CLAMPING DEVICE FOR A CORE BUNDLE AND METHOD FOR CASTING

Abstract

A clamping device (11) for a multi-part core bundle (12) made of a molding material and to a method for casting using a clamping device of this kind, the clamping device comprising at least one clamping mechanism (16) by means of which the core bundle is subjected to a clamping force on opposite contact surfaces (13) of the core bundle. The clamping mechanism has at least two clamping modules (17) by means of which the clamping force is exerted on the core bundle, the clamping modules each having a clamping element (21) for abutting against one of the contact surfaces of the core bundle, the clamping elements being moveable independently of each other with respect to contact surface.

Claims

1. A clamping device (11) for a multi-part core bundle (12) made of a molding material, the clamping device comprising at least one clamping mechanism (16) by means of which the core bundle is subjectable to a clamping force on opposite contact surfaces (13) of the core bundle, wherein the clamping mechanism has at least two clamping modules (17) by means of which the clamping force is exertable on the core bundle, the clamping modules each having a clamping element (21) for abutting against one of the contact surfaces of the core bundle, the clamping elements being moveable independently of each other with respect to contact surface.

2. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping device (11) comprises at least two clamping mechanisms (16), which are disposed opposite each other with respect to the contact surfaces (13) of the core bundle (12).

3. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping device (11) comprises at least one further clamping mechanism by means of which the core bundle (12) is subjected to a further clamping force on further contact surfaces of the core bundle, the further contact surfaces being transverse with respect to the contact surfaces (13).

4. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping device (11) has a clamping frame (18), which surrounds the core bundle (12) at least partially the clamping modules (17) being fastened on the clamping frame.

5. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping mechanism (16) comprises at least three, four, five, six or more clamping modules (17).

6. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping module (17) has a spindle stock (28) having a guide (29) and a spindle (30) mounted on the spindle stock and drivable using a manipulator, the clamping element (21) being moveable along the guide towards the contact surface (13) using the spindle.

7. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein at least one spring element (33) is formed on the clamping element (21), the clamping force being exertable on the contact surface (13) by means of the spring element (33).

8. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping device (11) comprises a support (38) which forms a support surface (43) for the core bundle (12), at least the clamping mechanism (16) or the clamping frame (18) being disposed on the support.

9. The clamping device according to claim 8, wherein posts (44) are disposed on the support (38) in order to support the core bundle (12).

10. The clamping device according to claim 8, wherein the clamping device (11) comprises a trough (39), which forms a receptacle for the support (38), the support being inserted in the trough.

11. A cast mold (10) having a clamping device (11) according to claim 1 and a core bundle (12), the core bundle being clamped on opposite contact surfaces (13) of the core bundle in the clamping device.

12. The cast mold according to claim 11, wherein the respective contact surface (13) is made of a plurality of plane partial surfaces (23, 24), the partial surfaces being disposed in offset parallel planes (26, 27).

13. A casting installation comprising a plurality of clamping devices (11) according to claim 1, a manipulator for bracing a core bundle (12) in a clamping device (11) and a conveyor device for conveying the clamping devices along the manipulator, the manipulator being able to actuate clamping modules (17) of the clamping device and clamping elements (21) of the clamping modules being moveable independently of each other on a contact surface (13) of the core bundle and being subjectable to a defined clamping force.

14. The casting installation according to claim 13, wherein the clamping devices (11) each comprise at least one clamping mechanism (16), the clamping devices having differing clamping mechanisms.

15. The casting installation according to claim 13, wherein the casting installation comprises a casting machine, a covering device (54) being formed on the casting machine, the covering device covering the clamping mechanism (16).

16. A method for casting using a clamping device (11) and a multi-part core bundle (12) made of a molding material, comprising subjecting the core bundle to a clamping force at opposite contact surfaces (13) of the core bundle using at least one clamping mechanism (16) of the clamping device, wherein the clamping force is exerted on the core bundle using at least two clamping modules (17) of the clamping mechanism, one clamping element (21) of each of the clamping modules abutting against one of the contact surfaces of the core bundle, the clamping elements being moved independently of each other with respect to the contact surface.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) disposing the core bundle (12) on a support (38) of the clamping device (11); b) disposing the support (38) on a trough (39) of the clamping device or disposing the support (38) on a trough (39) of the clamping device before disposing the core bundle (12) on the support; c) disposing the clamping mechanism (16) on the support. d) bracing the core bundle in the clamping device by means of the clamping module (17); e) filling the core bundle with a casting material by means of a casting machine; f) solidifying the casting material to a product and removing the clamping mechanism from the support; g) demolding the cast product; and h) transporting and returning the clamping devices, the support and the trough using a conveyor device.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the method is performed using a plurality of clamping devices (11), the clamping devices being identical or different, core bundles (12) differing geometrically being braced by the clamping devices, contact surfaces (13) of the core bundles each assigned to a clamping module (17) being designed having relative distances to the clamping module which differ to each other.

19. The method according to claim 16, further including the step of sensing a travel position of the clamping element (21), a clamping force of the clamping element, a temperature in or on the core bundle (12) or a weight force of the core bundle being measured by means of at least one sensor disposed on the core bundle (12) or the clamping device (11).

20. The method according to claim 16, further including the step of exerting the same amount of clamping force on all contact surfaces (13).

21. The method according to claim 16, further including the step of detecting a type of a core bundle (12) or a clamping device (11) by means of a detection mechanism of a control device of a casting installation, the core bundle or the clamping device being marked by means of an individual marking or being registered by means of a camera, parameters being stored in a data bank of the control device for each type, the parameters being transmitted to a manipulator for bracing the core bundle or a casting machine of the casting installation for each type.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention are described in closer detail with reference to the enclosed drawings.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a casting installation.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a lateral view of a casting mold.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the casting mold.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the casting mold.

[0046] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cut through the casting mold.

[0047] FIG. 6 shows a perspective partial view of a clamping device having a core bundle.

[0048] FIG. 7 shows a perspective partial view of the clamping device.

[0049] FIG. 8 shows a top view of the clamping device.

[0050] FIG. 9 shows a lateral view of the clamping device having a support.

[0051] FIG. 10 shows a lateral view of the clamping device.

[0052] FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal cut through a clamping module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] A combined view of FIGS. 1 to 11 shows a casting mold 10 in various views. The casting mold 10 is made of a clamping device 11 and a core bundle 12. The core bundle 12 is shown here in simplified form and is made of a plurality of cores (not shown in detail). The cores of the core bundle consist of a molding material, in particular core sand, which has been consolidated with a binder. The clamping device 11 braces the core bundle 12 in the clamping device 11, the clamping device 11 applying a clamping force to opposite contact surfaces 13 of the core bundle 12. FIG. 1 shows a casting ladle 14 of a casting machine (not shown) of a casting installation on a sprue 15 of the core bundle 12, which is braced in the clamping device 11 at this time.

[0054] The clamping device 11 is made of two clamping mechanisms 16, each with five clamping modules 17 on a clamping frame 18. The clamping modules 17 are screwed to an upper frame 19 and a lower frame 20 of the clamping frame 18. Each of the clamping modules 17 has a clamping element 21, on each of which a contact plate 22 is mounted. The contact plate 22 acts on the contact surface 13, which is divided here into a first partial surface 23 and a second partial surface 24 and is separated by a ledge 26. The flat partial surfaces 23 and 24 are disposed in offset, parallel planes 26 and 27, respectively. The clamping elements 21 or contact plates 22 can now be moved independently of one another with respect to the partial surfaces 23, 24 or the contact surface 13 by means of the clamping modules 17 so that the contact plates 22 come into contact with the contact surface 13 and apply a clamping force thereto.

[0055] As can be seen in FIG. 11, the clamping modules 17 are each designed having a spindle stock 28 having a guide 29 and a spindle 30 which can be driven by a manipulator (not shown here). The clamping element 21 is mounted for linear movement via two rods 31 in a guide body 32 of the clamping module 17. The clamping element 21 has a spring mechanism 33, which is formed by a spring bundle 34 made up of Belleville washers 35 on the corresponding rods 31. As the rods 31 are mounted in drill holes 36 with the spring bundle 34, the corresponding rod 31 is pushed a little way into the drill hole 36 when the clamping element 21 or the contact plate 22 is pressed against the contact surface 13, a clamping force being generated by means of the spring bundle 34. The contact plate 22 can simply be fed via a screw head 37 on the spindle 30 using a manipulator (not shown here), which can be a simple wrench or an electromagnetic screwdriver.

[0056] The clamping device 11 also has a support 38 and a trough 39 in which the support 38 is accommodated. The support 38 is made of a frame 40 with feet 41, a plate 42, which forms a support surface 43 for the core bundle 12, being attached to the frame 40. Furthermore, posts 44 are disposed on the frame 40 to support the core bundle 12. The posts 44 prevent the core bundle 12 from falling over during transportation or disintegration. The posts 44 are spaced apart in such a manner that the clamping elements 21 can be moved past the posts 44 to the core bundle 12. Furthermore, a through opening 45, through which the molded material of the core bundle 12 can fall downward, is formed in the plate 42. An abutment 47 for the lower frame 20 or the clamping frame 18 is formed at an upper end 46 of the feet 41. Once the core bundle 12 has been positioned on the support surface 43, the clamping frame 18 can be placed on the support 38.

[0057] The trough 39 is formed from a trough frame 48 with closed lateral surfaces 49 and 50 and a closed bottom 51. The lateral surfaces 50 are so deep that the support 38 can be inserted into or removed from the trough 39 via fork receivers 52 using, for example, an industrial truck (not shown here). In an interior 53 of the trough 39 formed in this manner, molding material can be collected and transported when the core bundle 12 disintegrates.

[0058] Above the clamping frame 18, a covering device 54 is disposed on the clamping frame 18. The covering device 54 is formed from two metal sheets 55. which cover the corresponding clamping mechanisms 16 in such a manner that no melt or melt splashes can reach the clamping mechanisms 16 directly during casting with the casting ladle 14. A gap 56. through which the sprue 15 is accessible. is thus formed between the metal sheets 55.