Patent ID: 6881048
Filing Date: 2005-04-19
Classification: B30B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for automatically loading a desired amount of powder material into a hollow mold having a bore extending therethrough, said apparatus comprising: a mold conveyor system for supporting and conveying said mold with a lower press core fitted in said bore, said mold conveyor system including a guide rail extending over a predetermined range, and a carrier movable along said guide rail and capable of supporting for vertical displacement said mold with said lower press core fitted in said bore; at least one powder filling mechanism for filling an amount of powder material into said mold, said at least one powder filling mechanism being located at a powder filling position defined along a transportation path of said mold conveyed by said mold conveyor system, said at least one powder filling mechanism including a support plate having a top surface and a hole sized to receive said upper end of said mold, a hopper movably disposed on said support plate and adapted to store an amount of powder material therein, and a strickle mechanism for strickling off any excessive amount of powder material, being filled into said mold from said hopper, to the level of a top surface of said mold, wherein said upper end of said mold may be fitted in said hole without any substantial clearance therebetween and with said top surface of said support plate and a top surface of said mold being substantially flush with each other; and a press unit for pressing at a desired pressure the amount of powder material in said mold to form a powder compact, said press unit being disposed at a position different from the position at which said powder filling mechanism is disposed, wherein the mold in which the desired amount of powder compact is loaded is conveyed out of the powder filling position and a new mold with no powder material being loaded is conveyed to the powder filling position.