ceiling surface 24 faces the floor surface 20 in a vertical direction C that is perpendicular to the conveying direction A and the width direction B. The floor surface 20, the pair of side surfaces 22, and the ceiling surface 24 form a passage for the powder compact 14. The distance between the pair of side surfaces 22 is set slightly larger than the dimension of the powder compact 14 in the width direction B so that the powder compact 14 can move smoothly through the passage. Furthermore, the distance between the floor surface 20 and the ceiling surface 24 is set slightly larger than the dimension of the powder compact 14 in the vertical direction C. Therefore, a gap is formed between the powder compact 14 and the ceiling surface 24.

[0018] The conveying path 18 constitutes a powder compact conveying mechanism 8. In addition to the conveying path 18, the powder compact conveying mechanism 8 includes an extrusion unit 26. The extrusion unit 26 extrudes the powder compact 14 in the conveying direction A, thereby sending the powder compact 14 downstream of the conveying path 18. In this embodiment, the press roll 6 also serves as the extrusion unit 26 of the powder compact conveying mechanism 8. Note that the extrusion unit 26 may be provided separately from the press roll 6. The structure of the powder compact conveying mechanism 8 will be described in detail later.

[0019] The powder compact 14 reaches the preheating furnace 10 via a conveying path 18. The preheating furnace 10 heats the powder compact 14 to a predetermined temperature, for example, about 400°C to 800°C, before the powder compact 14 is heated and compressed by the heat press rolls 12. The preheating furnace 10 can be configured with a known heater or the like. The powder compact 14 heated in the preheating furnace 10 is supplied to the heat press rolls 12. As an example, the heat press rolls 12 are configured with a pair of rolls arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction C. Each roll has a built-in heater, and its surface is heated to a predetermined temperature, for example, about 400°C to 800°C. The powder compact 14 is heated and pressurized as it passes between the pair of rolls, becoming a sintered body.

[0020] Next, buckling that occurs in the powder compact 14 during transport will be described. FIGS. 2A to 2C are schematic diagrams showing the state of the powder compact 14 in the transport path 18. When a transport obstruction of the powder compact 14 occurs, as shown in FIG. 2A, an extrusion force F1 is applied to the powder compact 14 from the upstream side by the extrusion section 26 (press roll 6), and a reaction force F2 in the opposite direction to the extrusion force F1 is applied from the downstream side. Examples of transport obstructions include clogging of the transport path 18 caused by accumulation of some of the powder 16 that has fallen off the powder compact 14. Another example is the stoppage of the heat press roll 12. Another example is the difference in rotation speed between the press roll 6 and the heat press roll 12, in other words, the difference in the transport speed of the powder compact 14. Another example is when a portion of the powder compact 14 extends upstream when it is expanded by the heat press roll 12.

[0021] When the extrusion force F1 and the reaction force F2 are applied to the powder compact 14, a portion of the powder compact 14 deforms and escapes into the gap with the ceiling surface 24, forming a deflection 28. The deflection 28 tends to form in the powder compact 14 by deforming from a portion of the powder compact 14 that is less dense or thinner than the surrounding area. The extrusion force F1 is transmitted substantially evenly downstream from the deflection 28. Therefore, once the deflection 28 has formed, the conveyance of the powder compact 14 can continue. Therefore, if the conveyance impediment is resolved and the reaction force F2 disappears, or if the reaction force F2 is small relative to the rigidity of the powder compact 14, the deflection 28 does not grow any further, and the conveyance of the powder compact 14 can continue, as shown in FIG. 2(B).

[0022] On the other hand, if the generated reaction force F2 exceeds the rigidity of the powder compact 14, the bending portion 28 grows and buckles, as shown in FIG. 2(C). In other words, the bending portion of the powder compact 14 breaks and collapses. When multiple bending portions 28 are formed, the bending portion 28 with the largest bending amount typically buckles. When a buckling portion 30 is formed in the powder compact 14, it becomes difficult for the extrusion force F1 to be transmitted evenly downstream from the buckling portion 30. As a result, the conveyance of the powder compact 14 stagnates. For this reason, it is necessary to remove the buckling portion 30 and restore the conveyance of the powder compact 14.

[0023] 3(A) to 3(D) are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of restoring the conveyance of the powder compact 14. When a buckling portion 30 is formed in the powder compact 14 as shown in FIG. 3(A), the extrusion unit 26 is stopped, and then the buckling portion 30 is cut away as shown in FIG. 3(B). At this time, a portion upstream of the buckling point and a portion downstream of the buckling point are also cut away as the buckling portion 30. An end face 32a of the upstream portion 32 located upstream of the buckling portion 30 and an end face 34a of the downstream portion 34 located downstream of the buckling portion 30 are aligned so as to be parallel to each other. Preferably, the end faces 32a and 34a are aligned so as to be perpendicular to the conveyance direction A.

[0024] In this state, as shown in Fig. 3(C), the extrusion of the upstream section 32 by the extruding section 26 is resumed. As a result, the upstream section 32 approaches the downstream section 34. Then, as shown in Fig. 3(D), the end face 32a of the upstream section 32 comes into contact with the end face 34a of the downstream section 34. As a result, the extrusion force F1 from the extruding section 26 is transmitted evenly to the downstream section 34, and the conveyance of the entire powder compact 14 is resumed.

[0025] In conventional conveyance mechanisms, the user must manually perform the above-described recovery work. That is, the user must stop the extrusion unit 26, disassemble the conveyance path 18 to expose the inside, identify the location of the buckling portion 30, manually remove the buckling portion 30, and then resume driving the extrusion unit 26. This makes the recovery work extremely cumbersome, burdensome, and time-consuming.

[0026] In contrast, the powder compact transfer mechanism 8 according to this embodiment is provided with the following configuration to solve the above-mentioned problems. Figures 4(A) to 4(C) are schematic diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of the powder compact transfer mechanism 8. As shown in Figure 4(A), the powder compact transfer mechanism 8 according to this embodiment is provided with a buckling induction section 36.

[0027] The buckling induction section 36 is disposed in the conveying path 18 and locally makes the powder compact 14 more likely to bend, thereby inducing buckling at that location. The buckling induction section 36 can be provided at any position downstream of the extrusion section 26 (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the buckling induction section 36 is configured as a locally elevated portion of the ceiling surface 24 of the tunnel of the conveying path 18. In other words, the recess provided in the ceiling surface 24 constitutes the buckling induction section 36.

[0028] When the extrusion force F1 and the reaction force F2 are input to the powder compact 14, deformations leading to flexures 28 may begin to occur at multiple locations in the powder compact 14. These deformations of the powder compact 14 are at least temporarily suppressed by the ceiling surface 24. Meanwhile, the ceiling surface 24 is locally elevated at the buckling inducing portion 36. Therefore, while deformation of the powder compact 14 is suppressed by the ceiling surface 24 at locations other than the location where the buckling inducing portion 36 is provided, the powder compact 14 continues to deform at the location where the buckling inducing portion 36 is provided. As a result, flexures 28 can be intentionally formed at the location where the buckling inducing portion 36 is provided. The flexures 28 then grow further and eventually buckle. In other words, buckling is induced by the buckling inducing portion 36.

[0029] The difference in the ease of bending caused by the presence or absence of pressing down by the ceiling surface 24 is far greater than the difference in the ease of bending caused by the physical properties (density and thickness) of the powder compact 14. For this reason, by raising a portion of the ceiling surface 24 and making this the buckling induction portion 36, buckling can be induced with high frequency by the buckling induction portion 36. This makes it possible to limit the location where the buckling portion 30 is formed, thereby reducing the burden and time required for recovery work.

[0030] Furthermore, the buckling induction section 36 of this embodiment has a tapered section 38 whose height decreases toward the downstream side of the conveying path 18. The tapered section 38 is provided at the boundary between the buckling induction section 36 and the portion downstream thereof, and is inclined so that its height decreases toward the downstream side. If the flexible section 28 does not buckle due to the disappearance of the reaction force F2, for example, the flexible section 28 is conveyed downstream of the buckling induction section 36. At this time, the flexible section 28 abuts against the tapered section 38, and its top is gradually pressed down as it moves downstream. This prevents the flexible section 28 from being scraped by a step on the ceiling surface 24, causing the powder 16 to fall off.

[0031] The powder compact transport mechanism 8 of this embodiment also includes a sensor 40 and a remover 42. The sensor 40 detects the occurrence of buckling in the buckling induction portion 36. The sensor 40 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the formation of the buckling portion 30, and can be configured, for example, as a known pressure sensor such as a piezoelectric sensor or a strain sensor. As an example, the sensor 40 is installed in an area corresponding to the buckling induction portion 36 on the outer surface of the transport path 18. The sensor 40 detects the pressure when the buckling portion 30 presses against the buckling induction portion 36. The sensor 40 may also be installed inside the transport path 18. In this case, the pressure detected is the pressure when the buckling portion 30 directly presses against the sensor 40. The sensor 40 sends a signal indicating the detection result to the remover 42.

[0032] The removal unit 42 removes the buckling portion 30 in accordance with the detection result of the sensor 40. The removal unit 42 of this embodiment includes a cutting unit 44, a collection unit 46, and a control unit 48. The cutting unit 44 separates the buckling portion 30 from other adjacent portions (i.e., the upstream portion 32 and the downstream portion 34). As an example, the cutting unit 44 is configured with a pair of cutting blades that can advance and retreat relative to the buckling induction unit 36. The pair of cutting blades are arranged side by side in the conveying direction A, sandwiching the buckling induction unit 36 ​​therebetween. The collection unit 46 collects the buckling portion 30 separated by the cutting unit 44. As an example, the collection unit 46 has a structure in which the floor surface 20 facing the buckling induction unit 36 ​​slides. In other words, the floor surface 20 facing the buckling induction unit 36 ​​is an openable / closable floor. The sliding of the floor surface 20 forms a collection hole 46a connecting the inside and outside of the conveying path 18. The buckling portion 30 then falls through the recovery hole 46a, allowing the buckling portion 30 to be recovered. The recovery hole 46a may be opened and closed by rotating the floor surface 20 around a hinge. That is, a sliding door or a hinged door may be provided in the recovery hole 46a.

[0033] The driving of the cutting unit 44 and the collecting unit 46 is controlled by a control unit 48. That is, the control unit 48 controls the advancement and retreat of the cutting blade and the sliding of the floor surface 20. The control unit 48 is realized as a hardware configuration by elements and circuits such as a computer CPU and memory, and as a software configuration by a computer program, etc. It will be naturally understood by those skilled in the art that the control unit 48 can be realized in various forms by combining hardware and software.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4A, when a buckling portion 30 is formed, the control unit 48 receives a signal from the sensor 40 and can detect the occurrence of the buckling portion 30. When the control unit 48 detects the occurrence of the buckling portion 30, it slides the collection unit 46 to reveal the collection hole 46a, as shown in FIG. 4B. It also advances the cutting unit 44 from the collection hole 46a toward the buckling induction unit 36. This cuts the boundary between the buckling portion 30 and the upstream portion 32 and the boundary between the buckling portion 30 and the downstream portion 34, separating the buckling portion 30. The separated buckling portion 30 falls through the collection hole 46a and is collected. Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the control unit 48 retracts the cutting unit 44 from the buckling induction unit 36 ​​and slides the collection unit 46 to close the collection hole 46a. As a result, the conveyance of the powder compact 14 can be resumed.

[0035] The pushing unit 26 is stopped when the buckling unit 30 is formed, and is restarted when the removal of the buckling unit 30 is completed. The control of the pushing unit 26 may be performed by the control unit 48 or by another control unit. The recovery unit 46 may include a mechanism for sucking the separated buckling unit 30 together with or instead of the opening and closing door. A plurality of buckling induction units 36 may be provided.

[0036] As described above, the compact conveying mechanism 8 according to this embodiment includes the conveying path 18 for the compact 14, which is formed by compressing powder 16 into a sheet; the extrusion unit 26 that extrudes the compact 14 to send it downstream along the conveying path 18; and the buckling induction unit 36 ​​that is disposed on the conveying path 18 and locally flexes the compact 14, inducing buckling at that location. By providing the buckling induction unit 36, a reaction force F2 is applied to the compact 14 during conveyance. When the reaction force F2 exceeds the rigidity of the compact 14, a buckling portion 30 is formed at a specific location of the compact 14. This reduces the burden and time required for restoring the conveyance of the compact 14. This improves the operating rate of the compact conveying mechanism 8. This also improves the throughput of the compact molding apparatus 1 incorporating the compact conveying mechanism 8.

[0037] Furthermore, the transport path 18 in this embodiment is tunnel-shaped and extends in the transport direction A of the powder compact 14. This makes it easier for the powder compact 14 to maintain its shape during transport. Furthermore, the buckling inducing section 36 is formed by a locally elevated portion of the ceiling surface 24 of the transport path 18. This makes it possible to induce buckling with a simple structure.

[0038] The buckling induction section 36 also has a tapered section 38 that decreases in height toward the downstream side of the conveying path 18. This allows the bending section 28 formed by the buckling induction section 36 to move downstream without buckling while gradually decreasing in height as it advances downstream. This prevents the top of the bending section 28 from being scraped off, causing the powder 16 to fall off. As a result, clogging of the conveying path 18 can be prevented.

[0039] The compacted material conveying mechanism 8 of this embodiment also includes a sensor 40 that detects the occurrence of buckling in the buckling induction portion 36 and a removal unit 42 that removes the buckled portion 30 in accordance with the detection result of the sensor 40. The removal unit 42 also includes a cutting unit 44 that separates the buckled portion 30 from other portions and a recovery unit 46 that recovers the separated buckled portion 30. This makes it possible to automate the removal of the buckled portion 30. This further reduces the burden on the operation of restoring the conveyance of the compacted material 14 and shortens the work time. As a result, the availability of the compacted material conveying mechanism 8 can be further improved.

[0040] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above. The above-described embodiments merely illustrate specific examples of implementing the present disclosure. The content of the embodiments does not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure, and many design modifications, such as changing, adding, or deleting components, are possible within the scope of the concept of the present disclosure defined in the claims. A new embodiment with design modifications will combine the effects of the combined embodiments and modifications. In the above-described embodiments, the content that allows such design modifications is emphasized by using notations such as "in this embodiment" or "in this embodiment," but design modifications are also permitted even in content without such notation. Any combination of the components included in each embodiment is also valid as an aspect of the present disclosure. Hatching on cross sections in the drawings does not limit the material of the hatched object.

[0041] (Variation 1) FIG. 5(A) is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a powder compact transport mechanism 8 according to Modification 1. The powder compact transport mechanism 8 of this modification has a buckling induction section 36 formed by a locally opened portion of the ceiling surface 24 of the transport path 18. In other words, a through-hole provided in the ceiling surface 24 constitutes the buckling induction section 36. This modification also makes it possible to induce buckling at a specific position. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the embodiment. Note that a tapered section 38 can also be provided in this modification.

[0042] (Variation 2) FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a compacted powder transport mechanism 8 according to Modification 2. The compacted powder transport mechanism 8 of this modification has a buckling induction section 36 formed by a locally increased portion of the ceiling surface 24 of the transport path 18. That is, the ceiling surface 24 has a low-flexibility section 50 and a high-flexibility section 52 that is more flexible than the low-flexibility section 50. The high-flexibility section 52 constitutes the buckling induction section 36. The low-flexibility section 50 can be made of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy, or ceramic materials, such as silicon nitride, alumina, or zirconia. The high-flexibility section 52 can be made of resin, such as general-purpose plastics like polyethylene (PE) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), or engineering plastics like polyacetal (POM) or polycarbonate (PC). This modification also induces buckling at a specific position. Therefore, the same effects as those of the embodiment can be achieved. In this modified example, the tapered portion 38 can also be provided.

[0043] The embodiments may be specified by the following items. [Item 1] a conveying path (18) for a compact (14) formed by compressing powder (16) into a sheet shape; an extrusion section (26) that extrudes the powder compact (14) to send the powder compact (14) downstream of the conveyance path (18); a buckling induction section (36) that is disposed in the conveying path (18) and that locally makes the powder compact (14) more likely to bend, thereby inducing buckling at the localized portion; Compacted powder transport mechanism (8). [Item 2] The conveying path (18) is a tunnel-like path extending in the conveying direction (A) of the powder compact (14), The buckling induction portion (36) is formed by a locally elevated portion of the ceiling surface (24) of the conveying path (18). Item 1. The powder compact transport mechanism (8). [Item 3] The buckling induction section (36) has a tapered section (38) whose height decreases toward the downstream side of the conveying path (18). Item 2. The powder compact transport mechanism (8). [Item 4] The conveying path (18) is a tunnel-like path extending in the conveying direction (A) of the powder compact (14), The buckling induction section (36) is formed by a locally opened portion of the ceiling surface (24) of the conveying path (18). Item 1. The powder compact transport mechanism (8). [Item 5] The conveying path (18) is a tunnel-like path extending in the conveying direction (A) of the powder compact (14), The buckling induction portion (36) is formed by a portion of the ceiling surface (24) of the conveying path (18) where flexibility is locally increased. Item 1. The powder compact transport mechanism (8). [Item 6] a sensor (40) for detecting the occurrence of buckling in the buckling induction portion (36); a removal unit (42) that removes the buckled portion (30) in accordance with the detection result of the sensor (40); Equipped with 6. A powder compact transport mechanism (8) according to any one of items 1 to 5. [Item 7] The removal section (42) has a cutting section (44) that separates the buckling section (30) from other sections, and a collection section (46) that collects the separated buckling section (30). Item 6. The powder compact transport mechanism (8) according to item 6. [Item 8] a press roll (6) for compressing and molding the powder (16) into a sheet; The powder compact transport mechanism (8) according to any one of items 1 to 8, The press roll (6) also serves as the extrusion section (26) of the powder compact conveying mechanism (8). Powder compaction device (1). [Industrial Applicability]

[0044] The present disclosure can be used in a powder compact transport mechanism and a powder compact molding device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 powder compact molding device, 6 press roll, 8 powder compact conveying mechanism, 14 powder compact, 16 powder, 18 conveying path, 24 ceiling surface, 26 extrusion section, 30 buckling section, 36 buckling induction section, 38 tapered section, 40 sensor, 42 removal section, 44 cutting section, 46 recovery section.

Claims

1. a conveyance path for a powder compact formed by compressing powder into a sheet shape; an extrusion unit that extrudes the powder compact to send the powder compact to a downstream side of the conveying path; a buckling inducer that is disposed in the conveying path and that locally causes the powder compact to bend easily, thereby inducing buckling at the localized portion. Compacted powder transport mechanism.

2. the conveying path has a tunnel shape extending in a conveying direction of the powder compact, The buckling induction portion is configured by a portion where the ceiling surface of the transport path is locally elevated. The powder compact transport mechanism according to claim 1 .

3. the buckling induction portion has a tapered portion whose height decreases toward the downstream side of the conveying path. The powder compact transport mechanism according to claim 2 .

4. the conveying path has a tunnel shape extending in a conveying direction of the powder compact, the buckling induction portion is configured by a locally opened portion of the ceiling surface of the transport path. The powder compact transport mechanism according to claim 1 .

5. the conveying path has a tunnel shape extending in a conveying direction of the powder compact, the buckling induction portion is configured as a portion where flexibility of a ceiling surface of the transport path is locally increased. The powder compact transport mechanism according to claim 1 .

6. a sensor that detects the occurrence of buckling in the buckling induction portion; a removal unit that removes the buckling portion in accordance with the detection result of the sensor; Equipped with The powder compact transport mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The removal unit has a cutting unit that separates the buckling portion from other portions, and a recovery unit that recovers the separated buckling portion. The powder compact transport mechanism according to claim 6.

8. a press roll that compresses and molds the powder into a sheet; and the powder compact transport mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The press roll also serves as the extrusion section of the powder compact transport mechanism. Powder compaction equipment.

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