Patent ID: 6544469
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: B22D,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for producing a metal formed product, comprising:a holding furnace for holding molten metal; a semisolidified metal-producing mechanism provided with a vessel for accommodating a predetermined amount of said molten metal therein, for agitating said molten metal in said vessel to give a predetermined slurry state by using a cooling member to obtain semisolidified metal; a cooling member-restoring mechanism arranged adjacent to said semisolidified metal-producing mechanism, for applying a restoring treatment so that said cooling member has a desired function; a forming mechanism for forming said semisolidified metal to have a predetermined shape; and an articulated robot capable of transporting said vessel to said holding furnace, said semisolidified metal-producing mechanism, and said forming mechanism, wherein: said articulated robot is arranged to be linearly movable back and forth between said holding furnace and said forming mechanism; a plurality of sets of said semisolidified metal-producing mechanisms and said cooling member-restoring mechanisms are arranged along a direction of back and forth movement of said articulated robot; and each of said cooling member-restoring mechanisms comprises transport means to which said cooling member is detachably attached and which is capable of gripping and successively transporting said cooling member through respective restoring treatment stations.