Amorphous Alloy Casting Vacuum System with Pre-Vacuumization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current molding processes for amorphous alloys face inefficiencies due to the need to reestablish vacuum or protective gas environments after each molding cycle, leading to prolonged production cycles and surface defects like gas holes or contracted holes.

Innovation Solution

A casting and molding equipment incorporating an injection system, alloy melting system, material feeding system, mold system, vacuum system, and protective gas supply system, which allows for efficient vacuumization and gas filling in advance, reducing cycle time and preventing surface defects through a compact design and controlled atmosphere management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vacuum environment is reestablished after each molding process, then protective atmosphere is maintained, but production cycle is prolonged and production efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective atmosphere maintenanceVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum tank is vacuumized in advance before the molding process begins, so that when molding is needed, the vacuum environment is already prepared and can be quickly established without waiting for vacuumization during each cycle. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable protective atmosphere while avoiding time loss during production cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous vacuum or protective gas atmosphere throughout the production process by pre-vacuumizing the vacuum tank and using constant pressure one-way valves to prevent atmosphere disruption. This continuous atmospheric control ensures both protective atmosphere maintenance and uninterrupted production flow, eliminating the need to restart vacuumization after each molding cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If protective gas is discharged and reestablished after each molding, then atmosphere control is maintained, but production cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatmosphere controlVSAvoidproduction cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The protective gas supply system is prepared in advance with gas storage tanks filled with protective gas before production begins. This preliminary preparation allows immediate supply of protective gas when needed without time-consuming gas filling operations during each molding cycle, thus maintaining atmosphere control while reducing cycle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous protective gas supply through storage tanks and controlled delivery mechanisms, ensuring uninterrupted atmospheric protection throughout the production process. This continuous supply eliminates repeated gas discharge and reestablishment operations, maintaining reliable atmosphere control while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If die cavity has no vent holes, then sealing is maintained, but gas holes or contracted holes form on product surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidproduct surface quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The constant pressure one-way valve acts as an intermediary between the sealed die cavity and the external environment. It allows gas to escape through the exhaust channel during injection while maintaining sealing integrity, and prevents external gas from entering the cavity. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling gas venting without compromising seal quality, thus preventing surface defects while maintaining sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The exhaust channel with constant pressure one-way valve is strategically positioned to provide localized gas escape pathways at specific points in the die cavity. This localized venting capability allows gas to be released from critical areas prone to defect formation while maintaining overall cavity sealing, thus improving product surface quality without sacrificing sealing integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Loss of time

If vacuum tank and gas storage tank are used, then vacuumization time is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevacuumization timeVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum tank is vacuumized in advance before production begins, and the gas storage tank is filled with protective gas beforehand. These preliminary preparations eliminate the need for time-consuming vacuumization and gas filling operations during each molding cycle, significantly reducing vacuumization time. The added complexity of storage tanks is offset by the substantial time savings and continuous production capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum tank and gas storage tank enable continuous operation by maintaining ready-to-use vacuum and protective gas supplies throughout production. This continuous availability eliminates repeated vacuumization cycles and gas refilling operations, reducing overall time loss. The initial investment in additional tank components is justified by the sustained time efficiency and uninterrupted production flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances production efficiency, reduces production costs, and improves product quality by minimizing vacuumization time, gas usage, and maintaining consistent atmospheric conditions, enabling continuous automatic production with reduced maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

the heating unit comprises an induction coil or resistance wire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

the heating unit comprises an induction coil or resistance wire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResistance heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

The vacuum system comprises a vacuum unit and a vacuum tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 4

The protective gas supply system comprises a protective gas tank and a gas storage tank connected to the protective gas tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInert atmosphere:

Data Source

PatentEP3075465B1Device and process for casting forming of amorphous alloy component
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 DONGGUAN EONTEC CO LTD
  • EP3075465B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Provided is a device for casting forming of amorphous alloy components. The device comprises an injection system, an alloy smelting system, a raw material feeding system, a mould system, a vacuum system and a protective atmosphere system. The vacuum system comprises a vacuum tank (6). The protective atmosphere system comprises a gas cylinder (1) for a protective atmosphere. The vacuum tank or the gas cylinder for a protective atmosphere is provided to effectively realize the acquisition of a vacuum or a protective atmosphere with a positive pressure in the forming process so as to achieve the casting forming of the amorphous alloy components under the protection of the vacuum and the protective atmosphere with a positive pressure. The mould is provided with an exhaust port to prevent the formation of micro shrinkage cavities on the surface in the process of forming the alloy components. Also provided is a process for the casting forming of the amorphous alloy components. The device and process substantially reduce the space of the vacuum or the protective atmosphere with a positive pressure, and can improve the quality of the amorphous alloy components, save on cost and improve the production efficiency.