Molding apparatus

Abstract

A lower punch is arranged to be inserted into a cavity of a die from a lower side of the die. A upper punch is arranged to be inserted into the cavity from an upper side of the die to compact the powder filled in the cavity, in cooperation with the lower punch. A feeder supplies the powder into the cavity. A first cam driving system has a first cam for vertically moving the die relative to the lower punch. A second cam driving system has a second cam for vertically moving the upper punch. A third cam driving system has a third cam for moving the feeder forward or backward relative to the cavity. A contact member is connected to the first cam driving system. A stopper is located above or below the contact member and regulates relative vertical movement of the die with respect to the lower punch, in cooperation with the contact member. A fourth cam driving system has a fourth cam for vertically moving the stopper. The first cam, the second cam, the third cam, and the fourth cam are rotated in synchronism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the molding apparatus according to the present invention, as a front view thereof.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the molding apparatus shown in FIG. 1, as a side view.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the molding apparatus shown in FIG. 1, as a top plan view.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a die set shown in FIG. 1 (including cross sections in part).

FIG. 5 is sectional views showing an adjustment handle and an adjusting mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a die driving system including a die driving cam shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of an upper ram driving system including an upper ram driving cam shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram collectively showing a feeder driving system and a pressurizing air cylinder driving system including the die driving cam and the upper ram driving cam shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of the feeder driving system including a feeder driving cam shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a stopper driving system including a die regulating cam shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 11 is a cam curve diagram showing shapes of the die driving cam, die driving cam, feeder driving cam, and die regulating cam shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIGS. 12 to 16 are step diagrams showing a procedure of performing molding by means of the molding apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an actual operation of the die in the cam diagram shown in FIG. 11.

Claims

1. A molding apparatus for compacting a powder into a predetermined shape, comprising: a die having a cavity into which the powder is filled;a lower punch arranged to be inserted into the cavity from a lower side of the die;an upper punch arranged to be inserted into the cavity from an upper side of the die to compact the powder filled in the cavity, in cooperation with the lower punch;a feeder for feeding the powder into the cavity;a first cam driving system having a first cam for vertically moving the die relative to the lower punch;a second cam driving system having a second cam for vertically moving the upper punch;a third cam driving system having a third cam for moving the feeder forward or backward relative to the cavity;a contact member connected to the first cam driving system;a stopper located above or below the contact member and arranged to regulate relative vertical movement of the die with respect to the lower punch, in cooperation with the contact member;a fourth cam driving system having a fourth cam for vertically moving the stopper; anddrive synchronizing means for rotating the first cam, the second cam, the third cam, and the fourth cam in synchronism.

2. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting a height position of the contact member or the stopper.

3. The molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the drive synchronizing means has a main shaft connected to the first cam, the second cam, the third cam, and the fourth cam, and a drive motor for rotating the main shaft.

4. The molding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first cam has such a shape as to sequentially raise, stop, lower, and stop the die relative to the lower punch, in a predetermined angular range, wherein the fourth cam has such a shape as to sequentially lower, stop, and raise the stopper, in the predetermined angular range,wherein the stopper is located above the contact member, andwherein the contact member and the stopper regulate relative upward movement of the die with respect to the lower punch in such a manner as to first raise and stop the die relative to the lower punch in accordance with movement of the first cam, subsequently lower, stop, and raise the die relative to the lower punch in accordance with movement of the fourth cam, and then stop the die relative to the lower punch in accordance with movement of the first cam.

5. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive synchronizing means has a main shaft connected to the first cam, the second cam, the third cam, and the fourth cam, and a drive motor for rotating the main shaft.

6. The molding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first cam has such a shape as to sequentially raise, stop, lower, and stop the die relative to the lower punch, in a predetermined angular range, wherein the fourth cam has such a shape as to sequentially lower, stop, and raise the stopper, in the predetermined angular range,wherein the stopper is located above the contact member, andwherein the contact member and the stopper regulate relative upward movement of the die with respect to the lower punch in such a manner as to first raise and stop the die relative to the lower punch in accordance with movement of the first cam, subsequently lower, stop, and raise the die relative to the lower punch in accordance with movement of the fourth cam, and then stop the die relative to the lower punch in accordance with movement of the first cam.

7. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cam has such a shape as to sequentially raise, stop, lower, and stop the die relative to the lower punch, in a predetermined angular range, wherein the fourth cam has such a shape as to sequentially lower, stop, and raise the stopper, in the predetermined angular range,wherein the stopper is located above the contact member, andwherein the contact member and the stopper regulate relative upward movement of the die with respect to the lower punch in such a manner as to first raise and stop the die relative to the lower punch in accordance with movement of the first cam, subsequently lower, stop, and raise the die relative to the lower punch in accordance with movement of the fourth cam, and then stop the die relative to the lower punch in accordance with movement of the first cam.

8. The molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first cam has such a shape as to sequentially raise, stop, lower, and stop the die relative to the lower punch, in a predetermined angular range, wherein the fourth cam has such a shape as to sequentially lower, stop, and raise the stopper, in the predetermined angular range,wherein the stopper is located above the contact member, andwherein the contact member and the stopper regulate relative upward movement of the die with respect to the lower punch in such a manner as to first raise and stop the die relative to the lower punch in accordance with movement of the first cam, subsequently lower, stop, and raise the die relative to the lower punch in accordance with movement of the fourth cam, and then stop the die relative to the lower punch in accordance with movement of the first cam.

9. A molding apparatus for compacting a powder into a predetermined shape, comprising: a die having a cavity into which the powder is filled;a lower punch arranged to be inserted into the cavity from a lower side of the die;an upper punch arranged to be inserted into the cavity from an upper side of the die to compact the powder filled in the cavity, in cooperation with the lower punch;a feeder for feeding the powder into the cavity;a first cam driving system having a first cam for vertically moving the die relative to the lower punch;a second cam driving system having a second cam for vertically moving the upper punch;a third cam driving system having a third cam for laterally moving the feeder;a contact member connected to the first cam driving system;a stopper located above or below the contact member and arranged to regulate relative vertical movement of the die with respect to the lower punch, in cooperation with the contact member;a fourth cam driving system having a fourth cam for vertically moving the stopper; anddrive synchronizing means for rotating the first cam, the second cam, the third cam, and the fourth cam in synchronism.