Clamping device for an extrusion apparatus, extrusion apparatus, and use of an extrusion apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to an extrusion apparatus and a clamping device for an extrusion apparatus for clamping and / or fixing at least two tool elements of an extrusion tool packet received in a tool cassette, wherein the clamping device has an actuator for pressing the tool cassette against a counter-holder connected to a frame of the extrusion apparatus, wherein the actuator does not have an oil-hydraulic effective connection.

Description

[0001] Clamping device for an extrusion device, extrusion device and use of an extrusion device

[0002] The invention relates to a clamping device for an extrusion device, an extrusion device and a use of an extrusion device.

[0003] Extrusion presses of various designs are already known.

[0004] The clamping of a tool cassette by means of a hydraulically operated clamping device is already known and is used in particular to fix a press residue from the extrusion tool package before it is sheared off.

[0005] In the clamping systems known in the prior art, the hydraulic cylinders used are always arranged in the immediate vicinity of the tool cassette or on the outlet side of the extruded profile of the extrusion device.

[0006] During the operation of an extrusion press, the temperature of a tool cassette rises and reaches a high temperature.

[0007] The extruded profile emerging from the extrusion press also has a high temperature immediately at the extrusion press outlet. Both the operating temperature of the tool cassette and the temperature of an emerging extruded profile are so high that the permissible temperature of the seals of the adjacent hydraulic clamping cylinders can be exceeded.

[0008] This poses the risk of leakage of the clamping cylinders used, so that hydraulic oil can escape and come into contact with hot components of the extrusion device and / or a hot extruded profile, which poses a fire hazard.

[0009] Regardless of the operating temperature of the tool cassette, there are further risks of hydraulic oil leakage in a hydraulic system and, as a result, a significant fire hazard.

[0010] The invention is based on the object of providing an improvement or an alternative to the prior art.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a clamping device for an extrusion device for clamping and / or fixing at least two tool elements of an extrusion tool package accommodated in a tool cassette for forming an extruded profile from a press billet in a pressing direction, comprising an actuator for pressing the tool cassette against a counter-holder connected to a frame of the extrusion device, wherein the actuator is operatively connectable to the frame and the tool cassette, and wherein the actuator has no oil-hydraulic operative connection.

[0012] This proposal proposes a clamping device for an extrusion press that dispenses with an oil-hydraulic connection in the actuator area, thus preventing any hydraulic oil from escaping from the actuator. Accordingly, the risk of fire caused by escaping hydraulic oil is completely reduced with the clamping device proposed here. This increases the operational reliability and availability of an extrusion press.

[0013] The clamping device proposed here can be designed in various variants without having an oil-hydraulic connection.

[0014] According to a variant, the clamping device can be designed mechanically, in particular by a lever with which the tool cassette can be manually pressed against the counterholder, so that the at least two tool elements can be clamped and / or fixed.

[0015] Clamping devices comprising an electromechanical actuator or a pneumatic actuator are also additional variants according to which the clamping device can be designed so that the fire hazard caused by an oil-hydraulic active connection can be avoided.

[0016] However, other variants of a clamping device with the same technical effect are also possible embodiments, in particular clamping devices comprising a piezo actuator or a temperature-controlled shape memory alloy actuator.

[0017] Accordingly, the protected subject matter proposed here relating to a clamping device cannot be defined more clearly and concisely than by an actuator having no oil-hydraulic operative connection. Any other definition of the protected subject matter would disproportionately restrict the scope of protection proposed here. A tool element means a die and / or a die holder or a pressure plate or a support tool or a chamber tool or a cover element or a mandrel element or the like. In most cases, the at least two tool elements are understood to mean the two tool elements of the extrusion tool that are furthest apart from each other, i.e. in most cases the die and the pressure plate.

[0018] Depending on the current storage condition of the tool elements of the extrusion tool, these are clamped by the clamping device, i.e. pressed together, and / or fixed with regard to their axial position.

[0019] The clamping device is designed to press the tool cassette against the counterholder of the extrusion device, so that the tool element closest to the counterholder, in particular the pressure plate, is initially pressed by the tool cassette against the counterholder. It is understood that the tool element closest to the counterholder can protrude axially relative to the tool cassette to avoid a double fit and / or the counterholder can have a projection which can be designed to correspond to the tool cassette and can penetrate into the tool cassette.

[0020] On the side facing away from the counterholder, the tool cassette can have an axial securing element, in particular a horseshoe element, for applying a compressive force to the tool element furthest away from the counterholder.

[0021] It should be expressly pointed out that an extruded profile can also be understood as a longitudinally extending hollow body, in particular a pipe. Accordingly, no distinction is made here between the terms extrusion device and pipe pressing device. Rather, a tubular strand can also be formed by means of an extrusion device with an extrusion tool package already known in the prior art and adapted for this purpose. The term extrusion device in the present case therefore also includes a pipe pressing device. The aspects of the invention accordingly also comprise a pipe pressing device and a clamping device for a pipe pressing device and the use of a pipe pressing device.

[0022] The compressive force that can be applied by the clamping device to the at least two tool elements can be spatially better distributed and / or tilting of the tool elements in the tool cassette can be prevented if the clamping device has more than one actuator, in particular two, three, four, or more than four actuators. It is understood that a clamping device can also have different types of actuators simultaneously.

[0023] As already mentioned above, the clamping device can be advantageously designed if an actuator has an electromechanical active connection.

[0024] An electromechanical operative connection can be realized, in particular, by an actuator comprising a linear motor or a rotating electric motor. The use of a stepper motor as an actuator also leads to an advantageous embodiment.

[0025] A further variant of an actuator having an electromechanical active connection can be achieved by designing the actuator as an electric cylinder, in particular as a compact and integrated component with an electromechanical active connection.

[0026] Optionally, an actuator can be equipped with a pneumatic connection. This allows a fluid-mechanical connection to be used for the actuator, while simultaneously eliminating the need for an oil-hydraulic connection.

[0027] To spatially distance the actuator from a hot area, particularly from the tool cassette and / or the extruded profile, the actuator can be combined with a mechanical transmission element for the pressing force. Furthermore, the force development of the pressing force can be advantageously influenced by a mechanical transmission element by exploiting a kinematic interaction of the mechanical transmission element.

[0028] According to a variant of a mechanical transmission element, the actuator can be operatively connected to a cam gear, in particular to an eccentric.

[0029] A further advantageous embodiment of a mechanical transmission element can be realized by an operative connection of the actuator with a coupling gear. This allows, among other things, an advantageous relationship between a pressing force on the at least two tool elements and a travel of the actuator to be achieved.

[0030] A further variant of a mechanical transmission element consists in that the actuator is operatively connected to a thrust wedge gear. Preferably, a force-introducing wedge of the thrust wedge gear has a wedge angle relative to its longitudinal axis of greater than or equal to 15°, preferably greater than or equal to 17° and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 19°. In particular, the force-introducing wedge of the thrust wedge gear can have a wedge angle relative to its longitudinal axis of 20°. Optionally, the force-introducing wedge of the thrust wedge gear has a wedge angle relative to its longitudinal axis of less than or equal to 25°, preferably less than or equal to 23° and particularly preferably less than or equal to 21°. If the actuator is operatively connected to an aiming wedge, this results in an additional embodiment of the clamping device with a mechanical transmission element.

[0031] When the clamping device is used as intended, the actuator is always operatively connected to the tool cassette and the frame of the extrusion device.

[0032] In different embodiments of the extrusion device for the designated use of the clamping device proposed here, the actuator can be configured for different variants of connection to the frame of the extrusion device.

[0033] Thus, the actuator can be designed for direct connection to the counterholder of the extrusion device, wherein the counterholder of the extrusion device is designed to be connected to the frame of the extrusion device.

[0034] Some embodiments of extrusion devices have a counter beam on which the tool cassette can be arranged and / or mounted so as to be displaceable transversely to the pressing direction for easy replacement. Accordingly, the actuator can be configured for direct connection to a counter beam arranged on a frame of the extrusion device for arranging the tool cassette, in particular for connection to a counter beam for arranging the tool cassette so as to be displaceable transversely to the pressing direction.

[0035] According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by an extrusion device for forming an extruded profile from a billet, comprising: a frame as a supporting element of the extrusion device, a counterholder connected to the frame, a tool cassette for receiving an extrusion tool package comprising at least two tool elements for forming an extruded profile from a billet in a pressing direction, a clamping device for clamping and / or fixing the at least two tool elements, and an actuator for pressing the tool cassette against the counterholder, in particular a clamping device according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the actuator is at least indirectly operatively connected to the frame and the tool cassette, wherein the actuator optionally does not have an oil-hydraulic operative connection, but rather an electromechanical operative connection and / or a pneumatic operative connection.

[0036] Extrusion presses are available in various designs. They have in common that an extruded profile can be produced from a billet in one pressing direction of the extrusion press by forcing the billet, i.e., the raw material, through an extrusion tool package comprising a die.

[0037] To absorb the loads of an extrusion device, it has a frame. The frame is designed to absorb the weight forces and the loads that occur during operation of the extrusion machine. Accordingly, all components of an extrusion device are directly or indirectly connected to the frame. Different designs of the frame are known. The frame of an extrusion device often consists of belts, in particular four belts in each corner of the cross-section of the extrusion device, which extend in the extrusion direction of the extrusion device. In the extrusion direction, at the designated outlet end of the extruded profile, the extrusion device has a counterholder connected to the frame, which is designed to absorb and introduce into the frame the pressure required to form the extruded profile. Different designs of the counterholder are also known.A counterholder can be designed as a single piece or in multiple pieces. In some cases, the counterholder can have a separately formed counterholder pressure plate corresponding to the extrusion tool package.

[0038] To form an extruded profile, at least one forming die is required as a tool element, which can be combined with a pressure plate for supporting the die in the pressing direction to form an extrusion tool package, wherein the extrusion tool package can have different other tool elements, also depending on the geometry of the extruded profile.

[0039] The extrusion device proposed here has a tool cassette for receiving the at least two tool elements, in particular a die and a pressure plate, of an extrusion tool package, which can be equipped with different tool elements for the designated shaping of different extruded profiles. The tool cassette can advantageously have an axial securing element, in particular in the shape of a horseshoe, on the side facing away from the counterholder. This can prevent axial displacement of the tool elements against the pressing direction or limit it in a defined manner by the position of the tool cassette.

[0040] Furthermore, the extrusion device comprises a clamping device for clamping and / or securing at least two tool elements of an extrusion tool package accommodated in the tool cassette, in particular a clamping device according to the first aspect of the invention. Among other things, the clamping device can be used to secure the extrusion tool package before shearing off a press residue.

[0041] The clamping device has at least one actuator for clamping and / or fixing the extrusion tool package, which actuator is designed to exert a compressive force on at least two tool elements in opposite directions.

[0042] To transmit force into the tool cassette, the actuator is at least indirectly connected to the frame of the extrusion press. The actuator can be connected to the counterholder. The actuator can be connected to a counter beam.

[0043] The clamping device proposed here for the extrusion press dispenses with an actuator having an oil-hydraulic connection, thus preventing any hydraulic oil from escaping from the actuator. Accordingly, the fire hazard caused by escaping hydraulic oil is completely reduced with the extrusion press assemblies proposed here. This increases the operational reliability and availability of the extrusion press assemblies.

[0044] Preferably, the actuator is connected to the counterholder.

[0045] The extrusion device can further comprise a counter beam connected to the frame. This counter beam can be constructed in one or more parts and is designed to accommodate the tool cassette. Furthermore, the counter beam can also be designed as a component of the counter support.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the tool cassette can be arranged to be displaceable transversely to the pressing direction, so that the extrusion tool package can be made more easily accessible and can be replaced more easily. Furthermore, the extrusion device can have more than one tool cassette, in particular two or more than two tool cassettes. As a result, one of the tool cassettes can always be used to form an extruded profile from the extrusion billet, while at least one other tool cassette can cool down and / or be retooled.

[0047] The tool cassette can be mounted directly or indirectly on the counter beam. Furthermore, the tool cassette can be supported against the counter beam, so that during the pressing of the extruded profile, it can find a counter bearing in the counter beam, into which any compressive forces acting on the tool cassette can be introduced. The arrangement and / or mounting of the tool cassette on the counter beam can be such that the tool cassette can have a degree of freedom of movement transverse to the pressing direction.

[0048] Advantageously, the actuator is connected to the counter beam. This allows the extrusion tool package and / or tool cassette to be changed particularly quickly and / or conveniently.

[0049] It has proven to be an advantageous embodiment if the clamping device has more than one actuator, in particular two, three, four or more than four actuators.

[0050] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, one of the at least two tool elements has a die and / or a die holder.

[0051] Furthermore, one of the at least two tool elements preferably has a pressure plate.

[0052] It should be expressly pointed out that the subject matter of the second aspect can be advantageously combined with the subject matter of the preceding aspect of the invention, both individually or cumulatively in any combination.

[0053] According to a third aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by using an extrusion device according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein at least two tool elements of an extrusion tool package accommodated in a tool cassette for forming an extruded profile from a press billet are clamped and / or fixed in a pressing direction with a clamping device by pressing the tool cassette against the counterholder.

[0054] It is understood that the advantages of an extrusion device according to the second aspect of the invention, as described above, extend to the use of an extrusion device according to the second aspect of the invention for clamping and / or fixing at least two tool elements accommodated in a tool cassette.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, a press residue formed from the extrusion billet is sheared off from the extrusion tool package with a separating device after the clamping and / or fixing of the at least two tool elements, whereby the extrusion device can be prepared for the next extrusion billet.

[0056] It should be expressly pointed out that the subject matter of the third aspect can be advantageously combined with the subject matter of the preceding aspects of the invention, both individually or cumulatively in any combination.

[0057] It should be expressly pointed out that in the context of this patent application, indefinite articles and numerical expressions such as "one", "two", etc. are generally to be understood as "at least" expressions, i.e. as "at least one...", "at least two...", etc., unless it is expressly clear from the respective context or it is obvious or technically necessary for the person skilled in the art that only "exactly one...", "exactly two...", etc. can be meant.

[0058] In the context of this patent application, the expression "in particular" should always be understood as introducing an optional, preferred feature. The expression should not be understood as "and indeed" or "namely".

[0059] Further advantages, details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments. These show in detail:

[0060] Figure 1: schematically shows an embodiment of an extrusion device in a cross-section whose normal direction is oriented in the pressing direction; and

[0061] Figure 2 : schematically shows a sectional view of the extrusion device from Figure 1 .

[0062] In the following description, identical reference symbols designate identical components or identical features, so that a description of a component made with reference to one figure also applies to the other figures, thus avoiding repetitive description. Furthermore, individual features described in connection with one embodiment can also be used separately in other embodiments.

[0063] The extrusion device 10 in Figures 1 and 2 for forming an extruded profile from a billet essentially consists of a frame 14, a counterholder 18 connected to the frame 14, a tool cassette 30 and a clamping device 12.

[0064] The frame is the load-bearing element of the extrusion device 10, wherein the frame 14 in the present case consists of four belts 14, which are each arranged in a corner of the extrusion device 10.

[0065] The counterholder 18 is designed to absorb and transmit into the frame 14 the pressure required for forming the extruded profile. In this case, the counterholder 18 is constructed in several parts.

[0066] The tool cassette 30 is designed to receive an extrusion tool package (not shown) having at least two tool elements for forming an extruded profile (not shown) from a pressing billet (not shown) in a pressing direction 16.

[0067] The clamping device 12 is configured for clamping and / or securing the at least two tool elements. According to the embodiment of the extrusion device 10 shown here, the clamping device 12 has four actuators 40, which are connected to a counter beam 20, whereby each actuator is also at least indirectly connected to the frame 14.

[0068] Furthermore, each actuator 40 is operatively connected to the tool cassette 30 by means of a push-wedge gear 50.

[0069] Each actuator 40 is configured to press the tool cassette 30 against the counterholder 18.

[0070] Each actuator 40 does not have an oil-hydraulic connection. Rather, each actuator has an electromechanical connection. List of reference symbols

[0071] 10 Extrusion device

[0072] 12 Clamping device 14 Frame / belt

[0073] 16 Pressing direction

[0074] 18 counterholders

[0075] 20 Counter beam

[0076] 30 tool cassette 40 actuator

[0077] 50 push-wedge gears

Claims

Patent claims 1. Clamping device (12) for an extrusion device (10) for clamping and / or fixing at least two tool elements of an extrusion tool package accommodated in a tool cassette (30) for forming an extruded profile from a press billet in a pressing direction (16), comprising an actuator (40) for pressing the tool cassette (30) against a counter-holder (18) connected to a frame (14) of the extrusion device (10), wherein the actuator (40) is operatively connectable to the frame (14) and the tool cassette (30), characterized in that the actuator (40) has no oil-hydraulic operative connection.

2. Clamping device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device (12) has more than one actuator (40), in particular two, three, four or more than four actuators (40).

3. Clamping device (12) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that an actuator (40) has an electromechanical operative connection.

4. Clamping device (12) according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuator (40) comprises a linear motor or a rotating electric motor, in particular a stepper motor.

5. Clamping device (12) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the actuator (40) is designed as an electric cylinder.

6. Clamping device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an actuator (40) has a pneumatic operative connection.

7. Clamping device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (40) is operatively connected to a cam mechanism, in particular to an eccentric.

8. Clamping device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (40) is operatively connected to a coupling gear.

9. Clamping device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (40) is operatively connected to a thrust wedge gear (50).

10. Clamping device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (40) is operatively connected to a straightening wedge.

11. Clamping device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (40) is designed for direct connection to the counter-holder (18) of the extrusion device (10).

12. Clamping device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (40) is designed for direct connection to a counter beam (20) arranged on a frame (14) of the extrusion device (10) for arranging the tool cassette (30), in particular for connection to a counter beam (20) for arranging the tool cassette (30) displaceably transversely to the pressing direction (16).

13. Extrusion device (10) for forming an extruded profile from a press billet, comprising: a frame (14) as a supporting element of the extrusion device (10), a counterholder (18) connected to the frame (14), a tool cassette (30) for receiving an extrusion tool package having at least two tool elements for forming an extruded profile from a press bolt in a pressing direction (16), a clamping device (12) for clamping and / or fixing the at least two tool elements having an actuator (40) for pressing the tool cassette (30) against the counter-holder (18), in particular a clamping device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the actuator (40) is at least indirectly operatively connected to the frame (14) and the tool cassette (30), characterized in that the actuator (40) has no oil-hydraulic operative connection.

14. Extrusion device (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the actuator (40) is connected to the counter-holder (18).

15. Extrusion device (10) according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the extrusion device (10) has a counter beam (20) connected to the frame (14) and the tool cassette (30) is arranged on the counter beam (20), in particular is arranged displaceably relative to the counter beam (20) transversely to the pressing direction (16).

16. Extrusion device (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that the actuator (40) is connected to the counter beam (20).

17. Extrusion device (10) according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the clamping device (12) has more than one actuator (40), in particular two, three, four or more than four actuators (40).

18. Extrusion device (10) according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that one of the at least two tool elements has a die and / or a die holder.

19. Extrusion device (10) according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that one of the at least two tool elements has a pressure plate.

20. Use of an extrusion device (10) according to one of claims 13 to 19, wherein at least two tool elements of an extrusion tool package accommodated in a tool cassette (30) for forming an extruded profile from a press billet in a pressing direction (16) are clamped and / or fixed with a clamping device (12) by pressing the tool cassette (30) against the counterholder (18).

21. Use according to claim 20, characterized in that a press residue formed from the press bolt is sheared off from the extrusion tool package with a separating device after the clamping and / or fixing of the at least two tool elements.

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