Die casting machine and die installation method

Abstract

The present invention comprises: a platen that holds a die; a support member that is provided below the die; and a lift-up mechanism that is provided on an upper surface of the support member and can lift the die upward. The support member is provided so as to be capable of substantially horizontal movement.

Description

Die Casting Machine and Mold Installation Method

[0001] The present invention relates to the installation of a mold in a die casting machine.

[0002] Conventionally, in the technology of Patent Document 1, in a die casting machine or an injection molding machine, a member for lifting up and holding is provided under a platen member (plate) by a hydraulic type, a screw type, or the like, and the platen member is lifted up and held during the operation of the device.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 5759792

[0004] However, in the above prior art, it is not described that the member for holding is horizontally movable. Also, a configuration for directly holding the mold at the time of mold installation is not disclosed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to hold the mold by a horizontally movable member and improve the positioning accuracy of the mold.

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention includes a platen for holding a mold, a support member provided below the mold, and a lift-up mechanism provided on the upper surface of the support member and capable of lifting the mold upward. The support member is provided so as to be substantially horizontally movable.

[0007] Thereby, the mold can be held by a horizontally movable member, and the positioning accuracy of the mold can be improved.

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a die-casting machine to which the present invention is applied. Figure 2 is a schematic top view illustrating an example of a die support. Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are cross-sectional views taken along line A-A in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the installation of the die support and the lowering of the mold. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the state in which the mold is placed on the die support. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the state in which the mold is lifted up. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the retraction of the die support toward the platen and the engagement of the mold and platen. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the state when the cylinder is lowered after the mold and platen have been fixed. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the die support and the mold.

[0009] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same function will be denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] [Overall Configuration] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a die-casting machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. The die-casting machine 1 shown in Figure 1 is a device for manufacturing castings by filling a mold with molten metal (hereinafter referred to as "molten metal") and shaping it. The die-casting machine 1 comprises an injection device 10, a mold 20, a platen 30, a mold opening section 40, a control unit 50, and a base 60. The die-casting machine 1 performs shaping by injecting molten metal injected from the injection device 10 into the cavity C of the mold 20.

[0011] The injection molding device 10 is a device that injects and fills a cavity C formed in a mold 20 with molten metal. The injection molding device 10 includes, for example, an injection sleeve 11, a plunger 12, and an injection cylinder 13. The injection sleeve 11 is a member that guides the molten metal into the cavity C, and is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape so as to extend in one horizontal direction. The injection sleeve 11 is provided with a pouring port 11a, and the molten metal is supplied to the space inside the injection sleeve 11 through the pouring port 11a.

[0012] The injection cylinder 13 is connected to a plunger 12 located inside the injection sleeve 11 and is the component that drives the plunger 12. The injection cylinder 13 may also be a hydraulically driven cylinder. When the injection cylinder 13 advances the plunger 12 toward the mold 20, the molten metal inside the injection sleeve 11 is injected and filled into the cavity C. Although not shown in Figure 1, the space inside the injection sleeve 11 and the cavity C are in communication.

[0013] The mold 20 is a component that forms the cavity C, and the platen 30 is a component that holds the mold 20. The mold 20 has a fixed mold 21 and a movable mold 22, and the platen 30 has a fixed platen 31 and a movable platen 32. The fixed mold 21 and the movable mold 22 are fixed to the fixed platen 31 and the movable platen 32, respectively. The fixed platen 31 is fixed to the base 60, and the movable platen 32 is provided so as to be able to move horizontally on the base 60. The base 60 is the part that supports each component included in the die-casting machine 1.

[0014] In Figure 1, the horizontal direction in which the movable platen 32 moves is indicated by "D1". The die-casting machine 1 is provided with a plurality of tie bars 33 extending in direction D1 between the fixed platen 31 and the movable platen 32. Viewed from direction D1, each of the tie bars 33 is provided so as to penetrate the corners of the fixed platen 31 and the movable platen 32. The movable platen 32 is provided so as to be able to move back and forth relative to the fixed platen 31 using the tie bars 33 as guides.

[0015] The mold opening 40 is an actuator driven by a hydraulic power source (not shown) that drives (moves) the movable platen 32 along direction D1. The mold opening 40 includes, for example, a hydraulic cylinder 41 and a toggle mechanism 42. The hydraulic cylinder 41 reciprocates the movable platen 32 in direction D1 via the toggle mechanism 42, which functions as a link arm.

[0016] The control unit 50 is a computer that controls at least the mold opening unit 40. Through this mold opening unit 40, the control unit 50 controls the position of the movable mold 22 and performs mold opening and mold clamping (mold closing) of the mold 20. Specifically, the control unit 50 controls the mold opening unit 40 so that the movable platen 32 to which the movable mold 22 is fixed moves closer to the fixed platen 31 to which the fixed mold 21 is fixed, thereby performing mold clamping. Also, the control unit 50 controls the mold opening unit 40 so that the movable platen 32 moves away from the fixed platen 31, thereby performing mold opening.

[0017] When the mold 20 is clamped, the movable mold 22 comes into contact with the fixed mold 21, forming a cavity C in the mold 20. The cavity C is a space having a shape corresponding to the casting obtained by the die-casting machine 1. When the direction in which the movable platen 32 (movable mold 22) moves to perform mold opening and mold clamping, respectively, is defined as the "clamping / opening direction," direction D1 corresponds to the clamping / opening direction.

[0018] A die support 100 is provided below the fixed mold 21 and the movable mold 22. The die support 100 (support member) is included in the die-casting machine 1. This die support 100 is a member provided to support each mold 21 and 22, and is provided to be horizontally movable on the upper surface of the base 60. The support (holding) of the fixed mold 21 and the movable mold 22 by the die support 100 is performed when fixing the mold 20 to the platen 30. Holding with this die support 100 makes it easy to position each mold 21 and 22 when fixing them to the respective platens 31 and 32.

[0019] The die support 100 may be inserted through the lower tie bar 33 to allow for horizontal movement, or it may not be inserted. If it is inserted, a guiding effect is obtained from the tie bar 33. If it is not inserted, at least a portion of the die support 100 may be positioned between the pair of lower tie bars 33. As illustrated in Figure 1, the die casting machine 1 includes a die support 100 corresponding to a fixed mold 21 and a die support 100 corresponding to a movable mold 22.

[0020] Each die support 100 is installed to be individually movable. The die support 100 is reciprocally movable in a substantially horizontal direction. In this invention, substantially horizontal is a concept that includes not only strictly horizontal but also errors or deformations that do not lose identity with strictly horizontal, for example, an error of a few degrees. The die support 100 may be movable in direction D1 (the above-mentioned mold clamping and mold opening direction).

[0021] [Details of the die support] Figure 2 is a schematic top view of the die support 100, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2. In Figure 3, hatching representing the cross-section is omitted for some members. The die support 100 may be a trapezoidal member. For example, the die support 100 exhibits a trapezoidal shape when viewed from direction D1 and when viewed from a direction perpendicular to direction D1 (hereinafter referred to as "direction D2").

[0022] The die support 100 has a main body 110 and a cylinder 120. The main body 110 is the main body portion of the die support 100 and includes at least an upper surface 111 on which the mold 20 can be placed. The main body 110 is formed to extend along direction D2 and may have a trapezoidal shape. Tie bars 33 may be inserted through each of the ends of the main body 110 of the die support 100 in direction D2.

[0023] The cylinder 120 (lift-up mechanism) is provided on the upper surface 111 of the main body 110 and is a component capable of lifting the mold 20 upward. The cylinder 120 is an actuator that can be driven vertically by a drive source such as hydraulics, and is driven when installing each mold 21, 22 to lift each mold 21, 22. When the cylinder 120 has lifted the mold 20 (corresponding molds among the fixed mold 21 and movable mold 22), the lower surface of the mold 20 is positioned above the upper surface 111.

[0024] Figure 3(a) illustrates a cross-section of the die support 100 when the cylinder 120 is not driven, and Figure 3(b) illustrates a cross-section of the die support 100 when the cylinder 120 is driven upward. When the cylinder 120 is driven, it becomes capable of lifting the corresponding mold 20. For example, after the mold 20 is placed on the upper surface 111 with the cylinder 120 not driven, the mold 20 is lifted (lifted up) when the cylinder 120 is driven. The die support 100 is movable along direction D1 with the cylinder 120 lifting the corresponding mold 20.

[0025] The cylinder 120 is housed in a cylinder housing 112 provided on the upper surface 111 of the main body 110, and the cylinder 120 and the cylinder housing 112 define an oil chamber R. When hydraulic fluid is supplied to this oil chamber R, the cylinder 120 is driven upward. This lifts up each mold 21, 22 and positions each mold 21, 22 and each platen 31, 32. The supply of hydraulic fluid to the oil chamber R and the hydraulic pressure are controlled by the control unit 50.

[0026] [Mold Installation Process] The installation process (mold installation method) for each mold 21, 22 using the die support 100 of this application is as follows. The following will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 9. In this installation process, at least when installing the mold 20 on the platen 30, the mold 20 is lifted by the cylinder 120 and fixed to the platen 30. In the above installation process, for example, the die support installation process, mold lowering process, mold placement process, lift-up process, die support retraction process, locking process, and cylinder lowering process are performed in this order. Each process will be explained below.

[0027] (1. Die Support Installation and Mold Lowering) Figure 4 illustrates the installation of the die support 100 and the lowering of each mold 21 and 22. In the die support installation process, the die support 100 is installed (advanced) in the desired position. For example, when each mold 21 and 22 is lowered, the die support 100 is advanced to a position where each mold does not interfere with the platen 30. Next, in the mold lowering process, the fixed mold 21 and the movable mold 22 are lowered (descended) toward the corresponding die support 100. In the mold lowering process, for example, each mold 21 and 22 is suspended by a rope (not shown) and lowered toward the die support 100.

[0028] (2. Mold Placement) Figure 5 illustrates a state in which each mold 21 and 22 are placed on the die support 100. The above mold placement process is performed immediately following the mold lowering process. In the mold placement process, each lowered mold 21 and 22 is held in contact with the upper surface 111 of the die support 100. Specifically, the lower surface 21a of the fixed mold 21 is placed on the upper surface 111 of the die support 100 corresponding to the fixed mold 21, and the lower surface 22a of the movable mold 22 is placed on the upper surface 111 of the die support 100 corresponding to the movable mold 22. Even after the molds 21 and 22 are held by the die support 100 (for example, until the locking process is completed), engagement with the suspension ropes, etc., may be maintained. Maintaining engagement with the ropes, etc., reduces the risk of the molds 21 and 22 tipping over due to some abnormality.

[0029] The forward lowering process is performed by executing the die support installation process, the mold lowering process, and the mold placement process. In the forward lowering process, the die support 100 is moved forward below each mold 21, 22, and each mold 21, 22 is lowered onto the die support 100.

[0030] (3. Lifting up the molds) Figure 6 illustrates the state in which each mold 21 and 22 are lifted up by the cylinder 120. In the lifting process, the fixed mold 21 is lifted up by the cylinder 120 provided on the die support 100 corresponding to the fixed mold 21. The movable mold 22 is also lifted up by the cylinder 120 provided on the die support 100 corresponding to the movable mold 22. When each mold 21 and 22 is lifted up, a gap is formed between each mold 21 and 22 and the upper surface 111 in the vertical direction (a direction perpendicular to both direction D1 and direction D2).

[0031] Each mold 21, 22 is provided with clamp pins 211, 221, which are engagement parts with each platen 31, 32. Each platen 31, 32 is provided with fixing parts 311, 321, which can engage with the clamp pins 211, 221. By engaging and fixing these clamp pins 211, 221 with the fixing parts 311, 321 of each platen 31, 32, the molds 21, 22 and each platen 31, 32 are fixed together.

[0032] More specifically, a plurality of clamp pins 211 are provided on the side of the fixed mold 21 facing the fixed platen 31, and a plurality of fixing parts 311 corresponding to the plurality of clamp pins 211 are provided on the side of the fixed platen 31 facing the fixed mold 21. A plurality of clamp pins 221 are provided on the side of the movable mold 22 facing the movable platen 32, and a plurality of fixing parts 321 corresponding to the plurality of clamp pins 221 are provided on the side of the movable platen 32 facing the movable mold 22.

[0033] When fixing the fixed mold 21 to the fixed platen 31, precision is required in positioning the clamp pin 211 relative to the fixing part 311, and when fixing the movable mold 22 to the movable platen 32, precision is required in positioning the clamp pin 221 relative to the fixing part 321. By lifting them up hydraulically, the positioning of the clamp pins 211 and 221 in each mold 21 and 22 and the fixing parts 311 and 321 in each platen 31 and 32 becomes easier, improving positioning accuracy compared to suspension methods using ropes or the like. The above positioning includes at least vertical positioning. In the lift-up process, each mold 21 and 22 is lifted to a desired position, and the lifting amount (the amount the mold is raised) is predetermined.

[0034] (4. Die support retraction) Figure 7 illustrates the state when the die support 100 is retracted toward each platen 31, 32, and the molds 21, 22 engage with each platen 31, 32. As described above, the die support 100 is provided so as to be able to move horizontally on the base 60. In the die support retraction process (retraction process), each die support 100 is moved (retracted) toward each platen 31, 32 while each mold 21, 22 is raised to the desired position.

[0035] More specifically, after positioning in the lift-up process, while the cylinder 120 continues to lift the fixed mold 21 together with the die support 100 is moved backward toward the fixed platen 31, and the movable mold 22 together with the die support 100 is also moved backward toward the movable platen 32. As the fixed mold 21, which is lifted by the cylinder 120, moves backward toward the fixed platen 31, the clamp pin 211 engages with the fixed part 311. As the movable mold 22, which is lifted by the cylinder 120, moves backward toward the movable platen 32, the clamp pin 221 engages with the fixed part 321.

[0036] In the die support retraction process, the die support 100 is moved toward each platen 31, 32 (i.e., in the mold opening direction), so that the clamp pins 211, 221 (each mold 21, 22) and the fixing parts 311, 321 (each platen 31, 32) are smoothly engaged with each other without the accuracy deteriorating as the retraction movement occurs, while maintaining positioning accuracy.

[0037] (5. Locking) In the locking process, the fixed mold 21 is fixed to the fixed platen 31, and the movable mold 22 is fixed to the movable platen 32. As shown in Figure 7, after engaging the clamp pins 211, 221 (each mold 21, 22) with the fixing parts 311, 321 (each platen 31, 32), they are fixed to each other in the locking process.

[0038] (6. Cylinder Lowering) Figure 8 illustrates the situation when the cylinder 120 is lowered after the molds 21 and 22 and the platens 31 and 32 have been fixed in place. In the cylinder lowering process, the lifting state by the cylinder 120 is released, and the molds 21 and 22 are separated from the die support 100. In the cylinder lowering process, for example, the hydraulic fluid in the oil chamber R is returned to a tank outside the figure to reduce the pressure and lower the cylinder 120. As the cylinder 120 lowers after the above locking process, the holding of the molds 21 and 22 by the die support 100 is released (i.e., the die support 100 transitions to a state where it does not hold the molds 21 and 22).

[0039] Figure 9 is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship between the die support 100 and each mold 21, 22 in Figure 8. As the cylinder 120 descends, the lower surfaces 21a, 22a of each mold 21, 22 and the upper surface 121 of the cylinder 120 are separated, forming a clearance D. The presence of this clearance D makes it possible to absorb the amount of deformation when each mold 21, 22 expands due to heat, etc., and prevents excessive load from being placed on the clamp pins 211, 221 and the fixing parts 311, 321. The load on the die support 100 is also reduced. Furthermore, since the load acting on each mold 21, 22 is avoided because the deformation is absorbed in the clearance D, it is also possible to suppress a decrease in the positioning accuracy between each mold 21, 22 and each platen 31, 32.

[0040] The above mold installation process is performed, for example, when the die-casting machine 1 is first installed, or when the mold 20 is replaced in the die-casting machine 1. After the mold installation process, the die-casting machine 1 performs a casting process. In the casting process, the movable platen 32 moves in the clamping direction by the mold opening 40. The movable mold 22 also moves along with the movement of the movable platen 32, thereby clamping the mold 20 and forming a cavity C in the mold 20 (see also Figure 1). The die support 100 corresponding to the movable mold 22 is connected to the movable platen 32 and may move together with the movable platen 32 in the casting process.

[0041] [Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 1 described above, the molds 21 and 22 are placed on the upper surface 111 of the die support 100 before being lifted by the cylinder 120. Alternatively, the cylinder 120 may be driven to a state in which it can lift each mold 21 and 22, and then each mold 21 and 22 may be placed on the die support 100 (upper surface 121 of the cylinder 120). That is, the movement of the die support 100 in direction D1 with each mold 21 and 22 lifted also includes the movement of the die support 100 in direction D1 after the molds have been placed on the cylinder 120 while it is driven, without the molds themselves being lifted.

[0042] In the mold installation process according to Embodiment 2, the forward descent process (die support installation process, mold lowering process, and mold placement process), lift-up process, die support retraction process, locking process, and cylinder lowering process differ from the installation process according to Embodiment 1, except for the forward descent process and the lift-up process. In the mold installation process according to Embodiment 2, the lift-up process is not performed, and while the forward descent process is being executed, the cylinders 120 of each die support 100 are driven before each die 21, 22 is placed on the die support 100. Then, with the cylinders 120 driven (in the raised state), each die 21, 22 is placed on the die support 100.

[0043] [Effect] (1) In the die-casting machine 1, platens 31 and 32 that hold the dies 21 and 22, a die support 100 (support member) provided below the dies 21 and 22, and a cylinder 120 (lifting mechanism) provided on the upper surface of the die support 100 and capable of lifting the dies 21 and 22 upward are provided. The die support 100 is provided so as to be capable of substantially horizontal movement. By making the die support 100 horizontally movable, it becomes possible to move while holding the dies 21 and 22, and the positioning of the dies 21 and 22 with respect to the platens 31 and 32 can be performed with high accuracy. Further, by lowering the cylinder 120 after installing the dies 21 and 22, a clearance D is formed between the dies 21 and 22 and the die support 100, and an excessive load applied to members (for example, clamp pins 211 and 221 and fixing portions 311 and 321) that fix the dies 21 and 22 and the platens 31 and 32 to each other when the die expands can be suppressed.

[0044] (2) In the die-casting machine 1 described in (1) above, the die support 100 is configured to be capable of substantially horizontal movement in a state where the dies 21 and 22 are lifted. By horizontally moving while in the lifted state, positioning can be performed more reliably.

[0045] (3) In the die-casting machine 1 described in (1) or (2) above, the die support 100 is configured to be capable of substantially horizontal movement in the die clamping / opening direction of the dies 21 and 22. By horizontally moving in the die clamping / opening direction, the die support 100 can be retracted toward the platens 31 and 32 side, and positioning can be performed more reliably.

[0046] (4) In a die casting machine 1 comprising platens 31 and 32 for holding dies 21 and 22, a die support 100 (support member) provided below the dies 21 and 22, and a cylinder 120 (lift-up mechanism) provided on the upper surface 111 of the die support 100 and capable of lifting the dies 21 and 22 upward, when installing the dies 21 and 22 on the platens 31 and 32, the dies 21 and 22 are fixed to the platens 31 and 32 in a state where they are lifted by the cylinder 120. When the dies 21 and 22 are enlarged, their weight also increases. Therefore, in die installation by a lifting method using a rope or the like, it is difficult to position the platens at the fixing points. Thus, by providing the cylinder 120 on the die support 100, positioning can be performed accurately.

[0047] (5) In the die installation method described in (4) above, having a fixed die 21 and a movable die 22, having a fixed platen 31 and a movable platen 32, the fixed die 21 is fixed to the fixed platen 31, and the movable die 22 is fixed to the movable platen 32. By moving the movable die 22 in a substantially horizontal direction, a die cavity (C) is formed. The die support 100 is provided below the fixed die 21 and the movable die 22. It is more effective to install while holding both the fixed die 21 and the movable die 22 with the die support 100. Also, in die installation in so-called horizontal die clamping, more remarkable effects can be obtained by installing on the platens 31 and 32 while holding both the fixed side and the movable side.

[0048] (6) In the die installation method described in (4) or (5) above, the cylinder 120 is configured to lift the dies 21 and 22 by hydraulic pressure. By applying hydraulic pressure, lift-up can be easily performed.

[0049] (7) In the mold installation method described in any one of (4) to (6) above, the method includes: an advance-down step in which the die support 100 is advanced below the molds 21 and 22 and the molds 21 and 22 are lowered onto the die support 100; a lift-up step in which the cylinder 120 is used to lift the molds 21 and 22 to a desired position; a retraction step in which the die support 100 is moved toward the platen 31 and 32 while the molds 21 and 22 are lifted toward the desired position; and a locking step in which the molds 21 and 22 are fixed to the platen 31 and 32. In the suspended type mold installation, positioning when moving toward the platen 31 and 32 was complicated, but by moving toward the platen 31 and 32 while being lifted by the cylinder 120, positioning toward the fixed position on the platen 31 and 32 becomes easy.

[0050] (8) In the mold installation method described in any one of (4) to (7) above, after fixing the molds 21 and 22 to the platens 31 and 32, the lifting state by the cylinder 120 is released, and the molds 21 and 22 are separated from the die support 100. By releasing the lifting state, such as by releasing hydraulic pressure, a clearance is easily created between the molds 21 and 22 and the die support 100, and this clearance can absorb the expansion and displacement of the molds 21 and 22.

[0051] 1 die-casting machine 10 injection device 20 mold 21 fixed mold 22 movable mold 31 fixed platen 32 movable platen 100 die support (support member) 120 cylinder (lift-up mechanism)

Claims

1. A die-casting machine comprising: a platen for holding a mold; a support member provided below the mold; and a lift-up mechanism provided on the upper surface of the support member capable of lifting the mold upward, wherein the support member is provided to be substantially horizontally movable.

2. A die-casting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the support member is capable of moving substantially horizontally while the mold is lifted.

3. A die-casting machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the support member is substantially horizontally movable in the mold clamping and mold opening directions of the mold.

4. A method for installing a die-casting machine comprising a platen for holding a mold, a support member provided below the mold, and a lift-up mechanism provided on the upper surface of the support member capable of lifting the mold upward, wherein when installing the mold onto the platen, the mold is lifted by the lift-up mechanism and then fixed to the platen.

5. A mold installation method according to claim 4, wherein the mold comprises a fixed mold and a movable mold, the platen comprises a fixed platen and a movable platen, the fixed mold is fixed to the fixed platen and the movable mold is fixed to the movable platen, a mold cavity is formed by moving the movable mold in a substantially horizontal direction, and the support member is provided below the fixed mold and the movable mold.

6. A mold installation method according to claim 4, wherein the lift-up mechanism lifts the mold by hydraulic pressure.

7. A mold installation method according to claim 4, comprising: an advance-down step of moving the support member forward below the mold and lowering the mold onto the support member; a lift-up step of lifting the mold to a desired position using the lift-up mechanism; a retraction step of moving the support member toward the platen while the mold is lifted to the desired position; and a locking step of fixing the mold to the platen.

8. A mold installation method according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that, after fixing the mold to the platen, the lifted state by the lift-up mechanism is released and the mold and the support member are separated.

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