Machine for producing sand moulds

Abstract

Machine for the production of sand molds comprising a machine structure with a molding chamber (3), a front plate (1) and a rear plate (2). The front plate (2) and rear plate (3) are arranged for pressing sand within said molding chamber so as to form a sand mold, and are arranged for receiving respective pattern plates (200) for providing front and rear surfaces of the sand mold with corresponding patterns. The machine further comprises a robot arm (6) arranged for replacing the pattern plates (200), said robot arm being (6) attached to the machine structure, such as to a side (101) of the machine structure.

Claims

1. A machine for the production of sand moulds comprising: a machine structure with a moulding chamber, a front plate and a rear plate, said front plate and rear plate being arranged for pressing sand within said moulding chamber so as to form a sand mould, said front plate and rear plate being arranged for receiving respective pattern plates for providing front and rear surfaces of the sand mould with corresponding patterns, the machine further comprising a robot arm arranged for replacing the pattern plates, said robot arm being attached to the machine structure; wherein the robot arm comprises vertical drive means for displacing the robot arm vertically, and three pivot joints for pivoting three corresponding arm segments around corresponding vertical axes; wherein said robot arm comprising an electric motor for driving the robot arm vertically, and three electric motors each arranged for driving a corresponding one of said three arm segments to pivot with respect to the corresponding pivot joint; and wherein said robot arm has a proximal end at which it is attached to the machine structure, and a distal end which is provided with means for retaining a pattern plate, and wherein said pivot joints comprise a proximal joint, an intermediate joint and a distal joint, said distal joint being arranged for pivoting a distal arm segment with respect to an intermediate arm segment, wherein the electric motor arranged for operating said distal joint is placed away from said distal joint, and wherein said robot arm comprises drive means placed within said intermediate arm segment so that said electric motor arranged for operating said distal joint can operate said distal joint through said intermediate arm segment, to pivot said distal arm segment with respect to said distal joint.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein said electric motor for operating said distal joint is placed in correspondence with said intermediate joint.

3. The machine according to claim 2, wherein said electric motor for operating said distal joint is arranged for operating said distal joint by means of at least one of a chain, a belt and a drive shaft extending throughout said intermediate arm segment.

4. A machine for the production of sand moulds comprising: a machine structure with a moulding chamber, a front plate and a rear plate, said front plate and rear plate being arranged for pressing sand within said moulding chamber so as to form a sand mould, said front plate and rear plate being arranged for receiving respective pattern plates for providing front and rear surfaces of the sand mould with corresponding patterns, the machine further comprising a robot arm arranged for replacing the pattern plates, said robot arm being attached to the machine structure; wherein said robot arm is attached to a side of the machine structure; wherein the robot arm comprises vertical drive means for displacing the robot arm vertically, and three pivot joints for pivoting three corresponding arm segments around corresponding vertical axes; wherein said robot arm comprising an electric motor for driving the robot arm vertically, and three electric motors each arranged for driving a corresponding one of said three arm segments to pivot with respect to the corresponding pivot joint; and wherein said robot arm has a proximal end at which it is attached to the machine structure, and a distal end which is provided with means for retaining a pattern plate, and wherein said pivot joints comprise a proximal joint, an intermediate joint and a distal joint, said distal joint being arranged for pivoting a distal arm segment with respect to an intermediate arm segment, wherein the electric motor arranged for operating said distal joint is placed away from said distal joint, and wherein said robot arm comprises drive means placed within said intermediate arm segment so that said electric motor arranged for operating said distal joint can operate said distal joint through said intermediate arm segment, to pivot said distal arm segment with respect to said distal joint.

5. The machine according to claim 4, wherein said electric motor for operating said distal joint is placed in correspondence with said intermediate joint.

6. The machine according to claim 5, wherein said electric motor for operating said distal joint is arranged for operating said distal joint by means of at least one of a chain, a belt and a drive shaft extending throughout said intermediate arm segment.

7. A machine for the production of sand moulds comprising: a machine structure with a moulding chamber, a front plate and a rear plate, said front plate and rear plate being arranged for pressing sand within said moulding chamber so as to form a sand mould, said front plate and rear plate being arranged for receiving respective pattern plates for providing front and rear surfaces of the sand mould with corresponding patterns, the machine further comprising a robot arm arranged for replacing the pattern plates, said robot arm being attached to the machine structure; wherein the machine is placed on a floor and wherein said robot arm is attached to the machine structure above the floor, so that no part of the robot arm is in contact with the floor; wherein the robot arm comprises vertical drive means for displacing the robot arm vertically, and three pivot joints for pivoting three corresponding arm segments around corresponding vertical axes; said robot arm comprising an electric motor for driving the robot arm vertically, and three electric motors each arranged for driving a corresponding one of said three arm segments to pivot with respect to the corresponding pivot joint; and wherein said robot arm has a proximal end at which it is attached to the machine structure, and a distal end which is provided with means for retaining a pattern plate, and wherein said pivot joints comprise a proximal joint, an intermediate joint and a distal joint, said distal joint being arranged for pivoting a distal arm segment with respect to an intermediate arm segment, wherein the electric motor arranged for operating said distal joint is placed away from said distal joint, and wherein said robot arm comprises drive means placed within said intermediate arm segment so that said electric motor arranged for operating said distal joint can operate said distal joint through said intermediate arm segment, to pivot said distal arm segment with respect to said distal joint.

8. The machine according to claim 7, wherein said electric motor for operating said distal joint is placed in correspondence with said intermediate joint.

9. The machine according to claim 8, wherein said electric motor for operating said distal joint is arranged for operating said distal joint by means of at least one of a chain, a belt and a drive shaft extending throughout said intermediate arm segment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) To complete the description and in order to provide for a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. Said drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate an embodiment of the invention, which should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of the invention, but just as an example of how the invention can be carried out. The drawings comprise the following figures:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of part of the mechanism of a machine in accordance with one possible embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of some components of said mechanism.

(4) FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a machine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a side view of the robot arm.

(6) FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the construction of the robot arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(7) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the mechanism of a machine in accordance with one possible embodiment of the invention. This mechanism is disclosed in more detail in EP-A-2357050, and will thus just be briefly explained herein.

(8) FIG. 1 shows how on a general frame 100 there is assembled a structure of a moulding chamber 3, with an inlet opening 31 through which the sand (or the like) can be introduced in the chamber by blowing, through a hopper or bell (not shown), as is conventional in the art. The machine comprises a floor part 32 forming the floor of the moulding chamber and extending towards the outside through the front end of the moulding chamber, forming a floor or support on which the moulds or mould parts can be slid during the extraction phase, towards a receiver (not shown) which can be a conveyor belt, or the like, as is conventional in the art.

(9) The machine also comprises a front plate 1 (pivotally mounted in a frame 13) located in correspondence with the front end of the moulding chamber 3, and a rear plate 2, shown in FIG. 2, located in correspondence with the rear end of the moulding chamber 3. These plates are arranged to perform a cyclic movement between two end positions, to perform a moulding cycle with a compression phase (in which the material in the moulding cavity is compressed between the front plate 1 and the rear plate 2), and an extraction phase in which the front plate 1 shifts away from the moulding chamber 3 swivelling upwards, as known in the art, allowing the rear plate 2 to push the mould or mould part out of the chamber 3. The swivelling can be performed with a cam mechanism 16 shown schematically in FIG. 1 and which can comprise an electromechanical system or even a mechanical system, as described in, for example, EP-A-1219830. Alternatively, the swiveling can be performed by a motor, for example, by an electric motor specifically intended to swivel the front plate 1.

(10) In accordance with this specific embodiment of the invention, the front plate 1 is coupled in a swivelling manner to a frame 11 which is arranged to be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the machine. In this embodiment, the frame 11 comprises a plurality of bars 11A which can slide axially, guided by guides 33 associated with the moulding chamber 3, and which guide the frame in its back and forth movement between its two end positions, a movement which is repeated for every moulding cycle. The frame 11 is connected to two bars 12 extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine and on which electric motors 4 and 4A can act. On the other hand, the rear plate 2 is assembled at the end of an element 15 in the form of a rod or bar which is moveable in the longitudinal direction of the machine, guided by rollers 34 located just behind the moulding chamber 3, and optionally by additional guiding elements. The rear plate can be displaced by an electric motor 5.

(11) The movement of the front plate 1 and rear plate 2 between the end positions thereof can be similar to that which is disclosed in, for example, EP-A-1219830. The reference to electric motors is just by way of example, and any other drive means can be used, for example, hydraulic drive means, as known in the art.

(12) FIGS. 3 and 4 schematically illustrate a machine according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a mechanism such as, for example, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, or any other suitable mechanism for producing moulds or mould parts using front and rear press plates to which pattern plates are attached, said pattern plates being removable so as to allow the pattern to be changed. The machine structure comprises a housing with roof 102 and side walls 101, and at least one of the side walls features at least one opening 103 for access to the moulding chamber. Part of the system 104 for introduction of sand into the moulding chamber 3 can be observed in FIGS. 3 and 4. Also, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame 13 for the front plate can be observed, as well as the frame 11 and the bars 12 that have been described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. The openings in the side wall can be provided with doors or panels allowing said openings to be closed, except when access is needed, for example, in relation to maintenance work and in relation to the replacement of pattern plates. The machine is placed on a floor 300.

(13) Attached to the side 101 of the machine structure is a robot arm 6 for replacing the pattern plates 200. Such pattern plates are typically transported on a carriage like the carriage 201 shown in FIG. 4, which can typically accommodate four pattern plates, that is, it can have capacity to deliver two new plates to be used in future operations for mould production, and to receive the two previously used pattern plates.

(14) The robot arm has a proximal end 6 which is attached to the side wall of the machine. Obviously, the arm does not have to be physically attached to the side wall as such, but it can alternatively be attached to other parts or components of the machine structure, such as to part of the framework of the machine, for example, in correspondence with an opening in the side wall, housing or enclosure of the machine. The arm also has a distal end 6, provided with means 65 for retaining a pattern plate, such as gripping means as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the form of, for example, hooks or other kinds of grippers, including mechanically, electrically, pneumatically and hydraulically driven gripping means, including electromagnetical gripping means.

(15) At its proximal end 6, the robot arm is provided with drive means 61 for displacing the robot arm vertically, in relation to a base 60 by means of which it is fixed to the side 101 of the machine structure, for example, by means of bolts 60A, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. These drive means are actuated by a first electric motor 61M, such as a servomotor. On the other hand, the robot arm comprises three arm segments, that is, arm segments 62A, 63A and 64A, including the distal arm segment 64A, an intermediate arm segment 63A and a proximal arm segment 62A. The distal arm segment 64A is the one that is provided with the means 65 for retaining the pattern plate. The arm segments are pivotally arranged so that they can pivot in the horizontal plane, by means of corresponding pivot joints 62, 63 and 64. Three electric motors 62M, 63M and 64M are provided, to drive the respective arm segments to pivot around the corresponding vertical axes defined by their corresponding pivot joints 62, 63 and 64.

(16) As best shown in FIG. 6, the vertical drive means 61 comprises a servomotor 61M arranged to drive a threaded spindle 61a, to which the proximal pivot joint 62 is connected by means of a threaded nut or similar 62a, which is displaced upwards or downwards by the electric motor 61 rotating said spindle 61a. On the other hand, an electric motor 62M for operating the proximal pivot joint 62 to pivot the proximal arm segment 62A in the horizontal plane is arranged on top of the proximal pivot joint. On top of the proximal arm segment 62A there is another electric motor 63, arranged to drive the intermediate joint 63 so as to pivot the intermediate arm segment 63A in the horizontal plane, with respect to said intermediate joint 63. This is achieved by means of a drive means 63D such as a chain, belt or shaft, that extends within a housing 63a mounted on top of the proximal arm segment 62A. This drive means 63D, such as a belt, chain or shaft, is driven by a shaft 63b of the electric motor 63.

(17) A further electric motor 64M is placed on top of the intermediate joint 63 and an output shaft 64a of said electric motor 64M drives a drive means 64D such as a chain, belt or shaft housed within and extending throughout the intermediate arm segment 63A, so as to drive the distal joint 64 in order to pivot the distal arm segment 64A in the horizontal plane.

(18) The electric motors can be motors such as servomotors.

(19) By means of this simple arrangement, the robot arm can be remove pattern plates 200 from the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 of the machine, and deliver new pattern plates to said first plate 1 and second plate 2, through the opening 103 in the side of the machine. It has been found that this kind of simple robot arm in practice is capable of carrying out the movements necessary to replace pattern plates, and that there is no need for additional joints or degrees of freedom of movement. The fact that no motor is placed on top of the distal joint is advantageous, in that it reduces the height of the part of the robot arm that is to be introduced into the moulding chamber 3 through the opening 103. The fact that the robot arm is attached to a wall of the machine structure or housing, such as to the framework of the machine, without being placed on the floor, simplifies tasks such as cleaning of the floor. Thus, a compact and attracted layout of the machine is achieved.

(20) In this text, the term comprises and its derivations (such as comprising, etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc.

(21) On the other hand, the invention is obviously not limited to the specific embodiment(s) described herein, but also encompasses any variations that may be considered by any person skilled in the art (for example, as regards the choice of materials, dimensions, components, configuration, etc.), within the general scope of the invention as defined in the claims.