EP0875368A2 - Dispositif pour l'alimentation de matière à mouler - Google Patents

Dispositif pour l'alimentation de matière à mouler Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0875368A2
EP0875368A2 EP98107755A EP98107755A EP0875368A2 EP 0875368 A2 EP0875368 A2 EP 0875368A2 EP 98107755 A EP98107755 A EP 98107755A EP 98107755 A EP98107755 A EP 98107755A EP 0875368 A2 EP0875368 A2 EP 0875368A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heating
moulding material
receptacle
moulding
location
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98107755A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0875368A3 (fr
Inventor
Simon Wright
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GKN Sinter Metals Ltd
Original Assignee
GKN Sinter Metals Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GKN Sinter Metals Ltd filed Critical GKN Sinter Metals Ltd
Publication of EP0875368A2 publication Critical patent/EP0875368A2/fr
Publication of EP0875368A3 publication Critical patent/EP0875368A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
    • B22F3/00—Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor ; Presses and furnaces
    • B22F3/004—Filling molds with powder
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B30—PRESSES
    • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
    • B30B15/00—Details of, or accessories for, presses; Auxiliary measures in connection with pressing
    • B30B15/30—Feeding material to presses
    • B30B15/302—Feeding material in particulate or plastic state to moulding presses
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
    • B22F2998/00—Supplementary information concerning processes or compositions relating to powder metallurgy
    • B22F2998/10—Processes characterised by the sequence of their steps

Definitions

  • This invention related to an apparatus for feeding moulding material towards a moulding station where the moulding material may be used in a moulding apparatus.
  • the invention has particularly but not exclusively been devised for use in feeding moulding material comprising metal powder, and usually a lubricant, from a convenient position towards a metal powder moulding apparatus where the powder is formed to a shape in a mould (known as a die) as pressure is applied.
  • a metal powder moulding apparatus where the powder is formed to a shape in a mould (known as a die) as pressure is applied.
  • the invention may be utilised in other applications where it is desired to feed appropriate alternative moulding material towards a moulding station.
  • the use of a continuous tape type of heater means that it is difficult to control the temperature of the powder being conveyed, along the whole length of the auger.
  • the auger tends to compress the powder with the result that the auger tends to become clogged with compressed material, making it less effective for conveying and eventually resulting in failure of the feeding apparatus.
  • the metal powder is conventionally fed into a receptacle, such as a funnel from where it is conveyed towards the moulding station, and at or adjacent the moulding station, conventionally there is a reservoir for the moulding material from which moulding material is taken into a moulding apparatus for moulding.
  • a receptacle such as a funnel from where it is conveyed towards the moulding station, and at or adjacent the moulding station, conventionally there is a reservoir for the moulding material from which moulding material is taken into a moulding apparatus for moulding.
  • heating tape is entrained about the funnel and the reservoir but this does not result in heat being properly applied to the metal powder etc.
  • the quality of the resultant moulding may be effected, and the moulding apparatus can become worn prematurely, particularly where the metal powder is a ferrous or other hard, based metal.
  • an apparatus for feeding moulding material towards a moulding station comprising a receptacle for the moulding material at a first location, conveyor means for conveying moulding material from the receptacle towards a second location, reservoir means at the second location, the second location being at or adjacent the moulding station, heating means for heating the moulding material as it is conveyed by the conveying means characterised in that the heating means comprises a plurality of heating units spaced along the conveyor means, and a control means individually to control the heat output of the plurality of heating units thereby to provide zonal heating control along the conveyor means.
  • the conveyor means may comprises a rotatable screw member received in a casing, the rotatable screw member having a generally central hollow.
  • the hollow rotatable screw member may comprise a helical wire but any other suitable hollow screw member may instead be provided.
  • the hollow screw member may in use rotated by a motive means through a transmission including a continuous loop element such as a toothed belt
  • the receptacle may comprise an open top through which moulding material is introduced into the receptacle and may include a heating means for heating the moulding material therein, the heating means comprising at least one heating element which extends through the receptacle and is in use at least partly embedded in the moulding material.
  • the receptacle may have at least one tube extending therethrough in which the heating element is located in use.
  • the apparatus of the invention may also comprise a heating means for heating the moulding material in the reservoir means, the heating means comprising at least one heating unit which extends only partly about an exterior wall of the reservoir means.
  • a heating means of this kind such as a band heater, for the reservoir of moulding material, again more accurate control of the temperature of the moulding material in the reservoir means may be achieved.
  • Each of the heating means of the receptacle, the conveyor means and the reservoir means may be controlled by a control means in response to inputs from various sensor means which sense the temperature of the moulding material (directly or indirectly).
  • the invention is particularly but not exclusively applicable where the moulding material comprises metal powder and a lubricant, but may be used in other applications.
  • the apparatus 10 for feeding moulding material towards a moulding station at a second location 13.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises a generally funnel shaped receptacle 11 for the moulding material at a first location, a conveyor means 12 for conveying moulding material from the receptacle 11 towards the second location 13, a reservoir means 14 at the second location 13.
  • the apparatus 10 is particularly for feeding moulding material comprising metal powder which preferably contains a lubricant, which is moulded at the moulding station by a powder moulding technique under pressure, or compaction in a mould or die, to form the metal powder into a desired configuration.
  • the receptacle 11 has an open top 15 into which moulding material may be introduced at a convenient location distant from the moulding station.
  • a heating means for heating the moulding material in the receptacle 11 comprising at least one heating element 19 which extends through the receptacle 11, in this example there being several heating elements each located in a respective tube 17, at least some of the tubes 17 being embedded in the moulding material in the receptacle 11 in use.
  • the temperature of the moulding material in the receptacle 11 is carefully controlled by a control means 20 which receives an input from an appropriate sensor 18 which is also in use embedded in the moulding material in the receptacle 11.
  • the sensor 18 sends a signal along a line 21 to the control means 20.
  • the control means 20 sends appropriate control signals along a control line 22 to the heating elements 19 within the tubes 17.
  • all of the heating elements 19 may be controlled in parallel, or at least some of the heating elements 19 may be controlled individually, so that heat of varying intensity may be imparted into the moulding material within the receptacle 11 as it waits to be conveyed along the conveyor means 12.
  • the conveyor means 12 comprises an outer casing 25 and an inner casing 26.
  • a rotatable screw member 27 having a generally central hollow, and which in this example comprises a helical wire, the diameter of the screw member 27 being slightly less than the inside diameter of the inner casing 26 of the conveyor means 12.
  • a motive means 28 comprising in this example an electric motor, which drives the hollow rotatable screw member 27 via a transmission, which includes in this example, a toothed belt 29 although any other flexible loop may be utilised, or indeed any other appropriate direct or indirect transmission may be used as desired.
  • the hollow screw member 27 in the form of a helical wire, acts in the manner of an auger to convey the moulding material from the receptacle 11, or at least a base 11a of the receptacle 11 along the casing 26 from the first receptacle 11 towards the second location 13.
  • the temperature is controlled zonally along the conveying means 12. This is achieved by the provision of a plurality of heating units 30, only two of which are illustrated in the example, each heating unit 30 being for example, a band heater and having an associated heat sensor 31.
  • the sensors 31 provide signals along appropriate lines 32 to the control means 20, which in response, controls operation of the heating units 30 to switch them on or off or otherwise to control the heat dissipated by the heating units 30 in their zonal positions.
  • a receptacle 14 for receiving the mixed conveyed moulding material and for holding the mixed moulding material until it is carried into a moulding apparatus, for example by means of a shuttle 35, where it is moulded, i.e. compacted in a mould or die under pressure.
  • a heating means comprising a band heater 36 which extends only partly around the reservoir 14 but in intimate contact with the outside surface of the reservoir 14.
  • the effect of this heating means 36 is monitored by means of a sensor 37 which provides an input to the control means 20 along line 38, and in response, the control means 20 controls the heating means 36 so that the temperature of the moulding material within the reservoir 14 is maintained substantially constant.
  • More than one band heater 36 may be provided if desired.
  • the reservoir 14 is deep and hence a second heating means is provided comprising a second heating element and sensor 36a,37a which are also connected to the control means 20.
  • the reservoir 14 also is provided with a level sensor 39 which senses the level of metal powder in the reservoir 14.
  • sensor 39 provides an input (or stops providing an input) to control means 20 along line 40.
  • control means 20 may slow the speed of the screw member 27, or may stop the screw member 24 rotating altogether, until the level of metal powder in the reservoir 14 again falls below the level of the sensor 39 (or a second, lower, sensor; not shown).
  • the screw member 27 may again be rotated, or rotated at full speed, to deliver more metal powder to the reservoir 14. Mainly by virtue of the zonal temperature control along the conveyor 12, this does not present any problem of the powder and lubricant being too hot or cold in the conveyor 12.
  • the receptacle 11 may be varied.
  • the receptacle 11 shown is generally funnel shaped, but could be of an alternative configuration although preferably has an open top 15 to receive the moulding material.
  • the length of the conveyor means 12 between the receptacle 11 and the second location 13 may be varied substantially from what is shown although the gauge of the wire for the hollow screw member 27 may need to be increased over particularly long runs of conveyor means 12 or even some mechanism by which drive is imparted to an opposite end 38 of the hollow screw member 27 to that at which the motive means 28 is provided, may need to be provided.
  • a space between the outer 25 and inner 26 casings of the conveyor means 12 is insulated to preserve heat within the inner casing 26 although the outer casing 25 may in some applications be omitted altogether.
  • the nature of the reservoir 14 is dependant largely upon the moulding apparatus adjacent thereto.
  • the reservoir 14 forms part of the moulding apparatus although may be a more simple reservoir from which moulding material is removed and delivered directly into the moulding apparatus.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
EP98107755A 1997-04-30 1998-04-28 Dispositif pour l'alimentation de matière à mouler Withdrawn EP0875368A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9708674A GB2324781A (en) 1997-04-30 1997-04-30 Apparatus for feeding moulding material
GB9708674 1997-04-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0875368A2 true EP0875368A2 (fr) 1998-11-04
EP0875368A3 EP0875368A3 (fr) 1998-11-25

Family

ID=10811532

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98107755A Withdrawn EP0875368A3 (fr) 1997-04-30 1998-04-28 Dispositif pour l'alimentation de matière à mouler

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0875368A3 (fr)
GB (1) GB2324781A (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100449820B1 (ko) * 2002-07-02 2004-09-22 오재완 스크류형 연속식 금속분말 제조장치

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB558746A (en) * 1942-06-15 1944-01-19 Edward Mortimer Hobbs Improvements in screw conveyors
GB1106112A (en) * 1966-01-21 1968-03-13 Chore Time Equipment Feeder apparatus for livestock
US3521326A (en) * 1967-04-26 1970-07-21 Comstock & Wescott Powder metallurgy press apparatus
US3832107A (en) * 1973-06-29 1974-08-27 United Aircraft Corp Apparatus for making articles from particulate matter
US3949863A (en) * 1974-09-24 1976-04-13 A. R. Wood Manufacturing Company (Entire) Combination auger system
US3988088A (en) * 1975-12-04 1976-10-26 United Technologies Corporation Press for particulate material
US4202438A (en) * 1977-07-25 1980-05-13 Rotilio James V Flexible conveyor system
JPS5753336A (en) * 1980-09-17 1982-03-30 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Extruder
NO160281C (no) * 1986-02-07 1991-05-30 Petter H Heyerdahl Anordning ved doseringsinnretning.
EP0462912B1 (fr) * 1990-06-20 1994-04-06 Transitube Projet (Societe Anonyme) Dispositif élévateur pour transporter des produits solides à l'état divisé
US5213816A (en) * 1991-05-31 1993-05-25 Cincinnati Incorporated Polymer coated powder heating and feeding system for a compacting press
US5593707A (en) * 1995-03-28 1997-01-14 Cincinnati Incorporated Auger conveyor assembly for heating and feeding polymer coated powder to the shuttle of a compacting press

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0875368A3 (fr) 1998-11-25
GB9708674D0 (en) 1997-06-18
GB2324781A (en) 1998-11-04

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