Press die and method for producing a roof tile

Abstract

A press die for producing a clay roof tile, including a first die half and a second die half, which can move between a pressing position, in which they define a receiving space that represents the form of the finished roof tile, and a filling position, in which they are mutually spaced and the receiving space can be filled with a plastically deformable clay material. At least one of the first and the second die half has at least one depression which represents a projecting part of the finished roof tile; a first compression element is provided at the depression, and movable between an initial position, in which it is retracted in relation to the form of the finished roof tile, and a compacting position, in which some sections of the first compression element represent the surface of the finished roof tile.

Claims

1. A press mold for producing a roof tile from clay, having a first mold half and a second mold half, wherein the mold halves are movable relative to one another between a pressing position and a filling position; in the pressing position the mold halves substantially delimit a receiving space that models the shape of the finished roof tile, and respective opposing surfaces of the first mold half and of the second mold half model in each case a corresponding surface of the roof tile, and in the filling position, the mold halves are spaced apart from one another so that a plastically deformable clay material can be filled into at least one of the first and the second mold half, wherein at least one of the first mold half and the second mold half has at least one recess that models a protrusion on the finished roof tile, and adjacent the recess, a first pressure element is provided, which is configured to be movable between a starting position, in which the first pressure element is set back with regard to the shape of the finished roof tile, and a compacting position, in which the first pressure element partially models the surface of the roof tile, wherein, on opposite faces of the recess, in each case at least one first pressure element is provided, wherein the opposite first pressure elements are coupled together hydraulically or via a controller.

2. The press mold as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first pressure element is provided at the foot of the recess.

3. The press mold as claimed in claim 1, wherein, at the surface of at least one of the first and the second mold half, at least one second pressure element is provided, which is configured to be movable between a starting position, in which the second pressure element protrudes or is set back with regard to the shape of the finished roof tile, and a compacting position, in which the second pressure element partially models the surface of the roof tile.

4. The press mold as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one second pressure element is coupled to a first pressure element provided in the recess, wherein the coupling is configured such that, when the second pressure element moves from a protruding position into the compacting position, the coupled first pressure element is urged from the set-back position into the compacting position.

5. The press mold as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one of the first pressure element and the second pressure element is a pressure pad that has a variable-volume pressure chamber that is fillable with an incompressible pressure medium, wherein a pressure line for feeding and/or discharging the pressure medium is provided.

6. The press mold as claimed in claim 5, wherein respective pressure lines of at least one first pressure element and at least one second pressure element are connected together.

7. The press mold as claimed in claim 5, wherein a pressure generating device for supplying the pressure medium is provided, wherein at least one pressure line is connected to the pressure generating device.

8. The press mold as claimed in claim 3, wherein the surface of at least one of the first and of the second mold half has a flexible coating, wherein at least one of the first and the second pressure element is arranged adjacent the coating.

9. The press mold as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of a plurality of first pressure elements and a plurality of second pressure elements are provided, wherein the first pressure elements and/or the second pressure elements are coupled together.

10. The press mold as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mold halves each have a main body made of tool steel.

11. The press mold as claimed in claim 1, wherein a guide for at least one of the first and the second mold half is provided, wherein the guide, together with the mold halves, fully delimits the receiving space in the filling position and in the pressing position.

12. The press mold as claimed in claim 11, wherein the press mold has vent holes.

13. The press mold as claimed in claim 1, wherein the press mold includes a filling apparatus for introducing a predried clay material, wherein the filling apparatus has a high-pressure injection device.

14. A method for producing a roof tile from clay, using a press mold that has a first mold half and a second mold half, wherein the mold halves are movable relative to one another between a pressing position and a filling position; in the pressing position the mold halves substantially delimit a receiving space that models the shape of the finished roof tile, and respective opposing surfaces of the first mold half and of the second mold half model in each case a corresponding surface of the roof tile, and in the filling position, the mold halves are spaced apart from one another so that a plastically deformable clay material can be filled into at least one of the first and the second mold half, wherein at least one of the first mold half and the second mold half has at least one recess that models a protrusion on the finished roof tile, and adjacent the recess, a first pressure element is provided, which is configured to be movable between a starting position, in which the first pressure element is set back with regard to the shape of the finished roof tile, and a compacting position, in which the first pressure element partially models the surface of the roof tile, the method comprising the steps of: providing the press mold, wherein the mold halves are located in the filling position and the at least one first pressure element is located in the starting position, filling a predried granular clay material into the receiving space, moving the mold halves into the pressing position, wherein the clay material is compacted, moving the at least one pressure element into the compacting position, wherein the clay material is compacted in the region of the first pressure element, wherein, following completion of the pressing operation, the first pressure element is moved into the starting position, then the mold halves are moved into the filling position, and the roof tile is removed from the press mold, and wherein a guide for at least one of the first and the second mold half is provided, wherein the guide, together with the mold halves, fully delimits the receiving space in the filling position and in the pressing position, wherein, before the mold halves are moved laterally into the filling position, the guide is moved laterally into a demolding position.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein, at the surface of the first and/or the second mold half, at least one second pressure element is provided, which is configured to be movable between a starting position, in which the second pressure element protrudes or is set back with regard to the shape of the finished roof tile, and a compacting position, in which the second pressure element partially models the surface of the roof tile, wherein, while or after the mold halves are moved into the pressing position, the second pressure element is moved into the compacting position.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second pressure element is coupled to a first pressure element provided in the recess, wherein, as a result of the second pressure element being moved from the protruding position into the compacting position, the coupled first pressure element is urged from the set-back position into the compacting position.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least one of the first and the second pressure element is a pressure pad that has a variable-volume pressure chamber that is fillable with an incompressible pressure medium, wherein a pressure line for feeding and/or discharging the pressure medium is provided, wherein the pressure elements are moved in each case by the pressure medium flowing into or out of the pressure chamber.

18. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein a filling apparatus for introducing a predried clay material is provided, wherein the filling apparatus has a high-pressure injection device, wherein the filling apparatus injects the clay material under high pressure into the receiving space, wherein the clay material is precompacted.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the clay material is injected in a direction extending substantially parallel to the surface of the first and/or the second mold half.

20. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein, after the clay material has been filled in, the mold halves are moved into a venting position between the filling position and the pressing position, in which air contained in the receiving space escapes from the receiving space.

21. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the clay material is produced by the steps of: providing moist, unprocessed clay, drying the clay to a defined moisture content, grinding the dried clay into crushed grain in a mill, and separating out the undersize, the grain size of which is below a defined granularity band, and separating out the oversize, the grain size of which is above a defined granularity band.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a view of a roof tile that has been produced by a method according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 1a shows a perspective illustration of the impression pattern on the underside 14 of the roof tile,

(4) FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the roof tile from FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 3 shows a press mold for producing the roof tile from FIG. 1 in a filling position,

(6) FIG. 4 shows the press mold from FIG. 3 in a closed pressing position,

(7) FIGS. 5a-5e show method steps in a method for producing the roof tile from FIG. 1, and

(8) FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of an installation for producing the clay material of the roof tile from FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(9) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a roof tile 10 made of clay. FIG. 1 shows a view of the underside 14 of the roof tile 10 and FIG. 2 shows a sectional view along the axis A-A in FIG. 1. The roof tile 10 has a top side 12 and an underside 14, wherein, in the embodiment shown here, the top side 12 forms the visible side of the roof tile 10. Formed on the top side 12 of the roof tile 10 are a plurality of protrusions 16. A plurality of protrusions 18 are formed on the underside 14. The protrusions 18 form for example top or side folds, lugs for hanging the roof tile on the roof battens, reinforcement ribs or stacking points. Depending on the type of protrusions, these can extend partially over the underside 14 of the roof tile (see also FIG. 1).

(10) The roof tile 10 is produced using the press mold 20 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Preferably, a dry pressing method is used, in which, as explained below, a predried clay material, for example predried clay granules or predried crushed grain, is used.

(11) The press mold 20 has a first, upper mold half 22 and a lower, second mold half 24. The first mold half 22 forms substantially the top side 12 of the roof tile 10. The second mold half 24 forms substantially the underside 14 of the roof tile 10. Furthermore, a guide 26 having a plurality of guide elements 28 is provided, which, together with the mold halves 22, 24, completely enclose a receiving space 30. Between the mold halves 22, 24 and the guide 26 there are provided only vent holes 32, through which air can escape from the receiving space 30 before and during the pressing operation.

(12) Provided at the surface 34 of the first mold half 22 are a plurality of recesses 36, which model the protrusions 16 on the top side 12 of the roof tile 10. Provided at the surface 38 of the second mold half 24 are a plurality of recesses 40, which, as explained below, model the protrusions 18 on the roof tile 10 in the pressing position of the press mold 20.

(13) In FIG. 3, the press mold 20 is shown in a filling position, in which the mold halves 22, 24 are spaced apart from one another and a clay material can be filled into the receiving space. For filling the press mold 20, a filling apparatus 42 is provided, which can inject the clay material by means of compressed air under high pressure into the receiving space 30. The injection takes place in an injection direction E substantially parallel to the surface 34, 38 of the first and of the second mold half 22, 24, respectively.

(14) From the filling position shown in FIG. 3, the mold halves 22, 24 can be moved toward one another in a pressing direction P, into the pressing position shown in FIG. 3, in which the receiving space 30 models substantially the shape of the roof tile 10. One of the mold halves 22, 24 can be fixed in position, such that only the respectively other mold half 24, 22 is moved. However, it is also possible for both mold halves 22, 24 to be able to be moved and to be moved toward one another during the pressing operation of the roof tile 10.

(15) The guide elements 28 are movable into a removal position, in which the guide elements 28 are spaced apart from the mold halves 22, 24, in a removal direction R extending substantially perpendicularly to the pressing direction P.

(16) The mold halves 22, 24 each have a main body 44, 46 made of steel, preferably of tool steel. Furthermore, the surfaces 34, 38 each have a coating 48, 50, which is formed in each case from a PU layer in the embodiment shown here. The coating 48, 40 reduces the sticking of the filled-in clay material to the surfaces 34, 38 of the mold halves 22, 24.

(17) Provided at or in the recess 40 is a first pressure element 52, which is formed by a pressure pad that has a pressure chamber 58 filled with an incompressible pressure medium 56. The first pressure element 52 has a pressure line 60, through which the pressure medium 56, for example oil, can flow into or out of the pressure chamber 58. The first pressure element 52 is provided at the foot of the recesses 40, that is to say at the transition to the surface 38 of the second mold half 24 that faces the first mold half 22.

(18) Furthermore, at the surface 38 of the second mold half 24, a second pressure element 62 is provided, the structure of which corresponds substantially to the structure of the first pressure element 52. The second pressure element 62 has a pressure chamber 64 and a pressure line 66, which are filled with the pressure medium 56.

(19) The pressure line 66 of the second pressure element 62 is connected to the pressure line 60 of the first pressure element 52, such that the pressure medium 56 can flow between the first and the second pressure element 52, 62. Furthermore, the pressure lines 60, 66 are connected to a pressure generating device 68, which can supply the pressure medium 56 and/or can set the pressure in the pressure lines 60, 66 and the pressure elements 52, 62. Preferably, the pressure medium 56 exhibits a high pressure of about 5 Pa to 7 Pa.

(20) The pressure elements 52, 62 are each formed by a cutout 70, 72 in the main body 46 of the second mold half 24 and the coating 50 configured as a membrane.

(21) In the filling position shown in FIG. 3, the second pressure element 62 bulges, in a starting position, in the direction of the receiving space 30, that is to say protrudes beyond the shape of the finished roof tile 10 (see dashed line). The first pressure element 52 is set back with respect to the shape of the finished roof tile 10 in a starting position in the filling position.

(22) The first and the second pressure element 52, 62 are coupled to one another by the pressure lines 60, 66 such that, as a result of the second pressure element 62 being moved into a compacting position, in which the second pressure element 62 partially models the shape of the finished roof tile, the first pressure element 52 is moved outward into a compacting position, in which the first pressure element 52 likewise models part of the shape of the roof tile 10, by the pressure medium 56 flowing out of the second pressure element 62 and into the first pressure element 52 (see FIG. 4).

(23) In order to produce a roof tile 10, a predried clay material 78, preferably made of predried, crushed clay, is injected under pressure into the press mold 20 by the filling apparatus 42. The mold halves 22, 24 are each located in the filling position (FIG. 5a).

(24) Once the desired quantity of clay material 78 has been introduced into the press mold 20, the mold halves are moved in the pressing direction P into the pressing position, in which the press mold 20 models the shape of the finished roof tile 10 (FIG. 5b). While the mold halves 22, 24 are being moved, air contained in the receiving space 30 can escape through the vent holes 32. For example, a venting position can be provided between the filling position and the pressing position, in order to ensure that all of the air escapes from the receiving space 30.

(25) As a result of the mold halves 22, 24 being moved in the pressing direction P, a pressure that acts in the pressing direction P is exerted on the clay material 78, with the result that the clay material 78 is compacted. The pressure also acts on the second pressure element 62 configured as a pressure pad, such that the latter is compressed until it partially models the shape of the finished roof tile 10, that is to say is located in the compacting position (FIG. 5c).

(26) As a result of the reduction in volume and the increase in pressure of the second pressure element 62, the pressure medium 56 flows out of the second pressure element 62 and via the pressure lines 60, 66 into the first pressure element 52. In the recesses 40, the pressure generated by the movement of the mold halves 22, 24 is lower, and so the clay material 78 is compacted less and a lower pressure is exerted on the first pressure element 52. The first pressure element 52 can expand as a result and move into the compacting position, in which the first pressure element 52 partially models the shape of the finished roof tile 10.

(27) As a result of the first pressure element 52 moving into the compacting position, an additional pressure is exerted on the clay material 78 in the recess 40, said additional pressure acting substantially transversely to the pressing direction P or perpendicularly to the face of the recess 40 in the region of the first pressure element 52. As a result of this pressure, the clay material 78 is additionally compacted in the region of the recess 40, such that the roof tile 10 has greater strength in this region on account of the greater compaction. The roof tile 10 compacted in this way has high freeze thaw resistance.

(28) In order to remove the pressed roof tile 10, first of all the guide elements 28 are moved into the removal position (FIG. 5d). The clay material used in the dry pressing method has relatively high elastic recovery, which also acts perpendicularly to the pressing direction P. If the mold halves 22, 24 are moved into the filling position, in order to remove the pressed roof tile 10, the roof tile 10 can expand parallel to the surface 34, 38 of the mold halves 22, 24, and so the pressed roof tile 10 could jam against the guide 26. As a result of the guide elements 28 being moved into the removal position, the roof tile 10 can expand in an unimpeded manner.

(29) Subsequently, the mold halves 22, 24 are moved counter to the pressing direction P into the filling position. As a result of the mold halves 22, 24 being moved counter to the pressing direction P, the pressure on the clay material 78 and thus on the second pressure element 62 is reduced. The pressure medium 56 can flow at least partially from the first pressure element 52 back into the second pressure element 62 (FIG. 5e).

(30) As a result, the first pressure element 52 is moved back into the starting position, in which the first pressure element 52 is set back with regard to the shape of the pressed roof tile 10, with the result that the roof tile 10 can detach from the second mold half in the region of the recess 40. Furthermore, the roof tile 10 is additionally raised by the bulging second pressure element 62, and thus also detaches from the surface 38 of the second mold half 24. The roof tile 10 is thus detached from the surface 38 of the second mold half 24 during the opening of the press mold 20, and so easy removal of the roof tile 10 from the press mold 20 is possible.

(31) By way of the first pressure element 52, the clay material 78 in the region of the recesses 40 is additionally compacted, such that the roof tile 10 has a high level of stability. The second pressure element 62 can additionally apply a structure or an impression to the underside 14 of the roof tile 10.

(32) In FIG. 1a, the impression pattern on the underside 14 of the roof tile 10 is illustrated in perspective.

(33) For further compaction, first and second pressure elements 52, 62 were used, wherein the first pressure elements 52 are arranged in the recesses 40 of the mold half 24 such that they can further compact the faces 170 of the roof tile 10 that extend substantially transversely to the pressing direction P. Such faces 170 are located for example at the flanks of the reinforcement ribs 170 or in transition regions 174 to the interlocking joint of the roof tile 10.

(34) The second pressure elements 62, by contrast, are arranged in the planar faces of the press mold 20, such that they lie perpendicularly to the pressing direction P and can further compact the planar faces 176, located for example between the reinforcement ribs 170, of the roof tile 10.

(35) Since each pressure element 52, 62 is pushed into the surface of the roof tile 10 during compaction, a single impression 178 is produced on the surface of the roof tile 10 in each further compacted region.

(36) Depending on the roof tile model, the number, size, shape and arrangement of the pressure elements 52, 62 used can be different. The individual impressions 178 give the roof tile 10 as a whole a characteristic appearance or impression pattern, which remains even after the firing operation.

(37) The top side 12 of the roof tile 10 forms the visible side that is exposed to the weather. Apart from recesses or protrusions 16 that are necessary from a construction point of view, it is therefore configured in as smooth a manner as possible. Since no moving parts and no pressure elements are provided at the surface 34, this surface 34 can optionally also be formed without a coating 48, in order to obtain a top side 12 of the roof tile 10 that is as smooth as possible.

(38) In principle, it is possible to use a large pressure pad or a large first or second pressure element 52, 62. However, if such a large pressure pad extends over corners of the surface 34, 38 of the respective mold half 22, 24, the pressure pad has bending points, which can quickly become worn on account of the high level of loading. In addition, with a large pad, the contour accuracy of the roof tile is harder to achieve. For this reason, a plurality of small pressure pads are used, wherein the pressure lines of the pressure pads can be connected together.

(39) The predried clay material 78 is produced for example in the installation 100 schematically illustrated in FIG. 6, which, together with the press mold 20, is part of a production installation 200 for a roof tile 10.

(40) The installation 100 has a feeding device 102, for example a box feeder, which feeds the unprocessed clay material coming from the pile 104 to the installation 100. Provided downstream of the feeding device 102 is a crushing device 106, which comminutes the clay material into clay lumps with a defined size. The clay lumps preferably have a size of at most 60 mm.

(41) Provided downstream of the crushing device 106 is a dryer 108, which dries the clay lumps. Preferably, the drying takes place such that the clay introduced into the press mold 20 has a residual moisture content of about 2%-4%. The dryer 108 can be any desired dryer. Depending on the drying capacity of the dryer 108, it is also possible for larger clay lumps to be dried, or it is possible to dispense with precomminution.

(42) Provided downstream of the dryer 108 is a mill 110, which grinds the predried clay material to a defined size. The mill 110 is for example a pendulum mill, a bowl mill crusher or an agitator bead mill. Provided in the mill 110 or immediately downstream of the mill 110 is a sorting apparatus 112, in which an undersize, the grain size of which is below a defined granularity band, and an oversize, the grain size of which is above a defined granularity band, are separated out. The granularity band has preferably a grain size of between 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm.

(43) From the sorting apparatus 112, the crushed grain is delivered into a silo 114, in which interim storage of the clay material takes place. In the silo 114, as a result of the interim storage, the crushed clay material is homogenized, such that the latter has a more uniform structure. From the silo 114, the clay material 78 is fed to the press mold 20 and processed into a roof tile 10.

(44) Provided downstream of the press mold 20 are furthermore a glazing and/or engobing device 116, and a firing kiln 118.

(45) The moist, unprocessed clay coming from the pile 104 is precomminuted in the crushing device 106, wherein this precomminution serves only for a quicker and more uniform drying operation. Subsequently, the clay lumps are dried to a defined residual moisture content, which is selected such that the clay material 78 has a residual moisture content of about 2%-4% when it is introduced into the press mold 20. If the clay is immediately processed further into roof tiles, drying to a residual moisture content of about 2% can take place. If interim storage takes place, for example in a silo, during which further drying can take place, the residual moisture content is selected such that the clay has a residual moisture content of about 2%-4% after interim storage, that is to say immediately before the production of the roof tile.

(46) Subsequently, the predried clay lumps are comminuted in the mill 110, a broken grain with a defined granularity band is separated out and is put into interim storage in the silo 114. The undersize can be pelletized or granulated into relatively large granules and fed to the production cycle upstream of the drying kiln 108 or upstream of the mill 110. The oversize can be fed directly to the mill 110 again.

(47) Thus, granules are not produced and subsequently dried; rather the drying takes place before the clay material 78 is comminuted. The crushed grain has an irregular structure, as a result of which the individual grains can mesh together better during the pressing operation. In addition, the crushed grain has a better mold filling capacity. Fewer but larger pores arise, and so the compaction behavior is better.

(48) The invention is not limited to one of the above-described embodiments, but is modifiable in many ways.

(49) For example, a plurality of first pressure elements 52 and/or a plurality of second pressure elements 62 can be coupled to one another. However, it is also possible for only in each case one first pressure element 52 to be coupled to in each case one second pressure element or for a plurality of first or second pressure elements 52, 62 to be coupled to a single second or a single first pressure element 62, 52.

(50) The pressure chambers 58, 64 of the pressure pads are each connected together by the principle of communicating pipes, such that pressure equalization takes place, with the result that the first and second pressure elements 52, 62 are moved into the compacting positions when the mold halves 22, 24 are moved into the pressing position.

(51) Alternatively, the pressure in the pressure elements 52, 62 can also be set by the pressure generating device 68, such that for example the second pressure elements 62 can also be set back with regard to the shape of the pressed roof tile 10 in the starting position and are moved into the compacting position by an increased pressure. In this embodiment, it is possible for further compaction of the clay material 78 likewise to take place for example in the region of the second pressure elements 62. As a result of a reduction of the pressure in the first pressure elements 52 and an increase of the pressure in the second pressure elements 62, the removal operation of the roof tile 10 from the press mold 20 can be rendered easier in this embodiment, too.

(52) For example, it is also possible for only first pressure elements 52 to be provided, which are coupled to a pressure generating device 68.

(53) Instead of the pressure pads shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is also possible for other pressure elements 52, 62 to be used, wherein the first and the second pressure elements 52, 62 can be coupled to one another hydraulically or via a controller.

(54) All of the features and advantages, including structural details, spatial arrangements and method steps, that emerge from the claims, the description and the drawing can be essential to the invention both on their own and in a wide variety of combinations.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(55) 10 Roof tile

(56) 12 Top side of the roof tile

(57) 14 Underside of the roof tile

(58) 16 Protrusions on the top side of the roof tile

(59) 18 Protrusions on the underside of the roof tile

(60) 20 Press mold

(61) 22 Mold half

(62) 24 Mold half

(63) 26 Guide

(64) 28 Guide elements

(65) 30 Receiving space

(66) 32 Vent holes

(67) 34 Surface

(68) 36 Recess

(69) 38 Surface

(70) 40 Recesses

(71) 42 Filling apparatus

(72) 44 Main body

(73) 46 Main body

(74) 48 Coating

(75) 50 Coating

(76) 52 Pressure element

(77) 54 Pressure medium

(78) 56 Pressure chamber

(79) 58 Pressure line

(80) 60 Pressure element

(81) 62 Pressure element

(82) 64 Pressure chamber

(83) 66 Pressure line

(84) 66 Pressure lines

(85) 68 Pressure generating device

(86) 70 Cutout

(87) 72 Cutout

(88) 74 Protective element

(89) 76 Protective element

(90) 78 Clay material

(91) 100 Installation

(92) 102 Feeding device

(93) 104 Pile

(94) 106 Crushing device

(95) 108 Dryer

(96) 110 Mill

(97) 112 Sorting apparatus

(98) 114 Silo

(99) 116 Glazing and/or engobing device

(100) 118 Firing kiln

(101) 170 Faces of the roof tile 10 extending transversely to the pressing direction P

(102) 172 Reinforcement ribs

(103) 174 Transition regions

(104) 176 Faces of the roof tile 10 lying perpendicularly to the pressing direction P

(105) 178 Impression

(106) 200 Production installation

(107) E Injection direction

(108) P Pressing direction

(109) R Removal direction