US 5,388,633 A · Method and apparatus for charging metal to a die cast

Abstract

An automatic ladling system is described for delivering a molten metal to the mold or die of a molding or casting machine. The ladling system comprises a programmable logic controller (PLC) for monitoring and controlling the sequential delivery of shots of a precise quantity of molten metal from a furnace or holding pot to a shot delivery apparatus of the casting machine. In the preferred system, the PLC also monitors and/or controls the temperature of the molten metal in the holding pot, the temperature of the molten metal in a metal transfer system, the operation of a pump for pumping molten metal from the holding pot to the shot delivery apparatus, the level of molten metal in the pot, and the operation of the casting machine.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A method for delivering molten metal from a source to a mold or die of a molding or casting machine, wherein the source of molten metal is a furnace or holding pot, or a combination thereof, comprising the steps of:

(a) transferring a predetermined volume of the molten metal from said holding pot to a shot delivery apparatus through a transfer means,
(b) allowing the molten metal to cool and solidify in the die following each charge,
(c) determining the volume of solidified metal charged into the die, and
(d) controlling the delivery of a subsequent volume of the molten metal from the holding pot to the shot delivery apparatus, in response to sequential detection of completion of a preceding charge of molten metal to the shot delivery apparatus, removal of a cast part from the die, and closure of the die;
and
e) weighing the casting after removal of the casting from the die, and calculating the volume of the casting based on the density of the metal in the casting.

3 more elements

A molten metal transfer system for delivering molten metal from a source of molten metal to a mold or die of a molding or casting machine, wherein said source of molten metal is a furnace or holding pot, or a combination thereof, comprising:

(a) means for transferring the molten metal from said holding pot to a shot delivery apparatus connected to the molding or casting machine, said means including a pump which is at least partially submerged in the molten metal, and a source of energy connected to the pump for transfer of the molten metal from the holding pot to the shot delivery apparatus,
(b) said shot delivery apparatus comprising a shot sleeve having a chamber, an inlet for the molten metal in said sleeve, and a ram movable in the sleeve chamber for moving molten metal from the sleeve into said die, and
(c) a controller operatively connected to a sensor for determining the volume of molten metal charged into the die, said controller including programming means for maintaining the volume of molten metal to be transferred from the holding pot into the die within a predetermined range, and said controller being responsive to a change in the volume, as sensed by the sensor, for controlling the delivery of an adjusted predetermined volume of molten metal to the die, and
(d) means for removing the solidified metal casting from the die, means for weighing the casting, and wherein said controller is adapted to determine the volume of the casting based on the weight and density of the metal in the casting.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for charging metal to a die cast

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for charging metal to a die cast

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29