Container exchange and positioning device for extrusion press machine

Abstract

To provide a container positioning device for extrusion press device which can perform centering of a container holder and a container when inserting a new container to the container holder.SOLUTION: A container positioning device for extrusion press device includes: a container moving-up / down base which moves up / down between the lower standby position and the upper insertion position; a container positioning base in which sliding in the horizontal direction on the container moving-up / down base is allowed and a container base on which a container is placed is arranged; a first container positioning part which is arranged on the lower surface of the container holder; and a second container positioning part which is arranged on the container positioning base. When moving up to the insertion position, since the first container positioning part comes into contact with the second container positioning part, the center of the container placed on the container base is positioned in the center of a container storage hole of the container holder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container replacement positioning device used when inserting a new container into a container holder of an extrusion press device used for metal extrusion molding such as an aluminum alloy.

Background Art

[0002] Fig. 1 shows a general extrusion press device 100 for extruding an extruded material (hereinafter: billet) made of a metal material, for example, aluminum or its alloy material. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of the extrusion press device 100 including a partial cross-section. An extrusion stem 24 is attached to the tip of a main ram 12B whose one end side is housed in a main cylinder 12A and is driven forward hydraulically via a main crosshead 22.

[0003] When extruding the billet 20 by the extrusion press device 100, the container 18 (container holder 19) is pressed by a container cylinder 28 against a die 16 arranged on the end platen 10 side via a ring-shaped pressure ring 10B embedded in a recess 10D of the end platen 10 (container seal). Actually, a plurality of members are combined in the extrusion direction, and the die 16 configured as a die assembly is housed in a holding means (for example, a die cassette) not shown. Then, the main ram 12B is advanced, and the billet 20 housed in the container 18 is pressed against the die 16 by the extrusion stem 24 (upset process). The pressed billet 20 is plastically deformed so as to expand in the radial direction and adheres to the inner peripheral surface of the container 18.

[0004] By further advancing the main ram 12B, the billet 20 is pressed (pressing force) against the die 16 by the extrusion stem 24, and an extruded product 21 having a predetermined cross-sectional shape is continuously extruded and formed from the die 16 to the extrusion opening 10A (extrusion process). In Fig. 1, the movement of the main ram 12B in the extrusion process is defined as forward, the left side of the extrusion press device 100 in Fig. 1 is defined as the front, and the right side is defined as the rear. Also, the movement of the illustrated configuration backward is defined as backward.

[0005] On the other hand, the main cylinder 12A is positioned approximately in the center of the main cylinder housing 12, which is arranged to face the end platen 10, and multiple side cylinders 26 are arranged around the main cylinder 12A in the main cylinder housing 12. The cylinder rods of the side cylinders 26 are fixed to the rear end face of the main crosshead 22 and are driven when the main ram 12B, which does not have a retraction mechanism, is retracted. In addition, the side cylinders 26 advance the main crosshead 22 together with the main ram 12B during the extrusion process.

[0006] The end platen 10 is connected to the main cylinder housing 12 by tie rod nuts 13 and tie rods 14. The reaction force of the pressing force acts on the end platen 10 via the die 16 (pressure ring 10B) during the extrusion process, and also acts on the main cylinder housing 12 via the main cylinder 12A, acting in a direction that separates them from each other. Against this reaction force of the pressing force, the tie rods 14, which pass through the four corners of the end platen 10 and the corresponding four corners of the main cylinder housing 12, and the tie rod nuts 13, which are positioned at both ends of the tie rods 14 and constitute the large-diameter portion of the tie rods 14, restrain movement in the direction that separates them from each other, and the extension of the tie rods 14 (within the elastic region) is configured to resist the reaction force of the pressing force.

[0007] Here, we will explain the conventional container replacement method with reference to Figure 2. First, as shown in Figure 2(a), the main crosshead 22 is retracted from the container holder 19. The extrusion stem 24 has been removed from the main crosshead 22. Also, the used container has been removed from the container holder 19 in advance. Then, a new container 18 is moved between the container holder 19 and the retracted main crosshead 22 using an overhead crane or the like. At this time, an operator needs to be waiting inside the extrusion press machine to guide the new container 18.

[0008] Next, as shown in Figure 2(b), the overhead crane and other equipment are operated under the guidance of the workers to insert the end of the container 18 into the container storage hole of the container holder 19. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 2(c), the main crosshead 22 is advanced to make contact with the end of the container 18. In this state, the advancement of the main crosshead 22 pushes the new container 18 into the container storage hole of the container holder 19.

[0009] At an appropriate time, the connection between the new container 18 and the overhead crane, etc., is released. Then, as shown in Figure 2(d), the main crosshead 22 is moved forward to push the new container 18 to the insertion limit position of the container storage hole in the container holder 19. After that, although not shown in the figure, the main crosshead 22 is moved backward and the extrusion stem 24 is attached.

[0010] Furthermore, when removing a used container from the container holder 19, although not shown in the diagram, the main crosshead 22, from which the extrusion stem 24 has been removed, is advanced and brought into contact with one end of the used container. The main crosshead 22 and the used container are then fixed together by known methods or means. After that, the main crosshead 22 is retracted to pull the connected used container out of the container holder 19. Then, at an appropriate timing, the used container is lifted by an overhead crane or the like, and the main crosshead 22 is further retracted to pull the used container out of the container holder 19. Finally, the used container discharged from the container holder 19 is transported outside the extrusion press machine 100. Regarding this operation of removing a used container from the container holder 19, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which, when pulling out the used container from the container holder 19, the pulled-out used container is temporarily placed on a billet loader guide before being transported outside the extrusion press machine by an overhead crane or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-135011 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] Thus, the conventional container exchange method required an operator to guide the suspended container inside the extrusion press machine when inserting a new container into the container holder, and this was a dangerous operation because it involved driving the main crosshead 22.

[0013] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a container exchange positioning device for an extrusion press that eliminates the need for an operator to guide a suspended container inside the extrusion press machine when inserting a new container into the container holder, and that enables centering (positioning) of the container relative to the container holder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The object of the present invention is a container exchange positioning device for an extrusion press machine, which places a new container when inserting a new container into a container holder from which a used container has been removed, A container lifting base comprising multiple lifting guides for raising and lowering between a lower standby position and an upper insertion position, and a lifting actuator, A container positioning base is provided, which is mounted on the container lifting base such that a predetermined amount of horizontal sliding is permitted on the container lifting base, and on which a container support for placing the new container is arranged; A first container positioning unit is disposed on the lower surface of the container holder on the container positioning base side, The container positioning unit comprises a second container positioning unit arranged to protrude from below the container positioning base toward the container holder. The first and second container positioning parts are configured such that, when the container lifting base and the container positioning base are raised to the insertion position by the lifting actuator, the second container positioning part contacts the first container positioning part from below, thereby allowing the container positioning base on which the second container positioning part is located to slide horizontally relative to the container lifting base, so that the center of the new container placed on the container support is positioned at the center of the container storage hole of the container holder. This is achieved by a container exchange positioning device for an extrusion press apparatus, characterized by the above features.

[0015] Furthermore, in the container exchange positioning device for an extrusion press apparatus according to the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the first container positioning section perpendicular to the center line of the extrusion press apparatus is a convex tapered shape that narrows from top to bottom. The cross-sectional shape of the second container positioning unit perpendicular to the center line of the extrusion press device may be a concave tapered shape that narrows from top to bottom, corresponding to the convex tapered shape of the first container positioning unit.

[0016] Furthermore, in the container exchange positioning device for an extrusion press apparatus according to the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the first container positioning section perpendicular to the center line of the extrusion press apparatus is a concave tapered shape that widens from top to bottom. The cross-sectional shape of the second container positioning section perpendicular to the center line of the extrusion press device may be a convex tapered shape that widens from top to bottom, corresponding to the concave tapered shape of the first container positioning section.

[0017] Furthermore, in the container exchange positioning device for an extrusion press apparatus according to the present invention, a container support position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the container support, which is placed on the container positioning base, in a direction perpendicular to the center line of the extrusion press apparatus may be placed on the container positioning base. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The container replacement positioning device of the extrusion press apparatus according to the present invention is a container replacement positioning device of the extrusion press apparatus for placing a new container on a container holder from which a used container has been carried out, and a container lifting base including a plurality of lifting guides for lifting and lowering between a lower standby position and an upper insertion position, and a lifting actuator; a container positioning base placed on the container lifting base so as to allow a predetermined amount of horizontal sliding thereon, and having a container receiving base for placing the new container; a first container positioning portion disposed on the lower surface of the container holder on the container positioning base side; and a second container positioning portion disposed so as to protrude from below the container positioning base toward the container holder side. When the container lifting base and the container positioning base are lifted to the insertion position by the lifting actuator, the second container positioning portion contacts the first container positioning portion from below, allowing horizontal sliding of the container positioning base on the container lifting base where the second container positioning portion is disposed, and the first container positioning portion and the second container positioning portion are configured such that the center of the new container placed on the container receiving base is positioned at the center of the container storage hole of the container holder. Therefore, when inserting a new container into the container holder, it is not necessary for an operator to guide the suspended container inside the extrusion press apparatus, and a container replacement positioning device for an extrusion press apparatus capable of centering (positioning) the container holder and the container can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a schematic side view of an extrusion press apparatus including a partial cross section. [Figure 2]It is an explanatory diagram for explaining a conventional container replacement method. [Figure 3] It is a front view of the container replacement positioning device according to the present invention as viewed from the container side. [Figure 4] It is also a view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 3 of the container replacement positioning device according to the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to each claim, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0021] [First Embodiment] First, the container replacement positioning device of the extrusion press device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a front view of the container replacement positioning device according to the present invention as viewed from the container side. FIG. 3(a) is a front view of the state where the container replacement positioning device is at the insertion position of the container as viewed from the container side. FIG. 3(b) is an enlarged view of the main part X of FIG. 3(a). FIG. 4 is also a view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 3 of the container replacement positioning device according to the present invention. FIG. 4(a) is a view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 3(a) of the container replacement positioning device according to the present invention, and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B of FIG. 4(a).

[0022] First, the container exchange positioning device 50 includes a container lifting base 63 equipped with a plurality of lifting guides 61 and lifting actuators 62 for moving up and down between a lower standby position (not shown) and an upper insertion position (Figure 3(a)). The lifting guides 61 and lifting actuators 62 have a stroke that allows the container exchange positioning device 50 to wait in the lower standby position so as not to interfere with the operation of the container 18 (container holder 19) or the main crosshead 22, and are usually placed in a pit constructed in the foundation. One lifting actuator 62 is sufficient, but it is preferable to place the lifting guides 61 at each of the four corners of the container lifting base 63.

[0023] Above the container lifting base 63, a container positioning base 71 is positioned, on which a container support 81 on which a new container 18 is placed, allowing for a predetermined amount of horizontal movement on the container lifting base 63. Specifically, the container positioning base 71 is mounted on the container lifting base 63 in the configuration shown in the main part X of Figure 3(a). That is, as shown in Figure 3(b), a connecting member 73 having a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion that are larger than the through-hole 72 is inserted into a through-hole 72 that penetrates the container positioning base 71 and the container lifting base 63, and a nut 74 with a diameter larger than the through-hole 72 is tightened to the small-diameter portion that protrudes from below the through-hole 72 with a bolt 75 inserted from above the connecting member 73.

[0024] As described above, the container positioning base 71, which is placed above the container lifting base 63, is not fixed to the container lifting base 63, and is allowed to move on the container lifting base 63 by the difference between the inner diameter of the through hole 72 and the outer diameter of the smaller diameter portion of the connecting member 73. With this configuration of the container lifting base 63 and the container positioning base 71, the container positioning base 71 slides on the container lifting base 63 due to contact between the first container positioning portion and the second container positioning portion, which will be described later, so that the center of the new container 18 placed on the container support 81 is positioned at the center of the container storage hole of the container holder 19.

[0025] Next, referring to Figure 4, we will explain how the center of the new container 18 placed on the container support base 81 is positioned to the center of the container storage hole in the container holder 19 by contact between the first container positioning section 76 and the second container positioning section 77.

[0026] Figure 4(a) is a view of the container exchange positioning device according to the present invention, as seen through arrow AA in Figure 3(a). As shown in Figure 4(a), a first container positioning portion 76 is formed on the lower surface of the container holder 19 on the container positioning base 71 side. A second container positioning portion 77 is formed so as to protrude from below the container positioning base 71 toward the container holder 19. As shown in Figure 4(b), the first container positioning portion 76 has a convex tapered cross-sectional shape that narrows from top to bottom, perpendicular to the centerline of the extrusion press device, and the second container positioning portion 77 has a concave tapered cross-sectional shape that narrows from top to bottom, corresponding to the convex tapered shape of the first container positioning portion 76, perpendicular to the centerline of the extrusion press device. Figure 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken through arrow B in Figure 4(a).

[0027] Although not shown in the diagram, the same function can be achieved even if the cross-sectional shapes of the first container positioning section 76 and the second container positioning section 77 are reversed. Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the first container positioning section 76 perpendicular to the center line of the extrusion press device is a concave tapered shape that widens from top to bottom, and the cross-sectional shape of the second container positioning section 77 perpendicular to the center line of the extrusion press device is a convex tapered shape that widens from top to bottom, corresponding to the concave tapered shape of the first container positioning section 76.

[0028] Then, when the container lifting base 63 and container positioning base 71 are raised to the insertion position of the container 18 by the lifting actuator 62, the second container positioning part 77 located on the container positioning base 71 comes into contact with the first container positioning part 76 from below. As a result, the concave tapered surface of the second container positioning part 77 is guided by the convex tapered surface of the first container positioning part 76, thereby allowing the container positioning base 71 to slide horizontally relative to the container lifting base 63. The center of the new container 18 placed on the container support 81 is then positioned to coincide with the center of the container storage hole in the container holder.

[0029] The method for inserting a new container 18 into the container holder 19 from which the used container was removed, using the container exchange positioning device 50 described above, will now be explained. First, as shown in Figure 4(a), the lifting actuator 62 raises the container lifting base 63 and the container positioning base 71 from the lower standby position to the upper insertion position. At this time, the new container 18 is not placed on the container support 81 until the first container positioning unit 76 and the second container positioning unit 77 make contact and the positioning of the container positioning base 71 (container support 81) relative to the container lifting base 63 is completed. This is because the load acting on the container positioning base 71 is smaller when the new container 18 is not placed on the container support 81, and the positioning by the first container positioning unit 76 and the second container positioning unit 77 works more effectively.

[0030] The second container positioning unit 77 contacts the first container positioning unit 76 from below, and after the positioning of the container positioning base 71 (container support base 81) relative to the container lifting base 63 is completed, a new container 18 is placed on the container support base 81. Then, the main crosshead 22 is advanced and brought into contact with the end face of the container 18, and the container 18 is inserted into the container storage hole of the container holder 19. At this time, since the container 18 and the container storage hole of the container holder 19 are centered (positioned), there is no need for an operator to enter the extrusion press machine to guide the container 18. After it is confirmed that the end of the container 18 is stored in the container storage hole of the container holder 19, the main crosshead 22 continues to push the container 18 into the container holder 19, and at an appropriate timing, the lifting actuator 62 lowers the container exchange positioning device 50 to the standby position.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3(a), it is preferable that the container support base 81 be tapered or the like so that it does not move in a direction perpendicular to the centerline of the extrusion press when the container 18 is placed on it. Although not shown in the figure, it is also preferable that rollers or the like are provided to move the container 18 in the direction of the centerline of the extrusion press 100 when the placed container 18 is pushed into the container storage hole of the container holder 19 by the main crosshead 22.

[0032] Furthermore, the container exchange positioning device 50 may be provided with a container support position adjustment mechanism 82 for adjusting the position of the container support 81 in a direction perpendicular to the centerline of the extrusion press device. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3(a), multiple bolts or the like are arranged on the side of the container positioning base 71 to adjust the position of the container support 81 in a direction perpendicular to the centerline of the extrusion press device. A flange portion (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the container support 81, and the container support 81 is fixed to the upper surface of the container positioning base 71 with fastening members such as bolts in bolt holes formed in the flange portion. By forming the bolt holes to be larger and fixing them with washers of a larger diameter than the bolt holes, the position of the container support 81 on the container positioning base 71 can be finely adjusted by loosening the fastening members such as bolts when the position of the container support 81 on the container positioning base 71 is to be finely adjusted by the container support position adjustment mechanism 82.

[0033] In the first embodiment, the case in which a new container 18 is inserted into the container holder 19 from which a used container has been removed was described. However, the container exchange positioning device 50 according to the present invention can also be used when a used container is discharged from the container holder 19.

[0034] Specifically, the main crosshead 22, from which the extrusion stem 24 has been removed, is advanced and brought into contact with one end of the used container. Then, the main crosshead 22 and the used container are secured by known methods or means. After that, the main crosshead 22 is retracted and the connected used container is pulled out of the container holder 19. Up to this point, it is the same as the conventional method of removing used containers from the container holder 19 described earlier.

[0035] Then, at an appropriate time when the used container has been pulled out to a certain extent from the container holder 19, the lifting actuator 62 raises the container lifting base 63 and the container positioning base 71 to the insertion position, bringing the first container positioning section 76 and the second container positioning section 77 into contact, thereby aligning the container 18 with the container storage hole of the container holder 19. After that, the main crosshead 22 continues to retract, placing the used container on the container support base 81. A wire or the like is attached to the used container placed on the container support base 81, and the used container is transported out of the extrusion press machine using an overhead crane or the like. Subsequently, a new container 18 can be placed on the positioned container support base 81 using an overhead crane or the like.

[0036] As described above, the container exchange positioning device for an extrusion press machine according to the present invention is configured such that when inserting a new container into the container holder, it is not necessary for an operator to guide the suspended container inside the extrusion press machine, and the container holder and container can be centered (positioned).

[0037] Although the first embodiment has been described above as a way to carry out the invention, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented in various ways without departing from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10 End platen, 10A Extrusion opening, 10B Pressure ring, 10D Recess, 12 Main cylinder housing, 12A Main cylinder, 12B Main ram, 13 Tie rod nut, 14 Tie rod, 16 Die, 18 Container, 19 Container holder, 20 Billet, 21 Extruded product, 22 Main crosshead, 24 Extrusion stem, 26 Side cylinder, 28 Container cylinder, 50 Container exchange positioning device, 61 Lifting guide, 62 Lifting actuator, 63 Container lifting base, 71 Container positioning base, 72 Through hole, 73 Connecting member, 74 Nut, 75 Bolt, 76 First container positioning section, 77 Second container positioning section, 81 Container support stand, 82 Container support stand position adjustment mechanism, 100 Extrusion press machine

Claims

1. A container exchange positioning device for an extrusion press machine, which places a new container in a container holder from which a used container has been removed, when inserting a new container into the holder, A container lifting base comprising multiple lifting guides for raising and lowering between a lower standby position and an upper insertion position, and a lifting actuator, A container positioning base is provided, which is mounted on the container lifting base such that a predetermined amount of horizontal sliding is permitted on the container lifting base, and on which a container support for placing the new container is arranged; A first container positioning unit is disposed on the lower surface of the container holder on the container positioning base side, The container positioning unit comprises a second container positioning unit arranged to protrude from below the container positioning base toward the container holder. The first and second container positioning parts are configured such that, when the container lifting base and the container positioning base are raised to the insertion position by the lifting actuator, the second container positioning part contacts the first container positioning part from below, thereby allowing the container positioning base on which the second container positioning part is located to slide horizontally relative to the container lifting base, so that the center of the new container placed on the container support is positioned at the center of the container storage hole of the container holder. A container exchange and positioning device for an extrusion press apparatus, characterized by the following features.

2. The cross-sectional shape of the first container positioning section perpendicular to the center line of the extrusion press device is a convex tapered shape that narrows from top to bottom. The container exchange positioning device for an extrusion press device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the second container positioning portion perpendicular to the center line of the extrusion press device is a concave tapered shape that narrows from top to bottom, corresponding to the convex tapered shape of the first container positioning portion.

3. The cross-sectional shape of the first container positioning section perpendicular to the center line of the extrusion press device is a concave tapered shape that widens from top to bottom. The container exchange positioning device for an extrusion press device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the second container positioning portion perpendicular to the center line of the extrusion press device is a convex tapered shape that widens from top to bottom, corresponding to the concave tapered shape of the first container positioning portion.

4. A container exchange positioning device for an extrusion press according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a container support position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the container support, which is positioned on the container positioning base, in a direction perpendicular to the center line of the extrusion press, is positioned on the container positioning base.

Images