A machine for filling sand moulds with non-ferrous metals using a low pressure technique

Abstract: The machine has a housing (1) in which a casing is provided which comprises a fixed body (15) and a mobile body (16), the latter driven by a cylinder (18), which casing can be provided with a vacuum when closed and houses, with the ability to rotate, the sand mould (14) established in turn in the central turning body (23) of a support (21), that can be displaced by another cylinder (22) towards a lower injector (13) which supplies the mould (14) with the appropriate quantity of cast metal from a lower metering store (6) in which a pressure fluid is inserted through a connection (10), the said store (6) receiving the cast metal from a larger enclosing tank (3), with the assistance of a seal (8) controlled by a level sensor (9). The machine also includes a metering ladle (31) positioned between a filling plate (26) and the mould (14) itself, the metering ladle (31) moreover having heating elements (32).

Description: The present invention relates to a machine that has been specifically designed to obtain metal casts based on non-ferrous metals, for instance aluminium casts, using sand moulds for such purpose and providing the mould with a vacuum to enhance its filling and avoid oxidations and microporosities. The machine subject hereof is specifically aimed at filling the said sand moulds and handling the same, from the moment they arrive at the machine to the moment they leave the same. The sand moulds are filled using low pressure techniques, the mould being mounted upon a rotating platform and filling taking place by means of a lower injector that supplies the very mould with the appropriate quantity of cast metal from a metering tank, communication between the injector and the very mould taking place through a filling plate. In a different embodiment the machine is fitted between the filling plate and the very mould with a ladle acting as a metering device for the cast metal. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A machine manufactured by COSWORTH is known for aluminium casting, having a central rotating body receiving the sand mould. In this machine the mould is filled from a side position of the injector, after which the central body turns 180°. This machine does not use a vacuum and the sand mould enters and leaves through the same side of the machine. European Patent 0 234 877 also claims a method and a casting apparatus including a mould that is supplied from a vat where supply is made sideways, where the body supporting the mould turns, and hence in this case there is an antechamber storing the cast metal leading to the very mould, although no means are provided to meter the quantity of cast metal that is to be supplied to the mould as such. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The sand mould filling machine subject of the invention as claimed in claim 1 is structured with a housing in which a vacuum chamber is established comprising a lower body fixed to the housing and a mobile upper body, the latter driven by a hydraulic cylinder, so that the two parts making up the vacuum chamber can be tightly coupled for vacuum treatment. The central body of the machine is found inside the aforesaid chamber, receiving the sand mould, and having means to clamp such mould. The central body can turn and is supported by a frame that can itself turn 180° for the filling plate, also working as a clamping means, to be coupled to the metal injector in the mould when the same is being filled. As aforesaid, when the mould is filled, the central body turns 180° in such a way that the mould, previously grouped, inverts its position for the filling plate to face the liquid state non-ferrous metal injector, with the assistance of a second coaxial cylinder, preferably the cylinder driving the upper part of the sealed chamber. When a vacuum is established in the sealed chamber the liquid metal is injected. Additionally to the above structure the machine is moreover fitted with a lower vat containing the metal, which goes through communicating vessels to a metering tank housed without the vat and with which it is communicated through a hole fitted with a seal, the said metering tank having a level sensor that allows the quantity of cast metal that must be contained to be adjusted according to the part to be obtained in the mould, and a supply duct for the injector, which supply takes place applying within such metering deposit a low pressure inert gas, for instance nitrogen. According to another characteristic of the invention, the sand mould lies and is held still within the central turning body with the assistance of side grips and the filling plate itself that works on the upper base of the mould. This filling plate has a nozzle for access of cast metal that is coupled to the injector when the central body turns 180°, the said nozzle having an annular channel made of a metal having a high coefficient of heat conduction, such as copper, so that right after the mould filling operation, the said nozzle is strongly refrigerated by means of a water current circulating through the annular channel, causing the material within the very mouth to quickly solidify, to stand as a closing stopper allowing the mould to be detached from the injector and turned 180° to return to the starting position, without the cast metal being spilt; once the mould is back at the starting position, the setting process of the ingates at the correct operative position continues, i.e. representing cast metal stores to supply the more massive parts during setting of the relevant part. Clearly, with the structure described above, this machine contemplates all such factors as determine the obtention of a sound non-ferrous metal cast and at the same time improves the working rate and time lags are reduced. Thus, working in a vacuum, viz. since the mould is filled in a sealed chamber provided with a vacuum, the vacuum itself fosters filling of the mould and moreover prevents the part from having porosities or oxidations, normally due to environmental humidity that obviously disappears when the vacuum is provided. Furthermore, and as aforesaid, setting of the part takes place with the ingates in the right position, such setting being completed outside the machine and in particular at another station provided to such end outside the machine. In an improved embodiment, the machine has a metering ladle with heating means, which ladle is arranged between the very mould and the filling plate. This metering ladle is provided to be filled with the required quantity of cast metal, from the injector that shall suitably face the same, in order that when the necessary quantity has been metered into the ladle, the filling nozzle shall be cooled or refrigerated in order for the latter, once set, to be separated from the oven, viz. from the actual injector, the mould turning at a speed that can be adjusted at will, the mould cavity being filled during such rotation and at the final correct positioning stage, the ladle being emptied, for the capacity of the latter shall accurately match the capacity of the mould chamber to be filled. In this way no involvement will be required in supplying the mould with the cast metal and the hottest area shall remain on the upper part, because by virtue of the heating elements the cast metal shall be kept in the ladle at the desired casting temperature while the same is overturned for the metal to be poured. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to provide a fuller description and contribute to the complete understanding of the characteristics of this invention, a set of drawings is attached to the specification which, while purely illustrative and not fully comprehensive, shows the following: Figure 1.- Is a front elevation section view of a machine for filling sand moulds with non-ferrous metals, made in accordance with the object of the present invention, at the first working stage, viz. receiving the mould carried by the appropriate tray. Figure 2.- Is the same machine at the mould clamping or pressing stage. Figure 3.- Is the same machine with the central body turning 180° on a vertical plane. Figure 4.- Is the same machine with the upper part of the chamber moving down to make up the sealed vacuum chamber and with it the frame locating the central turning body. Figure 5.- Is the same machine at the stage where the filling plate is coupled through the nozzle housed within it to the injector, when the second cylinder pushes against the frame containing the central turning body. In this position and after a vacuum is provided in the sealed chamber, the liquid metal is injected. Figure 6.- Is the same machine with the vacuum chamber open, the frame lifted and the central body turned 180°. The mould can be seen unclamped and ready to leave the machine. Figure 7.- Is an enlarged close sectional view of the vacuum chamber, central turning body and frame thereof, showing the clamped mould and all in the position of injection of the cast metal. Figure 8.- Is a close-view of the filling plate with the nozzle and the annular refrigeration channel. Figure 9.- Is a frontal elevation and section view of the machine, similar to that of figure 1, but in the embodiment in which the machine has a metering ladle. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The above drawings show the machine for filling sand moulds with non-ferrous metals of the invention structured with a housing (1) of suitable dimensions, in which a lower sole (2) is defined housing a vat (3) for cast metal (4), the said tank (3) having a mouth (5) to fill the same and means keeping the said metal (4) in a cast state, not shown in the figures. Within such vat (3) there is a metering store (6) leading through its base to the former through a hole (7) acted upon by a seal (8), the metering device (6) moreover having a level sensor (9) governing the said stopper (8) in order to open or close the duct leading cast metal from the vat (3) to the metering store (6) through communicating vessels, in the necessary amount depending upon the part that is to be obtained. The metering store (6) has a connection (10) to a low pressure source supplying an inert gas, for instance nitrogen, allowing the said gas into the metering store when the mould is filled, the cast metal rising through the supply duct (12) to the injector (13) in charge of filling the mould (14). On the said metering store (6) there is provided a casing that can be tightly closed and is structured with a lower fixed body (15) and an upper mobile body (16) between which the seal (17) is established, the said mobile body (16) being driven to be coupled to and uncoupled from the fixed body (15) by a cylinder (18) working with a pair of guides (19) and (20) mounted as the cylinder (18) on the upper part of the housing (1). The said guides (19) and (20) also work to guide the frame (21) supporting the central turning body (23) and that arrives carried on a tray (25) moving on motorised supports. Once the mould (14) is within the central turning body (23) the latter has grips or clamps (24) pressing the same sideways to hold the same, the filling plate (26) being useful for this purpose, acting upon the lower base of the mould, as shown in figure 7. When the mould is pressed and held tightly within the central turning body (23) the assembly turns 180°, as shown in figure 3, and the chamber made up by bodies (15) and (16) is then tightly sealed, when the rod in the cylinder (18) moves its full stroke, as shown in figure 4. The next stage, shown in figure 5, is the coupling of the filling plate (26) to the injector (13) in which operation a second cylinder (22) is involved, mounted upon the upper base of the mobile body (16). Operation of this second cylinder causes the frame and with it the central turning body and the mould to be pushed, the latter mould being pressure coupled to the injector (13) through the filling plate (26). The filling plate (26) has a central nozzle (27) having an axial bore (28), that is preferably frustum shaped, with its lower portion facing the injector (13) and the upper portion the sand mould (14). This nozzle (27) is made of metal having a good coefficient of heat conduction, such as copper, and is specifically particular in being fitted with a perimetric channel or duct (29) forming part with the assistance of radial ducts (30) of a refrigerating circuit and hence upon completion of the stage of injection of the cast material, cold water is circulated, which causes the metal located in the hole (28) to set quickly, forming a seal that can be readily eliminated later, provisionally sealing the outlet of the still cast metal inside the mould and ingates which hence allows the central body and the mould pressed within the same to turn 180° in order for the mould to return to the starting position, viz. with the ingates located at the upper part of the mould, as shown in figure 6. Thereafter, setting of the part shall continue outside the machine, with the mould in the appropriate position for the ingates to exercise their function in a more operative manner. Therefore, and in accordance with the structure described, operation of the machine and the stages of the operating sequence are as follows: The mould carried on a tray mounted upon motorised supports enters the central turning body (23) where it is pressed and held still between the clamps and grips (24) and the filling plate (26). (Figures 1 and 2). In the next sequence the central body turns 180° and the position of the sand mould is hence inverted (figure 3). The sealed chamber is then established upon the coupling of the bodies (15) and (16) by action of the cylinder (18), as shown in figure 4. In the next sequence the frame upon which the central turning body is established is lowered by action of the second cylinder (22) until the filling plate (26) is coupled to the injector (13) whence the duct leading cast metal into the mould to be filled is communicated through the hole (28) in the nozzle (27). When the mould and the injector have been coupled, the sealed chamber established upon the placing of bodies (15) and (16) on each other is provided with a vacuum and at the same time, through connection (10), nitrogen or another inert gas enters. It is clear that the vacuum itself will enhance the filling of the mould (14) and there will be no humidity in the resulting part nor will any defects appear due to porosities or oxidations (figure 5). After totally filling the mould (14) the nozzle (27) mounted upon the centre of the filling plate (26) is refrigerated, and in a matter of seconds the metal at the very hole (28) shall set, representing a seal preventing the still liquid metal inside the mould from being spilt. This provisional sealing of the hole (28) allows the mould to be separated from the injector and turn 180° to take up the starting position, viz. with the ingates upon the part to be obtained. This stage, shown in figure 6, entails the withdrawal of the mobile body (16) and with it the frame (21) on which the turning body (23) is mounted. The process ends with the unclamping of the mould (14) that leaves the machine through the side opposite the side through which it entered, the cycle beginning with the arrival within the central turning body of another sand mould. As a different embodiment or optionally, the machine is fitted, between the filling plate (26) and the actual mould (14) with a metering ladle (31) having on its wall heating elements (32) such as electrical resistors or the like, in order for the inside (33) of the ladle (31) to define or establish a suitable capacity to fill the mould. According to the working sequence or process of the machine described above, after supplying the ladle with the cast metal, the duct communicating both bodies is refrigerated, in particular the nozzle (27) and the said space sets preventing metal from being spilled by such duct, separation of the injector taking place and the frame or support thereupon being overturned, i.e. turned 180° with the mould (14) and the cast metal contained in the metering ladle (31) poured into the mould, all so that by fitting the metering device it may be achieved that the hottest area, after pouring the metal into the mould, may remain on the upper part or hot top, thereby expediting a perfect filling of the mould (14) itself. In short, it must be noted that once the necessary quantity has been metered into the ladle (31) and after cooling or refrigerating the filling nozzle (27), to set the cast metal at such area, separation from the relevant oven and turning of the mould shall take place at a speed that may be adjusted at will, thereby filling the mould cavity and emptying the ladle, all without any involvement whatsoever being required to supply the said mould.

Claims: A machine for filing sand moulds with non-ferrous metals using a low pressure technique, the machine comprising means for holding a mould (11); a housing (1) including a lower vat (3) containing metal to be supplied to and cast in said mould; an auxiliary metering store (6) positioned in said vat (3) and having a filling hole (7) for communication with an interior of said vat (3), a stopper (8) fitted in said filling hole (7), and a level sensor (9) positioned in said metering store (6) to control said stopper (8); means for supplying an inert gas into said metering store (6) when said mould is filled with said metal; an injector (13) having a duct (12) in communication with an interior of said metering store (6); said means for holding the mould (14) including a chamber having a fixed lower body (15) fixed to said housing (1) and a movable upper body (16); a first cylinder (18) for vertically moving said upper body (16) to said lower body (15) to tightly close said upper body with said lower body so as to form a vacuum chamber having a tight seal (17) at facing surfaces of said upper body (16) with said lower body (15) to tightly seal said chamber when closed; guide means (19, 20) for guiding said upper body (16) in a movement thereof to and from said lower body (15); a frame (21) vertically movable with said upper body (16) by said first cylinder (18) with aid of said guide means (19, 20); a central turning body (23) positioned in and supported by said frame (21), for receiving the mould (14) therein, said central turning body (23) turning 180º about a horizontal axis between a first position in which one side of the mould (14) faces said injector (13) and said metering store (6), and a second position in which an opposite side of the mould (14) faces said injector (13) and said metering store (6); clamps (24) provided in said turning body (23) for clamping the mould (14) received therein; a filling plate (26) positioned in said central turning body (23) and having a nozzle (27) for cooperating with said mould (14) for filling the mould (14) received and clamped in said central turning body (23); a second cylinder (22) coaxial with said first cylinder (18) and acting on said frame (21) to push said frame (21) with said central turning body (23) holding said mould (14) and said filling plate (26) towards said injector (13) when said central turning body (23) is in said first position to couple said nozzle (27) of said filling plate (26) with said injector (13) wherein, as said vacuum chamber is tightly sealed and inert gas is supplied by said supplying means to said metering store (6) said metal is injected into said mould (14) under pressure of said inert gas. The machine according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle (27) is made of thermally conductive material and has an axial bore (28) facing said injector (13) to inject said metal to be cast therethrough into said mould (14) in said first position of said turning body (23), and radially extending ducts (30) and a channel (29) surrounding said axial bore (28) and communicating with said ducts (30), said channel (29) and said ducts (30) forming part of a refrigerating circuit using water to cool liquid metal contained in said mould (14) upon injection of said metal into said mould (14) so as to allow the mould (14) held in said turning body (23) and said frame (21) to be separated from said injector (13) and enable said turning body (23) with said mould (14) to be turned 180º to said second position without the liquid metal being spilled. The machine according to claim 2, and further comprising a metering ladle (31) positioned in said frame (21) between the mould (14) and the filling plate (26) to face said mould (14) when said mould (14) is received in said turning body (23), said metering ladle (31) having a wall including heating means (32), said wall forming a hollow (33) inside said ladle (31) for containing cast metal and being of a capacity sufficient to fill said mould (14), said heating means (32) maintaining temperature of the metal contained in said ladle (31) so that metal may be poured therefrom into said mould (14) when said turning body (23) is in said second position. The machine according to claim 3, wherein said ladle (31) is positioned such that an interior thereof is in communication with said nozzle (27) so that metal may be injected into said mould (14) through said ladle (31) from said injector (13) when said turning body (23) is in said first position.

Inventors: ARANA ERANA AGUSTIN, ARANA ERANA, AGUSTIN
Applicants: ERANA AGUSTIN ARANA, ARANA ERANA, AGUSTIN
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B22D18
IPC codes: B22D18, B22D33