Patent Application
20210069776
The present invention relates to a device for spraying a mold-releasing agent on a pattern plate in a molding machine that forms molds from molding sand by using a flask and the pattern plate, and a method therefor.
Conventionally, it has been known that a mold-releasing agent is sprayed in a molding space that is formed by a molding machine to prevent molding sand from adhering to a pattern plate and smoothly carry out drawing a mold (for example, see Patent Literature 1).
However, if the volume of the mold-releasing agent that is sprayed is not appropriate, a problem, such as a sticker (adhesion of molding sand to a pattern plate) or a defective drawing of a mold, occurs. So, controlling the volume of the agent to spray is important. However, the volume has conventionally been adjusted by observing it. Thus, often a change of the volume that is sprayed due to a clogging of a nozzle is not found. This is a problem. Further, leaking of the mold-releasing agent from a piping route or from a spray for the mold-releasing agent is not found. This is also a problem.
Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a device for spraying a mold-releasing agent and a method therefor by which a sticker and a defective drawing of a mold are prevented from occurring by searching for a leak of the mold-releasing agent, for a clogging of a nozzle for spraying the mold-releasing agent, or for a failure of a piece of equipment of the device for spraying the mold-releasing agent, to properly control the volume of the sprayed mold-releasing agent.
Patent Literature
[Patent Literature 1]
Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 2535076
To achieve the object, a device for spraying a mold-releasing agent of a first aspect of the present invention is, for example, as in
By this configuration, the device for spraying the mold-releasing agent comprises the flow sensor that measures the flow rate of the mold-releasing agent that flows in the piping for supplying the mold-releasing agent that is configured to supply the mold-releasing agent to the nozzle for spraying the mold-releasing agent and comprises the controller that searches for a leak of the mold-releasing agent, for a clogging of the nozzle for spraying the mold-releasing agent, or for a failure of a piece of the equipment of the device for spraying the mold-releasing agent, based on the measured flow rate. Thus, a leak of the mold-releasing agent, a clogging of the nozzle for spraying the mold-releasing agent, or a failure of a piece of the equipment of the device for spraying the mold-releasing agent can be searched for based on the flow rate of the mold-releasing agent, to properly control the volume of the sprayed mold-releasing agent.
The device for spraying the mold-releasing agent of the second aspect of the present invention, for example, as in
The device for spraying the mold-releasing agent of the third aspect of the present invention, for example, as in
By the device for spraying the mold-releasing agent of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the controller 90 adjusts a period of time to spray the mold-releasing agent A from the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, based on the measured flow. By this configuration, since the controller adjusts a period of time to spray the mold-releasing agent from the nozzle for spraying the mold-releasing agent based on the measured flow, the volume of the sprayed mold-releasing agent can be properly controlled.
The device for spraying the mold-releasing agent of the fifth aspect of the present invention, for example, as in
To achieve the above-mentioned object, a method for spraying a mold-releasing agent of a sixth aspect of the present invention is, for example, as in
By this configuration, the method for spraying the mold-releasing agent comprises the step of searching for a leak of the mold-releasing agent, for a clogging of the nozzle for spraying the mold-releasing agent, or for a failure of a piece of the equipment for spraying the mold-releasing agent based on the measured flow rate by measuring a flow rate of the mold-releasing agent that is supplied to be sprayed on the pattern plate from the nozzle for spraying the mold-releasing agent. Thus, the volume of the sprayed mold-releasing agent can be properly controlled.
The method for spraying the mold-releasing agent of a seventh aspect of the present invention, for example, as in
The method for spraying the mold-releasing agent of an eighth aspect of the present invention, for example, as in
By the method for spraying the mold-releasing agent of a ninth aspect of the present invention, for example, as in
By the present invention, a leak of the mold-releasing agent, a clogging of the nozzle for spraying the mold-releasing agent, or a failure of the equipment of the device for spraying the mold-releasing agent, can be searched for based on the flow rate of the mold-releasing agent. Thus, the volume of the sprayed mold-releasing agent is properly controlled, to prevent a sticker or a defective drawing of a mold from occurring.
The basic Japanese patent application, No. 2018-066496, filed Mar. 30, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety in the present application.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given below. However, the detailed description and the specific embodiments are only illustrations of the desired embodiments of the present invention, and so are given only for an explanation. Various possible changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art on the basis of the detailed description.
The applicant has no intention to dedicate to the public any disclosed embodiment. Among the disclosed changes and modifications, those which may not literally fall within the scope of the present claims constitute, therefore, a part of the present invention in the sense of the doctrine of equivalents.
The use of the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents in the specification and claims are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural form of a noun, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by the context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention, and so does not limit the scope of the invention, unless otherwise stated.
Below the embodiments of the present invention are discussed with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numbers. Thus, duplicate descriptions are omitted. First, with reference to
In the molding machine the pattern plate 20 is placed on the carrier 22 for a pattern. The flask 10 and the auxiliary flask 12 are stacked in this order on the frame 16 that surrounds the pattern plate 20. The frame 16 is vertically moved by means of a vertical cylinder, which is not shown, through a guide pin 18 that is inserted into an aperture that is formed in the carrier 22 for a pattern. The squeezing member 54 is inserted inside the auxiliary flask 12 from above it. The space that is surrounded by the pattern plate 20, the frame 16, the flask 10, the auxiliary flask 12, and the squeezing member 54, is a molding space.
The hopper 50 for the molding sand is provided above the auxiliary flask 12. It stores the molding sand S and supplies it to the molding space through a nozzle 52 for filling the molding sand that is provided at the lower part. The molding sand S is supplied to the hopper 50 for the molding sand through a chute 56 for supplying the molding sand that is provided to the upper part.
When the molding space is filled with the molding sand S, the hopper 50 for the molding sand and the squeezing member 54 are lowered to squeeze the molding sand S with the pattern plate 20 in the inner space of the flask 10, to thereby manufacture a mold (not shown). At that time, if the frame 16 is lowered, the molding sand S is squeezed from the side of the pattern plate 20. Thus, the molding sand is uniformly squeezed, to form a mold. Then, the hopper 50 for the molding sand and the squeezing member 54 are elevated, so that the mold and the squeezing member 54 are separated. The auxiliary flask 12 is also elevated. After the frame 16 is elevated so that the mold and the pattern plate 20 are separated, the flask 10 is further elevated. The mold that has been manufactured is sent to a next process while it is held by the flask 10.
To facilitate the separation of the mold and the pattern plate 20, a mold-releasing agent A is sprayed on the pattern plate 20 in the state as in
A flow sensor 42 that measures the flow rate of the mold-releasing agent A to be supplied to the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent is provided to the piping 40 for supplying the mold-releasing agent. A pressure sensor 34 that measures the pressure of the gas G1 that is supplied to the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent is provided to the piping 32 for supplying the gas. A pressure sensor 48 that measures the pressure of the pressurized air G2 that is used to supply the mold-releasing agent A from the tank 44 for storing the mold-releasing agent to the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent is provided to the piping 46 for the pressurized air. Incidentally, the piping 46 for the pressurized air, the pressure sensor 48, the source of the pressurized air (not shown), etc., constitute a device 49 for supplying the pressurized air. The source of the pressurized air (not shown) may be a compressor or a blower. It may be a pressurized tank, a bottle, etc., that stores the pressurized air that is supplied from a facility outside the device. The data measured by the flow sensor 42, the pressure sensor 34, and the pressure sensor 48 are sent to the controller 90 through a cable 92. The flow sensor 42, the pressure sensor 34, and the pressure sensor 48 may be connected to the controller 90 by radio, but not by the cable 92. The controller 90 may control the operations of the device 1 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, which includes the device 49 for supplying the pressurized air, the source of the pressurized air, etc. It may be a dedicated controller, may be a personal computer, may be incorporated in the controller of the molding machine, or may be incorporated in the controller of any other device or system. It may be located far away from the molding machine.
Next, with reference to
A source of the gas (not shown) is activated to supply the gas G1 to the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent through the piping 32 for supplying the gas. The gas G1 is used to spray the mold-releasing agent A from the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent. This is a step S30 for supplying the gas that is used for spraying the mold-releasing agent. At that time, the pressure of the gas G1 that flows through the piping 32 for supplying the gas is measured by means of the pressure sensor 34, so that the data on the pressure is sent to the controller 90 (a step S40). Incidentally, the source of the gas may be a compressor or a blower, or a pressurized tank, a bottle, etc., that stores the pressurized air that is supplied from a facility outside the device. Further, the source of the gas may be the same as the source of the pressurized air (not shown). If they are the same, the pressure of the pressurized air G2 to be supplied to the tank 44 for storing the mold-releasing agent is decreased below the pressure of the gas G1 that is used for spraying the mold-releasing agent A from the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent by providing a pressure-reducing valve (not shown), etc., to the piping 46 for the pressurized air.
By supplying the mold-releasing agent A at a set flow rate and the gas G1 at a set pressure to the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, the mold-releasing agent A is sprayed from the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent on the pattern plate 20. Incidentally, when the wording “be sprayed on the pattern plate 20” is used, the mold-releasing agent A that is sprayed from the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent must not be directed toward the pattern plate 20, but it may reach the pattern plate 20. For example, it may drift in the molding space, to drop on the pattern plate 20.
Now, the method for searching for a leak of the gas G1, for a clogging of the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, or for a failure of a piece of equipment of the device 1 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, based on the pressure of the gas G1, is discussed. First, the pressure of the gas G1 that has been measured by the pressure sensor 34 is judged to see if it is within a set range (a step S100). The set range of the pressure may be, for example, 0.1 MPa-0.2 MPa. However, it varies depending on the structure of the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, the property, such as the viscosity of the mold-releasing agent A, etc. If the pressure of the gas G1 is within the set range, the operation is determined to be normal (a step S110).
If the pressure of the gas G1 is lower than the set range, the failure of a piece of equipment of the device 1 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, such as a failure of the source of the gas, of the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, or of the piping 32 for supplying the gas, is considered to have occurred. Thus, typically an operator searches for the failure (a step S120). Based on the search, a measure to remedy the failure is carried out (a step S290).
If the pressure of the gas G1 is greater than that given in the set range, a clogging of the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent is considered to have occurred (a step S130). Thus, a measure to remedy any failure, i.e., the clogging, is carried out (the step S290).
It is judged if the mold-releasing agent A is to be sprayed from the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent (a step S200). It is judged if the controller 90 sends an order to spray it. Alternatively, an operator may select the order by a touch panel. If it is to be sprayed, it is judged if the flow rate of the mold-releasing agent A that has been measured by the flow sensor 42 is equal to, or greater than, a set flow rate (a step S220). The set flow rate varies depending on the size of the pattern plate 20, the property of the mold-releasing agent A, the structure of the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, etc. If the flow rate of the mold-releasing agent A is equal to, or greater than, the set flow rate, it is judged if the flow rate is detected only when the order to spray it is sent (a step S240). If the flow rate is detected only when the order to spray it is sent, the operation is determined to be normal (a step S260).
If it is judged by the step S200 not to spray it, then it is judged if the flow rate of the mold-releasing agent A is detected by the flow sensor 42 (a step S202). If no flow rate of the mold-releasing agent A is detected (“not detected” in the step S202), the operation is determined to be normal (a step S210). If the flow rate of the mold-releasing agent A is detected, the position of the leakage of the liquid is determined (a step S204). For example, an operator visually checks the device 1 for spraying the mold-releasing agent. If a leakage of a liquid is found, a measure to remedy the failure, i.e., the position of the leakage of the liquid, is carried out (the step S290). If no leakage of the liquid is found, a failure of instruments, the piping 40 for supplying the mold-releasing agent, etc., is searched for (a step S206). Based on the result of the search, a measure to remedy the failure of instruments, the piping 40 for supplying the mold-releasing agent, etc., is carried out (the step S290).
If the flow rate of the mold-releasing agent A is judged by the step S200 to be less than the set flow rate, it is judged if there is a clogging of the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent or a failure of a piece of equipment of the device 1 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, such as an on-off valve to open and close the piping 40 for supplying the mold-releasing agent or the piping 46 for the pressurized air (a step S222). If it is judged that there is a clogging of the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent or a failure of a piece of equipment of the device 1 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, a measure to remedy the clogging of the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent or the failure of a piece of equipment of the device 1 for spraying the mold-releasing agent is carried out (the step S290). If it is judged that there is none, a failure of instruments is considered to have occurred. Thus, the instruments are checked (a step S224). Then, a measure to remedy the failure of the instruments is carried out (the step S290).
If a flow rate of the mold-releasing agent A is detected when no order to spray it is sent at the step S240, a liquid leakage from the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, the piping 40 for supplying the mold-releasing agent, etc., is considered to have occurred (a step S242). Thus, a measure to remedy the failure of the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, the piping 40 for supplying the mold-releasing agent, etc., is carried out (the step S290).
After the measure to remedy the failure has been carried out at the step S290, the operation is repeated from the step S10 for supplying the mold-releasing agent A. When the operation has been judged to be normal after judging both the flow rate of the mold-releasing agent A and the pressure of the gas G1, i.e., at the Step S110 and the step S210 or S260, the operation is repeated from the step S10 for supplying the mold-releasing agent A, though it is not shown in
At the step S300 for adjusting the period of time to spray the mold-releasing agent A, it is adjusted based on the flow rate of the mold-releasing agent A that has been measured by means of the flow sensor 42. That is, a volume of the mold-releasing agent A to be sprayed on the pattern plate 20 is a value that is calculated by multiplying the period of time to spray it by the flow rate of it. Thus, the period of time is adjusted, so that an appropriate volume of the mold-releasing agent A is sprayed on it.
The steps that are discussed above are generally carried out by the controller 90. However, the steps S120, S204, S206, S224, and S242 and the measures (the step S290) are generally carried out by an operator. However, the present invention is not limited to this way.
As discussed above, by the device 1 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, a leak of the mold-releasing agent A, a leak of the gas G1, a clogging of the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, or a failure of a piece of equipment (that includes instruments) of the device 1 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, can be searched for based on the flow rate of the mold-releasing agent A measured by the flow sensor 42 or on the pressure of the gas G1 for spraying the mold-releasing agent A measured by the pressure sensor 34. Thus, the volume of the mold-releasing agent can be properly controlled.
In the flowchart of
In the flowchart of
With reference to
The laser sensor 60 is provided outside the auxiliary flask 12 that is moving and between the auxiliary flask 12 and the flask 10. By providing it in this way, the mold-releasing agent A can be prevented from adhering to the lens of the laser sensor 60. Further, even if it were to adhere to the lens, it could be easily wiped off. The laser sensor 60 can detect the mold-releasing agent A that is being sprayed, since the amount of laser rays that are received decreases due to the mold-releasing agent A that is sprayed. Thus, properly spraying the mold-releasing agent A can be checked, so that the reliability that the mold-releasing agent A is properly sprayed on the pattern plate 20 increases. Incidentally, when by the molding machine the pattern plate 20, the flask 10, and the auxiliary flask 12 are stacked, not below the squeezing member 54, but at another location to be transported below the squeezing member 54 by means of a turntable (not shown), the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent and the laser sensor 60 may be located near the turntable. The laser sensor 60 may be located at the auxiliary flask 12. The location of it is not limited.
By the above discussion, one can see that the mold-releasing agent A is supplied to the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent by means of the pressurized air G2 that is used to supply the mold-releasing agent A. At the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, the mold-releasing agent A is sprayed by means of the gas G1 that is used to spray it and that is supplied separately from the mold-releasing agent A. However, the mold-releasing agent A may be sprayed from the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent by means of the pressurized air G2 that is used to supply the mold-releasing agent A, but not by means of the gas G1 that is used to spray it. In this case, a leak of the mold-releasing agent A, a clogging of the nozzle 30 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, or a failure of a piece of equipment (that includes instruments) of the device 1 for spraying the mold-releasing agent, can be searched for based on the flow rate of the mold-releasing agent A measured by the flow sensor 42. Further, the device 1 for spraying the mold-releasing agent may have no piping 32 for supplying the gas, no pressure sensor 34, etc.
Below, the main reference numbers that are used in the specification and the drawings are listed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-066496 | Mar 2018 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2019/006099 | 2/19/2019 | WO | 00 |
