Abstract
An arrangement for use in the production of a separable casting mold, preferably of a vertically separable casting mold is disclosed. The arrangement can include (i) a mold plate and/or a mold pattern, (ii) a feeder system having a feeder element and having a feeder insert, wherein feeder element and feeder insert delimit a feeder cavity for receiving liquid metal. The arrangement also includes one or more tipping prevention elements which are designed to counteract tipping of the feeder system out of the opening axis about the first end of the feeder element when, in the event of the feeder system being acted on with a force acting parallel to the opening axis and in the direction of the first end, the side wall deforms and the spacing between the first and second ends is reduced, wherein the one or more tipping prevention element(s) are/is spaced apart from the opening axis.
Claims
1. Arrangement for use in the production of a separable casting mould, comprising: (i) a mould plate (4, 4) and/or a mould pattern (6), (ii) a feeder system (8, 8, 8, 8,8.sup.IV, 8.sup.V) having a feeder element (10, 10, 10, 10, 10.sup.IV, 10.sup.V) and having a feeder insert (12, 12, 12, 12,12.sup.IV), wherein feeder element (10, 10, 10, 10, 10.sup.IV, 10.sup.V) and feeder insert delimit a feeder cavity (14) for receiving liquid metal, wherein the feeder element (10, 10, 10, 10, 10.sup.IV, 10.sup.V) has a first end (18) by which the feeder element (10, 10, 10, 10, 10.sup.IV, 10.sup.V) is seated on, or arranged with a spacing to, the mould plate (4) and/or the mould pattern (6), has a second end (20) which is situated opposite the first end (18) and which has an assembly element (22) on which the feeder insert (12, 12, 12, 12,12.sup.IV) is arranged, has at least one passage opening (24), which extends from the first end to the second end, for the liquid metal, wherein each of the at least one passage openings (24) is delimited by a side wall (26, 26), wherein the side wall can be deformed so as to reduce the spacing between the first and second ends (18, 20), and wherein each of the at least one passage openings (24) has an opening axis (28), wherein the feeder cavity (14) has a centre of volume which is offset relative to the opening axis (28), wherein the arrangement additionally comprises one or more tipping prevention elements (30, 30, 30, 32, 32, 32, 32) which are designed to counteract tipping of the feeder system (8, 8, 8,8.sup.IV, 8.sup.V) out of the opening axis (28) about the first end (18) of the feeder element (10, 10, 10, 10,10.sup.IV, 10.sup.V) when, in the event of the feeder system being acted on with a force acting parallel to the opening axis (28) and in the direction of the first end (18), the side wall (26, 26) deforms and the spacing between the first and second ends (18, 20) is reduced, wherein the one or more tipping prevention element(s) (30, 30, 30, 32, 32, 32, 32) are/is spaced apart from the opening axis (28).
2. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the one or more tipping prevention elements is arranged on the feeder element, and/or on the mould plate or the mould pattern, at a distance from the deformable side wall of the feeder element, which distance is greater than the distance between the opening axis and the centre of volume, which is offset with respect thereto, of the feeder cavity.
3. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the one or more a tipping prevention elements is a support part which is arranged between (i) the mould plate and/or the mould pattern and (ii) the assembly element of the feeder element and/or the feeder insert, wherein the support part is variable in terms of its height dimension.
4. Arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the side wall which delimits each of the at least one passage openings on the feeder element, and/or the tipping prevention element are/is compressible.
5. Arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the side wall which delimits each of the at least one passage openings, and/or a ventilation opening wall which is formed as a support part, comprises at least one step, wherein each step is formed by a first side wall region and by a second side wall region adjoining the first side wall region, and wherein the second side wall region is provided at a different angle with respect to the opening axis of the at least one passage opening than the first side wall region.
6. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the one or more tipping prevention elements is a spacer which projects in the direction of the feeder element from a surface, facing toward the feeder element, of the mould pattern and/or of the mould plate, and/or protrudes from the feeder element in the direction of the mould plate or of the mould pattern, and which is designed to maintain a minimum spacing between (ii) the feeder element and (i) the mould plate or the mould pattern after the deformation of the side wall.
7. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the one or more tipping prevention elements is a guide part which is arranged on the mould pattern and/or the mould plate and which corresponds with an additional receptacle on the feeder element, and along which the additional receptacle slides during the deformation of the side wall.
8. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the opening axis of each of the at least one passage openings serve as a positioning axis for the feeder system along a centring axis of a centring pin or of a structural part which protrudes from the mould pattern and/or mould plate.
9. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the assembly element has, on its periphery, a protruding rim which engages in regions around the feeder insert and which extends in sections or entirely along the periphery, preferably a rim edge, of the assembly element.
10. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the feeder element has a unipartite structural form, and is formed by being pressed from a single plate body of uniform thickness, wherein the plate body comprises at least one metal selected from the group composed of steel, aluminium, aluminium alloys, brass, and the mixtures thereof.
11. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the feeder insert is formed from a exothermic feeder material or comprises exothermic feeder material at least in sections or is formed from insulating feeder material or comprises insulating feeder material at least in sections, and/or or the feeder element is formed from a material, or comprises a material, selected from the group composed of metals, plastics, cardboards, the mixtures thereof and the composite materials thereof.
Description
(1) The invention will be described in more detail below on the basis of multiple exemplary embodiments, from which further inventive features will emerge, and with reference to the appended figures, in which:
(2) FIGS. 1a to 1f: show views of different exemplary embodiments of arrangements according to the invention in longitudinal section;
(3) FIGS. 2a to 2c: show images of possible exemplary embodiments of feeder inserts according to the invention in sectional views from below;
(4) FIGS. 3a-3e: show views of multiple exemplary embodiments of feeder inserts according to the invention in respect of plan views; and
(5) FIGS. 4a-4d: schematically show, in the form of sectional illustrations, the production of a casting mould from the mounting of a feeder insert according to the invention onto a pivotable mould plate to the assembly of the reduced mould halves to form a casting mould.
(6) FIG. 1a shows an arrangement 2 according to the invention which comprises a mould plate 4 arranged in a horizontal orientation, on which mould plate there is mounted or arranged a section of a mould pattern 6. Also arranged on the mould plate 4 is a feeder system 8 according to the invention, which has a feeder element 10 and a feeder insert 12. The feeder element 10 and feeder insert 12 form or delimit a feeder cavity 14 for receiving liquid metal. To ensure positioning of the feeder element 8 on the mould plate 4, there is fixedly arranged on the mould plate 4 at least one centring pin 16 by means of which the feeder system 8 is held in position. The feeder element 10 comprises a first end 18, by which the feeder element is, in the embodiment shown, seated directly on the mould plate 4. Alternatively, the first end 18 may be arranged spaced apart from the mould plate by way of a spacer (not shown). The feeder element 10 furthermore comprises a second end 20 which is situated opposite the first end and which has an assembly element 22 on which the feeder insert 12 is arranged. A passage opening 24 for liquid metal extends from the first end 18 to the second end 20, wherein the passage opening is delimited by a side wall 26. The side wall 26 is a stepped form and is deformable such that the spacing between the first end 18 and the second end 20 of the feeder element 10 can decrease during the production of a casting mould and an associated compaction process of a mould material used for the production. The passage opening 24 has an opening axis 28 which is offset with respect to the centre of volume (not illustrated) of the feeder cavity. The opening axis preferably extends through the centres of area of the free cross sections of the passage opening formed in each case at the first end and at the second end of the feeder element. To prevent tipping of the feeder system 8 about the first end 18 owing to the force that acts on the feeder system 8 during the compaction of the mould material, and the associated change in spacing between the first and second ends 18, 20, the arrangement 2 has tipping prevention elements 30, 32 which counteract a pivoting movement of the feeder system out of the opening axis 28. The tipping prevention elements 30, 32 are arranged spaced apart from the opening axis 28. In the present embodiment, the tipping prevention elements 30 is a second centring pin 16 as a guide part, and the tipping prevention element 32 is a spacer 34 which is guided along the centring pin and which protrudes from the feeder element 10 in the direction of the mould plate 4 and by means of which, after the deformation of the side wall 26, a minimum spacing between the feeder element 10 and the mould plate 4 is maintained. For improved guidance of the feeder system 8, the feeder insert 12 has recesses 36, 36 arranged in a wall region 56 coaxially with respect to the opening axis 28 and with respect to the spacer 34. Furthermore, by means of the spacer 34 on the feeder element 10, a ventilation opening 54 is formed, by means of which a ventilation function out of the feeder cavity 14 is implemented.
(7) FIG. 1b shows a second exemplary embodiment of an arrangement 2 according to the invention, having a mould plate 4, having a section of a mould pattern 6 arranged thereon, and having a feeder system 8. By contrast to the previous embodiment, the feeder system 8 is positioned and/or held by way of a structural part 38 which, from the mould plate, projects in sections into the passage opening 24 and over which the side wall 26 is pushed by way of at least its front section 39 adjacent to the first end 18. To counteract tipping of the feeder system 8 about the first end 18 of the feeder element 10, it is again the case that two tipping prevention elements 30, 32 are provided. The tipping prevention elements 30 is a spring pin 40 which is arranged on the mould plate 4 and on which the feeder insert 12 is supported. Furthermore, the tipping prevention element 32, which is in the form of a spacer 34 and in the form of a guided part 33, is guided along the spring pin 40. In the present case, the feeder insert 12 has, on its wall region 56, only one recess 36 for the pin tip 42 of the spring pin 40, which protrudes or projects at least partially into or through the wall 56 of the feeder insert 12.
(8) FIG. 1c shows a third exemplary embodiment of an arrangement 2 according to the invention. The arrangement comprises a mould plate 4 and a section of a mould pattern 6, and also a feeder system 8 arranged on the mould plate. The feeder system has a feeder element 10 and a feeder insert 12. The feeder element 10 is seated by way of its first end preferably directly on the mould plate, wherein the feeder system is positioned and held relative to the mould plate 4 by way of a centring pin 16 which corresponds with the passage opening 24. The centring pin tip 17 again projects through a recess 36 provided in the wall 56 of the feeder insert 12. As a tipping prevention elements 30, there is again provided a spring pin 40, which engages with an aperture 44, arranged at a distance to the opening axis 28 of the passage opening 24, in the feeder element 10. The tipping prevention elements 30, which is designed as a spring pin 40, has in the present case the function of a compressible support part 50 which is variable in terms of its height dimension. A support part of said type preferably has a deformation behaviour adapted to the deformation of the stepped, compressible side wall which extends between the first end and the second end of the feeder element. By means of the adapted or coordinated deformation behaviour, it is sought to achieve that, during the deformation of the side wall 26, the feeder element 10 approaches the mould plate 4 in preferably uniform fashion. To prevent the formation of a skin on the surface of the liquid metal in the feeder cavity 14 during use, the feeder insert 12 has a web 48 which, during use, extends vertically from the wall region 46, and which is also referred to as Williams strip.
(9) FIG. 1d shows a further embodiment of an arrangement 2 which comprises a feeder system 8 which has a feeder element 10 and a feeder insert 12 connected to the feeder element 10. As is always in the exemplary embodiments presented above, these form a feeder cavity 14. The feeder element 10 has a passage opening 24 for the liquid metal, which passage opening is delimited by a stepped, preferably compressible side wall 26. In this case, the feeder element is seated by way of its first end 18 on the mould plate 4. As a tipping prevention elements 32, there is provided on the feeder element 10 a support part 50 which has a stepped, compressible wall 52 of approximately identical form to that of the side wall 26. Thus, the feeder element 10 has two compressible regions which, by way of a first end 18, are seated on and/or arranged with a spacing to the mould plate and which have a second end 20 on which the feeder insert is arranged. In the event of a decrease in the spacing between the first end 18 and the second end 20, which is the result of a force acting on the feeder system, which force acts on the feeder insert during the compaction of mould material during the production of a casting mould, the side wall 26 of the passage opening 24 and the wall 52 of the tipping prevention elements 32 are deformed preferably uniformly. For the positioning of the feeder system 8, two centring pins 16, 16 are arranged on the mould plate 4, by means of which centring pins the feeder system 8 is received. As is always with the tipping prevention elements 32, 32 shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, a ventilation function out of the feeder cavity 14 can be implemented by means of the deformable wall 52. Via ventilation openings 54 (FIGS. 1a and 1b) which are formed by the tipping prevention elements 32 and which, during use, are in contact with a ventilation duct produced in the casting mould, air situated in the feeder cavity 14 can be discharged in an effective manner, with result that reliable filling of the feeder cavity 14 with liquid metal is ensured.
(10) FIG. 1e shows a further embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention in its initial position after the mounting of the feeder system 8.sup.IV onto a mould plate 4. The feeder system 8.sup.IV again comprises a feeder element 10.sup.IV and a feeder insert 12.sup.IV, wherein the feeder element 10.sup.IV is seated by way of its first end 18 on the mould plate 4, and the feeder insert 12.sup.IV is arranged on the second end 20 of said feeder element. Between the first and second ends 18, 20 there extends usually a stepped, deformable side wall 26 by means of which the passage opening 24 for the liquid metal is delimited. At the same time, the feeder system 8.sup.IV is positioned on the mould plate by means of the centring pin 16. In an alternative embodiment, the positioning may also be realized by way of a structural part illustrated in FIG. 1b. In the present case, multiple tipping prevention elements 30, 32 are provided at a distance from the passage opening 24. On the one hand, as tipping prevention element 30, it is again the case that a second centring pin 16 is arranged, as a guide part, on the mould plate 4, which second centring pin is preferably at a distance from the deformable side wall 26 of the feeder element 10.sup.IV, said distance being greater than the distance between the opening axis 28 of the passage opening 24 and the centre of volume, which is spaced apart therefrom and which is not shown, of the feeder cavity 14. Corresponding with the centring pin 16 is a part 33 which is guided along said centring pin and which simultaneously forms a ventilation opening 54 after the removal of the centring pin 16. A spacer 34, as tipping prevention element 32, is arranged on the feeder element 10.sup.IV separately from the ventilation opening 54. The spacer 34 projects from the underside of the feeder element 10.sup.IV and, after the deformation of the stepped side wall 26, is preferably in abutment with the top side of the mould plate 4.
(11) FIG. 1f shows an embodiment of an arrangement 2.sup.V according to the invention having a feeder system 8.sup.V which, on its feeder element 10.sup.V, has not a stepped side wall with multiple steps but a side wall 26 which has a curved, hat-like shape. The hat-shaped side wall likewise has a preferably cylindrical passage opening 24. During a compression of the mould material, said hat-like side wall 26 is, like the stepped side wall 26 (FIGS. 1a to 1e), deformed such that a change in spacing occurs between the first end 18 and the second end 20 of the feeder element 10.sup.V. The centring pin 16 is used for positioning the feeder system 8.sup.V. Alternatively, it would also be possible for the feeder system 8.sup.V to be oriented by way of a structural part (FIG. 1b) on the mould plate 4. As tipping prevention elements, the present arrangement 2.sup.V has a second centring pin 16 which is arranged at a distance from the centring pin 16 and which corresponds with an aperture 44 in the feeder element 10.sup.V. The aperture 44 likewise serves as a ventilation opening 54 out of the feeder cavity 14. Furthermore, on the feeder element 10.sup.V, as in the present embodiment, a separately arranged spacer 34 is formed so as to project in the direction of the mould plate 4. As shown in FIG. 1f, said spacer 34 is preferably in direct abutment with the mould plate 4 after compression has taken place.
(12) FIGS. 2a to 2c show possible embodiments of feeder inserts. The feeder inserts are shown in each case in a view from below. As can be seen from the present figures, the feeder inserts have virtually identical wall thicknesses, though may have different wall thicknesses depending on the specific usage situation. The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2a comprises two recesses 36, 36 in the wall regions 56, correspondingly to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a. Adjacent to the recess 36, there is provided a web 48 which projects into the feeder cavity 14. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2b, correspondingly to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1b, has only one recess 36 in the wall region 56. The feeder insert shown in FIG. 2c has, in addition to the recess 36 for a centring pin 16 which corresponds with the passage opening 24, two further recesses 36 in the wall region 56, which two further recesses are arranged to both sides of a web 48 which extends into the feeder cavity 14 and which is also referred to as Williams strip. The recesses 36 correspond with centring pins 16 which serve as tipping prevention elements and along which the feeder element, which is connected to the feeder insert, is guided at least in sections.
(13) FIGS. 3a to 3e show different embodiments of the feeder elements 10, 10, 10, 10, 10.sup.V shown inter alia in FIGS. 1a to 1f. The feeder elements 10, 10, 10, 10, 10.sup.V have a substantially rectangular outline, with at least one deformable side wall 26, 26 being formed thereon. In the various embodiments of the feeder element, tipping prevention elements 32, 32, 32, 32 of various form are arranged and/or formed at a distance from the opening axis 28 (FIG. 1a) of the side wall 26, 26 which delimits the passage opening 24. The intention of the tipping prevention elements is to prevent tipping about the first end 18 of the feeder element, which is seated on the mould plate 4. The tipping prevention elements 32, 32, 32, 32 arranged on the feeder element 10, 10, 10, 10, 10.sup.V may for example be in the form of spacers 34, 34 which protrude from the underside in the direction of the mould plate, in the form of a part 33, 33 which is guided along a centring pin, or in the form of a support part 50 with a stepped, deformable wall 52 similar to the side wall 26.
(14) FIGS. 4a to 4d show a possible embodiment of a method for producing a casting, wherein a feeder system 8 designed according to the invention is pushed or mounted by way of its passage opening 24, and by way of the ventilation opening 54 in the feeder element 10, onto two centring pins 16, 16. The centring pins 16, 16 are in this case arranged fixedly on the mould plate 4. The feeder element 10 is arranged by way of its first end directly on with a spacing to the mould plate 4. It is however preferable for the first end 18 of the feeder element 10 to be in direct abutment with the mould plate, which at this point in time is in a horizontal orientation, as shown in FIG. 4a. The feeder insert 12 is fastened to the feeder element 10 by way of the assembly element 22. The mould plate 4 is subsequently pivoted into the vertical position (FIG. 4b) such that the opening axis 28 of the feeder element 10 moves into the horizontal orientation. At the same time, the mould plate 4 is oriented parallel to a second mould plate 4. In this embodiment, only the feeder system 8 is mounted on the mould plate 4. The mould pattern 6 and an extension part 46 provided for forming a ventilation duct are arranged on the mould plate 4.
(15) As shown in FIG. 4c, it is the case that, after the two mould plates 4 and 4 have been oriented parallel to one another, chambers 60, 60 are produced around the mould plates, into which chambers there is then poured or introduced a mould material 62. After the chambers 60, 60 have been filled, a pressing process is performed, and thus the mould material 62 in the chambers is compacted. During the compaction of the mould material, a force is generated which acts at least parallel to the opening axis 28 and in the direction of the first end 18 of the feeder element 10, whereby the side wall 26 between the first and second ends 18, 20 of the feeder element 10 is deformed, preferably kinked or folded, such that simultaneously, the spacing both between the first and second ends and between the feeder system 8 and the mould plate 4 is reduced. Owing to the change in spacing between the feeder system and mould plate, that part of the mould material which is situated under the feeder element is also compacted. During the compaction, however, the tipping prevention elements 30, 32 in the form of the centring pin 16 and at least the spacer 34 prevent the feeder system tipping out of the opening axis about the first end 18 of the feeder element 10. After the compaction, the feeder element thus preferably has a uniform spacing to the mould plate 4, whereby uniformly sealing abutment of the first end 18 of the feeder element 10 at a transition 70 to a subsequent casting mould is ensured. With the compaction of the mould material 62, solid mould halves 64, 64 for the casting mould are produced in each of the chambers 60, which mould halves, after the removal of the mould plates 4, 4 and thus simultaneously of the mould pattern 6 and of the extension part 56, are assembled to form a casting mould 66, cf. FIG. 4d. The casting mould 66 that is produced has a cavity 68 for the liquid metal to be introduced into the casting mould, which cavity substantially corresponds to the shape of the casting to be produced. The cavity 68 has a transition 70 to the passage opening 24 of the feeder system 8 in the first mould half 64. A ventilation duct 72 which corresponds to the ventilation opening 54 in the feeder element 10 of the feeder system according to the invention is formed in the casting mould 66. By means of the ventilation duct 72, it can advantageously be ensured that the feeder system is virtually completely filled with liquid metal during casting operation. In this way, during the shrinkage of the metal in the cavity 68 of the casting mould 66, the supply of liquid metal can be ensured. The ventilation duct 72 (FIG. 4d) is formed or arranged where the extension part 46 was previously situated or arranged (cf. FIGS. 4b and 4c).
(16) All of the feeder elements shown in the figures are feeder elements according to the invention, as they have a tipping prevention element and/or a ventilation opening. The arrangements according to the invention illustrated in the figures can be produced using the constituent parts of a corresponding kit.
(17) In the appended figures, identical components are denoted by the same reference signs.
