Vacuum Suction Plate for Damage-Free Incandescent Bar Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 surface 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 damaging the surface, and a movable structure to facilitate handling at elevated temperatures.
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 bars as in conventional practice, the patent inverts the approach by using a suction plate to grip and extract bars while the mould remains in its original position. This reversal of the extraction mechanism eliminates surface damage caused by tilting while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical tilting system with a vacuum-based suction plate system. The suction plate uses vacuum pressure to grip the bar surface, substituting the mechanical force of tilting with a distributed vacuum force that contacts the bar surface gently through a flexible sealing gasket, thereby preventing surface damage.
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 at which extraction occurs, allowing bars to be extracted while still incandescent (above room temperature) rather than cooling them completely. The suction plate's flexible gasket compensates for thermal expansion and maintains vacuum grip at elevated temperatures, enabling extraction at optimal temperature conditions that reduce production cycle time while maintaining solidification reliability.
3Force
If a rigid gripping mechanism is used to extract hot bars, then extraction force is sufficient, but the bar surface is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sealing gasket made of refractory material that conforms to the bar surface. This flexible element distributes the extraction force uniformly across the bar surface through vacuum pressure, preventing concentrated stresses that would cause surface damage while maintaining sufficient total extraction force through the vacuum pressure differential.
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 efficient extraction of incandescent metal bars without surface imperfections, reducing production costs and time by maintaining high surface quality and allowing continuous production cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a 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) protruding from the first face (12a) of the plate body (12) to delimit, in use, a chamber in which a vacuum can be generated
Implementation Method 2
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)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
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 (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.