Cold Extrusion Press Heating for Stable Tool Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cold extrusion presses face challenges in maintaining dimensional accuracy due to temperature fluctuations, leading to significant process waste and operational inefficiencies, as existing temperature control devices are inadequate and pose safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A temperature control system for cold extrusion presses featuring integrated die and stamp heaters with temperature sensors and a control unit, allowing for precise and automatic temperature management, ensuring consistent tool temperatures during operation and rapid recovery after downtime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If manual die heaters are used to maintain tool temperature, then temperature control is attempted, but the device complexity increases and safety risks arise due to manual handling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool temperatureVSAvoidheating device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating elements are integrated directly into the die holder and press ram structures, merging the heating function with the existing tooling components. This eliminates separate manual heating devices and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining temperature control capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates temperature sensors and control units that automatically monitor and adjust heating element operation. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention, reduces safety risks, and maintains consistent tool temperatures without operator involvement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Temperature

If external heating plates or heat packs are manually attached to the die, then heating capability is provided, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to manual assembly and disassembly requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedie temperatureVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Heating elements are built into the die holder and press ram as integrated components rather than external attachments. This eliminates the need for manual assembly and disassembly of heating devices, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining effective heating capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating elements are pre-installed and positioned within the tooling structures before production begins. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for operators to attach heating devices during setup or restart phases, reducing complexity and improving operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Temperature

If gas burners with open flames are used for heating, then high temperature heating is achieved, but harmful factors increase due to safety risks from open flames

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical open-flame heating (gas burners) with electrical heating elements integrated into the tooling. This substitution eliminates open flames and associated safety hazards while maintaining effective heating capability through controlled electrical resistance heating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Temperature sensors and control units automatically regulate the heating elements, eliminating the need for manual operation of dangerous open flames. The system self-regulates temperature while eliminating safety risks associated with gas burner operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Manufacturing precision

If manual temperature adjustments are made during restart, then dimensional accuracy is attempted to be maintained, but loss of time increases due to constant monitoring and adjustment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional accuracyVSAvoidrestart time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates temperature sensors and control units that automatically monitor tool temperatures and regulate heating element operation. This self-regulating capability maintains dimensional accuracy during restart without requiring operator intervention, significantly reducing restart time and eliminating the need for constant monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Temperature sensors provide continuous feedback to the control unit, which automatically adjusts heating element operation to maintain optimal tool temperatures. This closed-loop feedback system ensures dimensional accuracy is maintained during restart phases without manual intervention, reducing both time loss and operator workload

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 reduces process waste, minimizes operator intervention, and enables quick restarts with maintained dimensional accuracy, reducing the need for complex adjustments and calibrations, while ensuring safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element (7), in particular in the form of a heating loop (6), which is arranged in the interior (10) of the press ram (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

temperature sensors, which are connected to a control unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermocouple

Implementation Method 3

a control unit, by means of which the press tools can be heated to the desired temperature or by means of which the desired temperature can be maintained

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback control: Feedback

Implementation Method 4

the pressing tools (die holder, die, and press ram) heat up due to the plastic deformation of the slug and expand circumferentially, but primarily longitudinally

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP3991875B1Cold extrusion press with tempering device
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 NUSUM MATZINGEN
  • EP3991875B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a temperature control device for cold extrusion (1) with a die holder (2) and a press ram (3) for horizontal cup, reverse and flow extrusion, for the production of aluminium packaging and other flow-extruded parts, wherein the die holder (2) comprises a die heater (4) and the press ram (3) comprises a ram heater (5).