Separation device and separation method

Abstract

Separation device (1) adapted to separate from an manufactured product (10) a riser (11) connected thereto, the device (1) comprising: a placement element (2) defining at least a first constraint portion (20) adapted at least to come into contact with the riser (11); a tool (3) comprising: a central body (32), a first arm (30) extending mainly along a first development direction (30a); a second arm (31) extending mainly along a second development direction (31a); the first arm (30) and the second arm (31) being loosely constrained to the central body (32) and being movable with respect to the central body (32); the first arm (30) and the second arm (31) being mutually approachably at least in a first direction (3a) transverse to the first development direction (30a) and the second development direction (31a); the placement element (2) comprising a second constraint portion (21) adapted to be constrained to the second arm (31); the device (1) defining a constraint configuration in which the second constraint portion (21) constrains the second arm (31) at least along the first direction (3a) in such a way that the second constraint portion (21) is pushed by the second arm (31) in movement at least along the first direction (3a); the tool (3) being operable from the constraint configuration in such a way that the first arm (30) and the second arm (31) move towards one another at least along the first direction (3a), the placement element (2) being moved by the thrust of the second arm (31), the riser (11) being pushed by the first arm (30) during the approaching movement until it meets the first constraint portion (20) and is detached from the manufactured product (10) with the continuation of the approaching movement.

Description

[0001] DESCRI PTION

[0002] SEPARATION DEVICE AND SEPARATION METHOD

[0003] The present invention relates to a separation device and a separation method of the type specified in the preamble of the first claim.

[0004] The subject of the present invention is both a separation device and a separation method that find application in the field of industrial production of manufactured products and, in particular, manufactured products made of metallic material such as foundry products.

[0005] Tools currently known are used in the processing of manufactured products in the early stages following forming.

[0006] In detail, some tools used in these production stages relate to the handling and removal of portions connected to the manufactured product. These portions are necessary during the production step of the manufactured product, but once the production process is concluded, these portions must be separated.

[0007] Examples of production processes that may require this type of subsequent processing are foundry techniques.

[0008] In these techniques, the products obtained by casting in the moulds are connected to one or more risers. The latter perform the function of compensating the voids due to the shrinkage of the metallic material inside the mould during the solidification step.

[0009] Once released from the mould, the casting must be separated from each riser to make the manufactured product regularly usable.

[0010] The separation operation is usually carried out using tools such as hammers or equipment that are not specific for this function.

[0011] The known technique described includes some important drawbacks. In particular, the use of non-specific tools to carry out the removal may cause alterations to the manufactured product.

[0012] Moreover, the separation may also lead to damage or even breakage of the manufactured product.

[0013] In addition, this operation proves to be all the more delicate the smaller the dimensions of the manufactured product. In this situation, the technical task underlying the present invention is to devise a separation device capable of substantially overcoming at least part of the drawbacks mentioned.

[0014] Within the scope of said technical task, an important object of the invention is to provide a separation device and a separation method capable of making easier the operation of separating an manufactured product from one or more portions connected thereto.

[0015] Another important object of the invention is to provide a separation device and a separation method that allow to improve the precision of the operation of separating an manufactured product from one or more portions connected thereto.

[0016] Furthermore, an important object of the invention is to provide a separation device capable of reducing the risk of damage to the manufactured product during the operation of separating an manufactured product from one or more portions connected thereto.

[0017] The technical task and the specified objects are achieved by a separation device as claimed in the attached claim 1 .

[0018] Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims.

[0019] The features and advantages of the invention are clarified below by the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a separation device according to the invention;

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates a section of a portion of a separation device according to the invention;

[0021] Figure 3 shows a top view of a separation device according to the invention in a first configuration;

[0022] Figure 4 shows a top view of a separation device according to the invention in a second configuration;

[0023] Figure 5 shows a top view of a separation device according to the invention in a third configuration;

[0024] Figure 6 shows a top view of a separation device according to the invention in a fourth configuration; and

[0025] Figure 7 shows a top view of a separation device according to the invention in a fifth configuration.

[0026] In the present document, measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like "about" or other similar terms such as "approximately" or "substantially", are to be understood as subject to measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and / or manufacturing errors and, above all, to a slight deviation from the value, measurement, shape or geometric reference to which they are associated. For example, such terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a deviation not exceeding 10% of the value itself.

[0027] Furthermore, when used, terms such as "first", "second", "upper", "lower", "main" and "secondary" do not necessarily identify an order, a priority of relation or relative position, but may simply be used to more clearly distinguish between different components.

[0028] Unless otherwise specified, as is evident from the following discussions, it is considered that terms such as "processing", "computing", "determining", "calculating", or similar, refer to the action and / or processes of a computer or similar electronic computing device that manipulates and / or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic quantities of registers of a computer system and / or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within computer systems, registers or other storage, transmission or display devices.

[0029] The measurements and data reported in the present text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as carried out in ICAO Standard Atmosphere (ISO 2533:1975).

[0030] With reference to the Figures, the device according to the invention is globally denoted by the number 1.

[0031] The separation device 1 is a device adapted to separate a riser 11 from an manufactured product 10. The manufactured product 10 may be a product obtained by a forming technique requiring the presence of at least one riser 11. The riser 11 is therefore connected to the manufactured product 10. For example, the manufactured product 10 may be produced by casting processes, in which moulds are used having cavities for the risers 11. Therefore, the manufactured product 10 may be a metallic casting.

[0032] In particular, the riser 11 preferably comprises a contact portion 11a. It is a contact portion with the manufactured product 10. In detail, it corresponds to the portion connecting the riser and the manufactured product 10. In fact, the contact portion 11 a may have a transverse extension with respect to the main development direction of the riser 1 1 that is smaller than the transverse extension of the distal portions of the riser 1 1 with respect to the manufactured product 10. The contact portion 1 1 a may therefore be a neck of smaller cross-section than both the riser 11 and the manufactured product 10.

[0033] The device 1 advantageously comprises a tool 3. It is a tool comprising at least a first arm 30 and a second arm 31. Both are elements extending mainly along a development direction. In detail, the first arm 30 extends mainly along a first development direction 30a. Similarly, the second arm 31 extends mainly along a second development direction 31a. Therefore, the first arm 30 and the second arm 31 may be elongate elements that may also be partially curved in shape.

[0034] The tool 3 comprises a central body 32. It may correspond to a body that may act as a housing for the two arms 30 and 31 . Furthermore, it may also comprise a handle that allows an operator to operate the tool 3 easily.

[0035] The first arm 30 and the second arm 31 are loosely constrained to the central body 32. In particular, they are movable with respect to the central body 32.

[0036] For example, the first arm 30 and the second arm 31 may both be constrained to a hinge of the central body 32. Both arms 30 and 31 may be constrained at a proximal end thereof to the central body 32. Alternatively, they may be constrained at a central portion.

[0037] In general, they may be arranged rotatable with respect to each other with a rotation centre placed at the portion in which they are mutually hinged. If the portion in which the arms are hinged is located with respect to an intermediate portion of the two arms, the central body 32 corresponds to the hinge only. Furthermore, if the arms are hinged at intermediate portions, the handle may be located at ends of the arms positioned on the same side with respect to the hinge. In general, the central body 32 comprises the hinge that connects the two arms 30 and 31 .

[0038] The first arm 30 and the second arm 31 are mutually approachably at least in a first direction 3a. Therefore, the first arm 30 and the second arm 31 may rotate around the common hinge and may approach and move away along the direction 3a. The first arm 30 and the second arm 31 are positioned so as to be aligned at least along the first direction 3a. The first direction 3a is therefore transverse to the first development direction 30a and the second development direction 31a.

[0039] The tool 3 may be automated and operable by means of activation means that may be activated by a button or an interface by an operator.

[0040] The tool 3 may advantageously comprise a clamp. It may be a clamp of sufficiently large dimensions so as to be able to grip the riser 11 . It has the advantage of being more easily handled by an operator. Furthermore, the clamp may be connected to an actuation machine connected to the gripping ends of the arms 30 and 31 . In this way, the clamp may easily perform the operation of removing the riser 11 and in an automated manner.

[0041] The tool 3 may comprise a hydraulic spreader. It has the advantage of being able to perform the operation of removing the riser 11 automatically.

[0042] The device 1 advantageously comprises a placement element 2. It is a portion that allows the riser 11 to be placed in a predetermined position. The placement element 2 may preferably be planar. In particular, it may extend along a development plane 2b. It is a plane in which at least the first direction 3a lies. Therefore, the placement element may largely have the shape of a planar element whose extension is parallel to the first direction 3a. In particular, the tool 3 is positioned in such a way that the two arms 30 and 31 are placed on the same face of the placement element 2. Therefore, they may be placed on the same side with respect to the development plane 2b.

[0043] The placement element 2 defines at least a first constraint portion 20. It is a surface of the placement element 2 adapted at least to come into contact with the riser 11 . In detail, the first constraint portion 20 may come into contact with the contact portion 11 a. Therefore, the riser 11 may be positioned so that the portion of smaller crosssection is placed near or in contact with the first constraint portion 20. If the placement element 2 is planar, the contact portion 11 a may be positioned at the development plane 2b.

[0044] The first constraint portion 20 may comprise a transverse wall 22. It may be arranged along a second direction 2a. It is a direction transverse to the first direction 3a. Therefore, the second direction 2a does not lie on the development plane 2b. The transverse wall 22 therefore performs the function of coming into contact with the contact portion 11 a.

[0045] For example, the transverse wall 22 may have the shape of a curved wall with a concavity counter-shaped to the contact portion 11 a. In this way, the constraint is made more effective and it is avoided that the riser 11 may be moved in undesired directions during the actuation of the device 1 .

[0046] Alternatively, the transverse wall 22 may form with the surface of the placement element 2 facing the manufactured product 10 a wedge forming a cutting edge that may come into contact with the contact portion 11a.

[0047] The placement element 2 may preferably comprise a through hole 2c.

[0048] It is a hole adapted to allow the riser 11 to pass through. Therefore, the constraint portion 20 may be located at least at part of the edge of the hole 2c. The presence of the hole 2c facilitates the positioning of the riser 11 . Furthermore, it also allows blocking or limiting any undesired movements of the riser 11 during detachment from the manufactured product 10.

[0049] The placement element 2 may preferably comprise a plurality of through holes 2c. They may be of different dimensions. The riser 11 may be made to pass through a selected one of the through holes 2c. In this way, the riser 11 may be arranged in a selected one of the through holes 2c. This solution allows the device 1 to be used with risers 11 of different sizes and to be able to insert them into the most suitable hole depending on said sizes.

[0050] The hole or holes 2c may have an edge comprising the transverse wall 22.

[0051] The placement element 2 may advantageously comprise a second constraint portion 21. It is a portion adapted to be constrained to the second arm 31. In particular, the second portion 21 may protrude at least perpendicularly to the development plane 2b. In this way, it may serve as a portion that may be hooked or otherwise constrained to the second arm 31.

[0052] The constraint may also be permanent, in the sense that the constraint portion 21 may be provided integral with the second arm 31 .

[0053] The device 1 defines a constraint configuration. In this configuration, the second constraint portion 21 constrains the second arm 31. In particular, the second constraint portion 21 may constrain the second arm 31 at least along the first direction 3a. In this way, the second constraint portion 21 is pushed by the second arm 31 in movement at least along the first direction 3a.

[0054] For example, the tool 3 may be positioned with respect to the placement element 2 so that the second constraint portion 21 is interposed between the first arm 30 and the second arm 31 and, in particular, with the second arm 31 in contact with it as described. The tool 3 is advantageously operable from the constraint configuration in such a way that the first arm 30 and the second arm 31 move closer to each other at least along the first direction 3a. In particular, the placement element 2 is moved by the thrust of the second arm 31 . In detail, the movement of the placement element 2 is caused by the thrust of the second arm 31 on the second constraint portion 21 .

[0055] The riser 11 is pushed by the first arm 30 during the approaching movement. During the approaching movement the riser 11 is moved until it meets the first constraint portion 20. In detail, the contact portion 11a comes into contact with the transverse wall 22. In fact, the transverse wall 22 is closer to the riser 11 than the first arm 30 when it is in contact with the riser 11 .

[0056] As the approaching movement continues, the riser 11 is advantageously detached from the manufactured product 10.

[0057] The detachment occurs due to the combination of the movement of the placement element 2 which, by means of the transverse wall 22, exerts a force at the contact portion 11 a of opposite direction to the force exerted on the riser 11 by the first arm 30. The misalignment of the two opposite forces causes a fracture to occur in the contact portion 11 a which leads to the detachment of the riser 11 from the manufactured product 10.

[0058] Therefore, the approaching movement of the two arms 30 and 31 combined with the implemented constraints allows the detachment. As previously described, this movement may be effectively carried out by a tool 3 having the structure of a clamp or a spreader. For example, the tool 3 may be a hydraulic spreader positioned with respect to the placement element 2 with the two arms already spaced apart and actuated only in closing. The placement element 2 may preferably be integral with the tool 3. Therefore, the placement element 2 and the tool 3 may form a single equipment. In this way, it is not necessary to carry out the positioning of the tool 3 with respect to the placement element 2.

[0059] In particular, the second constraint portion 21 may be integral with the second arm 31 . For example, the second arm 31 may have a geometry such as to have a groove or a recess in which the second constraint portion 21 is constrained integrally. In fact, the second arm 31 performs the function of moving the placement element 2. Alternatively, the tool 3 may define a release configuration. In this configuration, the tool 3 does not constrain the placement element 2 to the second arm 21. This configuration is possible if the tool 3 and the placement element 2 are not mutually constrained.

[0060] The invention comprises a new method of separating a riser 11 from an manufactured product 10. The separation method is achieved by means of the separation device 1 .

[0061] The separation method comprises a placement step.

[0062] In this step, the riser 11 is placed at the first constraint portion 20. Therefore, the placement element 2 and the riser 11 may be mutually positioned in such a way that the riser 11 meets the first constraint portion 20 along the first direction 3a. In particular, the first constraint portion 20 may be positioned to interact with the riser 11 along a transverse wall 22. In detail, the contact portion 11 a may be placed in contact with the transverse wall 22.

[0063] In the placement step, the device 1 is in constraint configuration.

[0064] The method comprises an actuation step. In this step, the tool 3 is actuated from the constraint configuration in such a way that the second constraint portion 21 is pushed by the second arm 31 in movement at least along the first direction 3a towards the second arm 31 .

[0065] If the manufactured product comprises multiple risers 11 , the separation method may be repeated to carry out the separation of each riser 11 .

[0066] Therefore, the riser 11 is pushed by the first arm 30 during the approaching movement and is hindered in its movement by the first constraint portion 20. Therefore, the transverse wall 22 hinders, at least at the contact portion 11 a, the movement of the riser 11 . Furthermore, the transverse wall 22 is pushed against the riser 11. Therefore, it is detached from the manufactured product 10 as the approaching continues.

[0067] The device 1 and the separation method according to the invention achieve important advantages.

[0068] Indeed, the device 1 and the separation method allow the separation operation of the riser to be carried out easily. In fact, the positioning of the placement element 2 with respect to the riser 11 allows to simplify the operations preceding the actual separation. Furthermore, the use of an automated tool 3 also allows to simplify the actuation step.

[0069] Another advantage of the device 1 and of the separation method is that it allows the separation of the riser 11 to be carried out with greater precision. The greater precision is due to the presence of the placement element 2 that allows the riser 11 to be positioned so that the detachment takes place at the contact portion 11 a.

[0070] The device and the separation method have the advantage of allowing a detachment of the riser that reduces the risk of damage to the manufactured product

[0071] 10 during the operation of separating the riser from one or more portions of connection to the manufactured product.

[0072] The invention is susceptible to variants falling within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims.

[0073] Within this scope, all details may be replaced with equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and dimensions may be any.

Claims

C LA I M S1. Separation device (1 ) adapted to separate from an manufactured product(10) a riser (11 ) connected to said manufactured product (10), said device (1 ) being characterised in that it comprises:- a placement element (2) defining at least a first constraint portion (20) adapted at least to come into contact with said riser (11 );- a tool (3) comprising:- a central body (32),- a first arm (30) extending mainly along a first development direction (30a);- a second arm (31 ) extending mainly along a second development direction (31 a);- said first arm (30) and said second arm (31 ) being loosely constrained to said central body (32) and being movable with respect to said central body (32);- said first arm (30) and said second arm (31 ) being mutually approachably at least in a first direction (3a) transverse to said first development direction (30a) and to said second development direction (31 a);- said placement element (2) comprising a second constraint portion (21 ) adapted to be constrained to said second arm (31 );- said device (1 ) defining a constraint configuration in which said second constraint portion (21 ) constrains said second arm (31 ) at least along said first direction (3a) in such a way that said second constraint portion (21 ) is pushed by said second arm (31 ) in movement at least along said first direction (3a);- said tool (3) being operable from said constraint configuration in such a way that said first arm (30) and said second arm (31 ) move towards one another at least along said first direction (3a), said placement element (2) being moved by the thrust of said second arm (31 ), said riser (11 ) being pushed by said first arm (30) during said approach until it meets said first constraint portion (20) and is detached from said manufactured product (10) with the continuation of said approach.

2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said riser comprises a contact portion (11a) with said manufactured product (10), said first constraint portion (20) comprising a transverse wall (22) arranged along a second direction (2a) transverse to said first direction (3a) and wherein said transverse wall (22) is closer to said riser (11 ) than said first arm (30) when in contact with said riser (11 ).

3. Device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said placement element (2) is planar and extends in a development plane (2b) in which at least said first direction (3a) lies.

4. Device (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein said second portion (21 ) protrudes at least perpendicularly to said development plane (2b).

5. Device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said placement element (2) is integral with said tool (3).

6. Device (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein said second constraint portion (21 ) is integral with said second arm (31 ).

7. Device (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 -4, wherein said tool (3) defines a release configuration in which said tool (3) does not constrain said placement element (2) to said second arm (21 ).

8. Device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tool(3) comprises a clamp.

9. Device (1 ) according to any one of claims 1—7, wherein said tool (3) comprises a hydraulic spreader.

10. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said placement element (2) comprises a through hole (2c) adapted to allow said riser (11 ) to pass through.

11. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said placement element (2) comprises a plurality of through holes (2c) of different dimensions, and said riser (11 ) is made to pass through a selected one of said through holes (2c) to position said riser (11 ) in any one of said choice through holes (2c).

12. Method of separating a riser (11 ) from an manufactured product (10) obtained by means of a separation device (1) and characterised in that:- said device (1) comprises:- a placement element (2) defining at least a first constraint portion (20) adapted at least to come into contact with said riser (11);- a tool (3) comprising:- a central body (32),- a first arm (30) extending mainly along a first development direction (30a);- a second arm (31 ) extending mainly along a second development direction (31a);- said first arm (30) and said second arm (31 ) being loosely constrained to said central body (32) and being movable with respect to said central body (32);- said first arm (30) and said second arm (31 ) being mutually approachable at least in a first direction (3a) transverse to said firstdevelopment direction (30a) and to said second development direction (31 a);- said placement element (2) comprising a second constraint portion (21 ) adapted to be constrained to said second arm (31 );- said device (1 ) defining a constraint configuration in which said second constraint portion (21 ) constrains said second arm (31 ) at least along said first direction (3a);- said separation method comprising:- a placement step in which said riser (11 ) is placed at said first constraint portion (20) in such a way that said riser (11 ) meets said first constraint portion (20) along said first direction (3a), said first constraint portion (20) being positioned so as to interact with said riser (11 ) along a transverse wall (22);- an actuation step in which said tool (3) is actuated from said constraint configuration so that said second constraint portion (21 ) is pushed by said second arm (31 ) in movement at least along said first direction (3a) towards said second arm (31 ), said riser (11 ) being pushed by said first arm (30) during said approach and being hindered in said movement by said first constraint portion (20) and being detached from said manufactured product (10) with the continuation of said approach.

Images