Vacuum Suction Plate for Damage-Free Incandescent Bar Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The extraction of metal bars from forming moulds often results in surface damage due to tilting when the bars are cooled below solidification temperature, leading to increased production costs and the need for subsequent finishing processes.
Innovation Solution
A handling device using a suction cup mechanism with a sealing gasket made of high-temperature resistant materials to grip incandescent metal bars, allowing extraction without surface damage and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mould is tilted to extract bars after cooling, then the bars can be removed from the mould, but surface damage occurs on the bars
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of tilting the mould to extract the bar, the patent inverts the approach by using a suction plate to grip and extract the bar vertically while the mould remains stationary. This reversal of the extraction mechanism eliminates the tilting action that causes surface damage to the bar.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical tilting system with a pneumatic suction system. The suction plate uses vacuum pressure to grip the bar surface, substituting the mechanical tilting and gripping action with a pneumatic field that applies uniform pressure without mechanical contact points that could cause gouges or scratches.
2Reliability
If the bars are cooled below solidification temperature before extraction, then the bars solidify properly, but production time increases due to reheating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter condition for extraction, allowing bars to be extracted while still incandescent (above room temperature) rather than requiring complete cooling. The suction plate's ability to grip hot surfaces enables extraction at elevated temperatures, reducing the cooling time required in the production cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction plate is designed to handle bars in a preliminary state (still hot and incandescent) before complete cooling occurs. This preliminary extraction action prevents the need for subsequent reheating of the mould, as the bar can be removed while the mould remains hot from the recent filling operation.
3Productivity
If conventional gripping methods are used on incandescent bars, then extraction can occur at high temperature, but the gripping mechanism cannot withstand the temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The suction plate utilizes a flexible sealing element or gasket that can conform to the bar surface and withstand high temperatures. This flexible sealing component creates the vacuum seal necessary for gripping while being thermally resistant enough to function on incandescent bars without degrading.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pneumatic suction system where vacuum pressure is applied through the suction plate to grip the bar. The pneumatic field itself is not directly contacted by the hot bar, only the sealing interface is, allowing the majority of the gripping mechanism to remain at ambient temperature while still enabling high-temperature bar handling.
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
The device enables safe and reliable handling of incandescent metal bars, preserving surface integrity and reducing production time and costs by avoiding tilting and subsequent finishing processes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one opening 13 passing therethrough in thickness and extending between the first face 12a and the second face 12b and configured to be connected to an air suction unit 100
Implementation Method 2
the sealing gasket 14 comprises a protruding portion 14a protruding from the first face 12a of the plate body 12... at least the protruding portion 14a of the sealing gasket 14 is made of at least one material resistant to temperatures above 500° C.
Data Source
AI summary
A handling device (10) for handling incandescent metal bars (B), especially incandescent precious metal bars, comprising: at least one plate body (12) having a first face (12a) and a second face (12b) opposite each other and at least one opening (13) extending therebetween and configured to be connected to an air suction unit (100), at least one sealing gasket (14) configured to make an air sealing and connected to the plate body (12) along a closed line surrounding the opening (13), wherein the sealing gasket (14) comprises a protruding portion (14a) from the first face (12a) of the plate body (12) to delimit, together with it, a suction chamber, wherein at least the protruding portion 10(14a) of the sealing gasket (14) is made of at least one material resistant to temperatures above 500° C., preferably comprised between 500° C. and 1000° C., more preferably comprised between 600° C. and 900° C.