PRODUCTION PROCESS FOR STAMPED PARTS OF HIGH MECHANICAL RESISTANCE, THROUGH CONTROLLED ELECTRIC HEATING

Abstract

A production process for stamped parts carried out from bales of sheets (1), a first moving robot (2), a heating device (3) with a liquid cooling unit (4), a second moving robot (4), a hydraulic press (5) with a specific molding tool, a third moving robot (6), and a conveyor belt (8), controlled by an electronic control unit. Said specific molding tool is provided with channels for cooling done through heat exchange, via water circulation, where the cooling rate is controlled by means of the liquid's flow and temperature control.

Claims

1) A production process for stamped parts of high mechanical resistance, through controlled electric heating, wherein a sheet (part), from bales of sheets (1), is transferred via a first moving robot (2) to an electric heating device (3) and after heating, via a second moving robot (4), transferred to a specific molding tool (5) with a liquid cooling unit (6) arranged in a hydraulic press (8), and after being formed, via a third moving robot (7), is withdrawn as finished product, all the equipment being controlled by an electronic control unit (9).

2) The production process according to claim 1, wherein the electric heating equipment (3) employing the joule heating theory to quickly raise the temperature of the plate (part) to values close to 900 C.

3) The production process according to claim 1, wherein the specific stamping tool (5) is cooled by a liquid cooling unit (5) containing channels for cooling, by heat exchange via water circulation, which promotes the phase change of the microstructure of the sheet (part) and the consequent hardening of the material, the cooling being done at a temperature of approximately 5 C. in the channels and the water generated from a ice water unit with high nominal capacity, and the cooling rate of the stamping tool to promote the necessary change of strength for each product, as well as the flow rate that circulates in the stamping tool, are controlled.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a top view illustration of the equipment involved in the process.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the process, showing its operational phases.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] According to these figures and their numerical references, the subject of this invention relates to a production process for high-strength parts through automatic controlled electric heating using a tool hardening procedure (mold and press). Said process is implemented from bales of feed sheets (1), a first moving robot (2), a heating device (3), a second moving robot (4), a specific molding tool (5) with a liquid cooling unit (6), a third moving robot (7), a hydraulic press (8). All equipment is controlled by an electronic control unit (9).

[0020] In practice, the pieces, in the form of plates of various shapes (with or without defined figures), are fed to the production line automatically through bales of sheets (1), being moved by the first manipulation robot (2), which withdraws one plate at a time and deposits it in the electric heating equipment (3). This electric heating equipment (3) employs the joule heating theory raising the temperature of the plate to values around 900 C., more efficiently, with less energy expenditure and faster. The heated part is then transferred via the second manipulating robot (4) into a specific stamping tool (5) cooled by a cooling unit (6) contained in a hydraulic press (8) via a third moving robot (7), all the equipment being controlled by an electronic control unit (9).

[0021] Said specific stamping tool (5) provided with a liquid cooling unit (5) containing channels for cooling, by heat exchange, via water circulation, which removes the thermal energy from the stamped product in a quick manner to promote the phase change of its microstructure and the consequent hardening of the material.

[0022] The cooling is carried out at a temperature of approximately 5 C. in the channels, the water being generated from an ice water unit with high nominal capacity. The cooling rate of the stamping tool is controlled to promote the required change of strength for each product by controlling the flow rate and liquid temperature circulating in the tool.

[0023] Once this step is completed, the finished product is removed from the tool by the third manipulating robot (7) and sent to the next step which may be the laser cut of the part, considering the specified geometry, or for packaging.